Absolute Least Crowded Time?

[hannahsmom7]

I'm making my head spin trying to figure this out, lol. I'm trying to plan a trip in a year or year and a half for my now one yr old and five yr olds. Because the little guy will be so young I want to go at the least crowded time. I don't have to go around school, work, etc, so I can truly go anytime. I don't want summer, but that's about it. I was thinking January b/c we can celebrate both of their birthdays as well, but in all the trip reports I've been reading it sounds like January has been quite busy this year. I've found some sites online, but the info is kind of conflicting and there are so many other things I'm seeing like pop warner, Jersey week, etc. Help! I really don't care about seeing Christmas lights either, I've done it before, so that's not a factor either. TIA!

 

[Robo]

I'm making my head spin trying to figure this out, lol. I'm trying to plan a trip in a year or year and a half for my now one yr old and five yr olds. Because the little guy will be so young I want to go at the least crowded time. I don't have to go around school, work, etc, so I can truly go anytime. I don't want summer, but that's about it. I was thinking January b/c we can celebrate both of their birthdays as well, but in all the trip reports I've been reading it sounds like January has been quite busy this year. I've found some sites online, but the info is kind of conflicting and there are so many other things I'm seeing like pop warner, Jersey week, etc. Help! I really don't care about seeing Christmas lights either, I've done it before, so that's not a factor either. TIA!

Now let me see...





Oops!

Sorry.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I've always heard that September seems to be the deadest month. That's because the kiddies have gone back to school and the parents aren't quite ready to pull the kids out yet.

I would look for all of September, late January - after MLK, Late April-at least 2 wks after Easter, and early May. Some schools will start getting out as early as May 15th.

Look on your calendar, if some employees have a 4 day weekend, expect Disney to be crowded. Avoid weeks with President's Day, Columbus Day, MLK Jr., etc. Also avoid Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

 

[JKMJ441724]

We went in September a couple of years ago with children who were about the age of yours. We walked right on to most rides - 15 minute wait for Space Mountain.

It was still hot, but not completely miserable. Just made sure to drink lots of water.

 

[micmacmissy]

Historically, the LOWEST crowds of the year occur after thanksgiving, but before Christmas. December 1- 15 is generally a terrific time to go.

January is also a great time--after schools so back (which this year wasn't until Jan. 6th) but before the long weekends begin...this year, we were there from the 5th to the 12th and did not find it too crowded at all. It was more crowded than December, but not by a lot.

Another low crowd time is early September, after labor day. But we avoid that because we can't take the heat! Basically, avoid it whenever schools have holidays...here are some low crowd times throughout the year...

Late April/early May
September anytime after Labor Day weekend
Mid- to late October isn't too bad
December 1-20 is the best
January 6- Presidents Day weekend

Of course, special events will come up at some of these times, but generally these are better times to go. Avoiding parks on the weekends to miss local crowds is another good plan...nothing beats Magic Kingdom on a Wednesday!

Have fun planning! You might also consider looking at the 2008 Unofficial Guide, or their corresponding website (google it). They track the crowds meticulously throughout the year...their crowd calendar makes for very easy planning!

 

[Robo]

The problem (as you have noted) is that there is no way to KNOW this in advance, and there are lots of opinions.

It can change with the "whim" of the visiting public.

Just as YOU have yet to tell Disney when you will be arriving...
millions of other guests are still deciding when to make THEIR treks to WDW.

Likely NOBODY (even to some extent, WDW) will know exactly when the crowds will be there.

In the traditionally lower-attendance times, WDW has added extra incentives for guests and invited school groups, etc. for special events to help fill the resorts and parks.

I can tell you Summer Vacation, Spring Break, Easter, Christmas, July 4th and most long weekends will be BUSY,
but which month WILL be SLOWEST... its not so easy anymore.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Now let me see...





Oops!

Sorry.

Very cute.

Recently, I read two trip reports from two different people that were at WDW during the same week. One said it was busy, the other said it was manageable. Everyone has a different gauge and tolerance on crowds. Like mentioned, any time around a holiday and ALL of the summer are busy at WDW. We were at WDW this past October 20th - 24th and December 2nd - 8th (DCL and then back to WDW) December 15th - 17th. We had little crowds both times. We'd go again that time of year in a heartbeat. We were at WDW in December while the Pop Warner and cheerleaders were there and didn't have any problems. Pop Warner is there this year December 8th - 12th. Which makes December 1st - 5th even more desirable to some people this year. DH went this past September 9th - 15th on business to WDW/Disney Institute (Yes, I rolled my eyes at him too when he said it was for business.) He said the day he went to MK ALL the rides were walk on. But, it did rain two days while he was there. This year, we are going WDW at the end of April, the third week in September and the week after Thanksgiving santa: Christmas decorations are up!). We need to get the most our of our APs before they expire in December.

- Jennifer

 

[DaniandRyan]

we went this year from January 7-13 and it was wonderful. We walked on most rides.

 

[mama4]

Instead of trying to plan for the lowest crowd seasons, maybe you should plan to go when one of the parties is happening (P&P or MNSSHP- I bet the Christmas one is still pretty crowded). Then you will know you'll have a pretty good chance of low crowds since the # of tickets is limited.

 

[captinhookedondisney]

Last year the least busy time was the first week of the year and the last 2 weeks of August till the end of the 1st week of September

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Instead of trying to plan for the lowest crowd seasons, maybe you should plan to go when one of the parties is happening (P&P or MNSSHP- I bet the Christmas one is still pretty crowded). Then you will know you'll have a pretty good chance of low crowds since the # of tickets is limited.

We went to MVMCP this past December 4th (Tuesday). We were there with 40,000 of our closest friends. IT WAS CROWDED! The parade and fireworks were great. But, we had the best time around 11 PM when most people cleared out. We had BTMRR and Splash Mountain all to ourselves. It was magical.

- Jennifer

 

[BabyPiglet]

Late September, Early October. That's when we went and all wait times were less than 20 minutes. Most of the time we just walked right on through and got in the ride vehicle.

 

[hannahsmom7]

Thank you all so much for the responses. It's very helpful to hear your thoughts and experiences. I've narrowed it down from somewhere between Sept-Jan . Ah, decisions decisions! I just want this to be a great trip. The mini trip we had two years ago was dh's first. It was CROWDED, yet he liked Disney much more than he expected (he was anti Disney "commercialism" his whole life, determined to hate it ). We really had a blast, but the crowds put a damper on things for us (it was just after Easter, we were in Orlando visiting family and I couldn't be there and not go to WDW!). Anyway, I know this trip can make or break the frequency of our trips in the future, so I want it to be perfect!

 

[Doogan]

For a historical reference you could check the Unofficial Guide. It's based on past history, so you have to take it with grain of salt since it can change from year-to-year, but at least it will give you an idea of what has historically been the least crowded times.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Thank you all so much for the responses. It's very helpful to hear your thoughts and experiences. I've narrowed it down from somewhere between Sept-Jan . Ah, decisions decisions! I just want this to be a great trip. The mini trip we had two years ago was dh's first. It was CROWDED, yet he liked Disney much more than he expected (he was anti Disney "commercialism" his whole life, determined to hate it ). We really had a blast, but the crowds put a damper on things for us (it was just after Easter, we were in Orlando visiting family and I couldn't be there and not go to WDW!). Anyway, I know this trip can make or break the frequency of our trips in the future, so I want it to be perfect!

Well, we went last September for the "low crowds," "walk-on rides," and "dead parks" everybody kept talking about on here. Well, that is not what we found. Is it less busy than summer, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and Thanksgiving? Of course. Was it low crowds and walk-on rides? NO!!! We still had fun but the Free Dining secret is out and the parks have become more and more crowded during September. The slowest I have ever seen the parks was when we went the last three days of January into the first week of February. We rode a number of rides over and over because no one else was in line. That was in 2005 and I don't think that happens too much anymore. As was mentioned by a pp, with all of the incentives and promotions Disney has come up with to increase attendence, there really aren't "slow times" like in the past. The second best time we went was the week after Thanksgiving. The weather was perfect and the crowds were pretty low.

Here is a copy of my trip report from September:

We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

It rained at least a little bit every afternoon we were there. On one day, without any warning, no menacing clouds or noticeable wind change, the sky just opened up and poured. It poured so hard, it was like the sky opened up and dumped a bucket of water on your head. There wasn't even time to put our ponchos on. By the time we drug everyone's ponchos out and put them on the rain stopped. We then left for our Ohana ADR looking like someone had just thrown us in the hotel pool - literally socked to the bone.

We did have awesome food on our trip. We ate at Chef Mickey's, Liberty Tree, Planet Hollywood, 50's Primetime Cafe, Garden Grill, Cinderella's Royal Table, Ohana (best meal we had), and Crystal Palce. We had ADRs for all and always had to wait at least 20 minutes for our table. Saw them turning away walk-ups at all restaurants. Counter service was not too crowded, but we tried to eat early around 11:30 a.m.

I am a faithful fan of the UG and if it weren't for knowing about their touring plans and knowing how to utilize the Fastpasss system the lines would not have been manageable. There was the occasion that you walked up to something in the late afternoon and there was only a 10 or 15 minute wait, but most of the headliners kept 30 minute or more waits. At MK on our last day Space Mountain had a 75 minute wait at 3:30 p.m! Now, to you Christmas week, Easter week, or July 4th people that probably doesn't sound too bad, but we specifically booked these dates for low crowds, and there were not now crowds.

When we left we had every intention of booking the Free Dining bounceback for next September that they were offering, but after the terrible heat and crowds my husband said he would happily pay the $1300 we saved on this trip and put it towards a slower, cooler time to visit.

We have previously been at the end of January into the first part of February and have also been end of November into first of December and those are the times we will be planning our future WDW vacations.

I don't want to rain on anybody's September Free Dining parade (excuse the pun), but I wanted to be honest about the heat and crowds so others will know what to expect and not be disappointed.

 

[luvdiz]

We went Nov. 1-5th, 2006 and it was great! We went on a Tuesday and were allowed to stay on many rides as there was no one in the line to get on. It got more crowded the closer we got to the weekend -and the Jersey week folks were coming in.

Since you are not constrained by school, I would try to go during the middle of the week, during the school year, being mindful of special events.

 

[kaitlin-n-mom]

In 2007 we were in WDW the last week of January (21-26th). It was great, crowds were low and we had very little waits for any of the rides. This year we are going Nov. 9-16th and hoping for similar crowd levels.

 

[EMom]

Well, we went last September for the "low crowds," "walk-on rides," and "dead parks" everybody kept talking about on here. Well, that is not what we found. Is it less busy than summer, Christmas, Easter, 4th of July and Thanksgiving? Of course. Was it low crowds and walk-on rides? NO!!! We still had fun but the Free Dining secret is out and the parks have become more and more crowded during September.

Here is a copy of my trip report from September:

We went this past Sept. from 9/14 - 9/22. Now, don't get me wrong, we did have a great time. Afterall, it is Disney World and we are Disney fanatics, but we will never (and I mean never) go in September again. It was very crowded and very hot (I don't mean a little hot. I mean sweltering. When you came out of an air-conditioned ride and walked out in the heat it would take your breath way hot). I live in Alabama, I know what hot is and it was hot, hot hot. Did I mention it was hot?

I heard that Sept. 22 was one of the busiest days at the hotels, with TONS of check-ins and outs because it was the last day of free dining. Well, sort of the last day. If you booked your trip to BEGIN on Sept. 22, you could still take advantage of free dining and that's what we did.

Unlike your trip, we did experience a crowd-free vacation the week after you traveled. Mostly walk-ons, with a 10-15 minute wait on rare occasions. Yes, it was hot, but we're also from a hot state and I can handle heat if I can just walk right on a ride without having to wait. The low temp was in the mid-80's, the high was mid-90s. The high on most days was in the low 90s. But the evenings were nice.

I could not handle heat AND crowds. I'm sorry you wound up with both.

 

[fireman1]

We're leaving this friday nite/saturday mornin' for a 6 day 7 nite stay. I know it will always been crowded at Disney, I just hope its not summertime like crowds.

 

[wilde_oscar]

go on tuesday