Absolute lowest crowd dates?

[cheryterese]

We had an incredible first family trip to the World this past Jan/Feb and thought the crowds were very manageable. Just starting to think about our next trip and wondering when the crowds are at their absolute lowest? Thanks!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Our two visits in Sept were not crowded at all. No waits for rides. We were there around the week of the 20th both times.
We have also been early December and that was great as well, although you have to avoid the week of the parade taping.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I think there are still several time when the crowds are super low our top picks are:
2 weeks following Labor Day
Week before Thanksgiving
First week in Jan after the New Years holiday
Last weekend in Jan
and in 2011 first week in March (b/c Easter is much later in 2011)

 

[MomofKatie]

Lowest crowd times, traditionally:

-Mid September through week before Thanksgiving, avoiding Columbus Day weekend and Jersey Week (more like Jersey long weekend, this year from 11/4- 11/7)

-Week following Thanksgiving through mid December, avoiding Pop Warner week (usually around Dec 5- 10 or so)

-Early January (once kids are back in school after Christmas holidays) until MLK week

-Very end of January through mid February, avoiding President's Week.

Anything after mid Feb through early May is busy to very busy due to Spring Break and Easter. Crowds fall back to moderate levels until Memorial Day weekend, then the summer high crowds descend until mid August. Once a very slow time, mid August through mid September are now more what most would call moderate crowd levels due to Free Dining.

 

[DisDayz]

We have found that November, up until the Thanksgiving Week, is about the lightest. Weather can be a bit tricky but for crowds this is about the best.

 

[cheryterese]

Okay, so it sounds like when we went (last week of Jan and first week of Feb) was one of those lowest time periods. We thought it was great, but there were a few really busy days. We're contemplating going back at the same time period but were thinking of September or November also. Only our oldest will be in school for the next trip and we don't mind taking him out. Which low time has the best weather, in your opinions?

 

[TDC Nala]

The week after Labor Day, even with free dining.

 

[cheryterese]

As for our Jan/Feb weather for the above mentioned trip, we had a few days in the mid 70's, most in the mid 60's and a cold one in the 50's. We thought the weather was fabulous (we came from cold and snowy Western NY).

 

[lamb616]

From what I've read, the couple weeks AFTER the week after Easter (since Easter is late next year, this would be beginning of May) are really low crowds

 

[Chrisbeary]

We went last year November 7-14, the week of Veteran's Day and the crowds were great. We only had one cooler day that we needed sweatshirts.

 

[siskaren]

Okay, so it sounds like when we went (last week of Jan and first week of Feb) was one of those lowest time periods. We thought it was great, but there were a few really busy days. We're contemplating going back at the same time period but were thinking of September or November also. Only our oldest will be in school for the next trip and we don't mind taking him out. Which low time has the best weather, in your opinions?

If you're talking between September and December, unless you like hot weather (and I'm talking upper 80s to low 90s), December is better in my opinion, although December can get chilly. Holiday time at WDW is a great time to go, and personally, I would much rather possibly have chilly weather than the heat of September.

 

[fsmith2845]

Our two visits in Sept were not crowded at all. No waits for rides. We were there around the week of the 20th both times.
We have also been early December and that was great as well, although you have to avoid the week of the parade taping.

Any idea when the parade taping will be in 2010???

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Okay, so it sounds like when we went (last week of Jan and first week of Feb) was one of those lowest time periods. We thought it was great, but there were a few really busy days. We're contemplating going back at the same time period but were thinking of September or November also. Only our oldest will be in school for the next trip and we don't mind taking him out. Which low time has the best weather, in your opinions?

Best weather from the options presented -- week before Thanksgiving and the two weeks after Thanksgiving. At worst, you might hit a cold spell and have to wear a sweatshirt.

I won't deny that there has been at least one year with severe cold in the early December weeks, but that is unusual.

 

[MomofKatie]

Any idea when the parade taping will be in 2010???

Don't know the exact dates, but it is usually during the first weekend of December.

 

[bethjones]

To maximize both the lowest crowds and the best weather it would have to be the week before Thanksgiving. Sep is too rainy and hot, Jan-Feb can be really cold at times. November is the best bet.
Beth

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

In 2007 we went in march/ April and it was great! Early dec is also nice.

 

[java]

Just a reminder - low crowd times are typically when refurbishments take place on rides- and hours at the parks are short.

Give me the crowds of summer when I can stay in the MK until 3AM!!

The one time we went "off season" I was shocked to see the parks close at 7! We were well rested that trip.

 

[superwy]

We've been several times the third week in January and the first week in December and have found both times to have low crowds. One caveat about January is the weather. One year we had to buy hats, mittens and sweatshirts as it dipped into the 30's during the Pirates and Princesses Party. We are from Boston and left all that stuff at home!

 

[cheryterese]

Just a reminder - low crowd times are typically when refurbishments take place on rides- and hours at the parks are short.

Give me the crowds of summer when I can stay in the MK until 3AM!!

The one time we went "off season" I was shocked to see the parks close at 7! We were well rested that trip.

LOL! We loved it, but we have young children and the hours worked great for us. When they're older we'll have to change.

 

[lighttech]

We went a few years back in November, and it was wonderful! Weather was mild, the Christmas decorations were up at the parks, and crowd volume was low. We also made use of the MVMCP, which turned out to be really magical for our young son (he was stunned by the "snow" on mainstreet) and a great time to get on rides with short lines.

I'm tagging in here to pay attention too. We're thinking about going in Spring 2011, and I've never been that time of year. I don't like going in the big crowds, and, as someone else mentioned, the early hours don't bother me b/c I have to LOs anyway. Will keep tabs to see if any spring times are best!

Also, just hoping the promos hold out until then...