Best time for lowest crowds and cooler temps?

[3xthecharm]

My sister and I are planning a trip for our DDs before they go into 1st grade. It will be my last year before I return to teaching after being a stay at home mom. This will be the last year we can go anytime we want.

We want opinions on the best time to go with low crowds and cooler temperatures(low 80's to high 60's).

We would be going during the 06-07 school year. I know that is a ways a way, but we are going 12/31-1/4 this year and I want to plan how many days I should buy for us on our passes.

 

[bavaria]

Anytime between Dec 1-15 is great - good weather, low rates, plus you get all the holiday things to see!

I know that people were worried that this year it was busier as people have discovered the 'secret' season, but with the exception of a few times it was pretty quiet. The theory was that a lot of people who cancelled in 8/04 and 9/04 due to hurricanes rescheduled for 12/04. If so, then 12/05 may be back to previous year's levels.

 

[nowellsl]

We just went a week ago and the weather was just what you're looking for - crowds were low as well. Unfortunately you can't depend on the weather during January, could be 80's - could be 30's. You just never know.

 

[mikki]

After going mostly in the summer, early June or August since our 1st trip in 1992. In 2001 we went in October and stayed at the Poly. I thought the weather was perfect and the Not So Scary Halloween Party was great! That trip goes on record as being one of our favorites. It probably would have been the best except the whole family couldn't make it for that particular trip. Have fun organizing your trip.

 

[the kabuki]

We go right after New Years', around the 4th or 5th, crowds are light, no lines or only a max of 5 minutes wait, weather is a gamble. Last week was beautiful, guess it makes up for all those times when it was in the 30's and 40's. We been sometimes where we have had bathing suits on one day and winter coats the next. But even in cooler temps, it beats going during the heat. Did June one time, and that was enough.

 

[T16GEM]

we always go for the first two weeks in November and the crowds are minimal, wait times usually arount 15 minutes for the most poupar rides. Weather is usually in th elow eighties but it goes a bit chillier at night so take a jacket!

 

[MiaSRN62]

we always go for the first two weeks in November and the crowds are minimal,

IN the past, this has been a very good time with the exception of this past November. We were there Nov 2-6 and it was a madhouse. We found out it was "Jersey Week". Not sure if Jersey Week always falls on these dates or this year was just especially bad also because I think alot of people had to reschedule their late August/Sept vacations due to all the hurricanes. I think this contributed to the first two weeks in December being unusually busy also.
In '02, we went the last week of September and found the parks to be wonderful. Barely any lines. High temps were around 78-84 the week we were there and the nighttime temps were in the upper 60's to low 70's.
We've gone in late January/early Feb a couple times and found the temps to be anywhere from highs of 50 to 80. Have to be prepared for anything during that time period. Crowds were light though.

 

[DisneyShack]

Been many times but not in October. We are planning a quick trip this October 6-10, which happens to be Columbus Day weekend. What are the crowds like at this time? What can I expect for waits? Thanks.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I think October is iffy as far as crowds go. You have F&W Festival and also MNSSHP to draw crowds in that entire month. I believe there is usually a golf classic thing sometime that month also ? I think years ago, October used to be considered a slow time, but over the years it's become increasingly more popular. So I'd guess the crowds would be better than summer months, but I wouldn't consider it a slow time necessarily. I haven't been to WDW during early October since '95, so maybe someone with a little more recent experience can give you a first-hand report.