Best time for small crowds and good weather!

[nettii]

Hi every one we are planning a trip soon to dw but due to my dh work we have to plan the dates last minute (about a month before) we did it last year and it was fine we went in late Jan. Beacause I am a planning freak this makes me very very nervouse!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to have the dates in stone a year in advance but we cant so when do you think the best time is to go? Wed like to go the 1st of Feb or after spring break. Does any one know what the crowds are like after spring break.

 

[dzneelvr]

By Disney estimations, the least crowded times for attendance are the 2nd week of January through the 1st week of February. If you are an AP holder, check the recent mailing, it listed a nice package rate through the seventh of February. If you only have a month's lead time, I wouldn't even think about planning a year in advance; just go with the flow when you get the time....shouldn't be a problem getting ressies when the kids are back in school after New Years Day.

 

[nettii]

Thanks for your reply weve now decided to wait un till may. This gives us more time to plan I hate not having all the details worked out but my only other alternative is to wait untill september YIKES thats way to long inbetween visits. I need a littel Disney Fantasy to keep me grounded in reality! Thanks again LOVE THAT MOUSE!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I know what you mean, I've been trying to plan a trip to DW for months but hav'nt been able to lock in dates due to my DH's work, I've been leaning towards the first week in May. I've been thinking of renting DVC points but I'm afraid I won't be able to if we plan our trip not far enough in advance. By now I usually have everything booked. I usually book the hotel and then watch for good airfare Sat to Sat, but I'm afraid if I wait to long to book the hotel the airfare will be high and I will have to wait for a ding and leave on a tues. or thurs. out of philly which is about 3 hrs from us. I'm so not a fly by the seat of your pants kinda . My DH thinks I'm nuts obsessing so far ahead of time, but he never plans the trips, If he had it his way we would plan it a week ahead of time stay where ever is available and eat where ever we feel like at the time. I think I would have a stroke. Good Luck with your planning, that's half the fun! Linda

 

[bellarella]

We went the second week in May a couple of years ago and it was a great time to go. I didn't find the crowds to be overwhelming and the weather was good, warm, but not too hot. We were originally planning on going the same time this year, but decided to go the last week of January instead (because it was cheaper and the worst day in Florida in January would still be better than the best weather here).

 

[maxtomsmom]

To Netti, the OP-

Although you have only a short time to book your vacation, you can do all the research a head of time. You can decide what character meals, reasearch restaurants for ADRs, research resorts, see if there is a special event going on, make a must sees/do list, etc. We always make a list of the top 3 character meals we want to do, then pick 2. We also do this for restaurants. The extra is a just in case we can't do this one sort of thing. This way you'll be prepared and once you set your dates, you can call and make all your ADR ahead of time. I also check parade times, park hours, shows, refurbishments etc. monthly. I do this for no more than 15 minutes and keep a running binder with pocket folders. Things change and something is always added and taken away. I also look at last year's month (So we looked at Dec. 2005 to get ideas about this year Dec. 2006). Once we're booked, it takes me 10 minutes to put it all together. I find when you have a lot of time to book, you change your mind again and again. Last year we went with less than a month's notice and got to do everything we wanted. We went during an off time in late Sept., but we got it all. We even got our Magical Express tickets with 5 days to spare.

Since you think you're going in May, definitely do some research now.
I hope this helps.

 

[nettii]

You guys are great so encouraging for some one with an over planning sickness! It sets my mind at ease to here from you about your quick trips. I am checking all the meals and closings Its so hard to decide when every thing is so great! Would Crystal Palace charicter meal be to young for 11 yr old boy (he loves Chef Mickey last Feb) Thanks again Nettii

 

[nettii]

P.S. Maxtomsmom Congrats on the weight loss I too am trying to loose a few extra lbs (30) before our trip its good motivation!

 

[maxtomsmom]

P.S. Maxtomsmom Congrats on the weight loss I too am trying to loose a few extra lbs (30) before our trip its good motivation!

Thanks, I've lost some more, but keep forgetting to update. Oh well! Good luck on your weight loss.


The Crystal Palace Character Meal is very, very cute if you're 5 or want to be 5 just for a little while. If your kid loves to get autographs, then this is an opportunity to get the Winnie ones since they don't do other meals (from what I've read).