Best Times of the Year to Visit

[Rossx2]

Hello all, I am new to this site. Can anyone tell me if there is a spot to find the best times of the year to visit DisneyWorld? We are trying to decide if we will go during the fall or the spring, but can't find any info on crowds. Thank you for your help! Pam

 

[ransom]

If all you're concerned with is crowds, check out touring plans dot com (if you sign up, you get access to their crowd calendar projections that currently run through the end of this year). Or sign up for tour guide mike dot com. He has advice on that subject as well.

Generally speaking, though, if you go this time of year (avoiding US holidays such as MLK day, President's day, Easter, etc.), you'll find low crowds, but there will be a large number of attractions down for refurbishment.

Another option is to go in late April/early May, which has moderate crowds and usually less attractions down for refurbishment.

The least crowds you're likely to find will be in September (after Labor Day) and early October. But it's warmer then (it can be downright hot in September, not to mention humid and rainy, and not to mention the possible hurricanes). On the other hand, you'll find very few attractions down for maintenance, if any.

The final opportunity comes after Thanksgiving weekend. Up until a week or two before Christmas, crowds are moderate and there's usually very few attractions down for maintenance. But the weather is a big variable. It can be cool one day, and hot the next. You never know what you'll get.

If you can, avoid going any time children are not in school. So, summer vacation, Christmas vacation, spring break, etc. Crowds are at their maximums during those times.

But, it's possible to have fun any time you go, if you plan ahead. Keep reading this site, sign up for tour guide mike and/or touring plans, buy yourself a guidebook such as the Unofficial Guide and/or the Passporter, and you'll be in good shape!

 

[madcat]

we went in at the end of sept/begining of oct and it was great. I would say go during the week, the weekend was still really crowded but during the week we almost always walked onto rides. it was great

 

[DawnMarie]

I prefer early November. The weather was very nice and we walked straight most of the rides.

 

[kctwinmommy]

That was something I came here trying to find out too. Although we know it will be in the spring, but I wasn't sure exactly when. We'll probably do mid-May... Oh and I was there in 1999, right near the end of August and it was pretty good. It wasn't really crowded either. We didn't necessarily "walk right on" the rides, but most had fairly shorter lines. Most kids are back in school by then. But it was pretty warm if I remember.

 

[kimis]

Hello all, I am new to this site. Can anyone tell me if there is a spot to find the best times of the year to visit DisneyWorld? We are trying to decide if we will go during the fall or the spring, but can't find any info on crowds. Thank you for your help! Pam

DIsney is Disney! It is magical all the time. However my dh and I go in February because there are less crowds. It depends on if you have children, if they are in school , work scheduales ect..... Enjoy

 

[andyljohnson]

If all you're concerned with is crowds, check out touring plans dot com (if you sign up, you get access to their crowd calendar projections that currently run through the end of this year). Or sign up for tour guide mike dot com. He has advice on that subject as well.

Generally speaking, though, if you go this time of year (avoiding US holidays such as MLK day, President's day, Easter, etc.), you'll find low crowds, but there will be a large number of attractions down for refurbishment.

Another option is to go in late April/early May, which has moderate crowds and usually less attractions down for refurbishment.

The least crowds you're likely to find will be in September (after Labor Day) and early October. But it's warmer then (it can be downright hot in September, not to mention humid and rainy, and not to mention the possible hurricanes). On the other hand, you'll find very few attractions down for maintenance, if any.

The final opportunity comes after Thanksgiving weekend. Up until a week or two before Christmas, crowds are moderate and there's usually very few attractions down for maintenance. But the weather is a big variable. It can be cool one day, and hot the next. You never know what you'll get.

If you can, avoid going any time children are not in school. So, summer vacation, Christmas vacation, spring break, etc. Crowds are at their maximums during those times.

But, it's possible to have fun any time you go, if you plan ahead. Keep reading this site, sign up for tour guide mike and/or touring plans, buy yourself a guidebook such as the Unofficial Guide and/or the Passporter, and you'll be in good shape!

Thanks for all the hot tips!

 

[kctwinmommy]

Thanks for all the hot tips!

I agree! There certainly is a ton of info out here, it helps with planning!

 

[eliza61]

Hello all, I am new to this site. Can anyone tell me if there is a spot to find the best times of the year to visit DisneyWorld? We are trying to decide if we will go during the fall or the spring, but can't find any info on crowds. Thank you for your help! Pam

Pam,
You didn't mention if you were traveling with children? We always go the last weekend in August until the Sunday before labor day. Southern states schools are already in session so the crowds are less packed then full summer. Last August we only needed a fast pass once (out of 10 days) we only had to wait 15-20 mins tops in line. Also the parks are usually still open until 9:00-10:00 pm. This allows us to go to a park in the morning, head back to our resort during the heat of the day (august is till HOT) to swim or relax and then go to another park after dinner. It also lets us tour a little slower so no more "rambo" touring.

Eliza

 

[TALB]

Our favorite time is the first or second week of december. The christmas decorations are up, the holiday activities are going, but no crowds. The last week in august was good crowd wise, but too hot for us. April was wonderful temperature wise, just make sure it isn't the week before or after easter. You will have a great timme no matter when!!

 

[MissMichelle]

I have 2 favorite times and they are both walk on ride times of year. The weeks before President's Day (Late January to early February). The weather is unpredictable though and we have had to wear winter hats/gloves and many layers at night.
The second time is all through September. People are starting to pick up on that time and if they keep offering free dining then it'll get a lil busier (nothing like summer/spring break/Xmas though).
I say whenever you are in Disney is a good time...don't stress over crowds and what not. Go when you can or when you'd like. For example: Want to see the xmas decorations? Go early November to avoid the xmas crowds but see the sights
Or go to enjoy the food and wine festival in October into November.

Take a look at the events page http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/events.htm and see what you may be interested in

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

We went last year in mid-Sept. Yes, it was HOT, but there was literally no one there. We never used a FAST-PASS and we never waited more than 10 mins for anything.
I do have to reiterate, it was Africa HOT, but, hey, that's what the pools are for! We always started our days early and left the park by 1-2pm and hit then pools. We'd go back to the parks in the early evening around 5pm. It was perfect for us.
This year we are going in late August. We'll see about the crowds. Also, TourGuideMike was my best bet for lots of info.
Have fun! HTH!

 

[byoung]

Early Dec is great!

 

[Love2BinDisney]

Before we had to work around the school calenar the week before Thansgiving week was our favorite. Not too crowded, nice weather, and Christmas decorations. We even got to see Osborne Festival of Lights that early, Christmas fireworks preview, Christmas parades, etc. Loved it. Now unfortunately we go in April with the crowds at Easter and then at the end of August when yes it is very hot but many southern schools have headed back as another poster mentioned.

 

[BCFD 88]

I like the first or second week of Dec.

 

[Amyz00]

What about the last week of May? The last time we went to WDW was the week of Valentine's Day. It wasn't overly crowded, though it rained the last day we were there (Valentine's Day).

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

I don't know when the best times are.. but I would definatly steer yourself away from Easter week. We did that last time and still had a wonderful time, but we KNOW we would have seen a ton more and it would have been a lot more relaxed if we had been there at a different time.

 

[car55]

We are planning for the last week in August. On my last trip July 2005. Was a little crowded, and a little warm. I would cool off in the less crowded attractions, and drink lots of water. A mid day trip back to the pool helped, as did the extra magic hours. Oh I cant wait.

 

[Andrea34]

I like the first week of October. That's when we're going this year. Crowds usually aren't bad and the weather is great!