Best times to go to WDW?

[alcie27]

We just got back from our first trip as a family (incl grandparents) and I'm ready to go again! We most likely won't go for another 3-4 years but I'm wondering if you guys can help me. Does anyone know what months or dates WDW usualy has free dining or the stay 4 get 3 free like they're doing now? Or any other promos they typicaly run through the year. Also, what is the best time of year to go? We'll have 1-2 school age kids by then so I would like to minimize time out of school but still get in on some lower crowds and preferably not go during the HOT summer months.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I am going to move this to the Codes and Rates Board.

 

[Metro West]

 

[TJA]

The 4/3 deal was offered last year and this year mainly due to the economy, I believe. It's not a standard or "normal" deal that is offered each year. Lately there have also been discounts emailed or mailed with a specific PIN on it (not general public discount). The best advice I can give is to register your email and home address on the disney website, send for the free vacation planning video too. The current discounts being mailed include 40% off deluxe resorts, so there are some good deals out there.

I'm in the same boat as you are re school-age kids but still wanting to go to disney during the slower times. It's not easy. You may want to move your next trip up so you can go before the kids start school! Our favorite times to go to disney before the kids started school were in late September/early October (tail end of value season), and also in mid-May (which is regular season but crowds are relatively low).

Now, my kids are in school, so we go during spring break in April which is peak and busy. We've also tried late August and that wasn't too bad. A bit hot but crowds were not bad because a lot of areas start school in August (we start school in September). This year, we went in early October because the kids had an in-service day off on Friday and then Columbus Day off on Monday, so we only had to take the kids out of school minimal days. I guess that is my suggestion if you're looking to minimize taking the kids out of school -- look for combined days off and holidays like we did in October. It worked well!

 

[disneyfan55]

The end of August is usually included in the free dining as well. Many of the schools in the south go back to school mid Aug so most of those crowds won't be there. November isn't bad, I don't know where you live but some schools here in NJ get off the week with election day in it.