Best times...

[Bride2Be0705]

My DH and I are planning a return trip to WDW... We would love to go for our 1 yr anniversary (July 06), but I don't think I can hold out that long. Can you please give me some times to go that ARE NOT peak times?

I'm thinking like January, February, maybe April... But I don't know. If you've ever been around these times, or other non-peak times, please share your experiences!

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[thptrek]

January after the holidays is great. If you go right after the 1st the holiday decorations will still be up.

 

[GoofyGirlnPrincessV]

We went the last week in January and there were no crowds. It was a bit chilly in the morning and I bought some sweatshirts. We also wore jeans and t-shirts when it warmed up. The longest like was for Space Mountain and that was only 5 minutes.

Good luck!

 

[rkmassa]

Touring Plans will show the their predicted crowd level. I have found them fairly accurate.

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[Bride2Be0705]

Thanks everyone!!! Hopefully, DH and I can go a little earlier than July of 2006... I can't wait to go back!

 

[mhingher]

We went the 1st week in March this year and I swear I'll NEVER go in the summer again! We only had to use fast pass on our last day, and that's because kids arrived for a cheerleading competition. We didn't wait more than 20 minutes on line. THere are a few downsides-- #1 is the weather. We lucked out and it was really nice during the day. I wore t shirts and capri pants every day. But the AMs and PMs I needed long pants and a sweater. I went this time of year a few years ago and it was freezing! So the weather is unpredictable. And #2 is the park hours. AK closed at 5pm, and the other parks closed by 8-- sometimes 9pm. That would bother some people, but it worked out great for us. Since it wasn't too hot, we were able to stay in the parks ALL day!

Have fun

 

[dyna]

LOVE goin in DEC before the holiday crowds of course and our Jan visit right after the new year was wonderful as well. We did wear our winter jackets and gloves a few nights for Illuminations and the fireworks at MK again at Fantasmic.

The parks did close early except for Epcot WS we usually hopped over there for the evening. Also that could be a great time to go back to the room rest before heading out to Pleasure Island for a few hours. Resort hopping and goin to downtown disney another option and don't forget the Boardwalk.

I think Jan and Dec is disney at it's best myself no lines.

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

Can't beat Disney in December.

1. All the decorations are up. Each park is stunning.
2. Perfect cool weather.

 

[etwinchester]

We went the first two weeks of March in 2003. The weather was great and the crowds were low. We got on most rides within 10-15 minutes.

Next visit, I think I'm going to try May due to the resort prices. They are lower than March. I just don't know what the crowds will be like since I think the beginiing of May is Star Wars weeks.

Any thoughts?

 

[becka]

January was nice because there were no crowds but it was pretty cold the week we were there so if you can deal with possibly being a little chilly then it is a great time to go without crowds.

Early February is also pretty nice and we are going back this upcoming Feb. It is more crowded than January and the weather can still be iffy but it is not bad.

If you want to be guaranteed warmer weather then mid-May was nice. It was warm and certainly more crowded that in the winter but the crowds were definitely manageable.

 

[MickeyMantleMouse]

We went the first two weeks of March in 2003. The weather was great and the crowds were low. We got on most rides within 10-15 minutes.

Next visit, I think I'm going to try May due to the resort prices. They are lower than March. I just don't know what the crowds will be like since I think the beginiing of May is Star Wars weeks.

Any thoughts?

May usually isn't too bad. But you're right. MGM is insane during Star Wars weekends. It was especially so this past May because it coincided with the release of the last SW film. It probably won't be as crazy next year.