Confused!!! The best time to go to WDW

[Stacy Woods]

Okay, I am really confused now. I orginally planned our trip for the last week in April. I searched the boards and got various replys that this was not a good week. Avoid March and April. Also my daughter would be 3 and 2 weeks and I did not want the Disney patrol to sight me in violation. No way would I have bought a ticket for her at 3 and 2 weeks.
I saw and was told many times to go in October so I told my DH we had to go in October. Now, I just read a post that the food and wine thingy was the week I am planning on going. How crowded are the parks going to be? I want to avoid crowds as much as possible.

 

[marcyinPA]

We've gone in October 3x and in June once. I LOVE October and will never go in June again.

I don't know about the food and wine festival, I guess we've never been that week of October. I think in general, the crowds are lower in October regardless of the festival. JMO, of course.

Regarding a pass for a "just three" year old....I might risk getting "flogged" here by posting this, but we went last year and my son had just turned 3 (he was 3 and 3 weeks) and we didn't buy him a pass. No one bothered asking us his age, nor did they even give him a second look as I wheeled him into the gate in his stroller. He's tiny and still looks "2", even though he's now 4! Would I try to sneak him in NOW, NO WAY! But back then, considering he had JUST turned 3....well, it was a choice I made and I can still live with myself! LOL

 

[beattyfamily]

We just went the last week in October and it was beautiful weather and not very crowded at all.

There are always crowds at WDW but October is not bad compared to peak season and very managable!

I've heard the deadest times are January and September...I've been Septebmer and it was great except for the RAIN!

 

[always dreamin']

I can't answer about the crowds in October because we usually go the week before Thanksgiving in November. However, we have been there during the Food and Wine Festival (albeit I think it may have been at the tail end). Anyway...I did not feel the crowds were really bad. You may notice a slight increase at Epcot, but I didn't really notice any difference. Sorry I could not be of more help.

 

[AreWeThereYet]

We've been down in March, April, June, July and October. The best time as far as crowds are concerned was October by far. We were there last week and it wan't too crowded, but it was hot. March was also not too crowded but it was very cold at night waiting for the fireworks shows.

 

[missypie]

I'm by no means and expert but here are 2 things to think about: First, do you want to enjoy the pools or just the parks? If you want to enjoy the pools, choose a warmer month. Second, check out one of those web sites that shows you the average monthly rainfall for Orlando. There is a big difference from month to month.

 

[hookedondizney]

IMHO we went in October '01 and all I can remember is that it was VERY hot and that when we were in Fantasyland walking all i could see was thousands of peoples heads. (Meaning there were a lot of people as far as i could see.) I too was under the impression that this was a "low crowd" time. Boy was i wrong. It was so crowded that we went again in Jan. and it was WONDERFUL! It was cool enough we wore short sleeves and jeans and it was great. I love the month of october so that is why we went during that season. The halloween party is wonderful. Last year (lower crowds than '01) some of the attractions had barrels of candy for the children and also there were several places to get you pictures made with the characters dressed up. It is really a fun time of year to go. It is probably a hit or miss type of thing when it comes to crowds. It may be busier this yr due to the FTP thing. only time will tell!

 

[VanessaH]

We were at WDW Oct. 2002 during the Food & Wine Festival and the crowds were very manageable. It was so hot and humid, though. The week after we left, of course the temps dropped into the low 80's. Still pool friendly. We have been in Sept. and Oct. a few times, and they were much less crowded than the times we went in May and June. One thought on why Oct. 2001 seemed crowded... We were there the 3rd week of September and it was not crowded post 9-11. Maybe the people who were supposed to travel in Sept. postponed until October so that year's October attendance was higher than normal. Just a thought. I would say go for it in October. The MNSSHP is a blast!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We like Winter. In the past we have gone during the early part of January and had no crowds. The weather was good but a bit cool for swimming but that was not a big issue for us. This year we are going the 2nd week in Decenber. We are excited about the Christmas activities. My sister's family enjoyes October as well. With a young child, I advice to avoid anytimes the school may be out, even for a few days during a week. parents of school kids swarm to the parks during these weeks.



Jordan's mom

 

[disneefamily]

Disnee Dad says..............................Don't miss the Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT. You will probably find a new favorite food.
F&W has no real impact as far as crowds go, the other 3 parks will still be slow in late October/ early November. Even EPCOT doesn't get big lines unless you try to get food at 6:00 pm when the rest of the world is doing the same thing!
As a four time, four time, four time visitor to the F&W, make sure you hit this, do not avoid it.
The impact on the crowds is really zero.
And the weather tends to be near perfect. The rains really slow down later in October, and when they hit it tends to be hard but quick. Best time to go.