Dis Vet-When to Go??!!

[momimouse27]

I have been to WDW approx. 18 times and at various times of the year --May, July, Aug., early Sept., Oct., Nov., and Dec. I have always abhored crowds, and I hate heat almost as much! We have tried to plan most of our trips during "off" times, but it seems like lately I have really missed the mark. Our last trip was last year in first week of October.

We arrived expecting low crowds and mild weather, and what we got was okay weather and lots and lots of people! One day the wait for Pooh was 120 minutes-on a weekday!!!

We are planning our next trip now and I don't want to make the same mistake. It seems like there are no more "off" seasons anymore! I am trying to decide between late Jan.(never been during this time), mid Sept(uughhh, the heat) and maybe early November.

I would like opinions on what you guys think, since I have always received the most awesome advice here on what to do!! Help.....

 

[WillyDogs]

September. The crowds are low, and though the temperature can be a little warm and the humidity high, it's still a great time to go. I was just there in February and it was cold. I was there for 8 days and half of them required a jacket. The one good thing about the cold was that Splash Mountain had zero wait! LOL

 

[J Lynn]

We've been during Mardi Gras for the last two times. Weather is great, crowds are low. Louisiana students have off the entire week, so it's perfect!

 

[Nasus]

We went Feb 13 - 18, 2005. The weather was great but the crowds were not. We thought we would be there earlier than the President's Day crowds, but it was not to be. We are going the last week in May this year and will be depending on Tour Guide Mike to get us around the crowds. I hope it works!!!

 

[OKW Lover]

Unfortunately the Poll won't let me pick multiple answers. With the possible exception of September, all the choices are good ones.

Jan - Early-Feb is great because of low crowd levels. Especially nice if you live up north and need a break from winter.

Early Nov is great because the Food & Wine festival is going on at Epcot

Early December is also great because the parks are all decorated for the holidays and there are special "hard ticket" Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held at the MK on select nights.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'd say December. It's so cool to see all the decorations up for Christmas, and the weather is pretty nice.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

DW and I go many different times of the year, but; prefer the 1st or 2nd week into Dec. The parks are set up for the Holiday's, weather is very nice, cool in am's, warm mid day, and cool in the evenings. Crowds are down, except for the MVMCP evenings, (but a special entrance ticket is required), but then the crowd helps make for alot of fun. Enjoy your trip whatever the month you choose.

 

[momimouse27]

Thanks for all the advice...To me deciding when to go is one of the hardest things because it can make or break your trip. My budget-conscience brain says that I should take advantage of the free dining in September, but I just hate how hot it gets, plus you never know when a hurricane will blow through.

I have been in early Dec twice and both times been to MVMCP. Its so awesome, but I wondered if the crowds haven't gotten heavier since the secret has kind of gotten out about what a great time it is to go! Since there are those of you who have been recently in Dec and say the crowds are still low, that may be a definite possibility. Personally, it is my favorite time. We love the holiday decorations.

 

[momimouse27]

Bump!

 

[lorrainesy]

My vote is for September with the free dining

 

[momimouse27]

After talking to my hubby today, I think we have finally decided to go with September, with the main reason being that we can't bring ourselves to reasonably turn down free food for the entire week! We have never done a Dining Plan with any package, but ti looks like the amount of food you get is unbelievable! My girls are extremely excited about the prospect of actually getting dessert with every sit-down meal...

Now we just have to decide what week...Anyone have any opinions? We are thinking of the week after Labor Day. We just want the crowds to be low. I can take the heat if the crowds are low!

 

[lorrainesy]

If you go the last week of september then you will be there for MNSSHP.

 

[momimouse27]

Yes, I saw that they are having that in September this year. We did MNSSHP last year the first week in October and the kids had fun, but I'm not sure I want to plunk down the $$ again. We had 3 adults and 3 kids, I think I paid almost $200 for it. I really wish I were getting to go to the MVMCP--it is my favorite!! I am a Christmas nut....

 

[MagicMe]

We went the first full week after school started in the Northeast (that was 9/11 - 9/18) and the crowds were unbelievably small. We never waited more than 5 minutes until the weekend. In fact, they didn't even have most of the fast pass machines working since there wasn't a need for them.

We loved the sparse crowds but I will be honest and tell you that it was very hot!!! It was in the 90's the entire stay and the humidity was high. The only saving grace was that we didn't have to wait in long lines in the heat. We were able to walk from one attraction into the next cool attraction.

We are headed down the end of Oct/early Nov this year so we can do the MNSSHP.

 

[momimouse27]

Yep, I remember going once before in early September and I remember how hot it got. I am sure being from the Northeast where it is a bit cooler, takes a bit more getting used to. I have lived in the south all my life, grew up in Mississippi, and even though I am used to hot summers, the humidity in Florida is really brutal. It won't be so bad, though if I don't have wait in long lines. If I get there and the lines are long AND it is hot then I will be torched!

 

[snickerboo]

We went the week after Easter (not the one Easter begins but the one after) and the CMs said that week is always dead.

 

[adhelove]

Early Dec., has been our best time yo have all the christmas stuff to see and do plus not very many people visit then. January-March isn't a perfect time to go we used to go at that time every year for 4 years but the cheerleaders shut down Indiana Jones and no one tells you that it is closed until you see the sign out front my son is always upset when we go at that time because he knows it probably will be closed and the older cheerleaders are there at that time and some if not most do NOT have very good language.

 

[RedSox1974]

Our family (Self, DW, DS-10, DS-6) is planning a trip for either early this December (3rd - 15th) OR in January/February 2007 (staying offsite). We have chosen these times frames in order to avoid crowds. My concern is the thought I have heard mentioned frequently; that WDW really no longer has an off-season.

Mousesavers.com gives the advice of:

The best times to go to Walt Disney World are:
• First three weeks of December. The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the parks are usually pretty uncrowded.

• Early January through mid-February. It's cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is probably the least busy time of year, and hotel prices are lowest. However, usually some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year.

• Entire month of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds are low and hotel prices are moderate.

Touringplans.com has the December 3-15 times frame with crowds of 4-5.


I am curious as to the opinion of whether these estimates are accurate. We (DW, DS-10, DS-6) last went to WDW Feb. 22-March 3, 2005 are there were NO crowds. We went to MK, AK, MGM, and Epcot and the longest we waited in any line was 15 minutes. And yes, we got SO spoiled by that we really want to avoid crowds at all costs.


Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be appreciated, as to which way you would lean as for dates to go. Thanks in advance.

GO Sox!

 

[allfivedisfans]

I have been to Disney in April, May, September and January and we've already booked a trip for our family this September. Weather wise, I don't find there to be much difference between 80 degrees and humid and 90+ and humid, its all miserable to me lol. I did see a remarkable difference in the crowds in September however and it so much easier and more comfortable in everyway. The waits for transport and attractions were short and we were able to duck into the air conditioned attractions to cool off for a minute. Oh, I almost forgot - the lunch lines were reasonable and we found seats right away! I remember we ended up outside eating in the 80+ degree heat in the spring months because there was no seating in the restaurant.

Overall it felt like a meandering, relaxed visit instead of rushed, cramped and overwhelmed from the crowds.

 

[momimouse27]

I used to think I had the crowd level thing down....but the last couple of trips I have made I just screwed up big time. We went last year first week in October. I thought crowds would be way low and Hurricane season would pretty much be done-great time to go. It was very busy-we went to MK on Tuesday and there was 90 minute wait for Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion was backed up into the street. I was so off the mark. Later on, I looked at home and all I can figure out is that because Columbus Day was the Monday after the week we went that maybe they all took the week off.

I have always loved going in early December. We have been twice then and loved it. I have the fear that most everyone is catching on about that time of year and people will flock there. Also, I know they have begun having Pop Warner week there and that will affect crowds too.