For those of you that LOVE to visit during off season...

[mt mommy]

So, what is your favorite time to go??? I am looking to go around end of January or beginning of February........Which do you think is better in your opinion??? AND why???

Thanks so much!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

end of novv begging of dec or begging of jan to get to still see the holiday lights and stuff?

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I just visited the first weekend of January this year and it was PERFECT. We got to see all of the decorations, the fireworks, it snowing on mainstreet, and the longest we had to wait for a ride was 30 minutes. It was great. We encountered rain on one of the days, but as long as you bring waterproof shoes and a poncho you're good to go. I know some people here will say that the last weekend of Christmas decorations is really busy; in reality it wasn't at all. I totally recommend it. If you're aiming to see the holiday decor, you should check the calendar to see when they're officially taking off all the stuff because there is also a chance that you will be there when everything is coming down and that is DEFINITELY not fun; especially since HM will be closed.

 

[bumbershoot]

We went in early December last year and it was great, but Haunted Mansion was still under the spell of Nightmare Before Christmas.

I took a solo trip in late January this year, and even though it wasn't holiday anything by then, it was just after HM came out from under that spell, and I got to ride it as it should be ridden, LOL. So that made my trip.

If IASW wasn't undergoing a year long refurb, it would have been open too, as far as I know. For some nutty reason we didn't go on IASW done up for the holidays last year, and for the life of me I can't remember why!

It was rainy in late Jan, but I don't mind that since I've lived in the northwest since I was 17. Wore my poncho and it was all good.

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

There is a craft convention at the end of January, it is usually a little busier after that ends. That being said the crowds still aren't that bad. The only down side we have found at that time of the year is that it is colder and wetter as bumbershoot mentioned. My DS4 often wears a jacket, hat and gloves when we go at that time.

 

[ter-moo]

My favorite time to go is during the first couple of weeks of December (but NOT the weekends). The weather is pleasant (although sometimes you'll get rain), the crowds are light, all the rides are up and running, and the decorations are all up! The Christmas fireworks/snow on Main St. are WONDERFUL!

AND, the hotel prices are cheaper!

 

[PRINCESSplazola]

jan or feb are both great times to go, but yea we usually get rained on pretty bad. we went this past feb for my sons first bday, and it rained most of the time, but there were times where it was dry. i agree that as long as you have ponchos n stuff you'll be set you'll still have a great time no matter what!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

If IASW wasn't undergoing a year long refurb, it would have been open too, as far as I know. For some nutty reason we didn't go on IASW done up for the holidays last year, and for the life of me I can't remember why!

My family and I got lucky enough to have a conductor tell us about IASW being closed the day we were there so we rode it just so we wouldn't miss it for next time. i had never been in there for the holidays before and it was SO nice. I can't wait for it to be done in November. I might just go back for the chance to go on it !!

 

[Sy-]

First 2 weeks in Dec are good except for the days they shut early for the cast member parties. Jan and Feb are too cold in the evenings (I'm from Hawaii and everywhere below 60 is cold YMMV ) The weather in Oct should be good. We'll see houw the crowd situation plays out!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Before our DD started school, we would go the first weekend of December. Before the crowds of the 50th celebration the crowds were very light, but we could still enjoy all of the holiday decorations.

 

[Amy&Dan]

January can be very nice. The only exception is New Years Day and MLK weekend. February is also nice, just avoid the weekend of Lincoln's Birthday. We went that year one year and it was totally insane. Not President's week but rather Lincoln's Birthday. A lof of the schools in So. Cal have a long weekend and believe me, it shows with park attendance!

 

[DangerMouse]

January can be very nice. The only exception is New Years Day and MLK weekend. February is also nice, just avoid the weekend of Lincoln's Birthday. We went that year one year and it was totally insane. Not President's week but rather Lincoln's Birthday. A lof of the schools in So. Cal have a long weekend and believe me, it shows with park attendance!

Yep, I agree, I made the mistake of going on Lincoln's Birthday weekend this year and it was CRAZY crowded. I mean like scary crowded with tons of kids who were out of school on Monday. It was also surprisingly hot (in the upper 80's). The only good thing was there were a LOT of celebrities in the parks, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford & Calista, and Diane Keaton to name just a few.

 

[vettegirl]

We went in the middle of October and had pretty light crowds. It was more crowded on the weekend with locals, howver the HM overlay is so cool. That alone was worth going that time of year. Also everything is decorated so cute for Halloween. We walked onto most rides, the longest wait was 45 minutes for Nemo. Also the pumpkin fudge during that time of year is incredible.

 

[IndyBride]

I've been at the begining of Jan. a couple times and it's great!! Also November is a good time to go. I've been in October too and it was good. Any major holiday- Christmas, Thanksgiving, New years eve.

 

[BecBennett]

I know it's not really the time that you were looking at, but we went early March this year - before Spring Break started, and it was great, 15 minute waits for everything, we won fastpassess on 2 separate days and never had to use them,
It got a bit cold at night, but during the day it was hot enough to want to get soaked on GRR,

 

[fairykin]

Hi Hi!

We went towards the end of FEB 2008 and had one rainy day.

Finding Nemo was 45 wait.

Today we decided to go again with the grand children in 2009..we are looking at late Feb to early Mar.

And will be taking my mother, 6 year old granddaughter and the 4 year old twinikins.

If we aren't crazy for planning this trip..we might be when we come home!

I am glad You made this post, I hope there will be some others about off site hotel room specials..or mabe if we get lucky a on site special that is do able for 2 rooms.

fairykin

 

[JadeDarkstar]

desert inn if you call now you could get a suiet room to hold every one for 100 or so...but no disney view

id get a entertainment book and check hojos and see if they have special in feb or march 59-74 a night isnt bad at all you could get two rooms if you needed it

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yep, I agree, I made the mistake of going on Lincoln's Birthday weekend this year and it was CRAZY crowded. I mean like scary crowded with tons of kids who were out of school on Monday. It was also surprisingly hot (in the upper 80's). The only good thing was there were a LOT of celebrities in the parks, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford & Calista, and Diane Keaton to name just a few.

We went that weekend in 2006 and I am telling you it was insane! It was really hot that year, which was nice for us (it was snowing at home).

Too funny, I saw Diane Keaton at DCA in June of 2006. But I have never seen Johnny Depp, poor me!

 

[DangerMouse]

We went that weekend in 2006 and I am telling you it was insane! It was really hot that year, which was nice for us (it was snowing at home).

Too funny, I saw Diane Keaton at DCA in June of 2006. But I have never seen Johnny Depp, poor me!

I think Diane Keaton goes quite often. I've personally seen her there 3 times!

 

[dizneekrazee]

We have gone during the week of Veterans, in 2005. We were there in the parks Sun.-Wed.
Sunday was like a regular day, but the days following were awesome. We also did a quick 2 day Sat&Sun trip last April, about 1 week after Easter if I remember right. We hit it lucky that trip. Sunday DL was supposed to close early (4pm) for a private party. I guess at last minute they decided to only close 1/2 the park (NOS, AL, CC and Frontierland), the rest was open to the public. It had also started to sprinkle a bit, so I would say that last 4 hours (4-8pm), there were maybe at most 100-150 people in the 3 remaining lands (TT, TL, and FL) it was cool, but kinda scary at the same time. We had a great trip cause my brother showed up, he is one of my best friends .