Good Time of Year to go

[ykmom]

I'm new here - back from disneyland and ready to plan the next trip. I have no idea when a good time of year would be to go to WDW. We are not crowd people, so looking for a time with low crowds and short lines - is there one? We are contemplating November around Rememberance day or February. Any planning suggestions would be great WDW looks quite overwhelming.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

Welcome to the DisBoards!!! There is lots of good information on this forum - so take a look around and ask questions.

We've taken numerous trips since 2003, and have gone in January, May and October and over the past few years, it appears to us that there really isn't a "slower time" at Disney any longer. People seem to be taking advantage of the lower prices during value and regular season. There used to be quieter times but Disney has given incentives (value season, bounceback, etc) during these slower times to get the guests to fill their resorts and parks.

WDW has four "seasons" each year. Value Season is the least expensive (and least crowded) time, followed by Regular Season, Peak Season and Holiday Season.

Typically, the seasons run as follows:

Value Season
- January 1 to February 13
- August 3 to October 1
- November 30 to December 18

Regular Season
- March 30 to May 21
- October 2 to November 29

Summer Season
- May 22 to August 2

Peak Season
- February 14 to March 29

Holiday Season
- December 19 to December 31

November is typically regular season and depending on when in February you are looking at you can either catch value or peak season ...

 

[2forMe]

Well I have gone twice in late February and once in Sept (with free dining). For Sept. it was very hot and humid, I did not find the crowds to be bad at all. Most of the rides had short wait times, and we used the fast passes.
The 2 times in late February were really great and for me the ideal time to go. Nice weather, still easily go to the waterparks/pools etc and low crowds too.

 

[Oshawa]

I'm new here - back from disneyland and ready to plan the next trip. I have no idea when a good time of year would be to go to WDW. We are not crowd people, so looking for a time with low crowds and short lines - is there one? We are contemplating November around Rememberance day or February. Any planning suggestions would be great WDW looks quite overwhelming.

We have gone in January twice in the past three years. We are also planning on going back next January. One of the reasons we love that time of year is the weather. It is not too hot. My youngest is asthmatic and can not handle to much heat. We enjoy the low crowds too. There are hardly any wait times. My hubby walked on to Space Mountain the last time we went.
Another reason we go is the Marathon weekend. It does get a little busy that weekend but after that is done the crowds really drop.
Any more questions feel free to ask.

 

[Sue M]

I go in late January and late August. Both are in value season. The crowds are less in Jan. Weather can be nice, but unpredictable. One year we got caught in a cold snap lasting 3 or 4 days and it was in the 50's - 60's F during the afternoon, but droped down to low 40's F in the morning and evenings. Brrrrr. Last Jan, the weather was perfect while we were there.
In Aug, the crowds aren't as light as Jan, but not too bad. The southern schools go back in session mid-Aug. It is very hot & humid, and Fla. typically has afternoon showers. They don't last long, maybe 30 min. It is also hurricane season. We've been lucky and haven't been caught in one yet, just Tropical Storm Faye last year WDW typically pulls out some great discounts during value season too. Free dining promo usually in late summer, early fall. In Jan, there usually are Bounce Back offers for selected dates if you return that year. We had a Bounce Back in Jan, so getting 35% off our room for our Aug stay. You have to book your next vacay before check out to get the offer.

 

[ykmom]

Thanks for the info-I'm thinking we'll look at early February by then we'll be ready for a break from -40!

 

[abirdd]

We used to be avid fans of hitting Florida in December, and the same went for our trips to WDW. December seemed to be decent weather, and lower crowds. However, having just went this past end of January/beginning of February, I have to say it was REALLY nice. The crowds were low to moderate, depending on whether a cruise had pulled in; and the weather was VERY comfortable. A little more rain than we'd seen in December, but mother nature can always be fickle.

Welcome to the DIS

 

[tribus121]

check and make shure that there is not an amercian holiday during the times you want to go .The first 3 days of our last trip in January we where there during the Martin Luther king weekend and crowds where heavy .

 

[michelle1]

Thanks for the info-I'm thinking we'll look at early February by then we'll be ready for a break from -40!

Presidents Day is Feb 15th and that week is a very busy time as many schools have the whole week off so I would definitely stick to the first 2 weeks.

 

[bbrnca]

We have gone in Feb. once back in 2000 and the weather was just perfect since then when the kids come with us we go in July and if just DW and myself we try to take advantage of the incentive in Sept. with free dining... last year didn't find the parks really overly busy, EMH was almost deserted after the first hour so that was great.....