Help! What would be the least crowded time to visit WDW?

[mlbretscher]

Ok, maybe I'm going a little crazy here, but if you had to pick any week of any month to go to WDW when would you go? I was thinking Sept '04, but now I am wondering if they do the FTP again next year it might increase the crowds in the fall (in addition to certain ride closures). This is our first trip to WDW and we have three kids who will be 9, 7, & 3 next fall, and I certainly don't mind taking them out of school if the lines will be a lot shorter. Also, would you go Monday thru Friday or Sunday to Thursday? I was thinking this would be our one and only trip to WDW, but now I am scared that I will get sucked into the "mouse thing" and want to keep coming back each year. Did that happen to anyone else?

 

[mitros]

First of all, no way will this be your first and only trip. First, OK, last? no way. We went for the first time in 1988 and we have been there over 100 times. It is contagious! We find Sunday through Thursday to be better for us. The best time,{and least crowded, we have found} Is the first or second week of December, as long as the first week does not fall within Thanksgiving week. The third week is also good as long as it does not include Christmas week. These weeks will vary from year to year. It is the happiest time of year to go because of the holiday season. {lights, decorations, etc.} The times to really avoid are during the summer and whenever school is out for any holiday. {thus, thanksgiving and christmas weeks being bad times to go crowd wise.} There's no getting around it, you WILL fall in love with the place and you will come back year after year. Have a great time!

 

[philaround]

The "mouse thing" is very infectious. When you "catch" the "Desease" you will realize that 20 trips aren't enough. If I could I would be there at least once a year. As you can see in my signature this has not happened yet but I keep hoping.
Me and DW will be trying to get back to WDW next September at the saem time you are planning to be there. We will going with my DD and her DH and our DGS, who will celebrate his 3rd b'day while we are there.

As to your crowd question, the least crowded times are probably from right after Labor Day until middle of Oct, 1st week or 2 of Nov, and right after New Years Day until just before spring school break time.

Go for it. You and your family will never forget it. And years from now, when the kids are grown, you and DW can go on your own once in a while, like me and DW just did for our 29th anniversary.

 

[JamesD]

The two least crowded months of the year are September and January. Sept. is still hot and humid, the hours are shortened and many rehabs take place, but the kiddies are back in school! The weather in Jan. is a toss-up; it can be anything from freezing to very hot, but usually low humidity, and again the kids are back in school. January and early Feb. are also used as a rehab time for some of the major attractions like Space Mountain. As far as the day of the week to visit, as long as you avoid the Magic Kingdom on Saturdays, you're all right!
Does anyone else get "sucked into the Mouse thing?" Nah!!
Let's see, we went to WDW for the first time in 1986 with our first born, then in 1989 with both kids, then again in 1991, '93, '95, '96, '97, then we became DVC members and it went downhill from there! Now we go to WDW 2-3 times per year, many times without the kids, who are now grown! We weren't sucked in, we went willingly!

 

[dan-tot]

We have gone the weeks after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. The crowds are lessor and the weather so far has been warm. We love the decorations and the over all feeling when it is christmas. Disney is a great place but to be there during this time of year it is really special. We will be there in December this year. Osborne lights won't be there but they will be up again when you will be wanting to go. My first trip was Disneyland 1963. I have been back a couple of times, as for WDW I have been there well over thirty times but I get a chance to see something different everytime. I will be going to Disney until I can't afford it anymore then I will have to go once every other year LOL.



Dan-tot

 

[kdibattista]

We normally go the week after Labor Day... I have seen it referred to as the least crowded week of the entire year. Love the weather and non existent crowds!!!

 

[Kallison]

Originally posted by kdibattista
We normally go the week after Labor Day... I have seen it referred to as the least crowded week of the entire year. Love the weather and non existent crowds!!!

I concur with the above. People are catching onto the week after Thanksgiving. Been twice it is moderately crowded then. September and January are least crowded.

We took our only trip in December of 98. We are going for the 4th time in two weeks. Once again DH says it is our last time .

 

[Shooby doo]

Once bitten forever smitten!!This will be my 6th journey over the Atlantic,3 x early Sept(after labor day),once in June (never again!!) & soon to be twice in late Sept early Oct.The weather in early Sept has been a bit hit & miss-hurricanes,tropical storms etc but found the last time(late Sept) weather was great & the crowds during the week quite small & busier at weekends.
going later in Sept also gives you a chance to do some of the halloween things,without promoting a rival park,Horror night at Uni-IofA is outstanding!

 

[beattyfamily]

The best times to go crowd-wise are Sept, Oct, Nov and Dec...Jan too but it could be cold. I don't know a whole lot about the Spring except that Winter and Spring break are very crowded.

I've also heard that if you have to go in the Summer then go the end of August as many schools are already back in session.

I've heard that May is a nice month in the Spring but I don't know first hand.

I've gone Sept, Oct and Dec and they were all not crowded but I think Sept was the least crowded but it was VERY hot still and it rained every day for at least 5 - 15 minutes as it's hurricane season.

October was a pleasant surprise in regards to crowds and the weather (the end of October) Then you can enjoy MNSSHP.

We've gone 2 times so far the first week of Dec and LOVE it. Then you can enjoy all the holiday decorations and festivities and MVMCP.

We are going again this December and next we're going for Halloween again. They are both great!

Good luck deciding!

 

[mlbretscher]

Everyone thanks for the info! But if I may asy yet another question, what do MNSSHP & MVMCP stand for?
Thanks again! http://disboards.com/images/smilies/bounce.gif

 

[ladyvol]

MNSSHP & MVMCP Mickey's not so scarry Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Both are great events

 

[mlbretscher]

ladyvol,

Thank you so much, I just couldn't figue those two out!

 

[mitros]

Just an add on to my earlier post. The weather in December is almost perfect down here in Florida. September is still very hot and humid, and it is the height of hurricane season[sept 10-30} And January can get rather cold.

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

Here's a link of the best and worst times to go to WDW.