How are crowds Martin Luther King weekend?

[Mickeyhugger]

We've visited WDW at the slowest times of the year, mid-September and early to midNovember. However, we're planning a shorter trip this year and were wondering how 'light' the crowds are during MLK weekend. Monday, January 17th is a holiday (our daughter is out of school) but I'm wondering how many others are out and how many visit WDW that weekend?

We'd arrive the night of January 14th (Friday) and depart on Wednesday, January 19th. Am I dreaming, living in 'Fantasyland' or what? We're used to just 'walking onto' rides w/no wait, and it's what we want for this trip too. Should we just book a week later?

Has anyone here attended that weekend?

Thanks!

 

[Viki]

We were there last year for a five day weekend stay at Wilderness lodge and the crowds built up as the weekend progressed. The parks were still OK, but you really had to watch your PSs.

Peace,
Viki

 

[Leota]

We went MLK weekend this past year & the crowds were a bit higher than other weekends in later Jan, early Feb, but not too awfully bad.
I did hear that this year could be a bit more crowded due to Inauguration falling in the same week, giving some folks (gov't employees) extra time off. Due to that, I decided not to go this MLK weekend.

 

[blanq]

We visited WDW over the MLK holiday this year. We arrived the Sunday before, and didn't do the parks on that day. We also intended to skip the parks on the holiday, but around noon on MLK we headed to Epcot. We entered through the International gateway and I was shocked how dead the World Showcase was. We went directly to M:S and it was a zoo, along with test track. Standby waits were about 80 minutes for each. We decided to just head back to the Worldshowcase and spend our time there, and we had a wonderful time. The next day, Tue, we went to AK and by 10/11 am the crowds were big, although wait times weren't horrendous, so we ditched. By Wed, the crowds tapered off significantly, and most rides were walk on, or 5-10 min waits, at all parks for the rest of the week.

The Inaguration could affect attendance in 2005, but it is hard to say how much. I personally love going this time of year. My only suggestion is to alter your plans slightly if you can. I think a Fri-Wed plan would put you smack dap during the busiest part of the holiday. If you can leave a couple of days later, and stay past the MLK to the following weekend, you may be better off.

 

[n2mm]

Leota is correct. There are 2 gov. holidays that week, so I know I'm not the only one heading to WDW that week. I booked my air tickets this week out of Dulles (TED) and the reason I booked early, besides a great sale because of Independence Air starting service to Orlando in Oct/Nov, was because the flight on Sat. the 15th was almost sold out. After getting my tickets, the flight was completely sold out for my time. While it won't be packed, it probably will be heavier then any other weekend that month. I believe the marathon is the week before, so some may be avoiding that making for more crowds MLK weekend.

 

[christianweecare]

Our family has gone to WDW for the past two or three MLK weekends. We arrive on Thursday night and depart on Monday. We usually hit the MK on Friday with no problems and then go to any of the other parks over the weekend. We have never hit one of the parks on the actual holiday (Monday). Instead we will go to DTD for a few hours before heading back home. We are going down again this coming MLK weekend but are doing Universal/IOA and Sea World this time. I don't think you will have much of a problem at WDW. There are people there for the weekend but it is manageable.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thank you all for your tips!

I just changed my airline reservations to January 25-30th. (It will also give DH and I more time to save $$.)

These boards are great!

 

[TDC Nala]

I did hear that this year could be a bit more crowded due to Inauguration falling in the same week, giving some folks (gov't employees) extra time off.

Am I wrong about thinking that the Inauguration Day holiday applies only to federal employees in the Washington, DC area?

 

[n2mm]

TDC Nala, I looked up that info and yes, only Wash. DC area employees get the day off. Of course, that means pretty much the bulk of the Federal work force since the Wash. DC area means most of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia to include Baltimore. Probably why the flight out on the 15th was pretty much sold out when I booked it.

 

[QuickGold]

You can find historical wait times for the Studios at http://www.mgmstudios.org/wait.html