How do you...

[Klayfish]

If you are trying to prepare your kids, start by explaining it will be crowded, hot and expensive. It will be a "hurry up and wait vacation". They will spend time fighting through mobs of people and waiting in lines, for food, attractions etc.

But, you are on these boards, so hopefully you know the three main rules: make ADRs, make FPs, go to RD. And exit the parks mid-day for a break at the resort, to rest, relax, regroup, recharge.

I certainly wouldn't suggest saying that to your kids. Hopefully they're super excited about going to WDW...to tell them it'll be a "hurry up and wait" trip, they'll be fighting mobs and waiting for everything is not a picture I'd want to present to young kids. It's also not necessarily true.

We only follow one of the "main rules" you listed, which is making FP+, and still have a wonderful time. No ADRs (we bring our own food), no rope drop, no planned mid-day breaks. If they're things you want to do, then great. But they're far from a rule or a requirement to have a great trip.

I feel like unless you are going on some random week in off season to expect heavy crowds. We just finished our 7th trip in 10 years and every trip but 3 was in the summer. Which summer is crazy busy. Our lowest crowds were the 2nd week in December. I think we were there the 7th-14th or something like that. It was the least crowded but also the coolest weather we’ve had.

We also went the 3rd week of Sept and it was still hot and busy then but not quite as bad as summer. We also just got back last week which was our first time going this time of years and it was insane - like summer busy! I thought maybe it wouldn’t be that bad because everyone’s spring breaks are different and they crowds might be spread out a little bit over the month but they weren’t at all. So I would rate thistime of year right on par with summer. The only thing that puts it above summer is the weather was amazing!

So I think unless you are going some random week during the off season while school is in session - than expect pretty high crowds.

Interesting. Like you we're summer veterans. We've made 7 or 8 summer trips over the last 15 years, including the last 4 in a row (no trip this summer... ). To us, summer has been very quiet the past several years. 2018 was a bit busier than the previous 3, but still not bad at all. Some parts of June were actually stunningly slow in our opinion. Our other trips have been mostly around major holidays such as Thanksgiving or Xmas, so I guess it's all perspective.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It's hard to predict these days. I always plan for larger crowds in my head then am pleasantly surprised if they're lower. I've found it was much more challenging emotionally when I thought it was going to be a low crowd day and then it was higher.

Also, in the past 2 years we've been at Disney in Jan, Feb, Apr, May, Aug, Sep and Dec. Pretty much higher crowds across the board than we experienced 4 or more years ago. Disney is just popular and the economy is good so there are more people there.

 

[ShelbyK]

We went last year May 1st-9th and we are taking another early May trip this year.. Last year was our first trip so I dont have anything to compare it to but it was very manageable. We were able to get Fastpass for literally every ride we wanted to go on using the refresh method,.never waited in a standby line. We used mobile order for our quick service meals and it worked great. The only time I really felt overwhelmed with people was when we were watching Happily Ever After on Main Street. I was surprised by the heat and cant imagine it being even hotter than it was in like July and August. Stay hydrated especially with kids and have a great time!

 

[SaintsManiac]

It was widely reported that last summer was strangely slow at WDW.

 

[bdiddy]

I certainly wouldn't suggest saying that to your kids. Hopefully they're super excited about going to WDW...to tell them it'll be a "hurry up and wait" trip, they'll be fighting mobs and waiting for everything is not a picture I'd want to present to young kids. It's also not necessarily true.

We only follow one of the "main rules" you listed, which is making FP+, and still have a wonderful time. No ADRs (we bring our own food), no rope drop, no planned mid-day breaks. If they're things you want to do, then great. But they're far from a rule or a requirement to have a great trip.



Interesting. Like you we're summer veterans. We've made 7 or 8 summer trips over the last 15 years, including the last 4 in a row (no trip this summer... ). To us, summer has been very quiet the past several years. 2018 was a bit busier than the previous 3, but still not bad at all. Some parts of June were actually stunningly slow in our opinion. Our other trips have been mostly around major holidays such as Thanksgiving or Xmas, so I guess it's all perspective.

I think that all of our summer trips were in mid to late July. Maybe the very first of August. So maybe June is a little slower? We're so limited with our daughter in band now so we are pretty much committed to late June or early July now for the next 4 years if we do another summer trip. The weather though last week was so much better that I would love to figure out how to go back when it's like that but not the crazy spring break crowds!

 

[cakebaker]

I use the Dibb fp availability charts to gauge how busy it's going to be. For our early May trip, FOP, SDD and SDMT were at 60 or 60+1. Had no problems getting what I needed at the times I needed them. Now, SDD is at 60+4. Tells you early June is much busier, not surprisingly. I pay no attention at all to crowd calendars as to which day, which park. I have enough qualifiers that limit when I choose FP+'s, to try and schedule days by crowd levels is just too much for me.

It's pretty easy to know when it's the most crowded regardless. Any holiday= crazy. Summers are very busy. Best times to go seem to be in Jan, Feb and early May- assuming you don't go in those months when there's a holiday or some massive event planned.

 

[Klayfish]

I think that all of our summer trips were in mid to late July. Maybe the very first of August. So maybe June is a little slower? We're so limited with our daughter in band now so we are pretty much committed to late June or early July now for the next 4 years if we do another summer trip. The weather though last week was so much better that I would love to figure out how to go back when it's like that but not the crazy spring break crowds!

Our trips were between mid-June and late July. Never been there in August, so maybe it is a bit different.

I feel your pain about the kids activities dictating schedules. That's what doomed our summer trip this year. All 3 of our kids are doing travel sports this summer, so from a money and time standpoint we had to cancel our planned trip this year. Next year we're going no matter what!!

 

[Disneypro1]

Well we go in early May 90% of the time. Pull kids out of school and all. Other times we go in Sept. early May is very slow and the crowds are as minimal as Sept. so we never worry.
Imho. Early May and Sept. simply cannot be beat. The best advice I ever got with Disney. Pull kids out of school. Go when school is in. Makes a massive massive difference.

 

[TheyCallMeStacey]

We've really mentioned to the kids that it will be very warm and we'll have to be patient in line. Hoping that we'll be able to maximize 4th+ FPs! Everyone is so excited and the last time we were there, it was REALLY manageable crowds (week before thanksgiving) and I'm just hoping for a similar situation. Similar or not, we're really happy with our FPs and everything else will just be the cherry on top!

 

[Jcon]

I find that if I keep a positive attitude, the kids have fun, even standing in line. I don't try to build up or dash their expectations beforehand. I prepare as best I can for all scenarios.

They'll take their cues from you. If you're having fun and project a positive attitude, even during challenging times, they'll do it too. Crowds, breakdowns, slow lines, etc are all out of your control. Find the positive in things you're doing.

Even standing in line, I'm with my kids. To me, being with my kids is the best thing I can imagine.

 

[Upatnoon]

get a picture of how busy WDW will be before you go.

I know some people swear by crowd calendars and others completely disregard them. I was just curious to see if there are tips/tricks to better gain a handle on it in order to best prepare my kids for our upcoming early May trip. I've been watching the wait times, but it's hard to gauge because it's my suspicion that spring break crowds are still very much impacting that.

The key is to understand and know how to use FP+ so you don't wait in line. Rope drop and late-night riding helps avoid lines. Know what attractions don't have waits so you can use them to fill your day.