I'm sorry to harp, but how crowded is crowded? LONG

[Brook106]

I've become addicted to these Dis boards! I've always wanted to go to Disney on a non-school holiday time. We decided to pull our kids from school for one week and I decided to take my personal days together. (The first time in 21 years of teaching. I feel kind of guilty, but I thought I'd do it once in my life!) Now, here comes the harping part...my dream of low crowds seems to be diminishing. When I spoke to the itininary planner at the BC she said that the hotel is pretty full for May 14-22. I don't want to disappoint my kids DS 12 and DD 9 at this point, but the whole point of pulling them out of school was to enjoy a once in a lifetime low crowd Disney trip. I'm feeling guilty about pulling them from school, taking off from work and it's hard to justify it when it seems like it will be really crowded. We have not been there since 1995 during President's Week- very busy! I realize that there are a lot of special events going on in May- bday celebration, marathon,flower show, Stars Wars weekend and who knows what else?! I don't know what my question is? I guess I just want the answer to be...it will be great!

 

[n2mm]

I've been going in May for 11 years now. Yes May will be much more crowded then in the past, but I don't believe it will be crazy like Christmas, Easter and summer. There will be groups and special events going on, but there is alot of us BIG KIDS that go every year during this wonderful time to go. The weather should be great as it is every year at this time. Just try to relax and have a great time. Make your PS before you leave because it does look like the second week of May will be the most crowded for the month. I will be there the first and second week of May, so hopefully I will find a little down time to kick back. If the parks get too crazy, your kids will have a ball at SAB at the BC.

 

[Syndrome]

I am with you! Everytime I pick a time to go to disney.........usually a very complicated decision with 3 kids, I feel like I did great. I book the resorts and start planning for some P.S.'s. Now, If I could just not look at the DIS boards between the time I book and the time we go to WDW I would be fine. But then I start reading about how crowded it is going to be the time we are going from all kinds of people, when I just sat and planned..........sometimes for quite a long time, what I thought would be a perfect time to go ! I cant figure it out anymore. It seems like the even the off-season at WDW is starting to become a popular time to go for people who dont like the crowds !!! Kind of Ironic isnt it!!! I think next time I am going at the most crowded time.........that way there will be no suprises!!!
I am pulling my kids out of school before and after Thankgiving week knowing that it will be crowded During the Thankgiving 3-4 days. I am banking on the fact that WDW will not be to crowded before AND the week after T-week. But now I am starting to here otherwise ??? I just cant figure it out anymore !!! It seems that it may not be worthwile to pull the kids out of school if its going to be crowded anyway........I feel your pain!
Anybody else with Me!
Here is a good website with crowd levels and the dates to the DAY! It may not be entirely accurate I am finding out.
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm
Good luck with your plans..........Syndrome

 

[Sammie]

Bookings are really up this Spring for Disney. The 50 Year Celebration begins in May so expect larger than usual crowds for May.

There truly is no way to predict how crowded it will be. Also many people just do not want to come during the very hot, humid, crowded traditional summer months and especially after last year's very active hurricane season.

I am sure you will have a great time even with the crowds.

 

[jbthi]

I've never gone in May so I can't comment on the crowds then.

We just back from DW with my DD, SIL and 3 GC. Stayed from 4-2 thru 4-8 at BCV. This was their spring break. The crowds were not nearly as bad as I had thought they might be.

My DH and I always go in off season. We were there this year in Jan. and again in Feb. The crowds were heavier than usual.

For the last two years it seems to me that the crowds are starting to even out more. The off season is more crowded than usual, the high season is less crowded.

Maybe because of year-round schools, home schooling, people taking kids out of school or whatever. It just seems like it is changing.

 

[Lizzybee]

You know what? We went at Spring Break and with good planning it seemed sometimes it was crowded but we were never effected by the crowds. Don't worry I'm sure your trip will be magical and fabulous. Fastpass, rest at the pool in the afternoon when it's crowded, park hop, go back at night when it's cooler and the night time shows are about an hour til start time and ENJOY. Much Pixie Dust Your Way

 

[Kaiya]

I agree Lizzebee! Plan ahead and all will be great. Oh, and don't feel guilty about taking time off - we've all had to do it at one point or another. Just got home from our trip which ran two days over spring break - 3 teachers. Happy planning.

 

[cdpa4d]

I honestly feel that the days of "Low" crowds at Disney World are slowly diminishing. I believe there are few weeks of low crowds. September and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to be the lowest, but even those are a crap shoot.

It seems as Disney is always booking large conferences or events during the 52 weeks of the year. Between Marathons, Grad Nights, Cheerleading competitions Disney World has become a place to gather for many reasons. This has caused the parks and resorts to become very crowded. Disney loves to fill the resorts and parks, obviously. I don't blame them, but for those who are looking for "Low" crowds those days are just about gone.

 

[cdpa4d]

I honestly feel that the days of "Low" crowds at Disney World are slowly diminishing. I believe there are few weeks of low crowds. September and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas seem to be the lowest, but even those are a crap shoot.

It seems as Disney is always booking large conferences or events during the 52 weeks of the year. Between Marathons, Grad Nights, Cheerleading competitions Disney World has become a place to gather for many reasons. This has caused the parks and resorts to become very crowded. Disney loves to fill the resorts and parks, obviously. I don't blame them, but for those who are looking for "Low" crowds those days are just about gone.

 

[MsWitty1]

I know how frustrating it is to expect low crowds and then to have lines. From what I have found and what I heard from other people, slow season no longer exists but there are times when crowds are down.

I went Labor Day weekend and the park was pretty empty a few years ago. This year we are going late September instead of May for the reason you listed above.

Remember that even though you are taking kids out of school early other schools, including high schools, are out earlier than yours. Also international travelers are not on the same schedule.

 

[simzac]

I believe that WDW has 2 seasons, crowded season and really crowded season. If you really want to vacation at WDW, crowds are a part of the equation. Just get that mindset, and the crowds won't bother you. Just think of all the fun you are going to have.

 

[Brook106]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm sure that we will have a great time! Thanks!

Brook106

 

[egerry]

i feel pretty good,i was able to make a PS for hoop-de-do for mid may just yesterday and they suggest you make it 3 years in advance.in not going to worry about the crowds,no matter the size,its disney,we'll have a good time!!

 

[Collette]

We were there December 29 thru January 4 and had a great time even though during the planning stages I was wondering "What have I done?!" This should be a piece of cake (Our other two trips were in October.)

We are not morning people and my family did sleep in a little, but the best thing I did for myself that busy week was to get up each day and be at the parks when they opened. It would be a great time to accomplish some of everyone's "must do's". I liked going to a park the day after its extra magic hours. We also became masters of the fastpass...and naps Had several PSs, too. When we were tired of the crowds, we went back to our resort for a while to regroup.

It didn't work out this time and I noticed the difference, too, but I really like to get to Magic Kingdom as soon as possible after arriving. When you walk under that bridge with your family and that first sight of Main Street and the castle takes your breath away, you won't care about the crowds or anything else. And you will know for sure that your decisions were perfect.

Now I want to go, too!!! Have a wonderful time!! I'm excited for you!!

Collette

P.S. And no guilt

 

[Disney Debbie]

I've been the week after the week you're going and it was fine. I've also been in the middle of July - and it was fine. Basically - if you follow the advice you get here and in the UOG - the most important of which is to BE THERE AT PARK OPENING!!!! - then you really are ahead of the crowds.

We went last week and didn't wait longer then 30 minutes for anything. We only used Fast Pass 2 times - and it was more a matter of convenience then a long wait when we chose to use them.

Most of the Southern schools get out that Friday you'll be there - so you really have picked a pretty good week. Don't stress about it - it won't be anything close to Easter, Christmas or 4th of July.