Just Me and DH- Want to Avoid Crowds on Our Next Trip- WHEN?!

[toledo13]

Hi all. It's just me and DH. Since it's just us, we're very flexible as to when to go to WDW. Is there a time of year that you go to avoid the families and crowds? Of COURSE it's WDW, and always busy, but in your experience, has there been a good time to go where the youngsters are away????? Not that I have anything against kids... but since we don't have any, we don't have to worry about working around their school breaks and whatnot. Any advice would be great


In the past, we've gone in the middle of October, and the Middle of December-- both seemed like a fairly busy time, but October was less crowded than December. When we went in December, there was a LINE for 'it's a small world'... WeIrD!!

 

[Tigger22]

We went in mid November one year and it was great. Great weather and never really waited for very long in any lines. As for the kids, you aren't going to find any time without them. Parents that have little ones not in school can take them anytime. I know parents who will pull their kids out of school for a week during the fall (or other less crowded times) - and there are always schools that go year round, so they have different times off from school (my friend's nephew down south went year round).

 

[deltachi8]

2nd week of December. VERY light crowds and the decorations for the Holidays are all up - quite pretty.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

We went the last week of Feb / early March - just as the value season ended - and found the crowds very light as compared to our visit and the end of August / early September

 

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Another vote for second week of December! We went December 10th - 16th 2007 and the crowds were light and the weather was beautiful in the 80s!!! We were able to walk around without being hot and swim whenever we wanted to. The first week of December is no good with that football thing they have going on and then the third week is when kiddies start getting pulled out of school. Second week is fabulous.

It was just my fiance and I for reference.

 

[GoldenAfternoon]

September! Low crowds (kids are back in school) and hot weather

 

[jusero]

My DH and I have been going to WDW for years as empty nesters. Our favorite time to go is the second or third week of May. This time is good for us for several reasons: the weather is perfect (mid to upper 80s and little rain), the crowds are fairly light (after spring break but before school lets out) and most, if not all, the rides are open for business (winter months are typically used for ride closures). Of course, it may not be as light as some times of the year, but if you use fast passes and the Magic Hours, you will spend little time in lines. I think the longest we ever waited was 45 minutes for Pirates -- and this was because it was right after the refurbishment and this ride does not offer a fast pass.

Another good time is mid September. However, you are in hurricane season and are taking your chances.

Good luck! I know you will have a blast no mater what time of year you go.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

we always go in early september for two weeks as we dont have kids and they are all back at school. weather is still hot but we dont have to worry about storms. we have never had to wait in line longer than 5 minutes so if it is long get a fastpass and move on somewhere else. the weekends can be busy still so try and be clever and go to the less popular places at the weekend

 

[Chellymouse]

Our top picks are the 2nd week of Dec., light crowds, and a great way to see how WDW does it up for the holidays. Because it's slower, we had time to travel to various resorts to see the giant Gingerbread house (GF), the chocolate carousel (BW) and others as well as having our first choices for dining for the Candlelight Processional.
Anytime in Sept. (after Labor Day) and before the Food and Wine Festival starts are usually pretty slow as is the period just after spring breaks up until about Mid-May when schools start letting out.
If you have the option, December (even though it's a long way off) is worth it! Once you've been there around the holidays, it's hard to go back during other times of the year!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

The first two weeks in December are a great time to go to WDW. My wife and I have been going alone at this time for years. The crowd levels are great at this time. We were there again this past December and the crowds were very light except for the weekends. Plus you have the added benifits of doing all the great Christmas events.

 

[carlbarry]

The first time I went was the end of March. I was shocked as to how "empty" it was compared to the horror stories I had heard about long waits. By noon in Magic Kingdom I had already been to all my "must sees." And in Epcot, not only was there no line for Mission:Space, but upon leaving, I turned around and went in again, also with no line! Also saw Philharmagic twice, no waits, and my choice of seats.
Second time I went was second week of December, to Disney Studios. Again, crowds were small. There were 9 people in the audience for Sounds Dangerous, and I was alone in the after-show room. For Star Wars, there was one family and me as the only people walking through the pre-show area! For Fantasmic, I sat in the front row--where seating was available for up to maybe 20 minutes before show time.
I go again next month, end of February. I hope I have the same luck!

 

[JCandKT]

we usually go the 3rd week of September... what a breeze!

(will NEVER go back for NYE/First week of January...what a nightmare.)

 

[twardw]

We just got back from a full week - Jan 12th to 19th. Very easy to get around, nice size crowd, cool weather, just great time to be outside!

 

[D&R love Disney]

We always go over Labor Day. Once the holiday weekend is over the crowds totally thin out.

 

[duffy]

We were just there from Feb. 1-9th. Very light crowds, nice weather.

 

[carlbarry]

I just returned from my visit on Wed. and Thurs. Feb. 27 and 28. I had absolutely no waits. In fact, I went around Kali River the second time alone, with two empty boats following me, and the third time also alone--both times the cast member advised me to just stay in the boat! No wait for Everest or Nemo (Epcot), and stage shows Finding Nemo and Lion King had plenty of empty seats! It really makes it a pleasure to just walk into any attraction with no wait.

 

[Saturn23]

I've tried middle of October, first week of December, and last week of January. I thought the last week of January was the best. We lucked out though, because the week before we were there was MLK day and people apparently stayed the whole week. Our week was pretty empty except for a few times when we had to wait (we could have used fast passes but the return times conflicted with our schedules, so we didn't actually have to wait, we chose to). By Friday afternoon of the week we were there the parks got packed because Mardi Gras was the week after and people showed up early. We just happened to get lucky with our week. I mention lots of wait times and related stuff in my TR in my signature if you want more details. Choosing the emptiest time was my number one priority with this trip.

 

[kismet1003]

My husband and I just went 1/14/08-1/19/08 and it was dead!!!! We walked onto every single ride, never waited a minute. The weather was nice too but did get chilly at night.
Have fun whenever you decide!

 

[tink8jr]

we usually go the 3rd week of September... what a breeze!

(will NEVER go back for NYE/First week of January...what a nightmare.)

I agree we went Dec 30-Jan 5th all I can say is CROWDED I won't ever do it again, we went back the 3rd week of Jan and it was wonderful short lines if any, won't go back for spring break, or any summer months I am done with that, to many people and it is to HOT

 

[tink8jr]

My husband and I just went 1/14/08-1/19/08 and it was dead!!!! We walked onto every single ride, never waited a minute. The weather was nice too but did get chilly at night.
Have fun whenever you decide!

It was very dead we were also there at that same time