Labor Day and week after? How bad really?

[reeddi]

I have recently found out that we will have the opportunity to go back to WDW much sooner than I thought. We have to go before Dec 19th though because of the millitary salute special.


The last time we were there, waits for the main attractions, Space Mountain let's say, were consistantly 45 minutes to an hour.
I didn't feel this was too bad or crowded, because we fastpassed a lot of things.

Now the question is how bad is Labor Day really?

I was thinking of driving down on Saturday from NC.
Going to Epcot on Sunday, AK/water park on Monday, MK Tuesday morning MGM Tuesday night (if hours allow), Wednesday off (maybe Sea World), Thursday MK/Epcot, Friday catch whatever we didn't get.
We just went last April and caught most of the main attractions but not many shows or lesser rides. Caught a lot of characters too.
So another question, what are the must dos in each park for a second visit?

We are a family of four. ME 31, DH 33, DD 8, DD 2/3 (birthday on trip) we are staying offsite.

Here's what I think we should catch (what we didn't do last time):
MK - toontown, alien encounter, parade (day time, did Spectro last time) visit some favs (HM, SplM, TM, SpM)
AK - Asia, Lion King, Tarzan, Flights of Wonder
MGM - Indiana Jones, Animation, One Man's Dream (it's here right?) Little Mermaid
Epcot - spent maybe 6 hours here Did TT, SE, UofE, HISTK, some kidcot stations in WS. So I think rest of WS, Living Seas and Innovations.

Also can anyone recommend a good, decently priced (I pay 8 per hour for both kids, which I know I can't get there but something less than $17 per hour would be nice) babysitting service?

 

[TDC Nala]

Last year, Labor Day weekend was not crowded. The week after was almost totally dead. Epcot was like a ghost town. Walked onto everything, including Test Track.

 

[PamOKW]

All three day weekends tend to pick up at Disney but Labor Day is probably the slowest. The "crowd" tends to be people who will only be there for the day or weekend. The following week is probably one of the slowest of the entire year. Almost everywhere kids have are either returning to school or have just returned within the last few weeks. It is not the best time for parents to pull them out of school for vacation. When kids are in school, the crowds at WDW are low.

 

[reeddi]

Thanks. I know it's not the best time but it is about the only time we can go. I have thought of some other times but we need time to save up so money for the trip. That makes it darn near impossible to go before she goes back to school. With the Dec. 19th deadline, I would have to pull her out anyway.

 

[All Aboard]

For the past 6 years I've chuckled at all of the guide books that list Labor Day weekend as being a heavy or moderately heavy time at WDW. The fact is, it's quite the opposite. And, the week that follows is (as others have described) extremely light.

 

[pigby]

You have me worried - we went in 2001 at this time of year - whilst very quiet afterwards - we thought the Sunday was very busy indeed. We went to MK in the afternoon and the only attraction we did before dinner at LTT was Country Bear Jamboree, because of the long lines on the other rides - 60 minutes Peter Pan/ Splash etc

One reason for this was that Spectro and fireworks was only on that Saturday and Sunday in our 2 week stay. I believe that Spectro was cancelled on the Saturday due to heavy rain/thunderstorms, so on Sunday I think that the Saturday crowd had returned to see the parade.

We are going in July this year and I thought I was more of less prepared for crowds - but if you think that Labor Day has light crowds......

Sue

 

[TDC Nala]

I would expect the MK on a holiday weekend to be a bit crowded. I wasn't in the MK on Saturday or Sunday. I don't remember any of the other parks having huge lines or anything.

 

[sandyneck]

What about the week leading up to labor day? I would think most schools are back, but we in MA are still out. Its the only time we could go and take advantage of the FT package. I am glad to hear Labor Day weekend is not as bad as they say.

 

[TZMOM]

Even thought it's been slow/not as crowded during the past few years - do you feel it will be more crowded due to FTP? We're going 8/24 - 8/31 - just wondering . . . .

 

[Momandjake]

The past three times I've visited Disney World (2001, 1999, 1997) have been a few days prior to Labor Day weekend and a few days into the following week and I find this to be a perfect time to visit. In fact, (and this may sound a little crazy) I would have almost preferred that it was a bit more crowded. I remember riding the Great Movie Ride at MGM (when it was still running) and the entire ride wasn't even 1/2 full. My son and I were usually able to get frint row seats at all the shows, we rarely waited in line. I recall riding the river ride in Animal Kingdom over and over several times in a row and not even having to get back into a line to get on it.

If it weren't for the fact that I'm using frequent flier miles for air fare this trip, I would chose to go during the same time, but airlines of course won't let you use those miles during that time frame.