Least Crowded times of year?

[DianeJoy]

For the past two years my husband, my daughter and I have visited Disney during Labor Day week. We were told that this is the slowest time of the year because all of the families stay at home for the first week of school. It is absoluely true. There is no waiting for anything.

Well, starting this year WE have to stay home so my daughter can start school. We were wondering if there are other slow times at the parks. Someone suggested Thanksgiving. Any thoughts?

 

[dvcgirl]

No, Thanksgiving week is much busier than the week following Labor Day. That first week in September (following Labor Day) is indeed one of the slowest of the year.

So if you're used to those low early September crowds, Thanksgiving week will be a big surprise. The first few days aren't awful, but by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving it's very crowded right on through the weekend.

There are a bunch of other times that are slow, but if you don't want to take your child out of school (understandably).......then you'll run into some more crowds.

 

[ErinInCT]

How old is your dd? Personally (and I know everyone has different opinions) we will not have a problem taking dd out of school during elementary. I think it may get harder in middle school but by then they are old enough to handle crowds better then a little kid!! We go the last week in Sept so dd has a chance to get acclimated to school b4 we leave. I would check your school schedule (they are usually available 1 - 2 yrs in advance) to see if there are any in service days (or whatever your school calls the days off for non holidays) in Sept or Oct (probably Columbus Day week is not that bad) & if your dd has a few days off, just plan to take a whole week. Then she is not missing as much.
Otherwise, I think there is just no getting around crowds during the times school is off (holidays, spring breaks & summer).
Good luck!

 

[FamilyGuy]

I think that if would prefer not to take your daughter out of school, there will be no "opportune" time of the year to go. It's my understanding that when school is out, crowds swell to enourmous numbers at the world.

Our kids are 9,8 & 5.

Our first and only visit (thus far) to WDW was from Dec4th - 13th this yr, and I can tell you we had some very reasonable crowds for much of our trip. On the other side of the coin, MGM was closed due to reaching capacity on Sat the 11th.

We got annual passes and plan to return at least once, probably twice in the next year. I think a good plan, as stated above, is when there are some service days take the weekend, the service days and an extra day or two (of planned absence from school) and try and make a few days of it. That's our plan at least. And then another 6 days or so in either early june or late august (both very busy times). Or perhaps October or early November.

The unofficial guide is a very good resource for determining busier times of the year. For the most part, I have found the info in that book to be very, very useful. Got it on Amazon.com.

 

[aec]

I agree with the previous posters about the service days. Check your school calendar carefully. Look for a time when your school is closed for a day or two but most other schools are open. My girls have off on Monday and Tuesday Jan 24/25 so we are taking them out of school for Thur/Fri Jan 20/21 for a 6 day trip to WDW with only missing two days of school.

 

[dolphindan1]

Our theory is this....we have 2 boys one 4 and one 8 the 4 year old is in nursery still so right now it only applies to our 8 year old who is in 2nd grade....As long as his grades are good we will take him out of school...So far he has been an A honor role student...We always let the teacher know of our plans during the meet and greet at the start of the year....To us a week of good quality time is more imortant than one week of school....What are they really missing in that one week anyway around the holidays?...homework slows down and there are no test...Pacts are done before thanksgiving...none of the teachers have had a problem with this yet but I know its coming...Plus my son has never missed any days of school....Until this year he was never required to make up any work...the teachers said he was ahead of the rest of the class so dont worry about hit...this year the teacher sent his math and spelling with us and we worked on it on the drive....He aced both tests when he got back...So I say as long as the grades are acceptable take them out and enjoy the slow rush instead of the heat and anger of summer or the masses at holidays....You also get more for your money when its not crowded....just my 2 cents

 

[tardin1964]

DianeJoy I'm not sure what part of the country you're from, but the last few weeks in August are a "less" busy time of year. A good deal of the country goes back to school in the begining/middle of August so if your school doesn't start until Sept. this may be a good choice.

 

[jwann]

How old is your dd? Personally (and I know everyone has different opinions) we will not have a problem taking dd out of school during elementary.

Ditto!
Keep her out for a few days -- she won't miss a thing. There are always kids coming and going in that first week. Just my opinion -- no flames, please. We LOVE to go that week!