Lowest Crowds - When to go to WDW?

[littlepeppers]

When to go?

We have little ones & would like to avoid the crowds. We can get away from Sept 25th through the end of the year.

We would like to see the Christmas decorations, but would like to avoid wait times above 15min for rides.

We have been Easter (bomb, too crowded), Mardi Gras (non-pres week year), 2nd wk October, & end of Sept -1st wk October.

The end of Sept-1st wk October was the best.

Is this type of crowd possible with the Christmas decorations out? We can go anytime since the kids are young.

 

[auralia]

it's outside of your time window but the absolute lowest crowds i've seen is the first week of february... my daughter got to ride barn stormer for 30 minutes straight without getting off!

 

[littlepeppers]

it's outside of your time window but the absolute lowest crowds i've seen is the first week of february... my daughter got to ride barn stormer for 30 minutes straight without getting off!

I wanted to go in Feb, but DH had to do a remodel on the house to fit his new big tv. We had to wait for income tax & bonus, but now the school kids & their holiday breaks are starting.

I don't think I can wait until next feb. I need my WDW fix.

 

[hardhead]

end of sept begin of oct has been good for me. But if you want Xmas decorations go Dec 12 to 18th. Should be low crowds just before the holidays

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

Mid Nov- MK gets don efor the party but you have to wait a little longer for the rest of the parks and resorts. Everything should be up y Thanksgiving so right after that. It slowly picks up as you get closer to Christmas. Before the 20th for sure.

 

[Skyw]

If you don't mind paying a small fee...search the Unofficial Guide to Disney on Google and check their web site out. It has a crowd calendar that I use every time we have went. We have gone in June, May, Jan, Nov, and we have never waited in long lines.

 

[nmmom95]

We went last year in mid-November and Christmas decorations were up. We went to MVMCP and saw the Osbourne Lights. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride. The weather was perfect...shorts during the day a light jacket at night. It's a great week to go. We're going the same time this year, after Jersey Week, but before Thanksgiving.

 

[littlepeppers]

We went last year in mid-November and Christmas decorations were up. We went to MVMCP and saw the Osbourne Lights. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride. The weather was perfect...shorts during the day a light jacket at night. It's a great week to go. We're going the same time this year, after Jersey Week, but before Thanksgiving.

This Jersey Week, is it Monday Nov. 1st-5th this year? I should avoid that week?

We like to leave on a Tues or Wed (cheep SWA days) & return on a Tues. Would the dated to be there be Tuesday Nov 9th - Tuesday Nov 16th or would the 16th be getting crowded again?

 

[nmmom95]

I think that is Jersey Week. It coincides with election day, since the schools are closed. I've never been there that week, so I can't say what the crowds are like. I live in NJ, but my kids are in Catholic school, so our fall break is later.

 

[littlepeppers]

Hi New Jersey folks.

When is your school closing in November 2010?

Is it the 1st week in November?

 

[smidgen21]

Hi New Jersey folks.

When is your school closing in November 2010?

Is it the 1st week in November?

According to TouringPlans, Jersey weeks is 11/4-11/6. HTH.

 

[scootch]

The only issue with midnovember is unpredictable weather. Last year(2008) it was bitter cold, my kids had their winter coats(we live outside of Pittsburgh) and I had to buy gloves and a blanket for them. The days were just chilly, but definitely no swimming weather. If I could take them in October(after Columbus day is over but before Halloween) I think that would be great..... low crowds plus great weather. Unfortunately for us, October is when they do state testing and noone is allowed to miss for vacation.

 

[MSSANDRA]

The first week in December is nice. Decorations are up but crowds are not too bad. If however you are having to wait that long and really want no crowds, wait one more month and go mid-January avoiding MLK day. Ture no crowd time. Weather about the same. We have gotten colder Dec than Jan.

 

[littlepeppers]

You are all awesome. I have so much to think about.

We are traveling w/ DSIS, DBIL, & her DD(2) & DD (11mos). I just want them to be able to enjoy it as much as we do every year.

This years weather was so weird. The cold was nuts. I actually had a good size gas bill from running the heater.

I wonder what type of deals SWA will run at that time of year. I really don't want DH to tell me that we have to drive. 13+hrs X 2 with the kids trapped in the Yukon........I may need a drink or Benedryl for the kids. JJ.

 

[misha-ginger]

We went last year in mid-November and Christmas decorations were up. We went to MVMCP and saw the Osbourne Lights. We never waited more than 15 minutes for a ride. The weather was perfect...shorts during the day a light jacket at night. It's a great week to go. We're going the same time this year, after Jersey Week, but before Thanksgiving.

We were there the same time nov 15-22. There were very little wait times for rides. The decorations were up at the parks and they went up at WL while we were there. I planning on going back the same time this year

 

[SarahKate]

We went in 2008 the day after Thanksgiving and were there the first week of December.

Crowds the first few days were pretty big.....but we knew that there'd be lots of people there for the holiday. But after the Thanksgiving weekend, it died down significantly and was VERY manageable. There are not really any truly DEAD times at WDW anymore and there will still be peak times during the day when you will have longer ride wait times.

But I'd definitely recommend the first week of December, esp if you're wanting to see the decorations.

Weather was good for us. We just packed for all different possibilities. I recall the weather being very nice for us. Not hot, but not freezing. It wasn't really beach weather though, so no water parks.

 

[littlepeppers]

Been talking w/ DSIS, if you had to pick between

2nd wk in November 9th -16th

or

1st wk in Nov 30- Dec.7th

or

2nd wk in Dec 7th - 14th

I'm leaning towards the 2nd wk in November. Is isn't cold yet & we have a kid turning 3yrs old on Nov. 28th. This week she would be FREE still.

HELP!. Which one?

 

[littlepeppers]

I'm pricing out the different options. I've never been this nervous about booking a trip before. I don't want DSIS to blame me if the trip is a bust. I wish DSIS could get off late Sept to take adv. of the (hopefully) free dining.

I need to get a Disney credit card.

Thanks for all of the advice so far. Keep it coming.

 

[Cwilson]

I am originally from NY, so I have only been to Disney in the summer/peak times. When we go in 2011, we are planning to try and go 5/29-6/3. I know that it will still be crowded, but am hoping since school is still in session for many states, it won't be as packed as I am used to.. am I accurate in that assumption?