Lowest Crowds.. When to go?

[fam4jc]

HI. We just spent 9 wonderful days in the world and I am begining to plan our next trip. After the awful crowds in June I am looking for the best time to go with the least amount of crowds but with the most moderate weather. I was thinking of checking in the Monday after Thanksgiving or the first full week of December. Has anyone had experience during these times?

I've read the historic crowd info that Deb has on her site, very helpful but I still would like some first hand advice. We are very flexible as far as dates go.

Thanks so much.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

November up until the week of Thanksgiving, first few weeks in December and January are really good times to go.

September is also a slow month at the parks but the weather is still quite hot.

 

[denman007]

It's a ghost town the week after Labor Day! Weather can be 80's to 90's.

 

[FlynnStone]

We have been both the week before Thanksgiving, and the week before Christmas. Both were VERY slow, though the parks got busier the closer we got to a holiday. You should try to go between Thanksgiving and Christmas - WDW is beautiful with the holiday decorations. And the parks have lots of special holiday events going on - well worth seeing if you have only been other times of the year.

The weather can be cool (50s to mid-70s), but its very pleasant.

 

[gottaluvdis]

We asked this question of a CM at MK one year. They told us the least busy time is the week after Thanksgiving, followed by the week after New Years.

 

[crazyformickey]

I love going just after Thanksgiving - over the first weekend in December. The lines are great. Sure the park closes earlier, but my son & I never waited more than 15 minutes to get on a ride. Then there is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Holiday decorations, and you just might get to see the taping of the Christmas parade. Two years ago, we saw Regis and Kelly. We've been in November also, but I prefer December.

 

[champdds]

We found the end of October very reasonable, but found limited park hours some what a tradeoff, but we got everything we needed done each day with time to spare. It madeall commando planning unnecessary...

David

 

[cjsmom5]

We go from Thanksgiving Day through the end of the first week in December every year. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, during the week, is a great way to walk right on the rides. I think we rode Thunder Mt. six times in a row ... I finally said I had to get off...

Typically the lines are short until you get close to the weekend...but Sunday through Thursday it is very nice in terms of crowd. I would still do Priority Seatings, etc.

It is just wonderful, too, to be able to see all the Christmas decorations. Disney is still spectacular at Christmas and this year they should have the backlot open again for the lights.

 

[mickey0216]

We've been to WDW 3x the week of Thanksgiving, arriving the Saturday before and leaving the Saturday after. Saturday until Tuesday the crowds are non-existent. The pace picks up Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are quite busy. We save our shopping and etc for Thursday and Friday, and also hit any rides/shows that we want to experience again.

We have also been down the 2nd week of June. I'll never go down in June again, too crowded and too hot (for the DW, DD, DS). I'd do Thanksgiving week every year if the lady in charge of my house would cooperate. The Christmas decorations are up and it gets me in the Christmas spirit. A few years ago we were on TV as part of the Christmas Parade. Wayne Brady was being filmed in front of Buzz, and we were in line heading into Buzz.

 

[fam4jc]

Thanks for all the advice! I am leaning towards the week after Thanksgiving. My mom & dad go to Sarasota for Thanksgiving so we could spend the holiday with them then head over to WDW on Sunday. My concern is that my girls love the pools. The weather may not cooperate. I suppose that won't be a big deal if we get to ride all the rides. (not like this last trip where we missed several on our list).

Again, thanks for your help

 

[IandGsmom]

It seems like most of you all are saying Nov. or Dec. Every CM I asked said Oct but to stay away from Halloween. We jst got bac from our first trip last week and unless someones holding a gun to my head I will not go back anytime during summer. I am from California and I just could not deal with the heat. Rain ok heat not ok. Wimp I know

 

[verchad]

I agree with denman007, we went in sept 2002 the week following labor day and loved it. weather was great, a little warm some days, and NO lines to speak of for anything. We tried but didn't need the fastpasses. The trade off was that MK and AK closed earlier than in the summer when we were there. Kids are a consideration, your school or teachers may not be thrilled with you wanting to take a vacation so soon after the school year starts.

 

[July]

September is slow


July