MLK weekend crowd levels

[luckyman_apd]

For the most part we have avoided holiday times because crowd levels are always higher, but what is MLK weekend like compared to others....or even December weekends (just a reference I'm familiar with). January points are low and the airfare was ridiculously cheap and since we had the annual pass it was worth adding a weekend.

 

[zavandor]

Easywdw ranks the crowd for that week end as 7-8, so it'll be quite crowded. In addition to people going to WDW for the holiday, it's a favorite period for tour groups from South America. The rest of January is as dead as it can now be WDW (ie: not so dead anymore), so if you can move your stay one week later it will be much better.
Full crowd calendar here:
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/calendars/january-2016-walt-disney-world-crowd-calendar/

 

[luckyman_apd]

I got the airfare for $90 round trip and I have off that Monday. No, can't move the trip...already used my days off from work for the december trip. I am expecting crowds...just was curious to how bad. Thanks.

 

[JWG]

It will be crowded.

 

[drusba]

The weekend itself is quite crowded, signifcantly more than you get during weekends in first three weeks of December but significantly less than weekends that occur during the last 10 days of December. In the last two years, MK has been the most crowded during the weekend and the street crowds can get heavy there. Popular rides can get well over hour stand-by lines. Studios is usually second in crowd size for the weekend. There are a number of tour groups, most of which are just fine but you can get some one-off things happenning like a tour group showing up about 70 strong at the same time for a single fastpass line or a group bursting into a chanting session. I have done every holiday time of the year other than Labor Day weekend and MLK weekend is at the softer end of those in crowd size.

 

[CarolynK]

I think a long as you plan your FP+ times, don't worry too much about crowds.

Almost all of our trips to WDW are during holiday times, because of our kids. We have gone MLK weekends in the past, but not since FP+.

Crowds are less of an issue for us now with FP+. We go in, do our 3 rides, and usually head back to enjoy our resort.

 

[Anal Annie]

I got the airfare for $90 round trip and I have off that Monday. No, can't move the trip...already used my days off from work for the december trip. I am expecting crowds...just was curious to how bad. Thanks.

We have gone over MLK weekend a couple of times in the past (when our DS was still in HS we would sometimes have a bonus Tues. off for a "professional day" so it was great timing). It really isn't all THAT bad - at least compared to SUMMER. Yes, there will be some crowds - and likely some of the large Brazilian Tour Groups you've probably heard about. They can really gunk up a line if they beat you into it. But IMO it's less crowded than July-August and definitely less than say spring break. Last time we went there was a major snowstorm in the NE on our last day and we ended up adding on an extra night at the last minute and staying a 5th night so that we wouldn't get stuck in the airport (the airlines were waiving change fees and school ended up getting canceled so DS didn't miss any school either). Have fun! It's a good time to go!!

 

[disfanforlife]

We are going down on Saturday of MLK weekend and staying until the next Friday. I have never been that time before, but am not too worried since even if it is crowded the first couple days I think the rest of the week will be quieter.

 

[El&Asmom]

We have been several times over MLK week as I have a conference at that week every year. It used to be crazy during the weekend and then taper off dramatically after Monday afternoon. The last time we went even the rest of the week was crowded. The old days of empty parks are over. When my 12 year old was young we would go during Labor day and we literally walked on every ride. I miss those days.

 

[DisneyfromDeland]

I think a long as you plan your FP+ times, don't worry too much about crowds.

Almost all of our trips to WDW are during holiday times, because of our kids. We have gone MLK weekends in the past, but not since FP+.

Crowds are less of an issue for us now with FP+. We go in, do our 3 rides, and usually head back to enjoy our resort.

This is our strategy as well. We go stand by if lines are short. If they aren't short, we shop and leave.

 

[disprincess2213]

We are headed down that weekend as well. We subscribe to Touring plans and they have the entire weekend and Monday at "10", the same as Christmas and New years lol! I didnt realize when I booked that MLK weekend was as busy as Christmas and New years! We will make the best of whatever it is!