My First Post and Worst Disney Mistake.

[cutiger95]

Sorry for being so late on this post. I just found the forum and had to relay my experience to date with Disney. My family and I attended the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando the week after Christmas.

Being the dutiful father I felt it necessary to take the two wee ones to the childrens Mecca, Disney World. So off we set the day after Christmas, hotel booked and ready. We stayed at the Marriott offsite (Mistake #1 for us). So we had a small car ride in each morning with a 7 yr old and 3 yr. old.

After the carride we would arrive at the parks at opening. Everything was great, no problems here. After about 2 hrs. the parks would fill to absolute capacity, we couldn't even walk on Main Street USA. That is a miserable experience.

Who woulda thunk-it. The week following Christmas must be one of the busiest of the year. Well at least Disney still lived up to it's billing for the girls. They had an absolute blast.

But be warned if you are visiting Disney, don't do it the week after Christmas. The crowds are almost intolerable.

Speaking of that What is the best time to go to Disney to avoid them?

 

[eblack0409]

DH and I have found that mid-September is a great time to avoid crowds..the kids are in school and it a great time weather wise to visit too!!!

 

[momrek06]

YES, we have gone many times at XMAS and man o man, there are CROWDS!! My boys were older and in h.s. so they spent time sleeping IN late and staying UP very late as the Parks are open late. The little ones get to the Parks early and leave early hence that was the best plan for our two. They spent many hours in the Lagoon at WL riding the jet skiis!!
I will say one year we were there through Jan 5th and seriously by Jan 3rd, the Parks and Resorts became very quiet!!! The busiest is from Christmas Eve through Jan 1st!!!

Recently, My DH & I have been going late Jan and early Feb and it is also a very quiet time as well. And the weather is lovely as well. I found that Xmas time can be on the cooler side. Wait a month and it is warmer and still not all that crowded.

 

[OhMari]

Going the week after Christmas is called Holiday Season. You did the correct thing by being at the Parks at opening. I'm glad your kids had a blast. I hope you decide to go again, I heard the beginning of May is very nice, the end of January. Also many like to go after Labor Day, but then with the Hurricane's the last couple years-yikers.

Welcome to the DIS, you will find out a lot of valuable information on all the different threads.

OhMari
Co-Moderator Trip Reports

 

[mdoc]

We usually go either the 2nd or 3rd week of November (before the Thanksgiving crowds) or the last week of March (spring break). I don't think late March is as bad as Christmas time, but it's still pretty darn crowded. November is much better in terms of crowds. We've also gone in early February and early May, and crowds were light then as well.

 

[Sue88]

I have gone at all different times of the year and I think early November is the best. I like the first or second full week. The weather is usually good, the parks are not crowded at all and the food and wine festival is going on.

sue88

 

[RedSox1974]

From Mousesavers.com

The best times to go to Walt Disney World are[/U]:

• First three weeks of December. The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the parks are usually pretty uncrowded.

• Early January through mid-February. It's cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is probably the least busy time of year, and hotel prices are lowest. However, usually some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year.

• Entire month of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds are low and hotel prices are moderate.

• Late August and entire month of September (even Labor Day weekend). It will be extremely hot. Plan on taking afternoons off and visiting water parks. Crowds and hotel prices are low. Off-site hotels usually have their rock-bottom deals during this period.
• During special events that interest you. Bear in mind that events held on major holidays usually attract significant crowds, however.


The worst times to visit Walt Disney World are[/B]:

• December 26-31. This is the most crowded and most expensive time of year.

• Mid-February through mid-April (or later, depending on the date of Easter), especially holiday weekends including President's Day and Easter. Expect huge crowds, high resort prices and expensive airfares.
• Other holidays. Among the other busy time periods are Thanksgiving week and any national holiday with a 3-day weekend (except Labor Day weekend).

 

[cutiger95]

My wife is truly excited that I found this forum. I told her that I found you guys and she was jubilant to say the least.

Again thanks and we will be posting and reading often.

 

[heaven2dc]

DH and I have found that mid-September is a great time to avoid crowds..the kids are in school and it a great time weather wise to visit too!!!

I was curious how September was - have a reservation to go the 17th but was thinking of changing to mid October due to heat in Sept. Was it hot when you were there? We've only been in March and it was great then - not too crowded, got there before most spring breaks.

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for sharing.

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS!

I say onsite is always better than offsite. But then again, any time I'm in Orlando is better than not being there!

I love going down in early December and early May. The crowds aren't too unbearable. September/October is nice too, but you may have to deal with hurricanes.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Glad you had fun in spite of the crowds! We were there that same week and it was intense. However, it was our fifth trip so we didn't feel the need to see it all, good thing since that would have been impossible! Definitely stay onsite next time, WDW resorts are as much fun for kids as the parks! And if you had been onsite, you could have done Extra Magic Hour at the Magic Kingdom each morning. They had it all week at MK that week meaning you could have arrived at 7:00 a.m. and had another full hour of lower crowds. Glad you found the disboards, it will be a fabulous planning aid for your next trip to the World!

 

[sschro3]

I was curious how September was - have a reservation to go the 17th but was thinking of changing to mid October due to heat in Sept. Was it hot when you were there? We've only been in March and it was great then - not too crowded, got there before most spring breaks.

We went the last week of Sept. 2005. I was surprised how warm it still was, Ohio was cooling down nicely..ha ha. The temps ranged from mid 80's to 90's the kids loved it though. Each day we took a mid-day break and went for a swim. Whenever you decide to go hpe you have a great trip.

 

[Foladar]

From Mousesavers.com

The best times to go to Walt Disney World are[/U]:

• First three weeks of December. The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the parks are usually pretty uncrowded.

• Early January through mid-February. It's cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is probably the least busy time of year, and hotel prices are lowest. However, usually some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year.

• Entire month of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds are low and hotel prices are moderate.

• Late August and entire month of September (even Labor Day weekend). It will be extremely hot. Plan on taking afternoons off and visiting water parks. Crowds and hotel prices are low. Off-site hotels usually have their rock-bottom deals during this period.
• During special events that interest you. Bear in mind that events held on major holidays usually attract significant crowds, however.


The worst times to visit Walt Disney World are[/B]:

• December 26-31. This is the most crowded and most expensive time of year.

• Mid-February through mid-April (or later, depending on the date of Easter), especially holiday weekends including President's Day and Easter. Expect huge crowds, high resort prices and expensive airfares.
• Other holidays. Among the other busy time periods are Thanksgiving week and any national holiday with a 3-day weekend (except Labor Day weekend).

This doesn't seem too accurate in all cases, as I went late Feb and it was fine, low crowds .. low resort prices and, well .. I drive so not sure on airfare.