Narrowing This Down - Experts Please Chime In

[KyleAfterAWhile]

I know that anything can happen and Disney changes things all of the time which affects crowds, but which do you think will result in lower crowds?

First or Second Week of December 2018
Last full week of January 2019 (21st - 28th) - MLK falls during that time
Full week at the start of February 2019 (5th - 12th) - Lincoln's B-Day Falls during that time

Does MLK affect crowds?

Are the Tour Groups there in full force during each of these weeks?

 

[jpeterson]

I would think that MLK does attract crowds. I have no data to back that up.

 

[LVSWL]

It appears that the dates in January & February that you mentioned would definitely be busier, especially over the weekend of the holiday. We have found that the first week of December is great crowd wise and the second week only a little bit busier than the first.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've been there during MLK weekend and President's week. I would do either the first or second week of December!!

 

[Scooter2376]

MLK day is January 15, not the week in January that you’re considering.

 

[Robo]

MLK day is January 15, not the week in January that you’re considering.

MLK Monday Holiday is on Jan. 21 in 2019.

 

[chris benton]

According to crowd calendars, MLK and Presidents' Day are better off avoided if you can choose a non holiday timeframe.

 

[Scooter2376]

MLK Monday Holiday is on Jan. 21 in 2019.

Oops, sorry for not reading more carefully on my phone!

Since my first post was totally unhelpful, I will add that we went to WDW during MLK week last year and plan to do so again this year. It was crowded on the weekend before MLK day and on the actual day (but I didn’t think it was terrible). The rest of the week after MLK day was not crowded at all.

 

[CynBeth]

I would do the beginning of Dec so you can experience all of the holiday stuff.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't know about the tour groups.

Presidents Day/Week has very high crowds. We went twice, we won't be back that week which is a shame since my kids have off

 

[madchatter]

I'd do early December. Christmas decorations, great weather, lowish crowds. AND....It's SOONER!!!

 

[gatorlisa]

President's Day 2019 is February 18, so I would think the week you mention in February would be fine, as you'd be done before President's Day weekend. Looks like the week you mention for January would begin with MLK day. That day might be busy, but I would think the rest of the week would not be too bad. Similar to Labor Day weekend, while you'll have extra people there for the long weekend, most schools have recently gone back after the long holiday break, so once the MLK weekend is done, the rest of the week shouldn't be too bad. I've been the weekend after MLK weekend and it was fine.

 

[drdrowsy]

i have been there in the week following MLK in past years. MLK day can be busy, but crowds are back down to very low by wednesday of that week

 

[JerseyJanice]

@gatorlisa’s advice is spot on. If you decide to enjoy the holiday offerings instead of January or February, I’d pick the second week of December to avoid the Pop Warner convention they hold every year, the first week of December.

 

[Cameron1515]

I know that anything can happen and Disney changes things all of the time which affects crowds, but which do you think will result in lower crowds?

First or Second Week of December 2018
Last full week of January 2019 (21st - 28th) - MLK falls during that time
Full week at the start of February 2019 (5th - 12th) - Lincoln's B-Day Falls during that time

Does MLK affect crowds?

Are the Tour Groups there in full force during each of these weeks?

Personally I would do the first week of December, for the following reasons.

I know some have mentioned these already.

1. Christmas Decorations- All the Christmas decorations and shows will be underway, which adds something extra to an already awesome experience.
2. Crowd Calendars- They tend to highlight this as one of the less busier times of the year.
3. The other option typically will draw in much higher crowds, due to the particular days they fall on.

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

MLK day is January 15, not the week in January that you’re considering.

You are looking at the wrong year.

Edit - just saw your follow-up, thank you

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

I don't know about the tour groups.

Presidents Day/Week has very high crowds. We went twice, we won't be back that week which is a shame since my kids have off

My kids are not off either. Neither are my nieces and nephews in other parts of the country. So what possesses people to take off for that week or all weeks?

 

[KyleAfterAWhile]

Thanks for the feedback everybody. I am back to the "drawing boards", as they say.

 

[chris benton]

My kids are not off either. Neither are my nieces and nephews in other parts of the country. So what possesses people to take off for that week or all weeks?

My kids are off on Presidents' Day. All schools in the country do not have the same days off. In looking at our school calendar, the first thing I do is look for 4 day weekends, then 3 day weekends for getaways. I'd imagine other ppl do the exact same thing.

 

[ArwenMarie]

My kids are not off either. Neither are my nieces and nephews in other parts of the country. So what possesses people to take off for that week or all weeks?

I think a lot of kids are off, or have at least a long weekend. So you can add a few days on, even if you don't have the whole week off, versus a whole week.

Also the weather is usually at its coldest in the North, so lots of people get the itch to go that week