Off Peak Period

[rosaciri]

Traveling from Australia to do WDW and DCL cruise - is someone able to tell me when off peak times at WDW are? TIA

 

[dansdad]

Traveling from Australia to do WDW and DCL cruise - is someone able to tell me when off peak times at WDW are? TIA

I think they are now nonexistent.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The lightest periods, at this point, which is not to say emptiest, are early September right after Labor Day, and late January, not intersecting MLK Jr. Day or marathon weekend. Both are subject to refurbishment closings, however.

(And that is how you have to figure they're the last low times. Disney will close marquee attractions at these times.)

 

[rosaciri]

We are thinking April 2017 so I guess it wont be low season (off peak). We did Disneyland and DCL in April 2014 and it was extremely busy so I imagine it will be again for this period. Thanking you.

 

[North of Mouse]

Traveling from Australia to do WDW and DCL cruise - is someone able to tell me when off peak times at WDW are? TIA

Unfortunately, Disney has made sure that there are 'no' off peak times anymore. We were there first 1 1/2 weeks of Feb. - 'not' a slow time!!!

April is still school spring break time (sometimes Easter) so definitely not a slow time, but still our favorite time to go - F&G Festival.

 

[dancin Disney style]

Yes, I agree, there really are no slow times anymore. January and September would be the best bet. Early March is not so bad either. Once you get to mid March it stays really busy through mid August. It then dips a little through October.

 

[stinkpickle]

We are thinking April 2017 so I guess it wont be low season (off peak). We did Disneyland and DCL in April 2014 and it was extremely busy so I imagine it will be again for this period. Thanking you.

I would try for the last week of April, since most spring breaks should be over by then...unless they set up a weird marathon for that week, or something. Crowds should be reasonable (relatively), and the weather should be nice.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with PP, there are no really slow periods anymore. I disagree with late October. Food & Wine and MNSSHP have made October really much busier than in the past.
Be careful with April and be sure that it is not near Easter - a very busy time

 

[strat68]

allears.net, I think, still has the various "seasons" listed on a resort-by-resort basis.

 

[rosaciri]

Thanks to all for your advise. Thanks Strat68 - I will have a look at allears also.

 

[strat68]

Thanks to all for your advise. Thanks Strat68 - I will have a look at allears also.

Lots of good reference material there. Menus, room rates, resort details, etc.

 

[Amanda999]

I'm sure you know but Easter is late in 2017: April 16. So that is one of the busiest weeks of the year (not xmas level, but very big crowds). On top of Easter Sunday, most Mass. and Maine schools always have the week off in April that has the 3rd Monday in it (which coincides with Easter in 2017), so there's that too. April isn't as quiet as it used to be (I'm in Mass. and it used to be much less crowded, even when Easter was in March).

 

[larissawbb]

Not to high jack but.... I'm planning next years vacation before we've taken this years! Looking at the second week of March 2017. How bad would that be? I know it's spring break but is it early enough before things get crazy?

 

[bama_ed]

This link on Mousesavers has all the rack rates (I think they include tax) and show the seasons so based on a look at one or two resorts, you can get a general sense of when it's "slow" and less expensive. Although as folks say, often times now it only feels "fast" and "full".

http://www.mousesavers.com/2016-disney-world-room-rates-season-dates/

Bama Ed

PS - the only trick about April 2017 or any time in spring for that matter is determining when Easter is because it moves year to year but it's a high rate period the week before and week after regardless of when it is. So plan your travel dates to avoid the high rate Easter period if you can.