Please Help me find the OH SO SLOW season!

[ThreeMusketeers]

Hi there, We are a family of 3, looking for insiders advice on the SLOW season at Disney. I know there is the "Value" season that DIsney posts..but we went during this time last year Dec 2- 8 and found it still to be VERY crowded. Any advice?

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

I'd like to know also, what is the slow season. Over the past several years, going 2 - 3 times per year, we have not seen a slow season.

 

[Ellielovesdisney]

I would like to know too. I have been 3 times in early December and it keeps getting more crowded. We are going this September - so we'll see!

Holly

 

[sweetinmaine]

We usually went in February and April during school vacations and always found WDW to be VERY crowded This past fall, September 2005 we decided to visit Disney once again. There were absolutely no crowds. We were staying at OKW and many times it was just us on the bus, the 4 of us. We mentioned at SSR about the low crowds and a CM told us that the resorts were only at 26% capacity. We never stood in any lines even though Soarin' had recently opened. We watched Wishes at MK one night right in front of the castle and when it was finished we turned and walked out to the bus for our trip back to OKW. No lines, no waiting. Based on this experience I'd have to say that September was the slowest month. Enjoy!

 

[GIOny]

I don't really think there is an Oh So Slow season. but there are times when crowds are lighter then others. I went around 2 years ago in the 2nd week of January (not near the MLK holiday) and it was very managable. I think our longest wait for anything was maybe 15-20 min . Most stuff you could walk right on. But I know people who went around the 3rd week (just for 1 day and not during the MLK holiday) and they said it was packed . So go figure . I would think anytime in January (other then the holiday) would be empty. You just can't predict the crowds . The possible problem going anytime in December is that people want to go for all the holday events and decorations .

 

[cdrn1]

We used to go in October, then people figured out what a great time that was. So, we switched to first week in December and for about three years it was so great. Then, gradually more crowded. Still good, but kind of crowded. Tried September, third week. NO crowds. But oh, so hot. This year, I have tried first week in March, first week in May, and third week in May and all were most satisfactory. Great weather, and low crowds. Not nonexistant crowds, but short waits for most things, especially if you open the parks. I think I am going to try Jan or Feb in 2007 and see what happens. I love great weather, but I LOVE, LOVE low crowds.

 

[Bob P]

The slowest times of year at WDW are the entire month of September plus most of January after the weekend following New Year's.

Now remember, if you go there at that time you will not be alone, and you will not be able to "walk on" every attraction; in fact you will have some lines! But you will certainly notice that crowds are a lot lower than they are at any other time of year.

 

[Lizziejane]

We have been twice in January, and going again next January. I can't stand waiting, nor can I stand crowds in the sweltering heat. January, for us, is perfect. Mornings in the park result in perhaps 10 minute waits at most. We have a picture of the two kids standing outside Space Mountain at 10:00 am and not another soul in sight! The afternoons, from about 1 until 5 were busier, but from 5 to closing, again waits were almost non-existant. The trade off is little chance of visiting the water parks, cooler temps and shorter park hours.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

First week in September, right after/during Labor Day week used to be the slowest. We have went several times then and it is like a ghost town, it really spoils you. But anymore with the popularity of free dining the slow time aren't that slow anymore. But that's still probably your best bet.

 

[hockeybabe]

I agree with September. Rode many rides with little or no wait, most days Fastpass wasn't even available, the machines were closed, due to low crowds. Most rides were 0 to 10 minute waits. But, it was very, very hot and very very humid for us. We'll take slightly heavier crowds (like we had MLK Weekend our first trip) to the heat and humidity, but that is just us.

 

[DaddyBeast]

My fave is the week before Christmas, right up until Christmas Eve when the crowds take over.
It's moderately busy, but the parks are open more hours to compensate. It's cool outside (I'm not into swimming), and the decorations are wonderful.

When it's really slow, rides go into re-hab and park hours are shortened. I can usually judge how busy it is going to be by making Dining Ressies. If there are lots of times to choose for a party of 6, it's a good time to go.

 

[Sonno]

Last week of Sept!

 

[ItGirl753]

I don't know, but I had a great trip in early November last year. It just worked out for me as a short, 3-day week so I took off. It was not very crowded. Only Soarin, Peter Pan, and Space Mountain were really busy. The park itself was not too crowded.

 

[bigthundermountain]

back in 2001 the family went in the middle of January....it was suprisingly fairly crowded...i remember peter pan had a 45 minute wait and we waited an hour and 1/2 for big thunder... it seemed MK was the most crowded park w/the longest waits. I remember Test Track posting 65 minutes and that was the only line at EPCOT. Animal kingdom was bare and all the rides were walk-ons along with MGM...we were the only ones riding ToT in our car. It was a weird visit...we would come upon crowded areas, then some parts would be deserted. So maybe January?

beginning of Feb. sounds good except presidents day

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

We went in Sept '03, there were no long lines at all.... almost no lines at all either... we went October 05' I found it to be very crowded 75 min wait for Soaring, I mean we just went this past week and thought that the crowds were about the same as in October.... So I would say Sept.... only thing is it's hot.... If that isn't going to stop you... September is your month!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

The slow seasons are rapidly decreasing. We have noticed over the years that previous times that were slow are no longer slow. The busier times are also seeming busier. I guess that more people are trying to travel when it should be slower and that is making them busier. Late September and early February still seem to have smaller crowds than other times of the year.

 

[Leanne1977]

I love everyone saying September. We are having our trip in September this year!!

Could anyone maybe compare how busy it would be 19th September to 3rd Oct with the holiday we had last year which was July 30th to 20th August.

Would just like a general idea of the difference in wait times, resort guest numbers(we are staying at Pop), how crowded the restaurants are etc.

Thank you.

 

[Melwood23]

The thing is if you have never been during other 'seasons' it is hard to find the value 'slowest' season being...what one would think..like empty. That is not the case. This is Disney after all .

I have been twice during Memorial Day week...and that is very crowded to me. When POTC has a 30 min wait time...That is crowded!! lol.

Yet when I go in the Value seasons, once in Sept, first week of Dec, and last part of Feb/early March, the crowds were a bit lower, except during the Dec one, but that mainly was due to MK, and ABC prerecording of the Christmas Parade. As soon as I walked into MK, saw what was going on, and the crowds, I left and went to MGM...lol.

Now when I went in Sept, this was 2004, after 2 hurricanes had gone thru, and another threating, so the crowds were low. When I can go on BTMR 3 times in a row with no wait..that is low!!!

When I went this past Feb/March (had three days in Feb, then the rest in March), when I first got there, I had fri, sat, sun, mon...where the parks were low crowds. Didn't need fast passes for anything. Then by Weds, the more guests started showing up because of some Cheerleading Champions were at WDW for something..not sure what, just know it was invaded by cheerleaders.

So alot depends not only getting there in the value season, but there can still be some kind of events that draw a large crowed, on the weekends especially, then after the weekend the parks get low again.

 

[sabres]

We used to go in September every year and i agree it was dead for the most part, but the heat in september kills you and there has been a lot of hurricanes recently. Once you are stuck in a hurricane you will rethink going in September. We have now switched to week after thanksgiving and love it.

 

[zookeeper]

We were at WDW last Sept.19-24 on Free Dining and there were hardly any crowds at all. We walked on to almost everything with the exception of Dumbo (30 minute wait) and Test Track during Epcot EMH (30 minute wait). Most of the Fastpass machines were covered up. We did use the Fastpass once for Winnie the Pooh in MK. Several times we were able to stay on rides and ride again without even getting off because there was no one waiting to get on them. I think we rode Kali River Rapids 5 or 6 times in a row at AK. (This is my DS' favourite can you tell?) Buses we not too crowded except at park closing when they were full. The only caution I might have for going in September is that it is HOT and HUMID. I mean "change your clothes 3x a day because you stink" humid!!! We were lucky and got a week that was overcast so the heat wasn't as bad, but we were still sweating like crazy. I still think I'd prefer the humidity to waiting in long lines in cooler weather.