Slowest time of year

[matsterrocks]

What are the slowest time of year to go to the Parks?

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Your best bet is from September to November, after Labor Day until before Thanksgiving.

 

[gctong]

We went this past September and it wasn't very crowded. Lots of european visitors though.

I heard the best week to go is actually the week right after Thanksgiving.

I just found this site that talks about when to go. Check it out.

http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/when.html

 

[Leigh123]

I am used to going in Sept, next year we want to try a holiday trip so I thought we would arrive the Monday after thanksgiving...How will the crowds be? I am used to just walking on rides and not fighting crowds...any thoughts? Thanks in advance and happy holidays.

 

[MrsPete]

Remember that going to WDW at a slow time of year can be a double-edged sword: you may walk right onto rides, but you will find a few things cut short:

Instead of staying open until 11:00 or 12:00 at night, parks will close at 6:00. Do you have plans for after the parks close (maybe late dinners off-site?), or will you be happy just hanging around the hotel?
In the summer, you can see fireworks shows in the three major parks -- sometimes even twice per night. In the off-season, the fireworks shows are limited to 1-2 per week, which may or may not mesh with your schedule.
In the summer, parades, live shows, and characters are available constantly. In the off-season, there's a marked drop in all these things.

If ALL you care about is the rides, then you might be happy off-season. I would not.

 

[mudd]

During oct when the Food and Wine Feast is going on the crouds increase a bit but still slow.

 

[mforbach]

We went this year the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We stayed away from the parks on Sat. but by Sunday the crowds were light and stayed that way all week. Also, the weather was great.

 

[Desnik]

I just wanted to say something about what you have to "give up" when going at off peak times. We have gone week before Thanksgiving 3 times and the crowds are very low. Most rides are walk ons and very little waits on the popular attractions. This year was more crowded than in the past. Maybe because of reschedualed trips from the hurricanes. With low crowds, late park hours aren't needed. You really could do most of what you want in a day. While MK usually closes at 6 or 7pm, MGM is usually open an hour later than MK and Epcot is open till 9pm every day. Also, at night you can go to DtD, or the Boardwalk for night time activities. My point is there is pleanty of things to do after the parks close and even in the off season you still have 1 park open till 9pm. Also, there are no shortages of characters. For the past 2-3 years WDW has increased there character appearances. Especially MGM. We meet everyone on our list! This years highlights were the Incredibles and JoJo's Circus!
Obviously my choice is week before Thanksgiving. You still have nice weather, high 70's low 80's, low crowds and holiday decorations! You leave before Thanksgiving crowds and arrive after F&W festivale, Vet's day and Super Soap weekend and "Jersey week".

 

[BETTYDISNEY]

I am hearing that the last week of January and first week of February are pretty slow. Just remember the weather may be a factor.

 

[Simba's Mom]

When we used to go the first week in November, that was slow. We've also been in early January, various times in May, mid-June, late October, early December, mid-November. Of all of those, early November was the least crowded. Last May when I was there, I overheard some CMs commenting about how February isn't so quiet anymore, because of the number of Florida "snowbirds".

 

[Doodlebug939]

When we used to go the first week in November, that was slow. We've also been in early January, various times in May, mid-June, late October, early December, mid-November. Of all of those, early November was the least crowded. Last May when I was there, I overheard some CMs commenting about how February isn't so quiet anymore, because of the number of Florida "snowbirds".

I currently live in New Orleans and I often talk to locals from here who always head to Disney during Mardi Gras to avoid all of the chaos. So that could be another reason why crowds are on the increase during late January-Early February.

 

[momof3disneygirls]

I always go the first week in December I really enjoy that time. Not too crowded but alas the parks all close early except Epcot. In 2003 I went in October. It was warmer then December, bordered on hot. I would go either time because the crowds are smaller.

 

[d'Isigny]

we are planning to go mid October of 2005...8th through the 14th. Any options on this time of year - crowds or weather?

sure appreciate your insight.........thx, K

 

[Big Matt]

Do folks have experience with travel in the middle of January? We are going for Martin Luther King weekend and staying through Wednesday. I'm assuming that M-W should be pretty light.

 

[bdcp]

Both times we've gone have been in Nov (first week and the week before Thanksgiving). We're going back this year the first week of Nov. The only attraction we really had to wait in line for was BTMR for about 45 minutes. Everything else we basically walked onto in all of the parks. The longest wait other than that one was no more than 10 minutes. The weather is good at that time of year. Both trips it did not rain on us and Nov is the lowest rain month there anyway. It was in the 80's and the first trip in '89, it hit 90. We were able to use the pools and at least one of the water parks was open and a lot of people were going to them.

I seem to remember reading that MLK weekend was crowded in another thread.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I was there Dec 1-6th. It was DEAD. Virtually every ride was a walk on, with 2 exceptions. We had 5 minute waits for Pooh and for Thunder Mountain.

Was also there the last week of Feb/first week of March. It was very slow then too, but not as slow as Dec.

 

[DisDarling]

I dont feel that any time is going to be "slow" anymore. As far as people posting about the "off-peak times," I would rather trade a ride or two for no lines and being able to relax. I have been there during both times, and peak was horrible. Yeah, its great to have parks open so late, but who with young children are going to be out till midnight? I know mine would be tired by 9-10!
D.D.

 

[sunkissed212]

We were there 9/10-9/14 and it was dead dead dead! I think even more than usual because of the hurricanes and all but it was wonderful! Everything was Empty!

 

[Blueberry]

We like right after Labor Day and the week after Thanksgiving, both great times to go. September is very hot at times, summer hot without the crowds and early December can be wonderful weather or a bit nippy....but both get our seal of approval...

 

[IluvKingLouis]

I've had good luck in October. Although early May and Feb. have been good too. Once you arrive, find out when the early entry is for each park, (you can get a print out at the customer service area at any park....just ask for "early entry info" or "magic moments info" or whatever else they're calling it these days).

Once you know when early entry is, visit that park the day *after*. It will be far less crowded as most of the folks will have been there already. It's a little bit like a "follow the sheep" mentality but do it a bit on the slow side, and most of the sheep will have moved on! This strategy usually works out quite well and let's you walk on to many of the more popular rides!