Slowest week of the year

[Maelstrom_]

Does anybody know which week is the absolute slowest week of the year at WDW?

 

[gtrist4life]

Just a guess, but I'd say the first or second full weeks in January, between the New Years and Martin Luther King holidays.

 

[Claire L]

Just a guess, but I'd say the first or second full weeks in January, between the New Years and Martin Luther King holidays.

I would disagree as there is still a few people left over from New Year plus there is the Marathon. I would guess the last week in Jan and first in Feb or maybe the second week in November.

Claire

 

[Perdie]

My vote is for last week in January/1st week in February-been there twice during that time and it is SLOW. The downside is both times, some rides were down for refurb (Splash Mtn last time). And even though hours are limited, if you utilize EMH-you really don't feel the difference! (One night MK closed at 11 but had EMH and we were in the park until 2AM!)

 

[tomandrobin]

Last two weeks in January, followed by the first two weeks in September.

 

[Teachckg]

My Guess would be in mid/late September..... But if you click on this link-- it seems like the other posters are correct.

http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/disney-crowd-level.html

 

[Dean]

Historically it's been the first 2 weeks of December (earlier the better) followed by Sept, Oct and Nov then Jan and May are about even after that. Of course you want to avoid holidays and special events which may affect short periods of time like the Marathon and park specific events like Wine and Food which mostly only affect one resort.

 

[dsneygirl]

I've never been in early Jan but the last 2 years we went the first week of Sept and it was deserted. Last year most afteroons we were the only family in the clown pool.

 

[Laneychris]

We were there the first week of Sept, it was really slow!

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Historically it's been the first 2 weeks of December (earlier the better) followed by Sept, Oct and Nov then Jan and May are about even after that. Of course you want to avoid holidays and special events which may affect short periods of time like the Marathon and park specific events like Wine and Food which mostly only affect one resort.

Yeah, not anymore though. We just got back from our traditional trip which takes place either the first or second week of december, and this year it was the 13-19, and it was CROWDED. . We're skilled enough that we never waited in line more than 20 minutes for anything, but the stand by wait times for most things were up over an hour by 11 am, and crazy long for toy story and soarin most days.

Once in late January, Tigger came up to US because we were the only people in the park, lol. He had to find *somebody* to hug . It was 44 degrees and raining, and January. We felt like we had MK to ourselves, and I don't think we were far wrong...

 

[Dean]

Yeah, not anymore though. We just got back from our traditional trip which takes place either the first or second week of december, and this year it was the 13-19, and it was CROWDED. . We're skilled enough that we never waited in line more than 20 minutes for anything, but the stand by wait times for most things were up over an hour by 11 am, and crazy long for toy story and soarin most days.

Once in late January, Tigger came up to US because we were the only people in the park, lol. He had to find *somebody* to hug . It was 44 degrees and raining, and January. We felt like we had MK to ourselves, and I don't think we were far wrong...

That's more the third week of Dec which does tend to be busier. I think you'll see some variation the next couple of years due to the economy and less foreign travel but I don't think there's enough info to override the historical data at this point.

 

[CowboyJeff]

We typically go in the 3rd and 4th weeks of January. The parks are absolutely empty. However, this year my wife wanted to see the Christmas lights and attend Mickey's Christmas parade, so we went the day after Thanksgiving. The parks were jam packed. As long as you can deal with cooler weather in January, I highly recommend visiting the parks then. I think we'll stick to January from now on.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

The emptiest time we have ever gone has been the last week in April.

 

[kapeman]

We were just there for the 2nd week of December and it was a lot more crowded than the 2nd week of September last year even with free dining.

I was expecting similar crowds to the Sept trip and with a couple of exceptions it was much busier.

 

[permavac]

...I would guess the last week in Jan and first in Feb...

Claire

I certainly hope you're right! That's when we're going I will be sure to post on the crowd levels when we get back...

Terri

 

[christianweecare]

That's more the third week of Dec which does tend to be busier. I think you'll see some variation the next couple of years due to the economy and less foreign travel but I don't think there's enough info to override the historical data at this point.

I'll have to agree with the previous poster. DH & I were at WDW Dec. 7-14 and it was more crowded than we have ever seen it for that time of the year. I was chatting with another DVCer in the laundry one day. She was into her second week. She was at WDW the first & second week of Dec. She said both weeks had been more crowded than she had ever seen them.

 

[TDC Nala]

The week after Labor Day - with or without free dining.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

That's more the third week of Dec which does tend to be busier. I think you'll see some variation the next couple of years due to the economy and less foreign travel but I don't think there's enough info to override the historical data at this point.

OMG I just looked over at my calendar and you're RIGHT! We WERE there the third week in December. How did I miss that?

I just pointed it out to my DH who shrugged and said "oops, felt like before the 14th was two weeks but yeah, we did do that, didn't we?"

We still had a really good time, and the silver lining is that our AP's don't expire until Dec 14, 2009, plenty of time to get in and out of dodge...

 

[tndvc]

I was told by a cast member that the slowest DAY of the year is Super Bowl Sunday. Makes sense to me.

 

[Claire L]

I certainly hope you're right! That's when we're going I will be sure to post on the crowd levels when we get back...

Terri

We are there from Feb 5th for 14 nights

Claire