So what is the low crowd time?

[AngiTN]

I guess the one thing I can't comprehend is why do many think low crowds equals not crowded?
Of course there are times where it is the least crowded.
But that by no means indicates it is not crowded.
Stop looking at least crowded and thinking not crowded and problem solved.

 

[Chelley00]

We've always gone in October (fall break). We've watched it steadily get busier, waited in lines longer each year, had a harder time getting ADRs each year. We couldn't believe the crowds at MNSSHP this year.

Schools around us went to 2 week fall breaks in 2012 and everyone we know goes to Florida at least one of those weeks now.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Yep, IMHO "low crowds" don't mean "not crowded" anymore--it just means lower than other busier times of the year, but still busy.

It'll be interesting to see what the Christmas Week wait times look like. And by "interesting," I mean "scary."

 

[bsj1701]

We've always gone in October (fall break). We've watched it steadily get busier, waited in lines longer each year, had a harder time getting ADRs each year. We couldn't believe the crowds at MNSSHP this year.

Totally agree, INSANE!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Well then maybe the folks who make these sorts of crowd calendars (not talking about any group specifically) should change their grading system?

Personally I think 1-10 is too many levels anymore.

Just go with Crowded, Really Crowded, Are-You-Sure Crowded.

The word 'low" still means something in the English language and if there really isn't a low crowd time, maybe that word should be retired when it comes to WDW.

 

[AngiTN]

Well then maybe the folks who make these sorts of crowd calendars (not talking about any group specifically) should change their grading system?

Personally I think 1-10 is too many levels anymore.

Just go with Crowded, Really Crowded, Are-You-Sure Crowded.

The word 'low" still means something in the English language and if there really isn't a low crowd time, maybe that word should be retired when it comes to WDW.

Would least crowded work?
I can't disagree that 10 levels is probably too many. I mean, is there really a difference between a 2 and a 3, or a 6 and a 7?
But there are still lowest, mid range and highest crowds.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Would least crowded work?
I can't disagree that 10 levels is probably too many. I mean, is there really a difference between a 2 and a 3, or a 6 and a 7?
But there are still lowest, mid range and highest crowds.

Least crowded would be better than low crowds for sure

 

[newdeal]

Busy is all relative. Goto easywdw.com and look at their crowd calendar for a general idea of when is busier and when is slower. That said, Disney is doing a great job at filling the park in typically slow seasons with the free dining promo. We have gone every september or october since 2009 and it gets busier every year. In 2009, there was basically no wait for any ride whatsoever. Now even on typically slower weeks, there is very little that is a walk on at mid day. That said, even though its busier, you aren't going to be waiting 2 hours to ride the nemo ride in Epcot like you could over christmas break

 

[DavidHobart]

Considering leaving the wait prediction business and going to something much less controversial, like gun control, abortion, or Donald Trump.

 

[mom2rtk]

Least crowded would be better than low crowds for sure

Agreed! I view the term "least crowded" in an entirely different light from "low crowds".

 

[mom2rtk]

Considering leaving the wait prediction business and going to something much less controversial, like gun control, abortion, or Donald Trump.

But then you couldn't post about it on the DIS.

 

[DVCcurious]

Here is what I've read and believe to be true:

Regardless of crowd level Disney World rides operate at full capacity pretty much all day every day. That means that there is always a group on every pirate ship, doombuggy, teacup, and elephant. The exception is the very beginning of the day and later at night after 10PM you may have some empty Dumbos, empty clamshells, or empty spots on Barnstormer.

Because that above statement is true it follows that there are always the same number of people exiting the rides (you get off Dumbo and walk out of the ride). Those people will be walking from ride to ride (from Dumbo to the teacups).

What that all means is that there is always a lot of people walking around and it always "feels" crowded, even on the lowest crowd days.

The only true way to judge crowds is by the wait times and the restaurant table availability. Most people don't just wander around the parks. Most people are riding rides, eating, or watching parades/fireworks. So the busy days don't see a lot more people on the walkways than the slowest days. Instead you will see a lot more people in lines or eating food.


My point is that there is never a "no crowd" time at WDW. Even the best week will see rides operating continuously between 10:00-8:00PM. There will always be lines.

I think some people remember the good old days when there weren't actually lines during September. Those days are gone. The best you can hope for is to see 25 minute average waits for good rides. If you walk up to Splash Mountain at 2PM and see a 35 minute wait posted....then you are at WDW during the slowest time of the year. People's expectations are just too high. You gotta lower your expectations for what "low crowds" means from "no lines" to "30 minute lines". But 30 minutes is way better than the 90 you'll see during summer or the 120 you'll see at Christmas.

 

[focusondisney]

It's not just Disney doing a great job filling the park with free dining in September. Fall was historically low crowds because of kids in school & it is the height of hurricane season. The one year Florida get hit with 4 hurricanes. I think it was the next year that Disney offered the pay for 4, get 3 free resort pricing coz bookings were down. Now it has been 10 years since a hurricane hit Florida. And more schools have fall breaks. Lots of contributing factors to the bigger crowds.

 

[DVCcurious]

Now it has been 10 years since a hurricane hit Florida. .

That's because Global Warming causes fewer hurricanes. If we don't stop climate change then one day there will never be a Florida hurricane ever again.

 

[Boski]

That's because Global Warming causes fewer hurricanes. If we don't stop climate change then one day there will never be a Florida hurricane ever again.

We need to keep global warming going. Then the polar ice caps will melt, most of Florida will be under water, and the Beach Club will actually be next to the ocean instead of a bacteria filled lake.

 

[ameliahyde]

We were there November 2015, September 2014, September 2013, October 2012, and April 2012. The April trip was incredibly busy due to Spring Break and Easter. We are, however, going in late April 2016 and expect moderate crowds due according to easywdw.com I also think April weather can be really nice.

The September trips were by far the slowest. Last year, we were there the second week of September and crowds were so thin. Most rides were walk on or very minimal waits. November of this year was far more up and down. We experienced a day that was a 8 and another day that was a 3 or 4.

If you are looking for the lowest crowds you can get, then I would say September. But I found it beastly hot! November weather was really great when we were there and most days had fairly moderate crowds, with a few very busy days. In the end, I actually preferred dealing with a few more people around in beautiful weather than being incredibly hot all day. Good luck!