Unofficial Guides "Best Days to Visit Parks" Questions

[Julia M]

We only have 4 days at WDW to visit the main parks, and plan to do so MTW and TH.

I have been to touringplans.com and found the "best days" for each park, and it noted days to avoid, also.

I'm going to try and schedule things so we hit the "best days". Does anyone have any experience if scheduling your days this ways makes a difference in the crowds?

We will be touring the 2nd week of August, so we will still have the multitudes of families (like mine!) on school vacations.

Is there a difference between the "best days", and days not noted?

Any thoughts?

Julia

 

[DisneyLisa]

Just bumping this up for you.

 

[4greatboys]

I think by the second week of Augus the crowds should be starting to let up. Here in Texas many schools are starting back then. But Len and the others from the UG do go often so if they say certain days are best then its probably pretty accurate. I did make a note of those days when planninbg our June trip.

 

[Julia M]

OMG, I will be SO happy if the crowds are smaller. Do alot of school districts start in mid August, rather than late Aug or September?

I hope so!!

Julia

 

[lentesta]

Hi Julia,

Thanks for visiting the site. My DD5's school (in NC) begins mid-August this year, so I don't think many families plan trips for that late in the summer.

And is it just me, or is school starting earlier every year?

Len

 

[CharlesandCamilla]

Midwest and Northeastern schools tend to get out first and sometimes second week in June (depending on snow days used) and go back the week before Labor Day. Some schools even start that Tuesday after. In Texas and most of the south I'm familiar with school gets out by the end of May and goes back second and occasionally third week in August.

When talking to a CM I was told that of the three big summer months of June, July, and August, the middle of July is actually the slowest. And she gave some very good reasons for this.

But even in the middle of January a good touring plan and attempting to find the least crowded park are always helpful in maximizing your fun.

 

[HaleyB]

One thought on this, and Len, correct me if I am wrong... But IF Disney makes the Park after Dark or evening extra magic hours permanent THEN best park days may also change. Also OP did not say if they were on or off site... but either way if EMH changes so should the crowd levels.

 

[Julia M]

I'm the OP. We're staying off site, if that makes any difference.

I am purposely planning to avoid EE days!

Julia

 

[AB'sDad]

this is just my opinion

but you can make any park visitable any day as long as
1. you get there early
2. you have a plan of attack - know which rides are slow loaders and which rides move along fast

if you go without a plan and get there when you get there and ride what you want to ride...well, you may be doomed with big crowds and long lines.

having a structured plan isn't everyone's idea of vacation - that is their choice. I'm not saying good or bad

I just choose not to wait in long lines. I do that by getting their early and having an idea of what to ride when.
I don't worry too much about which days where.
But you're correct, early entry days (espeically since you're offsite) is a good thing to avoid.

leaves us with an afternoon for swimming, parade watching or napping

enjoy your trip!