What do you consider "slow season"?

[princessreilly]

Ok I just got back from a trip the first week of December. I thought this was considered a slow season. Only the crowds seems extremely high. I didn't have to wait for any rides, but MVMCP and Osborne lights were just crazy. DH wants to go the first week of March for ESPN the weekend, or possibly last week of September for DDs birthday. What would you recommend from your recent experience?

 

[disney[xo]sweetie]

wow! i had the same experience! last year when we went in Dec. 8-16 there were lots of people, but it was almost like they were just standing there?
awe didnt have to wait for much over 15 minutes, but we were shoulder to shoulder sometimes as the herd moved through the park!
its nice, and then weird at the same time!
and i wouldnt reccomend march.
its sticky. thats really all we remembered.

 

[amwhitaker]

We went November 22nd - December 1st. Thanksgiving weekend was packed and then on Monday the crowds thinned out quit a bit and we actually walked on a lot of rides!

 

[princessreilly]

Bump

 

[5 for WDW]

We have gone in September for the past eleven years.
Free Dining has brought in more and more crowds. It is still quieter then other times but, it has picked up a lot since years past. Not so much the lines but just around the parks, resorts and forget the restaurants.

I was there 12/12-12/19 and I would say the parks during the day were much less crowded then they were during the day 9/14-9/22. MVMCP was a mob scene but, the parks during the day were great.

Of course, the opinions on crowds vary greatly. This is just our opinion.

Also, I think the last week of September is when FD ends (if it is offered) and Food & Wine Festival starts. I am sure someone else knows that for sure. But, I think that brings in more crowds at that time.

Have a great trip..whenever you go.

 

[princessreilly]

Thank you I was wondering about free dining and hoping to be able to take advantage of it. Possibly even MNNSHP. I will keep that in mind.

We have gone in September for the past eleven years.
Free Dining has brought in more and more crowds. It is still quieter then other times but, it has picked up a lot since years past. Not so much the lines but just around the parks, resorts and forget the restaurants.

I was there 12/12-12/19 and I would say the parks during the day were much less crowded then they were during the day 9/14-9/22. MVMCP was a mob scene but, the parks during the day were great.

Of course, the opinions on crowds vary greatly. This is just our opinion.

Also, I think the last week of September is when FD ends (if it is offered) and Food & Wine Festival starts. I am sure someone else knows that for sure. But, I think that brings in more crowds at that time.

Have a great trip..whenever you go.

 

[princessreilly]

Thank you I was wondering about free dining and hoping to be able to take advantage of it. Possibly even MNNSHP. I will keep that in mind.

We have gone in September for the past eleven years.
Free Dining has brought in more and more crowds. It is still quieter then other times but, it has picked up a lot since years past. Not so much the lines but just around the parks, resorts and forget the restaurants.

I was there 12/12-12/19 and I would say the parks during the day were much less crowded then they were during the day 9/14-9/22. MVMCP was a mob scene but, the parks during the day were great.

Of course, the opinions on crowds vary greatly. This is just our opinion.

Also, I think the last week of September is when FD ends (if it is offered) and Food & Wine Festival starts. I am sure someone else knows that for sure. But, I think that brings in more crowds at that time.

Have a great trip..whenever you go.

 

[princessreilly]

Thank you I was wondering about free dining and hoping to be able to take advantage of it. Possibly even MNNSHP. I will keep that in mind.

We have gone in September for the past eleven years.
Free Dining has brought in more and more crowds. It is still quieter then other times but, it has picked up a lot since years past. Not so much the lines but just around the parks, resorts and forget the restaurants.

I was there 12/12-12/19 and I would say the parks during the day were much less crowded then they were during the day 9/14-9/22. MVMCP was a mob scene but, the parks during the day were great.

Of course, the opinions on crowds vary greatly. This is just our opinion.

Also, I think the last week of September is when FD ends (if it is offered) and Food & Wine Festival starts. I am sure someone else knows that for sure. But, I think that brings in more crowds at that time.

Have a great trip..whenever you go.

 

[princessreilly]

Thank you I was wondering about free dining and hoping to be able to take advantage of it. Possibly even MNNSHP. I will keep that in mind.

We have gone in September for the past eleven years.
Free Dining has brought in more and more crowds. It is still quieter then other times but, it has picked up a lot since years past. Not so much the lines but just around the parks, resorts and forget the restaurants.

I was there 12/12-12/19 and I would say the parks during the day were much less crowded then they were during the day 9/14-9/22. MVMCP was a mob scene but, the parks during the day were great.

Of course, the opinions on crowds vary greatly. This is just our opinion.

Also, I think the last week of September is when FD ends (if it is offered) and Food & Wine Festival starts. I am sure someone else knows that for sure. But, I think that brings in more crowds at that time.

Have a great trip..whenever you go.

 

[brijencait]

We are going the week of Feb 3rd. It's the week before President's day, so I'm not really sure how its going to be.

 

[princessreilly]

Sorry, I didn't mean to reply that many times. For some reason I can't remember how to delete it. Maybe it's too late and I'm too tired to see it

 

[brijencait]

Clicking the Edit button should also allow you to delete it.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We went the week of Sept 16, 2006. There weren't many in the parks (especially Mon thru Thursday). However, the heat was unbearable. Epcot and Animal Kingdom were particularly hot. Plus there were lovebugs swarming everywhere. I think they especially landed on people wearing white. We did get free dining, but we both swore we'd never be back during the heat again.

Our next trip hopefully is January 2009. I believe the crowds are low then also. I'm waiting to read some trip reports from this month. The only event I know of down there in January is the marathon.

 

[princessreilly]

We went the week of Sept 16, 2006. There weren't many in the parks (especially Mon thru Thursday). However, the heat was unbearable. Epcot and Animal Kingdom were particularly hot. Plus there were lovebugs swarming everywhere. I think they especially landed on people wearing white. We did get free dining, but we both swore we'd never be back during the heat again.

Our next trip hopefully is January 2009. I believe the crowds are low then also. I'm waiting to read some trip reports from this month. The only event I know of down there in January is the marathon.

I read about those love bugs on here. I was wondering when those nasty little things would be out.

 

[dancin Disney style]

We are going the week of Feb 3rd. It's the week before President's day, so I'm not really sure how its going to be.

I went Jan 31 - Feb 6/07 and as far as the parks/rides went I loved it. We walked straight on to every single attraction. The resort was not as quiet. At that time of year there are 2 or 3 cheerleading competitions. The participants and their families were EVERYWHERE. However, I would return at that time of year without question.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

The second and third weeks of January (after 1/6). You'll run in to the marathon but it's not a big deal. Just don't go that particular park on that day. The rest of the time we've always been able to walk on most rides. I think last year the longest we waited was 15 minutes for one ride. We still used a touring plan so we did everything we wanted to do early and then just coasted. We're going again next week (1/11 - 1/21) so I'll let you know how it goes. I do take the kids out of school (DS11, DD7) but plan around in-service days and MLK. For instance, 1/11 is an in-service day for us and 1/21 is MLK day so the kids only really miss 5 days. It's worth it for the cheaper rates, small crowds and much less humidity!

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

The second and third weeks of January (after 1/6). You'll run in to the marathon but it's not a big deal. Just don't go that particular park on that day. The rest of the time we've always been able to walk on most rides. I think last year the longest we waited was 15 minutes for one ride. We still used a touring plan so we did everything we wanted to do early and then just coasted. We're going again next week (1/11 - 1/21) so I'll let you know how it goes. I do take the kids out of school (DS11, DD7) but plan around in-service days and MLK. For instance, 1/11 is an in-service day for us and 1/21 is MLK day so the kids only really miss 5 days. It's worth it for the cheaper rates, small crowds and much less humidity!

 

[rzeta94]

We went to the ESPN weekend last year and the crowd was good. Only really noticed the crowd where ESPN events were held. Otherwise the lines for rides weren't bad at all. There were both good and bad points to the weekend - if you are interested in hints for the ESPN weekend - drop me a note! If he is a sports guy - he will enjoy it regardless!

 

[mormadsmom]

I couldn't book a room in all starts the weekend of Jan 21 (MLK Holiday) and couldn't book for Feb.2, 3. But got a room weekend of the 9th. Hope it is not too crowded. Anyone go this weekend before?

 

[princessreilly]

We went to the ESPN weekend last year and the crowd was good. Only really noticed the crowd where ESPN events were held. Otherwise the lines for rides weren't bad at all. There were both good and bad points to the weekend - if you are interested in hints for the ESPN weekend - drop me a note! If he is a sports guy - he will enjoy it regardless!

Yay! I found someone who went ESPN weekend! That is so good to hear that it wasn't crowded. Yes, though he is a die hard sports fanatic! I know he'll want to see whatever they have to offer-"sports wise".