What is your favorite time to avoid crowds

[DebbieB]

I was just there Oct 23 to 29. We went to MK on Sunday and Tuesday, it was the least crowded I have ever seen it. Space Mt on Tuesday afternoon around 1:30 had a 5 minute wait! I said that can't be right, a guy who just got off said it was. So we didn't get a fastpass, we just got in standby. It was 5 min! We walked through the queue on Pirates, walked on the boat without breaking stride! We did go back on Friday (the day we left) and it was more crowded. Epcot was very crowded on Saturday night but during the week wasn't bad. We went to DHS on Monday, it wasn't empty but not too bad. ToT was about a 10 min wait. We went to AK on Thursday, EE had a 15 min standby in the afternoon. I rode it twice in about 10 min through single rider. The safari was about 20 min.

During times of the years with parties, the day of the week you go does make a difference. I've found MK to be less crowded on party days. The touring guides call it the park to avoid because of the early closing, so I think people do avoid it.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'll let you all know about the week before Christmas. We're heading to WDW from 12/6 - 12/-18!

Hi Wilderness Dad!

We will be in the world from 12/13 to 12/18. We're staying at Kidani.

 

[bbluvsdis]

We were at the World last week and it was more crowded than I anticipated. The rides were not too bad but the parks just seemed very full. The wait for TSM was 100 minutes Friday. I wonder if there are uncrowded times any more!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I was going to say 3AM until 7AM, but that's not what you really wanted.

I think anytime Disney is offering Free Dining or special discounts is going to be busier than it was in the past. They have recognized that they had slow times and are trying to fill up the resorts as much as possible now.

And DVC villas are usually at 95% occupancy if not greater, so DVC is always going to be busier.

 

[Simba's Mom]

For low crowds, I like the week after Labor Day, middle of September. It's still hot, but one of the advantages of being a DVCer is taking it real slow and not trying to run madly about that parks. So I spend lots of time with a good book around the pool, and if I do go to the parks...well, a 10 minute wait for Soarin' at 11:00 am makes it all worthwhile.

 

[jtiggercat]

The fall is definitely busier than it used to be, but it still isn't bad when you spend more time walking through an extended queue line than you do actually standing in a line. That was our experience last weekend on both Space Mountain and Expedition Everest. We couldn't get near Downtown Disney, and there were a lot of people around, but the lines for major rides were tolerable.

We've booked MLK weekend, and we're going to call and make a reservation for the first full weekend in May.

 

[kmsimone]

Used to be January but avoid MLK weekend

 

[Paticake]

We just returned and had 5-10 min. waits on Tuesday at MK, pretty much a walk on. Epcot Wed had 5-10 min also accept for Soaring which was 40min., we got FP for that and waited 40 min. anyway due to a breakdown. Monday night there was an 80 min wait at TS but it was also EMH. We waited about 20 min. for RnR and 25 for TOT. We didn't really mind those waits as we had gone over specifically for those rides and the Osborne lights.

 

[dianeschlicht]

September and January have always been the quietest trips we have done. HATE September because of the heat, but LOVE January as long as we avoid the marathon and MLK weekend. Early December used to be really quiet, but not as much anymore. The week before Thanksgiving is pretty good (Like right now).

 

[spiceycat]

Sept - it is especially good because of free dinning.

the parks can get pretty empty from 5 to 7pm - when everyone is eating....

there use to be alot more foreigners at this time. Did not seem a whole lot of them when we went last September. One year think it 2003 - do believe we were the only ones in Epcot speaking English.... (might have bee further in the past)

 

[ruckartj]

We buy the seasonal Florida residents pass. When you are not in blackout, those are the best times to go for us! I wouldn't even want to step foot in Disney during blackout! that is the absolutely busiest time!!

 

[deide71]

Unfortunately we still have found no perfect time (low crowds great weather).

We have experienced the lowest crowds at the end of August into September but it was very hot and muggy with the additional fun of lovebugs on our September trip.

Early December had moderate to low crowds depending on the day, the Christmas decor was really fun to see, but the weather was unpredictable. Not really swimming weather. The park hours are shortened as well with Magic Kingdom closing at 7 many nights for the Christmas party.

Febuary also had moderate crowds (first week) but it was really cold, and I am from Minnesota. Temps below freezing in the morning with highs in the 40's a damp blustery wind. The parks seemed to close too early for the crowd levels on that trip.

March had glorious weather but the worst crowd levels we have seen in any of our 10 trips. It was a very fun trip, but we managed our expectations on what we could get done in the parks on any given day and spent more time relaxing at the resort.

Overall our favorite time to visit is October. Moderate crowds, certianly not quiet but manageable with a plan and Fastpass. The weather has been lovely both times we visited in October. The Food and Wine Festival was fun and the kids love the Halloween Party.

I guess you just have to decide what is important to you (crowds vs weather) and go from there.

 

[LSchrow]

we found our favorite times for lower crowds with beautiful weather are the 1st week of may, and in sept after labor day.

it can be a bit warm, but better than bitter cold, imho

 

[Alexander]

Last week of August or the first week of Sept. just before Labor Day weekend.

 

[n2mm]

We go nearly the same times every year.

The last 2 weeks of January
The first 2 weeks of May (sometimes the last week of April and first week of May. BUT we avoid the week after Easter, so had to change this year to the first 2 weeks of May)
We often add the 3rd week of August -- while a little too crowd for us, we do this one to accommodate our teen grandson when he wants to go (he didn't want to go last year, so we skipped it)
The last 2 weeks of October (not slow, but moderate and great weather)

So these are our standard trips we do. Occassionally we throw in another trip if we have a special occassion or just want to catch up with friends.

 

[Iris]

We just went the last week in August (week before Labor Day week) and experienced the lowest crowds I have ever experienced in all my years of vacationing at the world. No waits/lines for: Expedition Everest, Soarin, Dumbo, Jungle Cruise, Test Track, etc. etc. We literally walked on every ride!

The weather was still warm enough to go swiming, but not nearly as muggy as some of the other times I have gone during summer months.

It is definitely one of my new favorite times of the year to visit. Even my husband, who in general does not like going to the parks, enjoyed the lack of lines/wait time and had a much better trip because of it.

 

[Wedgeh]

Love September crowds wise, if you can run a few days into the start of F&W all the better!

 

[downontheBW]

In the 90's, our kids had the Thurs & Fri off on the week before Thanksgiving week for teacher conferences and we'd take them out of school for that entire week. Crowds were light but begin to get busy on Sat & Sun. That was quite a while back. Last year we visited at Halloween plus a few days after - it wasn't *real* quiet but manageable.

 

[tree320]

We were there last week (Nov 14th - Nov 19th) and it was perfect! We would ride a ride with a 5 to 10 min. wait and get right back on again. If it was more than 25 min we would get a fast pass. We got to ride so much, and see lots of shows! The weather was great!! Sunny and warm, but not hot! This by far was our best time at WDW! The Christmas decor was up! We have also been in Feb and Jan. We were there this last Jan but MLK weekend. We won't do that again. We have never been in the Summer, and I just don't think I would enjoy it. Our kids have gotten very spoiled and won't wait in long lines. We are going again as a grand gathering in Jan 2012, but will make sure we don't hit MLK weekend!