When is it Down Time for Disney, the least busiest season?

[Blaze12]

We usually go in Feb, my mom has a conference every year, so we tag along. But she is retiring so I need to actually pay for our own trips now (i.e. hotel, rental car, etc). When is it the slowest?

 

[ccgegg]

Well, late April/early May USED to be a slow time. (but the jury is still out on that one)

Keep an eye on a thread I just started... "Going in early Feb vs early Dec". And also check out UOG's "best days" list......
http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

 

[becka]

I think the slowest periods of the year are September after Labor Day, the first 2 weeks of December and mid-January.

We have been in early December and mid-January and the crowds are really light. Lots of rides are walk-ons and even the big rides don't have more than a 30 minute wait at the busiest times.

 

[oogieboogie]

September after labor day
The first week of December
First weeks of February before Daytona 500

 

[crow11ad]

What about October around the week of Halloween? How crowded is it and Disney Quest?

 

[DrTomorrow]

The October / Halloween season has been getting busier the past few years....

 

[lab_girl]

This is Exactly what I need to know....I am Planning End of Jan, but, if mid Feb is better I will definitely go then

 

[oogieboogie]

end of January is a good time too. It gets busy after President's Day in Feb.

As busy as things get, it's never going to be as busy as the holidays particularly Easter, July 4th, Christmas, and NYE.

We absolutely love going after Labor Day. The kids are in school already, everyone is done with their summer vacations, and that week after Labor Day the parks are virtually dead. Next year, we plan on going in early May, after Labor Day September and one week in the crazies of Christmas.

 

[kfeuer]

This is Exactly what I need to know....I am Planning End of Jan, but, if mid Feb is better I will definitely go then

We were there this year from 2/5-2/12, and it was much busier then I had anticipated (and judging from other posts, other people who went at that time felt the same way). We usually go in September and were expecting similar crowd levels in Feb., but it was much busier then any September I've seen.

I'd keep going in September forever, but sadly my oldest will be starting school next year and that's going to make it alot more difficult. We're going for a short trip this September since it may be our last chance for awhile.

 

[buckylarue]

The trade off is, the crowds will be smaller at those times, but the park hours will be much shorter, and many rides may be closed for refurbishment. It is nice to feel like you almost have the place to yourself though!

 

[ottawamom]

I agree September after Labour Day is a great time to go. We've been at that time of the year a few times. This year we are going the first week of May. It was supposed to be slow as well but not anymore. Oh well! Its Disney anyway

 

[Ziggie]

What about October around the week of Halloween? How crowded is it and Disney Quest?

Actually, it's quite busy then. The entire area gets crowded due in part to the extremely successful "Horror Nights" at Universal.

 

[Ziggie]

The trade off is, the crowds will be smaller at those times, but the park hours will be much shorter, and many rides may be closed for refurbishment. It is nice to feel like you almost have the place to yourself though!

Absolutely true. In fact, I prefer the crowds to the short park hours.

 

[44disney]

We went this year, Jan. 22-29, and the parks were so empty! And we ride almost everything because my kids are 5 and 8. The Fantasyland area was getting busy later in the day but we did those rides first thing. We also used fast passes for a few of the major rides but really did not need to.

In past years we have gone several times in Oct., once in early Sept, early March, and mid-Feb. Our January visit was the least crowded BY FAR! We also avoided the early entry park except when the Magic Kingdom opened early. The shorter park hours did not hurt us at all. THe only thing we could not do was a water park because it was too cold.

 

[sanibelover]

The week before Thanksgiving in 2004 was very quiet. Didn't use FP at all until MK on Thursday. They didn't even have the FP machines operating at MGM on Monday. The resort (POFQ) seemed deserted. This was during the week. The weekends of that week were very busy - Super Soap Weekend on one end, then the weekend before Thanksgiving on the other. (Were told occupancy was going from 50% to over 85% in one night - the day we LEFT!!!)

 

[crow11ad]

Actually, it's quite busy then. The entire area gets crowded due in part to the extremely successful "Horror Nights" at Universal.

Why would Downtown Disney be so crowded due to Universal Studios?

 

[Ziggie]

Why would Downtown Disney be so crowded due to Universal Studios?

I'm referring to the entire area.. meaning the location that is shared by the proximity of all the theme parks. Halloween is a tremendously popular time for Florida residents to head up (head down) to Disney for Halloween festivities. Weeks prior to October 31st, we are inundated with ads for Universal Studios.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

The least crowded, most magical and cheapest time IMHO is the week after Thanksgiving cause everyone wants to be there for Thanksgiving and Christmas and they tend to ignore the period in between. I believe that is Value season as well AND all the Christmas decorations are up, or nearly so. Best of all things and that is why we will be there then!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[BonnieA]

In the last 3 years, I've been there during the first 2 wks of December, the week before Thanksgiving week, the last week of January, the first week of Feb, early April and finally just last week. Out of all of them I have to say that January was the slowest I've seen. All those times were slow (except on weekends) but I have noticed that the time after Thanksgiving and before Christmas is getting more popular.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

we go in October and I know people say the crowds are large but I totally disagree

the weather is delightful - no worries of it getting cold even at night and I don't think the crowds are bad -