When is it *LESS* crowded?

[traci]

We are flexible on our travel dates. I would like to go when it is still warm enough to swim and we are taking our 2 year old son!

I was thinking Sept 27-Oct 2. What are your opinions and experience?

Thanks again from the newbie here

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I haven't hit any dates over the past year or so when WDW has been uncrowded. My advice is to choose dates that work well for you. We found that the parks were very do-able up until about noon even on this past Memorial Weekend -- when EVERYTHING was booked for up to 20 minutes away from the parks!! Late evenings (with the exception of Sunday night) worked well for us, too. We have found that when the parks are more crowded, there are more characters out and about and rides are operating at full capacity. We have experienced longer waits (discounting peak afternoon hours, of course!!) during slightly slower times of the year.

 

[rt2dz]

We usually go in less crowded times, and this time we went when crowds were getting heavier (last week of May--just back). Historically, this week is still fairly light, but this year is off compared to most years. I would definetly stick to less crowded times. Not to mention avoiding the heat!!

I love the end of September, beginning of October. Light on crowds, still warm, but not HOT. I highly recommend that time of year. Next year we are going in December, which I'm looking forward to greatly. It seems like such a long wait from this past trip (19 months) that I may try and talk my DH into a long weekend in February to celebrate our son's 5th birthday there.

All in all, I've been in March, April, May, Setember, October, and November.

 

[Queen_freckles]

We have been at different times. Labor Day weekend was pretty uncrowded, mid October was also very uncrowded and warm(slight chill in the evenings to me, but not to dh) and mid March this year which I thought was crowded compared to the other times we went. We agreed that we will only go in October/early November or Jan/Feb from now on. It was also easier on my boys(3 and 1) since lines were shorter and less people(strangers) to freak them out.

 

[Nicolepa]

We are flexible on our travel dates. I would like to go when it is still warm enough to swim and we are taking our 2 year old son!

I was thinking Sept 27-Oct 2. What are your opinions and experience?

Thanks again from the newbie here

We went this week last year and it was great. Lines were not very long, if at all. We were able to go to resturants and make PS that morning or a few hours before our meal. Kids had a great time swimming.

We have been going in September for the last 3 years. Rides are pretty much walk on, or a very short wait. Fast Passes are usually within an hour. I'm sad my dd will start Kindergarten this year so the September trips are done for awhile.

 

[2tinkersmom]

We went this year for our first trip ever and went in January, end of the first week and into the second. Although I don't have any other trips to compare it to, we thought the parks were wonderful. We hardly waited in any lines at all, maybe maximum 15 minutes for a couple very popular rides.

We had amazing weather too, 70's to near 80 for five days and the last two were slightly cooler and rainy off and on, but we put our ponchos on and still had a great time.

I would definitely do January again!

 

[DW2006]

in Jan of '96 on our honeymoon and it was so nice. The weather was comfortable and we did swim (I don't think the pool was heated...we stayed on the property...it might have been?) you have to be a little more willing to pack more in ''case''. We are going back in Jan of 2006 and taking our four kids with us. I have been in May and August on my other trips. August was hugely crowded and HOT HOT HOT.

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

That's a great time to go. We always try to go down in Sept - the crowds are much more manageable after Labor Day.

We'll be down there at the same time!!

Mrs. PB

 

[dijid]

I've been in September, and much prefer going the beginning of May. We had a lot of rain in September and never even went swimming (we were too tired of being wet!) Crowds are still light(er) and it's hot enough to swim, but not sweltering.

 

[buzzmom3]

We're going this year in September for the third time. We went early in the month the last two times and a CM suggested going in late September or October because it's not so hot. Every time we have been, crowds have been light, hardly a wait for any ride! This works well for my DS who will be 3.5 this year. Only problem, parks close early. But with smaller crowds, you can still get everything done.