When to go

[Gabe]

We are planning another trip to wdw.
We have to go before Dec. 1 2003, when would be the best time to go?
We were last there in March 2003 and crowds were moderate.
We want to go when there are the least number of peole in the park, even if the parks close early and there are few activities. Is November good or October.
Please help.

Thanks

 

[Uncle Scar]

The most obvious is to avoid the holidays. Here's a link to a good site that has some information about busy times.

http://www.wdwig.com/attend.htm

Make sure to take advantage of the Fairy Tale Package, if possible. You can stay 7 ngihts for the price of 4.

 

[donna in Oz]

We really enjoy October; it's our favorite time to go. Crowds are usually medium, although this year it's hard to tell because of the FairyTale Package and the special offer for military members.

Temps are still warm enough to swim but not so hot that it's miserable and you need mister fans to keep cool.

And if you time it right, you can also enjoy Epcot's Food & Wine Festival, and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (a separate ticket event). Check out these links to see if you'd be interested in these:

http://www.wdwig.com/mnssh.htm

http://wdwig.com/foodwine.htm


November can also be good; not quite so warm, but I'd suggest avoiding the Veterans' Day holiday week and also Thanksgiving week-end. Normally, the week after T-day would be fine, but since Thanksgiving falls so late this year, you wouldn't be able to avoid that week-end and still complete your trip before 1 Dec 03.

 

[Gabe]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

A little PS from the September Phanatic....

Have you considered September?

We've done a bunch of October/Novembers. Why we like September (and it may not be for you):

October is a GREAT time to visit Disney, with the Food and Wine Festival and the Halloween activities. The weather, temperature-wise, is hit and miss. DW's sunned herself many a day in October. She's also run around in jeans with a windbreaker, moaning about the cold. And the crowds, while light, are heavier than September or November.

November and September (if you avoid Thanksgiving) have similar, microscopic crowds. But come November, you're more likely to get the cold.

We love September because the crowds are completely gone, the weather is still warm, and the deals are abundant. Note that if you DON'T like the heat (to us, that's half the vacation), then my plan doesn't translate, go in Oct or Nov. But if you like some heat, try September!

Pat

 

[Gabe]

exellent points, thank you very much pat-elliot, we wil consider September.

It's just that it's so close (which is good)!l

 

[monalsw]

we've been in april, may, june, and most recently, february.

february was by far the best, for both crowds and weather. but, since you need to go before december, it's not much help!

our next trip is in november...i've heard a lot about low crowds, but iffy weather. so, i'd vote for september, which should be low crowds, good weather, and best of all, closer!

happy planning!