When would you go?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

We just got back from our first trip to WDW and I'm already thinking of going back.

Basically we loved the trip, but we ended up doing a lot of advance planning to avoid standing in lines all day. The planning worked (didn't stand longer than 20 minutes EVER, most lines were shorter) but it was still a lot of "work" (I'll take the kids on X ride, you run over and get Fastpasses for Splash Mountain, we'll meet you at Toontown so we can be there when it opens . . . ).

So, now I'm dreaming of going down with my son sometime when it's really really not crowded. I'd love to let him choose what he wants to ride when, even if it's Space Mountain 20 times in a row and not have to worry about lines etc . . .

If I go through with this crazy plan, we'll go for a weekend. Fly down afterschool on Friday, stay at AS or POP, do two days in the parks (both at MK? or Maybe MK/AK or MK/Epcot) and fly back that night. I'm hoping we can find a time when we can get some kind of discount.

My question is, if you could pick one weekend to go, and avoiding lines was the number one priority, when would you go? Also, if we go at that time, what kinds of lines would we expect? Absolutely none, or still enough that we'd have to "plan" a little?

Thanks!

 

[Daydreamer]

I believe the best time to try this would be the early part of December (first couple of weeks) or January (once the crowd has cleared from New Years). That being said I think you will still need to do some planning as even in the not so crowded season weekends are still fairly active. You will see lines dwindle and will be able to walk on the less popular attractions but the biggies will still have light to moderate wait times.

 

[grimley1968]

Keep in mind, that although December and January (away from the Holiday season) are pretty sparsely attended, the weather can be VERY unpredictable then. I love October, because it's also not too crowded, and the weather is generally better. But lines during December and January, as the above poster mentioned, are practically non-existent, except for the most popular 1 or 2 rides in each park, and then it's a 5 or 10 minute wait at the most.

Also, try to maybe pick a holiday weekend to go down, but a holiday that is not a huge one that attracts large crowds locally in Florida. Maybe there's a teacher in-service day on a Monday or a Friday around that time of year? That would be the best time to go, since those are applicable only to people in that school district or state, unlike federal holidays.

Have fun!

 

[Jackie H.]

Visiting in early December is a great time to visit....we've done it twice, I absolutely love it and the crowds are non-existant. Having said that, for what you are planning to do that may not be the best time. The weekends do pick up in early December because a lot of local folks come out to see the holiday decorations, shows, etc.

Late September may be a good time. The crowds are gone and most people have just gotten back to school and maybe just took a vacation a few weeks ago.....

This, of course, is a guess. Another good time may be January - not the marathon weekend and not the M.L. King holiday weekend - and certainly not the New Years weekend.

Keep in mind, however, that no matter the time of year Magic Kingdom can be crowded on any given Saturday. Locals, I have heard. Sunday, however, is said to be a good day for MK. (If it is the locals, why don't they go on Sunday? I don't know that one either.)

But, crowds are relative aren't they? Maybe the most crowded Saturday in early December is still tons better than a Tuesday in June? I don't guess this post is very much help, is it?

 

[Dana49]

We love the first two weeks of December. The weather is gorgeous and there are no crowds.

 

[srfrgrl07]

Locals, I have heard. Sunday, however, is said to be a good day for MK. (If it is the locals, why don't they go on Sunday? I don't know that one either.)

I think most local residents, if they go on a weekend, do the parks Saturday and go home Sunday becuase they work Monday. Mostly Friday-Saturday night stays at the resort. Just my thoughts...although even though I work Mon-Fri I go to water parks most often on Sundays.

 

[abaldacci]

Our Trip in 2002 was crowded We had rain and crowds flood and Tornado warnings.We arrived Dec. 7, and I don't think I would do it again and we were in coats most of the time,too. So early Dec. can be good but that was my worst trip to WDW ever( but it wasn't bad because I was at disney). MY best trips have been right before Mothers Day.

 

[hallie615]

Our best time to go has been late Sept. We never have had to wait really for anything. This Sept. will be our third time. Only problem with Sept. is that we were cancelled twice last year due to really really bad weather.

 

[addicted2disney]

We have been going every January since 1999. Its a great time to go. Just make sure its not Martin Luther King weekend as it gets really crowded then. We love the very low crowds then. Even though we have had a variety of weather, its been nice the majority of the time. Once it was in the 80s and once it was in the 40-50's. ( then again, back home in PA it was NEGATIVE 13, so we werent complaining) Going to MK on Saturdays, even in January can get a little crowded. We try to avoid MK on Sat. Try to go when your school has a 3 or 4 day weekend. Act 80 and Inservice days are differnt at all schools, so it would be a great time for a nice long weekend at Disney!!

 

[Kim89]

I've been to Disney during almost every month of the year (I think except for teo) and I have to say, the time that my family and I hound it the LEAST crowded was during late January or sometime during February. It does get a bit chilly down there in the evening, though, when the sun starts to go down, and during the day, it's not nearly as warm as it normally is. Not to mention, I think it rained atleast once during both of those trips. So with the convenience of the lines not being too long, you have to think about how the weather might affect your time there (whether you mind getting wet or not, plus the fact that some rides won't run during storms/rainy weather) So....

 

[DisneyWisher]

We love the first two weeks of December. The weather is gorgeous and there are no crowds.

Plus everything decorated.

You have gotten a lot of good suggestions. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a good time, the 2nd weekend of January is also good. Whats good about winter months is that its a lot cooler out. If the line for Splash Mountain is 15 mins who cares its beautiful out. Sure sometimes a cold front blows through and it makes for a overcast day with possible rain but its the same during summer. I love Disney in Winter. If you hold off til January just make sure its not around Martin Luther King weekend. It does get busier than. Also you might want to see about staying at Pop. Jan '01 when we were at All-Stars there was a soccer tournament the whole weekend and you want to avoid that at your resort. Its been said the Pop will not book sports partipants (does that sense?) I mean if there is a cheerleader Comp. or so on, they will not book the kids at Pop. My teenage daughters loved staying at All-Stars because they were boy crazy and the place was swarming with teenage boys.

 

[addicted2disney]

I dont think we ever even waited for Splash that long in January!! And as for the rain in January, I think that in 7 January trips, we have had maybe 3 - 5 days of rain total. Not bad for over 65 days in Disney! The first time, it rained for an hour, we went to eat lunch and when we came outside, the skys were blue and the sun was shining. THat was it for that day. It rained in 04 ALL day while we were in MGM. It would start stop start stop. Just all day. but we put on our ponchos and kept going. IT was a good place to be in the rain because everything is inside, and a lot of shows/attractions that you go sit and watch for a long time. We had rain this past January. Once it rained at night a little while we were in Epcot. and then it started raining about 5pm another night we were at MGM. THat rain messed up our plans for MK EMH at night, but we ended up going back to the BWV and the kids swam. Thats it for rain for our Januarys, and its never rained the 2 times we were there for THanksgivng, or the one time we went in OCtober. IM hoping for another rain free thanksgiving this year!!