Which week is better to go?

[NicholeB630]

We are planning our second Disney trip. I was initially thinking the last week in January. I have read from other sites its an extremely low crowd level that week which is most important to us. But also that the first week in December is also a good week and you can enjoy the holiday celebrations and decor. But its not the sweet spot it used to be because more people have realized about the low crowds. Can anyone give me incite to the differences between the two weeks? Like I said crowd level is most important to us. If we go in Jan we will have a newly 6 year old daughter (bday Jan 7th) and then our son will be 2 and 9 months.

 

[uccats97]

Look at the crowd calendars at easywdw.com. He gives a detailed analysis for each month. The calendars aren't up for December and January but you can look back at dec 2013 and jan 2014 to get a good idea.

 

[mousehockey37]

We are planning our second Disney trip. I was initially thinking the last week in January. I have read from other sites its an extremely low crowd level that week which is most important to us. But also that the first week in December is also a good week and you can enjoy the holiday celebrations and decor. But its not the sweet spot it used to be because more people have realized about the low crowds. Can anyone give me incite to the differences between the two weeks? Like I said crowd level is most important to us. If we go in Jan we will have a newly 6 year old daughter (bday Jan 7th) and then our son will be 2 and 9 months.

If you know the 2 lowest weeks to go, then why ask? This unfortunately is an open-ended, opinionated question that will just have everybody butting heads... I don't mean to sound rude, but these threads appear all too often.

Like the pp said, use the crowd calendars, and plan accordingly. As time is moving forward, the "low" weeks are appearing to not be so low anymore. Proof of this is the DVC's are all basically booked solid for the fall of this year.

Something to keep in mind as you make up your mind... Do you want to see holiday decorations? Also, are you aware that in January is when they start to do annual refurbishments to rides and such. So you may have some "favorite" rides that might be down for the length of your stay.

 

[mslhb]

We went the 1st week of December in 2012 and thought it was the perfect week to go. I don't think any week anymore is going to feel "empty". For us it did not feel crowded but we also got to the parks early and followed Easywdw recs. I loved seeing the Christmas decorations and thought the weather was perfect. For me the potential of refurbs in Jan nixed that timeframe. I think every single week of the year at Disney will have its pros and cons so I would just pick what works for you and focus on having a great time!!

ETA: I thought this site was very helpful when we 1st started planning our Disney trips.
http://**************.net/2012/10/15/2014-weeks-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-order/

 

[MouseOfGold]

I think your looking for personal experience feedback. I have gone 2nd week in Dec. and it was busy but not horrible. We enjoyed attending MVMCP in Dec. and seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the parks/hotels. Just make sure you plan things out well in advance of course. I have also traveled to WDW in Jan. & it was busy with South American tour groups. I always have a nice time at WDW but I personally prefer Dec. over Jan..

 

[MandiC]

We went January 31-February 7...so not exactly last week of February but close
If it were me I'd do first week of December. We loved the timing and crowds weren't bad at all but the ride refurbishments were kind of a bummer and we seriously lucked out with weather. We know several people that went in the weeks before and one a 2 weeks after and the weather for them was awful cold and rainy. When we go back I am hoping for October-December.
As someone else pointed out, in Jan/Feb there are lots of tour groups and dance groups. Somehow we mainly missed them but they were rowdy and blocked walkways (and insisted upon jumping in any picture I tried to take of my daughter's in front of the Walt/Mickey statue in MK, not accidentally by any means). We were at a moderate resort so we were fortunate to not have the disruption at our resorts but the values are said to have lots of tour groups/dance teams so if you are going to be at a value I would definitely aim for December as opposed to January