Who's experienced the least crowded trip to WDW??

[Yensid_MD]

My DS and I went the 9/18-9/22 2001 and it was VERY quiet. My parents were some of the people that opted out of flying to WDW that week. It was eerie how quiet Epcot WS was that week.

I always like going in late September. Never too crowded, weather still plenty warm. DW and I went two years ago in October 12th -19th and found that it was more crowded than just two weeks earlier.

We are going this year for MVMCP and hope it is similar to September crowds without the hot hot weather.

 

[Momof2boys]

We went last Dec. from the 13th-18th. There were no crowds at all. We did MVMCP one night and we walked on everything. I think the longest we waited in line during our entire trip was maybe 5 minutes. Once day we were walking around the MK and there was no one in sight, it was kind of weird. It was cold though for the last few days of our trip. At night it got down to the 30's and it was barely in the 50's during the day. This is just a little too cold for me.

 

[dmonroe]

We usually go the 1st or 2nd week of December and it's typically not very crowded at all. However, we went September 12-21, 2003 and there were NO crowds. The only things we ever had to wait for were Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain--and this was mid afternoon in the 90 degree heat! Other than that, we really didn't experience much waiting in line.

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

Believe it or not Thanksgiving week USED to be empty, but that's not the case anymore. In the 1990's we went during that week & the parks were deserted. The crowds picked up the day after Thanksgiving, but it was still very manageable. Then in a few years I think the secret got out. We went again Thanksgiving 2000 & never went again during that time. It was wild. If you know anyone who went to WDW for Thanksgiving 2000 they can tell you about that week. We were totally unprepared for the crowds because of the experiences that we used to have for Thanksgiving.

 

[heart4dis]

...right between T-giving and Christmas.
We rode EVERYTHING we wanted to (sometimes 2 or 3 times) and did not even get there right at opening. We rarely used FASTPASS and rarely waited longer than 15 minutes.

I've done early December twice and have always been extremely happy. We had the trip of a lifetime in '03. The only disadvantage over summer is that you have to pack layers of clothes to prepare for cool/cold weather at night.

 

[hightown]

Another vote for September. We arrived last year on Monday, Labor Day and stayed a week.

Like previous poster said, fast pass machines were pretty much non operational. At one point, was walking around World Showcase and really did think to my self that it was almost spooky it was so deserted.

It was still VERY hot and humid though and didn't like that. I'd like the weather better in Feb. We went 2/27 of this year and that was more crowded that I had seen. Spring breaks were kicking in.

Sharon

 

[mkpat]

I wonder how it will be this year with the 5 + 2 special in September...

 

[Micca]

September after Labor Day(but it was too hot), November before Thanksgiving, early to mid December, and January.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

First week of December, Just don't stay at the economy hotels in December.

The parks are empty, hotels are empty,except for the all stars and pop, The all-stars were sold out. Some kind of the teenage Football and Chearleaders play-offs? there was 15+kids to every chaperone. Yes we stayed at All-Stars. I will NEVER, NEVER, stay at the All-Stars again EVER !!!!

We went to universal and walked up at opening (10am)and there was only about 100 people in line.We did IOA and USF both in the same day. We road some rides 2-3 times & did men in black 5 times without getting off.

Jeff

 

[Kallison]

two weeks after 9/11. We were in the Test Track room by ourselves and the only family in the UK courtyard to listen to the British Invasion.

 

[lisaes]

We honeymooned there in September of 1997 right after Labor day. It was AWESOME! We literally walked onto everything. I had only been there once before and that was in August. Never again! It was packed and scorching hot The only reason we're going in October and not September this year is because DS4 is starting kindergarten.

 

[llij]

We went mid-January 1998 and there were no waits for anything! The weather was a little cool and rainy, but we still had a lot of fun!

 

[shalinao]

Hey Wendy,
i knew I'd eventually find one of your posts. We went the first week of May our last trip and the longest ride we had to wait for was Dumbo and that was 15 minutes, Everything else we walked right on to, which was good with a two year old, 1 1/2 year old and a one year old. Gosh.... Looking at that I hope we have as good of luck this year in September with four kids under the age of 5 (5,3,3,1)
Shalina

 

[KevinM]

We went the 2nd week of Dec. 2003 and it was great. Very short wait times (rode Small World 3 times w/o getting off), only had to Fastpass TOT (come back in 45 min), and Christmas decorations are beautiful. MVMCM was a great time but chilly at night.

Went to a Princess breakfast in Epcot and would estimate less than 500 in the entire park @ 10:00 a.m. Walked on Mission Space w/ no wait.

I just hope that crowds stay low this year for our 9 day trip in Dec.!!

 

[skoi]

We've been four times in Sept. (1997, 2001, 2002, 2003). We even got a letter from Disney this May saying something like, 'we know you like to come see us in September, book now!'

We also went once in late January (2004) and March (1992). Crowds were always low in Sept-- esp. 2001 (we arrived at the MK Fri after 9/11 in the middle of Tropical Storm Gabrielle- it seemed like there were about 100 people in the park, but there had to be more).

January was freezing (and we're Northerners) with lots of South American tour groups-- all of whose members were very well behaved contrary to so many stories I've heard. A little crowded, but not horrible. We only waited for a couple rides.

Julie

 

[Disneyfun1]

we have never had any waits the first week or two in sept. we went in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, either arrive on labor day or just after. always no waits or crowds. i remember rock n rollercoaster last time in 2002, 2 pm and 0 min wait time. it was great. i was even taking pictures with my digital camera for everyone back home with the signs all saying 0 or 5 min wait times. we could get ps the same day, or they werent even needed. We go back on sept 11, 2004 for another 10 day stay!! cant wait!!!

 

[kewlgrl127]

The least crowded time I have been in Disney World was in January. I stayed on Big Thunder Mountain 3 times in a row without having to get off! Usually the only time I get to go is the during the summer, along with everybody else!

 

[Blueberry]

Our least crowded time was right after 9/11..we were there for a few days after that..ghost town. I have pictures of totally deserted monorails and a ferryboat that took just DH and I across...very weird feeling!!

September is best in my book, even less crowded than December but a lot hotter.

Love your name Wendy...

 

[wendyl]

Originally posted by shalinao
Hey Wendy,
i knew I'd eventually find one of your posts. Shalina

HI SHALINA---I've been looking for you!!

 

[shalinao]

I saw you were planning your next trip and we decided that we are going to come along too!
Just kidding, although I was also looking into the AP but didn't think that Tim would go for it.
me