wish to visit WDW at its slowest time

[elleninsauk]

We would like to visit WDW during the slowest time and in your opinion when would that be?? We are senior citizens and would would like to miss the peak season. Thank you

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Many people say that January is the slowest time.
I also think that the week after Thanksgiving is very slow and a great time to visit. You have low crowds and you get to see the Christmas decorations!
This is when I went one year and it is now my favorite time. I too hate the large crowds and look for times to go when the weather is cooler. However it is not as cool as January which can actually get quite cold.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

I would recommend November thru January, avoiding the holidays and weekends surrounding the holidays. This would mean avoiding Thanksgiving week, the two weeks surrounding Christmas through New Years, and MLK weekend. If you visit in early December, you can also see the Christmas decorations in the parks and resorts. All the other times in these months should have very low crowds. Another benefit to this time is that the weather is cool and makes touring the parks a lot more tolerable.

September also has very low crowds, but the downsides to Sept are hurricanes and it is still very hot.

Good luck in your planning.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

By the way.... Welcome to the boards!!! You will love it here and you will not believe the amount of useful info you can get here!!! It has helped me so much with my planning!! (and I have been to WDW many times before)
Once again WELCOME!!

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

I read somewhere that on Super Bowl Sunday, the parks are empty. I want to try that one year just to see. Being a United Methodist Minister and a football fan will make that hard, but one day I'd loke to give it a try!

God bless!
Mark

 

[Lcm2108]

I hear Early December and January are the slowest times. I would just make sure it's not around a holiday. Just remember, the weather is "iffy" so pack accordingly. We layer and bring mostly jeans and T Shirts.

Lisa

 

[Rhonna]

Sorry to say November is getting pretty busy - next year disney is rating November as "regular season" rather than "value season" in the rates they charge at the resorts. They don't have to lower the rates as much because more people are going in Nov. for various reasons.

November events:

first week of Nov. is usually "Jersey Week"

the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot

Festival of the Masters at DTD

Veteran's Day weekend

Super Soap Weekend at MGM

Thanksgiving week

Also, a Floridian posted that there are 3 or 4 major conventions in Orlando this November. Bringing people in the 100,000++ range into town. Some will have their families and take some time for disney.

We are going in Nov. and I don't think we will choose that time again. It's getting too popular.

If you don't mind the cooler weather and don't feel a need to be there around holiday times, I would go during the second week of January through first week of February.

 

[Pig Pen]

Last year we were at WDW on Super Bowl Sunday and the following week. The parks were very quiet. However, the least crowds I have experienced was during my September 2002 trip. We were there just after the 1 year anniversary of 9-11 so folks were probably still leery of traveling.

We happened to arrive at AKL concierge seconds after Janet Jackson's big reveal...the funny thing is that no one was talking about it at all!

The weather ranged from very cool in the morning - we left in jeans, turtlenecks and fleeces. But by mid-afternoons it was warm enough to visit the pool and jacuzzi. Of course we are from Vermont, so 60 degrees feels balmy to us in January!

We have also visited in early December and found similar conditions. But I hear that this year rooms are already sold out for early December.

Sept was hot and steamy. Low crowds, but I found the weather pretty uncomfortable.

Late April/Early May is a good time. A bit more crowded, but warmer. Definitely manageable crowds.

Our June trip was the worst though! HOT and CROWDED!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I had not heard this about November. Good to know. I will say that we are going to be going Nov 15-22 and we have had no problems making PS's or anything. And we have changed them a few times. I'm hoping the crowds won't be too bad. We were sure to book right after Food and Wine festival and are leaving the Monday before Thanksgiving. So we are hoping.
Next time we may not be going in Nov again if it is too crowded

 

[ZIPBAGS]

MrsJHenry,

I am going almost the same time as you. Nov.17-22. I am also hoping it won't be too busy. Although, I have been there at the end of August. So I am sure it is less croweded.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

elleninsauk,
First of all, welcome to the DIS!

We are going in January, a traditionally slow time of year at WDW. Seeing that you are from Wisconsin, the "cool" weather will be quite warm by comparison.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Two years ago I went the 2nd week of October and it was wonderful! We walked on almost every single ride except for The Muppet Movie (waited 10 minutes) and Haunted Mansion (again only a 10 minute wait, if that) I was really surprised how light the crowds were. The character meals were great too, we got lots of character time as all the tables weren't even full and we went during peak times! We had PS's, but I don't think we would have even needed them. It was still very warm then too, upper 80's to mid 90's and sunny everyday. A bit too warm for me though! I was hoping it would be a little cooler! LOL!


Lisa

 

[ErinInCT]

Welcome to the DIS. As "seasoned citizens" don't forget to check out the Disney for Adults and Solo Travelers thread. Lots of good info for "mature couples"!! Have fun! Disney makes everyone a kid again!!

 

[cdpa4d]

I would have to say with what happened this past September that Sept. 2005 will definately be a slow time of year. The key is not scheduling your trip near a hurricane. Crystal balls anyone! If you can get away with poor weather a September trip should be a pleasant one without crowds.
ADP

 

[ccgegg]

Isn't there a chart in the Unofficial Guide showing which weeks are the most crowded? Thought I saw this 2 years ago while researching. Does someone have a link to this info, or do I have to actually go to the library/bookstore again?

 

[KFISCHER]

You want the best time with small crowds..........I agree with previous posters that you want to go anytime after Thanksgiving up to the week between Christmas and New year's.

The place is beautiful, very festive....lots of great things to see.

Weather usually is very, very nice.

And crowds are very reasonable.

My second choice would be in October.

 

[MissyBrenda]

I'm putting a vote in for late April, early May... The crowds are quite manageable and the weather is perfect. I've never visited in January or during the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so my view is a bit limited. I do know that one of these days, I'd like to visit in October for MNSSHP and F&W festival. They sound like a lot of fun!!!

 

[Gary M]

DW and I are "older kids" and have gone to WDW since 1992. We have been going to WDW each Dec., Jan. and Feb. for the last few years. As mentioned before, avoid holidays. We will be at WDW Dec. 12-19 this year and Feb. 1-8 next year. We like the Christmas decorations for the Dec. trip and the weather is normally very nice. While not real crowded, it seems to me the Dec. crowds are much larger than what we experienced in the early 1990's. We have found Jan. and early Feb. to be less crowded. The weather can be cool during these times, but I like the cooler weather better than the hot temps. We are from Indiana so we are used to the cooder weather.

No matter when you go don't forget to stay away from hoildays and the weekends are more crowded. We get to the parks when they first open and see many attractions in the first 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The crowds starts coming in at about 10:30 am.

I noticed on your profile that you are one year younger than me. I was born Feb. 2.

If you have any further questions please e-mail me at garymerr@comcast.net