Subsonic Radio

I am thinking about traveling to Orlando to visit WDW but I want to go at the least crowded time of the year. Does anyone have any suggestions?

rickeisenstein wrote:I am thinking about traveling to Orlando to visit WDW but I want to go at the least crowded time of the year. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Yes, the first two weeks of December the parks are empty.

Have been there twice the first week of January and once in mid-September--both times the parks were virtually empty. True, the parks aren't terribly crowded the first couple weeks in Dec., also, but we happened to be there when the Christmas Day parade was being filmed and it was a mob scene in the Magic Kingdom. We were told by a CM they film the parade and the musical numbers over the course of a week--of course it was the week we were there! Be warned, however, the weather is unpredictable in January. We were unprepared the first time, and ended up wearing our winter coats and having to buy gloves to stay warm. It was COLD! If you want to swim, that may not be the best time to go. September, on the other hand--beautiful! There's my 2 cents...

I have the fewest number of Guests going (I'm a Disney only TA) during the last two weeks in January, and the first week in February. September is normally pretty quiet two - the middle two weeks. December used to be quiet, but that first week is just crazy now - the resorts will sell out and it can get crowded at the holiday events. If you want December, shoot for the middle of the month.

I'm gunna second AK's idea here. We went in late September in '99 and the crowds were managable; weather was great. Back then neither of my kids were in school so we planned it that way. But given how busy it is in the summer I wouldn't hesitate one second to take them out of school to go during any of the value seasons.

I went around December 12 each of the last two years... excellent (read: small) crowds, the weather was exponentially better than back home (and I'm just in California), it's Value season on the hotels, and the plane fare was reasonable, being early enough before the Christmas travel season, but it's Disney's "Christmas season," so all the great decorations, Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, the Epcot Candlelight Processional, and MVMCP were all in full effect!

I've also been there in June, July, and November... November I liked a lot as well (even warmer, just avoid the week around Thanksgiving), but June and July are tough... hot, humid, and buuussssyyy.

First weekend in February gets my vote

I like october because they just start putting holiday decorations but the holiday crowd isn't there yet

rickeisenstein wrote:I am thinking about traveling to Orlando to visit WDW but I want to go at the least crowded time of the year. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Usually in the Off season after the holidays are over with. The fall and spring months are best times to go.

I'd advise against the summer because it gets hot and sticky. Especially August.

After Labor day in early sept is one on the slowest times of the year. IT's THE BEST! You do have to roll the dice for hurricane season. But it's generally the slowest! It rains on and off, but since most of the attractions are inside, it's not too big a deal.

The week after Tanksgiving is a really great time to go. The crowds are minimal. September when the kids go back to school through the end of October. But pay attentention to the weather, I went the week after Thanksgiving ( thinking that it would be cool) brought only jeans to wear & had to buy shorts when we got there!!

knedeau wrote:You do have to roll the dice for hurricane season.

I survived WILMA last year around the 17th, she extended my vacation by 36 hours I was really happy. Happy because there was little damage and they opened the parks the next day at 11:00am so an extra day at the parks.

Mid September through early October (I think WDW attracts bigger crowds during Halloween now due to MNSSHP)

We usually go in August because we have a timeshare week then and it's usually very humid and hot and the crowds are still pretty big.

hummm, what is MNSSHP?