When to go to WDW?

CapnBarbosa · Post by **CapnBarbosa** » Oct Thu 01, 2009 9:21 am

Hi folks,

When would ya'll recommend going to WDW for low(er) crowds - end of January or end of October-Dec (next year). Starting to plan a trip. Have 4 and 6 year old boys, and the youngest just hit the magical 44 inch mark, so can get on most rides.

Have been in Jan/Feb the last few years (got killed by the Mardi Gras-escape crowd 2 years ago and then last year during the cold spell - in which we were deathly ill at Fort Wilderness - bummer!)

Thanks!
CapnBarbosa

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Oct Thu 01, 2009 10:12 am

Hi CapnBarbosa, I love your avatar!

DH and I have been to Disney in the beginning of Jan. for the marathon and you could fire a cannon down Main St. very quiet and slow after all the runners left, we had good weather too. So, we like Jan. Oct. can be iffy, it can still be hot at that time. But, you can catch Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party and in my opinion the crowds were light, not long wait times for the rides. And Dec. is a lovely time to visit WDW. If you go early Dec. the crowds are light and the parks are decorated for Christmas, part of Dec. is Value season! It's such a Magical time! The crowds are light then too. DH and I are heading there this Dec. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a must do! So, after all that, I would suggest Dec. if you've got little guys and want to hit alot of attractions. And you can also enjoy the holiday cheer! Hope that helps?! Any other questions....just let me know! I'm sure others will have input for you too! Where are you thinking of staying?

CapnBarbosa · Post by **CapnBarbosa** » Oct Thu 01, 2009 12:02 pm

boilerbabe,

Thanks boilerbabe!

December really would be best. We'd love to see all the Christmas decor, and it sounds like the crowds would be a bit less too. Not sure I can wait that long, so might have to do Jan AND Dec. ... woohooo!

Can't quite afford on-site right now, so I'm looking at the Sheraton Vistana resort across 4. Know a few folks who've stayed in the newly renovated part and said it's very nice - but plan to condo-exchange into "something" close (many options).

Thanks again!
CapnBarbosa

Future Guy · Post by **Future Guy** » Oct Thu 01, 2009 1:51 pm

Well, Future Gal and I will be there the first week in January. I've heard that's the slowest time of the year; I guess we'll see. Weatherwise, it's one of the best times to go, although as crazy as Florida winters are you don't know if it'll be 30 degrees or 80.

Our last two "big" trips were both in late October/early November. The weather was very pleasant and the only park that seemed crowded was the MK.

Mamabaminjamin · Post by **Mamabaminjamin** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 1:50 pm

Early-mid December is great... The weather isn't too cold, and the crowds are low, just be sure to be gone before the week of Christmas, the occupancy goes from very low to full in about a day. The Christmas decorations are worth the trip alone.

Mouseoholic · Post by **Mouseoholic** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 2:40 pm

We went in late January and while it was cold the crowds were low. We loved it!! You may want to check out Mousesavers.com

You can find some great deals and by the time you factor in the rental car and taxes you will save if you use the Disney Magical Express (free) and on-site transportation (free) you will find you can almost break even with a value or moderate resort. Check it out.

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Mon 28, 2009 3:34 pm

Leading up to a holiday can just be as busy as the holiday itself. Following the holiday is less crowded. I think because everyone wants to go on or before the holiday, no one thinks about going after the holiday. One year, I remember WDW had record crowds on July 4th weekend. However, next weekend on July 11th, it was not crowded at all. No long waits in lines. We got everything done in EPCOT before 5 PM (and we arrived about 10 AM!). It was a great day! My family used to go alot in January a week after New Years - again, not as crowded.

timekeeper · Post by **timekeeper** » Dec Tue 29, 2009 8:00 am

We love October!!!!! MNSSHP is the best for kids... DD still talks about it.

The food and wine festival at Epcot, all the autumn decor, its not cold and can be toasty in fact!

swede375 · Post by **swede375** » Dec Tue 29, 2009 4:08 pm

I am currently planning a family trip for my wife's entire family for the week of July 11th 2010 staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I was wondering if anyone has been down there then. Unfortunately my sister-in-law is a teacher so it is a little difficult to beat crowds as we have to wait for her to be on break.

I've been there for July 4th which was pandemoneum. That was in 2005. I swore I would not do it again. Any thoughts on this? It would be much appreciated.

Outside of that I do like September and January for crowd control

Thanks,
Swede

MmeLeota · Post by **MmeLeota** » Dec Tue 29, 2009 5:49 pm

timekeeper wrote:We love October!!!!! MNSSHP is the best for kids... DD still talks about it.

The food and wine festival at Epcot, all the autumn decor, its not cold and can be toasty in fact!

Our honeymoon required a trip in October. It was 11 years ago, but I don't recall the crowds being too bad...but it was quite warm. We wore shorts the whole time.

Might have to go again to experience the Food & Wine Festival (we missed it the first time)

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Dec Wed 30, 2009 8:12 pm

Hey swede, I know Len and his family was there this past July, maybe drop him a PM, I'm sure he could help you out with tips/pointers!

mindflipper · Post by **mindflipper** » Dec Wed 30, 2009 8:39 pm

Swede, I had been there on the July 11th weekend before, and the crowds weren't that bad. Because most people want to be there for July 4th, the week following tends to be lighter. But remember, it is summer, the height of Disney tourists, so it will be busy - just not as busy as it was for the 4th! Remember to pack some sunscreen! Boardwalk is a good hotel - within walking distance to EPCOT (but you can take the boat if you wish) and you can take the boat to DHS.

Mamabaminjamin · Post by **Mamabaminjamin** » Dec Wed 30, 2009 8:47 pm

We generally go the week school starts. Our kids are young enough it doesn't matter. Our daughter has requested to go at Christmas so I guess the next trip will be at the beginning of December. WE have been once before at the beginning od December and spent the whole trip in our Airport Jeans and fleece. (We are from CO so we thought we would leave the one set of worm clothes in the room) WRONG!!!!!

HSolo29 · Post by **HSolo29** » Jan Sun 03, 2010 11:19 pm

We've done all the seasons and out of all of them, the Fall has been the most enjoyable.

We went the end of Sept. into Oct. last year. The weather was still hot, but once the sun went down, it was really nice. The crowds were also very light and there were an unusual amount of walk-ons, including Space Mountain(which was a surprise to all of us). Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is also a great quirk in the Fall. If you have a chance to see it, go for it! It's definitely worth it!

I am currently planning a family trip for my wife's entire family for the week of July 11th 2010 staying at the Boardwalk Villas. I was wondering if anyone has been down there then. Unfortunately my sister-in-law is a teacher so it is a little difficult to beat crowds as we have to wait for her to be on break.

We used to go all the time during this time of year(even have plenty of 4th of July trips in there too...ugh). The crowds can get pretty bad at certain points, but overall, they're manageable. What can really make it miserable is the heat and humidity. Be sure to have plenty of fluids and take frequent breaks. It really goes a long way in making your trip more enjoyable. And believe it or not, but you do get used to it after a while. I tell people all the time that I don't mind it that much anymore after being there so many times, but everyone is different. Just pace yourself and don't overdo it and you should be fine.

anijac1412 · Post by **anijac1412** » Feb Mon 01, 2010 4:38 pm

There are some great tips here. Thanks everyone for posting!