Best Times for Smallest Crowds

wdwannabe · Post by **wdwannabe** » Jun Mon 30, 2008 7:55 pm

We went in Sept of 06, the last week of Sept. The crowds were minimal, we road just about everything, and hardly a wait, maybe 15min the most. If we were to go again, it would be this time or after Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Have a great trip!

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 2:04 am

We went the end of May 2007 and the longest queue was 10 minutes.

jumrungle · Post by **jumrungle** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 12:19 pm

We are actually planning a late september trip this year because the crowds have always dropped around then in my experience. Plus, they are launching Food and Wine a week early this year at Epcot. If you've never been, you MUST. It's such a fun way to experience Epcot.

braden · Post by **braden** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 2:55 pm

jumrungle wrote:We are actually planning a late september trip this year because the crowds have always dropped around then in my experience. Plus, they are launching Food and Wine a week early this year at Epcot. If you've never been, you MUST. It's such a fun way to experience Epcot.

How are the crowds during Food and Wine?...at Epcot and the other parks? I have never been....sounds like fun.

GreenFairy · Post by **GreenFairy** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 3:29 pm

I used to go during the summer months... until my husband and I went for our honeymoon (which was in early Sept.) What a difference! Lines that I was accustomed to waiting hours in were suddenly gone. Never again will we go during the busy season. We're going to try early December this year, too. Can't wait!!

kcarts · Post by **kcarts** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 4:16 pm

"We went the end of May 2007 and the longest queue was 10 minutes."

In Florida? I was there at the same time. Waited no less than 15 minutes for everything.

sandi · Post by **sandi** » Jul Tue 01, 2008 8:27 pm

We went to WDW in mid Jan---great weather and no lines!!!!!! I also took clothes to layer which worked well. My only fear was not getting out of the airport in Baltimore Md!!!!!

jumrungle · Post by **jumrungle** » Jul Wed 02, 2008 4:00 pm

How are the crowds during Food and Wine?...at Epcot and the other parks? I have never been....sounds like fun.

Depends on when you go, Braden. It's almost always busy on weekend evenings. Lines for food/wine kiosks range from 5 - 10 minutes or so depending on popularity. Last year we were there for the first weekend in November, and it was pretty busy. Hot for the fall, too.

Besides all this, it's SUCH a great time. You just stroll around World Showcase and eat and drink really tasty things along the way. We usually stop at around 10-12 kiosks and sample everything from chicken satay to Spanish wines. We usually leave about 5-6 hours to sample everything and see all of the World Showcase attractions, but that's only because we're obsessed.

It's a great way to spend a night if you're an Epcot fan/foodie. Highly recommend! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Figment of Imagination · Post by **Figment of Imagination** » Jul Wed 02, 2008 4:05 pm

It is less crowded for the off season, but things close sooner and some things do't run as often. Christmas is very crowded. July 4th is second for large crowds. september 6-12 will have early close hours I hope you checked this before you booked. Anytime after Sept. 1 will have earlier and earlier closing hrs. the difference between closing at 10, 11, Midnight or later to closing around 7, 8 for most parks, most days. Thats one of the draw backs for going off season.

Post by **horizons1** » Jul Wed 02, 2008 7:26 pm

I've been to WDW in late January several times. The weather is usually good although this past trip (Jan '08) it was in the 60's during the day and got downright chilly at night. The upside - less rain and no humidity. And no crowds.

braden · Post by **braden** » Jul Thu 03, 2008 10:12 am

Figment of Imagination wrote:It is less crowded for the off season, but things close sooner and some things do't run as often. Christmas is very crowded. July 4th is second for large crowds. september 6-12 will have early close hours I hope you checked this before you booked. Anytime after Sept. 1 will have earlier and earlier closing hrs. the difference between closing at 10, 11, Midnight or later to closing around 7, 8 for most parks, most days. Thats one of the draw backs for going off season.

Yeah I checked the times....some 8pm or 9pm and a couple of night extra magic times a little later....but to me it is definitely worth it if it means less people during the day since off season....thanks for your help!

JWG · Post by **JWG** » Jul Thu 03, 2008 12:26 pm

My family has had good luck in February (avoiding President's Day weekend) as well.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Jul Fri 04, 2008 2:42 pm

Early May is great, first week in Dec. and the week after the Marathon/Mini-Marathon, the weather is great and the crowds are at a low!

Chernabog · Post by **Chernabog** » Jul Mon 07, 2008 10:10 am

jumrungle wrote:
How are the crowds during Food and Wine?...at Epcot and the other parks? I have never been....sounds like fun.
Depends on when you go, Braden. It's almost always busy on weekend evenings. Lines for food/wine kiosks range from 5 - 10 minutes or so depending on popularity. Last year we were there for the first weekend in November, and it was pretty busy. Hot for the fall, too.

Besides all this, it's SUCH a great time. You just stroll around World Showcase and eat and drink really tasty things along the way. We usually stop at around 10-12 kiosks and sample everything from chicken satay to Spanish wines. We usually leave about 5-6 hours to sample everything and see all of the World Showcase attractions, but that's only because we're obsessed.

It's a great way to spend a night if you're an Epcot fan/foodie. Highly recommend! Let me know if you have any other questions.

While the Food & Wine is great, it can be very expensive! Each place you stop has a very good choice or two, but the portions are very small, sample size, and they are not at all cheap! just something to keep in mind.

99Soulz · Post by **99Soulz** » Jul Tue 08, 2008 9:15 am

That's a great tip Chernabog, you know because we are use to things being cheap in WDW. Wouldn't want to be surprised by steep prices....