Disney World best travel dates?

[QueenOfHearts83]

So I have been trying to plan a trip to Disney World or a Disney Cruise for over a year now. Well I have finally decided to take my daughter to Disney world. I was thinking for her 7th birthday next year in August. Since it will be the end of the summer I am assuming that is crazy busy with families going on vacation before school starts. I assume that it is always busy but doesn’t anyone have any suggestions to the least busy dates or months at Disney World?

 

[Disney4family]

Hi - We typically go to WDW the end of August. We have also visited the end of June/beginning of July and the end of July/beginning of August. Crowds were so horrible for the June/July trip (including the 4th of July) that we will never go at that time again. It was even worse than a time we went over spring break. July seems to attract the Brazilian tour groups. The beginning of August is very crowded since it's right before the southern schools go back mid-August. I'm not sure if there really is a "down" time anymore at the parks. I teach so I'm limited compared to others who could take advantage of possible slower times. Hopefully you'll get an answer that will help you. Others here are more experienced with the Mouse than I am.

 

[Worldlover71]

The later in August you can go, the better. It will still be busy but it starts to taper off the closer you get to Labor Day (though not Labor Day weekend itself.) There really is no "best" time to go anymore, just "better" times.

 

[mbtohill]

Generally speaking, the best times to go would include:

September, October - schools are back in session, great weather.
The 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas - Most folks are waiting for the Xmas break or have just come back from Thanksgiving break, weather is cooler but not too bad.
May - Post spring break and before Memorial Day. Good weather, manageable crowds.

We went at the end of August this past summer for the first time and I have to say the crowds were tough and the weather was tougher, HOT HUMID and RAINY.

These days it's getting harder and harder to find "down times" at Disney and even with the times above it's important to avoid any holiday weekends, ie. Columbus Day or the Jewish Holidays.

Above all, remember, no matter when you go you will HAVE A MAGICAL TIME!!

 

[cdeev8690]

I try to always going in the fall. I went in mid September in 2011 and experienced hardly any crowds. I have since made some errors in my date picking. Last year I went first week of November and it was Jersey Week (parks were crazy) and this past year I went during Yom Yippur which wasn't terrible but I wasn't prepared for all my fellow New Yorkers who were taking advantage of the school closures. Although the parks were busier than I'm accustomed, they were nowhere near as busy as they are during peak seasons like the summer, Christmas, Spring Break.

If you can afford to take your daughter out of school next fall for a week, I'd recommend it. The beginning of the school year isn't so tough because you know there won't be any special projects or assignments that will be due. I'd just check and see where the Jewish Holidays land. If you go in September-October, definitely plan to buy a ticket for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Your daughter will love it

 

[World_Showcase_Lover007]

The two slowest periods are generally early to mid September and late January/February, but this is also when they do the most refurbishments so be mindful of what is going to be closed.

 

[Schneewittchen]

Back when DH and I were , we would go to WDW in the second or third week of January. During those visits, there were very few people around, short or no lines, the only downside is it can be cool, upper 60's or low 70's, so water rides and pool days aren't really an option.

 

[EngineJoe]

So I have been trying to plan a trip to Disney World or a Disney Cruise for over a year now. Well I have finally decided to take my daughter to Disney world. I was thinking for her 7th birthday next year in August. Since it will be the end of the summer I am assuming that is crazy busy with families going on vacation before school starts. I assume that it is always busy but doesn’t anyone have any suggestions to the least busy dates or months at Disney World?

Don't go during Brazilian Tour Group Season.

Avoid these times:
Dec-Late February: Brazilian Summer Vacation
Dec-March: Argentinian Summer Vacation
March-April: American Spring Break
June-July: Brazilian Winter Vacation/American Summer Vacation

I think May, September, October, early November are the only good times now.

 

[Retroman40]

The best time to go to Disney World is when it fits your schedule without a lot of stress. The internet has destroyed the entire "best time for low crowds" thing. People planning a trip see some website predicting (I might add "guessing") 38000 at the MK and go for it. The only problem is 20000 other people have the same idea and 38000 ends up 58000.

 

[JillC LI]

Early to mid-October (not Columbus Day weekend) is nice for weather, MNSSHP, Food & Wine Festival, and lower crowds. Early December is nice for holiday decorations and lower crowds.

 

[ULPO46]

Not to sound like Debby Downer but there really aren't slow days anymore. At least not for the Magic Kingdom. The best way to plan around is during a time when you know people are at school or at work. Middle of the week works best avoid Weekends as locals make the drive towards Disney world. But this year has seen a huge influx in tourist to both Disney and Universal and Orlando in general. The numbers aren't out yet but estimates are some 100 million people visiting Florida this year alone. Orlando will at least see over 3/4ths of that. But my best wishes to you and your family. Choose a nice time of the year, we all know the weather, but choose dates when you know no one is planning huge vacations.

 

[Figgy1]

Whenever you can go!

 

[rsoxguy]

Things at WDW have become busy enough that the best time to go now involves personal mood, health, and finances.

 

[MaxxStephen]

We've always gone either the first or second week of November. Usually the weather is great and never a "huge" crowd issue. Epcot was crowded because the F&W Festival was going on then. Plus you get to see Cinderella's Castle all decorated <3

I was shocked to see that they decorated for Christmas the first week of November, I though it always decorated by mid November, so it was an awesome surprise.

 

[QueenOfHearts83]

Back when DH and I were *****, we would go to WDW in the second or third week of January. During those visits, there were very few people around, short or no lines, the only downside is it can be cool, upper 60's or low 70's, so water rides and pool days aren't really an option.

Thank you!!!

 

[QueenOfHearts83]

Generally speaking, the best times to go would include:

September, October - schools are back in session, great weather.
The 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Xmas - Most folks are waiting for the Xmas break or have just come back from Thanksgiving break, weather is cooler but not too bad.
May - Post spring break and before Memorial Day. Good weather, manageable crowds.

We went at the end of August this past summer for the first time and I have to say the crowds were tough and the weather was tougher, HOT HUMID and RAINY.

These days it's getting harder and harder to find "down times" at Disney and even with the times above it's important to avoid any holiday weekends, ie. Columbus Day or the Jewish Holidays.

Above all, remember, no matter when you go you will HAVE A MAGICAL TIME!!

Thanks!!!

 

[optjay]

First week of October was our favorite. Low crowds, nice weather, short wait times.
Now, so busy. Food and wine, conventions, no dinning reservations, crowds, long waits.
So, go when ever you can, and enjoy.