Least crowds - last week Sept/first Oct??

[Vortex]

I'm planning my next trip and I'm hoping to go when the crowds are their lowest - from all my reading, I think the last week(s) in Sept, first in October would be best. Thoughts? (Plus, it's value season which means great rates on-site!)

 

[2gether]

September...

I have not been in October, but we went the first week in September (immediately after Labor Day) and there was NO ONE there. We literally could do all the major rides at any of the parks in a little more than half the day.

On the downside, the weather was very hot. But if you can stand the heat, it is a great time to go.

 

[TTATraveler]

Overall a good time of the year to visit. You'll get to see the Food and Wine Festival and MNSSHP in October.

 

[J.E.Smith]

The week after Thanksgiving up until school lets out for Christmas is also a good, low-crowd peirod. Every ride had a 5, 10, or 20 minute wait(Well, execpt for Soarin', which had a 45 or 50-minute wait, but they still had FastPasses around noon when I went on, so that wasn't a problem).


Plus, it isn't so hot, but sometimes it might cold. Usually the weather's around the 70s, but it was around the high 50s/low 60s my first day in the parks.

 

[RonAnnArbor]

Yearly, the lowest crowds are the second week in Jan through the beginning of February, the second week in September through the first week in October, and the week after Thanksgiving. You will never find huge crowds at those times -- although you must also take into consideration that "not huge crowds" dooes not equate to "few visitors"...the parks are always packed with people, but there is a huge difference when there are fewer familes, strollers, groups of kids, etc. NOTE: on the other hand, you will find that the seasonal attractions that are only open when crowds are high will be closed at these times (i.e Carousel of Progress, etc).

 

[debpeduz]

Late September, early October are good times to go. The waits for the rides are not terrible and you do not feel like you are rushing around as much. If you are there over a weekend, since the Food and Wine Festival will probably bo going on, Epcot may been more crowded on a Saturday. Many Floridian's visit Epcot for this event since it is great!

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

I was there two years ago during the second week of October, and this past Sept 28 - Oct 4. Both times the weather was great - mid to high 80's, so you would get sweaty, but could still go swimming after dark. You also get the Food & Wine Festival, which we have never found TOO crowded, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party usually starts the beginning of October. We went for the first time this year and it was GREAT!!! The crowds are not a problem. Columbus Day weekend gets a little more crowded, but the end of Sept to early October is now our favorite time to visit WDW (but that might have something to do with our anniversary on October 8th!). Also, Disney seems inclined to offer good packages during this time period; in 2004 it was pay for 5 nights, get 2 free and in 2005 it was the Stay, Play and Dine package which essentially worked out to free dining plan. These discounts are usually available early Spring.

We're going in less than three weeks (!) for the first time in February. I can't wait to compare it to Sept/Oct.

 

[Vortex]

Thanks for the info! I'll keep an eye out for any specials... we're hoping to do 5 days in the parks - starting and finishing with MK! I might buy the 10 day hopper, no expiry this time around.... prolly gonna stay at Pop, as we did Sports last time around....

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I am planning my trip at that exact time, too. I am leaning toward first week in October so F&W will be in full swing. It truly is a great event at Epcot.

 

[brkgnews]

The only thing to watch out for is the risk of a rogue hurricane. Of course, the best trip I ever took was when Ivan was headed straight for Central Florida. It veered off at the last minute, but a lot of people had already cancelled their trips. There was practically NO ONE there. w00t! Nonetheless, I usually take a trip in late september. The only exception may be 2007, when I want to be there for EPCOT's anniversary in early october.

 

[diveteam]

Late September is always my favourite time of year to go, good weather and no crowds

 

[tink rules]

The week after Thanksgiving up until school lets out for Christmas is also a good, low-crowd peirod. Every ride had a 5, 10, or 20 minute wait(Well, execpt for Soarin', which had a 45 or 50-minute wait, but they still had FastPasses around noon when I went on, so that wasn't a problem).


Plus, it isn't so hot, but sometimes it might cold. Usually the weather's around the 70s, but it was around the high 50s/low 60s my first day in the parks.

This year it was cold and rainy and a bit crowded at times... we were there 12/2-12/12

 

[Laura]

NORMALLY late September is an awesome time to go, but this last year it was pretty packed.

 

[jeffs10]

I have not been in October, but we went the first week in September (immediately after Labor Day) and there was NO ONE there. We literally could do all the major rides at any of the parks in a little more than half the day.

On the downside, the weather was very hot. But if you can stand the heat, it is a great time to go.

same here go there every year the first weekend after labor day and its a ghost town. Walk on every ride and hardly need ps seating i make all my ps seating when i arrive and never had any problems. This year im going in oct. so it will be intresting to see the difference in crowds between sept & oct


jeff

 

[DisneyBride94]

We almost ALWAYS go either the last week in September or first week in October...and USUALLY it is true--crowds are light--and you can usually find lower pricing on hotels... however... last year was an exception... because of the success of their marketing campaign for the Magic Your Way program with FREE DINING PLAN offered to those who made reservations for this time frame...the place was packed... maybe not as packed as it is a peak season...but the parks were MUCH fuller than they are normally at this time of year. It is hurricane season at this time--and last year Florida was hit hard...so I think they did this program to try to increase visitors--and it worked... It was a great program--but frankly I'd rather pay for my meals and have shorter or non-existant lines... it was VERY VERY crowded compared to past years...

But it is a good time to go... most kids are back in school... so you have more older folks and families with pre-school aged children... or foreigh families on holiday... This year I think families felt it was worth the cost savings to pull kids out of school...there were lots of families with kids of all ages...

 

[PigletIsMyCat]

If you are thinking of buying a 10 day with no expy option, you should consider an annual pass.

A 10 day MYW ticket with only the No Expiration option added (no Park Hopping or Plus Options) will run you about $368. An adult Annual Pass (which is good for a whole year, includes Park Hopping to all four major parks and free parking) will cost you about $441. Plus with an Annual Pass, you can get discounts on rooms all year long, but especially during value season. Also, you are entitled to get the Disney Dining Experience card, which gives you up to 20% off meals at Disney World. And only one person in your party needs to have the AP to get these discounts. If you think you might return within a year of this trip, definitely get it. Plus, you can renew your AP for less than $400.

It takes a lot of number crunching, but it really can be worth it. Check out www.touringplans.com and www.allearsnet.com for info, or check with Kingdom Konsultants or another travel agent.

 

[Vortex]

Yeah, it's still all in the air right now, but I'd like to be there last week in Sept/ first of October. If I wait until Jan07, I'll have another group of friends there as well, so I may have to hold off. I've been doing a lot of reading and will make a more informed decision as I see more "specials" offered by Disney.

I was there Christmas-NTE 05, so I know what "packed" is like. With Fastpass, we still got to do everything we wanted, but it was rushed. I want to make this trip more relaxed with time to do the "other" magical things, including the KTTK tour, resort hopping/viewing, etc....