When is the BEST time to go to WDW?

[IWorkWTeeth]

We've gone to WDW the past two years in the summer for our 2 week vacations. They were GREAT, able to leave the parks in the afternoon for a few hours, take a nap or go swimming, and then go back in the cooler evening for more fun! I am a long time sufferer of Lyme disease and feel that going during a cooler (NOT COLD) time of year, it will be less crowded and easier on my health. When have you found the parks to be less crowded and easier to get around? Trying to move around in a scooter with thousands of people can get very difficult!!!!
Thanks for all your help!

 

[hcswingfield]

Think of when school age kids are likely to be in school, and combine that with weather factors, and you can come up with some pretty good estimates. But you can always be surprised, both pleasantly and not-so-pleasantly. Early December is usually not crowded, but last year it seemed to be. This last year, early May was pleasant weather, and the crowds weren't too bad.

 

[PhilosophyMagic]

The summer is most crowded and hot, so if you thought that was "great" you would REALLY appriciate going during a cooler and less crowded time. One of the best times to go, if not the best, is September. The parks are far less crowded, and the weather is cooler, usually with less rain as well. This goes for October and early November as well, buy crowds usually pick up around Thanksgiving time. The only problem with these seasons is that the parks are open for less hours a day, opening a bit later and closing earlier. If you really like early mornings and evenings, you might want to choose a more crowded time for that reason.

 

[SpectroMan]

I would suggest early December too. Nice weather, not usually crowded, and all the great Christmas decorations are up.

 

[barnum42]

Any time kids are still in schools is generally a good indicator. I've gone in April/May time (avoid Easter) and September / October to be greeted with much smaller crowds than the summer peak. The parks may not be open as long, but you get a lot more done with that time you have.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Off peak will always see smaller crowds - but you're likely to get reduced park hours and more chance of attractions being closed for refurb. And there are always kids (and their parents) who are taking time from school to visit during the off peak seasons. Busier crowds obviously bring congestion but longer hours.

 

[Sloan]

Are you a Food & Wine fan?

October and early November have nice weather, and the added bonus of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which is excellent. Early October can still have some very warm days, but by November it's usually quite nice, and crowds are RELATIVELY light, except the festival can draw many fans, particularly on the weekends.

 

[Dopey Dave]

I much prefer the end of September/ the beginning of October. THe crowds are much less and with the Extra Magic Hours you have the parks open for extended periods. Also, check out Mickey's Not So Scary Holloween Party. It's an extra cost event but it is well worth it! (Don't forget your constumes!)

 

[Neptune]

For me, I prefer End of January-Beginning of February. Not too hot, Not too crowded. Zing.

 

[KnK]

We go every year the first full week of September. The crowds are always small. We usually get everything done in the morning hours and after lunch we are lounging by the pool.

We have never had problems with dinner reservations either. We only make a few and the rest are on the fly. We have never been turned away!

 

[mickeyfanatics]

Disclaimer: Please do not take this the wrong way:

The Saturday after a huge terrorist attack in the US. We went and the Magic Kingdom was like a ghost town. There were less than 10 people on Main Street, USA with us. It was eerie and weird. (We remember those who lost their lives).

Honestly, this entire summer it has been mad. The only way to see anything without lines was to go in early AM and leave by noon.

 

[Hakunamatata]

We have been in mid November the last two trips. Before that, my family allways went during the summer. Never again. Its just so awesome to go in the Fall when its not so danged hot, when the humidity makes it back below 100 and the crowds drop off.......

So much more enjoyable.....we are going last week of November first week of December this year....

 

[imamouse]

If you do not have to take a school calendar into consideration, then I'd say go in October. Sept is also good, but they take a lot of attractions down for refurbishment, so Oct is better IMHO. The weather is fantastic and the crowds are much lighter than summer.

I've gone during May the last 2 years (Mother's Day week) and the crowds were even lighter than Oct. The weather was warmer than Oct, but not nearly as hot as mid-summer.

If you do have to consider the school calendar, then go in mid-Dec, as soon as the kiddies are let out for the holiday break. We've done this several years (including this year) and had enjoyed nice weather and reduced crowds & prices (Value Season!). It's not always warm enough to swim, but some years it is. You just have to dress in layers and peel during the day, then cover up again when the sun goes down. But the bonus is the amazing decorations and events. We love attending the Candlelight Processional and shopping for last minute gifts to put under the tree from MM. :xmas:

 

[Jekyll Baker]

I like mid-Septmeber and mid-January. Crowds are less, especially since both these times are right after school breaks/holidays.

 

[Florida Rocks]

In my opinion the last week of march or the first week of april....

 

[tigsmom]

I have been in Sept, Jan, Feb, March, July & August. If I had to pick my favorite it would be Feruary. Its cooler, but still very nice (though it did get to 27 one night), the crowdes are down so the lines are short. One drawback is the parks are not open late, but with the smaller crowds you can get everything done anyway. We have also been the week after Easter (both the end of March/beginning of April) and that week is also nice.

 

[lawyergirl77]

I have been in February, March, May, July and August, and I have to say that my favourite time of year was May. The weather was hot enough to remind me I was in Florida, but not ridiculously so, and the humidity was waaaaaaay down! I also thought that the lineups in May were way better than those in both February and March, so that was nice. To top it all off, the parks were open slightly later IIRC and the fireworks/parade schedules weren't too bad, either. All in all, I think it's going to be my favourite time of year at WDW!

Besides, going to the Epcot F&G Festival is a lot of fun. Make sure to take lots of pictures of the vendors - they love that...

 

[vilegirl]

For us, September (crowds are small although it's still hot), early December, January and early March. For small crowds you can't beat September, but since it's still so hot, I'd have to say that January and March have been my favorite times for weather AND lower crowd levels. Early December is in a class all its own in my opinion. With the Christmas decorations and events, cooler temps and fairly low crowd levels, it is, in my opinion, the very best time to visit WDW.

 

[SpenceMan01]

Think of when school age kids are likely to be in school, and combine that with weather factors, and you can come up with some pretty good estimates. But you can always be surprised, both pleasantly and not-so-pleasantly. Early December is usually not crowded, but last year it seemed to be. This last year, early May was pleasant weather, and the crowds weren't too bad.

I think that December was bad last year because everyone that had trips planned in Sept-Nov got delayed because of the Hurricanes...

 

[beagle 1]

I like going to WDW in the second to third week in May or before Memorial Day. The reason being is that the crowds are manageable, the flower displays at Epcot are beautiful, and the weather is not to hot nor to cold.