When is the least crowded time

[Mrsdonaldduck]

We have gone at all times if the year and we feel the very beginning of September (just after Labor Day) and the end of April/beginning of May are less busy than other times

 

[disney4life2008]

There are lots of resources where you can find historical data on crowd levels. The week before and week after Thanksgiving week are typically low crowd times in my experience. Also parts of September, early December and certain times in January-Feb. Touring Plans has great info, but also check out this site which ranks the best and worst weeks to go:
http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/04/a-when-to-go-to-walt-disney-world/

I went the week leading to thanksgiving and it was FAB. The parks were empty and the weather was perfect plus I got to enjoy the holiday decorections (I think) - I cant remember. It was a great time to go.

 

[Mickey_777]

the parks were very manageable last week. Besides the first day (rainy then sunny then rainy again), it was HOT also. Walked on to Pirates every time and never waited more than 15 minutes for anything I didn't have to get a fastpass for. "Fastpass rides" like Soarin, Space, Test Track etc...sustained about 30-40 min waits max for standby. Rides where single rider is available were pretty much walk on as well. Good times.

 

[Figments Friend]

We tried Septemebr when the kids were in school ( 18-24) and it was just as crowded as ever. There really is no time that it is "not crowded" anymore it seems. I blame all of those DISCOUNTS!

Yes, late-September discounts, coupled with Free Dining offers and the start of Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT can seriously mess up what was once a quiet period.

For September, i have had good luck with the week of Labor Day, post holiday weekend. Arriving mid-week will cut the crowd level down, and also give you a better airfare if you are flying into town.

September weather is VERY hot and humid. Be warned.
Also, many folks from the UK visit in September to take advantage of the many discounts they are usually offered. Expect a very international crowd, but very do-able by all means. The Brits are awesome to hang out with and their kids are always well behaved. No tour groups, Brazillians, etc i have seen around in September.

I find January to be my fave time to visit now. It used to be September, but the heat, increased crowd levels, and lesser valued discount options turn me away.

Mid-January is awesome.
There are some drawbacks however, and this is mostly the cold weather ( for those who do not like it ) and the closure of some E-ticket attractions and Water Parks for annual refurbs ( Splash Mountain and Blizzard Beach being the two that immediately jump to mind ).
If you can tolerate the temps and do not mind missing a few attractions under refurb, i recommend it. The crowd levels are usually quite low and room discounts are usually offered at this time of year and it should be taken into account.

The only other risk is that if you are coming from the Northeast or Midwest, you run the risk of having your flight cancelled due to snowy weather or storms. I mention this, as i know a lot of folks that like to fly down from these parts at that time.
In fact, in mid-January, it seems they are the ONLY people in the Parks based on the sports team attire i have seen them wearing..ha ha!
Seriously....you can spot them a mile away wearing shorts in 20 degree weather and rocking the NY Yankees or New England Patriots t-shirts!
The locals stay home as the weather is too cold for them, so the only folks in the Parks seem to be folks from these parts....and not a lot of them !

 

[mickeysbrother]

Even those dates are no longer safe.

That's our usual time frame and in the last 3 years it's gotten busy, relative to that time frame. Even Stitch had a 20 minute wait on some days......that says a lot.

lol yes that does. I know i was there end september 24 to be exact and it was nuts. 2 things were going on the food and wine festival was about to start and there was one of the disney run events. They are getting busier after 911 and the huge market crash. Good for the economy i guess.

 

[R W B]

I've been the first week of December twice now and it's not bad crowd wise and weather wise, same can be said for valentines week. It even was a little cool at night, not cold but cool. Be sure to check when Presidents' Day is though because the parks gets crazy from the northeast having a week off of school. I've also been in mid may right before schools let out and that's also not bad, warmer but crowds were still good.

 

[agorna]

I've heard October is a good time to go...I'm going October 12-20..: my only concern is that everyone says to avoid Columbus Day.. which Unfortunantly falls on October 14 (Monday)... does anyone know if it will be slammed pack busy my entire trip? or will it die down after Monday?

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I went on Columbus Day weekend last year, and it actually wasn't too bad as far as crowds go.

 

[agorna]

I went on Columbus Day weekend last year, and it actually wasn't too bad as far as crowds go.

that's nice to hear! I've been there during spring break, summer, and the week of Christmas.. as long as its not as crowded as those times I think we will b able to manage.. it will be my finances first time to WDW so I want him to actually enjoy it

 

[hiptwinmama]

Late Sept and Late Feb are both great. That's when we go. Check out the Crowd Calendar on yourfirstvisit.com I don't care for their advice, but their crowd calendar has always been spot on for us.

 

[Violet]

We went in October last year, supposedly low crowds. I thought it was crowded. I dunno, not sure there is a truly low-crowd season anymore.