a. When to Go to Walt Disney World

85 comments

1 Leslie { 01.14.11 at 9:54 am }

HI Dave,

I LOVE your site! We are plannning our second trips to WDW and Universal. I am tryingt o decide between arrivals Saturday after Thanksgiving (the 26th) or December 10th. I know they are both in your top 3. My concern is strictly crowds. Does the Thanksgiving crowd really leave Sunday or could they linger through the early week??? Our last visit to WDW was in January a few years ago. It was not crowded at all. My concern is that now my children will be flustered if it is much more crowded. I have compared on your crowd calendar, but what is the practical or visible difference, if any, in terms of crowds between January and those two weeks? By practical I mean in terms of wait times. What about between those two weeks themselves?
We also plan to visit HP at IOA. I had thought that we might fly in on Saturday and then cab it and stay overnight on property at Universal so as to get the free Express Pass, then cab it to WDW on Sunday evening. Would you recommend that or taking a day and leaving WDW? Does your thought change keeping in mind that we may go during the crazy busy weekend following T-giving? Looking at Universal site, it appears that the Sunday after Thanksgiving may not be too bad (guessing based on the fact that their Express Pass price for those not on property is priced the least expensive). One advantage is that Universal appears to be open quite late on Saturday after T-giving.

2 Dave { 01.14.11 at 11:41 am }

Leslie, thanks for the love!!

Between the two weeks I’d pick arriving 12/10. While I don’t expect much in the way of residual Thanksgiving crowds on 11/26 and 27, there will certainly be more people aorund the morning of 11/27 than in the December week on 12/11.

Crowds the week of 12/10 should be comparable to those of your January visit. Ditto 11/26 weeks except for the 26th and am of the 27th.

Your Harry Potter plans should work well for a 12/10 arrival. If you go with the 11/26 arrival, you may see residual crowds the am of 11/27. For that week, I’d avoid Harry on 11/27 and defer visiting it til later that week…

3 Leslie { 01.14.11 at 10:22 pm }

Thanks Dave – I could not get Boardwalk Villa for the 10th so chose the 26th. I might still do Universal the 26th and 27th anyway – putting HP off until later on Sunday if necessary. I guess the worst case scenario is we have to go back later in our trip if we feel we need more.

Since you seem to like feedback I wanted to share that we strongly considered your advice on the Polynesian. Perhaps we are missing something special but, even as first time visitors a few years ago (as a family – I went a few times as a child), the Boardwalk Villa seemed to work perfectly for us. We got a one bedroom with a kitchen and laundry. I can pack less – which is nice now that airlines often charge for more than 1 bag. The kitchen is invaluable for us. I got groceries delivered to the hotel for me on arrival. We ate breakfast always in the room – which works when we are feeling pokey and slow, and when we want to get an early start – but we could have waffles and eggs and fruit.

The best for me is this. I bought a backpack style cooler. I packed each of us a relatively healthy lunch daily, along with healthy snacks and drinks. We only ate dinners out. We all ate much healthier than we otherwise would – I even lost weight on vacation! It was also great to not have to stop for lunch unless we wanted to. In fact, if the children were hungry they even ate in line. We still took breaks and rested but it was more like a picnic – more relaxing even than stopping in a crowded lunch place.

Lastly, my 6 and 7 year old LOVED the Boardwalk. When I suggested that we try a more child-friendly place this time they were not interested. They loved the nightlife, ESPN and the proximity to Epcot – one child’s favorite (only slightly ahead of MK) and the other child’s second favorite park (first is predictably MK). Walking to the world showcase is perfect for our dinner plans this trip. It also means we may head over there many nights just to get in a country or two rather than be overwhelmed trying to do them all at once. Thought your readers would be interested in how well a villa can work for them, and that some children love Epcot.
Thanks again for a great site!

4 Dave { 01.15.11 at 9:28 am }

Leslie–thanks for your note–it’s a helpful addition!! I’ll be writing more about it later in a post, but just a couple of quick thougts for now

–I love the DVC villas in general, and the BoardWalk–both the hotel side and the DVC side–in particular.

–My rankings are aimed at first time visitors who may never return and have very busy itineraries. I rank the hotel options based on “average” kid appeal and on conveninece in following my itineraries–which, since they are more MK oriented, tend to push towards the MK results.

–Moreover, I suggest first time visitors shy away from DVC as since they won’t be in their rooms much they won’t benefit much from all the DVCs have to offer!!

–For more see this http://yourfirstvisit.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/resorts-ranked1.jpg which comes from this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/ and also this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/where-not-to-stay/ and this http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/11/03/the-comfortable-guide-to-where-to-stay-at-walt-disney-world/

5 Michelle { 01.17.11 at 3:03 pm }

Hi Dave,

Thanks for a great website. I will be visiting WDW week of April 17th-23 and also Dec 8-11 2011. How will the crowds be?

6 Dave { 01.17.11 at 7:38 pm }

Michelle–Easter is 4/24, and the week leading up to it is among the three or four most crowded of the year.

Your December dates, on the other hand, will be great!!

7 Amanda { 04.04.11 at 12:58 pm }

Dave,
I have two boys and we are planning a trip next year – 2012. My boys will be 6 and 4. I know this is not the best age according to your suggestions, but my the 4 year old should be at the 44 inches. We were thinking late October, but I was wondering if we chose the December dates instead would we still be able to swim at all? Also, should we follow the basic itnerary?

Thanks,
Amanda

8 Dave { 04.04.11 at 2:19 pm }

Hi Amanda!

The odds are much higher that it will be warm enough to swim in Ocotber than December. See the “weather” link on the left side under “When to Go.”

You should use the Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary for planning, but Disney often mucks things around in October and early November, so I’ll be publishing any needed changes six months before then–that is, about a year from now.

The changes will come out on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/ . Page down to the October 2010 dates an you’ll see what I mean about changes, at least for this year!

Finally, late October is a great time to go!!

9 Anthony { 04.07.11 at 1:52 am }

hey Dave my name is anthony amd i wish i would have found your sight a few weeks back but now that i found i gotta few questions to ask well my first being im planning a trip for the first week of march 2012 now everyone i talked to so far said the first week isnt that packed but picks up 2nd to last week of march just trying to shed some light on this so i know before i go ahead and book it!! my second question would be do the prices change that drastically from year to year cause i was looking at packages for march of this year and they were in my budget but im afraid to start booking my stuff and to find out it jumped drastically!!!!!also i plan doing a dining plan for 3 meals a day which seems like it saved me some money is that true or should i not take a dining deal!!!! and last my family consist of me and my fiance and our 2 children a girl who is 11 and a boy who is 2 we planned on staying at the all star movie resort cause my son loves toy story is that a good resort to stay at!!! thanks cant wait to hear back from you!!!

10 Anthony { 04.07.11 at 3:10 am }

hey its me again just got one more question well its kind of a way to beat the system question lol but i was just thinking this in my head and i could be wrong but if you were to just book your stay at a disney resort and only do like one day of the parks and then order tickets for the park from a different website would the dinner plan still work for your whole stay or do they have things in place to not allow that!!!! like lets say i book my trip for like a 7day 7 night trip cause i plan on driving down there but instead of taking the 7 day park pass i put it to like a 2 day park with the dining plan and then go buy my park tickets at igotoorlando.com where to me they seem cheaper am i right for even thinking this and trying to save a little money or would it not work anyway just wondering!!!!! thanks either way im still going to disney world with my kids just trying to save as much money as i can!!!!!

11 Dave { 04.07.11 at 9:48 am }

Hi Anthony!

I’ve answered all three of your comments in this post–let me know if I left out anything!!

How’s the first week of March 2012? It’s one of my recommended weeks, ranked 14th. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

Do the prices change that drastically from year to year? They change a ton for holidays that move around. Since Easter is earlier in 2012 vs 2012, hotel prices for the first week of march in 2012 may be higher—I’m guessing at most about 30% higher—than they were in the first week of March 2011. Or, more likely, they’ll be just 3-5% more than in early March 2011. You’ll know for sure in August 2011 when 2012 prices come out. See this for my current forecasts: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/26/walt-disney-world-2012-price-seasons/

I plan doing a dining plan for 3 meals a day which seems like it saved me some money? You only save money on the regular dining plan if you would have done that many sit down meals anyway. It’s cheaper—and easier if you are staying at the All-Stars—to do the “quick service” dining plan and splurge on just a couple of sit-down meals, paying cash for them. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/02/11/the-disney-dining-plan-at-walt-disney-world/

Thinking of All star movie resort cause my son loves toy story is that a good resort to stay at? Yup. See this review of All-Star Movies: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/07/18/review-disneys-all-star-movies-resort/

Will I save money if I order tickets for the park from a different website would the dining plan still work for your whole stay? I don’t recommend buying tickets from others than Disney except for AAA as there’s too many ways to get ripped off, and if the third party is legit, you don’t save much anyway. You can do the dining plan without buying tickets—it just requires a room.

My budget is 4400.00 is that enough? –Maybe…just barely—you’ll need to recheck once the real prices come out in August. See this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/what-to-budget/estimating-budgets/designing-your-walt-disney-world-vacation-to-a-lower-target-budget/ which is a little out of date, and designed for a much less expensive season.

Is it warm enough to swim at that time? –You can’t count on it being warm enough to swim then—see http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/

12 Dave { 04.07.11 at 9:52 am }

Anthony see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/04/a-when-to-go-to-walt-disney-world/comment-page-2/#comment-12758

13 Anthony { 04.13.11 at 12:11 am }

hey well today i got my disney planning dvd in the mail and i watched had some good but there was a thing i saw in the dvd that i havent seen on here but i could be wrong its for couples with children then have what is called the switch pass what it is is that if you have 2 kids with a age difference and they are to small or scared to go on the ride you can ask for a switch pass and what is does is it lets one parent go on the ride while the other waits with the child and then once they are off they hand the switch pass to the parent or adult that was watching the kid so that person could go on the ride while the person that just got off the ride will watch the child now and there is little or no wait time with the switch pass if you have heard of this im sure you can explain it a little better lol thanks again for this sight!!!!!!!!!!

14 Dave { 04.13.11 at 7:47 am }

Yup it’s real, and has been around forever! I don’t explain it on the site because I suggest older kids, but I should! Thanks for the suggestion, Anthony.

15 Christine { 05.22.11 at 12:12 am }

Hello and thank you for your time and kindness as you share with us.

We are going to Disney for the first time (my father & I have not been since the late 80′s and my husband & boys never) with our 2 boys (6 and 9 -will turn 10 right after trip:), my father is coming with my husband and I as well. My dad would like separate quarters or at least some space, although staying in one room is fine too. He wants my kids to have a great experience in Disney including the resort…comfort, convenience and fun. We have a budget of $10,000 – which will need to include airfare-I am allotting $1500 for this.

I initially thought the Animal Kingdom-Jambo House or the Polynesian (my father loves the monorail and convenience….we do too). Most likely we will never do this whole experience like this on this budget again. Need some advice on where to stay that does not reflect the beach or shore (we are from NJ and go to the beach/shore every summer)…so we want something different. We are clearly open to ideas and we do have some food allergies (so having a microwave/fridge and really a washer/dryer would be great). Last but not least, we are arriving November 5 and leaving on the 13th. What times are best to arrive (itinerary indicates morning) and depart? Can you still go to the parks on the last day? Do you recommend 8 days of tickets?

Thanks again for all of it….reminds us that people are actively engaged in giving…smiles.

16 Dave { 05.22.11 at 7:02 pm }

Hi Christine, what a special visit you are planning!

Based on your family structure and that whole beach thing, I’d suggest a slightly different option–a two bedroom Magic Kingdom view villa at Bay Lake Tower. See this for the details: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/09/13/review-bay-lake-tower-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/ but basically you get a bedroom with a king for your dad, another bedroom with two beds for your family, and a shared space with a full kitchen for all of you. It’s at the Contemporary, from which you can walk/roll to the Magic Kingdom, and is the first stop on the resort monorail back.

Jambo House has equivalent two bedroom villas, but I think that for a once in a lifetime family event you need the Magic Kingdom view…

Rgearding the tickets, you can do all the parks in a tough six days, although most of my itineraries have 7 or 8 days in the parks–many half days (You need the extra time though to relax.) As you can add extra days at the same price as though you had bought them with your first purchase, just start with as many as you think you need–6 or 7 or 8–and add more later–after the first three days they are about $5/person/day so not worth worrying about.

You can use the tix anytime within 14 days of using the first day, so yes you can go your last day– the tickets are not tied to your hotel stay but rather to the 14 day window–see this for more on tix: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/02/14/walt-disney-world-admission-ticket-prices-2010/

Finally, thanks for your kind words about the site and my time! BTW, if you book with the travel agent who has a form on the lower right side of the site (free to you, and prices as good or better as you could get yourself) you will both save yourself some hassle and get me some pixie dust! For completed bookings that start from that form, the travel agents share a bit of the commission they get from Disney with me, which helps compensate for the time I put into the site!

Hope this helps…Dave

17 Nathalie Hyppolite { 05.31.11 at 5:04 pm }

I have paid for a trip to Disney with Liberty Travel my agent did not tell me that the date that I chose to go was going to be at the most expensive and crowded otherwise I would not have booked it. I also did not get a package. I honestly want my money back to plan a different vacation but I can not since I already paid. I would like to go to Disney again do it myself but I see advertised prices for Disney but I am told that those prices are a joke since they find some way to add hundreds more. I am s single mother with one child. Can I book the trip myself and get teh same stuff that the agencies claim to be giving. Such as food plans and disney tickets?

18 Dave { 05.31.11 at 6:31 pm }

Hi Nathalie!

Yes, you can get everything yourself, at the same prices, and the only thing Disney “adds” is taxes.

For an example of how to set up a trip, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/to-do-list/to-do-lists-for-alternative-itineraries/to-do-list-v2-of-2009-autumn-winter-spring-itinerary/

For the basics of getting good deals at Walt Disney World, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/03/introduction-to-the-tightwads-guide-to-walt-disney-world/

For current discounts, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/03/summary-of-current-walt-disney-world-deals-and-discounts/

Let me know if this helps! Dave

19 Jeanie { 06.02.11 at 3:50 pm }

Hi, I am planning a trip to Disney World for this Fall. I booked a Magic Your Way package in January for Oct 14-23. I was told by a castmember that the price I am paying is rack rate and that discounts would be out later in the year. Do you anticipate any special offers for this week.

Also, there are 10 of us going. The children will be 1,1, 3, and 4. I have booked reservations for dinner for each night. We will be celebrating my son’s 4th birthday and my parents 40th wedding anniversary. We have booked a private Wishes firework boat cruise. Do you have any other suggestions to make these special occassions even more special?

Thanks!

20 Dave { 06.02.11 at 4:47 pm }

Hi Jeannie!

There’s a good chance that discounts will come out but no way to be sure until they do…Disney will choose to discount or not depending on how its hotel bookings are going! If/when they do come out, they’ll be on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/03/summary-of-current-walt-disney-world-deals-and-discounts/

Re birthdays and anniversaries, I’m not an expert, but I really trust the people at Passporters, and they have an ebook on this–see http://www.facebook.com/pages/PassPorters-Disney-Weddings-Honeymoons/127958845407?sk=info

21 Sherry { 06.08.11 at 11:34 am }

Hello! I am clueless where to begin planning a trip for our large family. I will have 2 adults & 8 children (2,7,8,8,10,12,12,14). How much time will I need to plan in advance to get accommodations that will suit my family & how much should I expect to spend & have saved up. I would like to go this winter or next year some time. We will be traveling in a large passenger van to Fla. To save on air fare. I am concerned about who to talk to to get the best deal. My husband also gets a discount through his employer. Where do I begin? Thanks, sherry

22 Dave { 06.08.11 at 11:48 am }

Hi Sherry!

It works best to have your plans set at least 180 days in advance–see this for why: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-your-plans-need-to-be-firm/

For basic approaches to budgeting and what matters, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/16/planning-your-walt-disney-world-budget/

You can start figuring a budget by working from the ticket prices on this page http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/02/14/walt-disney-world-admission-ticket-prices-2010/ and the Disney hotel prices for large families that begin on this page http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/

FYI Disney considers you to have 9 people as they don’t count kids under three at time of check in.

If the Disney hotel prices are too steep for you, consider staying off-site. See this for more on staying off-site: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/27/the-tightwads-guide-to-staying-off-site-at-walt-disney-world/

Finally, you may want to use a travel agent to help out. They are free to you to use (they are paid a commission by Disney), can get you rates a slow as you can get yourself, and will know how to work in the discount your husband gets. If you book by starting with the form on the lower right side of this site, the travel agent spreads a little cheer my way which helps pay for the time I put in to the site!

Hope this helps! Dave

23 Sherry { 06.09.11 at 12:13 pm }

Great resources Dave! I will remember ur link when we are ready to take the next step!

Have a great summer!

Sherry

24 Dave { 06.09.11 at 12:17 pm }

Thanks Sherry you too!

25 Hannah { 06.20.11 at 7:45 pm }

Hi,
my husband is in the military and we are planning to take our children (3 aged 1,4 and6) to Disney in Aug (around the 13th) we are considering booking our accomodation with AFVC and purchasing the Military tickets, what does the “and more options” actually entail? How soon should eveything be booked? Will we need a car? Where do we strart when we get there? Is a 4 day trip sufficient? Is there anything else I should take into account or be aware of? I know I have a lot of questions, I would grately appreciate your answers. Thank you in advance.

26 Dave { 06.21.11 at 6:28 am }

Hi Hannah!

“And more” means water parks and Disney Quest–both minor attractions. For a 4 day trip you don’t need it–the four main theme parks will more than absorb you. I don’t think 4 days is long enuf–8 to 9 days is right if you will never return–but for a sample of WFW, 4 days is fine.

If you are staying at Shades of Green, you won’t need a car. If you are off-site, you will.

You need to book your rooms and dining reservations (if any) now.

See the home page http://yourfirstvisit.net for more on these and other questions!

Hope this helps, Dave

27 melissa { 07.14.11 at 8:03 am }

Hey.

My fiancee and I will be traveling to walt disney from nov. 19 – nov-26. My question is how bad is the crowds going to be and how is the weather during this time

thankyou
melissa

28 Dave { 07.14.11 at 9:45 am }

Hi Melissa!

Disney World sees its highest crowds when a lot of kids are off school for multiples days.

Your dates in Thanksgiving week are that kind of time. It will be crowded from the 20th on, and very crowded starting the 23rd.

Weather is variable from November through February. See this for more: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/

29 Stefanie { 07.19.11 at 8:36 pm }

Hi Dave,
Thank you for a great site! It’s definitely not my first trip to WDW, but it is my partner’s. We’re going with my parents and my adult sister (the age of group is from 36 to 75). We’re booked for 11/27 through 12/01, and I think the crowds may be larger than I hoped. My questions are: 1. Is Fantasmic! worth the hour-plus wait? We’re not able to get the dinner package, as I waited too long to make reservation (duh). 2. What do you recommend as a ‘not to be missed attraction’ for a first time visitor who’s 48 years old? Thanks again!
Stef

30 Dave { 07.20.11 at 9:05 am }

Hi Stefanie!

First the crowds won’t be bad then! Second, Fantasmic is worth an hour–it’s many people’s favorite attraction at WDW! FInally, re not to be missed–see the upper right of the image on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/

Hope this helps and have a great trip!

31 Nancy { 08.31.11 at 3:43 pm }

Awesome site!! We are considering a visit to WDW in 2012. My husband and I and a 10 and 7 year old. For a variety of reasons the ONLY times we could visit would be 5/23/12-6/1/12 or 6/17/12-6/22/12. Typically when we vaaction we do the weekday thing to help avoid crowds, though not sure that will help us much at Disney. We are looking at probably 4 days though that’s negotiable. I think I definitely want to stay at Bay Lake Tower (like the suite concept). Lake or park side I’m still up in the air.

In viewing your site I see that Memorial Day week rates less busy than pretty much any time in June. I’m just curious if the difference is really noticable … once you hit Memorial Day is it all just crazy?

Any insight on Bay Lake Tower would be appreciated too.

Thanks!!

32 Dave { 08.31.11 at 4:42 pm }

Hi Nancy and thanks!

Memorial Day weekend can be quite busy, but lots of kids are still in school so the time before and after it can be quite reasonable. See this for more: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/20/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-summer-2012-crowds/

I love BLT, but it’s not my top ranked Villa option. See this page for a review (the second page of the review has these resorts ranked in order.) : http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/09/13/review-bay-lake-tower-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/

33 Rozalyn { 09.07.11 at 5:39 pm }

THANKS for all the great info! After reviewing your insights we are planning a trip in February/Early March (avoiding President’s Day). We are from Minnesota, so when folks refer to 60 degrees as “cold” it makes me laugh a bit. We will be leaving temps around 5-15 degrees, so 60 is going to feel like mid-summer to us.
We are thinking we want to rent a villa or something like that: My husband and myself, our two children (5 and 10 years of age) and their uncle. We want to experience Disney and islands of adventure. This will be our first, and likely only, trip.
#1: Do you have any other recommendations for us outside of Disney and IOA?
#2: Where can you recommend for us to stay? We would like to avoid renting a vehicle if possible. We were thinking a place with a kitchen would be good.
#3: Sun and/or swimming isn’t a huge deal for us, but an indoor pool would be great if possible (not a deal breaker at all)
#4 Crowds are our biggest factor.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!

34 Rozalyn { 09.07.11 at 5:40 pm }

Ooops, Grandma will be with us as well.

35 Dave { 09.08.11 at 7:48 am }

Hiya Rozalyn!

Regarding where to stay, start with this stuff on large families: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/

Your trick–with grandma and all–will be finding enuf separate sleeping spaces for all of you while staying affordable. General two-bedroom villas give three sleeping spots; the Treehouses at Saratoga Springs have four, but are very inconvenient if you don’t have a car. For the treehouses see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/08/16/review-the-treehouses-at-disneys-saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/

If you can’t afford this, then two family suites (4 sleeping spots), or a family suite and a regular room (3 sleeping spots), at All-Star Music is the way to go. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/07/27/review-disneys-all-star-music-resort/

At the higher end, if you can fit into three sleeping spaces, Bay Lake Tower has the most convenient two-bedoroms, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge villas the most kid appealing. You can find rankings and links to reviews of these in the Disney Vacation Club section near the bottom of this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/26/walt-disney-world-resort-hotel-reviews/ Be sure to compare the floorplans of the two-bedrooms at Jambo House vs Kidani Village, as Kidani has an extra bath but Jambo has more convenience and kid appeal.

If you don’t rent a car, you’ll need to figure out a way to get from WDW to IOA. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/01/10/getting-to-harry-potter-from-walt-disney-world/

There’s no indoor pools anywhere in Orlando that I’m aware of

Regarding when to go, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ In yuor time frame, I really like the week beginning 2/25…

Hope this helps and have a great trip!!

36 Rozalyn { 09.18.11 at 3:11 pm }

THANKS SO MUCH!

37 Dave { 09.18.11 at 3:15 pm }

Glad I could help!!

38 Marina { 10.16.11 at 10:29 pm }

Hi Dave! I´m visiting WDW on november from the 21 to the 23, planning to see MGM, Animal and Magic. I´been reading the best & worst dates to visit and found you put as not good time, but since I´m going from Argentina and bought the tickets, can´t change the date. So, I´m asking for your advice to order the days for visiting the parks, what do you thing is best? Also, We´re visiting Universal, Adventure Island and Studio. THanks so much!

39 Dave { 10.17.11 at 7:10 am }

Hi Marina! For your dates, I’d do MK the 21st, AK the 22nd, and HS the 23rd…

40 Marina { 10.17.11 at 9:42 pm }

Dave, thanks a lot!!! And Would you leave Universal and Studios for the 24 and 25?

41 Dave { 10.18.11 at 6:24 am }

Thanksgiving and the day after is a bad time at any park….by doing Disney first, you’ll see the best before the crowds peak…the 24th and 25th will be very busy, wherever you go…this week, those are the best days for Universal (because so many people will be at Disney beginning the 23rd)….but it’ll be hard to tell!

42 Bruno { 10.18.11 at 11:55 pm }

I LOVE your site! We are plannning our second trips to WDW and Universal. I am tryingt o decide between arrivals Saturday after Thanksgiving (the 26th) or December 10th. I know they are both in your top 3. My concern is strictly crowds. Does the Thanksgiving crowd really leave Sunday or could they linger through the early week??? Our last visit to WDW was in January a few years ago. It was not crowded at all. My concern is that now my children will be flustered if it is much more crowded. I have compared on your crowd calendar, but what is the practical or visible difference, if any, in terms of crowds between January and those two weeks? By practical I mean in terms of wait times. What about between those two weeks themselves?
We also plan to visit HP at IOA. I had thought that we might fly in on Saturday and then cab it and stay overnight on property at Universal so as to get the free Express Pass, then cab it to WDW on Sunday evening. Would you recommend that or taking a day and leaving WDW? Does your thought change keeping in mind that we may go during the crazy busy weekend following T-giving? Looking at Universal site, it appears that the Sunday after Thanksgiving may not be too bad (guessing based on the fact that their Express Pass price for those not on property is priced the least expensive). One advantage is that Universal appears to be open quite late on Saturday after T-giving.
+1

43 Dave { 10.19.11 at 7:29 am }

Hi Bruno and thanks!

Yes people do leave after Thanksgiving. Some late January weeks are indeed less crowded–but you are talking about the difference between wonderful and wonderful+. Since my crowd calendars go Saturday-Sunday, I show the week of the 26th as slightly higher than the week of the 10th. But for a Sunday arrival, the week after Thanksgiving is less crowded than the week of the 10th.

Your approach to IOA sounds OK. Pragmatically, if you are staying at a UO hotel and want to do just one day at Universal, you will be fine whenever you go.

However, the advantage of putting your UO hotel later is that you get two days of early Harry Potter and Universal Express–your check-in day and your check-out day. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/17/where-to-stay-during-your-visit-to-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/

44 Marina { 10.19.11 at 10:17 pm }

Thanks a lot Dave!! Your site is so great!!!!

45 Dave { 10.20.11 at 5:00 am }

Thanks Marina and have a great trip!

46 Jeff { 11.09.11 at 12:24 am }

Booked a trip to Disney and Universal arriving on Dec 26 -Dec 30. I know before you say it, “it is very crowded”. With that being said how do you recommend navigating the parks? We plan to go to MK and Hollywood Studios for 2-3 days and then 1 or 2 days at Universal. 3 children ages 12,14 and 17. So not young ones.

47 Dave { 11.09.11 at 7:43 am }

Hi Jeff, see this–I wrote it for last year, but it’s still valid! http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/12/19/adventure-or-inconvenience-walt-disney-world-over-the-holidays/

48 Chris { 01.02.12 at 8:38 pm }

Thanks for the hard work you have done making and maintaining your informative site.
We felt we should share with others the following information. For more than 15 years internet sites have been telling people a great time with low crowds at Disney is the 1st 2 weeks in December. That is why we started going at that time and have, out of habit, gone for 14 years. However the last 5 years the crowds have been increasing to the point that because the place was packed, Disney decided the same day to leave Magic Kingdom open unscheduled later. Crowds were awful there and awful at Downtown Disney every day we went there! Probably 5 to 15 years back the 1st 2 weeks of December were slow and a good time to go but NOT any more!!! Too many internet sites have been telling too many people for too many years to go at that time and it is no longer a great time to go.

49 Dave { 01.03.12 at 7:48 am }

Hi Chris, thanks for your input. Crowds during this period have increased, but it is still a great time to go compared to alternatives.

50 Megan { 01.09.12 at 10:59 pm }

Hi Dave,
What are your thoughts about crowds with a trip scheduled the end of Easter week and into the following week (4/11-4/18)? We’re traveling with a 5 and 2 year old.

51 Dave { 01.10.12 at 8:18 am }

Hi Megan–this is one of the most crowded (and expensive) periods of the year at Walt DIsney World. Can you possibly reschedule? See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/28/spring-break-2012-at-walt-disney-world/

52 Megan { 01.10.12 at 8:57 am }

Possibly, but I am a teacher, and technically can’t use personal time for vacations. You do mention that the week of 4/14 is less crowded. What exactly are we talking when we talk crowds…i.e., how long are lines, princess meet ‘n greets, etc? The increased prices are not ideal, but not as much of a concern of mine as are the crowds. Is it miserable or tolerable?

53 Dave { 01.10.12 at 10:51 am }

Up unitl the 14th, crowds will be very bad–2 hour waits for the most popular attractions, 20 minutes for the bathrooms. The 15th and later crowds will be great.

For teachers with spring breaks the week before or after Easter, the best times to go are early June or late August, depending on which–if either–fits your academic calendar. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/20/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-summer-2012-crowds/

54 brad { 01.27.12 at 10:34 pm }

Does veterans day normally have larger crowds. We are thinking of going to Disney World vets week in 2013 Nov 10-15

55 Dave { 01.28.12 at 8:36 am }

Hi Brad, it doesn’t, because 1. most people don’t get it off, and 2. it’s not an “always Monday” holiday, so even those who get it off don’t think about it much when vacation planning.

I love the week you are considering, ranking it 7th best of the year. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

56 Cristy { 02.06.12 at 7:02 pm }

Hi Dave,
Here’s a crazy scenario: my in-laws are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2013 and want to gift their children and their families a one-week trip to Disney. Wow!

So here’s the deal: Two of the three families don’t care about pulling kids out of school, but we have a major problem with that, with our kids being in highly accelerated academic programs. We can’t miss. Maybe a day, but that’s it.

Our kids get out of school around the 12-th of June. What do you suggest? I had emailed you previously asking about what the dates on your best times to visit calendar mean (week beginning was your reply). We have a longish break during Thanksgiving, but you advised against it, otherwise there is Christmas, but the other 2 families want to be able to use the pool/water parks. Sooooo….we’re kinda limited here.

help??
Thanks!

57 Dave { 02.06.12 at 7:08 pm }

Cristy, what sensible in-laws!

How about the other end of the summer? The last week of August is MUCH less crowded than mid June (but it is in the peak of the hurricane season…) If you have to go in in mid-June you can make it OK, but you have to work at it…

58 leslie { 02.21.12 at 1:40 pm }

hi dave, i was wondering if there would be any way u might be able to help. see, our family has had several tradgedies over the last 4 years and my mother has been sick to her stomache trying to figure out the money end of all this and i know there is noway she could ever afford it. my little brother was murdered 4 years ago leaving behind 4 beautiful children, my husband was killed in a car accident in 2010 and we share a beautiful little girl who is 9. my mother has two other grandchildren and taking them to walt disney has been her biggest dream. finacially we dont no what it would cost and wondered if there might be any financial assistance out there to help fulfill my mothers and these childrens dream. please get back with me because im trying to make this possible. thanks for allowing me to ask a question. have a great day

59 Dave { 02.22.12 at 6:30 am }

Hi Leslie, I’m so sorry to hear your story. I don’t know of any financial assistance…to figure what it would cost, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/what-to-budget/estimating-budgets/

60 Carla { 03.01.12 at 6:48 pm }

My husband and I frequent Disney World 1-2 times yearly. I never researched any info about best and worst times, but discovered times we really liked and didn’t like. Now my parents want to gather the whole family there for their 50th but only Christmas works for the teacher and students in the family. After reading your wealth of advice, I see problems with that time especially for people who have never been there. My husband is determined to go & see Disney at Christmas so our tickets are bought and no turning back. We are in Orlando 12/22/12-12/27/12. Any advice at which days are best for which parks during that time? Which days are best to see the Osbourne lights? Should I tell the first timers it is a bad idea to go at that time or can the benefit from it anyway? Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated.

61 Dave { 03.01.12 at 8:49 pm }

Carla, this is, as you know, a disaster in the making. 200 minute waits at Soarin… I can give you some thoughts on how to make the best of it…but can you try the skillet upside the head approach with your husband first? To repeat, 200 minute waits… Most teachers can make either early June or late August work–these are much better dates–and you and your husband can go one of the first three weeks after Thanksgiving and see the full Christmas program without the crowds..

62 Carla { 03.03.12 at 4:26 pm }

Your comments about the skillet made my husband laugh until he felt the skillet on his head ) Anyway, all the family decided they didn’t want to deal with the crowds so it is going to be just my husband (with a flatter head) and myself going. We called and found out we can change our plane tickets. So we have the possible options to go 11/24/12-11/28/12 or going to Disney 12/1/12-12/5/12. Which dates would be best to ensure we get all the Christmas extras (lights, parades, decorations etc.) like it was Christmas day with the least amounts of crowds? We still want to experience Christmas at Disney since we never have done that otherwise would could wait until next February or some time where it really is less crowded to go. Thanks for your help & humor!

63 Carla { 03.03.12 at 4:32 pm }

Just realized you did say we could go the first three weeks after Thanksgiving and see the full Christmas program without the crowds.. So my questions may seem uneccesary. I think what we want to know is when you say first three weeks is that the Monday after Thanksgiving or like I asked previously, the Saturday after Thanksgiving? When you say “full Christmas programs” that means we get the whole Christmas experience minus the crowds? Just clarifying & hoping it doesn’t sound like my head got a skillet too!

64 Dave { 03.03.12 at 6:05 pm }

Tell skillet-dent that while the full xmas program is in place by 11/23, you will run into left-over thanksgiving crowds the 25th and the am of the 26th, so I’d take the December dates…

65 Dave { 03.03.12 at 6:06 pm }

Got it–I think my prior answer covered this, but let me know if it didn’t!

66 Carla { 03.04.12 at 1:34 pm }

Your answers were perfect! Thanks! We will be going the first part of December. I guess those skillets have other purposes than frying food!

67 Dave { 03.04.12 at 1:57 pm }

Try to check out the Christmas Party too…2012 dates won’t be out for a while yet, but see this for 2011: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/05/01/mickey%E2%80%99s-very-merry-christmas-party-2011-at-walt-disney-world/

68 Anne H { 03.11.12 at 7:22 pm }

Hi,
I’m in the first steps of planning an early 2013 trip with young kids. Looking at the first week of March before the spring breakers arrive but I see you have 3/2/13 rated as an 8-9 crowd level. Anything different in 2013 that I may be unaware of as I thought the spring breakers don’t start arriving till about March 10-12? Any thoughts on that first week of March 2013 would be greatly appreciated!!

69 Dave { 03.11.12 at 7:29 pm }

Hi Anne!

I won’t have a final point of view on that week til mid-summer, when enough school districts have put their 2012-2013 calendars out that I know what’s really going on.

Til then, what’s worrying me about that week is that President’s Day is early-ish, as is Easter, so what is normally a great week may in fact be a heavy off week for schools, as the early-ish President’s Day opens it up, and the earlyish-Easter compresses schools that don’t take Easter off into earlier in the month…

The week before it I am sure will be great, but until I get better data, I’m gonna view that one as potentially a rough week…

70 Anne H { 03.11.12 at 9:29 pm }

Great info thanks. I’m going to look into the week before or mid to late April. Not sure that I want to risk potential high crowds that first week of march. I’ll keep an eye on that week though and check back here in summer.

71 Dave { 03.12.12 at 1:19 pm }

Hi Anne…seems wise! I love late April…

72 Chris { 03.16.12 at 10:22 pm }

I want to take a family of my friends who have never to been to WDW before. I have been on a 10-day trip, 6 park days, 2 rest days, and 2 travel days. I may not be able to take them for as long, but will still try to do 5 or 6 parks days and 1 or 2 rest days if I can. I’d hate to make it just an 8 day trip including travel days. Anyway, we plan to wait until late 2013, provided the free meal plan will still be in late Aug./Sept., and also only if the new 7 Dwarves Mine Train Coaster is done by then. If not, we have to wait another year I guess, because we are waiting on that ride and need to take advantage of the free meals. I’ve checked historical hurricane dates, and the best stretches of non-violent weather or floods are for Sept. 6th-13th (except the 10th is the peak day of the hurricane season), and the stretch of the 15th-25th, also Sept., 2013. When do you suggest, given we can dodge major storms and floods when the time approaches, would be the best arrival and departure dates in those ranges, especially in the 16th-24th range I’d think, maybe arriving on Sun. and departing on Fri.? I can’t see crowd dates that far ahead, but I’m sure you can based on historical data. What do you suggest for this period? I was told that for this year, the time from 10th-17th, which I originally started planning for, had crowd levels of 1 or 2, with 1 day being a 4 crowd level. Any help here on when we should go? Last quick question; I’ve been after T’giving and the crowds were extremely low/almost non-existant most places. Data I’ve seen give Sept. twice as many visitors as after T’giving. Are the crowds/ride times going to be that much different from my first trip? Will things increase maybe 5 or 10 minutes each, or double in line length or what?

73 Dave { 03.17.12 at 6:57 am }

Chris Sept is the least crowded month of the year, less crowded than December. You can’t put too much stock in weather history except to note the peak hurricane time includes all of the month. There’s no guarantee of free dining, but I’d put the odds >75%. ANd there’s no telling if the Dwarves coaster will be open by then–I’d put the odds around 50-50…

74 joseph { 04.12.12 at 12:56 am }

Hi My name is Joseph I am married and have a 9 year old and a 1 year old. Looking to see what you would recommend for us. Going on 4/16/2012 or the 17th. Please help this age disparity is confusing us. We have never been to disney world

75 joseph { 04.12.12 at 12:57 am }

My 9 yearold is a boy one year old is a girl. We all sleep together as a family in same bed

76 Dave { 04.12.12 at 12:32 pm }

Hi Joseph, are you going for only one day? And ignore the one year old and plan for solely the 9 year old…there’s nothing at WDW for one year olds except moving colors…

77 Jenny { 04.22.12 at 9:17 am }

Hi!

I’ve stumbled across your website while trying to plan a trip to the US next year. We’re planning to go to various places one of which is Disney – I’m trying to find when school holidays etc are for next year. We’re thinking of mid-April – will we avoid local school holidays? Due to us going to both the West and East coast April/May is the best time for us.

Thanks!

Jenny

78 Dave { 04.23.12 at 10:01 am }

Hi Jenny! In 2013, the relevant school holidays will end by April 7th—see this http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/12/disney-world-crowds-in-2013/ and also this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

79 Anthony { 04.26.12 at 4:36 pm }

Hey Dave,

I was aiming for a trip for one of the October weeks, but my wife is a teacher and can’t get the time off so we would looking at 3 or 4 days. I would much rather prefer a week. What’s your opinion on the August 25th week?

Thanks,

Anthony

80 Dave { 04.26.12 at 4:54 pm }

Hey Anthony, see this for August in general and that week in particular: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/01/22/august-2012-at-walt-disney-world/

81 Audrey Charlson Kusarparde { 05.11.12 at 5:03 pm }

When you want to go somewhere you want to avoid the crowds that come along with some special events that might be in town then.

82 Dave { 05.12.12 at 10:23 am }

Columbus Day weekend seems to be somewhat crowded, what about arriving on Columbus day….is the following week crowded?

83 Dave { 05.12.12 at 1:51 pm }

Hi Dave, the week after is a little busier than the weeks before and after, but is OK–no hesitation on going then…

84 Lori { 05.17.12 at 10:55 pm }

Hi Dave,

Thanks again for all your help! I am just curious though… why do you recommend the 1st 3 Saturdays after Thanksgiving at your top picks? Is it cause of the low crowds? How do you find the weather to be then? Does it get cold?

85 Dave { 05.18.12 at 5:49 am }

Hi Lori! There’s 14 weeks that are lower crowd and lower price. Among them, I recommend the ones with the Christmas program because they are so much fun. See this for the other ones: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

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