Disney World Crowds in 2013
2013 CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
In the image you’ll find my current Walt Disney World 2013 crowd forecasts.
Dates in it are the beginning of the week.
As more data becomes available on 2012-2013 school year calendars, I’ll update this calendar–likely in summer 2012.
(For 2012 crowds, click here.)
Crowd levels are ranked by week from 1-11 in the following way:
1: Lowest of the year
2: Lower
3: Low
5: Moderate-minus
6: Moderate
7: Moderate-plus
9: High
10: Higher
11: Highest
HOW TO INTERPRET THE 2013 DISNEY WORLD CROWD CALENDAR
Dates are the beginning of the week.
The “low crowd” weeks–those rated 1-3–represent the only crowd levels a family visiting for the first time, and unsure if it will ever return, should consider.
However, lower crowds, especially lowest crowds, do not always mean a better week. The lowest weeks are low for a reason–typically because they are in the hurricane or the ride closure seasons.
The “moderate crowd” weeks–those rated 5-7–have crowd levels I would not recommend to first time visitors. However, I’d go during such weeks myself with no hesitation, and think these levels are OK for returning visitors who don’t need to see everything and already know how to work Walt Disney World.
The “high crowd” weeks–those rated 9-11–should be avoided by everyone. They aren’t, which is why they are so high.
You may have noted that there’s no level 4 or 8. There’s a reason for that.
MY DISNEY WORLD CROWD CALENDAR GOES UP TO 11
My analytics only let me distinguish 9 groups–the lowest through the highest crowd levels noted above.
Since the influence of the Unofficial Guide and TouringPlans.com has led almost all Disney World crowd calendars to top out at 10, this presented a problem of needing to skip a number. The skipped number is hard to place among 9.
However, I’ve always thought that the really nastiest weeks of the year deserved an 11 for emphasis. So I assigned 11 to “highest.” That let me skip two numbers, the ones that separate the moderate crowd levels from those higher and lower.
MORE ON WHEN TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
- For when to go to Walt Disney World, see this
- For the next best dates, see this
- For the best and worst times to visit, see this
- For 2012 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For the 2012 Week Picker, see this
- For 2013 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For forecasting crowds at Walt Disney World, see this
- For the 2012 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For the 2013 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For seasonal pricing at Walt Disney World, see this
- For 2012 price seasons, see this
- For 2013 price seasons, click here
- For weather at Walt Disney World, see this
16 comments
Are your dates on the calendar above representative as week ending (in other words, say the week ending on 11/30/13), or the first day of your vacation is 11/30/13? We were thinking about going the week of Thanksgiving, arriving the Saturday BEFORE Thanksgiving and staying until the Saturday immediately after thanksgiving. Thanks!
Hi Cristy, all my dates are week beginning.
This was not clear, so thanks for asking, and I’ve added the point in a couple of places!
Thanksgiving week is very crowded.
Thank you so much!!!
You’re welcome!
Cristy, my family of four went to Disney World last year on the Monday AFTER Thanksgiving and it was wonderful. Hardly any lines. Not crowded at all. Loved it all decorated from the holidays. The longest line as right before closing at Peter Pan and Dumbo. Granddaughter wanted to ride both one last time before we left for the night. Maybe a 30 minute wait at each. We never even used Fast Pass on anything.
Thanks, Doris!
I have that week rated as second best of the year in 2013–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
Hey
Any advice on crowds Mardi GRAS week 2013? We would arrive Monday feb. 11 and depart Saturday am 16th? When do you think we will start seeing the upcoming president weekend crowds?
Hi Nola! Mardi Gras itself has no impact, as very few school districts have it off–many in LA, a few in AL and GA, hardly any others. President’s Day crowds start building the Thursday before–the 14th in 2013–but don’t hit max until Sunday–the 17th in 2013–and stay high the rest of that week. The 11th, 12th and 13th should be fine…the 14th and 15th iffy, the 16th bad, and the 17th and on ugly…
Thanks so much for the quick reply. 1 more for…just saw that national cheerleaders competition is feb 9 and 10. We will be at BLT. Will that affect us any?
Hi Nola–the only real impact of the cheerleaders is more crowded hotels, and often they close the Indiana Jones stunt show at the Hollywood Studios and cheer there. They don’t have much of an impact on park crowds…
I’d like to plan a trip to WDW 3/1/13 and stay for several days, then go on a cruise or to Disney’s Vero beach. I noticed in your crowd calendar, 3/3/12 is rated a 3 while 3/2/13 is rated a 9. Why is this? Is the first week in March a bad choice for 2013? When is a good time to avoid crowds at the parks but still have enjoyable weather for a cruise?
Hi Rebecca! I won’t have a final opinion on this week until the summer, when more 2012-2013 school calendars are out. In the meantime, I’m worried that the early-ish Easter and late-ish President’s Day are going to compress spring breakers into early March. In 2012 it turned out to be closer to a 4 or 5 than a 3, and I’m worried it will be even worse in 2013
Hello again Dave. This trip will be a graduation gift for our son. (Our other boys are 12 and 2). We want to avoid crowds but would like to go before he begins college. Spring was our original time to plan a trip, but now I’m afraid the first of March will be too crowded. And we definately want to avoid crowds, yet still go when the weather is nice (not hot). Would you mind suggesting dates for us? Thank you so much for your help!!
Hi Rebecca, there’s some great April 2013 dates–see weeks 8, 9, 12 and 13 here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ and also this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/23/the-most-comfortable-time-to-go-to-walt-disney-world/
I have visited Disney 13 times over the last 20 years or so. My wife is a Disney fan but not like me, I am 50 she is 54 and both married about 3 years ago. I am wanting to take her to Animal Kingdom for a trip 12/06 through 12/14/13. I want her to have a great experience and really blow her mind w the magical Disney touch that we Disney lovers have enjoyed. She has always wanted to go to Africa so this is why I selected the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I am considering Concierge’s service at the Lodge but I have never used the Magic your way meal plans etc. Should I consider both or one or the other? I also want to get a King room for two with a balcony view of the Animals maybe throw in a massage for her or a package that has a gift for awaiting her upon our arrival. Any suggestions as far as a travel Agency etc with air included etc. Not too concerned about cost I am prepared to pay for a decent package but want advice on best deals etc or more bang for our buck. Once again I want her to fall in love with Disney and want her to want to go back! Spoil her and make her not want to leave. I know I can’t book until about 500 days out but I am a planner and want advice from a someone that has good Disney knowledge… Thanks! jeff
Hey Jeff, your overall plan sounds fine. The dining plan is a good idea if you would do a lot of sit-down dining anyway–and it sounds like you probably would. AKL itself has three great options–Jiko, Boma, Sanaa–and you could do some crackerjack dining elsewhere, e.g. California Grille during the fireworks, Citricos or Narcoossees at Grand Floridian, etc…
I have mixed feelings on the concierge rooms. Yes, they can simplify some basic snacking and drinking options, but a one-bedroom villa at AKL or Kidani might be even more luxurious…see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/08/24/review-disneys-animal-kingdom-villas-jambo-house/ and http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/31/review-kidani-village-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-villas/
Re a travel agent, you can see the people I work with in the form on the right
Hope this helps! Dave
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