2015 CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
The chart lower on the page shows my forecasts for 2015 crowds by week at Walt Disney World.
Dates in it are the beginning of the week, and the forecast covers the recommended Saturday-Sunday 9 day stays.
(For 2016 crowds, click here, and for 2017 crowds, see this.)
Crowd levels are ranked by week from 1-11 in the following way:
1: Lowest of the year
2: Lower
3: Low
4: Low-plus
5: Moderate-minus
6: Moderate
7: Moderate-plus
8: High-minus
9: High
10: Higher
11: Highest
HOW TO INTERPRET THE 2015 DISNEY WORLD CROWD CALENDAR
Dates are the beginning of the week.
The “low crowd” weeks–those colored green, and rated 1-4–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 in black and 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 in red, rated 8-11–should be avoided by everyone. They aren’t, which is why they are so high.
MY DISNEY WORLD CROWD CALENDAR GOES UP TO “11”
The influence of the Unofficial Guide  and TouringPlans.com has led almost all Disney World crowd calendars to top out at 10.
However, I’ve always thought that the really nastiest weeks of the year deserved an 11 for emphasis.
So, in homage to Spinal Tap, I assigned 11 to “highest.”
MORE ON WHEN TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
- For when to go to Walt Disney World, see this
- For the best and worst times to visit, see this
- For forecasting crowds at Walt Disney World, see this
- For the 2015 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For the 2016 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For seasonal pricing at Walt Disney World, see this
- For 2015 price seasons, see this
- For projected 2016 price seasons, see this
- For weather at Walt Disney World, see this
Want a second opinion?  Then check out my book lol.
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150 Comments on "Disney World Crowds in 2015"
ALi, honestly, there are tour groups all year round, and they stay in all kinds of different lodgings. South American school breaks tend to end at the end of January. I have not noted a preference among tour groups for a specific moderate, though I would guess they are least likely at POFQ, since it has fewer amenities.
Hi,
My family is planning on going to WDW jan 24-30. I keep reading about large tour groups that come in January. We usually stay at a moderate hotel. Can you tell me what hotel the tour groups usually stay at. And are there groups in feb too?
Thanks!
Kate the holiday crowds won’t profoundly slow til the 4th, so I would definitely wait.
PS your husband isn’t very good at surprises…
My husband is planning a “Surprise” trip for me for my (gulp) 40th birthday. If we are there for my actual birthday we would arrive on 1/1 or 1/2/2015 and head home on 1/4 or 1/5. Would be be better off waiting a few weeks – next option would be 1/16 – 1/19, or will the holiday crowds have died down after New Years Eve? I really don’t want to spend my entire birthday weekend standing in lines!
Mary, I think they will be great!