2016 CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
The chart lower on the page shows my forecasts for 2016 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 2015 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 2016 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 often best avoided by first timers who may never return 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 particularly recommend to first time visitors, though the crowds can be managed with careful planning and lots of early mornings. 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 weather at Walt Disney World, see this
Want a second opinion?  Then check out my book lol.
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123 Comments on "Disney World Crowds in 2016"
Hi Dave!
I am planning on going to Orlando for a wedding the week of June 12th through the 19th, Looking at going to Magic Kingdom and Epcot either the 13th, 16th,17th, or 18, Do you have any recommendations on when to go to either park? This will be our first trip going and have 4 kids. ALL ADVICE WELCOME and needed 🙂 Thank you!
Hi! We visited WDW with our 5 and 2yo last spring the last week of April going into the first couple days of May. It was a bit hot our last couple of days but I’m more concerned about crowds than anything. This year I can’t decide between 4/18-4/29 or 5/3-5/13. Would you recommend one over the other? And if you do would you mind telling me which parks to avoid for either week? Thanks so much for all your help!
Marie with kids that young, you might want to focus just on MK. Those dates, MK will be best the 1st, 3rd 6th, and 8th.
Otherwise, the 29th avoid MK and AK
The 1st avoid Epcot
The 2nd avoid MK
The 3rd avoid Epcot
The 4th avoid MK and HS
The 5th avoid AK and MK
The 6th avoid HS
The 7th avoid MK and AK
The 8th avoid Epcot
Hi Dave, my family and I will be traveling to Walt Disney World Feb 29 – Mar 8. We are wondering what days to avoid what parks. We are traveling with a 6 month old, 18 month old, 3 year old, and 6 year old. Thanks in advance!
Hi Ted, sounds like a great plan!
1/29 avoid MK and HS
1/30 avoid AK and MK
1/31 avoid HS
2/1 avoid AK and MK
Note there’s no good AK/HS day among these, and only one good MK day. Tell me two things: are you eligible for EMH (and willing to get up for an early one) and how old are any kids? With that info, I can help with the days a little more…