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"
Michelle, see this (page down to the “May 2016 Special Events” section.
Hi! Do you have any information regarding Star Wars weekends for 2016? I heard rumor it may not happen or this year might be the last year. We are planning to take our boys (who worship star wars) May 13-May 18. Hope it’s still up and running. Could you also give suggestions which parks are best which day? Thanks!
My daughter’s bday id Feb 7th. When around this time is most reasonable for a 5 to 7 day stay?
Hi Sherry and so glad the site and book are helping!!
The October calendar should be out in mid-March.
In the past, the most common days for the Halloween Party indeed have been Sun/Tues/Thurs/Fri. The pattern, though, is typically is a little different Columbus Day week, and the week of Halloween itself. The 23rd, 28th and 25th are good bets.
Sorry that I don’t track water park crowds…
I myself don’t consider BOG a must do… the menu is somewhat limited for kids. But if someone in your crew is a big Beauty and the Beast fan, go for it!
Hi Hala! Those dates, avoid the following parks:
3/7 avoid Ak and MK
3/8 avoid Epcot
3/9 avoid MK
3/10 avoid Epcot
3/11 avoid HS and MK
3/12 avoid AK and MK
3/13 avoid HS
3/14 avoid AK and MK
It’ll be tough to design daily plans that suit both the 4 year old and the ten year old. I have some thoughts on this here and there’s more in Chapter 2 of my book.
You may save money on the dining plan. But for sure you need to use FastPass+. See this.