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47 comments

1 Amy { 02.03.11 at 1:18 pm }

my name is amy and I am planning our first trip to disney. yikes. we are going feb 25th through march 4th. we hope that is a good time to go. good weather and low crowds. our boys are 4 and 5 so they can miss school at this age. We are staying off disney at wyndham bonnet creek.

The question is: is this a good time to go to avoid crowds and get good weather? will it be warm enought to enjoy one day at the water parks? for my boys age group is 2 days at disney good? and one day @ animal kingdom. we can visit epcot next time when they are older.

Should we do park hopper? should we buy 10 day passes that do not expire and save $? gosh there are so many options, I had no idea. I would have just planned a beach trip instead :~ Any suggestions you might have. P.s.- ur web site rocks!!!!

2 Dave { 02.03.11 at 2:57 pm }

Amy–the 25th and 26th will be very busy from the tail of the President’s day week crowds. The rest of your time should be much less crowded.

If I were you, given your interest in the water parks, I’d move your arrival date to 4/30 or 5/7. Crowds (and probably hotel prices) will be lower, and the weather likely will be much more water park friendly. See this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/20/2011-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

Given the ages of your boys, 2 days at the Magic Kingdom and one at AK should work just fine. Concur with delaying Epcot. There’s not much in my opinion of great value to that age group at Disney’s Hollywood Studios either. See this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/comprehensive-guide-to-rides/

Re the 10 day non-expire: you can add days and the non-expire option to your tickets after you buy them. Thus I’d suggest waiting and seeing the reaction of your boys, and deciding after that to add or not add. The ten-day non-expire can be a great deal if you use your extra days for two future trips (because the first three days of the tix are the most expensive…)

Thanks for the kind words about the site! Tell you 100 closest friends about it and like it on Facebook!

Hope this helps, Dave

3 Laurie { 02.12.11 at 7:08 pm }

We are planning a trip to Disney October 30 to November 6 Torn between Grand Floridian and Contemporary Hoping weather is great Also hoping to do Halloween and Christmas Party there What do you think? Thanks

4 Dave { 02.12.11 at 7:13 pm }

Hi Laurie!

For kids, I’m not keen on either, but would pick the Contemporary. The Grand Floridian is lovelier, but the Contemporary is more fun.

I wouldn’t do both the Xmas and the Halloween Party–they are too similar–if both are available, I’d pick the Xmas one…if only the Halloween party is offered, then it’s worth it, especially if it is offered November 1, as it often is…as crowds will be lower! Dates for the parties will be out later this year.

That’s usually a good period weather-wise, but tending cooler.

5 Stephanie { 03.30.11 at 10:24 am }

Hi I have a family of 6 and we drive to Florida for my husband’s family reunion in Jacksonville for July 4th. We would like to visit Universal and maybe one other park for 3 days 2 nights around July 5th or so will we ever be able to get a good deal?

6 Dave { 03.30.11 at 11:14 am }

Hi Stephanie! July is rarely discounted, because so many people come then, so I would not expect to be able to find much in the way of deals.

7 Dave { 04.05.11 at 7:25 am }

Hi Stephanie–I just emailed you, as a July discount is now available. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/04/05/new-summer-2011-walt-disney-world-deal-offer/

8 Leigh { 04.13.11 at 2:54 pm }

Hi, We want to go to DisneyWorld April 21 to 29th. Is that over their Easter break? what days would you suggest to go to Disney, Universal, over that period. Thanks for your help!!

9 Dave { 04.13.11 at 3:57 pm }

Hi Leigh! April 16-27th will be stunningly crowded everywhere. The 28th and especially 29th will be much better. Let me know if you are staying at a Disney resort hotel or not, and from that I’ll make some suggestions on which parks which days.

10 Samantha { 04.14.11 at 8:45 am }

Hi Dave, Great site! I have a couple of questions if you wouldn’t mind. First, we are planning a trip to Disney in early fall to celebrate my cousin’s 21st birthday at the end of September. I’m bringing my three little kids (six year old twins and a three year old) who have all been to Disney twice before. We want to stay on site but also save money, and have only ever stayed at Port Orleans. What’s the best value resort for us? Can you recommend the best time in early fall? Sorry to write a book! Thanks!

11 Dave { 04.14.11 at 10:07 am }

Hi Samantha!

The value resorts with one exception won’t hold your family–they hold only four people >3 years old. The family suites at all star music hold 6, but they are as twice as expensive as a normal room.

For more on “larger” families seeking lower prices, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/12/15/lower-priced-options-for-large-families-at-walt-disney-world/

Regarding early fall, pretty much all weeks after labor day are uncrowded. Heat goes from intolerable to quite nice by mid-Ocotber. The peak of the hurricane season runs until mid-October. In the period I recommend the weeks beginning 10/15, 10/22, and 10/29– see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/20/2011-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

12 Chad Redin { 04.14.11 at 2:57 pm }

We will be visiting Disney World April 29th – May 6th. I know last year this was a great time to visit but am wondering if we will see Easter spill over this year. Will the crowds be gone by then or will they be slightly higher to really high?

13 Dave { 04.14.11 at 3:05 pm }

Hi Chad!

You may see a little crowd hangover on the 29th, and even the 30th, but overall yours should be a great week in terms of crowds…

14 ne { 04.24.11 at 7:34 pm }

Just returned from 6 days at Disney World during one of the busiest times of the year. With a little planning and extensive use of the Fast Pass system, we rarely waited in line longer than 5 minutes. For example, on Saturday, the day before Easter, we went to Magic Kingdom. Arrived at the gate by 7:30. There were no lines in the morning and we walked on all rides and obtained fast passes for use later in the day. We were able to enjoy over 20 rides including 4 Splash Mountain, 3 Space Mountain, 4 Thunder Mtn, 2 Haunted Mansion, 2 Pirates and lots of other great stuff in between. We also left the park around noon to relax at our pool and returned at 6 and stayed until midnight. The key was that we could use our fast passes anytime after the designated hour. They didn’t expire so we were able to accumulate quite a few for our return in the evening. Just thought I’d write in and let you know that it is possible to have a great time during one of the craziest weeks of the year.

15 Dave { 04.25.11 at 8:14 am }

Thanks!! And I’m glad you had a great time!!!!

16 MamaLeBrun { 05.02.11 at 9:10 am }

My Husband & I are arriving May 15 & leaving May 20th. We stay @ All star music. Any helpful info for us? Thanks

17 Dave { 05.02.11 at 11:08 am }

Hi! Key for you is to avoid the Hollywood Studios on the 20th–a ride is re-opening and the park will be mobbed. Otherwise take a look at this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/ and this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/other-trip-lengths/designing-your-own-walt-disney-world-itinerary/

18 pi { 05.05.11 at 10:19 pm }

We are planning a family (8 people) for a 40th anniversary vacation Dec.28-Jan 4,2012. Would you suggest doing Disney on Jan 2&3??? Any other suggestions for a family of varied ages? What does Disney do for New Year’s Eve?

19 Dave { 05.06.11 at 12:23 pm }

Hey! First I expect Disney World to be terribly busy through the 1st for sure, and posisble the second.

Specific advice on what to do the 2nd and 3rd will have to wait until Disney publishes its January calendar (which it will do late June/early July), but you can’t go wrong with the Magic Kingdom (for everybody) and Epcot for older kids and the adults).

Based on past operating patterns, I’d plan Epcot the 2nd and the Magic Kingdom the 3rd, while waiting for the specifics to come out.

On New Year’s Eve, the parks stay open late, and many of them have special fireworks. For what happened last year, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/03/new-years-eve-2010-at-walt-disney-world/

20 Enma { 05.29.11 at 1:26 am }

My 10 years old son and I, are planning our first travel to Disney, I hope to stay for 3 or 4 days, and we have only between july 11 to 20 to travel this year; I also would want 1 day for shopping..is there any Disney hotel to offer transport to a shopping Mall, or what do you recommend? Is it Disney really to crowed for July?

21 Dave { 05.29.11 at 10:55 am }

Hi Enma!

Yes, it is VERY crowded in July.

Re shopping, Disney has its own shopping district called “Downtown Disney” and buses go there from the Disney resort hotels. It’s not really a shopping mall in the traditional sense. If you want a “real” mall, or a mall filled with discounts, you’ll need to take a cab. The book The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2011 has a whole chapter on shopping in and out of Walt Disney World.

22 Kim { 06.15.11 at 7:11 pm }

We are debating on whether we should go to Disney World the first or second week of November or the first or second week of December. What is your insight on that? We would love to go at a time where the crowds are relatively low. Any input would be great.

23 Dave { 06.15.11 at 9:16 pm }

Hi Kim!

I like all those weeks except the one beginning November 5–see this for more http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/20/2011-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

The weeks beginning 11/12, 11/26 and 12/10 will likely be the least crowded. For both the November weeks you may run into a day or so of Thanksgiving corwds–especially on 11/26.

24 Courtney { 06.26.11 at 12:57 pm }

We are planning a family trip this December 2011 for Christmas…we have never been to Disney at Christmas and are super excited. We are thinking Dec 3-9. What are must sees while we are there and do you think the crowds will be down. Also, what is the best value hotel to stay at to save money.

25 Dave { 06.26.11 at 3:32 pm }

Hi Courtney!

That’s a great week–see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/20/2011-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

For the must sees, see click the image on this page and note the “favorites” and “best-loved” (depending on the ages of your kids) http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/

Among the value resorts, I recommend Pop Century–for more on the value resorts see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/04/the-value-resorts-at-walt-disney-world/

Hope this helps!! Dave

26 catherine { 07.30.11 at 1:47 pm }

We are planning to visit Disney in February (2012). This will be our 3rd recent visit, so we are fairly familiar with everything. We were planning to stay at the Polynesian the 15th – 20th. However, the more I read, the more worried I am about the President’s day crowds. We also have the option of going Feb. 7th -11th. If price weren’t a consideration, would we be crazy to stick with our original dates?

27 Dave { 07.30.11 at 4:05 pm }

Hi Catherine!

I’d change in a heartbeat.

Your earlier dates are among both the lowest crowd http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/29/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-3/ and also the lowest priced http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ times of the year!

28 Julie { 08.08.11 at 11:37 am }

We are planning our first Disney trip (2 adults 4 kids) from AZ. We originally scheduled a trip for Jan 2-8 w/ hopes of free dining (outside the free dates). Now free dining has come out & we have tentatively scheduled March 10-17. Which time frame would be more enjoyable w/ crowds & hours of operation?

29 Dave { 08.08.11 at 2:23 pm }

Hi Julie!

There’s a ton of kids on break the week of March 10, and I expect the crowds to be horrible–http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/11/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-spring-break-2012/

I’d stick with the January dates if the March week is the alternative…

30 Trudy { 09.09.11 at 1:05 pm }

I am about to head to Disney on Sept 22, 2010 for 4 days. This is my first trip with my children 4 and 2. They are so excited. I want to cry because hurricane season never occurred to me. Is it likely to be a total wash? Or pack a raincoat and we can still have fun (as long as no tornadoes, lightning storms, or tornadoes)?

31 Dave { 09.10.11 at 2:52 pm }

Hi Trudy! The odds are way on your side that there will be nothing to worry about! Hurricanes affect Orlando but very rarely and when they do it’s usually more like a bad storm… Baseball caps, ponchos, and umbrellas are the best gear. You can buy the ponchos on site….

32 Sadie { 11.03.11 at 1:55 pm }

We are planning on taking our 4 year old to Disney World for the 1st time this year and will be at Magic Kingdom on Sunday, November 27th since we heard that typically on Sundays the crowd is not that bad. Is this true? We are just going for the one day – Sunday.

33 Dave { 11.03.11 at 3:26 pm }

Hi Sadie! Sunday is actually the busiest day, followed by Monday and Saturday. Tuesday and Wednesdays are your best bet. That said, I don’t think the 27th will be too bad. There may be a bit of a hangover crowd in the morning from the last of the Thanksgiving visitors, but the rest of the day will be low-crowd.

34 Dionte { 11.11.11 at 2:20 pm }

Hello,

I am trying to plan a trip for me and my kids to go to Disney World 2012. What is the best time to go. I have a 8 year old and a 2 year old. This is the first time for all of us and we just want to explore as much as possible. I think a week would be a good time. I am trying to start planning and paying now.

Thanks in advance

35 Dave { 11.11.11 at 2:58 pm }

Hi Dionte!

See this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

36 Erika { 11.21.11 at 4:08 pm }

My husband and I are planning on going to Orlando to visit Disney World Feb 11-18. By reading forums, it seems that there might be some ride closures. Is this a bad time to go? What about January?

37 Dave { 11.21.11 at 5:31 pm }

Hi Erika!

There are often ride closures in Feb, but they are even more common in Jan. For the currently-known 2012 list, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/10/19/2012-disney-world-winter-ride-closures-beginning-to-clarify/

38 Brooke { 01.06.12 at 2:54 pm }

Hi!
We are thinking of taking our kids (3 and 6) for a short trip (not our first trip) on February 24-28 (visiting the parks the 25, 26, 27). Is this a bad idea? We are getting mixed feedback. We will be staying at a disney resort if we go, so any advice on parks is appreciated. Thanks!

39 Dave { 01.06.12 at 6:42 pm }

Hi Brooke–I think that will be a good time to visit! WIth kids that age, I’d focus pretty much just on the Magic Kingdom…

40 Tandy Solesky { 01.12.12 at 1:55 pm }

Hi Dave
We are planning on going to WDW the week of March 23-30th..We are staying off resort. Kids ages are 14, 12 and this is going to be our 3rd time at WDW. I have heard that the week we are planning to be there is horrible. We usually go early and leave in the afternoon and return in the evening hours. What parks do you suggest we go to on which days. Should we even be going at this time of the year? Any advice is greatly appreciated..Thx

41 Dave { 01.12.12 at 3:42 pm }

Hi Tandy! I would avoid that week if you can, but your approach will work OK. For the specifics, see this reply to Susana which covers almost the exact same dates: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/best-and-worst-times-to-visit/comment-page-18/#comment-24167

42 Jill { 01.17.12 at 7:17 pm }

Hey Dave-
We are heading to WDW for the first time with our 5 year old daughter from 2/12-2/17. By the time we get to our hotel from the airport, I’m thinking it will be around 10:30am. Which park do you suggest we visit for this 1/2 day? Thank you!!!

43 Dave { 01.17.12 at 7:53 pm }

Hi Jill!

I always advise Epcot first, if it fits–it’s the least interesting to little kids (but often the most interesting for parents…) so doing it first means it doesn’t have to meet the expectations set by other parks, and especially by the Magic Kingdom, which at her age could be the only park you go to… There’s not a lot at Epcot a 5 year old will thrill to–see the image on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/

Suggest you go there, do some stuff, come back for a nap in your room when it’s available, eat at your hotel, and return for Illuminations. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/12/review-illuminations-at-epcot/

44 jason { 01.19.12 at 8:23 pm }

My family is going to Disney World the week of April 21st. We wanted to stay in the pop century resort but it is already booked. Does that mean it might be more crowed than expected?

45 Dave { 01.20.12 at 8:13 am }

Hi Jason! See this response to Angela’s identical question: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/comment-page-26/#comment-24742

46 Catherine { 02.03.12 at 9:08 am }

We are planning a family vacation (3 Adults, 4 older children, & 1 Infant) May 21st through June 4th (we will be in Florida on those dates). We are trying to decide which days to go to Disney & which days to go to Universal Studio’s. We want to go to Disney World, but also want to see the Harry Potter section of Universal. We are also trying to decide if we should pay the extra for the park hopper or just stick to one park a day. Additionally, we can’t decide between a 10 day Disney ticket with the Water park package included or the Universal Flex pass which includes Sea World & Aquatica. We can’t do them all! Which would be the better option? We have pretty much decided to rent a townhouse at Windsor Hills Resort. Do you have any advice about that resort as well? We truly appreciate any advice you can send our way!!!

47 Dave { 02.03.12 at 10:30 am }

Hi Catherine!

First, I don’t know anything about the Windsor Hills, sorry.

Second, what I’d advise is a simpler apporach to ticketing–buy 6 day Disney tickets, no hopper, no waterparks and more.

Then, once you are there, and see the Disney parks, you can then add days, and/or hoppers, or waterpark options if you choose at no additional cost compared to buying them now (so long as you do so before the end of the last day of use of your tickets), or do some Universal etc time, or a combination of both.

In other words, you don’t have to make the decision now, and by putting it off, you’ll have much better information on which to make it.

If this makes sense, then let me know–and also let me know the ages of your kids–and I’ll advice you on which parks which days for the first part of your trip…

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