We made the mistake of going during Christmas vacation...and we hated it because it was impossible to go on a ride. Waiting for one ride took a good chunk of our day.
I really want to go back, because I know I'd love it if it wasn't as insanely crowded.
I've heard of people going during the slow times, saying that they hardly had any wait time for rides and that the park felt so spacious with so few people. When are these 'magical' times?
kptoys
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
I was there Jan 11th and there was no one there!!! We had no lines!! It was fabulous!
I think the 2nd week in Jan thru the end of Jan are pretty free. I know there are others but thats the one I know about.
dandj
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
I went the end of January too... and it was empty. No lines for Space Mountain, not a lot of kids, and the weather was in the 70's.
Ophelia42
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
It isn't 'dead' but October is a really good time to go (as long as you avoid Columbus day weekend) - there aren't a LOT of crowds, and the food & wine festival is going on at epcot - they have booths of SUPER good food (little servings, so you walk around the world showcase having tastes of everything for dinner)
Oh and the weather is beautiful (it's after hurricane season, but before the times when it can get cool - while I don't think it gets too cool in the winter, I know I've seen pictures of parades where people are wearing winter coats in the winter time)
Oh and also, make sure you use fastpass - it's free, so if a ride has a line, look at what time the fastpass time is. For the most part, our fastpass times were about an hour away - so we'd grab a fastpass for one ride, wait on line for another, and then get right on the first ride. (Or for one we really liked, we'd grab a fast pass, get on the line, and as soon as we were off the ride, we could usually ride again right away with no line!)
KarenK122
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
As people have said the end of January is a great time to go...usually very empty. We also like going the first week of December because the xmas lights are all up and it's still pretty slow.
ChristineC68
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
We have lucked out here - we have been there in the middle of May and the end of September and both times there were hardly any lines and wonderful weather. The weekend days were more crowded but we literally walked onto quite a few rides with little or no wait. Rides like space mountain, tower of terror, etc.
marymoon
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
October and novmebr are slow, between thanksgivng and christmas (excludig the tiem immediately around the holidays) is the slowest, they say, and I've been there twice in january. avoid the first week like the plaguie...2nd and 3rd week are heaven. Longets time waiting on line was 15 minutes (we did use fast pass though!)!
Deb_n_Rob
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
I've gone the week after Thanksgiving. It was wonderful. No lines, the park was decorated for Christmas. The weather was in the high 70s low 80s. I'd go again then but I teach. I have to go when the rest of the world goes or I'd have to brave the hot summer days.
verdila
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
Well I can tell you not to go in July or August. That is when my parents took us every yr when I was a kid. It was VERY hot and crowded - lines everywhere, though I hear the new line system is better. We stayed at the Polynesian (in Disney) a few times and that was great from what I remember...
I would say anytime that kids are in school is the best time. May sounds like a great time.
jfabbride
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
We went at the end of August...grant it was hot, but I don't mind that. It wasn't really crowded and there were very few lines. If you can bare a little heat I think this is the best time to go!
Xelindrya
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
We're honeymooning there.
The last weekend of Oct and first week of Nov.
They say no one likes to travel so close to the holidays so it gets slower.. BUT we are gonna be there for Halloween weekend. That should be interesting and I'm sure the 'locals' will come out to play.
Cindy
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
When you know mosts schools are open, that is the best time to go. I was just there a few weeks back. It was the Florida spring break for kids and it was crowded.
dgtlsunshine
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
We went there in March one year and it was a good time to go. Not a lot of kids b/c they are in school.
Kathy116
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
Thank you so much ladies!!! I really want to go back, but I'll never go again during a Peak time of the year.
However, is it true that during the 'slower' times (end of Nov., beginning of Dec), a number rides are shut down for refurbishment?
Ophelia42
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
Sometimes, but they don't usually close too many rides at once.
When I was there last october, Big thunder mountain railroad was closed, and Tower Of Terror one side of the ride was closed (there are two sides) - I think for one or two weeks TOT was completely shut down, but that's it.
Those were the only 'big ones' that were closed.
marymoon
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
This is true, but actually, they're shut down in the summer too, sometimes..
When I went in January 2003
The TImekeeor and the Carrousel of Progress were not open (they were only oen during the busy season before alein encounter closed)
IN january there's only one waterpark open (changes every year).
Other than that..what was closed? I don't remember there being anything closed that I wanted to go on. Ride refurbs are quick..and it'll reall be ONE ride...oh this past january the backlot tour was closed for refurb..and this summer it's a small world will be closed. They really cycle it. It'll be like one major ride, if that. and that jhappens in summer too. Right now, a bunch of things are closed for changes and budget. Alien Encounter is closed for a transformation to a Stitch ride. The Land PAviliion at Epcot is closed indefinitely due to budget restraints. But honestly, I've gone in january, coldest, least crowded time, and hardly anything was closed, just what I mentioned. I didn't notice it at all. There's so much to do at WDW that you can't see everything anyway..and it's not like everything's closed..plus it's SO worth it to go when it's not busy. We rode Splash Mountain 3x in a row without getting out of the car. They just let you stay on rides if there's no line and the longest we waited was 15 minutes for a regular ride (we did need fastpass for super headliners), and we waited about 35 minutes for Dumbo, which loads slowly, and usually takes 2 hours to get on. Long story short, off seson is awesome, and you don't have to worry about rides closng down...they don't close at a mch higher rate than normal season. The only thing is':
the parks are open for fewer hours (BUT you don't need as many hours to see everything, so it's fine)
Spectromagic is only done twice a week.
That's about it!
ChristineC68
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
Disney.com lists the rides that are closed on their annoucement page. I think the Pirates of the Caribbean or another one like that is closed this summer. Carousel of Progress has been closed for a while (or the last three times we have been there from 9/02 - 6/03).
FYI - We were there in December 2002 & it was in the 30's & 40's in the morning and evening. Of course weather is always chancy.
Imagin916
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
I would skip the summer..that is sure to be crowded, spring break time is no good, and of course christmas. Anytime where there are no school vacations should be a good time to go! Remember the kids get out of school in the south like the 2nd week in May, so even if you go then, its likely to be crowded. I agree with another poster, January or Feb (except during presidents week) should be a good time to go!
wc0143
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
My brother & family just got back - they went last week (Massachusetts school vacation) and he said it was pretty 'roomy'.
We've been all different times - NEVER go Thanksgiving weekend - you'll want to kill yourself.
We'll be there a week from today!!!
wc0143
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Re: Speaking of Disney, when is the best time to go?
Posted by Xelindrya
We're honeymooning there.
The last weekend of Oct and first week of Nov.
They say no one likes to travel so close to the holidays so it gets slower.. BUT we are gonna be there for Halloween weekend. That should be interesting and I'm sure the 'locals' will come out to play.
OHMIGOD!! Being there for Halloween is GREAT!! (We've been several times) Definitely get tickets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party!!!!
