Please help me with time to go to Disney

FH and I were planning to go to Disney Nov 25-30, figuring it wouldn't be busy, but now I'm thinking Thanksgiving weekend may be VERY crowded. Has anyone gone this time of year? Will it clear up after the weekeend or will it remain crowded all week?

Thanks!

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

I think you might luck out with not too bad crowds. Disney's holiday premium prices for character dining ends on the 24th which makes me think they are not going to be very crowded.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Thanksgiving weekend is busy. It's when all the holiday stuff starts going out, kids are all out of school and the end of one of their big festivals

If you can wait until the following weekend, I would suggest going then.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

We were there for thanksgiving last year and it was packed!!! not sure about after that weekend, but i would imagine it clears out some. We were there for a few days before Thanksgiving and it was much less crowded, so I would think it would be about the same.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

After the 24th it's "value season" on the hotel rooms, so I guess it can't be TOO crowded. We were thinking of flying down on Sunday, so maybe we'd only have one day with the crowds. The problem is the next weekend is my mom's birthday and then after that I feel it cuts it too close to Christmas. I'm used to going in January with NO crowds (walk on to space mountain)... although once we went a little too earl and stull had some of the christmas crowd, but it died down after a few days, I'm hoping that will happen.

I'm a little disappiointed in AP rates. last time I had an AP it was $46 for a value and $74 for a moderate. Now it's $59 for a value and $109 for a moderate during value season. With that, you don't get a lot of savings on the "value" resorts and the moderates are not really in my affordable range.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

From Mousesavers.com:

The best times to go to Walt Disney World are:

Mid-November and mid-December. The weather is usually cool but pleasant, the Christmas decorations are up, special events are running, and the parks are usually pretty uncrowded. The first week of December used to be a good time, but various events during that time now cause crowds.

Second week of January through mid-February. It's cool (sometimes even a bit cold) at this time of year. This is one of the least busy times of year and hotel prices are lower. However, usually some rides will be closed for refurbishment at this time of year. The first week of January can be busy due to extended holiday vacations and the Walt Disney World Marathon. Avoid any holiday weekends.

Entire month of May. The weather is warm in May, but usually not unbearably so. Crowds and hotel prices are moderate.

Late August and entire month of September (even Labor Day weekend). It will be extremely hot, and this is peak hurricane season. Plan on taking afternoons off and visiting water parks. Crowds are low. Off-site hotels usually have their rock-bottom deals during this period, and Disney has offered "free dining" packages in this time frame each year since 2005.

During special events that interest you. Bear in mind that events held on major holidays usually attract significant crowds, however.

The worst times to visit Walt Disney World are:

December 26-31. This is the most crowded and most expensive time of year.

Mid-February through mid-April (or later, depending on the date of Easter), especially holiday weekends including President's Day and Easter. Expect huge crowds, high resort prices and expensive airfares, but usually very nice weather.

Midsummer (June through early August). Expect it to be very busy and extremely hot. To maximize your experience, plan on hitting the parks first thing in the morning. After lunch, take an afternoon break, then return to the park in the late afternoon/early evening. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm is the hottest part of the day and ironically the most crowded, too.

Other holidays. Among the other busy time periods are Thanksgiving week and any national holiday with a 3-day weekend (except Labor Day weekend).
During special events. Some don't create a lot of crowds, but some do.

Click here to see a detailed list of the most expensive and most crowded periods for 2008.

Some less-known events that may affect crowds, park hours and/or traffic at Walt Disney World:

Cheerleeding/Twirl/Dance Competitions - Various dates each year, usually January-March. These usually don't have a lot of impact on the in-park crowds. The issue is that the Value resorts (All-Stars and Pop Century) play host to hordes of girls who can be extremely loud -- so you may want to avoid those resorts during competitions. Some of the competitions include College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championships (January 18-20, 2008), National Dance Team Championship (February 1-3, 2008), National High School Cheerleading Championship (February 8-10, 2008), Twirlmania (February 15-18, 2008), Cheer & Dance National Championships (February 23-24 and February 29-March 2, 2008) and National All Star Cheerleading Championship (March 7-9, 2008). Some of these events take place at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular in Disney-MGM Studios, so that attraction might be closed on some of the dates listed above.

Mardi Gras Week. February or March (varies annually: February 5, 2008; February 24, 2009). Many New Orleans schools have all or part of this week off, so families leave town the weekend before the holiday and head to Disney World in droves.

Grad Nites - Usually the last two weekends of April. (2008 dates: April 18, 19, 25, 26) Private parties for graduating high school seniors are held from 10:00 pm through 4:00 am at the Magic Kingdom. The park closes to the public at about 6:00 pm. From 8:00 pm on, avoid the area around the Magic Kingdom as hordes of buses will tie up traffic for hours. Also, be aware that some resort guest rooms facing the Magic Kingdom may be affected by amplified music coming from the park until 4:00 am. If you're staying at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts on a Grad Night, you may want to ask for a room on the opposite side from the park.
Gay Days. First week of June (2008 dates: June 3-9). Visit GayDays.com and OneMightyWeekend.com for more info about the two organized events. At most, only one park per day will be more crowded than normal; often there is no discernable effect on crowds.

"Jersey Week" - Usually the first or second week of November. The New Jersey schools have a teachers' convention (upcoming convention dates: November 8-10, 2007; November 6-8, 2008). Lots of people pull their kids out of school for the whole week and add on the weekend before and/or after, taking this opportunity to go to Disney World in the "off season." New Jersey is the single biggest market for Walt Disney World -- you do the math!

ABC's Very Merry Christmas Day Parade footage is taped for about 3 days in Magic Kingdom, usually shortly after Thanksgiving (2006 dates: December 1-3). The exact dates aren't usually released until sometime in the fall. Unless you want to watch the production process, you may want to avoid Magic Kingdom on these days, because it really creates crowd problems. Also, on those days some shows or parades may be cancelled or rescheduled. The Christmas Day Parade is broadcast on ABC on December 25 each year.

Pop Warner Week - The Pop Warner Superbowl and National Cheer & Dance Championships are held at Disney World in early December (2007 dates: December 1-8). This may not affect crowds in the parks much, since the kids will be busy playing in the championship games, but the Value resorts and some of the Moderate resorts will be FULL of kids (both football players and cheerleaders). Expect a lot of noise if you stay there.

Message edited 9/7/2007 11:25:45 AM.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Also from Mousesavers.com:

Dates to Avoid
For 2007, it's pretty simple to see what dates to avoid if you don't want to pay through the nose. Just don't check in during Peak or Holiday season and you'll save a bundle.

For 2008, the situation has become much more complex, because on top of the regular seasons, Disney is designating certain weekends and holiday periods for even higher rates.

The periods to avoid in 2008 are listed below, roughly in order from outrageously expensive to very expensive:

Holiday Season (especially weekends) - December 19-31
Presidents Day - February 15-17
Easter Week - March 16-27
Peak Season (especially weekends) - February 14 - March 29
Independence Day Weekend - July 4-5
Summer Season at the Value and Moderate resorts (especially weekends) - May 22 - August 2
Thanksgiving Weekend - November 26-29
Another good reason to avoid these time periods is that they are also the most crowded times of the year!

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

we went the first week of december and while there were lots of people there, i wouldn't call it packed. if you can wait a week, i recommend it.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

I go pretty much every year in either the end of October or second week of November. It is a wonderful time to go. THe weather is perfect and it is not crowded at all. The longest lines are usually at the Magic Kingdom and are no more then 1 1/2.

Message edited 9/7/2007 7:17:41 PM.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Thanksgiving time is INSANELY crowded.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

I go every year the week after thanksgiving, we actually go for thanksgiving but do not go to the park until after thanksgiving weekend. We always walk right on rides and the weather is beautiful warm during the day and cool at night and in the morning. We are going Nov21st-Dec2 this year.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

We went the very 1st week of January. No Crowds. BEAUTIFUL weather. Even better- the longest we waitied to get on a ride was 10 minutes.

If I ever go back- I will definately do so this time of year!!

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Yup it is pretty clear right after the weekend is over, we go that week every year because the weather is nice and the crowds are low. Also a hint someone gave me is to visit the park the day after they have evening magic hours because then it is not as crowded because everyone went the day before.

Re: Please help me with time to go to Disney

Go whenever your schedule allows. Everyone thought my family was crazy when we schedule our Disney vacation for July 4th weekend, but we did not find it crowded at all. We went when the park opened and rode on the popular rides first and fast passed the others. The longest we waited on line was 20 mins. Have fun!!