When is the best time to take a trip to Disney World?

Question

The least crowded times?
is it cheaper to go at an off peak season or the same amount no matter what?
I haven't been there since I was a small child myself so I feel so over whelmed..I don't know where to even begin..any ideas or suggestions would be great!!

Thank you!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

The cheapest (and less crowded) times to go is during Disney's 'value season'. That time includes January, beginning of February, end of August, September, and from after Thanksgiving to mid-December.

I prefer to stay on Disney property. As to which place, first determine your budget. For value resorts I like Pop Century. With a moderate, you get a little bigger room, swimming pools with slides, and a mini-fridge in the room. My favorite is Port Orleans French Quarter. For a little more, you can get the Fort Widerness Cabins. They have a full kitchen, one bedroom, sleep up to 6, and are in close proximity to Magic Kingdom. All deluxes and villas are really nice. I would pick them based on location and the decor that appeals to you.

Whatever place you pick, never pay rack rates. Disney always has some deal going. Right now they have their 5/2, 4/3 offer. Pay for 5 nights at a value resort, get to free; or pay for 4 nights at a moderate (or better) and get 3 free. This is a huge cost savings. The deal runs for vacation dates through 3/27/2010. You must book by 12/20. Around the 20th they will probably announce their next deal. Last year they extended the 4/3 through August. In September for the last few years have have offered a free dining plan deal. For current deals, go to the Disney website and click 'special offers' in the upper right.

Another cash saver in 2010: 'Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.' If you sign up and volunteer at a participating agency, you get a voucher for a free 1-day Disney ticket. Offer starts Jan 1 and there are more details on the website.

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Asker's Comment:

Thank you for all your information! It is really helpful!

Answer 2

Definitely the off season. We are planning a trip in the off season and ticket prices are better and the availability of the type of room we want. Several families I know all say the same thing. Hope this helps you out. Happy planning!! Go on their website and they will send you a planning DVD. Also consider a travel agency because they do all the hard work and get you exactly what you want, maybe even some deals. And they do it all at a very low price.

Answer 3

Spring time is definitely the time to go. The weather is awesome but even better it is less crowded. It is cheaper as far as hotel/resort rates go but not park prices.

Depending on how long you will be staying, it may be beneficial to you to get an annual pass. If you are staying a week or more definitely you should buy that (it includes discounts for food/ certain shops and has perks.) You can plan another trip for next year and not pay for tickets again. They are running a deal for FL resident annual passes now- they will give you 3 free months.

Answer 4

Depends on what all you want to be able to do. If going to water parks is important to you, then I would go during the summer.....late summer/early autumn if you can. If you want to see it when its all decorated for Christmas, but don't want to put up with the crowds, go the week after Thanksgiving (this is my personal choice). The weather is seasonable, the park is decorated all pretty for the holidays, the crowds are gone because all the kids have gone back to school, in my humble opinion its the best time to go.

In general, take a look at your child's school schedule, when they are in school is the best time to go (sad but true). Whenever kids are out of school is when it gets really crowded.

Answer 5

We went at the beginning of May. Every single ride was walk on. We didn't have any waits. When we went to Universal Studios, we found we had much longer waits that Disney. Animal Kingdom had longer waits than Magic Kingdom.
Definitely go on an off season. The rates for the parks won't be cheaper but the hotels will be. We stayed at the Nick Hotel so our kids got the best of both worlds. Nickelodeon and Disney in one. It was like 3 miles from Disney World- it was completely *all about the kids* and had loads of activities. The pools are excellent. In my opinion, with young kids it was a better deal than a moderate hotel on disney property.

Answer 6

For adults the best time to go is mid October- mid November. They have special adult activities then.

Early December is a great time to go as its less busy and most people go during holiday times when kids are out of school. The cost to get into the park is the same regardless but motels can be cheaper.

Answer 7

We went to Disney Word on Labor Day 2009. It was just perfect. The longest wait for for that Peter Pan ride (cannot remember the name) and that was maybe 15 minutes. The rest of the rides were not even five minute waits. If I was planning another visit, I would make it during Labor day week.

Answer 8

i wouldnt know about price but i would certainly suggest not going during a holiday, we usually dont schedule vacations during the holidays but we did on the 4th of July and it was pure chaos, beyond normal, we will never go on a holiday again

Answer 9

We went in April. It was so crowded that I was having panic attacks. I do not recommend going in April.