Hi there, Sheila! Thanks for bringing such a great planning question to planDisney! While there is SO much to enjoy at the Walt Disney World Resort, there are two things that many Guests try to avoid – crowds and heat! I’m happy to share a few planning tips that I’ve found helpful over the years!
The best “rule” to follow, regarding crowds, is that if schools are “out of session” the Walt Disney World Resort is likely to be more crowded. Conversely, when schools are “in session” the Walt Disney World Resort tends to be less crowded. I have found the following time periods to be the least crowded a) mid-August through mid-September, b) the week right after Thanksgiving, and c) the first few weeks in January after the holidays are over.
The Disney Parks tend to be most popular (and crowded) during a) the summer months, b) Thanksgiving week, c) the weeks leading up to Christmas, d) and the week of Christmas through New Year’s Eve, and e) spring break (and Easter).
My wife and I both work in education. We also have three sons attending school, so it is difficult for us to visit the Walt Disney World Resort during the non-crowded times. We have found that early mornings (arrive just prior to park opening) and late nights (up until park closing time) are the least crowded times in the Disney Parks. As a result, we begin our days early at the parks. We then head back to our hotel around 11:00 to enjoy the afternoon at the pool or in the resort (taking a nap). Then we head back to the parks in the evening and stay until park closing time.
We also try to take advantage of the resort hotels that offer the
Early Theme Park Entry benefit and the
Extended Evening Theme Park Hours benefit! These tend to be less crowded times in the Disney Parks. The Early Theme Park Entry benefit is available to Guests of all Disney Resort Hotels! The Extended Evening Theme Park Hours benefit is available to Guests staying in deluxe Disney Resort Hotels!
I hope these planning tips are helpful! Come on back to planDisney if we can be of any further assistance as you dream of your Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Happy Planning!
Jonathan