Hi Sally!
I am excited that you are planning a family vacation to
Walt Disney World and happy you have stopped by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question. This is something that all of us wonder about and wish we had a definite answer for. It is really tough to predict how many people will be there at certain times of year. There are so many things that influence crowds--special events, the opening of new
Rides and Attractions, Special Offers, and more. One thing, though, that seems to be consistently true is that crowds usually coincide with school holidays. When school is in session, numbers seem to be lower. When school is out, the numbers are usually higher. This is not always the case, of course, but it is a good rule of thumb to go by. When planning a Walt Disney World vacation for my family, I try my best to pick days that are as far away from big holidays as possible. We don't always have the flexibility to come at specific times of year, but when we do, this is how I choose our dates.
I hope this helps. We at the Disney Parks Moms Panel love helping Guests plan their magical Walt Disney World vacations so please come back if we can do anything else.
Have a wonderful day!
-Nancy-