The very first thing you need to do when training for Disney World is to choose your dates. When you go to Disney really does matter.
Touring Plans has a great crowd calendar but unless you pay their $9 yearly fee, you can only see 30 days out. I did pay to join this site and I find it to be really helpful. They offer a money back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied. Also if you buy The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2010 which is only $11.69, you get a free year to Touring Plans.com.
You can also take a look at the 2010 rates for Disney resorts. Check out the prices. The slower times of the year will have the lower prices.
Also you can google ‘best times to go to Disney’ and come up with a lot of great articles. Here is one that I really like.
My husband really wants us to go when my daughter isn’t in school. Our school gets out on May 21st, so we plan to head straight to Disney. It isn’t the best time to go, but we will have our touring plan prepared ahead of time and it won’t be too bad. We went May 12th to May 20th last year and the longest line we stood in was for the bus and that wasn’t because the crowds were low!
If you sure aren’t positive when you want to go or if you want some feedback, you can leave a comment here or send me an email at CouponingtoDisney @ gmail.com.
{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Now…is the touring guide only applicable to Walt Disney World or does it work for Disneyland, too?
Oops…I just reread it and saw that it says Walt Disney World. Do you know if there is something for Disneyland?
I believe they have one for Disneyland as well.
I used to work at Disney and still go there frequently (we live 2 miles away) It used to be really slow during the first weeks in September because of school starting, but then Disney now does the free meal plan deal then. Last year it started in August and went to October, it made for some weird busy times. I love DISNEY! PS: Don’t forget to get your free Ghirardelli square at the store in Downtown Disney :)
We r going to Disney on the first week of this September. We will be leaving on Sept. 6th. Do you think that will be a real busy time? It is usually really hot in early September?
Yes it’s going to be hot. It won’t be incredibly busy, but being near Labor Day, it might be a little busy.
Hello Tracie. My family visited Disney during the 2nd week of Sept., 2008 and it was extremely hot. It was probably not as busy but the heat will make up for that.
I live in Florida and the BEST time to go to Disney is October, Nov, Jan, Feb, March and sometimes April — if it is not already too hot and crowded due to spring break. The other months are either too hot or too crowded, or both! Late September is sometimes okay if the weather is not 90 degrees or more! We are going again in mid-October (we were there in March) and it should be 80ish and still warm enough to swim. Yay!
Love this!!! I’m so excited that you are doing some “Disney Training” because I need it. My 2 1/2 year old come up to me a couple times a day and says “I want to go to Disney World”. Ha! I love it. I so cannot wait to take my boys to see Disney in real life.
We were thinking about going for a quick trip Martin Luther King weekend. Getting different feedback though on how busy the parks will be. Anyone go there that weekend? Just looking to go to Magic Kingdom one day and Animal Kingdom one day. Thanks!
We are HUGE Disney fans, we even joined the Disney Vacation Club two years ago. We love going and now we take our kids with us. It’s a totally different vacation with kids, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
A think that this website might be listed here, but it’s my all time favorite sight for all things Disney.
http://www.allears.net
Check it out for some great info. Type “traveling with a toddler” in the search field to get some great tips.
I’m SO excited that you are doing this! We are going in March for the first time (well, my 3rd, but kids’ and my hubby’s first and my first as an adult), and there is SO much to do to get ready! Just choosing a place to stay and making dining reservations took lots of research and several spreadsheets!
Well im clear across the country from disney world, but i talked my husband into takin our soon to be 3 year old daughter to disneyland for her 3rd birthday??.. we also have a 5 month old son!… is there any great deals you can share about the resorts or any must see’s, really anything on disneyland, as it will be a first for all 4 of us in my family going… my daughter turns 3 may 15th, so we were thinkin may 12th through the 20th!!!…
ps i love your blog, i read it countless times a day!!
The unoffical guide to disney book is a must for anyone going to disney. Instead of buying it I checked it out from the library and still got the free touring plans.com.
Those touring plans really helped. I was there at one of the busiest weekends of the year…and didn’t wait more than 10 min for anything the whole week.
I agree. It is one of my favorite planning books.
I would love some advice. Planning to go in September for son’s 5th bday and Hubby and I are also celebrating 10th wedding anniv.. Have been before. Advice on dinning plan, (worth it or not), where to stay (looking at pop or Carribean beach) best week in Sept.?
Hi , we stayed at the carribean beach last year and really liked it , it was worth the extra money – the pool area was GREAT ! so was the food court , the room decor was ok , we were used to the more upscale Beach Club , so we down scaled this last time and I was so happy that we did decide to pay the extra to stay at Carribean Beach instead of a value resort. If you decide to stay there , ask to be at martinque- and request to be close to the main house ( can’t think of name ) where the food court is , otherwise can be a long walk , also ask to be facing the parking lot , it can make an extra long walk if you’re tucked back in towards the back . Have a great time !!! :)
We love the Dining Plan, and you may luck out and get free dining in September. Keep your eyes open for the promo code for the Free Dining, it is usually released in the spring. Our son NEEDS three meals a day, so the Dining Plan really works for us. We are booked, on a free dining bounce back, for 9/1 thru 9/11. We have paid for the upgrade to the Deluxe Plan, which is 3 meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug per person. There are so many different options for the Dining Plan, there is sure to be one to fit your family. The quick service plan is least expensive, and offers only counter service credits. The traditional dining plan is one counter service and one sit down meal per person per night. Again, it really depends on your family,and your eating habits, but we think the Dining Plan is the bomb!
Great tips Kristen and don’t forget if you subscribe to the allears.net news letter you can gt a code for a % off the touringplans.com fee.
Late May really isn’t a bad time to go. We’ve been to WDW at that time for the past 2 years, and while crowds were up, they were certainly bearable. Definitely use the crowd calendar at touringplans. And check out my site for other money- and time-saving tips: http://www.affordingthemouse.com.
Anna – I’ll do my very best to incorporate Disneyland into this, but I’ve never been to Disneyland. I do have a friend that lives in Cali so I will consult her for tips and stuff. :)
We are going for a Gymnastics meet. unfortunately it’s over July 4th. I’m still looking forward to the trip.
We just got back from Disney at Christmas…it was so awsome with the parades & lights but it was also the busiest time of year. We found that if we went first thing in the morning we didn’t wait. We planned which rides we wanted to see and headed straight for those. We also then went back after 8 and again, way less people. My husband & daughter rode splash mountain twice in 30 minutes!
We’re planning on going Nov. 29 – Dec. 9, have any thoughts, tips for these dates?? Also, when do the Christmas lights and all start?? Anyone know?
Teresa – Those are great dates to go! I believe the Christmas lights go up in early November. Definitely up and in full swing when you plan to go.
I am with her. We are going the week after you. Anytime after Thanksgiving and before Christmas are great dates. We go this time every year and love it.
Does anyone have any tips on what you tell the school when you take your kids out for vacation? Our school makes a big deal about it and I know its because when they miss the school doesn’t get paid….just not sure if I should say its because of vacation or should I just do what I want.
Our school has been great in this situation. Our children are required to write, draw, journal, photo journal etc. to tell about their trip. The children love it!! They get to share with their class and with the principal upon returning to school.
I understand where you are coming from here, but you prob better tell them your taking vacation, otherwise they’ll just find out that you lied when you return & all your kids wanna do is tell anyone who will listen about their awesome vacation :o) I hate dealing with gripey staff, but kids do tell all, lol.
Disney is open every day of the year, and people go every day of the year. When you go, I think, has more to do with what your family needs are. If you can only go in May, then that’s the best time to go and your goal should be to maximize the experience. If you are there during a time that is exceedingly busy — yes, there are days that the parks are full and will close to additional guest! — then take that in to consideration and plan accordingly.
Preparedness is key, as is flexibility. If you’re not a flexible person, then be honest with yourself and your family. If you have a child with a sensory or spectrum disorder that can not do crowds well, then do what you can to adjust your travel dates so your entire family has a memorable experience. If you don’t like heat, but can only go in August be prepared and plan for an optimal experience by going early in the day and late in the evening.
Every day can be a Magical Day when you are at Disney!
Anna, Disneyland is a completely different experience. Touring at Disneyland is very different, as are the decisions about hotels, dining, transportation, and time of year nuances. The Disneyland thread at http://www.disboards.com would be a great place to start. I’ve been to Disneyland over 1,000 times, having grown up with an Annual Pass. And even though I don’t live in So. Cal anymore I still have an AP and go as often as I can. The experiences between WDW and DL are very different, but both can be the trip of a lifetime!
We plan to go January 24th, it is my son’s 4th Birthday. Is that a good time to go?
it can be chilly then but the crowds are less and the prices can be better
Thanks so much for your site. I haven’t been to Disney in probably 10 years or longer! My daughter wants to go for her 4th birthday this October (the second weekend) and I have no idea where to begin! Hopefully I can get some great tips from your site! Thanks so much for all the info!
We are planning to go there Dec. 25-30> It will be the first time for the 4 of us (2 adults and 2 kids). Is that a good time>
Well…………… it is the most magical time at Disney but it is also the busiest. Make sure you get up early and get to the parks at least 45 minutes to an hour before they open so you can ride the popular rides. :)
I’m so exited about this section of your blog its my goal this year to be able to get my family to disney world this year!
Another good time to go is the two weeks before Christmas. It is the slow season for them and all the Christmas decor is up. I have been going to disney every year while growing up, sometimes twice a year. I then lived behind the Magic Kingdom for three years and work on Downtown Disney. The busy Christmas season starts around December 16. We will be going Nov27-Dec3 this year.
I saw that if you buy The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2010 you will get a free year to Touring Plans.com. Is this offer also available if I buy The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2011?
yes i have 10 grand kids and i would love to take them to wdw do you have any ideas good place to stay plus 7 adults. that not going to breaks us.pluse do you know if you can make a payment plan. is the first part of april very busy?
I just found this site., so I know it is probably too late. but check out http://www.vrbo.com or http://www.bookit.com. we got a 5 bedroom 4 bath home with its own pool for $1200.00/wk. Much nicer than being crowded in a hotel room. we have 4 kids and 4 adults going
Hi! We are taking our two girls the first week in January, 2012. We are so excited! Does anyone have any experience with how crowded the parks are during that time or if the Christmas decorations will still be up? Thanks!
i’m sorry, but this page does not help me out at all! can’t you list the best dates “when to go!”. i think listing sites that you have to pay for makes this page useless. using the comments does not help me to decide when to go to the park.
Can you please re-do this page and list a few dates for the best travel?
thank you
k
I used to work at Disney, and from experience, I can tell you the best times to go would be Jan/Feb, April/May, or anytime from the beginning of September through Thanksgiving. Those were the slowest times, although it may be a little more crowded around Labor Day and Memorial Day! :) Hope that helps a little!!!
Have you ever heard of room discounts? Duh huh. Check out Mouse Savers – this site is the absolute best if you really want to save and have the best experience. Room discounts can be as much as 40%. Don’t waste your time here on this site. mousesaver.com makes this site look like a child wrote it.
What are the Star Wars Weekends like? My hubby wants to take our son specifically during that time because he would love it but I wasn’t sure about crowds.
I’m curious as well about the Star Wars weekends and if we go during a week in June if we’d get the same “Star Wars” experiences, especially the Jedi Training, which I know is first come first served now. Also, how hot and crowded would it typically be in June.
Star Wars Weekends are at Hollywood Studios and if you are a Star Wars Fan, worth it to go. We have gone the past 2 years during a May weekend (this year, the weekend Star Tours re-opened). It is busier than the rest of the week at Hollywood, but well worth it. The biggest difference in the “weekend” and any other time is that there are characters roaming and signing autographs, and they have special guest speakers.
I can’t answer how hot/crowded it is in June…we only go on a weekend when school is still in session and there are no holidays.
Star Tours is SOOOO worth the trip to Hollywood! There are multiple scenarios, so make sure you ride it a few times! Chances are, the ride will be different each time! And definitely ride it until you get the “underwater” experience”!
My other bit of advice…as soon as you get to Hollywood, go grab a fast-pass for Toy Story Mania. They go quickly and the line is THE longest! Some of the others, if possible, grab the fast pass and then actually wait in line. Your fast-pass will usually be available as soon as you get off the ride and you can get right back on. Also…use the single rider line if possible on the roller coasters at the parks!
My FH and I are having our wedding in late October and were wondering how busy the parks should be for all our guests then.
P.S. Your blog is absolutely amazing! I read it all the time. Thank you for all the wonderful information!
Just discovered this site and love it. Exactly what I was looking for. We were thinking of going to WDW Sat-Tue before Thanksgiving. Do you think it will still be really crowded since it is the weekend prior to Thanksgiving weekend?
We went that weekend before Thanksgiving in 2007 and there were no lines at all. The perfect time to go, in my opinion!
A friend of mine turned me on to your webesite a few weeks ago and I find myself checking your website several times a day! I addicted!!
I am planning a surpirse trip to WDW for my husband and two girls ages 5 and 7 and want to attend the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party. Any suggestions on when to go and and good tips? Thanks!
We went last year to WDW, 7 days before Christmas…and it was great…magical. We did Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas…my advise…do it on a weekday night if it all possible. They only have it limited nights and not every night…but we could only get tickets for Friday night and it was the most packed, longest lines of our entire 8 day trip. Personally we regretted spending over $200 for our additional tickets for it. We were season pass holders and paid the addl for it. The musical/shows are nice and the free hot cocoa and cookies is a “sweet” touch…but we preferred the less crowded nights and the Christmas parades were awesome every night. And just the lines to get into the park where soooo long and took us almost an hour just to get in. If you are only doing Disney at Christmas this time and won’t be back for years to come, I would still go to MVMC…just try hard to go during the week.
My husband and I are taking our four children to WDW for Christmas this year. Ages at time of travel will be: 7, 5, 3, 2. This will be their first time and it’ll be our first Christmas with all of them being officially ours as they’re adopted. We’ll be there 12/24/2011-1/1/2012. I would love any and all tips, suggestions, and input on our trip. Also, I would love any and all tips, advice, suggestions for stretching our dollar and getting the most out of our time in WDW.
That week is crazy week in Orlando, from my personal experience. I live in Central FL now also. But it is really cool at Disney during Christmas. We always enjoy shopping/looking around at Downtown Disney too. Lots of great photo opportunities. It will be busy, but fun, with patience. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is fun and you can go as early as 4pm with that evening ticket (separate from regular park admission). I always liked it because they are supposed to limit the number of people they let in, but it got busier the last time went. We took our daughter the first time at Christmas week when she was 9mos old!! Stayed out late too, but we all had fun. She is almost 13 now.
I can’t even begin to describe how inspiring your story/website is! My husband and I just had our first baby may 30th, memorial day. Throughout the entire pregnancy I dreamed up several vacations I wanted her to experience and sadly I had given up on disney ever being tangible. Then I came across your site (googling disney rewards codes) and literally started crying happy tass. I swear not all of those pregnancy hormones have left yet. I now strongly believe I can save enough or coupon to disney in time for her 2nd birthday. Is the first week of April usually a good time? Is a year and 10 months too soon to start planning?? Thanks!!
We are going on our 1st family vacation to Disney World in 19 days! Can’t wait! We have 3 children, 7, 4 and 4…they don’t know about it, as its a surprise to celebrate all of their birthdays! Any tips on how to surprise tell them?
Thanks,
Michelle
Michelle – I believe you can pickup birthday badges for everyone and you’ll get extra special treatment all day for the kids. Maybe you could arrange something special at a character breakfast too? I copied this from another posting:
“Each of the four major Disney parks has a free birthday button available at Guest Relations inside the park. Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom have unique button designs, while Disney-MGM Studios hands out Magic Kingdom’s buttons. Once you’ve got the button, be sure he/she wears it! Cast members will shout out birthday greetings as you travel through the park. She/he may even get special treatment — at Restaurant Akershus in Epcot, my Mom was surprised by our server with a huge birthday cake and a Magic Moment certificate! “
We’re going to WDW 3rd week of April 2012 (4/21-28)
How big of a crowd should we expect?
We are planning on going for my daughters 2nd birthday her birthday is October 1st so either that weekend or the next, hoping the weather will be perfect and hopefully not too big of a crowd.
We’ve been going to Disney World either the 1st or 2nd week of November for years. I suggest it to anyone I know who’s interested in WDW. Prices in the whole area are super low because it’s “off season”. It’s a great time of year to take your vacation at work instead of taking a few days at Thanksgiving. (It’s good to relax BEFORE the relatives arrive!). Rental cars and airlines are also very inexpensive this time of year.
Weather is lovely…not hot, not cold. Maybe 80F during the day.
The lines at rides and restaurants are non-existent! Even in the true “Magic Kingdom” for the kids, lines are super short. AND…the Christmas decorations are up by about November 5.
We usually stay at a rented condo or timeshare nearby…full kitchen makes it easy to just have normal breakfasts “at home” before heading out (with a packed lunch or at least snacks) to WDW or Universal.
TENATIVE DISNEY FIRST TIMER HERE… THINKING FEB/MARCH 2012.. ANY TIPS/INSIGHT WOULD BE AWESOME SINCE I AM CLULESS WITH THE PLANNING.. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THE DINING PLAN IS ACTIVE THESE MONTHS?
I’m reading the posts and I have been planning Disney for 2 years now. I was going to pay over $5,000 for a week at the second cheapest resort. I have no clue what I am doing wrong. P.S. Can I book a year in advance and who or what website is everyone using????? I want in on this….LOL!!!
Skip touring plans and save your ten bucks. Use the crowd calendar at http://www.easywdw.com
I AM PLANNING TO TAKE MY 5 YR OLD PRINCESS TO WDW… AND I HAVE BEEN LOOKING THROUGH PACKAGES AND I STILL HAVE NO FOUND ON TO FIT MY NEEDS… IT’S BECAUSE ONLY THE TWO OF US ARE GOING… A LOT OF THE PACKAGES OFFER EXCELLENT DISCOUNTS TO GROUPS OF FOUR OR MORE… WHERE CAN I LOOK TO FIND REASONABLE PRICES/DISCOUNTS ON JUS 1 ADULT AND 1 CHILD…
We try to go every 2 years. We find that going just a couple to a few days after Thanks Giving is best. It is never crowded for us.
In 2009, Our daughter go married there, or, well down the street that is and we stayed at DW. We got 3 rooms at the All Star Sports. The night before we were to leave, DW called us and ended up putting us in the Yacht Club Resort for nothing more than what we paid for the All Star Sports ($68.00/night, Military Disc) We were so excited and it was an awesome stay.
Love DW, even better than DL…Can’t wait to go back again and again. :D
Go in mid December. We went at this time and the longest line was for space mountain (The most popular attraction) and it was only ten minutes. It was like this in all the parts. Look up Disney Crowd chart in Google and you will find that this is the week that Disney is dead. You will also be there for all Christmas parades, magic hours and mickeys very merry Christmas party. Even Cinderellas castle is decorated in lights! It really is amazing and well worth the money. You must stay in a resort in order to get the best benefits. You get magic hours, and free transportation. It is also perfect temperature to be in the heated pools and hot tubs! The meal plan is also a must do! It may seem expensive but it will save you a lot of money in the long run and its more food than you can eat. Make sure to share plans among kids and grandparents. Good luck and have a Magical Time!!! :)