my disneyworld review

[asmom]

I love Disney. I've been going every 4 or 5 years ever since I was a little girl.

We went in June. As much as I love Magic Kingdom, it is starting to show its age. I predict a major overhaul of its facilities soon.

It rained. A lot. That was a mixed blessing because it kept the crowds down but a lot of the rides were shut down even after the rain stopped. Also it wasn't nearly as hot as I'd feared it would be.

We ended up using our Fast Pass only once. There were a couple of instances where we went to use our Fast Pass and the regular line was shorter, I kid you not. When Space Mountain reopened, we walked past a line that must have been a tenth of mile long outside of the ride itself and went in through the regular line and walked right up to the ride. That was insane. Same for Mine Train, we did not wait for very long at all, certainly not as long as if we'd used the Fast Pass although the difference wasn't as bad as Space Mountain. If people weren't so obsessed with using FP, they might have noticed.

The food is insanely expensive and not that tasty but that's pretty much par for the course for any amusement park.

As for the commercialism, I gotta admit that I love the Disney shops.

My kids are almost grown so we are not into the characters at all.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

When is peak and nonpeak seasons? Does it matter where you are froM?

[frugalredhead]

We've gone a couple of times now and both times we went in the beginning of February. You can't get me to go to Disney in the summer or on spring break if you paid me. That's how much I hate crowds of rude, oblivious people. Both years we went the 2ndweek of February. First year was awesome, second year was slightly more crowded because it was the week of Mardi Gras and apparently everyone is the state of Lousisiana comes to Disney that week. First thing we did for February 2015's trip was check and see when Mardi Gras was

Overall, the best times to go are January-February (avoiding MLK and President's Day weekends) and October/November. I also hear that the first 2 weeks of Dcember are very quiet there too.

For me, since my son is a good student, I will not hesitate to pull him out of school for a week to go to Disney when it is cheapest and less crowded, than to take him in the summer when it costs twice as much as you can't even enjoy yourself because it's 100 degrees and crowded.

We LOVE Disney and can't wait to go back, but I'm sure we would feel differently if we went during peak time!

[Like2Plan]

In general, if I had to pick the busiest times:

Between Christmas and New Years
The week before and the week after Easter
The 4th of July
Thanksgiving

Next busiest times:
spring break (starting with George Washington's Birthday 'til around a week after Easter)
summer time
3-Day weekend holidays

Next busiest times:
Special events such as
Food and Wine Festival
Flower and Garden
Marathon Weekends
Star Wars Weekends
and so on

You can guess when Disney is expecting lots of folks based on how late the Magic Kingdom is open (though--this is not good for long range planning because it can change). For example, if it closes at 2am--crowds exceeding capacity. If it closes at 7 or 8pm, not as crowded (assuming it is not closing for a special event like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party where I believe they close at 6pm).

One thing I have discovered, though, is during the periods where it isn't as crowded the ride capacity is generally reduced. For example, they may only be loading the ride from one side instead of two like they would be doing if it was really busy. So, even if you go during off times, you may not be able to walk right onto the rides. The slowest time I've ever been there was one time in late August--just prior to Labor Day weekend. (And it was blazing hot!)
September (after Labor Day weekend) is generally pretty quiet. The first couple weeks of December is generally a good time to go. Some parts of Jan (after the Christmas/NYE break is over, not during Marathon weekend or MLK holiday weekend)

Link to touring plans crowd estimates (I've never used one of these touring plans, but they try to come up with a plan that allows you to "Zig" when everyone else is "Zagging")

[disneysteve]

summer time

Early summer, yes, but later summer isn't bad. Many schools and colleges are back in session by mid-August. We've gone in August the past 5 or 6 years and will be leaving next Friday again. It's actually a pretty decent time to go as far as crowds are concerned.

[disneysteve]

Disney has done a really good job of reducing or eliminating an off-season. Promotions like "free" dining (which is far from free) have kept the parks crowded at times that traditionally have been slower in the past. They've also steadily extended the run of things like Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, the Halloween and Christmas parties (Halloween party now starts September 1!) to keep people coming at "off" times.

All of that said, it is still very feasible to enjoy yourself, see everything you want to see, and navigate the crowds but you really need to do your homework in advance. You can't just show up and expect to get on everything. Wdwinfo.com and Disboards.com are, in my opinion, the best sites out there for doing your research.

[Like2Plan]

Early summer, yes, but later summer isn't bad. Many schools and colleges are back in session by mid-August. We've gone in August the past 5 or 6 years and will be leaving next Friday again. It's actually a pretty decent time to go as far as crowds are concerned.

Yup--that is why I mentioned the slowest time we've ever gone was in August prior to Labor Day weekend. For the first couple of hours--it felt like it was just Mickey and us.

[Like2Plan]

We have been going to WDW for NYE the past several years. I wouldn't recommend it for a first time visit because they generally reach capacity during that time frame. When they reach capacity--it is beyond too many people IMHO. An example of the crazy wait times--I have seen posted standby times as long as 360mins on Test Track (which is located at EPCOT) on NYE.

But, that is the only time our son can join us due to his work schedule so we've developed strategies to cope with higher crowd levels crowds. An example of this--I love the NYE fireworks at the Magic Kingdom--but MK is a crush of people during NYE. So, we go to the MK on the 30th--when they have a dress rehearsal of the NYE fireworks (and believe or not on the 30th there is generally plenty of room to be able to watch Tinkerbelle fly and the awesome fireworks). EPCOT is usually our favorite NYE park because it is easier to move about and they usually have entertains set up at various spots.

We use FPes--magic bands have actually made it easier to plan a 3-4 hour stretch in the park. We supplement our FP rides with rides that load large numbers of people at a time--some examples of this are The Hall of Presidents, Mickey's Philharmagic, Carousel of Progress, Liberty Belle (paddle boat), the Train, WEDway People mover, et'c. But, if there is a long wait, we skip the attraction. ( We also park hop as needed. )

If the crowds aren't too crazy and if we have younger ones with us (that don't take naps), we like to go over to Tom Sawyer's Island in the afternoons. It is generally less crowded (than everywhere else in the park) and can provide a nice break.

It's kind of difficult to know all these strategies if you have never been to WDW, though. Thank goodness for the internet. The first time I went, I had to rely on guide books.

[disneysteve]

For the first couple of hours--it felt like it was just Mickey and us.

This is something that many people don't consider. No matter when you are going, except the very busiest days, like Christmas, getting there early makes a tremendous difference.

We always arrive at the parks for rope drop (park opening). In the first couple of hours, we are able to get on a bunch of the major rides before the park starts getting crowded around mid-day. I guess a lot of folks figure they're on vacation and don't want to wake up early. We take full advantage of that mindset and arrive by 8:30 (parks open at 9) so we're among the first in.

[Petunia 100]

I love Disney. I love cruising. But if we're talking strictly financially speaking, Disney is cheaper. The 3 of us can do a week at Disney for under $2,500. We can't all do a 7-day cruise for that amount.

You can do a 7 day cruise for 3 for that price, if you live within driving distance of a port and watch the specials. If you have to fly to the port, then no, you can't do it for that.

My mom is eying a 7 day cruise right now for $499 per person. Port tax is another $95 per person. The $499 is double occupancy, so times 4, even if just 3 are going.

[bennkar]

I use my mother's timeshare the first full week of November and the lines are Disney are *usually* not long at all. Same for Universal (Except for the Harry Potter places ). Yeah, there were people using Fast Passes but except for a few large rides I didn't see how it helped them any.

If you want to enjoy rides without every ride ending in a mini-mall, avoid Disney & Universal, and go to Busch Gardens in Tampa. We went there last year. Food was (relatively) inexpensive, lines were short (except for one coaster), and very little of marketing as you went about the place. I may go again this year, it was just that refreshing a place to go.

[disneysteve]

If you want to enjoy rides without every ride ending in a mini-mall, avoid Disney & Universal, and go to Busch Gardens in Tampa. We went there last year. Food was (relatively) inexpensive

We've never been there but I'd love to go sometime.

Regarding food, that's one place where I think Disney really shines. Compared to other amusement parks I have visited (Great Adventure, Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Kennywood Park, Universal Orlando, etc.) the food at Disney is phenomenally better and more reasonably priced. There are actually quite a few places at Disney that we look forward to eating at. In the other parks, I dread having to get a meal because I know it's going to consist of lukewarm chicken strips that cost me an arm and a leg. I have yet to find an amusement park that competes with Disney in the food department.

[bennkar]

We've never been there but I'd love to go sometime.

Regarding food, that's one place where I think Disney really shines. Compared to other amusement parks I have visited (Great Adventure, Dorney Park, Hershey Park, Kennywood Park, Universal Orlando, etc.) the food at Disney is phenomenally better and more reasonably priced.

Since you mentioned those other amusement parks, have you been to Knoebels Park? Its more of a 50's style amusement park in the backwoods with modern upgrades, but still has the 50's prices. I took my son and mother there 2 weeks ago, we rode rides all day, had a good meal in a sit down restaurant (in the park), and our cost was about $75 for everything. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[disneysteve]

You can do a 7 day cruise for 3 for that price, if you live within driving distance of a port and watch the specials. If you have to fly to the port, then no, you can't do it for that.

My mom is eying a 7 day cruise right now for $499 per person. Port tax is another $95 per person. The $499 is double occupancy, so times 4, even if just 3 are going.

True, but keep in mind that the $499 + 95 is not all-inclusive. That doesn't include tax on the $499. That doesn't include beverages. It doesn't include shore excursions. It doesn't include gratuities. It doesn't include shopping.

For about $2,300, we can cover absolutely everything for Disney from the time we leave the house until the time we get back home.

We do live in driving distance of both NYC and Baltimore ports but those cruises tend to be more expensive than those sailing from Florida so the transportation savings gets sucked up by the higher cruise fares.

[disneysteve]

Since you mentioned those other amusement parks, have you been to Knoebels Park? Its more of a 50's style amusement park in the backwoods with modern upgrades, but still has the 50's prices. I took my son and mother there 2 weeks ago, we rode rides all day, had a good meal in a sit down restaurant (in the park), and our cost was about $75 for everything. I can't recommend it highly enough.

For some reason, we have yet to get there. It's on my list. I would recommend Kennywood though as it has a similar story. It's located outside of Pittsburgh.