When to Visit Disney World

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I tried to do two special things on my site http://yourfirstvisit.net/: to focus on first time visitors to Walt Disney World, especially those unsure if they will ever return, and to make planning a Disney World trip as easy as possible.  The key to making planning easy is the site’s home page—it tells first time visitors exactly what to do to have a great trip!  When to go, where to stay, how long to stay, everything.  However, I know that not everyone—not even most people—will be able to go the exact week I suggest.  Because of that, I also present all the weeks of the year ranked in order.  Families that can’t go the week I recommend can simply go down this list and pick the best week that works for them!  (I take the same approach to the other big planning questions—after all, the site’s motto is “Exact Instructions, Next Best Options”!)  The week rankings are based on avoiding ride closures, avoiding the peak of the hurricane season, avoiding crowds, and avoiding higher prices.
For 2011, my recommended weeks, in order, follow.
RECOMMENDED 2011 WEEKS

The first three are almost interchangeable: lowest prices of the year, low crowds, wonderful Christmas programs and decorations

• 1: 12/3/11. Despite higher crowds than #2, still low crowds, and slightly warmer. Those intending to stay at Pop Century or another value resort should consider week #2, as Pop Warner football makes the value resorts crowded and boisterous this week. Lowest prices of the year. Wonderful Christmas events and decorations

• 2: 12/10/11. A great week to visit. Could easily be ranked #1. Low crowds, lowest prices of the year. Wonderful Christmas events and decorations

• 3: 11/26/11. Tail end of Thanksgiving week makes the first Saturday and Sunday of this week more crowded and expensive than weeks #1 and 2. The rest of this week is terrific—low crowds and lowest prices of the year. Wonderful Christmas events and decorations

The next six share great weather, low crowds, and moderate prices

• 4: 5/7/11. Perfect weather

• 5: 4/30/11. Perfect weather. First Saturday and Sunday may be crowded from the tail end of the crowds from the prior week—which is the week that follows Easter

• 6: 10/15/11. Peak of hurricane season just over; perfect otherwise

• 7: 10/22/11.

• 8: 10/29/11. Weather starts to become cooler and more variable

• 9: 11/12/11. Weather cooler and more variable than weeks 6-8.

The next three share very high prices, but low crowds, and are your best Spring Break bets

• 10: 4/9/11. Tucked between the March Spring Breakers and the later April Easter build up. Best weather of these three

• 11: 2/26/11. Weather cooler and more variable than week 10, but less crowded

• 12: 3/5/11. Slightly better weather than 11, but with slightly higher crowds

Week 13 has higher crowds but lower prices than 10-12. It also marks the beginning of the rainy season.

• 13: 5/14/11

Week 14 is similar to weeks 10-12—great weather, high prices, avoids the peak weeks of March and April– but is more crowded than weeks 10-12.

• 14: 4/2/11

For the rest of the weeks of 2011—not recommended!—see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/20/2011-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

RECOMMENDED 2010 WEEKS

Although many great 2010 weeks have passed, there’s still 8 recommended weeks left in 2010—including 4 of the top 5 weeks of the year!

• 1: 12/4/10. Lowest prices of year, low crowds, Christmas
• 2: 11/27/10. Lowest prices of year, low crowds, Christmas
• 3: 12/11/10. Low crowds, Christmas
• 4: 10/16/10. Low crowds, 2nd lowest prices of year, great pool weather
• 7: 10/23/10. Low crowds, 2nd lowest prices of year, great pool weather
• 8: 11/6/10. Low crowds, 2nd lowest prices of year
• 9: 11/13/10. Low crowds, 2nd lowest prices of year
• 12: 10/9/10. Low crowds, 2nd lowest prices of year

Note that the missing numbers belong to weeks that have already passed.  For the rest of the weeks of 2010, click here for more details.