The weeks I refuse to go to Disney World

Summary

In this video, James from Guide to WDW reveals the worst times to visit Disney World, based on his experiences and historical data. He explains how factors like new attraction launches, summer heat, and major events like RunDisney races and holiday weekends can lead to overcrowded parks and frustrating experiences. James also highlights specific periods to avoid, such as the week between Christmas and New Year's, due to peak crowds and high costs. He offers insights on when to visit for a more enjoyable, less stressful Disney World experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 There are certain times of the year that should be avoided when planning a Disney World vacation, due to large crowds and uncomfortable conditions.
• 🚫 Avoid visiting Disney World during the opening of a new attraction or the start of a festival, as these events tend to draw large crowds and face potential technical difficulties.
• 🌞 Summer months (June-September) bring extreme heat and high humidity to Disney World, making it an uncomfortable time to visit, even though crowds have lessened during this period.
• 🏃‍♂️ Run Disney events, especially the Walt Disney World Marathon in January and the Princess Half Marathon in February, lead to overcrowded parks, so it’s best to avoid these weekends unless participating.
• 🦃 Thanksgiving week, which used to be a quieter time, has now become one of the top five busiest weeks of the year at Disney World.
• 🎆 The first week of the year, right after New Year’s, is surprisingly crowded as holiday visitors linger and marathon runners arrive.
• 🇺🇸 President’s Day weekend in February is one of the busiest times due to the 3-day weekend and coinciding Run Disney events and Mardi Gras festivities.
• 🎄 The week between Christmas and New Year's is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Disney World, with extreme wait times and peak pricing for flights and hotels.
• 📉 Some traditionally crowded times like summer have shifted to moderate crowd levels, but weather conditions remain a concern during these months.
• 🏰 There are better weeks to visit Disney World with similar wait times but cooler weather, making for a more enjoyable experience.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The video discusses the worst times to visit Disney World based on factors like crowds, weather, and special events.

Why does the creator avoid visiting Disney World during new attraction openings?

The creator avoids visiting Disney World during new attraction openings because these times attract large crowds, often have technical difficulties, and may require the use of virtual queues or paid lightning lanes to access new rides.

How has summer visitation to Disney World changed in recent years?

Summer used to be the busiest season at Disney World, but in recent years, crowds have reduced, especially in June and July. August and September are now among the least crowded months, though summer remains very hot and humid.

Why does the creator not prefer visiting Disney World during the summer, despite lower crowds?

The creator finds the summer heat in Orlando to be unbearable, with high temperatures and extreme humidity making it uncomfortable to enjoy the parks, despite the lower crowd levels.

What is the creator's view on Run Disney weekends?

The creator acknowledges that Run Disney weekends are fun, but since they are not personally interested in running, they advise avoiding these weekends due to the increased crowds, unless you're participating in the races.

How has Thanksgiving week changed in terms of crowds at Disney World?

Thanksgiving week used to be a great time to visit Disney World with low crowds, but since 2019, it has become one of the most crowded weeks of the year, although recent years have shown slightly lower crowd levels.

Why is the first week of January not a good time to visit Disney World?

The first week of January is extremely busy because holiday visitors are still at the parks, and many stay through the first few days of the new year. This is compounded by the Walt Disney World Marathon, which also attracts large crowds.

Why does the creator avoid visiting Disney World during President’s Day week?

The creator avoids President's Day week because it is one of the most crowded times of the year, with visitors taking advantage of the long weekend, and the Run Disney Princess Half Marathon further increasing crowds during that time.

What makes the week between Christmas and New Year's the worst time to visit Disney World?

The week between Christmas and New Year's is the most crowded time of the year, with extremely long lines and peak pricing for flights, tickets, and hotels. The crowds often extend for three weeks around the holidays.

What is the creator’s advice for those who can only visit Disney World during crowded times like Christmas week?

The creator advises that while visiting during crowded times like Christmas week can still be fun, it's important to manage expectations and plan carefully. They suggest considering other times that offer the same holiday perks with fewer crowds.