Touring the parks during value season Vacation Planning Tips & Tricks Discuss Touring the parks during value season in the Vacation Planning forums; I've read a lot and heard a lot about lines and reservations and I'm just wondering how does all this info translate into value season? We are going to be ...

[amyw138]

I've read a lot and heard a lot about lines and reservations and I'm just wondering how does all this info translate into value season? We are going to be at the parks Nov. 29 through Dec. 5. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience touring the parks during this week-we'll we benefit from this? Will we be able to see more or is the difference subtle from other times? Will reservations be easier? Thanks!

[Thumper10]

I visited the parks December 5-14 in 07. I've never been to Disney when it isn't value season, and so far every trip has been wonderful with lines and crowding. Our December trip was actually the most crowded I have seen it during value season, but it was still totally manageable. Many times lines are so short that getting a fast pass isn't even worth it. I would still take care of your reservations as soon as you are able to just to be sure that you can secure everything you want.

Since you are going during the holidays I would really recommend trying to catch the Osborne lights at the Studios and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Both are completely AMAZING. I see that you are going to MVMCP, if you've never been before it is really something to look forward to. My family had a blast at it. There is nothing like Disney during the holidays..its breathtaking! I'm sure you will have an awesome time!

[amyw138]

Well, thank you so much! I haven't been to Disney World since 1993 and before that I had gone in 89 and that was the last year of our family's 13 year run! EVERY YEAR! So much has changed since those days and even then we never stayed on property so I am thankful for as much advice as I can get!

[HauntedGabe]

I've done the parks in every month. I like the fall off season the best.
Any how the off peak weeks always rule over those Holiday weeks.
There are some downsides here and there though. Often the park hours of the MK and DHS are shorter than during the peak. Making those late evenings a real bonus. We also have found that here and there the wait times are actually longer. Pirates will open one loading side only, same with Indy, Thunder and Space. But the cooler weather and less people, always a bonus! Have fun.

[Tim]

Originally Posted by amyw138

I've read a lot and heard a lot about lines and reservations and I'm just wondering how does all this info translate into value season? We are going to be at the parks Nov. 29 through Dec. 5. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience touring the parks during this week-we'll we benefit from this? Will we be able to see more or is the difference subtle from other times? Will reservations be easier? Thanks!

With all the deals they've got out there, it could be hit or miss. Traditionally less crowded but they've got such bargains out there now. Good luck.

[firemedic]

I hope that we don't get caught in the "good deal" crowds. They could be brutal.

[amyw138]

Oh no! Now I'm scared!

[DisneyGal04]

my family and I went the first 2 weeks before thanksgiving week and there were no crowds what so ever, the cast members would ask us if we wanted to ride rides again and we just stay seated and ride whatever we were on again, like splash mountain, we rode that one till we were sick of it, saying all the lines and singing along with the songs and we even got to see all the christmas things still! but the week right before thanksgiving got crazy packed unlike the 2 weeks before
(my dads job took him to Florida for 3 weeks and paid for were ever we were staying so we took our RV and stayed at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds)

[grumpy of ohio]

Originally Posted by Tim

With all the deals they've got out there, it could be hit or miss. Traditionally less crowded but they've got such bargains out there now. Good luck.

I'll have to agree with this post, too many deals out and people not even thinking of going this year have gotten reservations and either have gone or are going. We're value season travelers only, have done your weeks and usually it's hardly crowded. That said we went this past January and weekdays were nice but the weekends are horrible, not undoable but entirely different than weekdays. We're not dining fans and wish it would go back to the old days when you could just go up to any restaurant and get in, we hate schedules and do no ADR's, CS serves us fine and TS restaurants are over priced and mediocre at best and requires a schedule.

We're headed down in 5 days and it's usually a very slow time, we'll see and report back.