Any negatives to going during value season?

[momof3activebys]

Are there any negatives to visiting WDW during the value season? Are there less activities/shows or are more rides closed during this time? Specifically the first week in October?

[DisneyHopper]

I have gone during the Fall value season and it is wonderful!
The lines are short or at least under a half hour.One time we went on the rapid ride in the Animal Kingdom 4 times in a row!
There are some rides that are closed but you will find that nowadays no matter when you go.
The weather is hot and humid but the nights are cool and comfortable.
It is easier to get PS' and the CMs seem to have more time to chit chat which makes the whole Disney experience more magical and memorable.

[medic9016]

We have gone the first week in Oct for the last 3 years. The crowds are for the most part low they have picked up in the last few year, since this is such a good time to go. The weather is great. The Halloween party is so much fun. The Wine and Food festival is going on at Epcot. The only downside is there could be a major rehab going on, but like said before that seems to be happening more and more throught the whole year.

[ February 24, 2005, 09:01 PM: Message edited by: medic9016 ]

[WeLoveDisney]

We've been in Oct. (last week of month) I thought it was great. Crowds were wonderful. We went on Buzz Light Year 4 times in a row.. walked right on. Each one of our girls wanted to go with me and DH, and they wanted to go against me and Dad to see who could get the higher score.
Only think I noticed, was that the parks all closed a bit earlier than if it was Peak. I'm not 100% sure, but I think during Peak, the parks are open until 9pm or later. When we went, most closed at 6ish.

I mean, that didn't bother us - we just planned for a nice sit down meal, but on one or two occasions, it would have been nice to sleep in and go to the parks later and stay later rather than getting up at the crack of dawn.

Good luck. i say go for it!
Have a great time!
graemlins/mickey.gif

[Funforall]

There is always a give and take but for me it's well worth it to go when the hours are shorter if the crowds are gone. I'm sure that some things will not be available to you but when you go during peak times you miss out on things because of the crowds anyway.

[faline]

Welcome to Intercot! graemlins/mickey.gif

I love visiting Disney during value season! Not only are there fewer people but your accommodations cost less!

Although the parks might not be open for as many hours, you're not waiting in long lines so you get just as much done, if not more, in the time you have available to you!

At any time you visit Disney, you're likely to find some attraction or another closed for refurbishment. It's always a disappointment if it happens to be one of your favorite attractions or oen that was on your "must-do" list! For me, this is just another excuse to plan another Disney trip!

[DizneyRox]

Hours are usually shorter as well, which isn't bad because the lines are shorter, BUT you have more time to occupy with other things. If you like to resort hop, etc, might not be a problem. I usually spend more on trips during value season than peak season because I'm looking in more shops etc. Not that it's bad, just costs more.

[Kendall0303]

Our last 2 trips have been during Value Season (October 2003 and January 2005) and we will continue to travel during this season til our daugher's school schedule dictates otherwise. The park hours seem to be a bit shortened except for EPCOT, but the new Extra Magic Hours seemed to help with this this. We didn't really wait for anything...rides, priority seatings, check in, etc. It is a great time to go!

[grimley1968]

We plan FOR value season. It's usually cooler, less humid weather, but still nice. The crowds are much easier to manage. Some rides may close for refurb, but it's never too many at once, IMHO. For the much reduced price you pay for lodging, and the other nice things mentioned above, a couple of rides being refurbished here and there is worth it. I really think it's "value" season only because Disney is trying to entice people back on property during off peak times, rather than for any lack of enjoyment of the parks.

[tyandskyesmom]

we go late November/early December usually and i would not plan a vacation to Disney in any other season than value. it is cheaper, much less crowded, not too hot/not too cold usually, etc...yes, parks seem to close earlier but other than that i can think of nothing bad about value season! in fact this year we will be pulling our first grader out of school to go at that time...i kind of think a family vacation to Mickey's House will be most educational and worthwhile that 5 days of first grade!

[N2DisneyWorld]

I agree with everyone's response. The weather is great, you do not have to wait for rides, & the Halloween Party & Food & Wine fest are great.

[DNS]

September and October are my favorite times to go. Crowds are low and the weather is fabulous. Plus the discounts on hotels.

[Barb_A]

We went in October before .. it was great! It was still warm/hot .. hours were a bit shorter, but with the shorter crowds, it didn't make any difference. As other mentioned, many rides/attractions are walk ons.

You couldn't get me to go down in the summer ... way too hot .. way too much time spent in lines!

[BostonChic]

We went Oct.2003 and it was still hot but you could deal!There was 1 ride at Islands of adventure that was closed(popeye's rapids)and we wanted to do it so bad.Other than that we like to go at that time now.went in april 2000 and you can't even compare the crowds to Oct.the lines were still long for good rides,but not like vacations or summer!Its worse I hear.We are gonna try September at po(french quarter)this year graemlins/muscles.gif

[Dr. Disney]

We always go during Value season. Like everyone said above: Less expensive, better weather, smaller crowds! What more could you ask for! If you schedule is flexible, don't heitate on going this time of the year.

WARNING: Watch out for Teacher's Convention Weekend (last weekend in October?). We will be in Disney Oct. 24th - 30th. Airfare is starting to get up there for the return trip becuase this is supposedly a "peak travel weekend" for this time of the year. We'll find out how "peek" it is this year. Anybody else out there experience this weekend?

[cherylclt]

NJ Teacher Convention weekend should be Nov. 10-12, 2005 (Thursday - Sunday). From what I hear, tons of people from NJ head to Disney during this school break time.

We where there this past November from Sunday - Tuesday, right after the convention and the place was PACKED! We got into fewer rides that time than we did when we were there in March. I was thinking that everyone would be headed home on Sunday so the park crowds should be fairly light. Boy was I wrong....and disappointed. We're going this year the 1st week in October. I hope it's a good choice.

[ March 01, 2005, 03:20 PM: Message edited by: cherylclt ]

[Dr. Disney]

Hmmm, interesting. I guess each state has its own dates. I hope it doesn't get TOOOOO crowded. I can't believe, of all weeks to pick... :mad:

[sainter]

Dr. Disney,
I just got my hands on a tentative school schedule for next year and it lists Nov 3 and 4 as Fall Teachers' Conference for 2005. We live in West Bend... you may want to check on this..I will too as we were hoping to go during this break too!!

[mommybelle]

Just a quick thought on this since most of the posts are mentioning Oct and Nov. We always went value and it was great. Now thanks to people catching on to this and the extension of the food and wine festival, The majority of October and November are no longer value season. Check the resort pricing matrix in info central.

[Momof2boys]

Originally posted by sainter:
I just got my hands on a tentative school schedule for next year and it lists Nov 3 and 4 as Fall Teachers' Conference for 2005. Is this the WEAC convention ? We were also looking at going this week as our son would only miss 3 days of school . . . Hmmmmm

[cherylclt]

Just check the NJ Teacher Association website to confirm the dates of the convention. It has the convention listed as November 10, 11, 12, 2005.

[ March 01, 2005, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: cherylclt ]

[sainter]

Momof2boys,
I am not sure if it is WEAC. I would assume so. It is the one that is always around the end of Oct or beginning Nov. for the public schools in Wisconsin. Saw another schedule that said Nov 3 and 4...
I know that some years this has overlapped with the New Jersey one as well.

[FourMsMom]

I agree October is a great time to go. Nice weather, no lines, cheaper room rates, it doesn't get much better than that.