WDW Magazine December 2016 - 2017 Crowds at WDW | Page 28

events, and more – with the ultimate goal of spreading crowds out throughout the year by making low season more affordable and peak season more expensive.
But they’ re called Value and Peak for a reason, and crowds aren’ t the only things to consider. Here are the things you should expect during Value, Regular, and Peak season at WDW:
Cost- In Value season, single-day tickets are the most affordable, which is perfect for Orlando visitors only planning to spend one day at Disney. For those staying longer, room discounts and popular package promotions like Free Dining are most often offered during these times of year – for the very good reason of trying to draw in guests during a“ slow” time. If you are looking for bang for your buck, this is a great time to go.
Crowds- Value season draws the lowest crowds of the year. This doesn’ t mean you’ ll have the parks all to yourself, but you also won’ t be waiting in three-hour lines for everything. Shorter wait times for attractions, and the ability to more easily book coveted FastPass + or Advanced Dining Reservations because of less competition are big perks at this time of year. But on the flip side, fewer guests mean shorter operating hours( it’ s not unusual for parks to close between 5:00-9:00 PM), and more refurbishments both at resorts and on attractions.
Weather- In Value season, you’ re going to take a gamble with weather. That may always be true in finicky Florida, but especially so during Disney’ s Value season. It may not be so cold where you’ re from, but it’ s going to be chilly in Florida. In the winter, you’ ll need pants and jackets, and it’ s not likely you’ ll be swimming at your resort. In the fall, you have hurricanes to

events, and more – with the ultimate goal of spreading crowds out throughout the year by making low season more affordable and peak season more expensive.

But they’ re called Value and Peak for a reason, and crowds aren’ t the only things to consider. Here are the things you should expect during Value, Regular, and Peak season at WDW:

VALUE SEASON

Cost- In Value season, single-day tickets are the most affordable, which is perfect for Orlando visitors only planning to spend one day at Disney. For those staying longer, room discounts and popular package promotions like Free Dining are most often offered during these times of year – for the very good reason of trying to draw in guests during a“ slow” time. If you are looking for bang for your buck, this is a great time to go.

Crowds- Value season draws the lowest crowds of the year. This doesn’ t mean you’ ll have the parks all to yourself, but you also won’ t be waiting in three-hour lines for everything. Shorter wait times for attractions, and the ability to more easily book coveted FastPass + or Advanced Dining Reservations because of less competition are big perks at this time of year. But on the flip side, fewer guests mean shorter operating hours( it’ s not unusual for parks to close between 5:00-9:00 PM), and more refurbishments both at resorts and on attractions.

Weather- In Value season, you’ re going to take a gamble with weather. That may always be true in finicky Florida, but especially so during Disney’ s Value season. It may not be so cold where you’ re from, but it’ s going to be chilly in Florida. In the winter, you’ ll need pants and jackets, and it’ s not likely you’ ll be swimming at your resort. In the fall, you have hurricanes to