Do you go during holiday weeks?

We try to take advantage of special holidays by going during less than peak times. Christmas, for example - I was dieing to see the place all deck out, so we went the first week of December. Best of both worlds for us - lower crowds and still all the holiday magic! Same for Halloween - we went right after they put up the decorations towards the later part of September.

I don't think I would want to be there during an actual major holiday - just too crazy.

Nope, we avoid them. We even work around smaller holidays and try to avoid being there during one of their running events. Like Jeff, we want to see Disney decorated for Christmas so we are booked for Nov 25-Dec 1.

We have been at WDW during the Christmas Season two times now and I have to say it is incredible. The weather is great, and the decorations are unbelievable. It is crowded but who cares - a crowded day at Disney is better than any week at home!

I definitely agree that it's great during the Christmas season, but I prefer the less busy times further from the actual holiday. I will say though that there are so many extra things to do, that even if the park is crowded you can still have a blast.

Also Mike!

We have gone twice during march break and it was a never again decision after the second time. Then we went in May which is our Victoria Day and the U.S. memorial day. Not as bad as march break but still had it's busy times. We also went during our Thanksgiving and the U.S. Columbus Day and it was somewhat busy but still not as bad as march. So finally we went a few weeks back and NO crowds at all! So now we have decided to go when there are no holidays. Near the end of October and definately February.

I went for Thanksgiving once. The few days before the actual holiday there was NOBODY there. It was wonderful. The day of I would say it was about average crowds. The day after it was SO crowded we barely even spent time in the parks. I'm glad it was our last day there.
All the Christmas decorations were already up while we were there so we got to see those without having to deal with Christmas crowds.

We avoid them as well. We did Christmas once, and that was it. It was literally the worst trip I have ever had at Disney, which is sad... but it wasnt Disneys fault... it was the extra family who was the issue.

For the time being I try and go when it's least crowded. However, that seems to be getting harder and harder to do with the special events we enjoy. I also have a dream to go for my Birthday (July 3rd) and that's a crowd level that I just haven't even wrapped my head around. Disneyland is small and intimate, I could probably handle the holidays there. At Disney World though? I'm not quiet ready for that one.

My boyfriend's birthday is July 2nd and he told me he wanted to go for his birthday this year. I told him he was crazy and that I was staying as far away as possible that week.

I'd love to go for Mardi Gras, St. Patty's Day, and the like, but I know it gets pretty crazy! Most of the time, we avoid times when we anticipate large crowds.

Sounds like a couple of birthdays would change peoples' minds. Any other event that would make you fight crowds that you normally wouldn't fight?