We visited Disney the 2nd weekend in December 2006. The decorations were up and everything was beautiful. We were at the City Hall to get a "1st visit" pin for my son and found Santa Claus in the atrium to the left of City Hall. The CM's take your picture and add it to a photo card where you are able to access it online for 28 days. We used the pic of my son on Santa's lap as our Christmas card.  Thanks to Jen for this tip!
 

We visited WDW on the week after Thanksgiving in 2005 (first week of December, though the week is split between Nov and Dec). The crowds are not that large, so it is true that this is a good time to visit, and I suspect the following two weeks will be even sparser for visitors.  Thanks to Arlen for this tip!
 

We have planned our last 3 visits to WDW to coincide with the Not So Scary Halloween Party because it is so much fun! A great tip is to make a priority seating for Liberty Tree Tavern for around 5:30 the evening of the party.  Just tell a cast member you have a priority seating and they will let you go through. They empty the park starting at 6:00 and let ticket holders for the Halloween party enter at 7:00. While the masses of people are exiting the park, your having a great dinner with Minnie & friends!  When your finished eating you walk out into the park refreshed and ready to enjoy the party! Also you can make your priority seating for Liberty Tree as soon as the Halloween tickets go on sale which is usually the end of April or early May. If you wait until the usual 90 days out time frame you will not get a seating!  Thanks to Teri for this tip!
 

I just returned from an awful trip to Walt Disney World. Our dates there were Dec. 29 - Jan. 2 and I had read that it would be crowded. In fact, all the websites had said that it would be VERY, VERY crowded - the MOST crowded week of the year. However, NO one pointed out that the parks (ALL 4 of them) close when they reach capacity and no more people are allowed in until hundreds leave (per the CM). There were many disappointed families, and many said that if they had known that having a ticket didn't mean that you would get into the park, they wouldn't have come. It's a shame that Disney doesn't tell people about this, please pass on the information.  Thanks for Sue for this tip!
 

I've been to Disney World over 400 times since the park opened in 1972, and the very best time I found to go to the Magic Kingdom is 2 weeks before Christmas.  It's not hot, the park isn't very crowded and all the Christmas decorations are up.  There truly is an extra special magic in the air. Thanks to Iris for this tip!
 

I agree with others that the first week in December is the best time to go. The Christmas decorations are up, and the crowds are very small.  Thanks to Robert for this tip!
 

The first week of October-the parks are empty. Even on the weekends-the LONGEST we waited in line was 10 minutes. We literally rode Space Mountain twice within 15 minutes. I talked to several people who said every year was like that. I'm sure there are other weeks that are the same.  Thanks to Ellen for this tip!!!
 

If you are planning to go to WDW at the end of August, be prepared for evening showers. It's a good idea to take your own poncho if you find one under $5 dollars. Of course when it rains all the stores take out all the ponchos so you can buy it there, and if you don't really care, buy the ones that have no Mickey drawing on it (that way you will save you almost 2 dollars).  Thanks to Miros for this tip!!!
 

The best time of the year to go to WDW is the first full week in December. We have gone the last 3 years at this time and we just can't explain it. You have to experience it for yourself. The first time we went at this time, I walked into the Magic Kingdom (the first day of our trip) and cried. I was so caught up in the "magic." The atmosphere and feeling that you will get is absolutely incredible. Where else would you want to be than Disney World during the Christmas Holiday. We always go for 8 days and you can get on rides with "NO" wait. We have found that by the 7th or 8th day of our trip that the crowds start to build. From that point on through Christmas the crowds are awful. Since our first visit during this time of year, we have converted my old brother, my younger brother, all of our Disney freak friends, and finally convinced my mother to come on vacation with us this year - she has never been to Disney - except once way back when they started thinking about Epcot. Try it, you'll like it. Thanks to Sandy for this tip!
 

One of the best times to go to WDW is at the end of August. My brother and I walked on Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and other hard to get on rides in the middle of the day, and not when a parade was in progress. Thanks to Meghan for this tip!