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When to Visit Disney World for Fewer Crowds and Good Weather

Mariah Tyler

Deciding when to visit the "Most Magical Place on Earth," Walt Disney World, depends on what matters most to you. Looking to spot the Mickey pumpkins that line Main Street, U.S.A., during Halloween season? How about visiting when the temperatures are at their coolest, or avoiding school break crowds? These are general guidelines for when to plan a trip to Disney.

• High Seasons: March to April and June to August
• Shoulder Seasons: December to February, plus the month of May
• Low Season: September to November

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Smaller Crowds

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation involves booking theme park tickets, making lunch or dinner reservations, and deciding which rides to try and when. The last thing you want to add to that list is navigating heavy crowds.

While Disney parks consistently draw guests year round, there are a few times to visit that are typically less crowded. In the winter, any date outside of the busy weeks of Christmas and New Year's can be fairly quiet. A trip at this time of year has the added bonus of cooler temperatures or, to superfans, "Spirit Jersey weather." September is the month when Disney World is the least crowded. Once school breaks wind down towards the end of August, the park empties out; after Labor Day, Disney World is usually as close to empty as it ever gets. The park used to remain uncrowded throughout the fall, but the growing popularity of Disney's Halloween offerings means that October is increasingly busy.

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Good Weather

Florida is the Sunshine State, with the Orlando region seeing 300 sunny days each year. July and August are often very hot, with occasional triple-digit temperatures, but from September to June, you can usually expect relatively pleasant conditions at Disney World .

Temperatures are at their coolest — often as low as 50°F — in January. (Yes, it can get chilly in Florida!) While this may limit some activities, like visiting your resort’s pool or one of Disney's water parks, it does make for a more comfortable time in the theme parks. The winter months are also typically low in precipitation, so chances are you'll avoid the afternoon thunderstorms common in Florida summers — along with the need for pricey ponchos and umbrellas. To take advantage of this mild winter weather, visit between January and March.

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Lower Prices

The most important piece of any Disney vacation is theme park tickets. Disney World uses a dynamic ticket pricing system , meaning park ticket prices are tiered and will cost less during slower times. One-day, one-park admission starts at $109 but can increase significantly from there, especially if you're visiting on a holiday or busy weekend. A visit on Christmas Day, for instance, will set you back $164 per ticket. 

Off-peak times fall around January, February, September, and early November (outside of school breaks). Discounts on vacation packages booked directly through Disney (which combine park tickets and hotel stays ) can be found year-round, though they're most common at these less-crowded times. The same tends to apply to deals on accommodations and airfare. 

Related: These Are the Cheapest Times to Visit Disney World, According to Experts

Best Times for Adults to Visit Disney World

Walt Disney World can be an adult’s playground all year round, with standout dining and a host of experiences specifically catering to grown-up guests . One of the best times for adults to visit, though, is late summer and early fall, when summer-break crowds give way to (relatively) uncrowded autumn bliss. This time of year also coincides with the start of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival (late August through November). At the park's longest-running and largest festival, you can nibble on globally inspired bites from dozens of outdoor kitchens. As the sun sets, enjoy concerts from national acts as part of the Eat to the Beat concert series, included in admission. 

One of Disney's most underrated festivals, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts celebrates culinary, performing, and visual arts and falls mid-January through February, the least popular months to go to Disney. The Festival of the Arts is more intimate than Food & Wine and delivers standout eats and entertainment, plus cooler temperatures for those who dislike the heat. 

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Families

Holidays at Disney are truly magical. While there will be more crowds than usual, the reward is a whimsical transformation of the parks and limited-time offerings — from incredible decor to delicious seasonal foods. Kids will also love Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the after-hours special events that take over Magic Kingdom in the final months of each year. Tickets for these parties follow a dynamic pricing system just like standard park admission, so if you want to attend, plan your visit outside of each holiday's peak dates. While attending a Halloween party in August or a Christmas party in November may seem odd, families can enjoy hefty savings by embracing the festive spirit at unorthodox times.

Summer is ideal if your crew prefers to spend mornings on the rides and afternoons by the pool. How early you should go to Disney depends on everyone's tolerance for the heat. Deluxe resorts — like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — offer the most elaborate pool complexes, complete with slides and poolside lounges. If taking full advantage of your resort’s amenities is a priority, a summertime stay may give you the best experience, despite its higher price tag.

Worst Times to Visit Disney World

A summertime Disney trip is a rite of passage for many families, but various factors can make the season less than ideal. It's very hot — with temperatures often in the 90s and humidity around 70 percent — and the most expensive and crowded time to visit Disney World. If you want to save money and avoid unpleasant long lines, the best months to go to Disney will not be June, July, or August.

The winter months can offer good deals and emptier parks, but it will likely be too cold to swim or enjoy the water parks . Also, note that the weeks surrounding Christmas are some of the busiest (and priciest) of the year.

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These are the best times to visit Disney World

There's no bad time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando — but some times are better than others. In years past, there were predictable "slow seasons" and "busy seasons." However, after the park temporarily closed in March 2020 because of COVID-19 concerns, things became less predictable.

In addition to Disney adding more special events and upping the length of its festivals, Disney's theme park reservation system has kept crowds in check by limiting the number of guests allowed to visit a park on any given day.

Related: 19 Disney World secrets that can add 'pixie dust' to your vacation

That said, there are still ways to avoid the most crowded days and make the most of your time at Disney World. A Disney World vacation is optimal when prices are lower, the thermometer hovers between 70 and 80 degrees, and the wait times are at their shortest. There's no longer a true off-season at Disney, but there are times of the year when those favorable conditions are more likely to occur.

Best time of year for weather at Disney World

This will shock exactly no one, but Orlando is hot and sticky in summer. Temperatures typically sizzle in the 90s during the day, and humidity is through the roof. Those factors combine to create a heat index that can exceed 100, according to Weather U.S .

From June through August, you'll get a break from the heat most afternoons for an hour or so … during monsoon-like rains with thunder and lightning. Once the storms end, you'll be comfortable outdoors for about another hour before the oppressive heat returns — but expect some extra humidity while everything is damp.

Related: Best credit cards for theme parks

For the best weather at Disney, visit between October and December. By that time, you are less likely to deal with daily rain, and temperatures are more moderate. There are still plenty of warm days, but summer's heat and humidity have passed. You likely won't deal with the cold (by Florida standards) temperatures that come in January and February.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Best time for certain activities

Price aside, plan your visit around what you like to do. Water parks are most appealing during the hot summer months when you'd rather not sweat it out in the theme parks all day. Golf is best in spring and fall — unless you're an early bird who likes hitting the greens in the cool of dawn.

If you're headed to the massive ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, time your visit by the calendar of events to watch tournaments you'll enjoy. If someone invites you to a wedding at Disney's Wedding Pavilion or elsewhere, bring a hat for the sun and a sweater for the air conditioning.

Seasonal events at Disney World

From themed parties to food and wine festivals, special events are big at Disney World. The best time to visit could be when your favorite event is happening.

Spring events

Learn new gardening techniques and see detailed topiaries that resemble Disney characters at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival . It runs for four months, from early spring through the start of summer. Not only does it features Disney topiaries, but it also offers festival-specific eats and concerts by your favorite bands from the '70s, '80s and '90s.

Summer events

There are fewer events during the summer at Disney World. However, the LGBTQI+ community holds its Gay Days gatherings in Orlando. That event can draw tens of thousands of excited visitors and increase daily attendance at the designated park.

Walt Disney World has also added more separately ticketed after-hours events — such as the H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon — that let you enjoy more time in the parks with fewer crowds.

Fall events

Culinary enthusiasts should time their visits with Epcot's annual International Food and Wine Festival. It features global food and drink stands, free concerts and more. The festival spans nearly four months, starting in late July and stretching into mid-November.

Don't forget to pack a costume and join the ghoulish crowd at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party , a ticketed event at The Magic Kingdom that runs from August until Halloween.

Winter events

Starting the day after the final Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney magically transforms overnight from a spooky destination to a winter wonderland . Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at The Magic Kingdom is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

This party is a ticketed event at The Magic Kingdom that runs from early November through Christmas. Disney also embraces the holiday spirit at the after-hours Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios . Additionally, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays offers several global incarnations of St. Nick, plus a nightly Candlelight Processional.

When Disney World crowds are smaller

You can't completely escape the crowds at Disney World. Its four theme parks received roughly 47 million visitors through the turnstiles in 2022, according to the Theme Index and Museum Index of the Themed Entertainment Association . That's not even including folks who show up only for the golf, water parks, shopping, dining, spas, entertainment and conferences. The Orlando area, in total, received approximately 74 million visitors in 2022 alone.

Related: Is a Disney World annual pass worth it?

On big holidays, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve, Disney World gets so packed that The Magic Kingdom — the most iconic of the theme parks — can reach maximum capacity. The sister parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot, draw hordes, too, though not to the same extent. You'll likely wait longer for rides, food and character encounters.

If you do visit on a holiday, try to visit a park other than the one where the main celebration is being held. On the Fourth of July, for example, The Magic Kingdom and Epcot hold special fireworks shows. If you visit Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios on those days, you will probably see fewer crowds and shorter wait times.

Although it isn't always feasible, try to visit when most kids are in school to avoid the biggest crowds.

The ideal times are weekdays after Thanksgiving break and before families descend for winter break. The weather will be cooler, and the lines will be shorter than at other times of the year. Also, the weeks after Labor Day but before school breaks begin in the fall can also be good times to avoid crowds (but know that September weather is still steamy in Orlando).

Other less-busy times can be in late January and early May — again, especially during the midweek days before and after most school spring breaks.

Cheapest dates to visit Disney World

It's no coincidence that when the crowds are lighter, ticket prices are lower. In late 2018, Disney World moved to a ticket pricing system that features higher prices on some dates than others.

On less-crowded midweek dates in August and September, for example, you can find single-day tickets for $109. However, during peak demand times between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, ticket prices can jump closer to $160 per day. Weekends also tend to cost more than weekdays.

Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World

More affordable airfare

If you have the luxury of flexible dates, you can find cheap flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) during the less expensive times at the theme parks in August and September, according to statistics from the flight search engine Skyscanner.

Related: How to find cheap airfare

When hotel prices are lower

Disney has more than 20 resort hotels that provide perks, such as extended theme park hours and complimentary transportation to and from Disney's theme parks. As with all hotels, prices ebb and flow with demand — including when you book with rented Disney Vacation Club points .

Walt Disney World's value hotels, such as All-Star Sports or Art of Animation , offer prices that can start at or below $100 per night during the slower season. During peak season, even those value resorts can see rates climb higher than $250 per night.

If you have your eye on a deluxe resort — such as Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge , the Contemporary or the Riviera Resort — prices can start under $400 per night during the slow season and soar to more than $1,000 per night during peak periods.

Related: How to save money at Disney resorts by renting DVC points

Disney also offers regular hotel discounts that can save you hundreds of dollars on your stay. Disney+ subscribers should especially be on the lookout for these offers, but you can check the Disney World website at any time for special offers available to the public.

How many Marriott points it costs to stay in the on-property Disney Swan or Dolphin properties also varies based on standard, peak or off-peak dates, so when you go will affect the total cost of your trip to Disney World.

Related: How much does a trip to Disney World cost?

Bottom line

We hesitate to say there's a bad time to visit Disney World, but there are times that are definitely less crowded and easier to enjoy. By finding the sweet spot for your schedule, factoring in Disney's slower seasons and any special events you want to experience, you can maximize the magic while saving money — and your sanity.

Related reading:

• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• The best Disney World hotels for your 2023 stay
• How you can save hundreds of dollars by renting Disney Vacation Club points
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

Additional reporting by Tarah Chieffi.

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When to Visit Disney World

The Best Time to Visit Disney World

TripSavvy / Ashley Nicole DeLeon 

Walt Disney World® Resort

Trying to figure out the perfect time to visit Disney World  usually involves weighing many factors. If you're looking to avoid crowds, the best time to visit Disney World is in January or September when the weather is mild, crowds are thin, and prices plummet.

However, if special events and decorations are what you're seeking, the months of August, September, October, November, and December may be better options for you. While Disney's premier destination gives you reasons to visit year-round, considering the weather and monthly events at Disney World will help you figure out your best time to visit.

The Weather at Disney World

Florida is famous for its sunshine, but many visitors are not prepared for the  Florida heat  and humidity. The temperatures in the summer climb above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity can be stifling, but during the winter, the climate is more moderate. Hurricane season runs from June through October. Although the chance of a hurricane hitting Florida while you are visiting is slim, this is something to keep in mind. 

Peak Season at Disney World

Crowds will be the worst during school holidays, such as summer vacation, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break, but you can make your life easier by locking in ride times and dining experiences with the My Disney Experience app . This app lets you choose your FastPass+ attractions and dining experiences with ease, even when the crowds are large. 

In 2016, Disney introduced a surge pricing model for theme park tickets that follows its long-established practice for hotel room prices, which means that hotel and ticket prices are less expensive during slower periods, such as January and September. However, the pricing is done on a day to day basis, so you may find that Thanksgiving Day is more expensive than a Saturday in July, depending on past attendance records. 

Popular Events & Festivals

Disney has several major events throughout the year, such as the  Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival ,  Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival ,  Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party , and  Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party .

Watch Now: The Do’s and Don’ts of Visiting Disney World

As Disney World continues to draw more crowds year-round,  January is one of the last remaining months considered to be the off-season. The high peak prices from the holiday season just a few weeks prior significantly come down, and the weather is unusually mild, with high temperatures usually hovering around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

While days are usually warm and sunny, don't be surprised if you see a frosty dew in the early morning hours or experience chilly evening temperatures, as Orlando has a sub-tropical climate. Post-New Year's Day, the hours in the parks shorten, as workers speed to remove the holiday decorations, but since the attractions lines are shorter than any other time of the year, the lessened hours shouldn't affect your trip.

While the resorts' pools and hot tubs remain heated and open year-round, Disney's two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach are typically closed for the winter (typically open from March until October).

Events to check out:

• Every January, the park hosts  The Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend , which brings in thousands of runners each year. Some of the longer race courses take competitors through each of the four Disney parks.
• The year starts off with a "bang" as Disney hosts a New Year's firework display at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and at Disney Springs. Keep in mind that Animal Kingdom never has fireworks.

Much like January, February  is still a slow month, except for the Presidents' Day week, which falls on the third week each year. Since most U.S. schools are closed during this week, crowds are to be expected. Valentine's Day is also a popular day for locals, especially at the onsite restaurants, so unless you have reservations, it's best to skip visiting on February 14.  

The park hours are similar to January, and the waterparks usually remain closed during February as well.

Event to check out:

• Ladies, dust off your Nikes! In February, the parks host Disney's Princess Half-Marathon weekend , which is focused on female runners.

In March , the weather in central Florida is still mild, but with spring break, Bike Week, a popular Daytona Beach event, and Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival, the traffic, in addition to park attendance can get heavy this month. Easter is also a popular day for families to visit Disney, but it is an ever-changing holiday that occasionally falls in March, but more often April. 

The waterparks typically reopen in early to mid-March, and as the days get longer (and warmer), the park hours follow.  

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival kicks off in March and runs through the end of May. More than 100 elaborate topiaries are spread throughout the parks.
• The Atlanta Braves spend their spring training at Disney. Games take place at Champion Stadium in Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

Things begin to heat up in April  as temperatures begin to rise into the mid-80s during the day. Spring breakers continue to flood the parks, and the prices reflect this sudden surge. Avoid visiting on Easter Sunday if it occurs this month, as it will be the most popular park day.

• The Star Wars Rival Run Half-Marathon weekend takes place in April. Runners can compete in the Star Wars 10K, Star Wars 5K, Star Wars Dark Side Challenge, and the runDisney Kids Races, as well as the half marathon.

In  May , although the calendar says it's spring, you will feel like you're in the middle of summer with temps potentially reaching 90 degrees. Thunderstorms in the afternoon are a common occurrence, usually around 3 p.m. Florida is known for its flash rain showers, so while you won't win any style points, it's usually a good idea to pack a poncho if you are visiting from May through September. Crowds are moderate at this time since most schools are in session, and no major holidays or events fall within the month. 

June  is the month with the longest days, so beware of Florida's brutal sun. Though necessary year-round, you must be mindful to constantly reapply sunscreen, wear sunglasses, and bring a hat if you plan on spending the daylight hours at the parks.

The beginning of the month sees few crowds, as many schools are in still in session until mid-June, and it is too close to summer break to justify playing hooky. After June 15, however, the high summer season is in full swing, and with that comes rising prices and fewer accommodations and restaurant choices, but also extended park hours, and in-park shows, activities, and ride openings.

• June kicks off Epcot's Sounds Like Summer Concert Series , which hosts three performances nightly at America Gardens Theater. 

July is the peak month at Disney World. Just about every child in America is enjoying summer break during this month, so families flock to the House of Mouse to enjoy their time off. The temperatures at this time are sometimes unbearably high, especially midday when the sun's rays are strongest.

You can expect wait times for rides to rise well over two hours for the most sought-after attractions and finding a place to eat a sit-down meal might prove impossible if you don't have an advanced reservation. 

The good news is that the parks are open longer. Your best plan of action is to arrive at opening time, then leave and return to your resort for lunch and a refreshing dip in the pool. Afterward, you can return to the parks once the temps drop a little in the late afternoon, and ride anything you may have missed in the morning.

• Fourth of July fireworks at Magic Kingdom are a "can't-miss" for Disney visitors in July. Note that Epcot, Disney Studios, and Disney Springs all have special firework shows as well.

August  is the hottest month of the year. From noon to 3 p.m., your primary goal is to get inside, whether you make a lunchtime reservation in an indoor restaurant, or perhaps catch a movie at the AMC Theater in Disney Springs. You can also beat the heat at the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach, or take to the sea and rent a paddleboat from your resort's dock and cruise around the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Most of the month is packed with visitors, but Florida children return to school in late August, so you might notice a slight dip in the size of the crowds at the tail end of the month. The end of the month marks the beginning of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, so you can expect high crowds at this park.

• From August through October, the park hosts Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights. The event features trick-or-treating in the park and Disney characters dressed in Halloween costumes.

September is one of the best times to visit the theme parks. The lines are again manageable since most school-aged children have returned to school, and hotel rates are the lowest of the year.

The weather is hot but milder than July and August, and the waterparks, as well as Epcot's Food and Wine Festival, remain active during the month. 

• During fall's Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, visitors can try international cuisine from more than 25 different kiosks. There are also various seminars on cooking, and food and wine. The event runs through November.

October  can still be hot during the day, but temperatures start to drop at night. It is a great time to visit since the parks are decorated for the fall season and there is a special Halloween party that happens most evenings. Other than Halloween day, you shouldn't have much crowding issues, aside from in Epcot for the Food and Wine Festival.  

November can be a great time to visit Disney, as long as you avoid Thanksgiving week. Though, if you plan to visit the day following Thanksgiving weekend, you may find no lines at all. The temperatures this month are pleasant during the day, and cooler at night. The holiday decorations won't be fully on display until December 1, but you might get a glimpse of what's to come if you visit later in November. 

• Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party begins in November and runs through the holidays, taking place on select nights at Magic Kingdom. The event includes Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Holiday Wishes fireworks, and Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration Castle Stage Show.

In  December , the parks are festively decorated for the holidays, and there are plenty of special holiday-themed treats as well as events scheduled throughout the month, such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Naturally, many families love visiting during this month, as many have holiday breaks, therefore, like July, it also has an extremely high amount of visitors.  

• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays brings storytellers from around the world to share holiday customs and traditions from their respective countries. 

January and September are great months to visit Disney World, because they tend to be less crowded. January has cooler weather and in September, days are hotter but the waterparks are still open.

January tends to be the least crowded month, falling between the peak holiday and spring break seasons.

With the kids back at school, September is considered off-season. This is typically when you'll find the lowest hotel rates and lower ticket prices.

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Home » Walt Disney World » Planning and Tips

Best Time to Visit Disney World 2024 & 2025 – Months Ranked

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: January 8, 2024

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Planning a vacation is difficult enough as it is, and perhaps you are wondering “When is the best time to visit Disney World?” To figure out when you should go to WDW there are many factors you need to take into consideration and in this guide, we’ll explain when the best time to go to Disney World is in 2024 & 2025 including the best and worst months ranked.

Even though there is never really a bad time to go to Disney World, picking the right time can make the experience all the more magical. We’ve visited in every season of the year for as long as we can remember and though we always have fun, there are definitely certain times of the year when Disney World is better.

Most people say that the best times to go to Disney World are when the crowds are the lowest. While that is a big factor, there are so many more things to consider besides that. We think a Disney World Crowd Calendar is very important, but it’s only the first step in deciding when to go.

What is the best time in Disney World for the weather, the cheapest time, the best events, etc? What about the park hours, special events, and festivals? A combination of all of these things should weigh heavily on deciding the best time of the year to visit and not just when the crowds are the busiest.

In this post, we’ll talk about the best times to go to Disney World in 2024 & 2025, though the majority of the information can be applied to planning your Disney trip in most years. We rank each month from best to worst and break down some of our favorite weeks and days, and which ones to avoid.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for our FREE Weekly E-Mail Newsletter. There we bring you the latest Disney vacation planning tips and news so you’ll know the best and worst times to go to Disney World. You can sign up here: Join our E-Mail Newsletter!

Before we get started, we want to tell you there isn’t one best time to visit Disney World for everyone. People will have different opinions, with certain things being more important than others.

We want you to look at all the factors and make the decision that is going to best fit your needs and then choose when to go. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Disney World Update in 2024

Talk about a crazy world that we are living in right now. Trying to figure out when to go to Disney World is always hard, but the last couple of years have been the hardest ones in the history of Walt Disney World. When Disney World closed back in March 2020, so many things completely changed when trying to plan your vacation.

Thankfully, most of the most difficult changes have come and gone. You probably heard about all sorts of Safety Guidelines and Restrictions in the parks since then such as face masks , personal distancing , etc .

You’ll probably be happy to know that those are a thing of the past, and even changes like Park Pass Reservations , have disappeared for the most part. When you visit in 2024 you will pretty much have a normal Disney World experience once again.

At this point in time, the biggest obstacle to most families that keeps them from visiting WDW is the high cost. With the economic situation worsening for many, a lot of families just can’t afford a trip right now.

Even though there are many changes that factor into your vacation right now, including some entertainment and experiences still not back at the moment, we’ve really had a great time in these past few years and have found the Disney Cast Members going above and beyond to try to make the best guest experience for everyone.

Unfortunately, gone are the days when Disney World first reopened and crowd levels were at all-time lows. In some ways it was the best time to visit in a long time because you could literally walk on to any attraction in less than 30 minutes, something I’ve only seen before hurricanes. That has come to a screeching halt and crowds are back almost to normal levels.

Also, it can be confusing and hard to know if you are getting a good value for your trip. Some people might decide it’s not worth it right now and avoid going altogether. This has been an increasing sentiment among Disney fans after all the recent price increases we just had.

Obviously, this is going to be your call and you must decide if it’s within your budget to visit Walt Disney World at the moment and if it’s worth your hard-earned money. We can say from our experience that things are mostly back to normal and despite some small inconveniences, it’s been an overall good experience over the last few years.

You also won’t see empty parks this year as you did in Summer 2020 and there should be more normality in the parks.

Towards the end of this post, we’ve updated our rankings of the Best Months to Visit Disney World, taking into consideration the park closure up to this point. We’ll keep you updated on all this as we find out more info.

Now let’s get to all the best and worst times to visit over the next couple of years.

Best Times to Go to Disney World in 2024 & 2025

Figuring out the best time to go to Disney World is often closely connected with the school calendar. It only makes sense that if kids are in school, the parks tend to be less crowded, if they are out of school the crowds will be heavier.

This is no different in 2024 or 2025 and the first step is to look at a calendar and determine when children are least likely to be in school.

As much as people want to look to crowd calendars to figure out when to visit, they are often unpredictable and require a closer look at what’s happening throughout the year. Now that Disney World is almost back at 100% again, let’s look at the recent past.

One important consideration is the construction and debuts of new attractions. Whenever new lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or when new attractions open, there is always an immediate influx of guests to the parks, no matter what season it is.

For example, when Rise of the Resistance opened it would have normally been the “off-season” at Disney World. Instead, it turned into a planning nightmare with people waiting in line at Hollywood Studios for hours before the park opened every day.

This repeated itself with the opening of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT, and TRON: Lightcycle Run at the Magic Kingdom .

That is why you need to take a balanced approach when deciding the best time of the year to go to Disney and consider the weather, park hours, crowds, special events, and entertainment altogether.

Choosing when you’ll visit based on a mix of weather, special events, seasonal entertainment, and crowds is a more pragmatic and balanced approach.

In general, we find that January and September are the best months to visit Disney World .

These have the best balance of crowds, cost, and weather. Kids are very likely to be in school during both of these periods and therefore the crowds will be low and Disney will have some nice offers on vacation packages.

The best times to visit Disney World in 2024 are:

• Jan 2-11, Jan 22 – Feb 8
• Feb 26 – March 1
• May 1-17 (Weekdays only)
• August 19-31
• September (minus Labor Day weekend)
• Most Weekdays in October
• Nov. 1-21 (avoid Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving Week)
• Weekdays in December 1-13 (avoid Christmas and New Year’s)

As you can see, we avoided all major holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and also Spring break when the crowds are very high.

The Fall is usually an ideal time to go as parents don’t like to take their kids out of school in the first couple of months of school. This makes for a great opportunity to go.

Though not as big of a deal for Walt Disney World as the 50th Anniversary celebration was a couple of years ago, in 2024 The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary which started at the end of 2023, and will carry on through most of 2024.

So far it hasn’t brought huge crowds to the parks, so don’t worry about avoiding it.

There will also be one notable new attraction opening in 2024 that will bring big crowds, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. If you are interesting in riding it, we recommend planning a trip for the end of the year, or even pushing it off until 2025.

The best times to visit Disney World in 2025 are:

• Jan 2-10 (excluding marathon dates)
• Jan 20-Feb 6
• May 1-23 (Weekdays only)
• September (the whole month)
• Nov 1-14 (avoid Veteran’s Day)
• Dec 1-12 (Weekdays only)

Again in 2025, we follow the same pattern for the best dates to go to Disney World, avoiding all major holidays and the majority of the Summer.

There will still be plenty of festivals to attend and possibly some new rides and attractions to enjoy!

Worst Times to Go to Disney World in 2024 & 2025

The worst times to go to Disney World are when the parks are the most crowded and when the weather is the hottest. You’ll see in the dates below that we skipped all major holidays since that’s the most likely time families will go with kids since they are off from school.

We also skipped most of the Summer, because Central Florida is just too hot and even though you’ll still have a good time, it can be very draining and unpleasant most days.

The worst times to visit Disney World in 2024 are:

• January 1, January 12-17
• February 16-25 (President’s Day)
• March 15 – April 7 (Spring Break & Easter)
• June – August 11
• November 22-30 (Avoid Thanksgiving Week)
• December 1, 13 -31 (Avoid Christmas and New Year’s Weeks)

The 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are always the worst times to visit Disney World.

The worst times to visit Disney World in 2025 are:

• January 1 (New Year’s)
• January 17-20 (Martin Luther King Weekend
• February 14-23 (President’s Day)
• Mid-March – Mid-April (Spring Break & Easter)
• June – August 10
• November 21-30 (Avoid Thanksgiving Week)
• December 12 -31 (Avoid Christmas and New Year’s Weeks)

We follow the same pattern in 2025 as in 2024 and avoid all major holidays and the Summer.

Now again, I don’t want you to think that if you go during any of these times of the year, you will have a bad trip. It’s all about expectations and your personality. A lot of people like going during the holidays, but they realized there will be longer waits than usual.

Usually, if you have a good itinerary, you can still make the most of these “worst days.”

Ready to Start Planning Your Disney Vacation?

If you feel overwhelmed planning a Disney vacation, use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as Show You the World Travel . They are experts on every Disney location and can tell you where to stay, what to do, how to save money, and give you personalized service for your most magical vacation ever!

Crowds and Disney World go hand in hand like Mickey and Minnie, and there isn’t any time of the year when the parks are not busy. Walt Disney World is after all the most-visited vacation resort destination in the world with over 52 million guests annually.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing anymore as a Disney “off-season” and guests have caught on to the times of the year when you used to actually have short wait times for the rides.

Usually, the whole year is busy in Disney World and there are small lulls when the crowds are slightly less, but they are still there. At this point, the only time you can really have walk-on wait times for any decent ride is when there are hurricanes or similar disasters.

Of course, there are outliers like when the parks first were reopened, but in a “normal” year there aren’t too many windows without crowds.

However, this doesn’t mean that crowds don’t matter. Finding those times to visit when there are fewer people than normal is still important. It can be helpful because instead of waiting 2 hours for an attraction on the really busy days, you might only have to wait 1 hour during the non-peak times of the year.

It also is helpful when making your dining reservations and it will be a lot easier to score a table at Be Our Guest or Oga’s Cantina if there are fewer people competing with you for one.

Busiest Times of the Year

So when are the busiest times of year in Disney World? Again, follow the kids.

The busiest time to visit is when kids are out of school during holidays or Spring and Summer breaks. Parents are generally more hesitant to have their kids skip school, and therefore have no choice but to schedule a trip during that time.

The busiest holidays in Disney World are Easter, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The crowds usually start coming in 3-4 days before those holidays begin, and stay for 2-3 days after, or at least through the weekend, before returning home Sunday or Monday.

Of these, the absolute busiest you will see at the Magic Kingdom , and the other theme parks are the weeks of Easter , Thanksgiving , Christmas , and New Year’s . Those should be avoided at all costs in our opinion as there are always wall-to-wall people and the parks often fill to capacity.

Also in 2024, one of the busiest days of the year at the Magic Kingdom will be Halloween (for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party), that day always sells out of reservations early.

Lastly, if you go to the parks on the day a new attraction is opening, that also will be extremely busy and we recommend skipping that park and coming back the next day instead.

Least Crowded Times

The least bust times in Disney World are always when kids are in school. The end of August through September tends to be one of the best months to visit because kids have just gone back to school.

January also is one of the least crowded months since kids go back to school after New Year’s. It doesn’t get too crowded again until President’s Week (the 3rd Monday in February).

Thankfully my parents always took us to Disney World in September, and though the teachers were not always happy about it, very rarely were the parks too busy.

It’s also important to know the least crowded Days to go to Disney World. As a general rule, weekdays are less crowded than weekends. This is especially true in EPCOT if one of the festivals is going on.

Best Way to Save Big $$$ on Disney Resorts

If you want to potentially save thousands of dollars on your next trip to Disney World, I personally recommend David’s DVC Rentals . They consistently have the best prices and biggest selection of Disney Villas that will make you ask yourself: “How do they do it?”

Cheapest Time to Visit Disney World

Finding the cheapest time to go to Disney World can be an even bigger motivator than basing your decision on the crowds. Thankfully, these two are also connected and the cheapest time to go is also when the crowds are the lowest. Disney knows this which is why there are always offers to try and entice guests to visit during those times.

Going to Disney World when the cost is lowest will save you money on hotel rooms, theme park tickets, airfare, and even food. You could potentially be saving thousands of dollars just by changing the dates.

• The cheapest times of the year to visit Disney World are August, September, and January after New Year’s is over into early February.

Since crowds have slowly been shifting from the Summer months into October/November, we’ve also noticed good deals on certain dates in June and July so that’s worth considering.

Our guide to the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World is invaluable in helping you pick dates if you are on a budget.

Also, read our post “How Much Does a Disney World Vacation Cost?” for the average price of a Disney Vacation, and then look at our Best Disney World Money-Saving Tips to reduce the cost as much as possible.

Going at a cheaper time is going to save you the most money on your hotel room. Prices can vary greatly between the Low Season and the Peak Season, and some rooms can cost as much as 2 or 3x the normal price.

Here are some examples of Disney World hotel prices and the differences when comparing the Low Season with Peak Season. We’ve separated these into examples from the Value, Moderate, and Deluxe Resorts of some potential prices.

• Value Resorts (Low Season) around $140-$250 per night
• Value Resorts (Peak Season) up to $300-$400+ per night
• Moderate Resorts (Low Season) around $260-$300 per night
• Moderate Resorts (Peak Season) up to $500+ per night
• Deluxe Resorts (Low Season) around $550-$850 per night
• Deluxe Resorts (Peak Season) up to $800-$1300+ per night

Those are huge savings and can’t be ignored!

Hotel rooms always cost more on the weekend, so if you are going for more than 7 days, try to only include Friday and Saturday once and this will save you money.

Our articles Disney World Hotels List and the Best Disney World Resorts will help you make a decision about where is the right place to stay during your visit.

Park Tickets

In the last few years, Disney World has introduced a surge pricing model for their theme park tickets , much like they already do with hotel room prices. As the crowds get bigger, park tickets get more expensive. When there are slower periods for crowds, Disney drops the ticket prices.

This means if you come in January or September, you will find the cheapest prices, whereas coming during the holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas will have the most expensive tickets.

Pricing is done from day to day, which means a Saturday ticket in a “slower” month like September can still be higher than a weekday in a busier month like July. The same month can have 3-4 different prices for tickets depending on which day you go.

Prices for all 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks are the same so it doesn’t matter if you go to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or the Animal Kingdom, the price is the same.

Here are some ranges between the lowest and highest prices for Disney World Base Tickets in 2024 (Taxes NOT included):

• 1-Day Tickets: $109-$189
• 2-Day Ticket Cost: $121 – $171 per day ($242 – $342 total)
• 3-Day Ticket Cost: $118 – $168 per day ($354 – $504 total)
• 4-Day Ticket Cost: $116 – $160 per day ($464 – $640 total)
• 5-Day Ticket Cost: $100 – $144 per day ($500 – $720 total)
• 6-Day Ticket Cost: $86 – $127 per day ($516 – $762 total)
• 7-Day Ticket Cost: $76 – $112 per day ($532 – $784 total)
• 8-Day Ticket Cost: $71 – $101 per day ($568 – $808 total)
• 9-Day Ticket Cost: $66 – $91 per day ($594 – $819 total)
• 10-Day Ticket Cost: $61 – $84 per day ($610 – $840 total)

Prices are not out yet for 2025 tickets, but you can expect them to increase from here.

A family of 4 can save more than $300+ on 1-Day tickets by going in the off-season instead of peak season. They can save more than $800 on 5-Day tickets by going in the value season! If you are really interested in saving big, check out our Discount Disney World Tickets Guide .

Cheapest Discount Disney World Tickets

If you are looking to save money on Disney World theme park tickets, our personal recommendation is Orlando Vacation . They almost always have the best prices on multi-day tickets and can save you $20-$60 per ticket over buying direct from Disney.

One way you’ll save money on food by not going to Disney World during peak season is taking advantage of special promotions like Disney Free Dining. This is an offer Disney releases multiple times a year to draw people to the resort when crowd levels are projected to be lower and can save you money overall.

During this promotion, you get the Disney Dining Plan included in your package without having to pay extra. In our guide to Disney Free Dining , we post the latest offers and the pros and cons of using it.

Disney JUST recently released information on the Disney Dining Plan, which was just released. For more information, check out my post here .

By going to Disney World at the right time, you can also score some great deals on airfare to Orlando International Airport. Just as with the crowds, the best deals are usually found in September or in January after New Year’s and into February.

We like to use Skyscanner or Southwest to search for the best deals, and it will depend on which airport you have near your home.

An underrated factor in deciding when to visit Walt Disney World is the park hours. While the parks may be less crowded during the off-season, park hours are going to be much shorter which means you have less overall time to spend in the parks each day.

Disney World park hours are the shortest after New Year’s Day in January and stay short until Spring Break starts in mid-March.

Park hours are extended in March through mid-August when they start shortening again. They stay short in September and October and then get longer around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In January the Magic Kingdom typically closes at 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm. Hollywood Studios is usually open until 8:00 pm or 8:30 pm, and the Animal Kingdom closes early, usually by 7:00 pm. EPCOT stays open until 9:00 pm.

In July the Magic Kingdom closes between 10:00-1:00 depending on the day, while the other parks close between 9:00-10:00 pm.

So while going during the busy season will definitely have more people, Disney makes up for it somewhat by giving people more time in the parks. If you like to stay out late, this can be an advantage that you can use.

However, if you typically go to bed on the early side and won’t take advantage of the late park hours, then a time like January or September is definitely better.

These articles have all the info about park hours, early entry, and how late you can stay in the parks:

• Magic Kingdom Park Hours
• EPCOT Park Hours
• Hollywood Studios Park Hours
• Animal Kingdom Park Hours

When is the Best Weather in Disney World?

Disney World has great weather for most of the year with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures almost year-round. The Florida sunshine is definitely positive, but the extreme heat and humidity that comes with it, not so much. That’s why finding out when the weather is best in Disney World can make your trip infinitely better.

The weather in Disney World can be extremely unpredictable, with temperatures in the 90s and a blazing sun one minute, followed by severe thunderstorms and lightning the next, only to see the sun come back out 30 minutes later. On rare occasions, you can even get hurricanes in Walt Disney World . The only thing you won’t find is snow!

Packing for the weather is key when visiting and depending on when you go, you could need clothes for the heat, rain, and even at times a sweater or jacket. Here is an overview of the weather in Disney World for each season.

Weather in Disney World by the Season

Winter –  The majority of the year is t-shirt and shorts weather, but in the winter months, it can be chilly some days, and definitely at night. At that time of year, a jacket and sweater are both good ideas, yet bringing lighter clothes in case the temperatures are mild.

The average daytime high temperature in Dec, Jan, Feb, and March is in the low 70s. This is actually good news and we prefer to visit the parks when the weather isn’t as hot as in the Summer. The negatives are that it isn’t great pool weather so not as much to do around the hotels. The Resort’s flowers and trees aren’t as beautiful in the Winter and this has the least daylight of any season.

Spring –  This is another great time to visit Walt Disney World and if you visit in March/April the average daytime high temperature is in the low 80s. This is good pool weather and good for the parks. Temperatures in May get significantly higher and reach close to 90 degrees.

Another good thing about Spring is it’s not an overly humid time of year with moderately low rainfall. There is also more sunlight in the Spring, which allows for longer hours in the parks every day.

Summer –  This is the worst season for weather in Central Florida with extreme heat and humidity on a daily basis. This outweighs most benefits of longer daylight, longer park hours, and more entertainment options than other seasons. Summer lasts from May to September with average high temperatures over 90 degrees, even reaching 100+ degrees on some days.

Humidity is off the charts in the Summer months with an average of 60% or more. Disney World has 13 rainy days per month on average in the Summer, and 6.4 inches of rain.

Fall –  Autumn is a beautiful time in Walt Disney World, and though daytime temperatures are still quite high in October, things cool down some in the second half of the month and get even better in November and December. Average daily high temperatures are in the 70s, again great for going to the parks.

Daylight is still good in early Fall, just remember to bring a light jacket or sweater at night as temperatures drop significantly compared to the daytime.

Best Weather

After considering all the various factors, the best weather in Disney World is in the Fall and Spring seasons . This is when you will find a good amount of daylight, lower rain totals, and warm temperatures, but not the extreme heat you find in the Summer.

Out of these seasons, our favorite months for the weather in Disney World are November and March . They are warm enough where you can still go in the pool most of the time, and perfect park weather in the mid to upper 70s.

Worst Weather

It should be no surprise that the worst season for weather in Disney World is the Summer .

Unless you live in Florida or have visited Disney in June, July, or August , you will have a hard time understanding just how oppressive the heat can be during this time. Nearly every time you are outdoors during the Summer, you will be sweating profusely, even if you aren’t doing any activity whatsoever.

If you are going to the Disney parks in Summer, we suggest you get an early start to the day by rope-dropping the parks, then go back to your hotel after lunch for a pool break/nap, then make your way back to the parks in the evening. This will help you avoid the excruciating mid-day heat which is unbearable.

Special Events, Festivals and Holidays

Now that we’ve figured out the cheapest times, the least crowded times, and the best weather, you definitely want to look at the calendar for any holidays, special events, or festivals that might be going on in Walt Disney World each month.

There are so many cool events happening each year that you and your family might want to plan your trip around.

Many families plan their trip to Walt Disney World around the holidays, even if it means the crowds are going to be bigger than other times of the year. Easter, the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are the most popular ones guests are likely to plan for.

Here is a list of dates for Holidays in 2024 & 2025:

• New Year’s Day – Jan. 1
• Martin Luther King Jr Day – Jan 15, 2024, and Jan 20, 2025
• Valentine’s Day – Feb 14
• President’s Day – Feb 19, 2024, and Feb 17, 2025
• St. Patrick’s Day – March 17
• Easter – March 31, 2024, and April 20, 2025
• Memorial Day – May 27, 2024, and May 26, 2025
• Labor Day – Sep 2, 2024, and Sep 1, 2025
• Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Oct 14, 2024, and Oct 13, 2025
• Halloween – Oct. 31
• Veteran’s Day – Nov 11, 2024, and Nov 11, 2025
• Thanksgiving – Nov 28, 2024, and Nov 27, 2025
• Christmas – Dec. 25
• New Year’s Eve – Dec. 31

Keep in mind, if you visit the Disney parks on the exact days of these holidays, you are going to find the biggest crowds all year long. The parks will be overcrowded and they will likely reach full capacity for the day. You have been warned.

A better alternative is to make the days the holidays fall on a pool day or do one of the many other non-park activities during those days, and go to the parks on other days during your trip.

If you have to go to Disney World on a holiday, here are the least crowded holidays for 2024 & 2025:

Special Events and Festivals

Besides the holidays, there are plenty of special events and festivals to keep track of when planning your visit.

Here is a list of all 2024 Disney World Special Events to consider:

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend : Jan 3 – Jan 7
• EPCOT® International Festival of the Arts : Jan 12 – Feb 19
• Pro Bowl Weekend: Feb 1 – Feb 4
• Cheerleading & Dance Competitions:   Jan 12-14, Feb 2 – 4, Feb 9 – 11, Feb 16 – 18, Mar 1 – 3, Mar 9 – 10, Apr 24 – 29, May 2 – 6
• runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Feb 22 – Feb 26
• runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend:   April 18 – April 21
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival : TBD (February 28 – Early July)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: TBD (Mid-July – Mid-Nov)
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: (Early Aug – Oct 31)
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend:   Oct 31 – Nov 3
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party : TBD (Early Nov – End Dec)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays: TBD (End Nov – Dec 30)

If you are going from August to December, Disney’s Magic Kingdom runs 2 special hard-ticketed events, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which are very popular with guests.

• TIP: If you are not going to either of these events, then we suggest you avoid the Magic Kingdom on those days as park hours for regular guests will be much shorter than normal. Unless you are only spending a half-day there, in which case the morning and afternoon tend to be less packed than normal.

If it always seems like there is a festival going on in EPCOT, that’s because there basically is. There are 4 yearly EPCOT Festivals, Food and Wine, Flower and Garden, Festival of the Arts, and Festival of the Holidays that run pretty much straight from the end of August through May.

At times in the past EPCOT was without festivals in June, July, and August, but in recent years the festivals have also filled those months. Expect things to be the same in 2024 and 2025 and we don’t anticipate a month without one of the festivals taking place in EPCOT.

This year, the biggest event is The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration. It isn’t as big of a deal in Walt Disney World, but you should expect some festivities for sure, and potentially elevated crowd levels at certain times.

Overall these events can be really fun and definitely worth planning for your Disney World trip, just realize that many will also have higher crowds, so make sure you know going into it. If you want to go to any of the EPCOT Festivals, go on a weekday, it will be much less crowded.

Refurbishments & New Rides

One thing that might not come to mind when trying to find the best time to visit Disney World is the attraction refurbishment schedule. This is important because there are certain times of the year when Disney likes to do extended maintenance on the rides, which means your favorite could be closed.

The last thing you want to do is show up at Disney and find that Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean is down for refurbishment. How can you do this if you are planning your trip many months in advance?

• The most popular time for big Disney World attraction refurbishments is in January or February .

Disney wants all the big rides open in the busiest periods of the year, which definitely includes the Summer and the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. After New Year’s, crowds lessen which is a good time for Disney to work on any rides that need a tune-up. In this case, going to Disney World when the crowds are the heaviest ensures the majority of attractions will be open.

The water parks are also likely to be closed in parts of January and February, so don’t expect to go to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach during that time.

As for new rides, there isn’t much coming in 2024. The only thing of note is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at the Magic Kingdom coming at the end of the year.

Last year was much more interesting with the opening of the TRON Roller Coaster at the Magic Kingdom, Moana: Journey of Water opening at EPCOT, the new Luminous fireworks show , and Happily Ever After also returning in April of 2023.

You also will definitely want to check what’s new in Disney World and all upcoming attractions to see if you can plan your trip around a new ride you’ve been waiting to go on.

Is 2024 or 2025 a Good Time to Visit Disney World?

If you’ve been to Walt Disney World in the last couple of years, or if you haven’t been for many years, 2024 and 2025 are quite different years for planning a trip, and with all the recent changes it has become even more different. You may be wondering if it’s worth it to visit Disney World at all right now?

Here are a few things to consider:

Pros: There are a few big reasons why you should visit right now:

• Things Back to Normal – After last year year almost all traces of the restrictions guests had in 2020-2021 are gone and there are even more benefits for visiting Disney World are back. Most of the attractions options are back and more entertainment options are returning every month.
• Most Safety Guidelines and Restrictions Gone – Guests no longer have to wear face masks in the Disney Parks in any location, even in the indoor locations including on attractions and in common areas of the hotels. And we are especially thankful that you no longer have to wear a face mask in 95+ degree heat, as that wasn’t fun one bit.
• Anniversary Parties – The Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary began at the end of 2023 and we expect the festivities to continue well into 2024. If you like a good party, 2024 is it.
• New Attractions/Experiences – As we mentioned, TRON and Moana: Journey of Water opened last year, as well as 2 new fireworks shows. In 2024 we may finally get to see the end of the EPCOT construction project and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain at the Magic Kingdom.
• Nice Discounts – Since overall attendance at Walt Disney World was lower last year than prior years, Disney started offering some pretty deep discounts on hotels and vacation packages . We expect those discounts to continue in 2024 which could mean even more ways to save money on your trip.

Cons: On the other hand, there are still a few reasons why NOT to visit right now:

• Limited Experiences and Attractions – Not all attractions, entertainment, or experiences are available right now, but we are getting much closer to 100% once again. A big one is fireworks shows are now back , but there are still a lot of shows and characters missing.
• It’s Expensive – Even with plenty of discounts, there is no question that going to Walt Disney World has become out of reach for many families due to the rising cost of tickets, food, merchandise and hotel rooms. It’s not going to get better anytime soon, but if you have a limited budget, you may be forced to save up longer than you would have in the past.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of things to take into consideration if you are planning on visiting Disney World during the reopening phase. That’s not to say that it won’t be fun, but you should be aware of what to expect before you go.

Best Months in Disney World – Ranked

This is my favorite part, ranking each month in Disney World in 2024 from Worst to Best.

We want to give you a look at each month compared with the others, and take into consideration all the various aspects we’ve already gone over in this guide. These rankings tend to be similar each year but can change slightly depending on how some holidays fall and other events going on.

As a disclaimer, this list looks much different in 2024 than in some years. With new changes in the parks, new attractions, and anniversary celebrations, at least a few of these months find themselves either higher or lower than they normally might.

It’s also worth noting that the further into 2024 we go, the more likely things get back to “normal” in the parks. That means potentially more entertainment coming back. Those factors weighed into our rankings.

This list could look a lot different in 2025 depending on what other changes we see by then. We’ll update this list later in 2024 to reflect any changes to the schedule.

Ok, now on to the best months at Disney World in 2024…

Normally July is either the worst or second-worst month to visit Disney World, and that’s where it comes in again in 2024.

Just like in June and August, July is a terrible month for weather in Disney World, with temperatures rarely under 90 degrees and with unbearable humidity.

It’s also one of the rainiest months of the year with over 10 inches annually. Ponchos become your best friends in Disney World in July, and you need plenty of extra socks.

The 4th of July is always one of the busiest days of the year for the parks, and heavy crowds carry on throughout the whole month. This should be the same in 2024, as many families have returned to traveling again, and July is right when kids have off from school.

• Pros: Long Park Hours, Lots of Daylight, Potentially Good Deals
• Cons: Extreme Weather, Higher Crowds

See our guide to Disney World in July for more details.

June hasn’t changed at all from our original list and is always one of the worst months to visit Disney World in 2024.

The weather is excruciatingly hot and humid so make sure to bring sunscreen and a towel to dry yourself off. The rain also picks up in June with approximately 5 inches annually. That means you’re likely to get caught in quite a few thunderstorms on your trip.

Crowds are lighter in the first half of the month and then pick up when kids start getting out of school. On the plus side, June benefits from long hours of sunshine and extended park hours, and entertainment offerings.

In 2024, we expect crowds to be heavy once again and wait times should increase, that mixed with extreme summer weather makes us stay away.

• Pros: Lots of Daylight, Most Attractions are Open
• Cons: Extremely Hot Weather, High Crowd Levels, Thunderstorms

See our guide to Disney World in June for more details.

What’s different about August from July? Not much when considering the weather, but there are some important benefits. August has the hottest temperatures of the year in Disney World with just slightly less rain than July, though thunderstorms are still a daily occurrence. You’ll for sure want to spend a good amount of time in the resort pool.

The good news is crowds are usually heavy in early August and then decrease drastically as Labor Day nears. This leads to low wait times on attractions and wonderful hotel discounts.

In 2024 I think this will be the same and even with the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival in full swing and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party debuting in August, you’ll see very few people in the parks compared to how many will come in the Fall.

In the past we’ve had August bunched right at the bottom of the list with June and July, but we’ve softened due to low prices and wait times.

• Pros: Low Crowds in the Second Half, Potentially Low Prices, Long Park Hours, Lots of Daylight
• Cons: Extreme Weather, High Crowds in First Half

See our guide to Disney World in August for more details.

For many years, April in Walt Disney World fell somewhere in the middle of the pack for us, but in recent years it’s gotten worse. The most important factor when deciding to go in April is finding out when Easter occurs that year.

If Easter is in March, April turns into one of the best months, with very low spring break crowds. If Easter is in April, that becomes less attractive, especially in the first half of the month.

If Easter is early in April (or the very end of March this year), the second half of the month can be a joy to visit Disney World with warm temperatures and moderate to light crowds. The gardens and flowers are at their best as well, with Walt Disney World perhaps at its most beautiful.

It just so happens however that in 2024 Easter happens on March 31, not quite April but crowds will still be around in full force during the first week so avoid that as much as possible. If you go later in the month, like the 3rd or 4th weeks, this could be a great month to visit.

• Pros: Great Park Weather, Beautiful Landscaping, Lots of Daylight
• Cons: Heavy Crowds depending on the year

See our guide to Disney World in April for more details.

March is a good to a mediocre month to visit Disney World depending on how Easter falls. If Easter happens in late March, then avoid that time at all costs. If Easter is in April, the first half of March can be a wonderful time to go with spring break crowds hitting in the second half of the month.

The weather in March might be the best you will find all year long. Temperatures are usually in the upper 70s to low 80s and good for any activity you want to do. It also rains very rarely in March in Orlando, which means you don’t have to worry about getting wet.

The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival also begins in March, one of our favorite events of the year.

I do have to warn you though, if you go in the second half when Spring Break is in full swing, it can be a terrible time to visit. The crowds are absolutely packed even if Easter isn’t until mid-April.

This year Easter is March 31, which means March 2024 should be one of the worst months to visit in for the entire year. Even the great weather can’t save March from the masses of crowds for most of the month. Be very selective of your weeks if you decide on March.

• Pros: One of the Best Months for Weather, Beautiful Landscaping, Low Crowds in the first half
• Cons: High Crowds in the second half, High Prices

See our guide to Disney World in March for more tips and info.

5. February

February is another month we’ve had much higher in recent years, and in 2024 we raised it a couple of points. Yes, it is a great choice for visiting Disney, especially in the first half of the month. February has some of the lowest crowds all year, and you just need to avoid President’s Day week, which is very busy.

The weather is nice and perfect for visiting the theme parks. Some weeks it’s even warm enough to go in the pool. You also benefit from off-season pricing, again as long as you avoid going around President’s Day.

That said, we went at the end of February a couple of years ago and it was an absolute nightmare. The crowds were horrible and the lines were more than 60 minutes long for everything, and even using the Genie+ service we weren’t able to do what we wanted to.

Thankfully, I don’t expect 2024 to be like that, but there will be crowds around the holidays.

Another downside is the water parks are often closed for most of the month, and some attractions may be under refurbishment. That said, February is still one of our favorite months as long as you pick the right week.

• Pros: Great Park Weather, Good Discount, Low Crowds in first half.
• Cons: High Crowds around President’s Day and end of the month, Water Parks Closed, Attraction Refurbishment likely

See our guide to Disney World in February for more tips and info.

In theory, October should be one of the best times of the year as temperatures are lowering and kids should be in school. It used to be one of our favorite months, which now has been dropping lower and lower on our list due to the rising crowd levels. It’s not as bad as during the major holidays, but ride wait times are still very long.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival have a lot to do with October’s popularity with many guests coming to Disney World specifically for those events.

Weekdays are your best bests in October. On the plus side, the temperature is still hot during the day, but much cooler at night than in September.

Without any huge events in 2024, we expect crowd levels to be high, but not as much as the last couple of years perhaps.

Check prices and availability after Columbus Day into the middle/end of the month. If you can go during the week in the second half of the month, October can be one of the best times to visit. For now, as a whole, it lands at #7 overall.

• Pros: Hot but not too hot, Popular Events
• Cons: Rising Crowd Levels, Limited Discounts

See our guide to Disney World in October for more details.

We usually have May in the middle of the pack, but in 2024 May skyrocketed toward the top of our list of the best months to visit. When the spring break crowds are gone, there is a dip in attendance before school is out and the Summer crowds start pouring in.

Instead of increasing crowds in May, the opposite effect has been happening in recent years and it has surprisingly low crowds compared with March and April. Spring Break is over and most children are still in school in May which makes it a beautiful time to visit.

You also can get some pretty awesome deals on hotel rooms, adding to May’s appeal.

The weather gets significantly hotter in May, often reaching into the 90s, though not usually at the “melt-your-skin-off” levels in the Summer. There is tons of daylight in May, and thunderstorms are quite common.

Overall, even if you go on the weekends, it’s normally a wonderful time to visit due to the lower crowd levels and you need to highly consider visiting during this time. Again, May is our #2 Month for Disney World in 2024 for its almost unbeatable combo of Price, Crowds, Entertainment, and Weather. Don’t miss it!

• Pros: Low Crowds on Weekdays, Parks are Beautiful, Lots of Daylight
• Cons: Hot and Humid Temperatures

See our guide to Disney World in May for more tips and info.

January is one of our favorite months to visit Disney World because of the light crowds and low prices for the majority of the month. Crowds disappear after New Year’s week which means excellent deals on vacation packages, hotels and park tickets. Also, stay away from Marathon Week if you can.

It also might have the lowest attraction wait times of the year which means you’ll get more done in less time.

The weather is mixed and temperatures are beautiful and great for touring the parks during the day with an average high of 72 degrees. Nighttime can get cold, however, even into the 40s so you will need to dress heavier than normal. We’ll take this any day of the week over the heat in July and August though! Also, very little rain means plenty of sunshine and blue skies.

Don’t expect to do much swimming in the pools, and the water parks are closed. Also, look ahead to Disney’s refurbishment schedule as it’s possible some attractions are down for maintenance.

In our opinion, January is one of the best months to visit Walt Disney World with its outstanding combination of low prices, low crowd levels, and mild temperatures. Give it strong consideration when planning your trip.

• Pros: Low Crowds, Low Prices, Great Park Weather
• Cons: Chance of E-Ticket Attractions being closed for refurbishment, Not Pool-Weather/Water Parks Close

See our guide to Disney World in January for more details.

6. December

December is certainly one of the most popular times to visit Disney World, with holiday decorations up and plenty of holiday-themed events happening. However, you will get two completely different experiences depending on the week you choose to go, and it’s subjective to how much you enjoy the holidays.

The beginning of the month has low crowds once Thanksgiving week is over. It might not be as quiet as it once was because of Disney manipulating blackout dates and trying to fill in the lower-attended weeks of the year. The first couple of weeks is still one of our favorite times and most years it doesn’t have bad crowds (although it is trending up recently).

Once you get close to Christmas week, however, things change dramatically where it quickly becomes the busiest time of the year in Disney World. We would definitely recommend you avoid this week all the way through New Year’s week unless you like to stand in line 3 hours for Space Mountain.

The cost has also risen the last couple of years which is why we dropped December a bit. Prices are still pretty high in early December, and the highest price-gouging all year in Disney World happening from Christmas to New Year’s.

• Pros: Low Crowds (Early December), Seasonal Entertainment, Low Prices (Early December), Long Park Hours (Late Dec)
• Cons: Extremely Heavy Crowds (Late Dec), Exorbitant Prices (Late Dec), Little Daylight

4. November

Last year we had November as our number 2 choice, and even though we dropped it a bit, there is no doubt that November is one of the best months to visit Disney World. The reasons why we love it include a great combination of crowds, weather, cost, and seasonal entertainment offerings.

The first half of November is extremely light for crowds, especially during the week. This means low wait times and room to breathe in the parks.

Because crowds are low, Disney usually has some great vacation deals, including the Free Dining promotion which can save you some serious dollars.

November also can’t be beaten for its weather. It has the lowest precipitation numbers in Disney World all year, with less than one inch of rain on avg. Temperatures are fantastic, still warm enough to go swimming most years, yet not too hot to be uncomfortable in the parks.

The seasonal entertainment options are extremely popular as the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is still going on in the first half of the month, as well as the popular Christmas festivities such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which lasts all month long.

Christmas decorations go up throughout the parks and hotels early on in November which many people come to see.

The only bad time to go to Disney World in November is during Thanksgiving Week and the few days surrounding it. If Thanksgiving happens earlier than normal like the 22 or 23, the last few days of November are also great times to go once the crowds go home. It’s also best to avoid Veteran’s Day weekend.

• Pros: Perfect Temperatures, No Rain, Seasonal Entertainment Offerings, Long Park Hours (Near Thanksgiving) Low Crowds (First Half of Month), Low Prices (First Half of Month)
• Cons: High Crowds (Near Thanksgiving), High Prices (Near Thanksgiving)

1. September

Last year we had September at #1, and we couldn’t find any reason to change that in 2024. It’s very rare that we ever drop it below 3 or 4, and you know it will always be in contention.

September always has some of the lowest crowds all year in Disney World since kids have just gone back to school and parents are reluctant to take them out at the start of the school year.

Disney always has incredible deals in September, with hotel rooms being close to the cheapest you’ll find all year and good promotions like Disney Free Dining. There are plenty of popular entertainment offerings like the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party both in full swing throughout the whole month.

The only negative is September is still a very hot month, with temperatures often reaching into the 90s and high humidity. The later you go in the month, the less oppressive this is.

September has lots of rain, though usually just a passing storm from 4-5 pm, and then it clears back up. It’s also one of those months where it’s possible to see a hurricane, like our experience when Hurricane Irma hit Disney World in 2017 . That is a rare occurrence though, and most years you are fine.

After what we witnessed last year, in September 2024, we expect the crowd levels to be low as they usually are. And honestly, you won’t find a month with fewer people.

Even though there are some negatives with the weather September is almost always one of the best months to visit Disney World. It should still make for a good time to visit Disney World in 2024, and it’s our personal favorite this year.

• Pros: Very Light Crowds, Historically Great Discounts, Good Daylight, Seasonal Entertainment Options
• Cons: Very Hot weather, Rainy weather, Chance of Hurricanes

See our guide to Disney World in September for more tips and info.

Favorite Weeks to Visit Disney World in 2024 & 2025

Last, but not least, we wanted to share with you what we feel are the best weeks to visit Disney World in 2024 and 2025. If we were planning a trip right now, these are the weeks we would choose above all others.

• Week #3: 1st Week in November – Great combo of perfect weather, low crowds, and good prices that should be back to normal in 2024.
• Week #2: Last Week in September – Always one of the cheapest times of the year to visit and with potentially the lowest crowds all year. You can choose from Mickey’s Not So Scary and EPCOT Food and Wine, so plenty to keep you busy and a great time to visit.
• Week #1: Last Days of November/First Week in December – This week has it all. Popular entertainment, low crowds, low prices, and a beautiful time to visit Disney World.
• Week #2: Middle of October – Always one of the best weeks as temperatures cool off slightly, and it has low crowds and low prices. Just make sure you don’t hit it when Columbus Day visitors are there. The end of September is another great chioce as usual.
• Week #1: Last Days of November/First Week in December – Just like in 2024, this remains our favorite week of the year due to all the above reasons for popular entertainment, low crowds, low prices, and the sheer beauty at that time of the year.

While there are many great times to visit Disney World, there is no one “Best” time that stands out way above the others. It comes down to your personal preferences and what you are looking for on your trip.

We personally prefer to go to the parks when the temperature is milder, even giving up our pool time if need be. Our preference is always toward cost and what time of the year will save us money. And we also would rather go when the crowds are lower, even if that means there might be fewer entertainment choices and shorter park hours.

We think one week is a good length of time to schedule also as it gives you at least one day per park and allows you to be flexible if you happen to hit a holiday on one of those days. You can do it in 4-5 days, but you’ll be running like crazy and probably won’t enjoy it nearly as much.

Ultimately there is no bad time to visit Disney World and you will have a great trip no matter when you go. Decide which aspect is most important for you and start planning in the month that suits your needs. I hope this helped, and most importantly, have a very magical vacation!

Jan 2-11, Jan 22 – Feb 8 Feb 26 – March 1 April 8-26 May 1-17 (Weekdays only) August 19-31 September (minus Labor Day Weekend) Most Weekdays in October (except Columbus Day Week) Nov 1-21 (avoid Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving Week) Weekdays in December 1-13 (avoid Christmas and New Year’s)

January 1, January 12-17 February 16-25 (President’s Day) March 15 – April 7 (Spring Break & Easter) June – August 11 November 22-30 (Avoid Thanksgiving Week) December 1, 13 -31 (Avoid Christmas and New Year’s Weeks)

The best weather in Disney World is usually in the Spring (March and April) and in the Fall (October and November). Temperatures are warm but not too hot and there is little rain and plenty of sunshine.

Need Help Planning Your Trip?

We know the entire Disney vacation planning process can be overwhelming at times and the easiest way to book your vacation package is to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner as they will help you every step of the way. They will listen to your needs and preferences and can help you decide which resort is best for you.

We highly recommend using René Cittadino at Show You the World Travel for your Disney World reservations. That’s who we personally use on almost every trip and they make the experience much more enjoyable.

They will help you to make advanced dining reservations, book special events, and more. The best part is that they are 100% FREE and it doesn’t cost you any more money to use them than it does to book directly through Disney. Instead, they will actually end up saving you money by continuing to look for better deals even after booking your trip.

Just Click Here for a Free Quote and get started making your Disney World plans today!

That wraps up our ranking of the best months to visit Disney World in 2024. We hope that we gave you enough info to figure out which one is the best for your next trip!

If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the coming future, here are some other popular articles where you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.

• Disney World Vacation Planning Guide
• Disney World Crowd Calendar
• Best Disney World Resort Hotels RANKED

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our choices for the best times to visit Disney World…

• What is your favorite time to go to Disney?
• Which Months or Weeks are your favorites?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Saturday 31st of December 2022

We went during Easter 2019 and the crowds weren’t bad at all! On Easter Day, Epcot was so empty- it was lovely!

Tuesday 28th of April 2020

Very valuable information. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Sunday 10th of November 2019

At the bottom of your article you list the "Generally the best days to visit each park are:" but then right below that you suggest a schedule that ignores those suggestions. Which set is accurate?

Disney World FastPass+ Tips and Tricks - Ziggy Knows Disney

Friday 24th of June 2016

[…] this article, check out some of my other useful posts on planning your trip.  Check out what the Best Time to Visit Disney World is.  Also check out my guide on How you can Save Money Buying your Park Tickets and Why you Need […]

Buying Disney World Tickets Tips and Tricks - Ziggy Knows Disney

Friday 10th of June 2016

[…] and if you go in the Value time you will get the best bargain.  Be sure to read my post about when the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World is, that way you will save even more money going at the right time.  But basically if you want to […]

Disney World Weather by Month

Weather can be unpredictable – here’s what you need to know about disney world weather by month.

Disney World weather can have a profound effect on your vacation. While nothing quite compares to visiting Disney when the sun is out, and the temperatures are mild, some Florida weather can be less than ideal. Rain, hurricanes, and tropical storms are always possible here, and these occurrences can “dampen” your plans. In addition, the summers often experience long periods of excessive heat reaching into the ’90s and beyond. The good news is that there are certainly more days during the calendar year when the weather at Disney World is anywhere from  good  to  perfect . So how can you prepare for the unpredictable  Orlando climate ? This article will explain what to know about Disney World’s weather by month.

Disney World Weather Overview

Most people book their  Disney World  vacation months and months before their arrival. They plan every detail exactly how they want it and strive to make their Disney experience as perfect as possible. After all, most trips cost thousands of dollars, so who  wouldn’t  want it to be perfect?!

Unfortunately, the weather is one factor that is totally out of your control. And you won’t be able to simply change your vacation reservations at the last minute if you spot a poor 10-day weather forecast. However, you  are  in control of deciding  which month to go , and you can base this decision on the historical weather patterns of the Disney World area.

Extreme Weather 

Like the other parts of Florida, Orlando is prone to extreme weather like tropical storms and  hurricanes . These weather events don’t happen every year, but when they do hit, you certainly don’t want to be caught outdoors for any length of time.  ( Read more about hurricane season at Disney World)

Disney does close outdoor rides during storms and rain events in order to protect its guests from lightning strikes.

Rain showers are a more frequent occurrence. Most of the rain at Disney is just a passing shower or sudden downpours. However, some rain events may last several hours or even several days. As sunny as the  weather is in Florida , you would be very lucky to spend a whole week at Disney World without at least one rain shower or rainy day.

(See our  Disney World Packing List  page to find a poncho for your trip and our  Disney Attractions for Rainy Days  page to find the best theme park rides when the weather turns south)

Another weather factor you can almost certainly count on is the high heat and humidity during the summer months. Temperatures over 100 degrees are not out of the question during the months of June – September. These scoring temps can make you scramble to find the nearest air-conditioned building or grab your bathing suit and run for the nearest pool. Even so, you can have a wonderful experience at Disney World even when the weather is less than ideal.

The upside is that most days at Disney World experience comfortable weather for outdoor activities, more so than in other parts of the country. In addition, certain times of the year are more predictable and storm-free. Spring and fall are the seasons with the best weather, whereas winter is cooler, and summer is obviously the hottest.

Month by Month Weather at Disney World

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the historical weather patterns at Disney World:

coldest month; pleasant days, colder nights

• Average High: 72° F
• Average Low: 48° F
• Average Precipitation: 5 days, 2.67 inches

slightly less cold; nice weather for outdoor activities

• Average High Temperature: 74° F
• Average Low Temperature: 51° F
• Average Precipitation: 5 days, 2.37 inches

Spring begins, and flowers start to bloom

• Average High Temperature: 78° F
• Average Low Temperature: 54° F
• Average Precipitation: 5 days, 3.07 inches

Blooming continues, and the weather is generally pleasant, w/an occasional afternoon shower

• Average High Temperature: 83° F
• Average Low Temperature: 60° F
• Average Precipitation: 3 days, 2.43 inches

Moderate humidity and weather begins to heat up

• Average High Temperature: 87° F
• Average Low Temperature: 66° F
• Average Precipitation: 7 days, 4.17 inches

High heat sets in, and rain  is  more common

• Average High Temperature: 90° F
• Average Low Temperature: 72° F
• Average Precipitation: 11 days, 9.18 inches

Very warm, sunny, and rainy

• Average High Temperature: 92° F
• Average Low Temperature: 74° F
• Average Precipitation: 13 days, 7.21 inches

Warmest month and rain is common

• Average High Temperature: 91° F
• Average Precipitation: 13 days, 8.38 inches

Remains hot, humid, and summer-like

• Average Low Temperature: 73° F
• Average Precipitation: 9 days, 5.88 inches

Autumn begins, temperatures moderate, and humidity lessens 

• Average High Temperature: 85° F

Splendid weather to be at Disney World

• Average High Temperature: 79° F
• Average Low Temperature: 57° F
• Average Precipitation: 4 days, 1.99 inches

Cooler but still quite nice

• Average Low Temperature: 52° F
• Average Precipitation: 4 days, 2.15 inches

Source:  NOAA

Best Weather Seasons at Walt Disney World (Best Time to Visit)

As far as weather goes, the  best time to visit Walt Disney World Resort  is during spring and autumn. The weather during these seasons tends to be warm but quite comfortable for any outdoor activity. As a result, humidity levels are lower, and the UV index remains in a safe range.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Disney World. The trees are awakening, the flowers are blooming, and the lovely scents of nature are in the air!

The spring is short in Orlando, but it’s quite enjoyable because temperatures remain favorable throughout the season, with low temperatures ranging up to around 82°F. Disney World’s springtime experiences moderately low rainfall (mostly in the afternoon), relative humidity of around 50%, and the sun is strong for up to nine hours per day. With the favorable climate and magical blooming grounds, spring is unquestionably one of the best times to vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, FL.

Disney World weather is close to perfect in the fall. In fact, it may just beat out the spring as the single best season to visit Walt Disney World.

Like spring, Disney’s autumn season is short. It’s characterized by crisp air, mildly warm weather, and moderately lower rainfall. Tourists who want to avoid the hot summer weather will appreciate the milder temperatures of autumn and still have up to 8 hours of sunshine per day. However, nights typically cool off considerably, so it may be advisable to bring an extra layer or light jacket if you plan to extend your daytime activities into the evening and nighttime.

Worst Weather Seasons at Disney World (Worst Time to Visit)

Unfortunately, not all seasons at Disney are as agreeable as spring and autumn.

Summer, in particular, suffers from a double whammy because the park is more crowded when schools are on break, and the weather can become sizzling hot. The heat translates into crowded swimming pools and an uncomfortable time  waiting in lines .

Winter experiences fewer crowds, but the temperatures are considerably cooler than at other times of the year. But for some, cooler temps are welcomed… so winter may not be so bad for those of you who can’t stand the heat. If crowds are our major concern, then please see our  Disney World Crowd Calendar .

Disney’s summer season extends from May through September. It’s characterized by warm – if not  scorching  – weather with mid-day temperatures reaching as high as 100+ degrees. Humidity stays relatively high even in the hot weather, with an average of 61%, while rainfall is at its peak, with an average precipitation of 6.4″. A noteworthy positive aspect of summer is the fourteen hours of daylight the park experiences.

Disney’s winter runs from December through February. The highest average temperatures top out in the low 70s, and rainfall is lighter than in other seasons. With moderate temperatures, minimal rain, and humidity of around 59%, winter may be one of the better times to visit Disney World if you aren’t fond of the heat and don’t mind bringing an extra layer of clothing for the evening hours. Another added bonus: Winter tends to be the  cheapest time to go to Disney World .

Winter does have a few drawbacks. Disney World tends to be a little on the cool side for the pools and water parks during this season (but that decision is up to you). In addition, there are fewer daylight hours, the park grounds aren’t nearly as beautiful as during the spring season, and the temperatures aren’t as ideal as during the beginning and latter half of autumn (still too hot or becoming too cool).

We hope that you’ve found our Disney World Weather page helpful.

For more helpful Walt Disney World vacation information, check our  Disney Crowd Calendar ,  Best Magic Kingdom Rides ,  Best Animal Kingdom Rides ,  Adventures by Disney , and  Disney World for Adults  pages.

If you need help planning your trip to Walt Disney World, then please contact  The Vacationeer .  One of their friendly  Disney travel agents can help you plan and book the most magical Disney vacation possible. Plus, their services are free of charge, and their assistance may prove to be invaluable.

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

Best Time To Visit Disney World: When To Go And When To Avoid

October 14, 2022 //  by  Sarah Newton //   Leave a Comment

When is the best time to visit Disney World, Florida? This is undoubtedly the question we get asked a lot and it’s not as easy to answer as it first appears.

Deciding on the best month to visit Disney is an individual decision and depends on so many factors. I mean the real answer is the best time to visit Disney World is when you can. If you have the privilege of being able to choose when you go then fantastic but please know whenever you go Disney is an incredible experience.

The best time to vacation at Disney is when works best for you and your circumstances.

In the article, we will walk you through all the information you need to help you make a decision about when to go to Disney World. Each month and season has its pros and cons and we will walk you through how to get the best out of your vacation whenever you decide to go.

So, are you ready to pack your bags, put on those mouse ears and get ready to meet Mickey? Of course, you are.

Oh and if you need help packing check out our Ultimate Packing Guide .

When Is The Best Time To Visit Disney World? 

The best time to visit Disney World depends on what you want out of a holiday and the capacity you have to choose when to go.

If you have children obviously the best time to visit is the school holidays because that is the only time you can take them.

Don’t handle heat well, then you will need to stay clear of the sticky hot months. Want to experience a particular celebration like Christmas or Halloween then you need to go when the decorations are up.

Keep in mind festivals. like the Food And Wine Festival, if you want to attend you will need to go when that is on. If you are going for a particular ride or entertainment event you will need to make sure it’s working and operational when you go.

If you hate crowds or are really short on time then you will need to visit in the off-season at Disney. Similarly, if you are looking to get the best value for money you will need to visit when the park is at low capacity.

There are so many considerations when it comes to the best month to go to Disney World, Florida. Our suggestion would be to decide on your three top priorities and plan from there.

Things to take into account are the weather, the crowds, the cost, park opening times, special events/festivals or celebrations, rides or entertainment shows you want to see and of course the times you can actually travel.

What Is the Worst Time To Go To Disney World?

There is no real worse time to go to Disney there is only a time that doesn’t work so well for you. However, saying this there are times that visiting Disney can be a more stressful experience than others.

If you can avoid the height of holidays. The park will sometimes get closed at Christmas because it has reached capacity to give you an idea of numbers. Easter and New Year can also be another really busy time.

If you hate the heat then July and August might be really challenging for you.

In general school vacations, weekends, public holidays, and the high summer season are the worst time to go to Disney World. But don’t worry if you have to go during these times there are things you can do to make it easier and more pleasurable.  

What Is The Cheapest Time To Go To Disney?

The cheapest time to visit Disney tends, not surprisingly, to be when the part is less crowded. This tends to be the winter months not including holiday periods so November, January, and February as long as you stay away from certain events.

During the slower times, Disney offers discounted packages and special promotions, particularly in hotels. Park tickets also have value, regular, and peak prices which are based on expected crowds for that day. Also, multi-day tickets tend to be better valued.

This article on How To Buy Discounted Disney World Tickets will help you decide when is the cheapest time to go.

In general the second week in January until spring break starts tends to be the cheapest time to visit Disney World, Florida. If you traveling on a budget early January, early May, late August, or all of September is the best time of year to go to Disney World for you.

If you are looking to save some money here are some money-saving Disney tips.

High And Low Season For Disney World 

While there is a Disney World off season it isn’t like other holidays in that within the low season you will also find huge peak periods. Low season at Disney is really more about quiet periods within the peak periods but you have to look for them.

The off-season at Disney tends to be January to early February and the times when children have gone back to school i.e September, October, and November. However, saying this while hotels might be cheaper in Florida the Halloween celebrations at Disney can make the park very busy.

The best way to think about the low season at Disney is that if the American children are at school it’s generally cheaper. And if you are not in America look this up as the school holidays in America are much longer than those in Europe for example.

While visiting during the Disney World off-season saves you money there are a few things to take note of. The off-season is often when Disney will close some rides for repairs and refurbishments so check before you go. There will also be fewer shows and entertainment on offer.

And while most people think that traveling out of season means you queue less this might not necessarily be the case. Often in low season, the rides run at a lower capacity as there is less staff on duty so the waiting times don’t necessarily reduce. Also, the park hours are reduced so you do get less time in the park.

Here are our tips for reducing wait time at Disney .

Visit Disney In Summer If You: 

For most this is the best time to go to Disney because their children are off school. For others, this is the worst time to go to Disney World due to the crowds, the expense, and the heat.

Summer at Disney World is a long season and really runs from May to September with June, July and early August being the busiest. However, if summer is the only time you go there are some advantages.

Everything at the park during summer will be operating at full capacity. All shows and entertainment will take place and rides and attractions are very unlikely to be closed for maintenance or refurbishment. Park hours are also longer and the sunlight hours are longer. So while the parks are busy everything is operating and you get longer in the parks.

If you also want to spend time in the water, be it in the hotel pools, the sea, or the Disney water parks summer is a great time.

If you are going to Disney World in the summer you do need to prepare for the heat, crowds, and rainfall. It’s not unusual for mid-day temperatures to reach over 100 with humidity of 61%. It is likely to also rain heavily most afternoons.

If you are going in the summer here are some of our tips to beat the heat at Disney . You might also be interested in how to survive Disney in the rain .

Visit Disney World In Winter If You:

Winter in Florida is actually really lovely with temperatures typically in the low 70 degrees. Walking around the parks in winter is so much more comfortable and bearable than in the warmer months.

Depending on when you go in winter it tends to be the least crowded time to visit Disney World apart from the Christmas celebration. It’s likely to be a much more pleasurable experience at this time and there is not as much rain as you are out of hurricane season.

The Festivals of Arts at Epcot also takes place during winter which is one of our favorite Disney festivals.

The park will be open fewer hours though and some events and rides are likely to be closed so keep that in mind.

Winter is the best season to visit Disney if you want cheaper prices and cooler weather.

Here are our tips for Visiting Disney World in the winter.

Visit Disney World In Fall If You:

Most who visit Disney World often believe that fall is the best time to travel to Disney. It’s practically perfect in every way. The weather is warm, the air is crisp and the rainfall is low.

Late August and September can also be some of the cheaper times to visit Disney World and you still have 8 hours of sunlight to play with.

And if you have never experienced Halloween at Disney you are in for a treat. While it can get busy, going on a weekday during the beginning or end of the Halloween season is likely to be less crowded.

Most agree fall is the best time of year to go to Disney World.

Our tips for visiting Disney before Halloween will help you plan.

Visit Disney In Spring If You:

If you are wondering when to go to Disney then how about visiting in Spring? Spring is wonderful at Disney with vibrant flowers, warm temperatures, and nine hours of daylight. There is also likely to be little rainfall as you are out of hurricane season. Humidity tends to also be lower in the spring.

Spring is the best time to vacation in Disney, however, avoid the busiest periods during Easter and Spring Break as the parks get rammed during these times.

Spring is definitely the best season to visit Disney if you want it to be warm but not too crowded. It is a perfect time for Adults to visit Disney .

When To Go To Disney By Month:

If you are still not sure when to go to Disney World then let’s help you a little further. Here we have broken down the best time to go to Disney month by month. This way you can decide which is the best month to go to Disney World depending on what you want to get out of your vacation.

Disney in January.

January is probably the least crowded time to visit Disney World. The Christmas holiday is over and the cooler temperatures tend to keep the crowds away with an average temperature of 70 degrees.

Visiting Disney World in January can also save you money as it tends to be one of the cheaper months due to smaller crowds. However, some things like the water parks and certain rides may be closed and the park hours are shorter.

New Year’s weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day are days to avoid if you don’t like crowds. It also can get busy during the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is also held in January and is a wonderful experience.

January in Disney World is a really rather relaxed and chilled time to visit if you don’t mind the weather a little cooler and some of the attractions and rides possibly not running.

Disney in February

If you are not coming for the sun then February is the best time to vacation at Disney. You will find cooler temperatures with highs in the mid 70’s and fewer crowds.

The exception to this is Presidents’ Day week which sees the crowds flood in. For those not in the US that is the third Monday in February. The Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend tends to be a busy time too.

Disney World in February might lack some of the pizzazz you see in busier months but you will be able to get some great deals.

Disney in March

The best time to travel to Disney for perfect weather is in March. The highs tend to be in the high 70s and the lows in the high 50’s so it’s not too hot or too cold.

March at Disney World can also see fewer crowds but that depends on when Easter and Spring Break fall. During these times the crowds get really heavy.

The Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival also takes place in March and this really is worth seeing.

Disney in April

April in Disney World sees the climb to high temperatures with highs in the mid-80s. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival continues and all the flowers and trees look beautiful in full bloom.

Easter and Spring break can see busy periods in April depending on the dates. There are a lot of ESPN Wide World of Sports held during this month and often the more budget hotels will be booked up.

Next to Christmas April can be one of the more expensive times to visit so keep that in mind.

Disney in May

Many believe that May is the best month to go to Disney World and we would be tempted to agree. The weather is into the 90s but it’s less humid. The flowers are all still in full bloom and there are no major holidays bringing in the crowds.

Memorial Day weekend does see the parks get busier but other than that Disney World in May is probably the best time to visit if you don’t have children in school.

Disney in June

June is Disney World tends to be a month of two halves. The first few weeks tend to be quite quiet with crowds rising as students are off for the summer break.

The increase in crowds sees extended park hours, more shows and activities, and lots of sunlight hours. It’s also a perfect month to visit the water parks.

It is hot and humid in June so make sure you have sunscreen and are prepared. It’s also the start of hurricane season and while they are remote in Orlando rain is very likely so make sure to pack a mac as the weather can be very unpredictable.

While most find the summer months too busy there is a certain buzz that comes from these busy periods that is hard to replicate when the park is quieter.

Getting Disney Genie the old fast pass and planning your days becomes more important in the summer months and you do need to be on the ball a little bit more to avoid frustrations and shattered expectations.

Disney in July

July in Disney World is continuously busy in fact the busiest month of the year. The crowds tend to be much heavier towards the July 4th holiday but other than that it’s pretty even, just always busy.

It’s also incredibly hot and often rains. However, the park hours are longer so you can miss out on the mid-day heat and return later in the day.

There is a certain vibe to Disney in the summer months that can be lacking in the slower months. So although it’s hot, humid, and busy Disney in June still enjoyable if you plan accordingly.

Disney in August

August in Disney World is hot, hot, hot in fact the hottest of the year so you might find yourself seeking shelter in air-conditioned attractions more than normal.

It is busy and crowded but unlike July the crowds tend to thin out towards the second half of the month as children go back to school. However, the events tend to pull people back in.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins in August and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival begins in late August.

For Americans, some of the best deals can be found in late August with off-site hotels having low prices and Disney has in the past offered free dining during these times.

August tends to be peak hurricane season in Florida but the park has only closed a handful of times due to hurricanes during its lifespan. However, this could have an impact on other travel arrangements so keep that in mind.

Disney in September

Many think that September is the best month to visit Disney and they might be right. Especially the later half of September when prices are lower, crowds and less, and the heat is moderately better.

I mean it’s still hot and humid in September but if you can bare the heat it’s the best time to visit Disney World. Also of note is that September tends to be one of the more rainy months so keep an eye on the weather forecast and take a mac. Rain can interfere with some of the live shows and fireworks shows so things can get canceled.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are still ongoing. Disney World in September is a really great time to visit.

Disney in October

If you love Halloween then Disney World in October is perfect for you. The park looks beautifully decorated for Halloween and while the decorations go up in early September October draws in the crowds.

Halloween and Columbus Day are the busiest days and the crowds tend to be really manageable outside of the weekends. It can still be hot during the day but the evenings do get cooler.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and After Hours Boo Bash is in full swing and The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is still ongoing.

Disney in November

November in Disney World sees really pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a festive spirit. If you miss out on Thanksgiving week, which is so busy, November is one of the best months to visit Disney.

Most of the Christmas decorations are up by mid to late Christmas and the parks really take on a different feeling when they are up. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also starts in November on select nights.

Disney in November gives you a taste of the Christmas season at a much lower cost and it’s the best time to visit Disney for good weather, lesser crowds, and Christmas spirit.

Disney in December

December in Disney World sees the Christmas season in full swing. Again December is one of those months where the crowds differ hugely depending on when you visit. Early in the month can be a very pleasant time to visit with lighter crowds, however, the latter half is one of Disney’s busiest times of the year and the most expensive.

You would think that Christmas day might find a bit of relief but no, often the park will close by 10 am as it has reached capacity. Anytime between the 20th and 31st of December see record crowds visiting.

There is a lot that happens during the holiday season though with Christmas parades, firework shows, celebrations shows, and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Disney in December is picture perfect though and if you can go we feel everyone should experience the Disney Christmas Magic at least once.

Here are our tips for visiting Disney at Christmas .

As you can see when it comes to the best time to visit Disney World the answer isn’t as simple as it first seems. When to go to Disney World is a personal choice and we hope this article has helped make your decision a little bit easier.

What we do know is that whenever you go you will have a great time. There are always ways to make your Disney trip better whenever you go and with planning, you can enjoy even the busiest and hottest months.

To make sure you really enjoy your trip take a look at our article 12 Ways to Ruin A Disney Vacation (And What To Do Instead!)

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2024 & 2025 Disney World Crowd Calendar (best times to go)

Planning a Disney World trip for 2024 or 2025?

You’ve come to the right place. Our easy-to-use Disney World Crowd Calendar will help you avoid long lines, so you can have more fun on your Disney vacation.

Here’s what you need to know:

In this article

When are the best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 and 2025?

We know you are probably eager to dive in to check on those predicted crowds, so let’s start off first with our big graphics (please note there is one for 2024 and one for 2025), and then we will go into more detail for both years, month-by-month, down below.

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024

Here’s our current predictions for how the crowds will look if you plan to travel to Disney World in 2024:

• Click for full-sized PDF

Note: Our ‘best times to visit’ below are a mix of times of the year when you’ll have either low crowds OR good weather. Due to Disney’s strategy of filling the cooler, quieter periods with special events and competitions, finding a time that offers both low crowds and ideal weather has become more challenging than in the past.

WDW Top Picks for Disney World in 2024 :

• January 16-31 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 1-9 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 6-23 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-29 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 3-19 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

2024 brought about a bunch of changes, including the end of Park Pass reservations for date-based tickets (which covers most guests aside from Annual Passholders) plus, we’ve also seen the long-awaited return of the Disney Dining Plan . And we can’t forget the highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening (exact date still unknown).

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2025

And here’s how its looking for 2025:

WDW Prep School Top Picks for 2025 :

• January 21-31 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 21-28 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 5-22 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-31 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 1-30 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re expecting to keep seeing some familiar patterns when it comes to crowds. All signs point to the fact that summers could possibly continue to be a less busy than they used to be, while January might pick up the pace and get busier. Also, October will remain a popular time for families to visit due to the increase in the number of schools hosting Fall Breaks.

2024 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Ready to book a trip for 2024? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

• April 1-7 – heavy crowds continue due to the Easter holiday
• April 8-17 – moderate crowds return
• April 18-21 – even though there is the runDisney Springtime Surprise race, expect the crowds to remain moderate
• April 22-30 – moderate crowds finish up the month, even with a couple of cheer and dance competitions happening

Things to keep in mind for April:

• The Easter holiday falls on March 31 in 2024, which means the first week of April will see an increase in crowds.
• The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival transforms Epcot into an array of color. Make sure you set aside some time to check out the topiaries there.
• Storms (especially midday storms) will also likely be a factor, so we highly recommend you plan midday breaks from the sun and rain during your trip.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the April crowd calendar .
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds across all of WDW, and heavy crowds at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-10 – lighter crowds return for a few days
• May 11-12 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 13-17 – light to moderate crowds
• May 18-19 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 20-23 – light to moderate crowds
• May 24-31 – moderate crowds return, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

Things to keep in mind for May:

• There are a few special limited time celebrations taking place this summer , so be sure to check those out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the May crowd calendar .
• June 1-30 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for June:

• June is also the start of hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Epcot construction finally wraps up, plus there are several limited-time celebrations happening. Check out what’s in store for Summer 2024 at Walt Disney World .
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the June crowd calendar .
• July 1-7 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 8-31 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for July:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in July can be particularly brutal.
• July is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• This is typically the month where we see the Food & Wine Festival begin.
• There are several limited-time celebrations taking place across Walt Disney World in 2024.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the July crowd calendar .

August 2024

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-9 – light crowds
• August 10-11 – moderate weekend crowds
• August 12-29 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• August 30-31 – crowds pick up a bit before the Labor Day holiday

Things to keep in mind for August:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in August can be particularly brutal.
• August is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• The International Food and Wine Festival will be in full swing over at Epcot. Whenever possible, we recommend that you avoid Epcot on Thursday – Sunday (especially in the evenings).
• Look for Halloween entertainment to begin at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the August crowd calendar .

September 2024

• September 1-2 – peak Labor Day crowds
• September 3-19 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• September 20-23 – light to moderate crowds return for a few days
• September 24-26 – light crowds
• September 27-30 – moderate crowds return as we start ramping up to the busy Fall Break season

Things to keep in mind for September:

• September is typically a great time to travel to Walt Disney World as school is usually back in session in most areas, but it is before any Fall Breaks have the chance to bring heavy crowds.
• Halloween entertainment continues at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in September can be particularly brutal.
• September is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the September crowd calendar .

October 2024

• October 1-3 – moderate crowds as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-9  – moderate to heavy crowds
• October 10-14 – peak Indigenous Peoples’ Day crowds
• October 15-31 – moderate to heavy crowds for the rest of October, with the busiest days on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and towards the end of the month as guests arrive for Halloween and the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Things to keep in mind for October:

• The growing popularity of Fall Breaks in schools means that October is far busier than it used to be.
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in October often surprises guests visiting from cooler climates.
• October is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the October crowd calendar .

November 2024

• November 1-3 – heavy crowds due to the runDisney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon
• November 4-6 – moderate to heavy crowds for Jersey Days and early Veterans Day visitors
• November 7-11 – heavy crowds for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-22 – moderate to heavy crowds in the days after Veterans Day and before Thanksgiving
• November 23-24 – heavy crowds begin arriving for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 25-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

Things to keep in mind for November:

• Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are both popular across Walt Disney World, which means to expect heavy crowds if visiting then.
• Christmas events usually kick off at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to start this month.
• Food and Wine Festival at Epcot wraps up this month.
• The Epcot Festival of the Holidays typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the end of December. 
• Even though November typically begins a gradual cool off, storms (especially mid-day storms) and high heat and humidity can still be a factor, so plan accordingly.
• November brings the end to hurricane season. Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the November crowd calendar .

December 2024

• December 1-20 – heavy crowds with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays a bit busier (although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations)
• December 21-31 – peak holiday crowds

Things to keep in mind for December:

• Although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations. If you are traveling during this time, expect it to be busy.
• Christmas events continue over at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to run until the week of Christmas.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the December crowd calendar .

@wdwprepschool 4 least busy times to go to Disney World in 2024! 🏰✨ #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #epcot #animalkingdom #greenscreen ♬ original sound – WDW Prep • Disney Tips

2025 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Dreaming of taking a Disney World vacation in 2025? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

January 2025

• January 1-5 – very busy time as people use their days off from work/school to vacation at Disney World for the holidays
• January 6-12 – most schools are back in session during this time, but you can still expect moderate to heavy crowds due to the extremely popular runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon
• January 13-16 – crowds lighten up a tiny bit before a big dance & cheer competition and the busy Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
• January 17-20 – heavy crowds descend on Walt Disney World as guests visit for both the long holiday weekend and the UCA College Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals
• January 21-30 – moderate crowds for most of the rest of the month
• January 31 – slight uptick in crowds due the UDA National Dance Team Championship

Things to keep in mind for January:

• There are a few holidays and special events sprinkled throughout this month that have historically drawn large crowds. If at all possible, try to avoid traveling over those.
• The weather in January is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers, but be prepared for comfortable days and cooler nights and mornings.
• The Epcot Festival of the Arts is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the January crowd calendar .

February 2025

* Note: These events are estimated dates and may change after official schedules are released.

• February 1-2 – although February used to be relatively slow, look for the entire month to be busier than years past, starting with moderate crowds due to the UDA National Dance Team Championship
• February 3-7 – slight dip in crowds before things pick up again for another weekend cheer competition
• February 8-9 – look for this weekend to be busier due to the UCA National High School Cheer Competition
• February 10-12 – small pocket where the crowds will likely decrease a bit
• February 13-20 – very heavy crowds due to the combination of a cheer/dance competition * , Presidents’ Day weekend, and the start of the runDisney Princess Half Marathon
• February 21-24 – moderate crowds over the weekend as the runDisney Princess Half Marathon wraps up
• February 25-28 – moderate crowds to wrap up February, increasing some towards the end of the month for the start of another cheer/dance competition *

Things to keep in mind for February

• The  Epcot Festival of the Arts  is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• The weather in February is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the February crowd calendar .
• March 1-2 – busy weekend due to a dance/cheer competition *
• March 3-6 – moderate crowds for the first part and middle of the week, with overall levels increasing the closer you get to the weekend
• March 7-9 – heavy crowds due to a dance/cheer competition * and the start of Spring Break
• March 10-31 – heavy crowds Spring Break crowds

Things to keep in mind for March:

• Spring Break typically begins this month, which means heavy crowds at Walt Disney World.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the March crowd calendar .
• April 1-6 – heavy crowds to start out the month due to Spring Break and the runDisney Springtime Surprise
• April 7-11 – moderate crowds return for a few days
• April 12-20 – heaviest crowds of the month due to the Easter holiday and school breaks
• April 21-27 – expect this week to be just slightly less busy than the week before due to the holiday and school breaks
• April 28-30 – moderate crowds return for the end of the month

• The Easter holiday always brings heavy crowds for both the week before and the week after.
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds kick off the start of the month due to a dance/cheer competition * with heavy crowds likely at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-9 – lighter crowds expected during the middle of the week
• May 10-11 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 12-16 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 17-18 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 19-22 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 23-31 – moderate crowds return as school years start wrapping up, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

• June 1-30 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

• July 1-3 – moderate summer crowds
• July 4-6 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 7-31 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

August 2025

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-8 – light crowds
• August 9-10 – moderate weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• August 11-31 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

September 2025

• September 1-30 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with the days around Labor Day being a bit more crowded. Also, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays will likely have slightly heavier crowds than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap.

October 2025

• October 1-3 – crowds start increasing as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-5 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 6-9 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week before things get very busy
• October 10-20 – heavy Fall Break crowds
• October 21-24 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 25-26 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 27-30 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 31 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend

November 2025

• November 1-2 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend
• November 3-5 – moderate crowds before Jersey Days and Veterans Day visitors
• November 6-11 – heavy crowds due for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-14 – slight dip in crowds before the weekend
• November 15-16 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• November 17-21 – moderate crowds before Thanksgiving guests arrive
• November 22-23 – heavy crowds arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 24-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

December 2025

• December 1-5 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 6-7 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 8-12 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 13-14 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 15-17 – final days for moderate crowds before holiday travelers start arriving
• December 18-25 – heavy holiday crowds, increasing the closer you get to December 25
• December 26-31 – peak holiday crowds

When is Disney World the LEAST crowded?

Typically, the least crowded times at Disney World tend to be:

• Mid-May : There aren’t any holidays during this time, and not as many families travel in the final weeks of school.
• Mid-August through most of September: This is when most American kids are back in school, and there are fewer vacationing families. The weather in Florida is also typically very hot and humid, which can deter some guests.

When is Disney World the MOST crowded?

As you can imagine, holidays and long weekends see the heaviest crowds at all tourist destinations, and that includes Walt Disney World. Basically, any time school is out of session, Walt Disney World will be busier.

Look for the parks to be the busiest around these dates. That includes the days before and in some instances, the days after, too:

• New Year’s Day  (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in January)
• Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in February)
• Spring Break (especially last 2 weeks of March)
• Easter (both the week before and the week after typically have increased crowds)
• Independence Day  (July 4)
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day  (2nd Monday in October)
• Veterans’ Day  (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day  (4th Thursday in November)
• Christmas week through January 1

In addition to all of those, keep in mind that the weekends are almost always busier than the weekdays, with mid-week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) being less crowded than Mondays and Fridays.

What month at Disney World is the BEST?

What month is the best month to visit Walt Disney World depends on what your goals are:

• August, and September (excluding holiday weeks) are historically the least crowded . Especially if you can avoid the weekends, this time of year typically sees some of the lowest crowds.
• January and February have the best weather . This time of year has cooler temps and way less rain. You may need a jacket in the morning or evenings, though.
• Late August and September are best for fall decor and Halloween activities . Late August and September are historically way less crowded than October, making them the better options if you are going for the fall decor or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• December is best for holiday decorations and festivities. All parks and resorts will be decorated, Festival of Holidays will be happening, but it will likely be crowded.

When is the best time to visit in Walt Disney World for holiday decorations?

Lots of people like to travel to Walt Disney World to check out the holiday decorations. In the past, the time between the end of Thanksgiving and about the middle of December would be perfect for that.

However, over the past several years, we’ve seen the crowds during that time period steadily increase to the point now that what used to be a relatively slow time of the year, has become quite busy.

If you’d like to visit Walt Disney World to see the holiday decorations, there are still some days that are better than others. Just keep in mind that even though they are “better”, they will likely be busier than what you might have experienced over the same days in years past.

• November 15-22, 2024 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 2-20, 2024 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• November 17-21, 2025 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 1-5, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• December 8-12, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)

What happens if the parks are busier than anticipated?

Although we have years of experience putting these crowd calendars together, occasionally something happens (like a surprise announcement from Disney) that can throw off our predictions. But don’t panic!

Even though heavier crowds may sound scary, that doesn’t mean that your trip will be ruined.

To help navigate it all, we have a few resources to share, including complete guides for using Disney’s Genie+ system, which we have personally found *extremely* useful at keeping waits to a minimum:

• Tips for handling the crowds at Disney World
• Best Genie+ choices (book these first!)
• How to use Genie+ at Walt Disney World
• How to book Individual Lightning Lane selections

In fact, we recommend all guests visiting Walt Disney World spend some time looking through those guides – no matter how busy the parks are expected to be.

Will the new stuff at Universal affect the crowds at Disney World?

If you haven’t heard, Universal is getting a lot of new and highly anticipated stuff in the upcoming years, and we do expect many people will be scheduling trips for those openings.

And, since it isn’t unusual for people to want to pair both a Universal trip with a Walt Disney World trip, we would not be surprised to see an uptick in WDW crowds when the Universal openings happen.

How does a crowd calendar work?

Crowd calendars have been a staple for many people planning Disney World vacations, but exactly what do they do?

Simply put, crowd calendars are predictions for just how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort will be on any given day.

If you are a repeat visitor, it can be easy to want to compare crowd levels from previous trip dates to future trip dates.

But, that won’t work.

Typically, aside from what we saw in 2020 and 2021, more people are going to visit Walt Disney World year-over-year.

So, keep this in mind:

When looking at crowd levels, please remember that you can’t compare this year to last year, or any other year for that matter. What we consider “heavy” crowds now will likely look nothing like the “heavy” crowds from years past.

And, most importantly – w hen we predict that crowds will be “heavy” or “light”, we mean that on those dates the crowds will be heavier or lighter when compared to the rest of the year .

Which park should you visit on each day of a Disney World trip?

In addition to the yearly information above, we also publish monthly crowd calendars that include refurbishment and closure information, park and entertainment hours, plus the dates you’ll need to know for booking Advanced Dining Reservations.

When planning your park days, the goal is to visit the park with the lowest predicted crowds.

The monthly calendars are easily customized to display the exact information you need for all 4 parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Plus operating information (hours, refurbishments & closures, etc.) for:

• Disney Springs
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

We recommend you use the information on this page to guide you as you select your travel dates, and then use the monthly crowd calendars linked below each month to help you plan your individual days.

How do opening and closings affect crowds at Disney World?

As you can imagine, anytime something major opens or something popular closes, the crowds in the parks are heavily impacted.

In general, the parks where the attraction or show is located will see the largest impact, but it isn’t unusual for all the parks to see a temporary surge in crowds.

So, keep this in mind when noting the crowd levels above.

Crowd levels are fluid from year to year. What was considered “moderate” in years past is not the same thing that is considered “moderate” now; it is simply “moderate” when compared to the rest of the current year .

Do runDisney races and sports competitions make Disney World more crowded?

During the slower times of the year, you’ll often find that Disney World hosts lots of competitions.

If you are planning to visit during the time of the year that a cheer, dance, or other sporting event competition is taking place, we recommend trying to avoid booking a room at one of the host resorts. The primary host resorts are typically all 3 of the All-Star Resorts ( All-Star Sports , All-Star Movies , and All-Star Music ).

There is also sometimes some overflow into the moderates, primarily Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs , however, the main impacts (like crowded buses and busy food courts) are guaranteed to be felt at the 3 All-Star Resorts.

Does that mean you will never find competitors in the other resorts? No. But you’ll definitely find them in the ones listed above.

runDisney races , on the other hand, tend to bring in far greater crowds that stay at all levels of resorts and since the competitions occur outside the normal park operating hours, the impact is more wide-spread. That doesn’t mean a trip will be ruined if a race is occurring while you are there, it is just something to be aware of.

An experienced travel professional at Small World Vacations can help you navigate all the changes.

→ Get a quote now ←

Are crowd calendars a thing of the past?

For a long time, Disney World crowd trends were relatively easy to predict.

It was never an exact science, but years and years of near-monthly visits paired with giant spreadsheets and databases of wait times did help us, with at least a decent amount of accuracy, predict how we thought things would go.

In our opinion, Crowd Calendars aren’t a thing of the past, but they are going to look different .

School schedules have been changing. Remote work is a thing, making it easier for families to travel during traditionally off-peak times.

Choosing those “best dates” just got a lot more nuanced, and things we’d never thought we’d have to consider are a new reality.

But – even though things definitely will look different, there are still times of the year that are less busy than others.

If you’re just starting to plan a trip between now and the end of 2024, you should first read our free Walt Disney World Vacation Planner to make sure you don’t miss anything that could mess up your trip.

When do you plan to visit? Any questions about our Disney World crowd calendar?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments , but please don’t ask us to compare to crowd calendars from other sites . We’ve explained the reasoning behind our calendar here and won’t be commenting on how other sites do things.

Christine Smith

Friday 27th of October 2023

It may not matter too much, but Mardi Gras is February 13th this year.

Emma Bridgeman

Friday 20th of October 2023

Your crowd calendars are so useful! When will your calendar for 2025 be out? Thanks!

Shannon Albert

Monday 23rd of October 2023

Glad the info is useful! 2025 will likely be out in May/June of 2024.

Michelle E Barthlow

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

If you could pick any 10 days/nights between May 25th and July 27th, what dates would be the best? Unfortunately, we can't take our daughter out of school anymore like we always used to do.

Barbara Sofer

Tuesday 12th of September 2023

We--grandparents, one parent, two boys 11 and 13, are landing from abroad and driving directly to Epcot on September 26. We won't get there until the noon. What would you recommend vis a vis Gene+ and Lightening Lanes?

Friday 15th of September 2023

Would recommend buying it and starting to book from home and while you're traveling. Buy an Individual Lightning Lane Selection for Cosmic Rewind so you can pick a time to ride and consider getting Standby Skipper because it can book your Lightning Lanes even when you don't have access or want to be on your phone.

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

What does moderate mean? How long are waits with a moderate crowd? I'll be there on Jan 8th, 2024.

Best & Worst Weeks to Visit Disney World in 2024, 2025 & 2026

Picking the best week of this year, 2025 or 2026 for your Walt Disney World trip is challenging, especially when dates are limited due to school breaks or work schedules. This guide was designed with that in mind, sharing our favorite times to visit and worst ones to avoid in the next 2 years based on crowd levels, wait times forecasts, seasonal events, weather & more. ( Updated June 14, 2024 .)

Our intention here is to combine the best quantitative and qualitative aspects of our best & worst months resource with our 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars and distill that down to something approachable and actionable. The animating idea here is that the vast majority of tourists aren’t visiting for a single day or a specific full month, but rather, for 5 days to a week. Aside from “holidaymakers” from the United Kingdom, few families are doing more than 10 day trips and most non-locals are doing more than a single day or two.

As such, a practical planning resource shouldn’t just look at individual days or full months, but full week or longer date ranges that offer times to target and others to avoid.  Enter this Walt Disney World crowd predicting and planning resource for now through 2025! 

When combined with our regularly-updated Best & Worst Days to Do Each Park at Walt Disney World , this  should  offer definitive advice for picking dates. This narrows down the week, and then that provides what you need to know to choose when to visit each park. It’s still more of a “teach a person to fish” rather than the “give a person a fish” mentality of crowd calendars, but it also should prove more accurate and useful.

This considers a variety of subjective variables (explained in each recommendation) in conjunction with our evolving expectations about Walt Disney World’s attendance. It’s weighted heavily for crowd levels and is backed by historic wait times data from the the last two years, plus 2018 and 2019 (2020-2021 were anomalies, so they’re discarded accordingly).

Should this be well-received or deemed useful by readers (rather than another overwhelming crowd resource), the eventual goal is to expand this to rank every single week of the year. There are two reasons I didn’t start by doing that. First, the post would be much, much longer and would’ve taken me considerably longer to write and research.

Second, the quality of wait times data is not equal throughout the calendar. This is something discussed below, but there are inconsistencies and anomalies beyond just 2020-2021. A lot of this has been resolved, with summer remaining the biggest wild card–hopefully that falls back into familiar trends during June and July 2024.

With that said, we do periodically update these dates to reflect changing attendance patterns, discount releases, or special event announcements–all of which can change crowd trends. For the latest update, we’ve shifted some September travel dates around in light of ticket deals. Walt Disney World has released the Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket , which is valid through September 28, 2024 with an advance park reservation. More significant is the  4-Park, 4-Day Walt Disney World Magic Ticket , which is valid through September 22, 2024 and does  not  require reservations.

In combing through the wait times data, last year’s versions of these deals (with different end dates) caused crowds to peak in their final weekend. These are “use it or lose it” tickets, so there’s always a last-minute rush like that–especially on Fridays through Sundays (weekdays aren’t impacted nearly as badly). During that final weekend of validity, crowd levels were 8/10 with an average wait time of 44 minutes. Earlier that same week and in the weeks before, crowd levels were 1/10 with an average of 27 minutes. That’s a huge difference. 

Accordingly, we’ve shifted our fall off-season recommendation from September 21-29 to September 23-30, 2024. Note that this still means visiting during the home stretch of the Florida resident ticket deal, but that typically doesn’t have as big of an impact as the general public ticket deal. (If last year’s data is any indication, the first few days of October should also be fantastic.)

With that said, our recommendation is partly a qualitative one, with the hope that later in September means the possibility of better weather. If crowds are your key consideration, September 3-13, 2024 will definitely have lower wait times. Historically, those dates are the slowest stretch of the year–and that should remain true in 2024 as that window is enough before the end of the ticket deals that it’ll avoid the last-minute scramble to use those.

In addition to this shift, we’ve added more 2025 and 2026 dates. These are, without question, less reliable than the 2024 dates. That’s because Walt Disney World hasn’t released any deals or all blockout calendars for 2025 or beyond, and school calendars aren’t yet available for 2026.

These variables have a significant impact on crowd dynamics, which we saw happen during the Spring Break 2024 season. Beyond that, there are evolving factors that have been resulting in heavier attendance for many dates thus far this year. (See What’s Causing Higher Crowds at Walt Disney World in 2024? )

With that in mind, when discounts are released by Walt Disney World, crowd levels increase or decrease, or other major changes occur, we send out email notifications. To receive these, subscribe to our free email newsletter . This will give you a good idea of what things are like ‘on the ground’ at Walt Disney World, as well as what to expect in the future.

With all of that said, let’s dig into the data and other variables to rank the 10 best weeks and 10 worst weeks to visit Walt Disney World in the next 2 years–meaning dates in 2024, 2025 and even some in 2026…

Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024, 2025 & 2026

Winter Break (January 1-5, 2025; January 1-4, 2026) – We fondly remember visiting Walt Disney World around New Year’s Eve over a decade ago. Crowds were bonkers in the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but so too were hours. You could do Extra Magic Hours starting at 7 am and leave by 9 am, sleep during the middle of the day, then return from 11 pm until 3 am. It was quite the sleep schedule, but it worked well. Then, once New Year’s Day arrived, the parks were  dead until Marathon Weekend runners arrived almost a week later.

Times have changed, and anyone still expecting a holiday hangover or serene start to the year is in for a rude awakening. It’s still true that the parks are quiet to start the New Year. But that lasts all of ~4 hours on New Year’s Day. After that, crowds increase and can be  worse  than the heart of the holiday season due to schools still being on break, lifting of AP blockouts, and early-arriving runDisney fans.

All major school districts contribute, but the biggest factors are locals. Winter school breaks are nothing new–I remember my school always being out of session until after my birthday–so the equation has not changed there for the country as a whole. What is different is the local population, which has absolutely exploded in the last decade as more households with school age children move to Central Florida. Expect these New Year’s crowds to only get worse in the years to come unless Walt Disney World adjusts AP blockouts and adjusts ticket and resort rate charts upwards.

Presidents’ Day (February 14-23, 2025; February 13-22, 2026) – For the last couple of years, the week of Presidents’ Day has ranked as one of the worst weeks as measured by average wait times. This isn’t just that holiday alone, but also school districts that use it as a proxy for mid-winter break or their “ski weeks” as well as runDisney Princess Half Marathon bookending the holiday.

This particular week is even worse when it coincides with Mardi Gras, making it more likely that schools in the South will also have winter breaks. In both 2024 and 2025, Mardi Gras will not coincide with Presidents’ Day (the holidays occur one week apart instead), effectively diluting the crowds. It’s thus possible that this week won’t end up being among the worst 10–that really depends upon how spring break play out.

In 2026, Mardi Gras is back to occurring during this same week. That will mean it’ll almost certainly be one of the 10 worst weeks–and possibly top 5. Regardless of Mardi Gras, it’s popular for winter breaks and thus choosing sunshine over ski slopes, making it an easily-identifiable week to avoid that’s predictably bad even when it’s not among the absolute worst.

Spring Break (March 23-30, 2025; March 22-29, 2026) – This is the example we mentioned at the top about AP blockouts and deals being able to turn the tables on crowds. During the last two years, the week of Orange County’s spring break was among the busiest of the season and almost on par with Easter. This year, blockouts were more aggressive and a Floridian ticket deal ended (by design) just before Orange County went on Spring Break. As a result, the week was not busy at all–it would’ve been a great time to visit.

It remains to be seen whether Walt Disney World will stick with this approach in 2025 (let alone 2026) or overcorrect and cause the pendulum to swing hard back in the other direction, making this a ‘worst week’ again. For now, we’re going to tentatively shift this a week later, after the AP blockouts end in March 2025. But that recommendation could change on the basis of additional ticket deals.

This is probably the safe move. Central Florida school districts have early breaks relative to the Midwest and Northeast, and those tourists plus lesser blockouts makes it likely that week will be very busy–without regard for anything else. Orange County’s break could still be busy, but as 2024 taught us, it’s far less of a sure thing if Disney clamps down on discounts for Floridians and blockouts.

One thing to keep in mind here is that there are hundreds of schools around the United States (and probably beyond) that are out of between mid-March and mid-April. In aggregate, they have a big impact on crowds. Unless there’s a freak anomaly (like 2024!), all of these weeks are going to be some degree of very busy–even if they don’t make this list.

Easter (April 11-20, 2025; March 30 to April 6, 2026) – This is a fairly safe prediction year in and year out, regardless of what else happens. In fact, you could probably (accurately) predict today that the week leading up to Easter will be busy in 2028 or 2054. Easter week has been the busiest of spring break season for as long as we’ve been covering Walt Disney World, although mid-March when Orange County is out has come close a couple of times (blockouts make that unlikely in the future–see above).

In the end, it doesn’t really matter which of these spring break weeks has higher crowd levels. That’s almost entirely academic, an interesting thing to watch for those of us who obsess over crowd trends and attendance patterns. The bottom line for most planners looking at this from a practical perspective is that late March through late April will be very crowded.

Summer Peak (July 4-13, 2024; July 3-12, 2025) – Summer vacation season is where the most uncertainty exists when it comes to Walt Disney World crowd calendars. This is because there has been zero consistency in attendance patterns for June and July in the last several years. That was true once again last year, when Fourth of July ended up being one of the slowest stretches of the year, to our surprise.

Barring future curveballs, our expectation is a return to normal next year. Free Dining and other promos have returned ( Free Dining moves the needle on crowds slightly, but it has a much bigger impact on ADR availability ), and ticket deals are already out that do not blockout Independence Day. The only problem is determining what, exactly, is normal for summer since we haven’t had a reasonable baseline in at least 5 years. Our expectation is attendance steadily increasing from mid-June, peaking around the beginning of July, and steadily decreasing thereafter through early August.

The safe money is on the worst of crowds coinciding with Independence Day, but this is not a sure thing. The two weeks before or the two weeks after could actually see heavier attendance and higher wait times. This prediction thus has the lowest degree of certainty; avoiding that entire month window is advisable. If you have no choice but to visit during summer, aim for early to mid-June or early to mid-August for the “best” crowds, but understand that there are air quotes around best for a reason.

Columbus Day (October 11-19, 2024; October 10-18, 2025) – There’s ample reason to believe that this won’t  actually  end up being among the worst 10 weeks of the year. It ranked #9 last year, but that happened as summer crowds plummeted prematurely.

If this does turn out to be a normal summer season, the aforementioned weeks in June and/or July could bump this out of the “top” 10. If it’s another slower summer, the week-plus around Columbus Day could easily crack the top 10. It’ll also usher in the end of the off-season, and start of a 3-month stretch of elevated crowds…minus a few major lulls that make our ‘best of’ list!

Nevertheless, it’s an identifiable red flag right now. Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day is a proxy for many fall breaks, and that results in an influx of visitors to Florida. The earlier time this year might also depress turnout, as some potential visitors might be spooked by storm season or still-hot weather. Others will be lured by the heart of Halloween season.

Holiday Hijinks (November 4-11, 2024; November 7-14, 2025) – This one always catches people by surprise. It’s what happens when two or three “holidays” collide–if you count the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon and Jersey Week as holidays. During the latter, approximately 73% of the Garden State descends upon Walt Disney World.

The real holiday here is Veterans Day, which is always a “sleeper” holiday for crowds–in that it’s under-discussed but a surprisingly high amount of government workers, students, and others do have the day off. We’ve been warning about Veterans Day crowds for years, as it has been almost on par with Thanksgiving some years. It’s a long weekend that can have an outsized impact on crowd levels.

This is one of the bigger changes with our latest update, as we’ve dropped Halloween from this list. For the last two years, Walt Disney World has had below-average crowd levels on and around Halloween–it’s not school or work break for most people, and doesn’t materially impact attendance as a result.

With all of this said, confidence in the predicted dates is low for November 2025. Aside from Veterans Day, we don’t know when the runDisney race or Veterans Day will occur. So pencil in this window as one to avoid, but expect those precise dates to change.

Thanksgiving (November 22-29, 2024; November 21-28, 2025) – Just about any Walt Disney World fan is familiar with the crowds of the final three weeks on this list. They’re hardly a secret or surprise, and are predictably busy year in and year out. These weeks still catch some casual visitors by surprise, as there are persistent urban legends that the holidays are quiet because “everyone is at home with their families.” Obviously, that’s hogwash.

Offering a bit more insight here, Thanksgiving week crowds tend to be worst the Sunday through Tuesday before Thanksgiving before a comparative lull on late Wednesday and early Thursday. (Those time frames are still bad, just not the threat level midnight crowds of the prior 3 days.)

Friday and Saturday are wildcards; usually both are very busy, but not always. (We’ve officially removed Saturday from the above dates to avoid because it was downright delightful last year. We’d recommend erring on the side of caution and avoiding it in 2024-2025, but that’s no longer essential.) The Sunday after Thanksgiving has been uncrowded for years, making that a great first day in the parks.

Christmas (December 19-25, 2024; December 18-25, 2025) – The arrival of Christmas week crowds are very dependent upon the day of the week of Christmas. Due to its timing last year and this year, the week  after  (between Christmas and New Year’s Eve) saw or will see the worst of the crowds.

In 2024, the week leading up to Christmas will once again surge–likely to higher levels than we’ve seen in the last several years. It’ll be the same story in 2025, which means that in both of those years, the weekend before hand won’t actually be  that  bad, even though it’s on our list.

Regardless, all of these second-half of December dates are very, very bad and likely to see 10/10 crowd levels. But not all 10/10 days are equally busy. Some are far worse. That’ll probably be the case with the ~7 days before December 25 in each of the next 2 years.

New Year’s Eve (December 26-31, 2024; December 26-31, 2025) – It’s the same story here. The week leading up to New Year’s Eve is almost always 10/10 on the crowd calendar, and would likely be more like 15/10 if the scale allowed for that.

If you were to place a bet on the busiest weeks of 2024 and 2025, the smart money would be on this week. Doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll have the worst wait times given the uncertainty of making predictions 1-2 years into the future, but it is the odds-on favorite of claiming the crown.

This is almost always the #1 worst week of the year. The timing of Christmas and New Year’s Days in 2024 and 2025 does cast some degree of doubt on that, but honestly, not much. The week of New Year’s Eve will likely continue its run as the busiest week of the year for the next several years.

Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024, 2025 & 2026

The list of best weeks to do Walt Disney World this year and in 2025-2026 is less precise and more subjective. In part, this is a byproduct of most of the worst weeks crowd-wise being readily identifiable on the basis of school breaks and holidays. So objectivity there is easier.

By contrast, there are wider windows for some of the lower crowd dates; as a result, we narrow those to our favored time frames based on subjective considerations. With that in mind, let’s dig into our rundown of the best weeks at Walt Disney World in 2024 to 2026…

Mid-January (January 12-18, 2025; January 11-16, 2026) – This is another change for 2025-2026. In the past, we’ve recommended late January while noting that the month is largely quiet after the holiday breaks end, with the exception of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend. This leaves three different weeks that are potentially good options for lower crowds in January.

In the past, all of those were almost equally good. That wasn’t the case this year, as the week  before MLK Day was the best by a slight margin over the week after, and a significant amount over the week following that. With the shifting of the WDW Marathon we’re expecting that to be the case again in 2025, but it could change for 2026 depending upon Marathon dates.

Regardless, both weeks should be superior to late January or early February as Snowbirds and South American tour groups start arriving. They’re not the only groups to lookout for, as cheer/dance competitions and conventions also contribute to crowds. All of those things are more likely later in January or February. Festival of the Arts also increases ‘feels like’ crowds at EPCOT, but it’s a great event you won’t want to miss.

Before or After Mid-Winter Break (February 2-13, 2025 & Early or Late February 2026) – It’s pretty much the same idea here. Unlike some holiday weeks, there is no gradual decline before or after mid-winter break (Presidents’ Day/Mardi Gras). It’s abrupt on both ends. The crowd levels in the first half of February 2025 could be close to on par with January. Perhaps slightly higher due to youth sporting events, conventions, and South American tour groups.

The reason there’s a discrepancy between 2025 and 2026 is Mardi Gras. It coincides with mid-winter break in 2026, but not 2025. Mardi Gras may not seem like a big deal to you, but due to the proximity of Louisiana to Florida it very much is. As such, avoiding the dates leading up to March 4, 2025 is advisable. This means early March isn’t a great time to visit in 2025 (but it is in 2026).

Across the board, February will have higher crowds than January, but the former is more appealing for some Walt Disney World vacation planner due to the likelihood of better weather and fewer refurbishments. However, you’re also typically going to miss out on the EPCOT Festival of the Arts (#1 event of the year at EPCOT), unless you visit before Presidents’ Day.

Early Spring (March 8-13, 2025; March 1-8, 2026) – That stretch is actually what prompted this post, as early March was a sweet stretch of mild weather and low crowds leading up to the start of spring break season, with most parks having 1/10 to 3/10 crowd levels during this week in March. Then, like flipping a switch, attendance surges almost overnight with the start of spring break.

This is a top tier time to visit thanks to the mild weather, EPCOT in bloom, and low crowds. It’s the calm before ( and after ) the storm, and there are only a handful of weeks that we’d rank higher from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective. This will be an especially fantastic time in 2026 (and realistically, the prime dates could extend until March 13, 2026–but we’re playing it conservatively since spring break schedules aren’t out yet).

The date range is shorter in March 2025, which is due to Mardi Gras on the frontend and Orange County’s spring break on the backend. Honestly, we probably wouldn’t mess with this stretch in 2025 unless doing a 5-day trip. While the core days of that week should be pretty quiet, there’s a chance of spillover crowds at the beginning or end. (On the plus side, there should be another lull in late February 2025–after Presidents’ Day/Mid-Winter Break but before Mardi Gras.)

Post-Easter (April 27 to early May 2025; April 12-26, 2026) – For both of these weeks, we’re essentially looking a week or two after Easter. Usually, crowds die down in the week immediately after the holiday, but there are still some schools with breaks then. The week following that is usually when the slower season arrives.

The added benefits here are (usually) spring weather and lower prices. There’s no guarantee of either, though, as summer weather can occur 10 months of the year in Florida and it’s possible for prices to remain elevated even after Easter. Both are uncommon, though, making this a great option if you’re looking for the optimal dates between spring and summer school breaks.

Spring & Summer Shoulder Season (May 3-11, 2025; May 2-10, 2025) – In looking at the wait time data, the first full week of May is usually the slowest of the month. Not by a wide margin, and the following week is sometimes better. In fact, the entire month before the Memorial Day holiday weekend is usually pretty good, and reliably uncrowded since it’s the shoulder season between spring break and summer vacation. (Even Memorial Day isn’t that  bad by holiday standards.)

Crowds alone would be the tiebreaker with all else being equal, but weather is another variable to take into account. Earlier has a better chance of being milder, with less of a chance for extreme heat and humidity. As icing on the cake, prices are better and we’ve tended to find better discount availability during this earlier May window.

Mid-September (September 23-30, 2024; September 13-21, 2025) – If you’re perplexed by the over 4-month gap between the last recommended week and this one, we’re going to assume you’ve never visited Florida during the heart of summer season. Or, perhaps you love alternating being able to fry an egg on the sidewalk and afternoon showers that last long enough to drench your already sweat-soaked clothes, but are too short to cool things down.

In actuality, this is an objectively “only okay” pick. In our monitoring of the data, wait times have bottomed out between the day after Labor Day and the following Saturday most years. We’re not talking about wait times for the month, but for the entire year. If you’re choosing dates with a data-driven mentality, September 3-13, 2024 is your best bet . The same will almost certainly hold from true for 2025, 2026, and so on.

In addition to the above dates, early October is often very desirable–crowds have been low for the last couple of years. This year, that would be roughly October 1-4. However, we hesitate to include those dates in the “official” recommendation because they’re a wild card. Walt Disney World loves scheduling major conventions this time of year and it’s getting into fall break season. In 2019 and earlier, early October was  not  a great time to visit. The parks could return to that baseline in 2024 and 2025…or not. It’s a gamble that may or may not pay off!

Not even the off-season opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was enough to drive crowds. Ditto the Free Dining promotion, which is back for 2024 ; that will make restaurants busier and ADRs more competitive, but has less of an impact on wait times and overall attendance levels, especially in the early fall off-season (it’ll be worse in July and December). This window is predictably uncrowded because of school going back into session and the weather being a deterrent.

With that said, the entire month is off-season and delaying a week maintains low wait times while improving your odds of better temperatures and fewer storms. We think that’s worth an extra one minute in line (literally, that’s the difference), but the fact is that heat, humidity, and hurricanes are a gamble anytime from early August through late October. If you’re on the fence about this tradeoff, see Is It Still Worth Visiting During the Early Fall Offseason at Walt Disney World?   for a greater discussion of weather vs. crowds.

Of course, if the parks close for a hurricane, wait times drop all the way to zero! Technically, that makes for the best crowd conditions of all…but that’s probably not what you have in mind if you’re visiting Walt Disney World in the fall. Still, it’s something we can’t help but point out, as there’s always that risk. It’s still statistically low, but tell that to everyone who has been burned by closures in the last few years.

Nevertheless, those planners who would prefer to trust the numbers should move their trip forward by a week or two. Those who like low crowds but would rather hedge their bets on the qualitative side of things should stick with this week, or even consider delaying one more week. Early October is still good so long as you’re out of town before the Columbus Day crowds discover Walt Disney World.

Post-Columbus Day (October 20-31, 2024; October 19-31, 2025) – This is a lower degree of confidence suggestion, and you honestly might be better off with the week encompassing Halloween and first few days of November. Based on the last few years, both of these weeks are surprisingly good. I was actually mildly and pleasantly surprised by that when combing through the data, as it wasn’t quite what I expected.

For years, conventional wisdom was that October was a great month to visit–a sweet spot of low crowds and nice weather. That ceased being true about a decade ago, and was driven in large part by an uptick in conventions business and the Free Dining promotion. With the exception of fall break and the aforementioned holiday, it seems to have resumed being true–at least to some degree–in the last 3 years. Of course, that stretch hasn’t exactly been normal, hence the low confidence in this suggestion.

The tradeoff is taking the greater gamble on crowds than late August through September is the smaller gamble on weather. (All of these dates are the “heart” of Halloween, which starts in mid-August.) Prices are also higher for these travel dates. And again, you’re gambling on weather to some degree even with this week–Hurricane Nicole caused a closure in early November!

Pre-Thanksgiving (November 16-22, 2024; November 15-21, 2025) – The final three recommendations are also the top three picks for our favorite weeks of the year to visit. Honestly, if we weren’t purposefully trying to spread out the choices to achieve greater variety, another week during the holiday season might be added here.

You might notice that the window shifts for November 2024 and 2025, which is due to the timing of Veterans Day and Thanksgiving as compared to the last two years. It’s also likely to be a better set of dates next year than it is this year from an attendance perspective. Qualitatively, both a great in terms of typical weather and seasonal events–Christmas is far and away our favorite time of year at Walt Disney World.

The only downside to these dates is that they’re early in the holiday season before all of the resorts are decked out for Christmas and prior to the start of EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays. Still, the other 3 parks will be decked out for Christmas, as well some of EPCOT–you just won’t have the food booths, storytellers (Global Santas, for lack of a better term), or Candlelight Processional.

Post-Thanksgiving (December 1-8, 2024; November 30 to December 7, 2025) – This is our #1 week of the entire year at Walt Disney World . That’s been true for ages. Back when we lived in the Midwest, our annual Christmas trip usually started the Sunday after the holiday. (Even when we were still in school, we used to skip a couple days to make it a long weekend trip!)

If I had to guess at which week of the year we have spent the most minutes in Walt Disney World since 2007, it would be this one. Probably by a pretty wide margin. We absolutely love the week after Thanksgiving.

We have our time-tested approach down to a science, flying into Orlando on Saturday and actually doing our first day in the parks on Sunday. We start with Magic Kingdom during the day, as it’s typically a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night–the first in over a week. That means shorter hours in Magic Kingdom, and smaller crowds as a result. For that same reason, do  not attend that MVMCP. There’s pent-up demand from everyone still around from Thanksgiving who didn’t have the chance to attend earlier. Instead, do the Thursday night party.

Everything about this week is great–the weather, post-holiday lull in crowds, pricing, and the full slate of Christmas season entertainment. We joke that this used to be Walt Disney World’s “second-best kept secret” after Disney Vacation Club, which is to say it was a secret in name only since so many people knew about it. However, due to Pop Warner moving to Universal and other variables, that’s once again true. This is our top recommendation, and it’s not even a particularly close call.

Pre-Christmas (December 9-15, 2024; December 8-14, 2025) – As is probably evident, this is simply the week after that. It has all of the same qualities as our #1 week, but with a couple of significant differences. First, crowds are starting to increase by this point. Families who want to be home for the holidays are more inclined to time their trip at the midpoint between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Locals and other Annual Passholders who are subject to blockouts squeeze in visits to savor the spirit of the season before they don’t have the option.

Second, prices are getting higher. They’re still not at peak season levels, but they’re about 15-25% higher than the previous week. That’s true for park tickets and resort rack rates, and also likely to be the case for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Lightning Lanes, as well. All of that adds up, and makes the middle of December noticeably worse than the sweet spot after Thanksgiving, but this still ranks  very  highly, all things considered.

Ultimately, that’s a rundown of the top 10 weeks of the year and the worst 10 weeks at Walt Disney World for all of 2024 and 2025. As you might’ve gathered by reading the entries, there are good and bad windows that stretch beyond what’s covered on this list–you should be able to deduce most of those based the rundown above.

With that said, we still hope to expand this list to a resource ranking all 52 weeks at Walt Disney World by later this year. After some tumultuous times, attendance is finally returning to familiar patterns…for the most part. It’s too difficult to do that with any degree of credibility for Summer 2024, but hopefully we’ll be able to draw more definitive conclusions about June and July 2025. So stay tuned!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

Do you agree or disagree with our Walt Disney World week rankings for now through 2026? Are there any months you think are better or worse than we have them ranked? Any specific ideal weeks that you’d recommend people visit Walt Disney World? Other dates to avoid the parks in 2024 or 2025? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Thanks for the Blog, Tom! Your advice has been very helpful. I took my family for their first visit WDW (and my first since 1996), this past week -June 10-15 – and the crowds were certainly manageable. We used Genie+ for three parks and managed to ride both Star Wars rides and Flight of Passage TWICE . That said the heat led my wife and girls to quit early on MK (I headed back at 7 and got on space mtn, 7 Dwarves, and 2 other rides. Also ponchos are essential, as 2 of our days had afternoon downpours with Ride closures.

We just got back from driving home from our Disney World trip. We were in the parks June 6 – 10. We’ve gone in the summer the last few times because I’m a teacher (and my kids are school aged). A few things. First, crowds were LOW. Our Magic Kingdom day was last Sunday, and crowd levels were 1/10. We bought Genie+ because we didn’t realize crowds were that low. We went to the resort for a mid-day break and wanted to stack LLs for the evening. It was so hard to do because almost every lightning lane had immediate callback times! I had to be attached to the app renewing the time on our LLs every 45 minutes or so to keep them active.

It’s a good thing crowds were so low because this was our hottest trip yet! We’ve gone in June and August before and had temperatures in the low 90s, which was totally manageable with a UV umbrella and cooling gear. This time, the heat index was more like 105 and 107! We managed OK except in Animal Kingdom. We only lasted about 3 hours there. I understand Animal Kingdom is more like a zoo-type experience, but when it’s so hot, people need to be able to cool off for health & safety.

We were there the same dates as you and agree completely (minus G+ as we didn’t even bother). I’m glad the crowds were so low, because that weather was absolutely brutal. I’d have happily taken 5/10 crowd levels for weather 10-15 degrees cooler!

Tom – I can’t thank you enough for your spot on guidance for all things Disney! We went for our very first “week after Thanksgiving” trip last year and it was *amazing*!

On that note, last year we were able to get a great room discount with the Disney+ subscriber deal. Do you think there will be discounts again this year for the Dec 1 timeframe?

We are from Portugal. Our kids have a holiday for a week on Friday 28th Feb to 9th March. We will take them out of school for a week either side of that as it’s a long way to come just for a week.

Do you think the week prior to 28th Feb or the week after 9th March? Also, will 28th – 9th March be busy or a lull?

Many thanks

Tom, how about August. I know the heat is awful but crowd wise with people in the south back in school are the crowds typically at least more reasonable?

Tom, o would love your thoughts on crowd levels in August. I understand that the heat will be brutal (really no other choice on timing this year), but I’m hoping at least crowd levels are low. We are typically first/second week of December people, so curious how the crowds in August compare.

We’re from the UK and always go last 2 weeks of August. Yes, it’s hot but the crowd levels can’t be beaten if you’re restricted to school holidays. We wouldn’t go at any other time.

TOM, I love all your predictions. We love going to Magic Kingdom on the day of a party. We go early and bug out by 4 o’clock. We also love the same week in November that you guys do, and have been doing it for years ourselves. we were at Magic Kingdom yesterday and today. There were very low wait times. ADR’s were plentiful all across WDW. It’s so nice to see you starting a family. I remember when you and Sarah were in college at Valpo. I used to read you on dis boards. Thank you for all you do!

I was thinking of booking a trip August 31st through September 2, but I’m worried about hurricane season. Any thoughts on this.

Hurricane season is definitely something to be worried about, and part of why we don’t recommend more dates around that time of year. (With heat being the other, more predictable, reason.)

I can’t really add anything more than that. I think it comes down to your personal risk tolerance of the parks closing (a rarity) or heavy rain (quite common) in the event a hurricane or tropical storm approaches Florida.

Hi, thank you for very useful info.

How is mid june for a 2025 visit? Could take off mabye June 10, Family of 5 travelling from Europe, preteen kids? We are pretty much bound by school holidays. Have been to Australia so could probabaly manage the heat and humidity. Magic Kingdom top priority. School is out until mid August so I think mid june would be our best bet, there is a week midterm around Halloween too but that seems moore crowded. Thanks in advance

Thus far, this June has had low-to-moderate crowds, making it a very good time to visit–at least quantitatively. My guess is that this is the new-normal for summer, and the only thing that could change it is a big summer event in 2025 that kicks off around Memorial Day weekend or the timing of Epic Universe’s opening. Possibly both!

With that said, it has been HOT. That’s almost certainly keeping some locals away and depressing the current wait times. But also, hotter summers will keep tourists away in the future, too.

Hello Tom, you actually got me dreaming with one spot being mentionned in 2026 as on eof the best week to visit… When is it recommended to book, according to you ? As soon as possible ? A bit later ? Thanks so much for your help !

I don’t think there’s any sense of urgency to book far in advance, especially because demand isn’t that high for hotels anymore *and* since discounts will be released at a later date.

This is relevant both for you (I’d assume you want to pay as little as possible?) and because some deals can shape crowd patterns. The 2026 dates are very much tentative right now, and are subject to change as circumstances evolve. (Same goes for 2025, for that matter.)

Thank you so much Tom ! If you’re visiting the Paris resort let me know (not that you seem to need any recommendations)

Hi, Tom, Thanks you for a wealth of helpful information! As a former AP holder for many years we took a break for several years because my granddaughter was overwhelmed by everything at WDW. We are now ready to go back but limited to the last week of August this year, or the last week of January 2025. Before reading your latest update we thought the last week of January would be pretty decent. Now I am worried. I will be 77 at the time of a January trip and have MS (no wheelchair necessary) but it does mean the days of hurrying through the parks are a memory! Now that DAS is no longer a possibility with my medical issues, it is going to be challenging. Why will the last week of January no longer be a good winter time to visit? In other years that week missed the Cheerleaders and Brazilian groups…is that no longer the case? I am quite concerned that we will only be able to go when the heat is more than oppressive or now it seems unexpected winter crowds? Can you please clarify the crowd numbers for the last week of Jan 2025? Thanks so much!

Sorry if it’s not clear from the update, but that’s still a good time to visit. It’s just that this is a list of the top 10 weeks, and that’s last week has now been edged out by mid-January. If the end of the month is when you want to go, I wouldn’t hesitate to book–should still be below-average crowd-wise! (And hopefully fantastic, weather-wise.)

Deciding between Presidents week and last week of March 2025. Thoughts on crowds, weather, refurbishment closures, anything else to consider?

Tom, you mention that there will be a lull in late March 2025, but March 23-30, 2025 is listed as one of your worst weeks. What did you mean by that?

My apologies, that should have said late February , not March.

Due to the timing of Presidents Day and Mardi Gras, there will be a gap between the two next year that isn’t nearly as busy. At least, hopefully!

We’re debating between a late May or September 2025 trip. How do you think the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in summer 2025 will affect crowd levels? I’m wondering if May will be even lower Disney crowds than usual due to people postponing their trips until Epic Universe is open.

I’m certainly nowhere near the expert that Tom is regarding crowds, etc (who is???) but as a native Floridian, I would absolutely say choose to visit in September over May every time. But that’s just my opinion. Others may disagree 🙂

Yeah, I can’t even begin to speculate on Epic Universe crowds (for one thing, we don’t even know when it’ll open!), but I’d say it’s pretty much a wash between late May and September otherwise. Both can have bad weather, both typically have low crowds. I’d give the edge to September, but not by a wide margin.

Hi Tom, we have a trip planned for December 2-5, 2024. I just found out there is a pop Warner cheer competition December 7-14, 2024. Do you think there will be a lot of those families who come in early before the competition? I’m flexible and can move the dates. Thank you from a Florida Native and Disney fan. you have helped me plan a quite a few Disney trips.

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Very Best (and worst) Times to Visit Disney World in 2024!

Are you looking for the best times to visit Disney World this year?

Planning a visit to the happiest place on Earth is always an exciting experience.

And finding the best deals, tips, and tricks to make each theme park adventure is everything ThemeParkHipster is about.

So today I will give you the top strategies and ways to pick the best timeframe to visit Mickey Mouse and all of his friends!

2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY  DISCLOSURE  FOR MORE INFO.  Which means if you click on certain links, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Best Days to Go to Walt Disney World at a Glance:

• The best months to visit Walt Disney World to avoid the crowds are:  Late-January and Early-February
• Your best days to visit Walt Disney World are:  Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Be sure to avoid all major holidays such as:  Memorial Day,  4th of July,  Labor Day Weekend,  Halloween ,  Thanksgiving Day,  Christmas Eve,  Christmas  and New Year’s Eve

Keep reading to get a full guide on how to choose the best days for Walt Disney World like a pro!

Things to Think About When Choosing When to Go to Walt Disney World

Holiday peaks, Disney crowd sizes, park hours, weather, and a few other factors have a lot to do with your Disney experience, including how long you’ll be waiting in line for your favorite rides.

Here are a few tips to get you started on picking the ideal times to travel to Disney alone , or with friends and family.

ORDER NOW to secure your Orlando theme park ticket reservation in the parks! GET MY TICKETS.

6 Easy Tips for Picking the Best Time to Visit Disney World

Let’s first start off with some pro tips for choosing the best dates for Disney World.

1. Avoid All Holidays

If you’re a solo traveler , this one’s especially for you.

Avoiding the Disney Holiday crowd (especially in November and December ) means shorter lines and less traffic.

For parents, this can be a bit tricky. Taking your kids to Disney World sounds like the best gift ever!

The only issue is every other mom and dad has the same exact idea.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t take your kids to Disney for Christmas season or any other holiday for that matter; it just means you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of company.

2. Avoid Peak Seasons

The winter season ( Christmas and Thanksgiving breaks especially) as well as spring break and the general summer season are all pretty popular times for the parks.

If you don’t mind long lines and you feel welcome in large crowds, this may not be a deal breaker for you.

Otherwise, I recommend checking out the chart below that compares the months of the year by seasonal weather and crowd size.

Listen to Podcast Episode: If you’re more of a podcast person, then listen to When to Go to Walt Disney World here.

3. Know What are the Best Times to Go to Disney

You’ll notice that January has crowd sizes ranging from low to moderate , while March has crowd sizes ranging from Moderate to High (mostly due to the influx of Spring Breakers).

While you’re planning that perfect day to go, don’t forget to  download the official Disney World Crowd Calendar  to view the crowd level of each day!

Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World (Moderate Crowd, Great Weather)

These months are closely followed by May , September , and October as still pretty decent visiting times.

Worst Time of Year to Visit Disney World (High Crowd, Poor Weather)

December and March aren’t too bad, especially since December is typically a very festive time for the theme parks.

Recommended: 5 Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts to Stay at Right Now

The Florida Weather at Disney World

Florida is mostly filled with perfect weather; however, there are moments when I question my sanity of living here.

Summertime in Florida is like no other state, especially for theme park goers.

If you’re a resident of an area that experiences all four seasons with mild summers, then you will definitely be taken aback by the hot, humid, indescribable weather that Florida is known for.

The weather can truly affect your choice when deciding what season to visit the parks.

You’ll want to be prepared for surviving the Disney heat , but don’t worry I have some summertime survival tips here.

Have a DIFFERENT kind of Orlando vacation with a Resort home next to Disney World. Find Your Disney Resort Vacation Rental here!

Best Month to Visit Disney World in 2024

Before you make you way out to Walt Disney World, let’s breakdown the pros and cons of each Month.

January in Disney World

Gorgeous weather (temps around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and lower crowd level makes January a top month to visit the parks.

January is one of the last remaining months considered to be the off-season with Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach usually closed for refurbishment.

Overall, late January is one of my favorite times to visit the Disney parks.

Disney January Events:

• Epcot International Festival of the Arts
• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

January Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday
• Opening weekend of the Epcot Festival of the Arts

WATCH: Rating Everything I Ate at Epcot Festival of the Arts! 🧁🤩🥂🥨

February in Disney World

February is still a slow month with mild weather and is usually better than January in regards to crowd level.

The Disney water parks may still be closed during this time.

Disney February Events:

• Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon Weekend
• Black History Month

February Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Presidents’ Day
• Valentine’s Day

WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!

March in Disney World

In March, temperatures are starting to warm up, but still manageable. Park attendance begins to pick up this month, but not as bad as summer months.

Disney March Events:

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

March Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Daytona Bike Week
• Easter (if it falls in March)
• Local School (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, and Lake Counties) Spring Breaks
• Opening weekend of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

April in Disney World

Temperatures continue to rise peaking around the mid-80s during the month of April.

The crowd level is still mild to moderate due to the last of the spring breakers.

Disney April Events:

• Earth Day at Animal Kingdom

April Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Spring Break days
• Easter (if it falls in April)

May in Disney World

The season of thunderstorms and downpours starts in May.

Not to mention the introduction of the torturous Florida humidity and heat peaking in the 90-degree Fahrenheit range.

Crowds are usually moderate during this time since it’s the month prior to theme park tourist season.

Disney May Events:

• May the 4th (Star Wars Day)

May Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Memorial Day Weekend

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June in Disney World

This is the month to have your patience ready as the tourist season kicks into full gear along with the never-ending Florida sun rays and constant rainy days.

It’s during this time that water, sunscreen, sunglasses, an umbrella and a well-ventilated hat are a must!

Disney June Events:

• Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

June Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Days after mid-June (school release for summer break)

Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide

July in Disney World

This is one of the busiest times at Walt Disney World . Not only are most kids out of school, you have to deal with one of the major holidays in America, which is Independence Day.

The parks are opened much longer during July, but you still have to fight the crowds and the unforgiving Florida sun.

Hipster Power Tip: Take a break midday after 12 p.m. to avoid the most dangerous U.V. rays from the sun and return towards the evening after 5 p.m.  

Disney July Events:

• Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios
• The Epcot Food and Wine Festival

July Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Independence Day
• Opening weekend of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

August in Disney World

Believe it or not, by August temperatures are still rising in Florida which makes you feel miserable being outside.

The crowd level is still heavy with a dip coming towards the end of the month as kids head back to school.

Disney August Events:

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

August Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• The first two weeks of the month

September in Disney World

In the early part of September , lines began to die down only a little bit.

The weather in September is the same as August, so come prepared as if you’re visiting Florida in the middle of summer.

Plus, it can also be a peak month for hurricane season.

Disney September Events:

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

September Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Labor Day Weekend

October in Disney World

During the month of October , the Florida weather starts to cooperate…well, slightly. Days may start off cool (in the mid-60s) and end pretty warm (in the upper-80s).

This is one of the best times to book a trip to Walt Disney World!

You’ll be able to see all of the fall décor lining the famous Main Street U.S.A. of the Magic Kingdom theme park.

The crowd levels tend to pick up mid to late October as everyone gets in their quick Epcot Food and Wine Festival visits.

Disney October Events:

October days to avoid at disney world:.

Get your Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets TODAY!

November in Disney World

The month of November is my favorite time to visit the Disney parks (mainly because it’s my birthday month).

Not only do you get to see the Epcot Festivals and the Disney Christmas décor all in one month, the weather is absolutely gorgeous in Florida.

Perfect mild days complete with cool evenings are the ideal formula for an amazing theme park day.

Disney November Events:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

November Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Thanksgiving Week and Weekend

Watch Next: 5 BEST Rides at EPCOT You Can’t Miss!

December in Disney World

The month of December in the magical Walt Disney World Resort is the idea time to visit the parks.

Only problem is that everyone wants the same enchanted experience for the holidays.

The parks are decked out in holiday cheer and the Florida weather is oh so dear.

If you must attend in December, then I recommend coming during the first two weeks of the month as these dates are still fairly quiet at the parks.

Disney December Events:

• Holidays at Disney Springs
• Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
• Resort Hotel Holiday Decorations

December Days to Avoid at Disney World:

• Last two weeks of December
• Christmas Eve and Christmas
• New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

If you’re planning a December Trip, you’ll probably just have to weigh-in on whether it’s more important to you to avoid really big crowds, or for you to join in on the Holiday Fun.

Even with this guide, sometimes running into a sea of visitors is unavoidable. There are constant field trips and sometimes just a random influx of visitors.

For times like these, I wanted to share a few more tips to make the best of a situation where beating the crowd isn’t possible.

Save on your Disney World tickets with Tripadvisor TODAY!

4. Book Your Genie+ Reservations

Each morning if you want the “skip-the-line service,” simply log in to your My Disney Experience App and  purchase the Genie+ feature. 

The Genie+ Passes are a great time saver and even more helpful during peak seasons.

So, even if you find yourself in the park with tens of thousands of other people, you can still avoid those long twisted lines.

Join the Conversation on the  Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Community on Facebook!

5. Use Mobile Ordering For Food

Any day you’re at one of the theme parks, you can plan your meals ahead of time using Disney Mobile Ordering .

Like Genie+, it allows you to plan your day first so you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the magical experience.

It’s for same day service only and includes beverages.

You can access the Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering service from the My Disney Experience App.

If you’re not familiar with the feature, I have a pretty detailed article and step-by-step guide here.

6. Make Reservations to Special Events and Restaurants Early

Reserving your seat at special events and highly-coveted restaurants is always a good idea, and Walt Disney World is certainly no exception.

Because the parks are so large, special events book quickly, and the better restaurants fill just as fast.

In the article The 35 Best Walt Disney World Tips , I cover how you can use the My Disney Experience app to get into special events that are otherwise difficult to book.

Just check the app on the site around 7 a.m. and try your luck. You might not get in, but it’s definitely worth a shot.

With the app, I was able to get into the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and a beverage seminar that was booked for a full month!

These are just some of the ways get around thick crowds and the infamous Disney theme park lines.

WATCH: The 5 BEST Snacks at EPCOT You Must Try on Your Visit! 🧁🍕🥂🥳

What to Know Before You Go to Walt Disney World

Before when end this podcast episode, let’s go over some of the most common questions I’m asked.

How much does Disney World cost?

A one-day  REGULAR  season  Disney World ticket  starts at $109* (prices do fluctuate based on the season).

What day of the week is best to go to Walt Disney World?

Tuesday is the best day of the week to have your BEST solo Disney day. If Tuesday doesn’t work, Wednesday and Thursday are good as well.

What is the best month to visit Disney World?

Because of the low crowd level and perfect weather, January is the best month to visit the parks.

What are the off seasons for Disney World?

Honestly, I cannot say that there are off seasons at Walt Disney World.

Keep in mind that this is the top tourist destination in the world, which means people are always planning a vacation here despite the time of year.

What I will say is that January to early March tends to be the least crowded time at Disney World?

What are the best Disney resorts for Solo Travelers?

• Swan and Dolphin Resort
• Encore Resort  (perfect if you’re meeting family or friends later)
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
• Coronado Springs Resort
• POP Century Resort

Recommended: Where to Stay in Orlando: Top 10 Hotels and Resorts for ALL Budgets

What rides at Disney World have Single Rider Line?

The Magic Kingdom currently does not have any single rider attractions.

While planning out your day, you’ll want to have your Genie Plus Reservations booked as mentioned earlier in this guide and arrive early to the park.

Disney World Single Rider Attractions

• Test Track – Epcot
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Hollywood Studios
• Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom
• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – Hollywood Studios

Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed!

My Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Time to Go to Disney World

When planning a trip to Disney, choosing the perfect day shouldn’t be complicated. I hope I was able to help guide you with some of my best tips.

Let’s quickly review all the tips for understanding the Disney World Crowd Calendar.

How to Pick the Best Days to Visit

• Avoid ALL holidays
• Avoid peak seasons (summer time, spring break, and Christmas break)
• Know when to visit Disney World
• Book Genie Plus Reservations as soon as you can
• Use mobile ordering for food
• RSVP to special events or restaurants early

Let me know your favorite month is at Walt Disney World in the comments section below.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor , and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

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Planning a trip soon? If so, read the  Disney Vacation Planning Guide  for your next dream trip!

(Original Article Date March 13, 2018/Updated January 18, 2024)

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Top 10 ways to find cheap busch gardens tampa tickets (2024), 4 thoughts on “very best (and worst) times to visit disney world in 2024”.

Great, informative post! We love going in February! Less crowds and the weather isn’t too warm, but also not as cold as December and January.

February is perfect!

How true it is that the days we pick to be at the park can make such a difference in how enjoyable our time there may be. We aim to visit The Mouse during the slower seasons and avoid being there during the busiest seasons.

The slow season is the only time where you can truly enjoy the parks the best!

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Disney World Best Times to Go to: Tips to Maximize the Thrills and Beat the Crowds

Nestled under the warm embrace of Florida’s sunshine, Walt Disney World welcomes visitors with open arms at any time of the year, offering an abundance of festivals, events, and unforgettable experiences.

But you might wonder, “When is the best time to go to Disney World ?” Follow along as we answer that question. We’ll also reveal all the details about the best time to visit Disney World.

Whether you prioritize lower crowd levels, affordable ticket prices, or exciting special events, there’s a magical time waiting for you at the Most Magical and Happiest Place on Earth.

So, keep reading to help you plan your journey wisely and get ready to create lifelong memories filled with laughter, joy, and pure Disney magic!

Planning Your Visit to Disney World

By planning strategically and using the Disney World crowd calendar , you can avoid the crowded time, ensuring shorter wait times for attractions and a more immersive experience overall. Allow us to guide you on the best month to go to Disney World and best weeks to go to Disney World.

For those who thrive on the vibrant energy of bustling celebrations, the summer months offer a lively atmosphere with an abundance of park activities to indulge in.

From experiencing the enchanting Main Street Electrical Parade to embarking on the thrilling Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or a rollicking mine cart adventure through the world of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, there is no shortage of excitement and wonder.

Related Post: Bucket List Disney World – 9 Can’t-Miss Experiences

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the summer also brings an influx of visitors as families embark on their vacations and seek to make the most of the long, sun-kissed days. And, know that the best time of year to go to Disney World is any time of the year!

For those seeking a quieter and more relaxed ambiance, the post-Christmas season until Spring break provides ideal times to visit Disney as you can enjoy a more tranquil experience with fewer visitors.

Just remember to stay informed about possible ride maintenance that may be scheduled during this period which could affect the availability of certain attractions. Be updated with park announcements to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable visit.

Visit Disney World With the Best Tickets

Wave your magic “mouse” here and take your Disney experience to the next level! From school breaks to summer vacations, from Christmas to Easter and Labor Day, you can effortlessly compare prices and options that suit your preferences.

With just a few simple steps, you can unlock a treasure trove of ticket choices. Begin by selecting your desired dates, specifying the number of days you’d like to visit, and entering the count of family members joining you. In an instant, you’ll be presented with a wide array of ticket choices, ready to be explored.

Psst… do you have a tight Disney budget? Here’s the scoop: Tripster offers a range of Disney ticket packages that allow you to experience more days of magic while enjoying savings. It’s simple — the more days you buy, the more you save!

And if you’re planning to visit multiple Disney parks during your stay, you’ll be glad to know that there are ticket packages that include Park Hopper options. These options let you bundle your adventures and maximize the fun by touring different parks in a single day.

Related Post: Best Disney World Thrill Rides: 13 Adrenaline-Inducing Experiences

But that’s not all! Fulfill your dream of a Magic Kingdoms visit and upgrade any park ticket to an annual pass to experience the magic of Disney World year-round.

As an annual pass holder, you’ll gain access to a treasure trove of perks. Enjoy discounts on dining, complimentary parking, exclusive access to special events, and so much more. It’s like having a key to a world of Disney wonders!

Genie+ To The Rescue

Want to feel what it is like to have a genie granting your wishes right at your fingertips? Who doesn’t? Introducing Genie+ —your personal genie to enhance your Disney experience like never before.

Genie+ goes beyond just ticket access. It asks for your ride, attractions, shopping, and dining preferences and then designs the perfect day tailored just for you.

Related Post: Is Genie Plus Worth It?

Plus, Genie+ doesn’t stop at planning your day. It updates in real-time as you go through the itinerary, providing you with valuable information about the queues you can expect at your chosen stops. Thanks to this fantastic feature, you can make informed decisions about your wait times and make the most of every magical moment.

With the Lightning Lane feature of Genie+, you can enjoy expedited access to select attractions and experiences, bypassing the regular queues and maximizing your time in the Disney park.

Say goodbye to long waits and hello to more magical moments! Read on to know the best time to go to WDW!

Magical Disney World Events

Festival of the arts.

The Epcot Festival of the Arts has become a highly acclaimed event, earning its reputation as one of the most popular festivals at Walt Disney World Resort. This annual celebration, which takes place typically in January and February, showcases the best of visual, culinary, and performing arts.

From stunning paintings to mesmerizing performances, this festival puts artists front and center, offering a unique opportunity to witness their talent firsthand. Witness fascinating displays of agility and talent, meet brilliant artists, learn to draw Disney characters, and contribute to a giant paint-by-numbers mural.

Related Post: Disney Honeymoon Packages: Guide to a Walt Disney World Honeymoon

Indulge in culinary delights at the festival’s Food Studios, where you can sample inventive and delicious dishes from around the world. Take a scrumptious stroll through EPCOT on the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, savoring seven flavorful noms and enjoying a special treat at the end. It’s a feast for both your eyes and taste buds!

Enhance your experience with the Disney on Broadway Concert Series Dining Package . Enjoy a delightful lunch or dinner at select EPCOT restaurants and guaranteed seating for the concert on the same day.

If you’re looking for the best time to go to Disney World, consider planning your trip around the Epcot Festival of the Arts. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy Disney’s magic while experiencing the festival’s cultural richness.

Disney H20 Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon

Dive into an unforgettable nighttime adventure at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park with Disney H2O Glow After Hours ! This three-hour extravaganza transforms the park into a luminous tropical oasis, making it the ultimate way to beat the heat and enjoy the water park in a whole new light!

Surrounded by shimmering waters and vibrant colors, enjoy the water park under the stars. As the sun sets and the night comes alive, you’ll have exclusive access to favorite attractions, thrilling water slides, and refreshing pools.

Related Post: You’ll find Discounted Disney World Tickets Here

And guess what? The best part is that Disney H2O Glow After Hours is not just about the attractions; it’s a full-fledged party! Get your groove on at the DJ dance party, where infectious beats and energetic vibes will have you moving and grooving all night long.

Indulge in delectable snacks and treats that will tantalize your taste buds and keep you fueled for all the water park adventures.

Mark your calendar for select nights, and get ready for an epic water park experience like no other. Disney H2O Glow After Hours is a separately ticketed event, so make sure to grab your admission ticket and prepare for an evening of splashing fun, unforgettable memories, and pure excitement.

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

For those seeking the best time to visit Walt Disney World, the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival offers a delightful option. It allows you to enjoy the festival’s wonders during the spring and early summer months. The weather is generally pleasant, and the festival creates a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere throughout Epcot.

Immerse yourself in the captivating sights of meticulously designed topiaries, where characters like Beauty and the Beast, Elsa, Goofy, and Mickey Mouse stand tall amidst a backdrop of stunningly landscaped gardens.

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is not just about the visual spectacle—it’s an experience that engages all your senses. Discover the delicate scents of blooming flowers, listen to the soothing sounds of nature, and taste the fresh flavors of spring and summer.

Related Post: Hidden Mickeys in Disney World: The Ultimate Hunting Guide

Embark on a tantalizing journey as you explore the outdoor kitchens scattered throughout the park. Each kitchen offers a tantalizing seasonal menu of mouthwatering cuisine and refreshing libations. And fear not, there’s a children’s menu available to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Get ready to groove to the hottest beats at the Garden Rocks Concert Series . Held at the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion, this concert series features world-class artists performing toe-tapping songs. Whether young or young at heart, these 30-minute concerts will get you on your feet and dancing.

Before you leave the festival, be sure to explore the shopping options and take home the freshest souvenirs. Browse a variety of festival merchandise, including hoodies, totes, wallets, pin sets, and more. You’ll have a chance to bring a piece of the festival magic with you wherever you go.

Disney’s Food and Wine Festival

Embark on a journey of flavor and fun at the highly anticipated Epcot International Food and Wine Festival ! Immerse yourself in a gastronomic extravaganza that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to culinary destinations around the globe.

Whether you’re craving the richness of Italian pasta, the boldness of Chinese spices, or the freshness of Greek delights, this festival promises to satisfy every culinary craving. And let’s not forget the incredible array of special beverages that will transport you to distant lands, from exotic cocktails to traditional brews.

The festival comes alive with the sensational Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre, where you can enjoy live performances by an amazing lineup of artists. For an enhanced experience, treat yourself to an Eat to the Beat Dining Package to savor a delectable meal and secure prime seating for the concert.

Related Post: Tips for Disney World – Insider’s Guide to the Park

Sharpen your culinary skills and expand your knowledge through engaging food demonstrations and seminars led by renowned chefs. Unlock the secrets of world cuisines, learn new techniques, and gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry of cooking.

To ensure you don’t miss a single moment of this epic festival, stay tuned for updates on the full menu and concert lineup. The festival takes place on several dates, so pick the best time to book Disney!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Step into the enchanting darkness of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, a spine-tingling event that unfolds under the moonlit skies of the Magic Kingdom. Held annually from August to October at Disney World, this separate-admission Halloween-themed party casts a spell on all who dare to enter.

As twilight descends and the moon casts an ethereal glow, the party awakens, enchanting all who dare to venture into its clutches. Enter the gates as early as 4 pm and immerse yourself in the spellbinding ambiance that sets the stage for a night of bone-chilling thrills.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party promises a macabre journey like never before. Traverse haunted corridors where specters lurk, encounter grinning pumpkins that seem to whisper secrets, and surrender to the chilling melodies that fill the air.

Related Post: Disney World Planning: Design Your Dream Vacation

This special, separately ticketed event offers Halloween fun for everyone. From families with young trick-or-treaters to thrill-seekers in search of suspenseful encounters, the party caters to all who revel in the spirit of the season.

Encounter beloved Disney characters donning their most spooktacular costumes, embark on supernatural attractions, and marvel at bewitching parades and mesmerizing fireworks that light up the haunted sky.

Dare to step into the realm of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, where the boundary between the living and the dead blurs, and where the magic of Disney meets the enchantment of All Hallows’ Eve.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Christmas is the most awaited season and there’s no better way to celebrate it early than joining Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party . From the months of November to December, this specially ticketed event brings guests to a realm where the spirit of Christmas exudes joy, warmth, and cherished traditions.

Prepare to be mesmerized by exclusive holiday entertainment that captures the essence of Christmas. Witness the magical sight of Main Street adorned with twinkling lights, while “snow” gently falls, creating a whimsical atmosphere of wonder.

Related Post: Disney World in Winter – 6 Tips for A Successful Vacation

Special character meet and greets await, where your beloved Disney friends don their most festive attire, spreading cheer and making memories that will last a lifetime. Capture the perfect holiday photo and share heartfelt moments with these iconic characters.

And keep your eyes peeled for the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus, as he spreads joy and listens to the wishes of young and old alike. From enchanting parades that fill the streets with holiday magic to breathtaking fireworks that light up the night sky, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party immerses you in a world of pure holiday splendor.

Pro Tip: Early December is the best time of year to go to Disney. Book your vacation during this optimal period when crowds tend to be lighter compared to other peak seasons like summer and major holidays.

Disney World Nearby Hotels and Lodging

Walt Disney World is located at 1375 E Buena Vista Drive, Orlando, FL 32830 . Now that you already know when is the best time to go and where to go exactly at Disney World. Now, you may be wondering, “Where to stay near Walt Disney World?” Choosing the right accommodation for your Disney adventure is an important decision that can greatly enhance your overall experience.

Luckily, Tripster offers plenty of excellent options to cater to every budget and preference, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay.

We’ve taken care of all the legwork for you and curated a selection of the best local Orlando attraction and hotel deals. Even during the busiest times of the year for Disney, these hotel packages will maximize the value of your dollar, allowing you to make the most of your experience.

Disney World offers 26 Disney-operated hotels and ten non-Disney hotels within the premises. Disney Resort Hotels provide an immersive experience with perks like proximity to the parks, extended park hours, and the convenience of shipping items to your room. In addition, the option to return to your hotel midday for rest and rejuvenation can be a lifesaver, especially when you have little ones in tow.

Related Post: Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: In-Depth Guide to Your Vacation Stay

However, if you’re planning to explore beyond the realms of Disney and delve into the wonders of Orlando, there are excellent offsite Disney World hotel options that can save you money without compromising on comfort.

Explore nearby attractions like SeaWorld or bask in the sun-drenched shores of Cocoa Beach, knowing that you have a comfortable base to return to at the end of each exhilarating day.

Alternatively, you may also consider the luxurious Disney Springs resorts , offering proximity to the theme park action along with enticing benefits like free shuttle transportation, fresh breakfast buffets, and 24-hour fitness centers. This way, you can experience the best of both worlds—Disney magic and the attractions that lie beyond its borders.

Whether you choose to stay within the enchanting embrace of a Disney Resort Hotel or opt for an offsite location, rest assured that your adventure in Orlando will be filled with wonder and excitement. Go ahead and embark on your Disney World adventure, knowing that you’ve found the perfect place to rest with Tripster.

Your Disney Adventure Awaits

Truth be told, every moment is actually the best times to go to Disney World. From the refreshing splashes in the water parks during summer to the festive spirit that fills the air during the holiday season, let the magic of Disney accompany you throughout the year.

So, why wait any longer? Start planning your dream Walt Disney World getaway with Tripster today!

Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World FAQs

How many days in disney is ideal.

So, how many days do you need to enjoy Walt Disney World? We feel seven days should be your minimum stay, especially if you plan on visiting the Disney World water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) and Disney Springs. The extra day or two between parks will make your trip much more relaxing.

Which Disney World Park is The Best For One Day?

If you could only spend a day at Disney World, which park would be the best choice? The Magic Kingdom Park is undeniably a top pick. With its status as the world's most frequently visited theme park, it's unmissable if your time is limited.

Where Do You Go First at Disney?

Begin your journey in Fantasyland, where you should first explore the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and later glide on Peter Pan's Flight. Both of these attractions typically see a rapid increase in wait times, so it's advisable to prioritize them. To smartly plan your next move in the park, use the My Disney Experience app to keep track of wait times.

Tell Us, When Do You Think Is the Disney World Best Time To Go?

Let us know in the comments below!

Written by Archie Villaflores

Over the years, he has won numerous national contests for news and editorial writing, but he has recently discovered that his true passion...

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The Best and Worst Times to go to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando in 2022 and 2023

Aryn Bordelon | July 19, 2022 January 14, 2022

There’s nothing worse than meticulously planning out a family vacation and allowing the excitement and anticipation to build only to arrive at your destination and realize that everyone else had the same ideas you did. Managing your time and expectations is a huge part of enjoying your trip to Orlando, so today we’re going to break down our recommendations on the best and worst times to go to the theme parks in 2022 and 2023. For more detailed information on our recommendations to go to Universal Orlando Resort specifically, check out our pages on the best day of the week to go to Universal and the best time of the year to go to Universal . We also have a number of touring plans for you to choose from to make the most of your time in Orlando! 

A few things to consider as you review our suggestions — the primary element we measured when making these recommendations was anticipated crowd level . However, other things to keep in mind are the fact that busier times mean (generally) more attentive and higher staffed experiences, and that closing times and experience availability in the off-seasons might also be affected by lower crowd levels, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic , when employees and resources have to be doled out with particular care and attention. But all signs point to things getting back to normal. For example, Universal Orlando Resort is welcoming back concerts during their Mardi Gras festivities, and SeaWorld Orlando has events going on throughout the year.

It’s also important to note that for many, there’s really never a bad time to go to the parks. With Disney , Universal , and SeaWorld all accessible year-round, there is always something to do. Another way to make your trip to Orlando more efficient (if it’s in your budget), is staying at an official resort hotel . We sincerely recommend taking advantage of these resorts for the amenities alone — the premier Universal Orlando Resort hotels offer complimentary Express Passes to guests, and all levels of their resorts offer Early Park Admission to guests. The official hotels at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort offer a number of transportation options, making access to their parks quick and easy.

One last thing to consider before we dive into the details at hand: reservations and pandemic protocols. It’s no fun to think about, but these stipulations are important to consider in planning your trip and what to expect from your visit. Walt Disney World Resort still requires guests to make reservations ahead of their visit (with reservations already going into 2023), and reservations definitely fill up and hit capacity at certain parks certain times of the year. Currently, masks are required in attraction queues and on all attractions themselves (even outdoor ones) at both Walt Disney World and at Universal Orlando Resort. SeaWorld Orlando recommends guests wear masks when indoors.

Holidays for 2022 and 2023:

• Although not a holiday, an overarching event in Orlando for the next fourteen months is the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration . Although Magic Kingdom is the park actually celebrating its golden anniversary, commemorative festivities, specialty merchandise, and food offerings can be found throughout the resort and all four theme parks. 
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day: January 17, 2022 and January 16, 2023
• Presidents’ Day: February 21, 2022 and February 20, 2023
• Easter: April 17, 2022 and April 9, 2023 
• Labor Day: September 5, 2022 and September 4, 2023
• Columbus Day: October 10, 2022 and October 9, 2023
• Veterans Day: November 11 every year 

We list out these dates because any extended weekend or holiday will draw crowds to the parks. Locals take advantage of the extra day and regional visitors have extra wiggle room to make the visit and make it worth it. 

run Disney Events in 2022 and 2023:

run Disney events have a significant impact on the dynamics of Orlando tourism. These increasingly popular events are famous for selling out in hours, and avid runners flock to the event weekends and frequently bring along an entourage to enjoy the festivities and make a trip out of it. While you won’t necessarily notice huge increases in park attendance (particularly at the non-Disney parks), general highway traffic, routes, and hotel prices might be impacted on these weekends and are worth noting.

2022 run Disney events:

• February 24-27: Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
• March 31 – April 3:  run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend
• November 3-6: Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend

2023 run Disney events:

• January 4-8: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
• February 23-26: Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
• April 13-16:  run Disney Springtime Surprise Weekend

Best and worst times to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando in Spring 2022 and 2023

Best times to go:  

• January 10-14 and the end of January 
• First half of February 
• First few days of March

Here’s why: The springtime is probably our favorite season to go to the parks for several reasons. For one thing, the weather is hard to beat. Orlando rarely gets uncomfortably cold, but the cooler days that emerge in January and pepper into March are the perfect temperature to enjoy your day at the park without sweating for hours on end. Crowds are generally low because the springtime follows the busy holiday season, but there are some special events (most notably, Mardi Gras ) to entice visitors. 

Worst times to go:  

• January 15 – 18 
• The back half of February
• March 5 – end of April

Here’s why: As we stated earlier, as a rule, any extended weekend will result in a spike in park attendance. In February, visits partially increase because a great deal of visitors to the Orlando area are from Louisiana, a state which gets school breaks for Mardi Gras. After that, the rush is from Spring Breakers starting to arrive, and the busy season looms just around the corner! 

Best and worst times to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando in Summer 2022 and 2023

• Weekdays in the second half of April through mid-May
• First two weeks of June
• The second half of August

Here’s why: While the summer has a notorious reputation for being jam-packed and crowded, there are pockets of time that guests will likely not have this experience. Unfortunately, these times are most easily accessible for locals. Weekdays in late April through mid-May are usually light traffic. Things ramp up and get steady for a while in the heat of the summer, but by the end of August (when school is back in session) the parks thin out again. 

• Second half of June
• All of July
• The first half of August

Here’s why: Unfortunately, no matter how you slice it — summers in Central Florida can be rough. Essentially, we would block off weekends in May and every day through the first half of August if crowds and heat are not a tolerable part of your theme-park experience. One thing to keep in mind for Summer 2022 is the scheduled opening of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster at EPCOT. This cutting-edge coaster is sure to draw crowds to the park, so keep that in mind as you make your travels. The summer is also a great time to do a number of things in Central Florida that aren’t theme-park related, from airboat tours and glass-bottom boat excursions to world-class shopping or exploring trails in a number of state and community parks.  

Best and worst times to visit Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando in Fall and Winter 2022 and 2023

• Weekdays in November (except for Thanksgiving week)
• Weekdays in December that don’t fall on a holiday week

Here’s why: A lot of families save their trips for the holidays . With so many groups relying on collective time off together with the rest of their members, the holidays tend to be incredibly busy (in some cases, even surpassing the hustle and bustle of the summertime). That being said, if your circumstances are such that you can make it during a weekday during the holiday season, the beautiful decor, special shows, and delectable treats make going at that time completely worth it, in our opinion. 

• Thanksgiving week
• The week of Christmas through the New Year

Here’s why: Holidays attract visitors, it’s just that simple. Many groups decide that their trip to an Orlando theme park is their holiday gift to one another, and it’s hard to blame them. Being in some of the most magical and immersive places you can think of, with those you love, during the holiday season, is just about as idyllic as you can get! Just remember that the high traffic of going to the parks on or around holidays means that all those employees can’t be doing the same with their families!  

We know better than anyone that sometimes, vacations plan themselves and you aren’t able to have complete control over when you go. Regardless, we hope that this information will serve you well on your exciting Orlando vacation. Be sure to check out our Crowd Calendar for information on projected crowd levels at Universal Orlando Resort. 

When are you visiting Orlando in 2022 and 2023?  Let us – and thousands of other Disney fans – know in our  Orlando Informer Community  on Facebook. Be sure to follow Orlando Informer on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram  for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

Related posts:

Everything coming to walt disney world, universal orlando resort, and seaworld orlando in 2022 and beyond.

• Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND close due to COVID-19
• Exclusive Tours Return to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando
• Holiday Announcements at Universal, SeaWorld Celebrates Christmas, and Disney’s Latest Merch: Your Weekly Theme-Park Recap (November 1 – 7)

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About aryn bordelon.

Aryn Bordelon grew up eating rice and kimchi in the Panhandle and was indoctrinated with a love of Florida theme parks from a young age. A long-time follower of OI, she has spent years attending the parks in a variety of ways, from repeatedly attending Halloween Horror Nights to racing (and placing) at Universal Running events alongside her husband, Ian.

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Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World Based on the Weather

There are a ton of things to consider when deciding when to visit Walt Disney World. Everything from work and school schedules to crowd levels can impact when you plan your trip, but the weather is an important consideration when deciding the best time to visit Disney.

When you think of Florida, you think of warm, sunny days, and that is true of Florida weather very often. It is called the “ Sunshine State !” However, there are times of the year when that beautiful sunshine is sweltering! And, believe it or not, there are some times downright chilly! Check out this information on weather at different times of the year, and how that can impact your vacation plans.

Find yourself on the wrong coast?  Visit our Disneyland Weather page .

Monthly Averages and Tips Hurricane Information Current Forecast

Monthly Averages and Weather Tips

January      February      March     April      May     June     July      August     September     October      November     December

Average High – 71ºF Average Low – 52ºF Average Daily Temperature – 60ºF Average Precipitation – 2.3 in.

January is the coldest month of the year in Florida. Yes, it does get chilly in Florida! While the average highs and lows do not sound very cold, there are times when it is quite nippy. During this time of year, a jacket or hoodie is often necessary, especially in the early morning or late evening. Gusty winter wind can be quite cold. The winter months are low in precipitation typically.

The chilly weather may mean you need a jacket, but you should not be sweating while wandering the parks. The cooler temperatures make it easier to stay in the parks longer, as they are less draining than intense heat. Many water attractions, like Kali River Rapids , may be closed for refurbishments during this time of year due to the cooler temperatures. Typically, only one of the water parks will be open through the winter months. It is occasionally possible to swim despite the cool weather because all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 73ºF Average Low – 54ºF Average Daily Temperature – 63ºF Average Precipitation – 2.4 in.

February is another cool weather month. Winter is typically the dry season in Florida, so there is less chance that it will rain. The weather can be quite cold in February, even though it is Florida. Be sure to pack socks, pants, and jackets, and even a scarf or gloves and a hat. Cold weather gear is especially necessary for the early morning or late evening hours. Gusty winds can be quite cold.

Park touring can be easier in cooler temperatures, as they are less draining than intense heat. Some water attractions, like Kali River Rapids , may be under refurbishment during winter months. Typically only one of the two water parks is open during the cooler season. It is still possible to swim if you want to, as all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 77ºF Average Low – 59ºF Average Daily Temperature – 67ºF Average Precipitation – 2.9 in.

In March, temperatures begin to fluctuate and may be extremely warm or quite cool. Springtime has arrived! Be prepared with a jacket in case of cooler temperatures, but it is also common to have really warm days in March as well. March is still in the dry season for Florida, so it is not likely that it will rain all day.

Temperatures begin to rise in March, but it can still be cool in the mornings and evenings. Water parks resume full operation in March, although they may close for the day if the weather is cold. The most important thing to note about March weather is that it can vary greatly. One week it may be very warm, and the next, quite cool. Despite fluctuating temperatures, you should be able to swim since all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 82ºF Average Low – 63ºF Average Daily Temperature – 72ºF Average Precipitation – 2.4 in.

Temperatures begin to be more consistently warm during April, and by the end of the month, it may be hot. The rainy season has not struck yet, so it is unlikely that it will rain all day long. However, it is springtime, and this can fluctuate. It is not out of the question to have a chilly day, so it is still probably a good idea to have a light jacket.

By April, both water parks are in full operation. It should be beautiful weather for swimming, especially since Disney pools are heated. Typically it is not necessary to prepare for extremely hot or cold temperatures in April. This is beneficial for park touring. Comfortable weather is very nice for spending the day outside.

Average High – 87ºF Average Low – 69ºF Average Daily Temperature – 77ºF Average Precipitation – 2.9 in.

In May, temperatures start to warm towards summer levels. It can be very hot, but not as hot as the peak summer months. You can prepare for warm temperatures by drinking plenty of water, carrying a spray fan, and having a cooling towel. May is still just on the outside of the rainy season, but as the month wears on afternoon showers are not out of the ordinary. Check out our rainy day page for tips on having fun despite the water.

As the temperatures rise, it is advisable to take an afternoon break from the heat. Get something to eat, take a swim, or even a nap to escape from the hot sunshine. The heat can be draining during park touring, so be sure to take advantage of the free cups of water available at all quick-service food locations.

Average High – 89ºF Average Low – 74ºF Average Daily Temperature – 80ºF Average Precipitation – 5.7 in.

In June, the temperatures can be extremely hot. Summer has arrived! Be sure to prepare. Check out our tips for beating the heat . Taking an afternoon break to nap, eat, or swim is a great way to escape the heat and humidity in the middle of the day. Be sure to take advantage of the free cups of water available at all Disney quick service food locations.

June starts the rainy season in Florida. This means there will typically be an afternoon rain or thundershower. Check out our tips for having fun despite the rain . This is also the start of the hurricane season . Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 90ºF Average Low – 75ºF Average Daily Temperature – 82ºF Average Precipitation – 5.6 in.

July is the warmest month of the year for Walt Disney World. It can get extremely hot! Check out our tips for beating the heat . Prepare for the hot weather. Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

The summer months are the rainy season for Florida. Typically this means an afternoon thundershower rather than all-day rain. Check out our tips for rainy days . An afternoon rain shower can be good, as it sometimes cools down for the evening following a brief shower. This is also hurricane season for Florida. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 90ºF Average Low – 76ºF Average Daily Temperature – 81ºF Average Precipitation – 5.6 in.

August retains almost all of the heat and humidity of July. It can be very, very hot! Check out our tips for beating the heat . Prepare for the hot weather. Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

Average High – 88ºF Average Low – 74ºF Average Daily Temperature – 80ºF Average Precipitation – 5.1 in.

In September, it is still very warm, but the heat finally begins to relent occasionally. Still, prepare for the extreme heat. Check out our tips for beating the heat . Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

September is in the rainy season for Florida. Typically this means an afternoon thundershower rather than all-day rain. Check out our tips for rainy days . An afternoon rain shower can be good, as it sometimes cools down for the evening following a brief shower. This is also hurricane season for Florida. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 83ºF Average Low – 68ºF Average Daily Temperature – 75ºF Average Precipitation – 2.8 in.

In October, temperatures begin to cool down from the extreme heat of summer. It is still very warm, however. In the case of a day that is still extremely hot, check out our page on beating the heat . Overall, temperatures are typically a touch more moderate than the summer months.

October ends the rainy season for central Florida, so rain is not typically as much of a daily event as in the summer. However, it is still hurricane season , and that can bring rain to the forecast. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 77ºF Average Low – 61ºF Average Daily Temperature – 68ºF Average Precipitation – 1.8 in.

By November, temperatures can be much more comfortable for park touring. It can get cool, so it is advisable to have a jacket, especially in the evening and early morning. Overall, temperatures should be relatively moderate. This is not the rainy season for Florida, so rain should not be a significant problem. However, it is still hurricane season , and that can bring rain to the forecast. Disney has only closed five times in 45 years for severe weather, so severe hurricanes are not a common event for central Florida.

In the case of cooler weather (which does happen in Florida!), water parks may close for the day. Swimming pools remain open and available for guests as Disney pools are heated. Be prepared for cooler weather, but be aware that it can also still reach hot, summer-like temperatures well into November.

Average High – 73ºF Average Low – 55ºF Average Daily Temperature – 63ºF Average Precipitation – 1.9 in.

December marks the start of the holidays throughout Walt Disney World. The temperatures may not always reflect the season, though. Sometimes it can be quite cold, so be sure to prepare with pants, jackets, and socks. However, it is often very comfortable in December, which is nice for touring the parks in their holiday splendor. Most often, it is cool in the evening and morning and comfortable in the middle of the day.

Winter is not Florida’s rainy season, so all-day rain is normally not a problem. Often, only one water park will be open this time of the year because of the cooler temperatures. Swimming is still an option, though, as all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Weather information above was obtained from The Weather Channel.

Current Weather

Hurricane information.

As Florida prepares for hurricanes, there will be a variety of changes and cancellations occurring. Check back here for hurricane updates, and always check with your travel provider for current policies.

  Disney Cruise Line Walt Disney World Universal Orlando

Disney Cruise Line Hurricane Updates

Currently, there are no hurricane updates at this time.

Disney Cruise Line Hurricane Policy

Guest safety is a top concern for Disney Cruise Line, and ship captains will monitor the weather and make route or itinerary changes if necessary due to extreme weather. If modifications must be made, Disney Cruise Line will make every effort to alert guests as soon as possible. If these modifications are not possible to create a safe trip, Disney Cruise Line will cancel impacted sailings and offer full refunds to all guests.

Walt Disney World Hurricane Updates

Walt disney world hurricane policy.

Below is the Walt Disney World hurricane policy for your reference.

What does it mean for my vacation plans if a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date? If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Vacation Package and most room only reservations without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences. ________________________________________ Will I be responsible for any cancellation or change fees or other amounts if a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date? If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Vacation Package and most room only reservations without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences. ________________________________________ If I reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning, will I be able to get my same accommodations? If you are scheduled to arrive within 7 days of a hurricane warning, you may call us in advance to reschedule without a Disney imposed change fee. We cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. All amounts you paid to Disney for rooms, theme park tickets, dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.

Any discounts or special offers applicable to your original confirmed vacation will not apply to the rescheduled vacation travel dates. You are responsible for applicable package pricing for the new vacation dates. The policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences. ________________________________________ I received a special offer when I booked my vacation with the Walt Disney Travel Company. If a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date and I reschedule, will I get the same special offer? Only if an identical special offer is available for your rescheduled vacation dates. All amounts you paid to the Walt Disney Travel Company for rooms, park tickets, dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.

Any discounts or special offers applicable to your original confirmed vacation may not apply to the rescheduled vacation travel dates. You are responsible for applicable package pricing for the new vacation dates. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences. ________________________________________ If a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date and I want to cancel or reschedule my vacation, what should I do with my airline tickets? If you booked your air travel through the Walt Disney Travel Company and you want to reschedule, we will attempt to rebook your air travel. However, you will be responsible for any cancellation or change fees imposed by the airline. If you did not book your air travel through the Walt Disney Travel Company, you should contact your airline. ________________________________________

Universal Orlando Resort

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is your policy for travel during Hurricanes? A:  In the event that a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts) without any cancellation or change fees imposed.

If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of our Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-407-4275 or emailing  [email protected] .

Additional elements including air, car rental or other theme park tickets are separate and not part of this policy.

If you booked your vacation package or tickets through a third-party travel agent or tour operator, please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies.

Q: Will Universal Orlando Resort help cancel my airline, rental car and other third-party related elements? A:  Universal Orlando is only able to assist with cancellations on your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts). Please contact airline, rental car and other third-party suppliers directly for these types of cancellations.

Q: If I booked my travel through a travel agent or tour operator will Universal Orlando help with canceling my trip? A:  Universal Orlando is only able to assist with cancellations on your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts). Please contact your travel agent or tour operator directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies.

Q: If a hurricane warning is issued within seven days of my arrival, what should I do? A:  In the event that a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts) without any cancellation or change fees imposed.

But that said, we want our guests to feel safe and always try to work with them one-on-one. If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of our Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-407-4275 or emailing  [email protected] .

Q: Are the theme parks open at this time? A:  For updates, continue to check here, Universal Orlando’s Twitter (@UniversalORL), call 407-817-8990 or email  [email protected] .

Q: If I have additional questions where do I go? A:  Please contact a member of our Guest Services team by calling 407-817-8990 or emailing  [email protected] .

If you have additional questions or need to change plans, please contact a member of our Guest Services team by calling 407-817-8990 or emailing  [email protected] .

Walt Disney World Resort Free Quote

Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation with The Magic For Less Travel . Use the form below to request a free no-obligation quote, and one of their counselors will get in touch with you to begin planning. The Mouse For Less recommends the Walt Disney World vacation planning services provided by our sponsor, The Magic For Less Travel. Their expert planning advice will help you make the most of your vacation time and money. The Magic For Less Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and provides service free of charge.

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The Best Times to Visit Disney World in 2023

For many Disney fans, anytime is the right time to visit Disney World. Since central Florida typically has sunny, warm weather year-round, it’s hard to find a better vacation spot.

it can be hard to figure out when the best time to actual visit it.

Maybe too hard!

Between the great offerings, the fun festivals and the new attractions- it can get a little (ok a LOT!) overwhelming.

AND with the new 50th celebrations, there’s even more pressure to visit the parks. Between the marketing, the FOMO, and a bunch of new (and returning!) things, it’s any wonder that Disney World isn’t busting at the seems with attendance.

While these are my opinions based on a lifetime of Disney Travel, I do think that you can have a magical vacation no matter what time of year you travel BUT their are some optimal times you want to check out Disney World for lower crowds, more fun, and better on your Budget Disney trip! Ready to book right now? Talk to a Travel Agent about the best options for 2023 .

This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you, check out my affiliate disclosure for more information and all the legal mumbo jumbo.

First things first, can you be flexible? or does vacation time stand in your way?

Most families need to schedule vacation times around the kids’ school schedule but that means parks are jam packed with other families in the same boat and break time typically is in the summer when Florida temps are at their peak.

If you can be more flexible with your schedule, you can hit the parks when crowds and temps are a little lower.

There are also crowd calendars available to give you a better idea of the “crowd seasons” at the parks, that touch on specific days.

But we can predict some weeks and months that will be better than others… and we can tell those by availability, and if things are sold out.

Like strollers. Strollers get booked up and sell out all the time! It’s a big reason why I like using Kingdom Strollers (but still plan ahead!) You can always grab a stroller from the store if you needed too (oh the power of grocery delivery!) but it’s best to have things planned by reserving strollers ahead of time.

After all, you’re likely spendin 50+ dollars an hour to be at Disney between travel expenses, Resort fees, park tickets, food, and extra amenities. Those hidden Disney World expenses really add up!

So let’s talk the entire year of 2023 Disney Crowd Calendar

• January 7-11, last week
• First two weeks of February ( Princess Run Marathon usually 3rd week of Feb, avoid Epcot/Magic Kingdom because it will be packed!)
• The month of May (avoid Memorial Day weekend)
• The second half of August (even though they did Star Wars, the crowds were still decently low! This is a great time to come)
• Most days in September (My personal favorite!)
• Most weekdays in October (avoid Halloween)
• Weekdays in November (avoid the week of Thanksgiving)
• Weekdays in Early December- specifically the second week(avoiding the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

If you are budget conscious, the best times would be Sunday to Friday/the next monday.

I really like late September because you can enjoy the lower crowds, the better prices, the food and wine festival AND the hard ticket Mickey’s not so scary halloween party! But hurricanes are pretty common in September.

January is my ‘official’ recommendation, but I know not everyone can plan for that. C onnecting with a Travel Agent is a good option – simply because they can match up your dates with activities/closures/special events at Disney World.

What is the cheapest time to go to Disney World?

Historically, the best times to visit the parks are when schools are in session.

Most families don’t do much traveling during the school year and if they do, it’s on the weekends.

So, that would mean that September through May are not as busy as the summer months of June, July and August.

If you do go in the summer- please for all that is wonderful and holy, go prepared!

I’ve got my portable fan , my portable charger for my fan, my kids have their own stroller fans (and NOT the ones from disney because they break easily #askmehowIknow) and a cooling towel… but it’s TOO MUCH. The Florida Heat is here 10 months outa the year

What time of year is Disney World least crowded?

I’m sorry to disappoint, but as a local that goes weekly, I can assure you that there is no “off” season anymore.

Why is there no Disney World off season?

Well, Disney World has 1.) been upping their marketing and 2.) been adding offerings year round that make each experience unique.

Below in the calendar I’ll outline all the weeks that would be the best for a low crowd experience!

This is a loaded question (and a good one!) that is hard to answer. It really depends on what you consider cheap, and how much you are willing to sacrifice for a Disney Vacation.

You could, right now, get one annual pass for one of your family members, get a campsite at the local campground, and spend get a multi day ticket with no dining plan for the rest of the family (using your annual pass for food and merch discounts) and come out with just a few thousand dollars spent.

You could also do a stay cation at the value resort for 5 days, spend one day in the parks, and enjoy all the free things Disney has to offer for under 1000 dollars.

But there is no super cheap option for park tickets AND staying on Disney Property. There are moderately priced ones. But not super cheap.

*** Let’s also mention that the Holidays in December are literally the most expensive times of the year! Disney World Uses Seasonal Pricing, and that means they increase prices DAILY! Weekdays are different than weekends.

I’ve watched it happen before my eyes. Sure 50 cents doesn’t seem like much, until you add up the price for a family (especially those on a big family trip) and it can easily equal thousands of dollars between the resort, food, tickets and souvenir costs. You can peep all the holiday festivities available at Disney on their official page.

Below in the Calendar you can see all the suggested dates for the lowest seasonal pricing.

Celebrating the Holidays? Good Idea or Worst nightmare?

Let’s keep in mind that Disney celebrates holidays in a BIG way.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party usually runs on select nights from mid-August until the first week of November, Magic Kingdom will close early these nights and allows only guests with separate party tickets to stay.

Although these nights will bring in bigger crowds, the heaviest of them will be of course, Halloween week. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is celebrated on select nights in November and December.

If you want to attend these nights, tickets go on sale 6-7 months before the first party.

So the Halloween Party will go on sale in January! Planning ahead to visit during the Holidays is pretty important if you have a bucket list.

The holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve/Day and the days surrounding them are times that should be avoided due to extremely high crowds and shortened park time for the Magic Kingdom, to accommodate party ticket holders.

Magic Kingdom usually hits park capacity on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and has to turn ticket holding guests away.

8 tips for Enjoying the Holidays at Disney World

If you do plan on attending on either of these days, get there at rope drop (park opening) and don’t leave and plan to return later, you may not be able to get back in.

If you stay on Disney Property, you are guaranteed a spot in one of the parks on the holidays, BUT they don’t say which park.

Visiting Disney World During Spring Break

Spring Break is another peak time for Disney. The crowds are little harder to predict for this season because schools having varying break times, not all of them break for Easter since that date varies from year to year. However, many of the Florida annual passholders will NOT be attending because of black out dates.

This also means that crowds are more manageable than Christmas break because breaks are spread out between March and April.

What about the Festivals and Special Events At Disney World? Should I go to those?

Disney has been adding some really fun stuff the last 10 years, and amping up the stuff they already had.

Like the Festivals at Epcot. Like insane construction at every park. Like new additions of rides and attractions.

These are so much fun! They provide a new set of foods, and lots of new entertainment (concerts and drinks anyone)

But they also mean that the parks are much busier! You should take this into account when you are planning. It’s best to come in the middle of the festivals.

January- February is the International Festival of the arts.

March- June is the Flower and Garden Festival.

September- November is Food and Wine Festival.

December(ish) has the Festival of the Holidays

These festivals run EVERYDAY and they are also included in your park ticket. It’s certainly worth considering if you want to go- just remember that the weekends at Epcot will be busier and their will be more activities to enjoy.

Inclement Weather anyone? How Hurricanes can influence your Disney Vacation

Soooooo, how’s the weather?

Just kidding. I can tell you all about Florida weather.

It’s called- “the meteorologist is wrong and bring a poncho and shorts and a hoodie because Florida can’t make up it’s mind”

Especially, hurricane season , which runs from June 1- November 30.

Though Disney World rarely needs to close during this time, they have had to close at least one day each year for the last few years.

AND even if they aren’t closing 100%, they aren’t offering as much activities, rides, shows, and offerings because the heavy rains and thunderstorms (for days on end!) put a damper on the activities.

Curious about what you can do when it rains?

Again, please note that, Hurricane season is officially June 1st to November 30th.

However, for Orlando this usually just equates to a rainy June, July and August. The good thing is that even though there can be showers almost daily, they come and go very quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes time.

The rain water also dries quickly in the hot sun. ***HELLO HUMIDITY***

Disney had to close in 2017 for the Hurricane, and I won’t be surprised if it happens again (I didn’t have power for 2 weeks, so I’m just glad to have survived that one!)

Disney also just closed in September 2019 for Hurricane Dorian. While it didn’t directly impact Disney World, it did have impacts on the Disney Owned island in the Caribbean (and lots of other places not related to Disney!)

If you decide to come during Hurricane season, on a cruise or Disney World trip (or both!) get travel insurance!

YES! Let’s go to Disney World!

Ok, now that we’ve covered all the times that you shouldn’t go, let’s get to the happy stuff!

When should you go to Disney?

Whenever you want to!

But when is the best time, with the lowest crowd and the perfect weather?

>>> January. <<<

You should be able to make it to see all the new attractions in Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood studios and deal with low crowds and less expensive hotels + The Festival of the Arts at Epcot.

But maybe you don’t want to risk it in January in case your favorite ride is being refurbished?

Come in February! Deals aren’t quite as budget friendly, but crowd level is still tolerable.

January and February aren’t in your schedule?

Come in Mid October. You’ll be able to see all the fall festivites, get in the Holiday Spirit without the bother of snow, and weekday crowds should be very tolerable.

But what if I need to come in the Summer?

If you absolutely need to come in the summer, but want to deal with lower crowds, I’d suggest only going to the Parks during the midweek (tue-thurs) and heading to the resorts or another Theme Park on the weekends! Legoland and Seaworld have great lines with lower crowds most days, but Universal gets very packed on the weekends (and they’ve really paced themselves as a True Disney Competitor!)

If you go to Universal, be sure to check out these hacks for a fun Universal Vacation!

Have fun on your Disney World Vacation!

We know that whenever you decide to visit Disney, you’ll have a magical time!

Each season has it’s own perks, but you can find the best time to visit with your schedule. Anytime at Disney is a magical time.

The things I won’t be doing at Disney World (Ever again!)

Save money on your next Disney World Vacation!

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Planning a Disney World Vacation? Here’s the Best Time to Visit the Park

By michele debczak | oct 24, 2022.

Walt Disney World is open year-round, even on Christmas and Thanksgiving. But just because you can visit the Orlando, Florida, theme park any day of the year doesn’t mean you should. If your travel schedule leaves room for flexibility, these are the best times to go to Disney World to get the most out of your trip.

According to Undercover Tourist , September is the perfect month to plan your Disney vacation if you want to avoid crowds. Kids make up a significant portion of the resort’s business, so attendance numbers go down after school starts. When families do choose to visit Disney World during the school year, most opt to do so in October or later once their kids have had a chance to settle into their classes.

The same reason the park becomes more pleasant in September makes it a tricky time to travel for people with children. But for childless adults looking to have a magical time, the beginning of the school year is ideal.

Weather is another factor to consider when planning a Disney excursion, especially at the Orlando park. The peak of Florida’s hurricane season starts in mid-August and lasts through mid-October, so in exchange for shorter lines, tourists risk wind, rain, and potentially cancelled flights if they book their trip in late summer or early autumn. If guests wait to come until January or February—after hurricane season and the winter holidays—they’ll be treated to the park’s cheapest ticket prices of the year. Flights are historically cheaper immediately following the holiday travel season as well.

Waiting slightly longer until spring means higher prices and bigger crowds, but it may be worth it for the weather. March through May is regarded as central Florida’s best season climate-wise, with relatively low humidity and rainfall and average high temperatures ranging from 75 to 85°F.

Choosing a date for your Disney World getaway is just the first step of the vacation. To optimize your trip once you arrive, check out these Disney theme park hacks .

[h/t Undercover Tourist ]

This Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Disney World

Hint: It's definitely not during the holidays.

When you take your Disney World vacation is totally up to you and what works best for your schedule, but if you're planning a trip, most travel bloggers and magazines tend to agree on what constitutes the best and worst times to visit. Let's start with the worst times and get those out of the way, shall we?

When to Avoid Going

You probably can already assume that the holidays are the worst time to visit Disney World, and you're not wrong, mostly because the prices tend to skyrocket at that time. It makes sense — people have off from work and kids are off from school during the holidays, and a trip to Disney World is obviously a fun way to celebrate. But Thanksgiving and the end of December aren't the only times to avoid a trip to the iconic theme park — you might want to consider skipping the summer months, too.

For one, the prices tend to be a little higher in the months of June, July, and August, namely because, again, kids are home from school and families tend to go on vacation during this time. On top of that, as Travel + Leisure points out, the Florida weather in the summer months can make your trip a little more unpleasant (hello, high heat, humidity and thunderstorms). And during both summer and the holidays, you can expect bigger crowds, which means longer lines and wait times for all the attractions you want to see and things you want to do.

When to Visit

For the absolute best Disney World experience possible, there are two months out of the year during the year to consider: January and September . Of course, there are a few other seasons that are good for a Disney visit, but these two months are the best of the best. Why, you ask? Because they fall immediately after the aforementioned peak visit times. Kids go back to school, people get busy at work, and vacations just aren't top of mind at those times.

According to Travel + Leisure, January is the cheapest month to visit the theme park, so if your sole goal is to save as much money as possible, skip the holiday trip and plan one for directly after the holidays. The difference in price is quite sizeable — all you have to do is choose the resort you want to stay in and look at the rate calendar and you'll see that prices jump upwards of $50 or $100 per day during the holidays and immediately drop to much lower than average by January 2. The prices tend to stay low until Valentine's Day, when they creep right back up to normal again. In September, you probably won't see as much of a price difference, but you will face fewer crowds, making it a much more enjoyable trip experience overall, Undercover Tourist points out.

Oh, and one last tip for avoiding crowds and saving money no matter what time of year you're visiting? Go on weekdays and avoid the weekends — for one thing, more people tend to be there on weekends, and for another, hotels and resorts in general tend to be more expensive on weekends than they are during the week, Disney World or not. Happy vacationing!

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Best Time Of Year To Visit Disney World [2023 - Guide]

By Rosalie Babbington On 29 June 2023 11:07 AM

Best time of year to visit Disney World is  Spring and Fall seasons . Disney World is the best vacation spot for the people during the holidays.

Visiting a place with a low crowd is still the best way to ensure a great trip for many people. However, Disney World never disappoints you in your travel; you can visit the place whenever and whichever season you like.

Of course, September is just one of the many “low periods” that Disney experiences throughout the year. There are some differences in the best time depending on if you are looking for great weather, short lines, etc. 

The best time to visit Disney World will depend on the weather, cost, and number of visitors. Considerations like special events, seasonal festivals, and extended park hours should also be considered.

This article highlights the Best Time Of Year To Visit Disney World. The guide makes your travel easy and full of entertainment.

Best Time To Visit Disney World 2023

Good time to go to Disney World is in Autumn and Spring . September is the perfect month to visit Walt Disney World. 

Best time to visit Disney World Orlando for the pleasant weather is from March to May. The high temperatures range from 75-85 degrees, perfect for walking around the theme parks or dipping in the pool.

The Autumn season, from September to November, also offers a pleasant climate. However, sometimes hurricanes can run through the end of November, so Spring break is the perfect time to visit Disney with your loved ones.

The weather is warm but pleasant for strolling through the park. Compared to the summer, the humidity levels are lower, and the UV index is still generally safe. Only summer is consistently uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity.

For most people, the best time also varies on their needs and preferences. People must travel during the off-season if they want to avoid the crowd and visit the place. While some of the peak season and season holiday is perfect.

Best Months To Visit Disney World 2023

Best Time To Avoid Crowd In Disney World

• January: 11-15, 16-22, and 24-31
• February: 1-14 and 21-28
• April 24-30
• May: 8-12 and 15-22
• August: 1-31
• September: 1-30
• October: 1-6 and 23-26
• November: 1-5 and 13-18
• December 1-3 and 5-10

Disney World By Season

Spring In Disney World

Spring is one of the best times to visit the Walt Disney World. If you plan to travel there, March and April are the best weather.

The good thing about the season is that it is not an overly humid time of the year with moderately low rainfall. Although the spring season is short, you will see the flowers blooming and aromatic trees in Disney. 

Low temperatures range to around 82°F with moderately low rainfall and relative humidity of about 50%. The temperature in May may get significantly higher and reach close to 90 degrees.

• April 17-30
• Weekdays in the first half of May

Winter In Disney World

The winter season is not that bad in Disney World. The average high temperature is typically low 70s, and the rainfall is less common than in other seasons.

This is good news to visit the parks when the weather isn’t as hot as in the Summer. The negatives are that it isn’t great pool weather, so there is not as much to do around the hotels. 

However, winter has a few drawbacks, including less encouragement to jump in the pool because of the cooler temperatures, fewer daylight hours, and the park grounds aren’t as lush and beautiful.

• January 18-30
• February 15-28
• Weekdays in December

Summer In Disney World

The summer in Walt Disney is the longest, from May to September. Theme parks usually have long hours and more entertainment offerings. However, the major downside is the heat.

The temperature often reaches 90 degrees, and some days are over 100 too. High humidity is one of the factors, with an average of 61%, and July and August typically have 13 days of rainfall.

Although it is the bad season in Central Florida with extreme heat and humidity, it is best to experience pools, water parks, longer hours, and more entertainment.

• The Second Half of August

Autumn In Disney World

Fall is one of the best seasons at Walt Disney, with an average daily temperature of 70 degrees. It is the hottest season but worth visiting between Labour Day and Christmas.

Granted, the start of fall may be warm and humid as summer drags on, but the remaining time frame experiences crisp air, mild to warm temps, and lower rainfall. Travelers will still have up to 8 hours of full sunshine.

However, it is good to keep in mind Florida's hurricane season.

• Most days in September
• Most weekdays in October
• Weekdays in November

Disney World Weather By Month

Disney World in January weather is a great time to visit if you want milder temperatures. The average high temperature in January is 72 degrees, and the average low is 51 degrees.

So if the Florida heat and humidity is too much for you to bear, this month is perfect for you. The major event in the month is Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

With an average high temperature of 74 and a low temperature of 53 in February, the weather is warming up. There will be sunny days, so don't forget your swimwear to jump in the heated pools or dip.

Still, bring a jacket for the cool mornings and evenings because the Florida weather is always surprising. The tickets price in early February and the last week of February are reasonably priced.

Disney World weather in March typically has a high temperature of 79 and a low temperature of 57. Don't forget the swimwear since there will be many warm days and very little possibility of rain.

For the mornings and nights, a jacket may still be necessary. The first couple of weeks will have moderate crowds, while the place is full and crowded during spring break.

April typically has a high temperature of 83 and a low temperature of 60.

Don't forget the swimwear since there will be many warm days and very little possibility of rain. For the mornings and nights, a jacket may still be necessary. 

May be less pleasant than the months that preceded it, but you’ll mostly avoid any of the brutal heat you’d find in July or August.

The average high is 88F (31C), and the average low is 66F (19C). May is also the last relatively dry month before summer hits, with an average of nine days of rain.

Obviously, it's hot in June, and the average monthly rainfall in June is over 8+ inches, and the probability of rain is above 50%. 

The upside to June is that it’s typically the less busy of the summer months, with most summer vacations happening in July or early August.

The weather at Disney World in July is hot, with an average temperature of 90 degrees and high humidity. This month is the busiest time to visit Disney.

The place will be a bit crowded, and you must be in line for the tickets and even to eat at the restaurants. The highest price will be around Independence Day and the best fireworks at the Magic Kingdom .

You may find the best deal prices during your visit to Disney Land in August. Tickets price will start to decrease as the crowd decreases.

August in Disney World is hot and humid. The temperature reaches 100 degrees on most days. You need to stay dehydrated and take a break from sun during the visit.

The major events held this month are Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and After Hours Boo Bash. Weekdays in September can offer great deals for a visit.

September is quite hot than other months, with the high temperature around 90 degrees. This month most American students are back to school. However, you can see some of the international visitors.

October falls the off-season for Disney World. However, some people are seen there because of the good weather and Halloween events.

Disney World weather in October can reach the mid-80s and cool down to 70 degrees during the night. Some major events in the month are After Hours Boo Bash and Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. 

November Disney World weather is considered quite warm and the last month of hurricane season. The average temperature is 75 degrees, and the low falls to 60 degrees.

During your visit, you can avoid the Thanksgiving week as the price is rated quite higher, while early to mid-November is the perfect time to come to Walt Disney with less crowd.

Disney weather in December is good for the visit, with the temperature falling to the low 70s while the evening cools down to 55 degrees. December offers holiday-themed events.

In early December, you can enjoy the holiday season with fewer crowds. The theme park tickets are peak between Christmas and New Year's Eve.

Worst Time to Disney World

The worst time to go to Disney World is during the winter and summer seasons . December, January, March, April, August, and October are bad months to visit the place.

Also, visiting Disney World during the weekends, public holidays, and the highest point in summer is a nightmare. Avoiding the peak season helps you to pass the long lines and overcrowded walkways and enjoy the perfect attractions of the place.

During spring break, you will see an increase in attendance leading up to the following Easter, making a bustling environment. Also, the spring weather is unpredictable, with thunderstorm warnings sometimes.

The school break holiday season is also the wrong time to travel to Disney. You will see a lot of travelers with their children, and the place seems crowded, which makes the area a little less enjoyable.

Below is the list of the worst time that you need to avoid visiting Disney World :

• Spring Break
• Summer Break
• Hurricane Season
• Extreme Summer
• New Grands Opening
• Seasonal Events

Cheapest Time To Visit Disney World

The cheapest time to go to Disney World for a low price is January and August . This is when you will find the lowest prices on tickets and hotels.

You can travel with a low budget from January until the President's weekend in February and late August through September. Apart from that, travelers can also have some low prices in early November and December.

Disney cuts prices to attract off-season tourists during the hot hurricane season in August. Traveling in early November before Thanksgiving and Veterans Day and early December before Christmas offers the cheapest rates.

The low season for low prices falls around January 7 and August 20 to September 18. Guests can notice the difference between the lowest price and the highest price is the difference of $25 per day, according to the report.

The list below shows the cheapest time to travel to Disney World:

• Winter Value Season
• Before Spring Break
• After Spring Break
• Sumer Slow Season
• Fall Value Season

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When is the Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2024?

Are you trying to figure out the best time to visit Disney World in 2024 and beyond? The best times to visit Disney World is during August and September and then the end of April to mid-May respectively. Those tend to be the slowest times, which means cheaper tickets and fewer crowds!! But, there are plenty of great times to visit Disney World depending on what you’re looking for like good weather, cheap prices, or more. 

So if you’re ready to pick the best time to visit Disney World in 2024  read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for our 2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar, be sure to go straight to the link below. 

Disney World Crowd Calendar

What Are the Best Times to Go to Disney World in 2024?

The very best times to go to Disney World are in August and September or late April to mid-May. For the reason being, that’s when it’s the slowest! Heavy crowds in Disney World can add stress to a trip, and that’s why we love visiting during those times. It also happens to be the cheapest time to visit , as well, since Disney has date-based pricing!

The wintertime can also be very slow at Disney World and is a great time to visit if you don’t like hot weather, as it is much milder. Our guide is going to cover all of the best dates to visit Disney World for your next Disney vacation !

When is Disney World Least Crowded in 2024?

Based on our data, the  least crowded times to visit Disney World in 2024 will be the following:

• January : 11th – 15th, 16th – 22nd, & 24th – 31st
• February : 1st – 14th & 21st – 28th
• March : 1st – 5th
• April : 24th – 30th
• May : 8th – 12th & 15th – 22nd
• August : 1st – 31st
• September : 1st – 30th
• October : 1st – 6th, 10th – 16th, 17th – 22nd, &  23rd – 26th
• November : 1st – 5th, 7th – 9th, & 13th – 18th
• December : 1st – 3rd & 5th – 10th

As noted above one of the easiest ways to pick the best dates to visit Disney World is to compare the cheapest Disney World ticket prices. The cheaper the tickets the more likely it is that the parks won’t be as crowded during that time of year.

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World?  Save up to  three hours in the parks  and up to  30% on select hotel rooms with The Park Prodigy! You can book your Walt Disney World vacation package with as little as $200 down! Request a no-obligation quote online or by calling our office at 407-630-8650.

Our team at the park Prodigy has been grabbing data, a lot of data and we created our Disney World Crowd Calendar. Very simply it helps you avoid the large crowds, and spend more time having fun. So if reasonable wait times and a lesser chance of getting run over by a stroller is your idea of a picture-perfect Disney vacation, check out the dates below.

Related post:  Complete Guide to When is Disney World Least Crowded

What is the Best Month to Visit Walt Disney World 2024?

• January – Christmas time at Disney typically ends the second week of January. After all of the holiday decorations and special events end, is one of the best times to visit Disney World 2024
• February – For similar reasons as January, February hosts low crowd levels. Mostly due to a lack of special events, but also most people travel during the holidays than after them.
• August – Specifically the end of August. Most schools start their normal sessions before Labor Day. You can take advantage of the start of school season for lower crowd levels.  
• September – This is the sweet spot of the year to visit Walt Disney World. It’s in between the start of school and Halloween. September crowd levels are historically similar to January’s levels.  Plan a visit around this time with caution though! It may be wise to book your trip with travel insurance since September is hurricane season for Florida.

These have historically been the least busy times at Disney World.  But if we are being honest, you can expect your Disney vacation even in these months to feel crowded. They’re just LESS crowded than normal. We are hoping that in 2024, travel will start to slow down. This will make crowds less intense and make it an overall more enjoyable experience.

Related Post:  Complete Guide to Disney World Payment Plans

Best Time to Visit Disney World to Avoid the 2024 Crowds

Very simply the end of August and the entire month of September. These months are considered some of the least crowded times to visit Disney World. The main reason is many families are getting their kids ready to go back to school and most summer vacations are over. For these reasons we always find the beginning of fall to be one of the best times to visit if you are trying to avoid the crowds.

We love visiting in September because there are low crowds and the Food and Wine Festival is underway. The EPCOT festivals are incredible ways for Disney adults to enjoy all of the foods and beverages from the Disney culinary teams.

When is Walt Disney World the Least Crowded 2024?

• August 28th – September 30th  

Something else to consider when planning a Disney vacation this time of year is you will be traveling during peak hurricane season. This often causes a headache when your travel plans get disrupted by the weather. We highly recommend if you travel during this time of year, to invest in travel insurance for your trip.  

Depending on the week you plan to visit, families might also be able to enjoy some early Halloween celebrations at Disney World. You will also find the crowds at some of the earlier Halloween events to be less crowded which is an added benefit.

Related post:   Complete Guide to Disney for Adults

When is the Cheapest Time to go to Disney World 2024?

The cheapest time to visit is in January and September, as they tend to be the slower months. You can count on the slower season to be the best time to book your Disney vacation . You will also find cheap tickets in August and in February, as well.

It’s important to note that we have seen shifts in large crowds from the summer months to the fall, specifically October and November. To make up for this, Disney has been running some great promotions during the summer months of June, July, and August. Be patient and always ask your Disney travel agent if any special deals are coming up. This will allow you to save quite a bit of money on your room and Disney World Tickets .

Related post:  Guide On How to Get Cheap Disney Tickets

Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World for Special Events 2024

Special events bring larger crowds, and Disney World is always hosting a party in their parks for guests. Epcot especially will be busier during its four seasonal festivals with special food and drink offerings. There are also holiday events that bring larger crowds into the parks, which you might want to plan around for your vacation.

What are the best events at Walt Disney World?

• Festival of the Arts: January 13th – February 20th, 2024
• Flower and Garden Festival: March 1st – July 1st, 2024
• Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary:  Ending March 31st, 2024
• International Food and Wine Festival: July 13th – November 18th, 2024
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: August 9th – October 31st, 2024
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: November 7th – December 21st, 2024
• Festival of the Holidays: November 24th – December 25th, 2024

The EPCOT festival seasons are considered to be the best time for adults to go to Disney World. If you’re looking for an overview of all the special events coming up in 2024 be sure to check out our recent Walt Disney World special events blog post.

Related post: Walt Disney World Special Events

When are the Busiest Times at Disney World 2024?

So now that we have covered the off-peak periods, let’s review the busier periods at Walt Disney World. We have found that the crowds are predictable and look to Disney World ticket prices to help us predict the busiest times at Disney World. Using this ticket data we have outlined the three worst times to visit Disney World based on crowds below.

Worst Time to Go to Disney World 2024

• Spring Break Season – March & April
• Thanksgiving  – November 17th – 26th, 2024
• Christmas &  New Years – December 8th, 2024 – January 2nd, 2025

Spring break is a very busy time of year at Disney World . Very simply, if you are trying to avoid the most crowded months at Disney World, travel when the majority of the country’s schools are in session. However, if you can’t, don’t let the crowds discourage you from planning your trip. With a little help from the My Disney Experience app, you can purchase Lightning Lane or Disney Genie + attractions and make your must-do dining reservations far in advance to outsmart the crowds and make your experience much more manageable.

We understand families can’t always plan around the crowds and we still wanted to help! Whether you’re planning your next trip to experience the holidays at Disney or spring break you can use our WDW Crowd Calendar to optimize your budget as well. This option will allow you to plan around the most expensive days to visit and highlight the cheapest Disney Tickets for that month!

Related post:  What is the Disney Genie Plus Price for Disney World?

Best Time to Visit Disney World Based on Weather

Let’s be honest, the weather can make or break your Disney vacation. The best time of year to visit Disney World in 2024 in terms of weather is probably between February and April. Orlando is typically much warmer than the rest of the country year-round, as we covered in the Orlando packing guide , you’ll need a light jacket during November, December, and January.

Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World Based on Weather 2024

March and April are typically perfect t-shirt weather, which is why we consider them the best months to visit Disney World in 2024 for the weather . There is also little to no rain these months! Sure, being caught in a rainstorm isn’t the end of the world. However the rain and lightning can cause rides to shut down for extended periods. Which will disrupt all your hard work of planning ahead.

Worst Time to Visit Disney World Based on Weather 2024

Disney World weather is the worst from July to October. This is not only because of the rain but the extreme levels of humidity. Yes, be prepared for some afternoon storms that could potentially cause outdoor rides to temporarily close. And always pack an umbrella and/or rain jacket to bring with you. But also prepare to drink a lot of water to rehydrate yourself, especially after some rain!

August through October is hurricane season and can bring heavy wind and rainfall to the parks. As we saw in 2022 with Hurricane Ian, it can also cause park closures, cancellations of your dining reservations, and even your hotel reservations! If you’re visiting the theme parks during any of these months, be sure to check the predicted weather in our Disney Crowd Calendar to decide whether or not you’ll be able to take the heat.

How to Deal With Bad Weather at Walt Disney World 2024

• Plan Ahead – Bring your water to refill, ponchos, water-resistant shoes, and a change of clothes if necessary
• Take Your Time – If it is too hot, make sure to take many breaks. Florida weather can be grueling and guests can overheat quickly if you’re not being careful.
• First Aid Stations – Each Disney park has a first aid station that all Cast members can help guide you to. They will be stocked with most minor medical needs, or provide a place with air conditioning.

We also outline which Disney World Resorts we feel are best for midday breaks based on location, transportation, and budget! Depending on what’s most important to you or your family (smaller crowds, budget pricing, weather, etc.), one thing’s for sure – there’s NEVER a bad time to go to Disney World! From large crowds to scorching temperatures, there are plenty of ways to plan around certain things that are out of your control. From locking in FastPass+ selections to reserving those must-try dining locations and a whole lot more, you’re one step closer to creating memories that’ll last a lifetime!

Related post:  A Complete Guide to Genie+ at Disneyland

Best Time to Visit Disney World Winter/Spring 2024

There are a ton of advantages of visiting Walt Disney World in January which include the great weather, lower park crowds, and even cheaper Walt Disney World tickets. You and your family might even be able to take advantage of visiting the Magic Kingdom when it’s still decorated for Christmas depending on the week you visit.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in January 2024

• January 10th – 17th & 24th – 31st

One of the main reasons is that families are all getting ready for kids to go back to school after Christmas break. It’s no secret that January has some of the best weeks to visit Disney World . Typically, right after Disney’s Marathon weekend which is the first weekend of January. If you’re unable to travel during these weeks and you are still concerned with just how busy is Disney World in January you can always visit our Disney World Crowd Calendar .

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in February 2024

• February 1st -14th

Just how busy is Disney World in February? The best weeks to go to Disney World are February 1-14.  You’ll want to be sure to visit Walt Disney World before Presidents Day weekend if you are trying to avoid the crowds. Luckily, there are the same advantages as visiting in January such as great weather, lower park crowds, and discounted Walt Disney World tickets if you do.

If you and your family decide to visit later in the month you can check out EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts . Guests can also participate in one of the Run Disney half-princess marathon events if they miss the full Walt Disney World marathon weekend. We do find that these events have made February one of the best times for adults to visit Disney World.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in March 2024

• March 1st – 7th

If February didn’t work for you and your family, you’re probably wondering how busy is Disney World in March. Well, March is when we first start to see the weather get warmer and schools begin to go on breaks. So it’s usually a little more crowded than January and February, especially later into March, but it’s still considered off-peak.

We find this month to be one of the best times to visit based on Disney World weather . This gives families a ton of flexibility as they can plan a few days by the pool of their favorite Disney hotel or even at a Disney water park. March also kicks off the beginning of one of our favorite festivals, the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in April 2024

• April 24th – 30th

If the crowds at Walt Disney World start to pick up in March, you might be wondering if is April a bad time to go to Disney World. Our answer to that is there is never a bad time to go to Walt Disney World! However, if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, we recommend the last week of the month, April 25th – May 1st.

Visiting Disney World in April is very popular among families for a few reasons. The first is another month when almost all schools have a break which allows families to take advantage of a great vacation without taking their kids out of school. The second reason is there is so much to do including the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, the Disney water parks, and nights at Disney Springs.

Best Time to Visit Disney World Spring/Summer 2024

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in May 2024

• May 8th – 13th

So as school breaks start to officially wind down towards the end of April, your family might be wondering how busy is Disney in May.  Historically, May has been a slower month compared to April and the summer months. If you’re picking a full week to travel we recommend the week of May 15th – 22nd.

The middle of May has two of the best weeks to visit Disney throughout the entire year. This is because guests will have access to all of the attractions and water parks but enjoy lower crowds than in March and April. Guests can also still take advantage of the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. The only downside to visiting Walt Disney World in May is that this is when Florida temperatures start to go from warm to hot.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in June 2024

• June 1st – 10th

The beginning of summer has historically been a very popular time to vacation, but is June a good time to visit Disney World?  We’ll get into the pros and cons in a minute, but the best week to visit Disney World in June is the 1st to 10th. We anticipate the best day to go to Disney World in June to be the 7th or 8th.

We’re going to start with a pro because truth be told, there are a lot of cons. June and July typically give families more flexibility to take longer trips since they don’t have to worry about school. As you can probably guess, the downside is the crowds. They typically start to pick up towards the end of June and last through early August. Plus, Florida temperatures are notoriously humid in the summer.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in July 2024

• July 24th – 31st

So when is the best time to visit Disney World in July? If you are planning a full week we recommend July 24th – 31st. One of the most interesting trends over the past few years has been more and more discounts in late July and early August than in years past. We believe this is due to people choosing to hit the beach to stay cool during those hot Florida months! For this reason, if you can grab a discounted Disney vacation package or Disney World tickets , this can be one of the cheapest times to visit Disney World.

Best Time to Visit Disney World Summer/Fall 2024

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in August 2024

• August 21st – 27th

August has always been the best summer month to visit Disney World. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in August? If you are planning a full week, we recommend August 21st – 27th. August has typically always been the calmest summer month as many of the schools in the southern part of the United States are back in session. One of the coolest parts about August is that Disney allows you to get a head start on your Halloween celebration as the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place around August 9th.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in September 2024

• September 5th – 10th

September is a great time to visit Disney World if you are looking for very low crowds. Schools throughout the entire country are now back in session and it is one of the cheapest times to visit Disney World. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in September? If you are planning a full week we recommend September 5th – 10th.

Just like in August, one of the coolest parts about visiting Disney in September is the fact that you can attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as well as the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Guests can also head over to Universal Orlando and attend one of the amazing Halloween Horror Nights events. You will also find the ticket prices for most events in September to be cheaper.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in October 2024

• October 10th – 16th

So when is the best time to visit Disney World in October? If you are planning a full week we recommend October 10th – 16th. Crowds can pick up based on the time of the month you visit, and you will want to avoid Columbus Day weekend if possible.

October is one of our favorite times of year to visit Disney World as it is the perfect mix between warm Florida days and cool nights. This will allow you to take advantage of afternoon breaks by the pool or visiting a Disney water park. Just like in September one of the coolest parts about visiting Disney in the fall is the fact that you can attend the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.  

Best Time to Visit Disney World Fall/Winter 2024

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in November 2024

• November 1st – 7th

Crowds are consistent all month long and pick up the week of Thanksgiving. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in November? If you are planning a full week we recommend November 1st – 7th. One of the coolest things about visiting Walt Disney World in November is you can attend both a Halloween Party and a Christmas party in the same week if you plan it right!

Just like October, this is another great month to visit Disney World as it is the perfect mix between warm Florida days and cool nights. The only downside is depending on the time of the month you visit it might be too chilly to hang by the pool.

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in December 2024

• December 1st  – 7th

There simply is nothing like visiting Disney World during the most wonderful time of the year! But when is the best time to visit Disney World in December? If you are planning a full week we recommend December 1st – 7th.

As discussed, crowds are consistent throughout the first two weeks, and continue to get worse as you get closer to the Holiday. The closer you visit towards the beginning of the month, the better. This is because many schools are still in session and crowds will still be moderate. Almost every aspect of Walt Disney World is decorated by the first week of December as well!

Best Time to Visit Disney World Tips & Tricks 2024

So, when is the best time to go to Disney World? Walt Disney World has always been an extremely popular tourist destination. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was relatively easy to predict when was the best time to go to Disney World. Now, things are a little bit different, especially with many families now planning their vacations. So while historically these dates and times are when Disney World is less crowded,  keep in mind that crowds and wait times may be higher than we’re used to seeing.

Planning the Best Times Visit Disney World 2024

• Planning the  best time to go to Disney World can not only save you a ton of time in the theme park but it can also save you money! Just like Universal Orlando , Disney World theme park tickets fluctuate based on the time of year, day of the week, and time of the month you visit.

So one of the easiest ways to pick the best time to visit Disney is to compare the cheapest Disney World ticket prices. The cheaper the tickets the more likely it is that the parks won’t be as crowded during that time of year.

Use a 2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar to Plan Your Next Disney Vacation

• Using a Disney World  crowd calendar can help you not only find the slowest time at Disney World . But also helps you keep down the cost of your ticket.

Using a Disney Crowd Calendar the ticket prices to find the best time to visit Disney World  could also make the difference between staying off-property and on-property at one of the  amazing Disney resorts. All on-property guests can take full advantage of special Disney World benefits including free transportation, extra time in the morning, and so much more!

Related Page: Disney World ticket deals and discounts 

Best Time to Go to Walt Disney World 2024 FAQ

Q: When is Disney World Least Crowded in 2024?

A: Based on our data, the  least crowded times to visit Disney World in 2024 will be the following:

Q: What is the Best Month to Visit Walt Disney World 2024?

A: These have historically been the least busy times at Disney World . But if we are being honest, you can expect your Disney vacation even in these months to feel crowded. They’re just LESS crowded than normal.

• September – This is the sweet spot of the year to visit Walt Disney World. It’s in between the start of school and Halloween. September crowd levels are historically similar to January’s levels. Plan a visit around this time with caution though! It may be wise to book your trip with travel insurance since September is hurricane season for Florida.

Q: When is Walt Disney World the Least Crowded 2024?

A: Very simply the end of August and the entire month of September. These months are considered some of the least crowded times to visit Disney World.

Q: When is the cheapest time to go to Disney World in 2024?

A:   The cheapest time to visit Disney World in 2024 is often very similar to the least crowded times we just discussed. Walt Disney World has date-based prices, which can change opinions on when it is the best time for Disney World .

• January – February
• August – September

Q: When is the Worst Time to go to Disney World 2024?

A:   We have found that the crowds are predictable and look to Disney World ticket prices to help us predict the busiest times at Disney World.

• Christmas & New Years – December 8th, 2024 – January 2nd, 2024

Q: When is the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World Based on Weather in 2024?

A: March and April are typically perfect t-shirt weather, which is why we consider them the best months to visit Disney World in 2024 for the weather . There is also little to no rain these months! Sure, being caught in a rainstorm isn’t the end of the world. However the rain and lightning can cause rides to shut down for extended periods. Which will disrupt all your hard work of planning ahead.

Q: When is the Worst Time to Visit Walt Disney World Based on the Weather in 2024?

When is the best time to visit disney world.

Our  Disney  World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down   the best time to visit Disney World   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a   Disney World Travel Agent  for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney World Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your   Walt Disney World Tickets ,  and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as   Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets   and  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at  Theme Park Today , as well!

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Michael Belmont

Michael Belmont is the owner and chief editor at Theparkprodigy.com, an authorized Disney and Universal travel agent. He specializes in Disney and Universal theme park tickets and vacation packages, as well as daily park plans to help optimize vacation time. Michael and The Park Prodigy have been featured on ABC’s Florida affiliate, WTFV, as well as over 10 Disney focused blogs. As owner, Michael manages The Park Prodigy blog and social media, a Disney themed podcast, and a Disney and Universal focused YouTube channel. Prior to starting The Park Prodigy, Michael was a long time Disney and Universal enthusiast, frequent visitor of the parks, and even served as a Walt Disney World Cast Member in Orlando, Florida!

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Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World Orlando, Florida

There is no hard and fast trick to picking the best time to visit Disney World Orlando, Florida . Obviously, you can have a great time at Disney World no matter when you choose to visit. What we’ll do here is tell you about each of the big travel times of the year and let you decide which is best for you and your family. So, let’s unpack the Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World.  

Least Crowded Means Lower Prices  

There are a few times of the year when there are fewer visitors to Disney. So, if your schedule is open, and you don’t like a lot of people crowding your vacation, these times may be what you’re aiming for.  

The least-crowded times to visit Disney World seem to fall around January and early February at the height of the Winter season. Also visiting just after school starts in early September through mid-November will see the park fairly empty.  

Lock In the Best Times Using FastPass+  

If your schedule means you can’t avoid traveling during peak times, you can use FastPass+ to preemptively lock in the times for your favorite attractions. This will help cut down on time spent waiting in line.  

Also, if you are sure to arrive at the parks early in the day before crowds begin building up, you can enjoy your favorite rides and attractions with little to no wait times. Likewise, if you book reservations in advance for the park’s restaurants, you can also avoid wait times.  

Large Crowds Means Greater Expenses  

Another good reason to travel to Disney World in their off-season – fewer crowds mean lower costs. Disney’s dynamic pricing ensures that ticket prices are greater during peak periods. This is similar to the seasonal room rates that Disneyland Resorts have always employed. So, once again, slow periods are looking more and more like the best time of year to visit Disney World.  

Also worth noting – weekends are always more crowded. So, special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party  or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will naturally draw larger crowds to whichever park is hosting the event.  

At the end of the day, we see the best time of year to visit Disney World as around January and early February. Be sure and stay up to speed on all the hot spots and sweet destinations in Florida.  

Return to Travel Hop regularly for all the latest travel news and updates.    

Florida summers sizzle: Best spots for hot days at Disney World parks

Let's cut to the sizzlin' chase here: Florida can crank out a wickedly muggy, buggy scorcher of a summer day.

But like countless other fans of the Mouse & Co, you're Walt Disney World -bound this time of year.

And it's hot. So hot, that Mickey-shaped ice cream bar will be dripping down your arm faster than you can gnaw its ears off. We're talking Wicked-Witch-of-the-West-shouting-"I'm-melting!" triple-digit-heat-index hot.

Sure, you'll lose some of that sweaty glow on one of the coasters at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT , Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom . And staying hydrated, wearing a head covering and sunscreen (and cold treats) are givens.

But if you're in the mood for more than a couple of minutes of blessed blasts of A/C, here are just a few of the best cooling-down spots (besides some terrifically cold restrooms!) at each of the four parks.

Magic Kingdom

The Hall of Presidents : One of the most popular so-not-hot spots in all of WDW. In the rotunda, filled with POTUS paintings and memorabilia, you'll likely hear at least one person saying they always stop here to beat the heat. Once you're inside the spacious auditorium, the air is just right and the presidential parade is punctuated by a quick American history rundown. Around 25 minutes from start to finish, you'll definitely leave this show a lot less sweaty (and it's a nice off-your-feet treat, too).

Country Bears Jamboree : Sweet, sweet air; singing animatronic bears – and most often, this 16-minute "hillbilly hootenanny" in Grizzly Hall is not crowded. It is, as a song from "Oklahoma!" proclaims, as corny as Kansas in August, but totally worth the stop.

Carousel of Progress : Along with the chance to chill, there's a great big beautiful tomorrow earworm waiting for you. Enjoy about 20 minutes of more than a century of progress with animatronic host John (voiced by the late Jean Shepard) and his family. And don't be jealous of John's Niagara Falls fan: You won't need it in here.

Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe: Even with open doors, it's nice and breezy, with a year-round holiday spirit and cold drinks. Stockings. Ornaments that can be personalized, and Christmas trees just seem to bring the temps down. Plus, if you're wondering how many Shoppe-ing days it is until Ye Olde Big Day, look for the door with a countdown calendar.

Big blast of cool: At Haunted Mansion. Just as your Doom Buggy heads into the hallway where someone's forever trying to get out of that wooden coffin, there's a breeze that's ... to die for.

Disney holidays: What to now about Disney Jollywood Nights, Mickey's Very Christmas Party and more

Animal Kingdom

It's Tough to be a Bug: Located at the base of the Tree of Life, there's the air of life in this 3D film complete with audio-animatronic action based on "A Bug's Life." So comfortable in here, complete with knock-your-cap-off gusts when you get "sprayed" with bug spray and splashes of acid from a termite (OK, it's water, but go with it). Plus, where else can you enjoy feeling fake maggots, beetles and cockroaches scurrying beneath your seat?

Dinosaur: Whooshes of Cretaceous chill throughout this dark ride, where you'll be chasing dinosaurs – and hang on to your hat and other belongings here, too. Because there's enough motion and air movement to send them sailing.

Kali River Rapids: This river-raft retreat from the heat is hard to pass up. Grab a poncho and go. And even if you don't have a poncho, and you get soaked on the slope, it's Florida. Give it 10 minutes. You'll be ready to get soaked again.

Festival of the Lion King: A royal respite: Forty minutes of colorful song, dance, puppetry and pageantry at Harambe Theatre celebrate the beloved story and music of "The Lion King." This one gets a crowd, yet you won't feel the heat.

Big blasts of cool: Entering the Na'vi River Journey. The "oohs" and "aahs" and exclamations of "Let's just stand here" are many and audible.

The Seas aquarium : So you want to take 20, 30 minutes to cool it? You could spend that much time mesmerized by the manatees alone at The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion. If you've never wandered throughout the entire pavilion, the 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium is home to more than 2,000 sea creatures, from sharks to stingrays to gorgeous fish of all kinds. And if you're scuba-certified, look into the paid DiveQuest adventures, where you'll swim with those creatures and see humans waving from the other side of dozens of glass windows.

Awesome Planet : It's comfy in here, with wind, scents and water effects. But it's cool in another important way, too. Ty Burrell of "Modern Family" fame narrates this powerful 10-minute documentary that's in partnership with the Disney Conservation Fund. An uncrowded spot to shake the swelter, and come away wanting to save the planet.

American Adventure Pavilion: Rounding the back of Epcot's World Showcase is a perfect getaway from the blazing heat. Sit on the marble tile floors under the rotunda in the American Adventure Pavilion. Enjoy the Voices of Liberty while the well-conditioned air blows across you. But be careful when you stand up. Should you leave a pool of sweat on the floor, the tile will become slippery when wet (though no one will really judge you for it). 

Mexico Pavilion: It's dark in here. And it's cool. And there's food and drink and shopping, and the ducky Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros boat ride. And It's 95 degrees out there. Bingo. Heatwave solved.

Big blasts of cool: The queue at Soarin'. In the hallway, just before you make the turn to arrive at your gate, watch other parkgoers relishing the most fan-tastic spots to stand under.

Hollywood Studios

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration: It couldn't have this name and not be nigh onto nippy in here, right? It lives up to its moniker. Let it go. Sing along to the tales of Arendelle. And in this case, the snow really does go on.

Muppet Vision 3D : One of those underrated spots without long lines, but with great A/C, Muppets and bubbles. Lots of bubbles. Unlike the wisecracking Statler and Waldorf up in the balcony, you're not bolted to your seat – but you'll be so relaxed, you might want to be.

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway: A windy winner. There's even a twister. Hang onto your ears here. Seriously. They've been known to fly away.

Walt Disney Presents: Especially if you're a Disney diehard, you'll forget the heat that drove you inside this theater and museum. So much memorabilia from the past 100 years for fans of the legendary Mouse, from sketches to costumes to toys and more. And to cap off the cool, settle in for a 15-minute documentary titled " Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream."

Big blasts of cool: When you hit the entrance of "Star Tours." The breeze will take you to a place far, far away from the center of the sun known as Florida.

Britt Kennerly is an education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY.   Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or  [email protected] .  Twitter:  @bybrittkennerly  Facebook:  /bybrittkennerly .

This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Text Callout : Key Takeaways – This Is How Much It Costs to Go to Disney World in 2024

Even if you consider Walt Disney World Resort the “happiest place on earth,” it’s probably not on your list of the most affordable places to visit.

One-day tickets to Disney World in 2024 currently start at $109 per person. Of course, most people vacationing at Disney World stay for more than one day and many visit more than one park – and multiday, multipark tickets typically include discounted pricing. In addition to park admission, keep in mind you might need to pay for airfare, a hotel and food.

While the total cost of a trip can vary significantly, a Mouse Hacking blog analysis pegged a baseline Disney World vacation for a family of four at $6,865 in 2024. The blog estimated a budget trip would cost about $4,735, while a higher-end version would run about $10,696.

No matter your budget, here are a few ways to stretch your vacation dollars and make the most of your trip:

Be Flexible on Timing

Disney World started using “dynamic pricing” in 2018, meaning it charges higher prices during holidays and popular weeks and lower prices for off-peak visits. In general, you’ll find the lowest pricing in late August and early September, and for weekday visits to the parks.

“In Florida, the kids are back in school by August, so the parks are less crowded and the prices are lower,” says Dayle Bland, a personal vacation planner who specializes in Disney trips.

"Weather-wise, it’s a hotter time of year, but if you can get past that and plan your days accordingly, you can have a great visit at a better price point," she adds. 

Choose Your Hotel Carefully

Disney offers three levels of hotels – value, moderate and deluxe – with three levels of pricing.

“The great thing about Disney is that there are resorts for every budget,” says Allison DePesa, a travel advisor with Marvelous Mouse Travels.

Those looking to keep costs as low as possible will likely want to stay at the “value” hotels. You can also stay in a non-Disney hotel, but it’s important to factor in the cost of transportation. Those staying at Disney resorts have access to free parking at the parks as well as free shuttles that run about every 20 minutes.

Plan For Food Expenses

After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's dining plans are back.

"If you are staying at a Disney resort on a package, you can opt for Disney Dining Plan but these might not always be the best value. Save money by bringing your own sandwiches and snacks. Small cooler bags are allowed but remember no loose ice," Carrie Bradley, a frequent Disney World visitor and founder of VisitingOrlandoWithKids.com, said in an email.

She added that you can expect to spend around $6 for a Mickey ice cream bar and should budget around $50 per person, per day for food if you eat at the parks and don’t dine at character table service restaurants.

Some guests also opt to get groceries delivered to their hotels (Disney hotels will accept and store your deliveries while you’re out) so they can make their own breakfast and bring snacks to the parks.

Set a Limit on Souvenirs

Impulse purchases at souvenir shops are an easy way to quickly bust your budget. Try to avoid spending too much time in the gift shops, where the temptation can be hard to resist – or, set a limit for how much each person can spend on souvenirs per day or throughout the vacation.

If your family really wants to get into the spirit and don Disney apparel for the trip, stock up ahead of time at stores like Target or Kohl’s, which carry licensed apparel. “They have awesome selections,” DePesa says. “Kohl’s does a whole line of family-matching Disney apparel.”

Keep an Eye Out for New Discounts

Disney does occasionally host promotions that offer discounted pricing on tickets or hotels for specific periods. For example, 4-day, 4-park Magic Tickets are currently $396 per ticket through September 22, 2024.

If you’ve already booked your visit, you or your travel agent can call Disney to have the promotion retroactively applied to your purchase, if it qualifies.

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report

Disney World changing popular ticket reservation service

• Published: Jun. 26, 2024, 3:45 p.m.

Walt Disney World is getting rid of Genie+ starting July 24 and instead implementing Lightning Lane entry service. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP, File)/Orlando Sentinel via AP) AP

• Molly Walsh | [email protected]

ORLANDO, Florida – Walt Disney World is overhauling its popular fast-pass service at the famous amusement park in Florida.

The theme park is getting rid of Genie+ starting July 24 and instead implementing Lightning Lane entry service.

Disney Genie+ service will become Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane will now be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass.

The changes will allow guests to plan before arriving at the park; choose experiences and time slots before purchasing; and allow guests to book passes for multiple days.

Disney announced the change in response to guest feedback about wanting to plan their park experiences well in advance instead of the morning of their visit, the company said in a press release.

Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel and other select hotels will be able to plan Lightning Lane passes up to 7 days in advance, for their entire stay, up to 14 days. All other guests can plan up to 3 days in advance.

These advance purchase windows will let guests secure some of their must-do rides and experiences after they’ve had some time to decide what dining reservations they want to book and any other plans they may need to consider.

The prices of a Lightning Multi or Single Pass varies on the day you visit the park, what theme park you choose to visit and what attraction you choose to visit.

Prices will be available starting July 24 in the My Disney Experience App .

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