The Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World: A Month-by-Month Breakdown
View from Tomorrowland Terrace
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World involves more than just picking your favorite rides and deciding what snacks you want to try first—choosing the best time to go can make or break your experience! With different weather patterns, seasonal events, and fluctuating ticket and resort prices, the timing of your Disney vacation will impact everything from the crowd levels to the kinds of festivals and shows you’ll see. Let’s explore when might be the best time for you to visit based on your priorities!
Crowd Calendars for Disney World
When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, I rely on three excellent crowd calendars to ensure I’m visiting on the best days possible. My favorite is the Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar, which is built on over 20 years of ticket sales data. It’s one of the most accurate resources available and covers not just Walt Disney World, but all the Orlando parks. It suggests ideal days to visit each park and includes extra details that help you make informed decisions.
WDW Prep School’s Crowd Calendar is especially useful for tracking not only general crowd levels but also special events that can significantly impact your Disney experience. It includes important details such as dance competitions, runDisney events, football tournaments, and even regional events like Jersey Week, when many schools in New Jersey have off, leading to a noticeable spike in crowds. This calendar is excellent for identifying these events ahead of time, so you can avoid unexpected crowds or plan around them. With its color-coded system, WDW Prep School makes it easy to spot high-crowd periods and days impacted by these major happenings, helping you pick the most peaceful times to visit.
Thrill Data is my go-to resource for tracking ride wait times and developing park strategy. It offers an incredible level of detail by not only showing real-time wait times but also providing historical data on how busy the parks were on specific days in the past. This makes it an invaluable tool for predicting crowd levels and planning the best times to visit each park. Whether you're trying to figure out the best time to hit popular attractions or just want a general sense of how long you’ll wait in line, Thrill Data’s ability to track crowds and patterns ensures super accurate projections for how busy the parks will be during your visit. This insight can help you plan out your day more effectively and avoid long waits.
Things to Consider Before Booking the Trip:
Welcome Sign at Walt Disney World
When planning a Walt Disney World trip, there are several important factors to consider beyond just park tickets and hotel reservations. First, think about your PTO (Paid Time Off) from work—how much you have available and how many days you’ll need for travel, park days, and recovery afterward. If you have children, you'll also need to factor in the number of school days they might miss. Check the school calendar for holidays or long weekends to minimize the disruption, or plan for breaks to avoid missed days altogether. Additionally, consider the time of year you’re going—crowd levels, weather, and special events can all impact your experience. Budget constraints, such as seasonal pricing for flights, resorts, and park tickets, should also be on your radar. Finally, think about personal schedules like family birthdays, anniversaries, or other major commitments that could coincide with your trip. Balancing these factors will help you pick the ideal time for a smooth and enjoyable Disney vacation.
Personally, I always take my kids out of school for Disney trips, but I make sure to communicate with their teachers well ahead of time. Now that I have one in middle school, we’ve had to adjust our schedule. We typically aim to leave on a Wednesday and return on a Tuesday, which gives my middle schooler the chance to start his week in class, gather any assignments, and then make up what he’s missed when we get back. He mentioned that it’s just too hard to miss a full Monday-to-Friday week, and this approach works better for him. If you have middle or high schoolers, it’s something to consider—talking with them and their teachers can help find a balance between school responsibilities and family vacation time. This flexibility keeps everyone less stressed and allows us to enjoy our Disney trip without worrying too much about missed schoolwork.
Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World operates year-round, but the experience changes dramatically depending on when you go. Here's an overview of the key factors:
Weather: Central Florida’s weather is hot and humid in the summer, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are mild, but cold fronts can bring chillier days. Hurricane season (June-November) brings the possibility of stormy weather.
Seasonal Events: EPCOT hosts several festivals throughout the year:
International Festival of the Arts (January–February)
Flower and Garden Festival (March–June)
Food & Wine Festival (August–November)
Festival of the Holidays (late November–December)
Magic Kingdom Park also hosts Halloween (Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party) and Christmas (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) after-hours events from August through December.
Pricing: Ticket and resort prices fluctuate throughout the year. You'll pay the most during major holidays and school vacations. However, slower periods, like late January or September, bring lower prices and lighter crowds.
Seasonal Trade-offs: What to Expect When You Pick a Month
No time of year is perfect for everyone, so let’s take a look at the trade-offs that come with picking each season.
Winter (December–February): Cooler weather makes park touring more comfortable, but you may encounter cold snaps. Holiday crowds can be overwhelming in December, but they taper off in January. Events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts are highlights.
Spring (March–May): Beautiful weather and EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival make spring an ideal time to visit, though spring break crowds drive up prices. May tends to have fewer crowds before summer vacations kick in.
Summer (June–August): Crowds are at their peak, and temperatures can be oppressively hot. This is hurricane season, but the parks are prepared for rain. Summer brings the highest prices, but longer park hours and exciting new attractions can make up for it.
Fall (September–November): September offers lower prices and fewer crowds after the summer rush, but it’s still hurricane season. October is popular for Halloween events, and EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival is in full swing. November sees higher holiday crowds.
Best Month to go to Disney World
Disney Springs
Here’s a month-by-month guide to help you choose the best time for your visit, based on weather, events, and pricing.
January
Weather: Cool, mild temperatures (50s-70s), with the occasional cold front.
Events: New Year's celebrations carry into early January, followed by EPCOT's International Festival of the Arts.
Crowds: Very busy early in the month, but crowds drop sharply mid-month.
Pricing: Moderate after New Year’s, with low rates through late January.
Trade-offs: Some rides may undergo refurbishments during this time.
February
Weather: Similar to January, but it starts to warm slightly.
Events: International Festival of the Arts continues. Valentine’s Day can bring small spikes in crowd levels.
Crowds: Moderate, with fewer crowds in the first half of the month.
Pricing: Moderate to low, except during President’s Day weekend.
Trade-offs: Some refurbishments may still be ongoing.
March
Weather: Temperatures start to rise (60s-80s), with the potential for early thunderstorms.
Events: EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival begins.
Crowds: Spring break starts, bringing larger crowds from mid-March onward.
Pricing: Rates rise for spring break.
Trade-offs: Gorgeous park decor from Flower and Garden Festival but higher crowds.
April *My favorite Month at Disney*
Weather: Warm and sunny, perfect for park days.
Events: Flower and Garden Festival continues, Easter fluctuates between March and April.
Crowds: Heavy crowds from spring breakers, especially around Easter.
Pricing: High during the first half, then moderates by late April.
Trade-offs: Ideal weather but larger spring crowds.
May
Weather: Hotter temperatures (70s-90s), with low rain chances.
Events: Flower and Garden Festival.
Crowds: Moderate, with lighter crowds before schools let out.
Pricing: Moderate, with deals available in early May.
Trade-offs: Summer-like heat with smaller crowds.
June
Weather: Hot, humid, and the beginning of hurricane season.
Events: Summer crowds start to roll in; Flower and Garden Festival concludes.
Crowds: Busy, especially as schools begin summer break.
Pricing: High for summer vacations.
Trade-offs: Longer park hours but higher prices and heat.
July
Weather: Very hot and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
Events: Independence Day brings patriotic celebrations and fireworks.
Crowds: High, especially around July 4th, but its the least crowded of the holidays.
Pricing: Peak summer prices.
Trade-offs: Intense heat and crowds but extended park hours and special shows.
August
Weather: Still hot and stormy, with hurricane season in full swing.
Events: EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival begins, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts in Magic Kingdom.
Crowds: Moderate to high in early August, lower by the end of the month.
Pricing: Lower prices later in August.
Trade-offs: Lower crowds later in the month, but high temperatures and potential storms.
September
Weather: Slightly cooler, but still hurricane season.
Events: Halloween events continue, and Food & Wine Festival is in full swing.
Crowds: Very low, one of the quietest times to visit.
Pricing: Some of the lowest prices of the year.
Trade-offs: Fantastic value with low crowds, but hurricane risk is highest.
October
Weather: Cooler, with less rain (70s-80s).
Events: Halloween events ramp up, and Food & Wine continues.
Crowds: Moderate, increasing toward Halloween.
Pricing: Moderate to high, with spikes around Halloween.
Trade-offs: Fun seasonal events but more crowds than September.
November
Weather: Pleasant, with cooler evenings (50s-70s).
Events: Food & Wine Festival ends, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays begins, and Christmas decorations appear.
Crowds: Light early in the month, but Thanksgiving week is busy.
Pricing: Moderate early on, with holiday pricing later.
Trade-offs: The transition from fall to holiday decor, with lower crowds early on.
December
Weather: Cool and crisp, ideal for park touring.
Events: Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom.
Crowds: Very high during the holidays, especially from Christmas to New Year’s.
Pricing: The most expensive time of year.
Trade-offs: Magical holiday experiences but with the highest prices and largest crowds.
You Will Have A Magical Time No Matter What!
Personally, I don’t believe there’s a bad time to go to Walt Disney World. We’ve visited during every single month, multiple times, with around 20 trips since the parks reopened. Each month presents a different challenge, but you can always find a strategy to make the most of it. For example, during Christmas time, you may take things at a slower pace, getting on fewer attractions due to higher crowds, but enjoy more filler rides and entertainment with the cooler, pleasant weather. April is my favorite month to visit—while crowds are bigger, they’re still manageable, the weather is fantastic, and there’s less rain compared to the summer. On the flip side, summer offers amazing deals, which lets us stay longer since school isn’t in session, but the heat can be intense, so you’ll often find us cooling off at Typhoon Lagoon. No matter when you go, you’ll find a way to have a magical trip. With the right strategies, you can have an amazing time year-round, adapting to whatever the parks throw at you!
Choosing the best time to visit Walt Disney World depends on your priorities. If you prefer low crowds and don’t mind cooler weather, January, February and September are excellent times to visit. For those looking to experience the magic of Disney's seasonal events, October through December offers a magical atmosphere but at a higher price point. By balancing crowd levels, weather, and your must-do experiences, you can pick the perfect time to visit Disney World and create lasting memories.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family’s favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Make sure to explore our blog for even more Disney planning guides and insider tips!
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