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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