When is the best time of year to visit Disney World?

Updated:

Disney fans will say that there’s never a bad time to visit Walt Disney World. While that’s true, there may be different times of the year that may suit you and your family the best.

Deciding what time of year you should visit Disney World depends on what you want to see and accomplish. Some times have more manageable crowds, some have special events and some have holiday festivities.

Learn about the best time to visit Disney World if you want:

The Smallest Crowds

Crowds at Disney World are at their highest during the summer months and during holidays. Planning your visit when most schools are in session is one way to try to make the crowds more manageable. We have personally found that the months of September, January and February had the most reasonable crowds.

One trick to see when crowds are expected to be at their highest is by examining Disney’s ticket purchasing calendar. There you will find that the new date-based ticket pricing reveals when Disney believes the largest crowds will be at its Disney World theme parks. The more expensive the theme park ticket is, the more crowded the park is expected to be.

Keep in mind that Disney’s date-based pricing and third-party crowd calendars are just estimates.

Holiday Events

Want to celebrate Halloween or Christmas in Disney World? You’re in luck as both holidays are celebrated extensively across multiple months.

The Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party between the end of August and Halloween while Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place between November and Christmas. Note that these holiday parties require an additional ticket.

Crowds will vary for the holiday festivities, but you can expect the most manageable crowds earlier in the season compared to on the holidays themselves.

Other Special Events

Epcot hosts several festivals throughout the year. These include the Food and Wine Festival, the International Flower and Garden Festival, the Festival of the Arts and the Festival of the Holidays. Each event has its own special food, beverages and entertainment.

Click here to find out more about each festival and the scheduled dates.

Great Weather

The weather in Orlando ranges from mild to extremely warm. Planning for the weather before arriving is a must or you risk being unprepared for the usual rain showers and unexpected chilly evenings.

The most mild and driest weather normally occurs between October and April.

Remember: A wet day in Disney World is better than a dry day at work or in school!

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for the support!

David
David
David is a Disney travel expert who created Notes from Neverland in 2018 after visiting Disney theme parks countless times. Previously, David spent way too much time writing about sports, and was featured in Sports Illustrated, MSN, Yahoo!, and in many other publications. Learn more or contact us.

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