When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions for those planning a Walt Disney World Vacation. Unfortunately, as with the query about “best age to take my child” this one has a whole lot of “it depends” in the answers. 

It depends mainly on priorities. 

Are you looking for lowest crowd times? 

Is missing school a no go for your family? 

Do you mind the heat or prefer cooler weather? 

Are you hoping for pool time? 

Do you have a tight budget to adhere to? 

Are you looking to experience some kind of Holiday Decor? 

Do you have a Festival at EPCOT that is on your “must do” list? 

There is no time of year that will match all of your desires. For example, you may need to go during a higher crowd time to avoid missed school days and enjoy Holiday Decorations and special offerings. Meanwhile, you can find lower crowds and good economic incentives during Summer break, but must endure the extreme heat and rains that come with Hurricane Season. 

Good news? If you are reading Disney blogs, listening to Disney podcasts, or seeking out a Park Planning Pal type person to bounce ideas off of…you can make any time of year the “best” time for you and your travel party. If you Plan for the Cons of a particular Season, heat, crowds, torrential rains, etc. then you can reduce their negative impact on your adventure. Instead, you can focus on that Pros List, what makes the timing of your trip right for you. 

What to do when Rain is Expected

Florida’s rainiest months (as well as its hottest) include June-September. You can expect rain every afternoon, usually between 2pm and 6pm and lasting under an hour. These showers are frequently followed by sunshine and can, seemingly, come out of nowhere. I almost always put the raincover on our stroller when getting in a queue or heading into a restaurant in the afternoon. That Florida sunshine can turn into a rainstorm in a blink. Some people swear by radar tracker apps, such as MyRadar and AccuWeather. There will, of course, be days that have more than the passing sprinkle. It’s good to keep an eye on whatever weather app you use, so you can potentially pivot (or arrive prepared) if one of your Park Days looks to be a total wash out. 

In anticipation of the wet weather, pack your preferred rain protection: ponchos, umbrellas, raincoats, and stroller rain covers. If you like to utilize an umbrella, don’t forget to walk through security with it held in your hand away from your body. Useful for rain and sun protection, they are also notorious for getting bags flagged at security. 

Even on trips when I have a raincoat, I like to have a disposable poncho in whatever bag I bring through lines and on rides. There is always a chance the rain hits when you aren’t near your stroller or the lead pack mule in the group. 

Bring more than one pair of footwear. If you prefer sneakers, you may want a plan for dealing with them getting soaked. They can take more than an overnight to dry. I would also consider footwear that has a back of some kind. Flip flops or sandals can get especially slick (or come right off) when wet. I had to walk barefoot through the UK in EPCOT one September evening, because my Olukai Sandals were essentially floating downstream as we waded through shin deep water trying to exit near the International Gateway. May be controversial, and not for everyone, but Crocs are my favorite Park Touring footwear. 

Lastly, even if it is not actively raining at your location, don’t be surprised if you have to exit pools, the Skyliner is temporarily closed, or rides have delays because of lightning in the area. These sorts of closures don’t typically last long, but if you know what to expect you are less likely to be discouraged or frustrated should you experience them.

What to do when it’s hot, hot, HOT!

 The Florida heat is no joke. Those 90-100 degree days can feel even HOTTER because of the unrelenting sunshine and humidity. The summer months (June-August) in Florida get progressively hotter. Even May can start to be warm, and early September sees that August heat lingering. Check the predicted temperatures right before your intended travel dates, so you can pack and be prepared. 

Hydrate. Make sure your littles are doing the same. I bring electrolyte packets to add to our water bottles. You can find bottle fill stations mapped out in your My Disney Experience (MDE) App. Quick Service locations often have trays of ice water for the taking, but you can also ask for them if you don’t see any. They are free. Many private car services will allow you to order bottled water as part of your pick up fee. You can also order bottled water from your preferred grocery delivery service. We use Vacation Grocery Delivery. Buy it, order it, drink lots of it. If you run into trouble, there are First Aid locations available in each park and Cast Members will be happy to assist you. Stay safe. 

Pack fans and cooling towels. Bring hats or sun umbrellas. Wear breathable, quick dry clothing. Don’t forget sunscreen! We bring sunscreen sticks in our carry-on luggage, but I often include larger bottles in my grocery delivery. Put even your slightly bigger littles in the stroller with that sun shade (and a stroller fan.)

If possible, try to be indoors during the peak heat of the day. We accomplish this with strategic sit down dining reservations. A Resort room break is another good option. If neither works into your touring plan, consider each Park’s air conditioned offerings. For example, grab a seat for the 30 min Frozen Singalong at Hollywood Studios or pop into Enchanted Tales with Belle at Magic Kingdom for 20 minutes of shade and a/c. I’ve also been known to walk through the stores along Main Street to get reprieve from the heat and solar rays. 

Arrive early or stay late. Early Entry (or Park Open) and after 5pm will be the coolest parts of the day. Use that time to tour more comfortably. Are you a morning bird and night owl? Do both! Just take a long peak heat of the day break. Don’t push it. At no time of year can you “do it all” at Walt Disney World. Know your priorities and stick to them. Slow your pace.

What to do when crowds are heavy

There are very few times on any Disney World Crowd Calendar that are considered “low crowds.” Most of the time you will be dealing with moderate amounts of fellow park goers. However, there are definitely times when High Crowds should be anticipated. I’m looking at you second half of November-early January (with the possible exception of the 1st week of December), and most of March and April. These are, not coincidentally, times that coincide with Winter and Spring school breaks in the United States.

These months also see higher airline and Park Ticket costs. Resort rooms are at their priciest, though discounts still might become available. Book early but keep an eye out so you can modify as discounts are released.

Research. I suggest WDW Prep School as a resource. You can also ask your travel agent/Park Planning Pal/Disney Adult bestie which days of the week see the lowest crowd by Park. Budget for Lightning Lane. Consider a third party such as Standby Skipper or Wait Magic to help you snag new lightning lanes or modify reservations to the earliest times possible. 

Stay on property and utilize your 30 minutes of Early Park Entry. Rope Drop if you can, to be at the front of the on-site crowds. Check Park Hours in the MDE App up until the night before your park day, as Park Hours can and do change. 

Pack your patience and set yourself some realistic expectations. There is nothing more peopley than Walt Disney World the week of Christmas break. Lines will be long. Moving through the parks (especially with a stroller) will take more time. Lightning Lanes will sell out, or availability might be much later in the day. Consult the members of your party ahead of time. Determine top priorities for each Park, and consider anything you do above those a bonus. Be prepared to pivot. Do not expect to hit every ride, show, and character meet and greet. Talk to your travel agent or Park Planning Pal if you need help narrowing down your options. 

If sit down dining is important to you, schedule Advance Dining Reservations 60 days in advance at 6 a.m. EST. Use Mobile Ordering at quick service locations and eat at “off” times. If Parades or Night Time Entertainment are important to you, show up 60-90 minutes in advance to stake out your spot (especially if traveling with a larger group.) In Magic Kingdom, Main Street may reach capacity during the busiest times of year. For some parades, viewing capacity across the park may also be reached. 

What to do when the budget is tight

This subject probably warrants a Blog post all on its own. Disney World is expensive, no matter when you go. There are definitely times of year that are less expensive than others though. During lower cost times, you will also enjoy lower crowds. However, you may also be pulling kids from school or dealing with more extremes in weather (cold, hot or rainy.) If you are willing to be absent from school, layer up in the cold, strategize to beat the heat, or endure some rainy days you can save on the overall cost.

First, consider September. Can you pull kids from school? Going on an Adult Only trip? September is generally the least expensive time to go to Walt Disney World, in terms of Park Ticket prices and resort room costs. You will encounter heat and rain, but Food and Wine is going on at EPCOT and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is in full swing. 

Mid-January to early Februarycan see lower temps and lower crowds. If you don’t mind potentially skipping pool days and missing school, look into traveling at this time of year. 

Another time you will find a lot of deals, discounts and offerings is Summer Break. This wasn’t always the case, but times have changed. 

Regarding those discounts and financial incentives. It is still important to do the math. Some discounts can be combined, others can not. You may find that a Room Discount and paying full price for your Park Tickets is a better deal than paying full price for your room and getting Park Hopper included with your ticket. My family recently saved money by buying a one day ticket to Magic Kingdom and getting the 3 Day 3 Park Ticket for Disney+ Subscribers, because it was cheaper than a 4 day Base ticket. 

Consider how you eat before you purchase a Disney Dining Plan. While it can feel all inclusive or convenient, I’ve done the math for our family on multiple occasions and the Disney Dining Plan has never been a way for us to save money. 

If your dates are flexible, check pricing on different dates. Rooms are cheaper Sunday-Thursday nights. One week in a month may be cheaper than another, so play around with your dates. 

Off-property vs on-property is another age-old money savings debate. I will admit my bias up front. I love that “Disney Bubble.” I have had friends with larger families or travel parties stay off site. It definitely makes sense for some people. When comparing prices, I just want to caution you to look at off-site resort and parking fees (at the parks and your resort) and add those up to get a true picture of the full cost. We don’t rent a car when staying on property, and there are instances when that (or ride share) will also be an added cost if you are off-site. If you are traveling at a crowded time of year, on-site perks like Early Entry and earlier Lightning Lane and dining reservation timing may weigh into the equation/have more value. The All Star Resorts and POP Century can also offer great on-site savings. A “good neighbor” hotel with some of these perks may also be worth a look if on-site is not for you.   

When you want those Holiday/Festival feels

I have a soft spot in my heart for Walt Disney World dressed in her Holiday Finest. Growing up, my family most often traveled to Disney in December. Every Christmas, my mother would bring out The Candlelight Processional CD. Dating myself? Yup. It wasn’t an 8 track people. For me, Disney is Magic. Disney at Christmas time is just next level.

If you love Halloween, Mid-August through October 31st may be your desired time to be at Walt Disney World. If you, like me, are looking for more of a Christmas Time feel, November-December (potentially the first week of January) may be the best time for you. However, if your vision of  Christmas includes an EPCOT that is bedecked and the Candlelight Processional I mentioned, late November-December is when you can experience all the Christmas Holiday offerings. 

If you are interested in EPCOT Festivals, you can find one almost every month. Summer is the only time EPCOT is without a festival at the moment. Food and Wine begins near the end of August into late November. When it wraps up you can enjoy The Festival of the Holidays which is offered in December (last few days of November.) Festival of the Arts takes center stage mid January until almost the end of February. Flower and Garden topiaries may be visible the last week of February as the festivals switch over, but it officially kicks off March-May.

I have personally been to Walt Disney World in January, February, March, May, June, September, November and December. All of my trips have had hiccups of course, but overall each was a magical experience. There is no month I wouldn’t go back for one reason or another, but there are certainly reasons some months are “better” than others, based on my personal preferences. Make a list of your priorities and find the time of year that matches the majority. That is the best time to travel to Walt Disney World for YOU.

Happy Planning,

Jody