A Disney World vacation is on the bucket list of many. Although the parks are open year-round, visiting at certain times is arguably better than others.
Similarly, some months or weeks are a big no because of crowds or bad weather. Of course, you would want your trip to be memorable, so knowing the best and worst times to visit Disney World will help you in planning.
Disney World is a highly sought-after vacation, but when you visit will influence your experience.
- The best time to visit Disney World is September (fewer people, bearable weather, and you may even find a good deal).
- The best time to avoid crowds is January through February, late April, and September, while summer and the holiday season are the worst.
- Regarding weather, March, April, October, and November are pleasant, whereas June through August is hot and humid.
- Although costs depend on various factors, January and September may be the best times to visit if you want a cheap Disney World vacation.
On the other hand, peak seasons like summer and post-Thanksgiving may be quite expensive.
In this article, I’ll reveal the best and worst times of the year to visit Disney World in Florida regarding attendance, weather, and even prices for tickets and accommodation.
Best & Worst Times To Visit Disney World
Disney World is so amazing that no time is a bad time to visit its many attractions. That said, its popularity has increased dramatically over the years, with tickets becoming more expensive and visitor numbers breaking records.
In other words, there’s a lot of demand, which means loads of crowds at the parks and long wait times for rides. So there are some months and weeks you may want to avoid if you want a hassle-free Disney World journey.
Similarly, you cannot ignore the weather when visiting Disney World. It’s in Florida, one of the hottest and most humid states in the US.
So here are the best and worst times, according to popular opinion, for visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth:
1. In Terms of Crowds
Best Time: Late January through February and September
Worst Time: Spring Break, Mid-May through August, October through December
Disney World can get very busy as people from all over the country and abroad travel to experience the fun, typically with family and friends. While some may find the hustle and bustle of these throngs of visitors exciting, others may consider it a nightmare.
January and February are the best for the latter group, except for the President’s Day weekend.
Similarly, late August and September draw in fewer crowds because schools and colleges have opened. Even late April is relatively less busy.
On the other hand, if you want to avoid crowds, don’t plan your visit during peak summer months or any holidays, including Halloween, at the end of October.
As many people visit during the holidays, November and December have been getting busier.
Also, avoid attending Disney World during spring break (March through mid-April). It becomes another Cabo during spring break!
Even though November and December are among the worst months to visit, I must mention that they can also be the best months to visit because of the seasonal offerings.
2. In Terms of the Weather
Best Time: March, April, October, November
Worst Time: July through August
Pay attention to Orlando weather when planning your trip to Disney World. The most pleasant time to visit Disney World in terms of weather is October through November.
By this time, the Floridan heat has subsided, and the temperature is 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Similarly, March and April have similar temperature ranges with fewer rainy days.
Regarding weather, August is hands down the worst month to visit Disney World. It’s both hot and wet. The average high temperature in the Orlando area in August is 92 degrees Fahrenheit.
It also rains quite a lot this month, with 14 or more days of rain. July isn’t so far behind, with temperatures similar to August and many rainy days.
3. In Terms of Prices
Best Time: January, August, September
Worst Time: March through April, June through July, and holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas
It’s hard to determine when it’s cheaper or more expensive to visit Disney World as prices vary greatly and keep increasing yearly. Also, your trip expenditure depends heavily on hotel prices, which change frequently based on demand.
Generally speaking, you may get the bang for your buck in January when the demand is low. However, due to fewer crowds, August through September can be the cheapest time to visit Disney World.
On the other hand, spring break, June, July, and holiday periods (especially November through December) will likely be expensive for visiting Disney World.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best and worst times to visit Disney World, you can plan your journey accordingly. If you don’t want to go during a busy season, go in January or September.
If you want the best weather for your trip, go in March, April, October, November, and December. On the other hand, if you want to avoid crowds and get the best weather, go in late April or September.
To get the best value for money, visit in the off-season (January through February or late August through September).
Frequently Asked Questions
What Days Are Busier at Disney World?
The weekend is generally the busiest time of the week to visit any Disney World parks. Monday is also a busy day, as many people add it to their trip that started on the weekend.
However, Sunday is by far the busiest day at Disney World.
Is Disney World Open on Christmas?
Disney World is open on both Christmas eve and Christmas day. It’s one of the busiest days for Disney World parks, with many people spending their holiday at the resort, as there are many special holiday events around this time.
All Disney World parks and attractions are open on Christmas, but times may vary, so check in advance.