When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, one of the biggest concerns of travelers is the cost. Disney World can be an expensive vacation, with tickets, accommodation, food, and souvenirs all adding up quickly.
However, there are ways to save money and get the most out of your Disney World experience. One of the best ways to save money is by visiting during the cheapest time of the year.
Disney World vacations can be expensive. But, with smart choices and strategy, you can save significant money.
In this article, we have discussed the cheapest times to go to Disney World; these are:
- January and February,
- Early May,
- In Late August and September,
- Early November and Early December,
- Weekdays,
- Time other than holidays and special events.
Ultimately, we discussed the most expensive times to visit Disney World and gathered some tips to save money on a Disney trip.
This article will explore the cheapest time to go to Disney World. But, of course, we will look at the most expensive time too.
Finally, in the end, we have some tips for saving money on your Disney trip.
Cheapest Time To Go to Disney World
Before we dive into the best times to visit, it is essential to understand that Disney World has a tiered pricing system for tickets and hotel rooms. This means that the cost of your trip will vary depending on when you visit.
Generally, Disney World has three different pricing seasons: Value, Regular, and Peak.
Value season is the least expensive, followed by the Regular season, and Peak season is the most expensive. The pricing seasons are determined by Disney World and are based on crowd levels, holidays, and special events.
Now, let’s look at the cheapest times to visit Disney World.
1. January and February
The first two months of this year are typically the least crowded and least expensive time to visit Disney World. Then, after the holiday season ends, the parks are relatively quiet, making it an ideal time to visit for those who want to avoid crowds.
Additionally, the weather during this time is mild, with average temperatures in the mid-60s, which is perfect for enjoying the parks without the heat and humidity of the summer months.
It is worth noting that some rides and attractions may be closed for refurbishment during this time, so be sure to check before you go.
2. Early May
May is generally a good time to visit Disney World, with relatively low crowds and lower prices than the peak summer season.
Early May is particularly favorable, as schools are still in session, and many families have not started their summer vacation. The weather during this time is warm but not too hot, with average temperatures in the mid-80s.
3. Late August and September
Late August and September are also good times to visit Disney World, as they fall outside the peak summer season. In addition, many families are returning to school during this time, which means crowds and prices tend to be lower.
However, the weather during this time can be hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching the 90s. So if you plan to visit during this time, stay hydrated while in the parks and take breaks in the shade to avoid heat exhaustion.
4. Early November and Early December
November and December can be busy at Disney World, with the holiday season in full swing.
However, early November and early December can be a good time to visit, as the parks are less crowded and prices are lower than during the peak holiday season.
Additionally, the weather during this time is mild, with average temperatures in the mid-70s.
5. Weekdays
In general, weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends at Disney World. This is especially true during the summer months when most families visit on weekends.
If you have the flexibility to visit during the week, you can save money and avoid crowds.
6. Time Other Than Holidays and Special Events
Holidays and special events can drive up the cost of a Disney World vacation. For example, Christmas and New Year’s are peak times at Disney World, with higher prices and larger crowds.
Other holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Easter, and the Fourth of July, can also be busy at the parks. If possible, avoid visiting during these holidays to save money and avoid crowds.
Let’s quickly go through the most expensive times to visit Disney World.
- Peak Season
The most expensive time to visit Disney World is during peak season, which falls around major holidays and school breaks. This includes Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving, and the summer months.
During peak season, crowds are at their highest, and prices for accommodations, tickets, and dining can be much higher than during other times of the year.
Also, it is not uncommon for hotel rates to become double or triple their normal price during peak season.
- Holidays
As mentioned, holidays can be some of the most expensive times to visit Disney World. Many families take vacations during these times, leading to high demand and increased prices.
Additionally, Disney World often offers special events and experiences during holidays, which can add to the cost of your trip.
- Peak Times for Conventions
Orlando is a popular destination for conventions and trade shows, which can impact the cost of a Disney World vacation.
During peak times for conventions, hotel rates in the area can be higher than usual. Therefore, it is worth checking the convention calendar for Orlando to see if any major events are happening during your planned travel dates.
- School Breaks
Another expensive time to visit Disney World is during school breaks, such as spring and winter break. People having kids prefer taking vacations during this time, so prices for accommodations and tickets can be higher than usual.
Additionally, crowds can be very high during school breaks, making it difficult to navigate the parks and experience all the attractions you want to see.
- RunDisney and Other Special Events
Disney World hosts several RunDisney events throughout the year, which can impact the cost of your trip. In addition to the cost of park admission, you may need to pay a registration fee to participate in the race.
Additionally, hotels in the area may be more expensive during RunDisney events, as many participants travel to the area to compete.
Disney World hosts several special events, including the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party. While these events can be fun, they can also be expensive.
Tips To Save Money at Disney World
A Disney World vacation can be expensive, but with some planning and smart choices, you can save money without sacrificing the magic.
Here are ten tips to help you save money on your next Disney trip:
1. Plan Ahead
Planning is one of the easiest ways to save money on a Disney trip. This means booking your accommodations, tickets, and dining reservations in advance. Doing this allows you to take advantage of early booking discounts and special offers.
2. Keep an Eye on Discounts After Booking
You should continue to look for ways to save money even after you have made a reservation and paid a deposit. For example, if Disney World offers a promotion or discount, you can apply it back to your reservation if it meets the deal’s requirements.
They are mostly applicable unless you are traveling at peak times. It would not be easy to find a discount in this case. However, calling Disney and asking for it to be implemented is worthwhile.
3. Stay at a Value Resort
Disney World has several value resorts that offer affordable accommodation with no compromise on quality. These resorts are located on Disney property, and guests still benefit from staying on-site, such as early park access and transportation to and from the parks.
4. Plan Meals Efficiently
Food is a significant part of a Disney trip, but you can save some bucks if you plan your meals carefully.
- Disney World allows guests to bring their food and snacks into the parks. Therefore, you can save on dining expenses by packing snacks and meals. You can also bring refillable water bottles and refill them from several quick park service spots instead of buying one whenever needed.
- Table service options at Disney are mostly expensive, so looking for a quick service eating spot would save you some money.
- Another way is to eat from outside places and avoid Disney restaurants. Some very good options in Central Florida are not very expensive and serve delicious food.
- This, in any way, doesn’t mean that we are suggesting you have all your meals outside Disney World. Because of course, it will cost you transport and more time too. The strategy is to save money, and you should plan your meals efficiently.
- Many quick-service places have certain options available for kids’ meals. Although they are named kids meals, they are not actually that small. So, if your appetite isn’t big, this meal will easily fulfill you.
- We suggest not opting for the buffet if you are not a foodie. Disney buffets are expensive; if you don’t eat much, you will be fulfilled by one course. So opting for buffets won’t provide you the value for your money.
5. Use Disney Transportation
Disney World offers complimentary transportation to and from the parks and to and from the airport for guests staying at Disney resorts. Using this transportation saves you money on rental cars and parking fees.
6. Look for Free Activities
Disney World offers many free activities and experiences, such as parades, firework shows, and character meet and greets. You can save money on entertainment expenses by taking advantage of these free activities.
7. Shop Strategically
Disney World has many gift shops and souvenir stands throughout the parks, but these can be expensive. That is why it is a good idea to consider purchasing items outside of the parks or looking for deals on merchandise in gift shops.
If you feel your little one will want to buy that stuff Mickey or Goofy’s sweatshirt from the fancy gift shop, it would be good for you to set a budget for souvenirs beforehand.
8. Skip Genie+ and Lightning Lane
Ginnie+ and Lightning Lane are two options Disney provides, using which you can skip the wait lines by paying a certain amount of money. While these can save you time, when traveling as a group, using these options would take a lot of money.
So it is suggested to be a bit strategic by doing homework related to the peak hours of each ride concerning the crowd. In this way, you can have your favorite ride and save $15 per day per person.
Takeaway
So, this is it!
Disney World vacations can be expensive. But, with some planning, smart choices, and going during the off-season, you can save a significant amount of money. We hope our suggestions and tips will help you have a great Disney trip without breaking the bank.
