Best Time to Go to Disney World

We all know that Disney World vacations are memorable and magical. But did you know that the season, month, week, and even day you choose can make a big difference in your in-park experience? The time period you visit will also have an impact on costs and your ability to make dining and Genie+ reservations. Therefore, the best time to go to Disney World is an important consideration as you book your family vacation.
Deciding when to visit Disney World will depend on variable factors like crowds, cost, and weather. You should also weigh other aspects like special events, seasonal festivals, and extended park hours. This article highlights the main factors to consider as you plan the best time to visit Disney World. Let’s get started!
Crowds – Best Time to go to Disney World
Walt Disney World is the single most visited vacation resort on the planet. And with an average annual attendance of over 52 million people, you should expect to encounter crowds on any given day of the year. Sorry – this is just a fact. However, there are certain times of the year with fewer crowds. So if your idea of the best time to go to Disney World is when there are fewer people to contend with, then here are a few tips.
Disney has recently introduced a surge pricing model for its theme park tickets. Ticket prices rise on a day-by-day basis as the demand increases.
Disney insists that this policy was instituted as a mechanism to even out the crowds throughout the year. But despite this new ticketing model, the normal seasonal patterns still remain in play for the most part.
Please refer to our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar (or our Disneyland Crowd Calendar) for up-to-date crowd predictions. Also, see our How to Plan a Disney Vacation page.
Weather – Best Seasons to go to Disney World

Florida is known as the sunshine state. But while everyone loves the sun, most people dislike the heat and humidity that often accompany the Florida sun. Plus, rain showers and thunderstorms are commonplace at Disney World during the summer months, and there’s even a remote chance of a hurricane in June through October. We would recommend that you pack an array of cooler-weather and wet-weather clothing in your luggage because Disney World weather can be unpredictable.
That said, Disney World experiences really great weather for most of the year. It’s rarely cold and snowstorms are unheard of.
As far as weather is concerned, we think the best time to go to Disney World Resort is during the spring and autumn seasons. Temperatures tend to be warm yet still quite comfortable for walking around the park. Humidity levels are lower than in the summer months and the UV index remains relatively safe. And for the record, winter isn’t so bad either. Summer is the only season that is routinely unpleasant because of the heat and humidity.
Cost – Cheapest Time to go to Disney World

Holiday Festivals and Seasonal Events

For many people, the best time to go to Disney World is during the holiday season. This is the time of year when the park dazzles with decorations and there is holiday cheer in the air. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party kicks things off in August – October and then Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes over for November and December. Popular non-holiday events include the extensive Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and the adult-friendly Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Let’s look at what each month offers at Disney World.

Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Visit Disney World
In conclusion, the best time to go to Disney World will depend on your personal preferences. It will depend on what your budget and timing allow. There is no universal “best time to visit Disney World” because everyone’s vacation goals and lifestyle realities are different.
That said, there are certain times of the year that have better weather and fewer crowds. This is quantifiable. Luckily, many of these periods are also less expensive.
We personally view September – Early December (minus Thanksgiving week) as the best time to go to Disney World, followed by the late winter through the short spring season. These time periods have favorable weather and fewer crowds. Just avoid school break weeks, if possible. At the end of the day, you’ll have to make your own determination as to what works best for you.
We would certainly recommend staying at a Disney Resort and checking out at least two of the theme parks. You really have to stay at least 3-5 days to get the full Disney experience. And if you can go for a full week – and hit all 4 theme parks (and a water park) – even better!
Hopefully, this information will help you make more informed decisions so that you’ll get the most enjoyment and value out of your trip. But whatever dates you pick, we are sure you’ll have a magical Disney World vacation!
Enjoy your trip!
We hope our Best Time to Visit Disney World has helped you decide the best week for your next vacation.
For more useful Disney World information, please review some additional pages on MagicGuides like our Animal Kingdom Restaurants, Best Magic Kingdom Rides, Best Hollywood Studios Rides, Disney Travel Agents, Disney World Youtube Channels, Disney World Map, and Adventures by Disney Reviews articles.
Thanks for reading and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!