Disney World Weather by Month
Weather can be unpredictable – here’s what you need to know about Disney World Weather by Month
Disney World weather can have a profound effect on your vacation. While nothing quite compares to visiting Disney when the sun is out, and the temperatures are mild, some Florida weather can be less than ideal. Rain, hurricanes, and tropical storms are always possible here, and these occurrences can “dampen” your plans. In addition, the summers often experience long periods of excessive heat reaching into the ’90s and beyond. The good news is that there are certainly more days during the calendar year when the weather at Disney World is anywhere from good to perfect. So how can you prepare for the unpredictable Orlando climate? This article will explain what to know about Disney World’s weather by month.
Disney World Weather Overview
Most people book their Disney World vacation months and months before their arrival. They plan every detail exactly how they want it and strive to make their Disney experience as perfect as possible. After all, most trips cost thousands of dollars, so who wouldn’t want it to be perfect?!
Unfortunately, the weather is one factor that is totally out of your control. And you won’t be able to simply change your vacation reservations at the last minute if you spot a poor 10-day weather forecast. However, you are in control of deciding which month to go, and you can base this decision on the historical weather patterns of the Disney World area.
Extreme Weather
Like the other parts of Florida, Orlando is prone to extreme weather like tropical storms and hurricanes. These weather events don’t happen every year, but when they do hit, you certainly don’t want to be caught outdoors for any length of time. (Read more about hurricane season at Disney World)
Disney does close outdoor rides during storms and rain events in order to protect its guests from lightning strikes.
Rain
Rain showers are a more frequent occurrence. Most of the rain at Disney is just a passing shower or sudden downpours. However, some rain events may last several hours or even several days. As sunny as the weather is in Florida, you would be very lucky to spend a whole week at Disney World without at least one rain shower or rainy day.
(See our Disney World Packing List page to find a poncho for your trip and our Disney Attractions for Rainy Days page to find the best theme park rides when the weather turns south)
Heat
Another weather factor you can almost certainly count on is the high heat and humidity during the summer months. Temperatures over 100 degrees are not out of the question during the months of June – September. These scoring temps can make you scramble to find the nearest air-conditioned building or grab your bathing suit and run for the nearest pool. Even so, you can have a wonderful experience at Disney World even when the weather is less than ideal.
The Upside
The upside is that most days at Disney World experience comfortable weather for outdoor activities, more so than in other parts of the country. In addition, certain times of the year are more predictable and storm-free. Spring and fall are the seasons with the best weather, whereas winter is cooler, and summer is obviously the hottest.
Month by Month Weather at Disney World
Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the historical weather patterns at Disney World:
January
coldest month; pleasant days, colder nights
- Average High: 72° F
- Average Low: 48° F
- Average Precipitation: 5 days, 2.67 inches
February
slightly less cold; nice weather for outdoor activities
- Average High Temperature: 74° F
- Average Low Temperature: 51° F
- Average Precipitation: 5 days, 2.37 inches
March
Spring begins, and flowers start to bloom
- Average High Temperature: 78° F
- Average Low Temperature: 54° F
- Average Precipitation: 5 days, 3.07 inches
April
Blooming continues, and the weather is generally pleasant, w/an occasional afternoon shower
- Average High Temperature: 83° F
- Average Low Temperature: 60° F
- Average Precipitation: 3 days, 2.43 inches
May
Moderate humidity and weather begins to heat up
- Average High Temperature: 87° F
- Average Low Temperature: 66° F
- Average Precipitation: 7 days, 4.17 inches
June
High heat sets in, and rain is more common
- Average High Temperature: 90° F
- Average Low Temperature: 72° F
- Average Precipitation: 11 days, 9.18 inches
July
Very warm, sunny, and rainy
- Average High Temperature: 92° F
- Average Low Temperature: 74° F
- Average Precipitation: 13 days, 7.21 inches
August
Warmest month and rain is common
- Average High Temperature: 91° F
- Average Low Temperature: 74° F
- Average Precipitation: 13 days, 8.38 inches
September
Remains hot, humid, and summer-like
- Average High Temperature: 90° F
- Average Low Temperature: 73° F
- Average Precipitation: 9 days, 5.88 inches
October
Autumn begins, temperatures moderate, and humidity lessens
- Average High Temperature: 85° F
- Average Low Temperature: 66° F
- Average Precipitation: 5 days, 3.07 inches
November
Splendid weather to be at Disney World
- Average High Temperature: 79° F
- Average Low Temperature: 57° F
- Average Precipitation: 4 days, 1.99 inches
December
Cooler but still quite nice
- Average High Temperature: 74° F
- Average Low Temperature: 52° F
- Average Precipitation: 4 days, 2.15 inches
Source: NOAA
Best Weather Seasons at Walt Disney World (Best Time to Visit)
As far as weather goes, the best time to visit Walt Disney World Resort is during spring and autumn. The weather during these seasons tends to be warm but quite comfortable for any outdoor activity. As a result, humidity levels are lower, and the UV index remains in a safe range.
Spring:
Spring is a beautiful time to visit Disney World. The trees are awakening, the flowers are blooming, and the lovely scents of nature are in the air!
The spring is short in Orlando, but it’s quite enjoyable because temperatures remain favorable throughout the season, with low temperatures ranging up to around 82°F. Disney World’s springtime experiences moderately low rainfall (mostly in the afternoon), relative humidity of around 50%, and the sun is strong for up to nine hours per day. With the favorable climate and magical blooming grounds, spring is unquestionably one of the best times to vacation at Walt Disney World Resort, FL.
Autumn:
Disney World weather is close to perfect in the fall. In fact, it may just beat out the spring as the single best season to visit Walt Disney World.
Like spring, Disney’s autumn season is short. It’s characterized by crisp air, mildly warm weather, and moderately lower rainfall. Tourists who want to avoid the hot summer weather will appreciate the milder temperatures of autumn and still have up to 8 hours of sunshine per day. However, nights typically cool off considerably, so it may be advisable to bring an extra layer or light jacket if you plan to extend your daytime activities into the evening and nighttime.
Worst Weather Seasons at Disney World (Worst Time to Visit)
Unfortunately, not all seasons at Disney are as agreeable as spring and autumn.
Summer, in particular, suffers from a double whammy because the park is more crowded when schools are on break, and the weather can become sizzling hot. The heat translates into crowded swimming pools and an uncomfortable time waiting in lines.
Winter experiences fewer crowds, but the temperatures are considerably cooler than at other times of the year. But for some, cooler temps are welcomed… so winter may not be so bad for those of you who can’t stand the heat. If crowds are our major concern, then please see our Disney World Crowd Calendar.
Summer:
Disney’s summer season extends from May through September. It’s characterized by warm – if not scorching – weather with mid-day temperatures reaching as high as 100+ degrees. Humidity stays relatively high even in the hot weather, with an average of 61%, while rainfall is at its peak, with an average precipitation of 6.4″. A noteworthy positive aspect of summer is the fourteen hours of daylight the park experiences.
Winter:
Disney’s winter runs from December through February. The highest average temperatures top out in the low 70s, and rainfall is lighter than in other seasons. With moderate temperatures, minimal rain, and humidity of around 59%, winter may be one of the better times to visit Disney World if you aren’t fond of the heat and don’t mind bringing an extra layer of clothing for the evening hours. Another added bonus: Winter tends to be the cheapest time to go to Disney World.
Winter does have a few drawbacks. Disney World tends to be a little on the cool side for the pools and water parks during this season (but that decision is up to you). In addition, there are fewer daylight hours, the park grounds aren’t nearly as beautiful as during the spring season, and the temperatures aren’t as ideal as during the beginning and latter half of autumn (still too hot or becoming too cool).
We hope that you’ve found our Disney World Weather page helpful.
For more helpful Walt Disney World vacation information, check our Disney Crowd Calendar, Best Magic Kingdom Rides, Best Animal Kingdom Rides, Adventures by Disney, and Disney World for Adults pages.
If you need help planning your trip to Walt Disney World, then please contact The Vacationeer. One of their friendly Disney travel agents can help you plan and book the most magical Disney vacation possible. Plus, their services are free of charge, and their assistance may prove to be invaluable.