While it is honest to say there’s actually by no means a foul time to go to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, some occasions are higher than others if you would like fewer crowds, cheaper costs or particular occasions. The predictable “sluggish season” that company loved 5 or so years in the past is a factor of the previous, and Disney continues so as to add extra (and longer) festivals and individually ticketed occasions that make the parks in style year-round. That stated, there are nonetheless methods to plan your journey to keep away from crowds and take advantage of your time at Disney World.
Related: 19 Disney World secrets and techniques that may add ‘pixie mud’ to your trip
Here’s when to plan your Disney World trip to benefit from higher costs, reasonable temperatures and fewer crowds.
Best climate at Disney World
This will shock completely nobody, however Orlando is sizzling, humid and stormy in the summertime, particularly from June by August. Temperatures usually sizzle within the 90s through the day, and humidity is thru the roof. Those components mix to create a warmth index that may simply exceed 100, in line with Weather U.S. You’ll get a break from the warmth most afternoons for an hour, however solely since you’ll be weathering showers and thunderstorms.
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If you need to keep away from this destiny, go to Disney World between October and December. By that point, you’re much less more likely to cope with day by day rain, and temperatures are extra reasonable. There are nonetheless loads of heat days, however summer time’s warmth and humidity have handed. You possible will not cope with the chilly (by Florida requirements) temperatures that are available January and February.
When to go to Disney World for festivals and particular occasions
Plan your go to round your favourite Disney World actions. Disney’s water parks are most interesting through the sizzling summer time months once you’d reasonably not sweat it out within the theme parks all day. Golf is greatest in spring and fall — except you are an early fowl who likes hitting the greens because the solar rises. If you need to see reside leisure like Cirque du Soleil’s “Drawn to Life,” you will need to verify the efficiency days and occasions when you are planning your journey. (The theater is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.)
Here are a few of the different particular occasions and festivals you’ll be able to sit up for throughout your go to.
Spring occasions
Learn new gardening methods, see detailed topiaries that resemble Disney characters, dine on recent and flavorful meals, and luxuriate in free concert events from a few of your favourite bands from yesterday and immediately on the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. It runs for 4 months, from early spring by the beginning of summer time.
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TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUYSummer occasions
Disney World has fewer summer time occasions. In current years, Walt Disney World has added extra individually ticketed after-hours occasions — similar to H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon and Disney After Hours occasions at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot — that allow you to take pleasure in extra time within the parks with fewer crowds. Check Disney’s web site for a full record of dates and ticket costs.
TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
The LGBTQI+ group holds its Gay Days gatherings in Orlando every June. This will not be an official Disney occasion, however it does draw tens of hundreds of excited guests and will increase day by day attendance on the Orlando theme parks.
Fall occasions
Culinary fans ought to time their visits with Epcot’s annual International Food and Wine Festival. This competition options international foods and drinks stands, free concert events and extra. It spans practically 4 months, beginning in late July and ending in mid-November.
Over at Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party runs from August till Halloween. This after-hours, individually ticketed occasion can promote out, particularly for opening night time and dates nearer to Halloween; do not wait to get tickets if you wish to see Mickey and Minnie of their spooky costumes.
COURTNEY KEIFER/DISNEYWinter occasions
Starting the day after the ultimate Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney magically transforms in a single day from a spooky vacation spot to a winter wonderland. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on the Magic Kingdom is a good way to get into the vacation spirit.
This get together is a ticketed occasion on the Magic Kingdom that runs from early November by Christmas. Disney additionally embraces the vacation spirit on the after-hours Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. Additionally, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays provides a number of international incarnations of St. Nick, plus a nightly Candlelight Processional.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
As the vacations begin to wind down, you’ll be able to go to the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. This is Epcot’s shortest competition, normally working from mid-January by late February. You can expertise artwork in lots of types, together with musical performances, lifelike chalk drawing, an artwork honest and interactive picture ops.
Disney World crowd calendar“It’s a small world.” TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
It’s unattainable to utterly escape the crowds at Disney World. Its 4 theme parks obtained roughly 48.7 million guests by the turnstiles in 2023, in line with the Theme Index and Museum Index of the Themed Entertainment Association. That’s not even together with people who present up just for the golf, water parks, procuring, eating, spas, leisure and conferences. The Orlando space, in whole, obtained roughly 74 million guests in 2023 alone.
Related: Is a Disney World annual cross price it?
On massive holidays — similar to Christmas, Independence Day and New Year’s Eve — Disney World will get so packed that the Magic Kingdom (probably the most iconic of the theme parks) can attain most capability. The sister parks — Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot — draw hordes, too, although to not the identical extent. You’ll possible wait longer for rides, meals and character encounters.
Magic Kingdom on Independence Day. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
If you do go to on a vacation, attempt to go to a park apart from the one the place the principle celebration is being held. For instance, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot maintain particular fireworks exhibits on the Fourth of July; for those who go to Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios on these days, you’ll most likely see fewer crowds and shorter wait occasions.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Although it is not all the time possible, attempt to go to when most youngsters are at school to keep away from the largest crowds.
The supreme occasions are weekdays after Thanksgiving break and earlier than households descend for winter break within the week or two earlier than Christmas. The climate will likely be cooler, and the traces will likely be shorter than at different occasions of the yr. Also, the weeks after Labor Day however earlier than college breaks start within the fall could be good occasions to keep away from crowds. (Just know that September climate continues to be steamy in Orlando.)
Other less-busy occasions could be in late January and early May — once more, particularly through the midweek days earlier than and after most college spring breaks.
Cheapest days to go to Disney WorldTARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
Disney World ticket costs range by park and date. If you go to through the week of Christmas, you will pay between $174 and $199 per individual for a one-day ticket to Disney World. If you go to in August or September, you will pay considerably much less. On a number of dates from mid-August by late September, tickets to one in every of Disney World’s 4 theme parks vary from $119 to $154.
Related: These are the most cost effective days to go to Disney World in 2025
Other occasions of yr when you will discover ticket costs on this vary embrace most of January and February (minus any college holidays) and late April and early May earlier than college will get out for summer time break. These aren’t fairly as low-cost as August and September, however there are days when you’ll be able to go to Animal Kingdom and Epcot for lower than $160 per day. Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are usually a bit costlier.
Cheapest occasions to fly to Orlando
It’s not surprising that the most cost effective occasions to fly to Orlando coincide with the most cost effective days to go to, in line with statistics from the flight search engine Skyscanner. You’ll discover the most cost effective fares from March by August, with costs leaping in September and all through the autumn and winter holidays.
Related: 11 methods to search out low-cost airfare
SKYSCANNERWhen resort costs are decrease
Disney has greater than 25 resort resorts that provide perks, similar to prolonged theme park hours and complimentary transportation to and from the parks.
Walt Disney World’s worth resorts, similar to All-Star Sports or Art of Animation, supply costs that may begin at or round $200 per night time through the slower season once you benefit from seasonal resort reductions. Even these worth resorts can see charges climb increased than $350 per night time throughout peak season.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
If you have got your eye on a deluxe resort — similar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Contemporary or the Riviera Resort — costs begin at round $400 per night time through the sluggish season; they’ll soar to greater than $1,000 per night time throughout peak intervals. You can save as a lot as 40% or extra for those who lease Disney Vacation Club factors to ebook your room, although.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUYBottom line
You could not have whole management over once you go to Disney World. However, for those who can think about Disney’s slower and cheaper occasions in addition to the particular occasions you need to expertise, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a magical trip with fewer crowds and extra money in your pocket.
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