You’ve decided to take a trip to Walt Disney World, but now you have to figure out when you are going to go. There’s several factors you’ll want to consider to determine the best time of year to visit Walt Disney World.

There’s no denying that an empty park is much easier to navigate. It is also just overall a more enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, Walt Disney World doesn’t seem to have many low crowd seasons anymore. So when is the best time of year to visit Walt Disney World?

Crowd Levels

The parks in Walt Disney World are traditionally less crowded on the weekdays than on weekends. The crowd levels also tend to follow school break schedules. When the kids are out of school, there will be higher crowds in the parks.

These holidays bring the highest crowd levels, and should be avoided if at all possible:

New Years Day
Easter
Independence Day (July 4th)
Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Years Eve

The week of Christmas and the week of New Years are the two busiest weeks of the whole year!

The next busiest holidays are:

MLK Day
Presidents Day
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day

Spring Break

Spring Break is one of the busiest times in Disney World. The weather is great, and it often occurs close to Easter. From early March through the week of Easter, the parks will be very crowded.

Summer Break

The busy summer season kicks off starting with weekends in May. From Memorial Day through the beginning of August, the parks will have larger crowds. This is a very popular time to visit Walt Disney World because kids are on summer vacation.

Fall Break

Fall Break is not as intense as Spring Break, but you can still expect to see more crowds around the second week of October, especially around the three day holiday weekend for Columbus Day.

runDisney Marathons

RunDisney Marathon weekends bring in lots of racers. The parks will be jammed packed full of participants. If you are not participating in a runDisney event, then we suggest steering clear of these dates:

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
February 22-25, 2024

runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
April 18-21, 2024

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
November, 2024 (exact dates TBA)

Cheerleading Competitions

Another factor that affects crowd levels are cheerleading/dance competitions. There are multiple competitions taking place throughout 2024. Try to avoid these dates if at all possible:

February 2nd- February 4th
February 9th- February 11th
February 16th- February 20th
March 1st- March 3rd
March 9th- March 11th
March 24th- March 29th
May 2nd- May 5th

Least Crowded Times

Weekdays in January and February will have lower crowds and favorable weather. This is a great time to visit Walt Disney World before the spring crowds and events roll in.

The second half of April, minus runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend, through the middle of May is also a great to experience favorable weather and lower crowds.

The second half of August through September, minus Labor Day Weekend, is the slowest time of the whole year in Walt Disney World. This is also when you’ll find the cheapest park tickets and resort stays.

There’s two reasons why it’s not crowded this time of year. The kids have just started back to school, so it’s not an ideal time to pull them out for vacation. The number one reason is the weather. This is the hottest time of the whole year in Florida. While you might not have to fight the crowds, battling the extreme heat and humidity can present their own challenges.

Most of October, except around the second week for Fall Break, is a great time to visit the parks as well. The weather will start to cool off to a more manageable level and the crowds are less during this time of year. Plus, Fall is a beautiful time to visit Walt Disney World.

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Walt Disney World

Weekdays in November, except for the week of Thanksgiving, will have lower crowds as most people are waiting to travel for the holiday season. Temperatures will continue decreasing through November and you could even see a chilly day pop up here and there.

If you are wanting to experience the parks at Christmas time, the best time to go is on weekdays the first half of December. Again, a lot of people are waiting to travel during the holidays, leaving the parks less crowded. Plus, you can enjoy the holiday festivities and decorations!

Magic Kingdom Party Days

From August through December, Magic Kingdom hosts after hour parties for both Halloween and Christmas. Magic Kingdom closes early on party days, but a party day is the best day to visit Magic Kingdom! Because it closes early, a lot of guests will opt to schedule their Magic Kingdom day for a non party day, leaving the park almost empty! If you have two days in Magic Kingdom then we highly suggest scheduling one of those days for a party day.

Weather

Crowd levels aren’t the only factor to consider when deciding when to visit Walt Disney World. Weather also plays a huge role in this.

Heat

From the middle of May through mid October, the weather is going to be extremely hot and extremely humid! The heat index can reach well over 100 degrees. You will be doing a lot of walking in Walt Disney World, so keep the temperature in mind when choosing dates.

Humidity hits different if you are not used to it, so be prepared if you choose to visit Walt Disney World during the hottest times of the year. Cooling towels, portable mini fans, and lots of water are all necessities during the summer months.

Rain

Walt Disney World is located in central Florida, where it rains a lot. During the summer months, expect an afternoon shower almost every day. June through September is the rainy season for the area. Be sure to pack ponchos and water resistant shoes.

Hurricane Season

August through October is hurricane season for the area. The parks are typically less crowded starting the middle of August through September for a reason. Kids have gone back to school, but this is often the hottest part of summer and the most likely for a hurricane.

Expedition Everest Rainy Day — Expedition Everest on a rainy day

When deciding on the best time to visit Walt Disney World, various factors come into play. Summer and holiday periods usually see increased crowd levels, but other elements can also influence them. Weather conditions can significantly affect your Walt Disney World vacation, so it's essential to factor that in when planning your trip.

Now that you know the best times of year to visit Walt Disney World, it’s time to to start planning the rest of your Disney vacation. Our Walt Disney World Parks Planning Guide is the ultimate guide to crafting your perfect
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