Are you looking for the best times to visit Disney World this year?
Planning a visit to the happiest place on Earth is always an exciting experience.
And finding the best deals, tips, and tricks to make each theme park adventure is everything ThemeParkHipster is about.
So today I will give you the top strategies and ways to pick the best timeframe to visit Mickey Mouse and all of his friends!
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Best Days to Go to Walt Disney World at a Glance:
- The best months to visit Walt Disney World to avoid the crowds are:Late-January and Early-February
- Your best days to visit Walt Disney World are:Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Be sure to avoid all major holidays such as:Memorial Day,4th of July,Labor Day Weekend,Halloween,Thanksgiving Day,Christmas Eve,Christmasand New Year’s Eve
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to choose the best days for Walt Disney World like a pro!
What to Expect in the Disney Guide show
Things to Think About When Choosing When to Go to Walt Disney World
Holiday peaks, Disney crowd sizes, park hours, weather, and a few other factors have a lot to do with your Disney experience, including how long you’ll be waiting in line for your favorite rides.
Here are a few tips to get you started on picking the ideal times to travel to Disney alone, or with friends and family.
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6 Easy Tips for Picking the Best Time to Visit Disney World
Let’s first start off with some pro tips for choosing the best dates for Disney World.
1. Avoid All Holidays
If you’re a solo traveler, this one’s especially for you.
Avoiding the Disney Holiday crowd (especially in November and December) means shorter lines and less traffic.
For parents, this can be a bit tricky. Taking your kids to Disney World sounds like the best gift ever!
The only issue is every other mom and dad has the same exact idea.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t take your kids to Disney for Christmas season or any other holiday for that matter; it just means you’ll need to be prepared for a lot of company.
2. Avoid Peak Seasons
The winter season (Christmas and Thanksgiving breaks especially) as well as spring break and the general summer season are all pretty popular times for the parks.
If you don’t mind long lines and you feel welcome in large crowds, this may not be a deal breaker for you.
Otherwise, I recommend checking out the chart below that compares the months of the year by seasonal weather and crowd size.
Listen to Podcast Episode: If you’re more of a podcast person, then listen to When to Go to Walt Disney World here.
3. Know What are the Best Times to Go to Disney
You’ll notice that January has crowd sizes ranging from low to moderate, while March has crowd sizes ranging from Moderate to High (mostly due to the influx of Spring Breakers).
While you’re planning that perfect day to go, don’t forget todownload the official Disney World Crowd Calendarto view the crowd level of each day!
Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World
- January
- February
- April
- November
These months are closely followed by May, September, and October as still pretty decent visiting times.
Worst Time of Year to Visit Disney World
- June
- July
- August
December and March aren’t too bad, especially since December is typically a very festive time for the theme parks.
Recommended: 5 Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts to Stay at Right Now
The Florida Weather at Disney World
Florida is mostly filled with perfect weather; however, there are moments when I question my sanity of living here.
Summertime in Florida is like no other state, especially for theme park goers.
If you’re a resident of an area that experiences all four seasons with mild summers, then you will definitely be taken aback by the hot, humid, indescribable weather that Florida is known for.
The weather can truly affect your choice when deciding what season to visit the parks.
You’ll want to be prepared for surviving the Disney heat, but don’t worry I have some summertime survival tips here.
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Best Month to Visit Disney World in 2024
Before you make you way out to Walt Disney World, let’s breakdown the pros and cons of each Month.
January in Disney World
Gorgeous weather (temps around 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and lower crowd level makes January a top month to visit the parks.
January is one of the last remaining months considered to be the off-season with Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach usually closed for refurbishment.
Overall, lateJanuary is one of my favorite times to visit the Disney parks.
Disney January Events:
- Epcot International Festival of the Arts
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
January Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday
- Opening weekend of the Epcot Festival of the Arts
WATCH: Rating Everything I Ate at Epcot Festival of the Arts! 🧁🤩🥂🥨
February in Disney World
February is still a slow month with mild weather and is usually better than January in regards to crowd level.
The Disney water parks may still be closed during this time.
Disney February Events:
- Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon Weekend
- Black History Month
February Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Presidents’ Day
- Valentine’s Day
WATCH NEXT: Top 5 BEST Quick Service Restaurants at Epcot!
March in Disney World
In March, temperatures are starting to warm up, but still manageable. Park attendance begins to pick up this month, but not as bad as summer months.
Disney March Events:
March Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Daytona Bike Week
- Easter (if it falls in March)
- Local School (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Polk, Volusia, and Lake Counties) Spring Breaks
- Opening weekend of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
April in Disney World
Temperatures continue to rise peaking around the mid-80s during the month of April.
The crowd level is still mild to moderate due to the last of the spring breakers.
Disney April Events:
- Earth Day at Animal Kingdom
April Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Spring Break days
- Easter (if it falls in April)
May in Disney World
The season of thunderstorms and downpours starts in May.
Not to mention the introduction of the torturous Florida humidity and heat peaking in the 90-degree Fahrenheit range.
Crowds are usually moderate during this time since it’s the month prior to theme park tourist season.
Disney May Events:
- May the 4th (Star Wars Day)
May Days to Avoid at Disney World:
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June in Disney World
This is the month to have your patience ready as the tourist season kicks into full gear along with the never-ending Florida sun rays and constant rainy days.
It’s during this time that water, sunscreen, sunglasses, an umbrella and a well-ventilated hat are a must!
Disney June Events:
- Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
June Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Days after mid-June (school release for summer break)
Recommended: The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide
July in Disney World
This is one of the busiest times at Walt Disney World. Not only are most kids out of school, you have to deal with one of the major holidays in America, which is Independence Day.
The parks are opened much longer during July, but you still have to fight the crowds and the unforgiving Florida sun.
Hipster Power Tip: Take a break midday after 12 p.m. to avoid the most dangerous U.V. rays from the sun and return towards the evening after 5 p.m.
Disney July Events:
- Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios
- Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
- The Epcot Food and Wine Festival
July Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Independence Day
- Opening weekend of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
August in Disney World
Believe it or not, by August temperatures are still rising in Florida which makes you feel miserable being outside.
The crowd level is still heavy with a dip coming towards the end of the month as kids head back to school.
Disney August Events:
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
August Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- The first two weeks of the month
September in Disney World
In the early part of September, lines began to die down only a little bit.
The weather in September is the same as August, so come prepared as if you’re visiting Florida in the middle of summer.
Plus, it can also be a peak month for hurricane season.
Disney September Events:
September Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Labor Day Weekend
October in Disney World
During the month of October, the Florida weather starts to cooperate…well, slightly. Days may start off cool (in the mid-60s) and end pretty warm (in the upper-80s).
This is one of the best times to book a trip to Walt Disney World!
You’ll be able to see all of the fall décor lining the famous Main Street U.S.A. of the Magic Kingdom theme park.
The crowd levels tend to pick up mid to late October as everyone gets in their quick Epcot Food and Wine Festival visits.
Disney October Events:
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
October Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Halloween
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November in Disney World
The month of November is my favorite time to visit the Disney parks (mainly because it’s my birthday month).
Not only do you get to see the Epcot Festivals and the Disney Christmas décor all in one month, the weather is absolutely gorgeous in Florida.
Perfect mild days complete with cool evenings are the ideal formula for an amazing theme park day.
Disney November Events:
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
November Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Thanksgiving Week and Weekend
Watch Next: 5 BEST Rides at EPCOT You Can’t Miss!
December in Disney World
The month of December in the magical Walt Disney World Resort is the idea time to visit the parks.
Only problem is that everyone wants the same enchanted experience for the holidays.
The parks are decked out in holiday cheer and the Florida weather is oh so dear.
If you must attend in December, then I recommend coming during the first two weeks of the month as these dates are still fairly quiet at the parks.
Disney December Events:
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
- Holidays at Disney Springs
- Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios
- Resort Hotel Holiday Decorations
December Days to Avoid at Disney World:
- Last two weeks of December
- Christmas Eve and Christmas
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
If you’re planning a December Trip, you’ll probably just have to weigh-in on whether it’s more important to you to avoid really big crowds, or for you to join in on the Holiday Fun.
Even with this guide, sometimes running into a sea of visitors is unavoidable. There are constant field trips and sometimes just a random influx of visitors.
For times like these, I wanted to share a few more tips to make the best of a situation where beating the crowd isn’t possible.
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4. Book Your Genie+ Reservations
Each morning if you want the “skip-the-line service,” simply log in to your My Disney Experience App andpurchase the Genie+ feature.
The Genie+ Passes are a great time saver and even more helpful during peak seasons.
So, even if you find yourself in the park with tens of thousands of other people, you can still avoid those long twisted lines.
Join the Conversation on theSolo Theme Park Traveler’s Community on Facebook!
5. Use Mobile Ordering For Food
Any day you’re at one of the theme parks, you can plan your meals ahead of time using Disney Mobile Ordering.
Like Genie+, it allows you to plan your day first so you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the magical experience.
It’s for same day service only and includes beverages.
You can access the Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering service from the My Disney Experience App.
If you’re not familiar with the feature, I have a pretty detailed article and step-by-step guide here.
6. Make Reservations to Special Events and Restaurants Early
Reserving your seat at special events and highly-coveted restaurants is always a good idea, and Walt Disney World is certainly no exception.
Because the parks are so large, special events book quickly, and the better restaurants fill just as fast.
In the article The 35 Best Walt Disney World Tips, I cover how you can use the My Disney Experience app to get into special events that are otherwise difficult to book.
Just check the app on the site around 7 a.m. and try your luck. You might not get in, but it’s definitely worth a shot.
With the app, I was able to get into the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and a beverage seminar that was booked for a full month!
These are just some of the ways get around thick crowds and the infamous Disney theme park lines.
WATCH: The 5 BEST Snacks at EPCOT You Must Try on Your Visit! 🧁🍕🥂🥳
What to Know Before You Go to Walt Disney World
Before when end this podcast episode, let’s go over some of the most common questions I’m asked.
How much does Disney World cost?
A one-dayREGULARseasonDisney World ticketstarts at $109* (prices do fluctuate based on the season).
What day of the week is best to go to Walt Disney World?
Tuesday is the best day of the weekto have your BEST solo Disney day. If Tuesday doesn’t work, Wednesday and Thursday are good as well.
What is the best month to visit Disney World?
Because of the low crowd level and perfect weather, January is the best month to visit the parks.
What are the off seasons for Disney World?
Honestly, I cannot say that there are off seasons at Walt Disney World.
Keep in mind that this is the top tourist destination in the world, which means people are always planning a vacation here despite the time of year.
What I will say is that January to early March tends to be the least crowded time at Disney World?
What are the best Disney resorts for Solo Travelers?
- Swan and Dolphin Resort
- Encore Resort(perfect if you’re meeting family or friends later)
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort
- Coronado Springs Resort
- POP Century Resort
Recommended: Where to Stay in Orlando: Top 10 Hotels and Resorts for ALL Budgets
What rides at Disney World have Single Rider Line?
The Magic Kingdom currently does not have any single rider attractions.
While planning out your day, you’ll want to have your Genie Plus Reservations booked as mentioned earlier in this guide and arrive early to the park.
Disney World Single Rider Attractions
- Test Track – Epcot
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Hollywood Studios
- Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run – Hollywood Studios
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My Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Time to Go to Disney World
When planning a trip to Disney, choosing the perfect day shouldn’t be complicated. I hope I was able to help guide you with some of my best tips.
Let’s quickly review all the tips for understanding the Disney World Crowd Calendar.
How to Pick the Best Days to Visit
- Avoid ALL holidays
- Avoid peak seasons (summer time, spring break, and Christmas break)
- Know when to visit Disney World
- Book Genie Plus Reservations as soon as you can
- Use mobile ordering for food
- RSVP to special events or restaurants early
Let me know your favorite month is at Walt Disney World in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, andawriter who lovesALL thingsamusem*nt park related!
Traveling alone to the parkshas changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
Planning a trip soon? If so, read theDisney Vacation Planning Guidefor your next dream trip!
(Original Article Date March 13, 2018/Updated January 18, 2024)
