Walt Disney World has so many exciting events throughout the year, but coordinating your schedule with the holidays and festivals, milder weather, and around peak season crowds can be tricky. This guide can help you choose the best time for your family to visit Walt Disney World.
SPRING (March 1 – May 31)
Crowd Levels: Spring is a hugely popular time to visit Walt Disney World. Spring Break crowds usually begin arriving around March 15 and remain fairly consistent through the end of April with a few weeks mixed in here and there with lighter crowds. Easter week, which falls in different weeks (and months) each year is often the busiest. May tends to be a good time to visit before the high temps hit and schools are out for the summer.
Weather: Warm but manageable. Avg high 72°.
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
When? Early March to early July
What is it? Stroll through the park and discover enchanting topiaries and gardens showcasing favorite characters. Nibble your way around the world showcase at the many outdoor kitchens, and enjoy the Garden Rocks Concert Series. Included with your park admission!
April 22 is Earth Day – Experience the magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and learn about Disney’s conservation efforts around the globe. Special offerings and PhotoPass photo ops are part of the celebration.
May the 4th – Diehard Star Wars fans flock to Hollywood Studios on May the 4th (as in, “May the Fourth Be With You!”). There aren’t necessarily any special activities in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, but you may have fun people-watching with other fans who have Star Wars running in their blood.
SUMMER (June 1 – August 31)
Crowd Levels: Because of the high temperatures, Summer tends to be less busy for the majority of the season. You will see crowds right at the start of summer vacation as well as around the July 4th holiday, but - for the most part - Summer crowds tend to be pretty manageable.
Weather: The hottest and most humid months of the year typically fall between June and September in Orlando, and July is usually the hottest and wettest month. While crowds may be a bit lower during these months, we recommend you enjoy a longer visit so you can build in down-time to relax out of the heat. Hurricane season starts at the beginning of August and runs through the end of November and can bring the potential for more storms. Avg high 82°.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – festivals at EPCOT are a huge part of the EPCOT experience, and the Food & Wine Festival is the most popular! Experience culinary delights from festival outdoor kitchens, and enjoy the sounds of some of your favorite artists during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. The festival usually runs from late July through mid-November.
Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Water Parks – splash into the fun during this 3-hour event after the park closes. The park is illuminated for this special, limited capacity event so you can enjoy your favorite water attractions, dance along to tunes spun by a dj, meet beloved characters, and savor special snacks and beverages.
FALL (September 1 – November 30)
Crowd Levels: As schools start back up, the crowds will start to wind down. October is one of the most popular months to visit as many schools have a Fall break and guests are excited for the upcoming holiday season, to include Halloween. Thanksgiving week is an extremely busy time of the year. If seasonal décor and events are the big draw for your family, Fall decorations go down and Christmas decorations start to come up within a few days of Halloween.
Weather: Hurricane season continues through the end of November with the potential for storms. Avg high 75°.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival continues and ends in mid-November.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
When? Mid-August through Halloween
What is it? This special ticketed after-hours event at the Magic Kingdom gives guests the opportunity to dress for the occasion with trick or treating around the park, your favorite characters in their not-so-scary costumes, rare appearances, special entertainment, and a Halloween-themed parade and fireworks. Select beverages and snacks are included.
Halloween – even if you don’t attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere with Fall decorations and seasonal treats.
Thanksgiving – a great time to visit, for sure, but be prepared for massive crowds during one of the busiest seasons at Walt Disney World.
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
When? Starting after Thanksgiving and running through December 30
What is it? Guests can discover the park filled with holiday enchantment from around the world! Special holiday outdoor kitchens and the Holiday Cookie Stroll will provide ample opportunity to sample foods as you stroll around the World Showcase. Enjoy the tradition of Disney’s Candlelight Processional where a special guest celebrity narrates the story of the birth of Jesus. All included with your admission!
Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When? Where Hollywood Glamour meets Holiday Cheer.
What is it? This festive ticketed after-hours party runs with limited events from mid-November to mid-December. It’s the perfect opportunity for guests to look dapper as they dress up and dance the night away!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
When: Mid-November through Christmas
What is it? This special ticketed after-hours event at the Magic Kingdom has guests meeting their favorite characters in their holiday best. Christmas cheer can be found throughout the park with a cookie trail, hot cocoa, photo ops, festive entertainment, Santa sightings, and a Christmas-themed parade and fireworks.
WINTER (December 1 – February 28)
Crowd Levels: The first two weeks of December are a great time to go to experience the holidays in between Thanksgiving and Christmas crowds. The week between Christmas and New Year’s is one of the busiest times of the year to visit. Once the holiday crowds start to clear out around January 6 or so, you can enjoy lighter crowds and milder weather.
Weather: With the holidays in full swing and temps starting to come down, this is a wonderful time to visit the parks. Avg high 61°.
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
When? Mid-January to mid-February
What is it? This celebration of the arts features guest artists and performers, fabulous food studios, and plenty of wonderful merchandise to bring home. Included with your park admission!
Holidays tend to be the busiest days of the year. Remember – if you are planning around your children’s school breaks, odds are that many school districts across the country will have similar breaks. If you plan to go during big holiday breaks, plan accordingly with an extra day or two to ensure you can check off all your priority attractions.
If you are looking for the best temps, weather – and Florida weather in particular – can be finicky. Aim for cooler months, especially when traveling while pregnant or with anyone who is heat-sensitive. Heat and humidity can zap your energy and motivation, so be sure to plan extra days so you can have pool or water park time and get a chance to rest.
You can make even the busiest or hottest season work by planning ahead, setting expectations and being flexible. No matter what....you're at Walt Disney World!
