When it is time to start planning your Walt Disney World dream vacation one of the first, and most important, decisions you are going to have to make is when is the best time to go to Disney World? Disney crowds can greatly affect the quality of your vacation and knowing what the crowd levels will be like can save you time and money!
There are many factors that come into play when Disney is going to have high attendance levels. Some of the biggest factors that can come into play with crowds are school calendars, holidays, Disney special events and many more.
Best Times to go to Disney World by Month
It is important to remember Disney is never NOT crowded, even with lower lines you will still have wait times for rides and may have a hard time finding reservations for dining.
This graph represents each month on a scale of 1-5, with one being the lowest crowds, and 5 being the highest crowds. Disney does not release official attendance numbers. This graph is based off holidays, school schedules, special Disney events, hotel and ticket pricing, and days Disney hits maximum allowed guests at parks.
Here is a list for each month of the year with what events may be going on and when the best time to go is.
January
January is a great time of year to visit Disney for many reasons. It is usually less crowded than most other months and in the beginning of the month they still have the Christmas decorations up! The busiest weekends will likely be New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. weekends.
Events going on in January:
- New Year’s Day
- EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts
- Walt Disney World Marathon
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Read Also: Disney World in January
February
February is one of the quietest times to visit Walt Disney World and is the month that has some of the lowest crowds. February is a great time go and skip the Florida heat! With cooler weather, you will want to make sure you dress warm and don’t forget your jacket for those firework shows.
The times it will be more crowded will be Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day Weekend. If you miss these times, chances are the crowds won’t be too heavy.
Events going on in February:
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
- Valentine’s Day Weekend
- President’s Day
Read Also: Disney World in February
March
March is the kickoff of spring break, so usually the second week of March it starts to get crowded quickly. With spring break lasting through April, the rest of March stays busy and will be crowded. March is one of the busiest months of the year to visit Disney. The weather in Central Florida is still chilly, and it is usually not rainy in March.
Events going on in March:
- EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
- Spring Break
Read Also: Disney World in March
April
April will start out busy, as spring break will still be going on. Spring break crowds usually are high through mid-April, then start to die down as spring breakers go back home and back to school. Easter is going to be a high-crowd holiday at Disney and will be a week you will want to avoid if possible. The end of April will be lower crowds and is the best time to go during the month.
Events going on in April:
- Easter Bunny meet and greet at Magic Kingdom
- EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
- Spring Break
- Easter
Read Also: Disney World in April
May
During May, the Disney crowds are at about moderate levels for most of the month. As the month goes on the crowds usually get busier and busier during the month of May. With Memorial Day at the end of the month, many people are wanting to start their summer vacations early and decide to go to Disney towards the end of the month.
This is also the last month before hurricane season, veteran Disney-goers may try to visit in May to avoid the harsh summer weather.
Events going on in May:
- EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
- Memorial Day
Read Also: Disney World in May
June
With schools letting out and summer starting, June is a month that has medium-high crowds. As the month goes on and more schools let out for summer, Disney Parks will gradually become more and more crowded. June 1st is the first day of hurricane season, so expect a daily afternoon shower.
Events going on in June:
- Schools let out for summer
- EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
Read Also: Disney World in June
July
July is the busiest time of the summer to visit Disney! July 4th is usually one of the busiest days of the year to visit Disney and that week is one you will want to avoid. The Florida summer heat can be hard to handle for many guests.
Events going on in July:
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (Dates the festival begins may change. In 2024 it starts in August, but in previous years it started in July.)
- The 4th of July
Read Also: Disney World in July
August
August is the month were the summer crowds finally start to slow down! As many people start going back to school Walt Disney World Parks become less crowded as the month goes on. In the beginning of the month the crowds are moderate-high, but by the end of the month the crowds are moderate-low.
Magic Kingdom usually starts their Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party select dates in August, but most visitors wait until October to attend. If you are looking at attend the party, August will be the time that will have the least crowds.
Many people also do not want to visit Disney because of the hot, rainy weather. August is the hottest month of the year in Central Florida. With the heat and the wet, summer weather, standing in line for rides or walking across the parks can be unbearable.
Events going on in August:
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- School starts back; crowds lessen over the month
Read Also: Disney World in August
September
The month of September is typically a great month to visit Walt Disney World! Labor Day Weekend you will find very high crowds, but the rest of the month is a great time to visit. The Central Florida weather is still hot, but it is usually starting to cool down a bit and the rain starts to lessen.
Select dates of September Disney will hold their Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. September is a great time to attend, as crowds are low most days. September is the perfect time to visit because it is right in between the summer crowds and the holiday crowds.
Events going on in September:
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Labor Day Weekend
Read Also: Disney World in September
October
October is the hidden gem of when to visit Disney. The crowds are typically low, the parks are “Disney Quality” themed in beautiful fall decorations, and the weather at Disney in October is perfect. October is a perfect time to come stroll the parks and enjoy the day at Walt Disney World.
Events going on in October:
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Halloween
Read Also: Disney World in October
November
The beginning of November has lower crowds, and as it gets closer to Thanksgiving, the crowds will become heavier and heavier. Disney starts their Christmas decorations near the beginning of November.
With the Christmas decorations and Christmas weather starting to come in, many guests who do not want to come for the Christmas crowd decide to visit in November. EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival also comes to an end in November.
Many guests decide to visit the festival before it comes to an end, so EPCOT can be extremely crowded around the last day of the festival. November also kicks off EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Events going on in November:
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Thanksgiving
Read Also: Disney World in November
December
December is by far Walt Disney World’s busiest time of the year. With holidays and schools being out, this is when many people decide to bring their families to Disney. Crowd levels are at their highest and many days the parks must stop accepting entry to the park because they meet their maximum number of allowed guests.
With the holiday season, many guests want to stop by to see the special holiday shows and parties. It is highly recommended you wait until January to visit, as Disney’s holiday décor is still up for you to see, and the weather is still great.
Events going on in December:
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Christmas
- Winter Break
Read Also: Disney World in December
Best Times to Visit Disney World for Smaller Crowds
Hotels typically have great deals and discounts during less busy times. Even ticket prices to Disney can be cheaper when they are expecting parks to be less crowded.
If you are looking to visit Disney with a smaller crowd level, the best months to visit the theme parks are:
January/February – (not during race weekend) has smaller crowds. After the holiday rush, the parks are quieter. This is a great time to to visit Epcot’s Festival of the Arts as well.
Late August – when summer breaks are over, and school goes back in session and the resort empties out.
All of September – especially after Labor Day the crowds are the lowest they will be all year long. This is why you will see free dining and extra promotions for the month of September.
Best Times to Visit Disney World for Good Weather
Spring – March to May has mild temperatures, typically ranging from the 70s to 80s. It’s also before heat and humidity of the summer kicks in. This is also the best time to enjoy the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.
Fall – Late September to Early November has slightly cooler temperatures in the 70s to 80s. The humidity is less than the summer months and is great for being outdoors to see the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Best Times to Visit Disney World for Lower Prices
Disney World uses a dynamic pricing system for their tickets, so ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. One-day, one-park admission starts at around $100 but can increase significantly during holidays or busy weekends.
For the lowest prices on tickets, consider visiting in the least busy times, like September, some of January and February.
Special offers on vacation packages, which include park tickets and hotel stays, are most common during these less-crowded periods. This is always going to be the cheapest time to stay on property as well.
Best Times for Adults to Visit Disney World
Disney is for adults too and can make for a great couples vacation and date night out. If you avoid the peak holiday periods and school vacations breaks, you will experience a more relaxed and adult-friendly Disney World visit.
Late April to Early May – Before the summer crowds arrive, you can enjoy mild temperatures and blooming gardens. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is in full swing, offering beautiful displays and unique dining options. This festival is a lovely one, and great way to learning about different plants you may want in your gardens at home.
Early September to Mid-November – The fall season brings low crowds and pleasant weather. Adults can enjoy the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, featuring global cuisine, wine tastings, and culinary demonstrations. Halloween events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party also add a fun, festive atmosphere if you like to dress up.
Early December -The parks are beautifully decorated for the holidays, but the crowds haven’t yet peaked. This time offers a magical experience with festive decorations, special events, and mild weather.
Best Times to Visit Disney World for Families
The summer months are some of the busiest times for Disney World. For many families that have their kids in school, or if you are a teacher, summer break may be the only time that you can take a big family vacation. It is not as busy as holiday weeks, and it is doable if you can handle the heat and you plan ahead.
The best times to visit Disney World for families are going to be during the low crowd months and the holiday season.
Late January to Early March – Cooler weather, fewer crowds after the holiday rush, and shorter wait times for attractions. The Festival of the Arts is an amazing festival for kids with tons of hands-on activities and kid friendly snacks.
March to May – Pleasant weather, lower crowds before summer vacation starts. Epcot International Festival of the Arts is beautiful and very educational as the kids can learn about different types of plants, see live butterflies in the butterfly tent, and learn about pollinator gardens and bird feeders.
Mid-September to Mid-November – Cooler temperatures, manageable crowds, and festive holiday events. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is amazing for families because you can dress your whole family up in matching costumes. Children that enjoy trying different kinds of foods will love the small plates and drinks at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Early December – There are beautiful holiday decorations in the parks as well as large, gingerbread house displays at the resort hotels. There are much lower crowds before the peak holiday season, and milder weather. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays are great for families to create some wonderful memories together.
Worst Times to Visit Disney World
Disney World is a magical place, until it isn’t! Weather and crowds can put a damper on your vacation, so you will want to try to avoid certain times of year to avoid stress and exhaustion.
When you travel to Disney during peak travel times and with heavy crowds, you may get stuck spending most of your day waiting in long lines, miss out on certain attractions, and find that prime dining reservations may be booked up.
To avoid avoid long lines, high prices, and crowded parks, consider steering clear of these peak periods; which are some of the worst times to visit Disney world.
Spring Break (Mid-March to Mid-April) – Many schools have their spring break during this peak season, leading to large crowds and higher prices. The weather is usually good, but the parks are very busy with long waits.
Summer (June to Mid-August) – Summer brings hot weather, high humidity (especially in Animal Kingdom). The temperature is usually in the 90s to 100s with heat warnings and very high humidity levels. Summer also means large crowds. Families flock to Disney World during school vacations, making it one of the busiest times of the year. Expect long wait times and higher ticket prices.
Hurricane Season (June 1st to November 30th) – Hurricane season starts in June and goes to the end of November, which is a great time to think about travel insurance. Mid-August to Mid-October has the highest number of hurricanes that would impact your trip so this is something to consider if you plan to visit in August, September, or October.
Holiday Weekends – A long holiday weekend, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July, attract large crowds due to the extra day off work and school. Prices are at their peak and their are higher crowd levels. Easter Weekend is also extremely busy as it usually falls around spring break, and there is a special Easter Parade at the Magic Kingdom.
Thanksgiving Week – The week of Thanksgiving sees a large spike in visitors. The parks are very crowded, and ticket prices are going to be higher. Thanksgiving Day can get as busy as Christmas day, and restaurants have special Thanksgiving dinners that book out extremely fast.
Christmas and New Year’s – This is the absolute busiest time of the year at Disney World. The parks are packed shoulder to shoulder, ticket prices are at their highest, and wait times for attractions can be extremely long. The Magic Kingdom will normally reach capacity level by mid day.
Holiday Festivals and Seasonal Events
Many people like to plan their Walt Disney World Vacation around the beautiful holiday festivals and seasonal events. These are busy times, but if you can go during the week and before holiday breaks you can have a wonderful time experiencing these amazing events and seeing the decorations.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
On select nights from august to October, enjoy Trick-or-treating, special parades, fireworks, character meet-and-greets in Halloween costumes and themed stage shows at Magic Kingdom.This is a ticketed event. August is the least busiest time for the Halloween celebrations.
You can also enter the park at 4pm for a chance to ride rides before the event starts. Party days also have the lowest crowds at Magic Kingdom before 4pm.
Read Also: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Worth it?
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
In Late August to Mid-November Epcot has global cuisine, wine and beer tastings, culinary demonstrations, live music, and special events during this popular festival. September is a great time to visit for lower crowds as long as it isn’t opening weekend.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
As soon as Food and Wine ends, the Festival of the Holidays begins in late November and goes through Christmas. There are Holiday traditions from around the world, seasonal food and beverages, the Candlelight Processional (a retelling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators) and holiday-themed entertainment and decorations.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
On select nights in November and December is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party special ticketed event. See a special holiday parades, fireworks, stage shows, snowfall on Main Street, complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, and character meet-and-greets in holiday attire.
Just like the Halloween party, you may enter the park at 4pm for a chance to ride rides before the event starts. Party days still have the lowest crowds at Magic Kingdom before 4pm.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Celebrations
In November to end of December there are many amazing shows such as: Sunset Seasons Greetings, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime spectacular, holiday decorations and special treats throughout the park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Holiday Festivities
From November to early January there is Animal Kingdom style holiday-themed decor and entertainment. You won’t want to miss the Tree of Life Awakenings – Holiday Edition, the Merry Menagerie beautiful hand painted puppets and kites you can interact with. There is also festive food and beverage offerings throughout the park.
New Year’s Eve Celebrations
On December 31st at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios there are:
Various parks, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios there are special fireworks displays, dance parties, extended park hours. Note: It gets extremely busy, but is a lot of fun.
Read Also: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Disney World
Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2025
You will want to keep in mind there are other factors you will want to consider when planning your trip to Walt Disney World. You will want to think about visiting during Hurricane Season, which will be hot and wet weather.
During off-season, many rides and attractions are closed for refurbishments. Every year one of the water parks are closed for refurbishments during the winter months. Make sure you check ahead of time to see if the attractions you are wanting to visit will be open.
So, when are you going to plan your next visit to Disney? Are you going to visit when the weather is cool and crowds are low in January, or when kids go back to school and summer is still here In September? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Read Also: When’s a Better Time To Go To Magic Kingdom?
1 comment
Kathleen A Church
I totally agree with this statement. I always bring my crew to Disney in September for one week starting Labor day Friday and stay until next weekend.