Magic Kingdom has the tagline of “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” and that can be applied to everywhere at Walt Disney World as it draws so many people from around the world for rides, food, and magical moments and memories you just can’t get anywhere else. However, some of those moments can be spoiled if you can’t even walk without being squished between hundreds of people or if you are melting from Florida’s hottest days. Disney World is crowded a lot, but some easy planning can make your trip so much more special and we’re here to help make that so.
This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about when you should be planning the perfect Disney World trip to avoid crowds, unbearably hot weather, and more. It will also dive deep into when you should buy tickets, what the best special events are that you don’t want to miss, and even a few secrets for the best times and ways to experience the parks.
Jump to:
- Best Time to Go to Disney World
- Best Time to Buy Tickets
- Special Events
- Best Months to Travel to Disney World
When Is the Best Time to Go to Disney World?
The best time to go to Disney World is when school is in session, when the weather isn’t too hot, when special events or festivals are taking place that interest you, when there are no holidays taking place, and during the week. While that may be a perfect storm of conditions that not everyone can manage, there are some tips we can send your way to help make your trip as enjoyable as possible no matter when you can go!
We very much recommend mid-January to the end of February, as that gets you good weather (although it's occasionally colder) and is sandwiched between winter break and spring break. March and April can be tricky as spring break brings with it tons of Disney trips, but the end of April until early June is also at the top of our list because the weather is getting perfectly hot without getting too bad and kids are back in school.
One of the absolute best times to go to Disney World is also the time between when the Thanksgiving crowd leaves and before winter break begins for schools. Not only do you get cooler but still hot temperatures and fewer people, but the holiday festivities begin, which include decorations, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
June, July and early August are tough as crowds increase despite the temperatures increasing as well, but the second half of August cools down in terms of people and temperatures. September and October are good, but October gets a bit busier as Halloween arrives.
November is another good month until Thanksgiving rolls around, especially because that’s when all the holiday decorations come in. As we mentioned before, December can be the busiest time of the year when school gets out, but that sweet spot earlier in the month is well worth a look.
Honestly, we know schedules are tough and that some families can only travel when school is out, and there are ways to make even the busiest times at Disney World a ton of fun. This guide will help give you some of those tips and tricks, as a small bit of planning can go a long way to making the best vacation ever.
When Does Disney World Have Reduced Ride Lines?
Weekdays are the best times to go to Disney World to avoid excessive line times, and it’s also best to avoid holidays and school breaks. If rides are one of your favorite parts of Disney World, it’s also worth looking into Disney World’s special ticketed events.
Alongside Disney After Hours at select parks, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are some of the best ways to ride your favorites over and over again. While these events usually don’t start until 7pm, guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm. What makes these events special is that they have limited tickets so the crowds will be less as the park closes down to all other guests on these select nights. In addition to rides, these parties also come with so many other things to enjoy, including special food, events, special themed character greetings, unique shows, and more.
If you are able to afford it, it’s also worth looking into Disney Genie+. The basic Disney Genie is a powerful tool that can show you all of your plans and tickets alongside giving you recommendations on things to do. It also features a tip board that shows estimated wait times, lets you order food for mobile pickup, make dining reservations, join virtual queues for certain rides and more.
However, if you want to take advantage of Disney’s latest iteration of a fast pass system, then Disney Genie+ is the option for you. Prices vary depending on the day, and can cost roughly $15-$30 per guest depending on the park and how busy they are. Once purchased, you will be able to choose a ride and get a time to enter right into its shorter Lightning Lane entrance. On average, this will let guests pick two to three rides or experiences per day, but you can get more on certain days.
For the newest rides, Disney World is using something called Individual Lightning Lane. This service can be purchased with or without Disney Genie+ and will let you pay a certain price to ride up to two rides that fall into this category per day. The prices can range from anywhere around $10 to close to $30. As of August 2023, some of the Individual Lightning Lanes include TRON Lightcycle / Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, or other select hotels can also enter the parks 30 minutes early. You can check out a full list of the participating hotels here.
When Is the Best Time for Cooler Weather at Disney World?
Florida is a great place to go to escape the cold that many parts of the world experience, but certain times during the year are so hot that they can make any magical day at Disney World much less so. Summers in Florida are obviously the worst, and June, July, and early August tend to see the highest temperatures.
August through November can be a tempting time to go to Disney World as the temperatures do start to go down, but it’s also hurricane season and that brings with it its own problems. So, the best time to visit Disney World for cooler weather and the least chance of a rainy day tend to be early December through early March. While there may be some cooler days in December and January, you should avoid a lot of the rainy days that could happen before December and when spring (and spring break!) arrives in March.
When Should You Buy Tickets to Disney World?
Guests can purchase tickets to Disney World months in advance or the day of, but there are a few things to consider when it's time to secure your tickets to Disney World. The theme park uses a dynamic ticket pricing system, which means tickets will go up or down in price depending on many factors that include holidays, special events, peak season days, etc. Luckily, you can keep an eye on those prices at any time.
For example, most days during the week in September 2023 for a 1-day 1-park ticket are currently $109. Weekends then surge to $134 or $144. In October, weekdays jump to $149 and weekends can get to $154. November and December are pretty similar, but the days nearest Christmas and Thanksgiving go all the way up to $159.
It’s important to note that you can save some money by purchasing more than one day at a time. You can save $20 per ticket if you purchase 3-day or longer tickets online compared to what you would see at the ticket window the day of. Speaking of which, while buying tickets online may be the most convenient, you can still purchase tickets at the parks themselves, albeit sometimes at a higher price and with lengthy lines.
Each standard ticket is only good for one park and, until January 9, 2024, you will need to make a reservation at the park you want to visit, whether its Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or EPCOT. This is also very important because parks do sell out during peak times, meaning you may not be able to get into the park you want if you arrive the day of without proper planning.
If you want to go to more than one park at a time, you can purchase a Park Hopper ticket. That being said, you do have to choose your first park with a reservation and you can’t enter another park until after 2pm. After that, you don’t need a reservation and can hop to your heart's content, unless they are at capacity.
When Can I Book Dining Reservations at Disney World?
Those planning on visiting Walt Disney World can (and should!) start booking their dining reservations up to 60 days in advance of your trip. For those who want to get some of the toughest spots, reservations usually go live at 6am ET for that 60th day, so make sure to set your alarms.
We know it can be hard to know exactly when you are going, but there is no penalty from booking your favorite restaurants in advance, as long as you cancel in time. It can vary, but most restaurants will let you cancel without a penalty within two hours of the reservation time. If you don’t cancel in time, you may be subject to a $10 per-person fee.
If you are planning a last-minute Disney trip or couldn’t secure a reservation for your favorite restaurant, we encourage you to download the My Disney Experience app or check Disney World’s Dining Reservations page and keep checking periodically, even on the day of your trip. People cancel certain reservations all the time that they booked just-in-case or if something pops up, and you can snag up some hard-to-get ones by using this strategy if you keep checking!
What Are the Best Special Events at Disney World?
Any trip to Disney World has the chance to be a truly special one, but there are certain events throughout the year that add even more magic to the day. While there are a lot of events, we wanted to share some of our favorites for you that will get you in the holiday spirit, unique and delicious food from around the world, reduced ride times, and so much more.
Disney After Hours
Disney After Hours are special evenings throughout the year that take place at one of Disney World’s four theme parks and get you three extra hours of Disney goodness. In addition to reduced wait times for attractions because regular guests are kicked out before the event begins, some parks take on a whole new life at nighttime (especially Pandora - The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom!) that gives you a whole new perspective on your favorite park.
As of August 30, 2023, Disney World is not offering any After Hours, but Disney After Hours at Epcot ran from June 1 to August 24. Soon, a new one will replace that.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is not just a wonderful way to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year, but it’s also a great way to experience Magic Kingdom with less people and so many themed experiences.
In 2023, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs on select nights from August 11 through November 1 and brings with it themed food and merchandise, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet.
Kids of all ages will also be able to get a special treat bag and go trick-or-treating around the park to get special goodies from all across Magic Kingdom. Oh, and guests are encouraged to come in costume and interact with their favorite characters who are also dressed the part.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins at 7pm, but guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Much like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a great way to celebrate the holidays while also enjoying Magic Kingdom without the big crowds seen during the day.
Alongside some remarkable holiday decorations, this special party also features Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration show, and more. Some attractions will also take on a festive theme and Disney characters will dress up for the occasion too.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins at 7pm, but guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm. In 2023, the party runs from November 9 through December 22.
EPCOT International Festivals
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January 13 through February 20 in 2023)
- EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival (March 1 through July 5 in 2023)
- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (July 27 through November 18 in 2023)
- EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (November 24 through December 30 in 2023)
EPCOT is really one of the best places to visit for foodies and those who enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as there are 11 countries guests can visit to experience a taste of their culture. While that’s amazing as it is, EPCOT also has festivals throughout the year that add even more flavor to your days.
There are more days that have festivals than don’t at EPCOT, but that just means there is always something to celebrate. Whether you love the arts, flowers and gardens, food and wine, or the holidays, Disney has you covered.
The Best and Worst Months to Go to Disney World
We’ve given you a quicker breakdown of everything you need to know about planning your Disney World trip above, and now we’ve reached the part of the guide that features more details about the pros and cons of traveling to the parks in every month of the year. We’ve also included the average high and low temperatures via VisitOrlando.com to help guide your decision!
January
Average Weather: (High: 71.2 Low: 49.2)
January is a great month to head to Walt Disney World, especially for those who live in parts of the world where it’s been cold for some time by then. However, there are a few important things to consider when traveling your Disney-themed January getaway. First of all, it’s best to let the New Year’s families have their fun and wait for kids to be back in school for the best experience.
Unless you can’t wait to participate, it also may be good to try and avoid the Walt Disney World marathon, as that will draw in a lot of families during one weekend of running fun. 2023’ Walt Disney World marathon ran from January 4-8 and 2024’s marathon will take place from January 3-7.
Crowds during Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend will also be greater, so that may be one time to avoid if you can make it work! In 2024, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is January 15.
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts begins in January, and that’s a really fun event to go to as it celebrates incredible artists and their work in visual arts, performing arts, and culinary arts. This means Epcot is filled with unique and special food options and beautiful art you can only see at this time of year! We don’t know the dates yet for 2024, but in 2023 the festival ran from January 13 through February 20.
Some days can get pretty cold for Florida standards, so some of the water-based activities may not be in the cards for some days. Also, be sure to bring the proper clothes/jackets just in case!
February
Average Weather: (High: 73.9 Low: 52.1)
February is another great month for those looking to escape the cold and don’t want to take the higher chances of rain dampening their Disney adventure when spring arrives. While kids are in school most of the month, President’s Day and Valentine’s Day can draw in some higher than normal crowds.
As mentioned in January, EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts continues on for most of the month (February 20 was the last day in 2023), so head to the parks to enjoy some special additions before the festivities come to a close.
March
Average Weather: (High: 78.0 Low: 55.8)
March is a wonderful time for families as spring break means no school and time for some special, memory-making vacations. Unfortunately, there are a lot of families and many of them can’t wait to fly, drive, and/or run to Walt Disney World. Disney World is still a blast during spring break, it is just recommended to really try to plan ahead for what you want to do, start making dining and hotel reservations as early as you can and take advantage of Disney Genie+ if you are able!
If you are planning a trip to Disney and want to avoid the spring break crowds, we’d recommend trying to go during the week, but March is going to be one of the busiest months. It’s also a problem because schools have different spring breaks, so the crowds will keep coming most of the month. Oh, and Easter also arrives in March and can bring more people as well.
As we mentioned though, there is still a ton of fun to be had even with the extra crowds, and guests will also be able to look forward to EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival. We don’t yet know the dates for 2024, but 2023’s festival took place from March 1 through July 5.
Guests can look forward to some great living sculptures of Disney characters in beautiful gardens around the park as well as special food options, live entertainment, exhibits, and much more.
April
Average Weather: (High: 82.5 Low: 60.0)
As the old saying goes, April showers bring more crowds? Or was it something else? Either way, the beginning of April is one of the busiest times for Disney World as some later spring breaks are still underway alongside some Easter vacations. That being said, the crowds will lessen as the month continues, so maybe try to plan for the second half of April if you want to have a less hectic Disney experience.
EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival continues on through the entire month of April, so that’s something to consider when planning if you’d like to enjoy the fun, beauty, and delicious treats it brings.
May
Average Weather: (High: 88.1 Low: 66.4)
May is another great option for a Disney trip as the weather is very nice and isn’t as hot as it will get during the summer months. In addition, kids are in school until the end of the month, so the crowds will be a little less until the gates are opened for summer break.
The end of the month also brings Memorial Day, and that whole weekend will see an influx of people as it's a big travel time for families.
EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival sticks around the entire month of May, as do the wonderful Disney living sculptures, the tasty food, and all the other good things it brings with it.
June
Average Weather: (High: 90.7 Low: 72.0)
June is not only one of the hotter months of the year, but it's also the time when schools let out for the summer. Despite the heat, many families flock to Walt Disney World to have a magical time, so crowds can get to be a bit much. If June is the best month for you and your loved ones, it may be best to try to go earlier in the month and/or during the week.
EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival is around all of June and will provide even more enjoyment for kids of all ages, so be sure to check out everything it offers and if it sounds good to you!
July
Average Weather: (High: 91.8 Low: 73.6)
July very well may be one of the worst times to go to Disney World, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a ton of fun to be had if everything is planned properly. July is in the heart of summer and will see most of the hottest temperatures of the year and a ton of families who have kids out of school.
July is a very fun month to visit, however, as it will not only see the ending of EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival (July 5 in 2023), but it will see the start of EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival.
For those unfamiliar, EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival is a celebration of the cuisine and wines from around the world. From July 27 to November 18 in 2023, guests will be able to taste and drink the many flavors of the world as they travel from country to country. It’s one of the best times to visit EPCOT, and can make the battle against the heat and crowds worth it!
August
Average Weather: (High: 91.6 Low: 74.1)
The beginning of August is still a very busy time for Disney World as school is still out for the summer, but the crowds do start to lessen as we get later into the month. The heat can still be an issue during August, but things can start to change for the better later on.
August is a fun month for Disney fans as the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival continues on and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party usually begins as well. In 2023, the Halloween festivities began on August 11 and will run through November 1.
September
Average Weather: (High: 89.5 Low: 72.7)
If you can make it work, September is one of the better months of the year to visit Disney. Despite the threats of high temperatures and storms, September’s crowds tend to be lower as school is back in session. Labor Day Weekend can be a problem, but most other times can be a joyous time to go.
September also has the benefit of having both EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party running throughout the month.
October
Average Weather: (High: 84.6 Low: 66.4)
October is another good month for Disney World, but there are a few holidays that can draw some big crowds, including Halloween and Columbus Day. October also sees a drop in temperature, which can cause more people to want to visit during these cooler days than the ones that came before.
Much like September, EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party both run throughout the month of October.
November
Average Weather: (High: 78.4 Low: 58.6)
We all know Walt Disney World is the most magical place in the world, but it gets even more magical in November when the holiday decorations go up. This can bring more crowds, especially at the end of the month as Thanksgiving rolls in, but it’s one of the best times to visit if you are looking to get in the holiday spirit.
While EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival ends in November (November 18 in 2023), EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays usually begins in this month as well (November 24 in 2023)! This brings candlelight processionals, holiday-themed food and beverages, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, and much more.
Some may be sad to see Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party end in early November (November 1 in 2023), many will be happy to know Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes its place shortly after. In 2023, this special ticketed event that runs just like the Halloween party runs from November 9 through December 22.
This party brings with it less crowds as it's a special tickets event, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, themed food and beverages, beautiful decorations, special character greetings, and so much more.
As with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins at 7pm, but guests can enter as early as 4pm. This special event also includes one of my favorite things in the entire world (yes, you read that right!) as Disney pumps in snow on Main St. after the fireworks show to add to the holiday spirit, and it is the true meaning of a magical moment.
December
Average Weather: (High: 72.8 Low: 52.4)
December can be one of the worst times to visit Disney World as people all over the world fly in for their holiday break to enjoy everything it has to offer, but it can also be one of the best. With Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, perfect temperatures, plenty of holidays,and more things drawing the crowds, it can be tricky to find days without a lot of people. That being said, there is so much to enjoy that it makes some of the troubles worth it, especially if you plan it properly.
There is also a sweet spot of time between when the Thanksgiving crowd goes home and schools get out for winter break that is the perfect time to visit. The crowds aren’t as bad and so many of the holiday festivities can be enjoyed without so many people. If you can make that time work, it really can be worth it.
Adam Bankhurst not only writes news, reviews, previews, features, and more for IGN, but he also helps run the homepage. Adam was born in Cleveland, OH, and now lives in Columbus with his incredible wife and 3-year-old son. He is an aficionado of all things Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, Nintendo, Final Fantasy, Mass Effect, and so much more.
