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Disney World Crowd Calendar

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar helps you find the best times to visit Disney’s theme parks in 2024 and 2025. Lower crowd levels mean less time waiting in line and more time enjoying your vacation. Walt Disney World crowds fluctuate throughout the year, so it’s really important to choose your dates carefully.

We’ve designed our crowd calendar to show you just how crowded Disney’s theme parks will be each day of the calendar year.  We predict Disney’s theme park attendance for the next 12 months so that you’ll be able to narrow down the months, weeks, and days of your next vacation. Our Disney crowd calendar updates on a monthly basis and currently features the remainder of 2024 and portions of 2025. Check back frequently!

How do we forecast the crowds at Disney World? Our methodology tracks past attendance data in order to predict future crowds at Disney’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Hopefully, these estimates will help you focus on the dates that best suit your Disney vacation goals in the coming year. So let’s begin!

Want Free Help Deciding When To Travel? Get Personalized advice from Our Favorite Disney Travel Agency!

• Animal Kingdom » [3]
• Magic Kingdom » [4]
• Epcot » [3]
• Hollywood Studios » [4]
• Magic Kingdom » [3]

Calendar updated through June 2025

* Guests ages three and up with certain ticket types may be required to have a park reservation in addition to valid admission for the same park.

** Advance Dining Reservations become available to book starting at 6 AM on the date indicated.

***  COVID-19: Face coverings are optional for Guests, but are not allowed while Guests are in the water or on water slides.

The Disney World Crowd Calendar provides information on crowd sizes, updated information regarding the average daily temperature ranges for Orlando, and when you are eligible to make your Advance Dining Reservations. Let’s review some background information so that you understand how our crowd calendar is organized.

We trust the Travel Agents at  The Vacationeer  for all of our Disney travel planning needs. 

We hope you’ll consider working with them too, what is a crowd calendar.

The best time to go to Disney World depends on many factors, including the weather, which time period fits into your busy schedule, and, of course, how crowded the theme parks will be. After all, who likes waiting in long lines when you could be enjoying the rides?

Crowd calendars predict how busy a theme park will be on any given day of the year. By using data compiled from recent years, Disney crowd calendars help us determine which theme parks will have the shortest lines and which parks will have the longest lines.  While not every traveler has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, this can still be a valuable tool. Knowing what to expect will allow you to plan accordingly and help you to maximize your Disney experience.

Rating System for the Disney World Crowd Calendar

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar uses a rating system from 1 to 5 for each of the Walt Disney World theme parks. We compile this information using historical data from the past several years. Our rating system also takes variable factors (like seasonal events and new in-park openings ) into account. While ride refurbishments and temporary closures don’t necessarily influence crowd levels, they are usually scheduled during slower times of the year.

Please note that past attendance figures are not always reflective of future attendance, and there may be slight differences between our prediction and the actual crowd sizes. We do our best to give you the most up-to-date and accurate predictions so that you may know what to expect when you arrive at Disney World.

Ratings based on Park Attendance:

1 = Light Crowds ( minimal lines ) 2 = Below Average Crowds 3 = Average Crowds 4 = Above Average Crowds 5 = Heavy Crowds (long lines)

How the Disney Crowd Calendar is Organized

Let’s look at how we’ve set up this valuable trip planning tool.

Crowds at each Disney Theme Park

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar predicts the crowds at Walt Disney World for every day in the next 12 months. Our estimates are broken down by Disney World theme park: Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom.

Weather at Disney World

Orlando, Florida is known for its nice weather . That said, there are some seasonal differences that you may want to take into consideration when booking your Disney vacation.  For example, August is historically the warmest month while January is the coldest. July is typically the wettest month and June has the most sunshine hours.

We list the average temperature range for each day of the calendar year. This will give you an idea of what to expect (and what clothes to pack) when you vacation at Walt Disney World.

Dining Reservations

Our Disney Crowd Calendar lists the specific date you will be eligible to make your Advance Disney Reservations.

Guests can book their dining reservations up to 60 days in advance (starting at 6 AM on the date indicated in the calendar).  The Disney Crowd Calendar lists the specific date you should start booking your Walt Disney World dining reservations.

Newbies are often surprised by the lack of dining availability once they get to Disney World. You shouldn’t expect to just walk into a full-service restaurant at Walt Disney World and get seated right away. It usually won’t happen.

It’s why it’s imperative to book your reservations well in advance to ensure your spot at some of Disney’s outstanding dining establishments. Certain restaurants are more difficult to book, and traveling at peak times means there will be more demand for full-dining options. We recommend that you book your Advance Dining Reservations as soon as you are able (60 days out).

The Disney Reservation Calculator is another tool you can use to find the dates you will be eligible to make your dining reservations.

Do you need help booking your Advance Dining Reservations? How about some advice on where to eat? Contact the Disney travel agents at The Vacationeer today.  There’s no charge to use their planning services!

Get Free One-On-One Help Planning Your Trip

When is Disney World Least Crowded ?

Walt Disney World’s parks are typically least crowded:

• January 2 nd until just prior to Presidents’ Day week (third Monday in February)
• The week after Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week
• The week following Thanksgiving weekend until the week prior to Christmas .

The reasons for this are that parents typically plan Disney World vacations around two major factors, school schedules, and Summer heat.

Labor day is typically around the time U.S. schools get their year started, so the month or so after that is the least crowded time of year.

July and August can also be good times to go if you don’t mind the typically higher heat and humidity.

When is Disney World Most Crowded ?

Walt Disney World parks generally experience their highest attendance around:

• Presidents’ Day week (third week in February)
• the Spring Break period from mid-March through late April
• Memorial Day weekend, Summer (mid-June through Labor Day)
• Thanksgiving week
• Christmas week through January 1 st
• Weekends are typically more crowded than weekdays
• When it comes to weekdays, Mondays and Fridays tend to be slightly more crowded than Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

How bad are the crowds at Disney on a “most crowded” day versus a “least crowded” day?

The difference between a “least crowded” day and a “most crowded” day can be significant.

What are crowds like on Least Crowded days?

On the least crowded days at the parks, you might find that you’re able to walk straight through the line for at least a few of the rapidly-loading rides in the parks.  Many middle-tier rides will have waits around 10-15 minutes, with the most popular attractions like roller coasters having waits of around 30 minutes.  Dining is usually easy to obtain, with short waits for quick service dining and even the ability to get same-day reservations at some table service locations.

What are crowds like on Most Crowded days?

During the parks’ most crowded days, even quickly loading rides routinely show wait times of 15-45 minutes.  60+ minute waits for the most popular rides are not unheard of.  Fortunately, the implementation of theme park reservations and other entry restrictions has eliminated many of the nightmare scenarios we used to see, such as 3-5 hour waits on Christmas Day or New Years Eve.   Dining can also be a bit more challenging on crowded days, with longer waits (and occasionally having to “hover” to snag an empty table) at some quick service restaurants during peak lunch and dinner hours.  Same-day reservations at table service restaurants may not be available.

Should I avoid the parks on Most Crowded days?

All of the scenarios listed above are just representative samples.  Individual days have their own individual quirks; you might have shorter than expected waits on a “most crowded” day or longer than expected waits on a “least crowded” day.

It’s obviously best to plan your trips during less crowded times whenever possible, but we all know that it’s not necessarily possible due to work and school schedules.  If you do find yourself traveling during a more crowded time, you’ll still have a good time on vacation.   You’ll just want to plan ahead and take advantage of all the tools at your disposal – extended park hours, advance Park Pass reservations (when required), advance dining reservations, Genie/Genie+, our Disney World Crowd Calendar, and the like – to make the most out of your time in the parks.

If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, then please contact the Disney Travel Agents at  The Vacationeer . Their services are always helpful and totally free of charge. Call 833-4MY-TRIP  (833-469-8747) or click the button below for a free, no-obligation price quote today!

When are the best days to visit Walt Disney World?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on many factors, including the weather, each traveler’s busy schedule, and, of course, how crowded the theme parks will be.

Our Disney travel planning experts regularly analyze past park attendance data, special events, attraction openings/closures, travel trends, weather, and many other elements in order to forecast and predict future crowds at Disney World’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

We’ve taken some of this data and compared the average temperature predicted on each day to the predicted crowd level. Temperature range (F) and average crowd levels were converted to scores between 1-5. Temperature and crowd scores were then weighted and converted to a total score out of 100 to reveal the best days to visit each park. The best days to visit each park were determined based on the combined score.

According to the crowds-to-weather score, there are a few particular days to visit each park at Walt Disney World over a 12-month period which tend to offer the best balance. The data revealed that Magic Kingdom, for example, historically has three days to visit for the best crowds-to-weather ratio: October 26th, 31st, and November 1st. In comparison, Epcot has six perfect days (October 24-26 and 31, plus November 1 & 2).  Hollywood Studios has 5 (October 24-26 and 31, plus November 1). And Animal Kingdom has the most, with 12 (October 23-27, October 30 – November 3, and November 7-8). Interestingly, the dates are similar for each park, highlighting that the last week of October is the best week to visit Disney World.

Of course, crowd levels can vary from year to year, and weather can most certainly depart from averages.

So why pay attention to these scores? MagicGuides Editor Jaimie Michaels explains:

“By using data compiled from recent years, Disney crowd calendars help us determine which theme parks will have the shortest and longest lines, to discover the best times to visit the parks for fewer crowds and beautiful weather. While not every traveler has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, this can still be a valuable tool for all, as knowing what to expect will allow you to plan accordingly and help you to maximize your Disney experience.”

Still concerned about crowds? Or maybe you have other questions? Fortunately, there’s a way to get expert help at no additional cost.

Connect With a Disney Super Fan Who’ll Plan Your Trip for Free

Planning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming. You’re bombarded with confusing choices: dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and endless ticket options. It’s easy to feel helpless.

Now imagine getting personalized advice and help from an expert who’s visited the parks dozens of times and knows all the tips and tricks. And better yet, they’re willing to handle all of it for you, for free !

That’s exactly the idea behind  The Vacationeer — a group of 100+ Disney Super Fans who are also highly-trained travel professionals .

Why not let them take the stress out of your Disney vacation ?

Why Use The Vacationeer For Your Disney Trip?

No Planning Fees

The Vacationeer never charges you for their services. Your trip won’t cost a penny more than if you’d booked it yourself.

One-on-One Service

One dedicated agent handles everything from start to finish. No impersonal call centers and no waiting on hold.

Hassle-Free Booking

Don’t sweat the logistics. Your  Vacationeer arranges hotels, tickets, dining, and activities so you don’t have to.

The Best Price

They’ll find the best possible rate for your trip, and keep searching for new discounts to add as they’re announced.

What Their Clients Have to Say

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“Emily did an AMAZING job planning my Disneymoon. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on! I can’t wait for her to plan our next vacation!”

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Here’s What To Expect

Step 1: Answer a few easy questions Just tell The Vacationeer who you are, how to reach you, and what your dream vacation looks like. They’ll assign a dedicated agent to handle your vacation from start to finish.

Step 2: Let them handle the details Your agent will help you pick the best options for your needs and budget. They’ll make your reservations and keep watching for better deals. And they’ll be there to answer any questions or concerns that arise.

Step 3: Pack your bags! Scream it out loud: “I’m going to Disney World!”  Thanks to your Vacationeer ‘s know-how, you’re off on an unforgettable adventure during the vacation of a lifetime!

The Vacationeer Advantage

Hotel Reservations: Your agent will help you pick the right place for the right price and arrange everything.

Dining: They’ll run the numbers on the Disney Dining Plan and secure tables at your choice of 100+ restaurants.

Theme Park Tickets: They’ll find the best ticket option for your family so you don’t waste money.

Recreation, Events, & More: You name it — golf, fishing, shows, backstage tours, ground transport — it’s all handled!

Virtual Queue, Genie+, & Lightning Lane Tips: They’ll help demystify these line-skipping strategies for you.

Peace of Mind: You’re booking through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.

Unparalleled Expertise: As an Earmarked Diamond agency, they’ve booked more than 25,000 Disney vacations.

Personal Experience: They visit the theme parks often and can’t wait to share their insider tips with you!

Disney’s Lowest Prices: They’ll use their knowledge of discounts and deals to find the best rates.

New Discounts As They’re Announced: Your agent never stops looking for a better price, even after you’ve booked.

Ready To Do Disney The Stress-Free Way?

The MagicGuides Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar keeps you updated on all the special events happening at Disney. Check back often so you won’t miss out!

If you enjoyed our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar page, be sure to check out our other articles like our Disney World Cost Calculator , Disney Dining Plan Calculator ,  Disney Dining Plans , Disney World Free Dining , Disney World Planning Timeline , Disney World Map ,  Tips and Tricks , Disney Travel Planners , How To Become a Disney Travel Agent , and our Secrets and Reviews pages. Also check out our in-depth article on the Best Days to Visit Magic Kingdom .

Thank you for reading our page, and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!

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These are the best times to visit Disney World

There's no bad time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando — but some times are better than others. In years past, there were predictable "slow seasons" and "busy seasons." However, after the park temporarily closed in March 2020 because of COVID-19 concerns, things became less predictable.

In addition to Disney adding more special events and upping the length of its festivals, Disney's theme park reservation system has kept crowds in check by limiting the number of guests allowed to visit a park on any given day.

Related: 19 Disney World secrets that can add 'pixie dust' to your vacation

That said, there are still ways to avoid the most crowded days and make the most of your time at Disney World. A Disney World vacation is optimal when prices are lower, the thermometer hovers between 70 and 80 degrees, and the wait times are at their shortest. There's no longer a true off-season at Disney, but there are times of the year when those favorable conditions are more likely to occur.

Best time of year for weather at Disney World

This will shock exactly no one, but Orlando is hot and sticky in summer. Temperatures typically sizzle in the 90s during the day, and humidity is through the roof. Those factors combine to create a heat index that can exceed 100, according to Weather U.S .

From June through August, you'll get a break from the heat most afternoons for an hour or so … during monsoon-like rains with thunder and lightning. Once the storms end, you'll be comfortable outdoors for about another hour before the oppressive heat returns — but expect some extra humidity while everything is damp.

Related: Best credit cards for theme parks

For the best weather at Disney, visit between October and December. By that time, you are less likely to deal with daily rain, and temperatures are more moderate. There are still plenty of warm days, but summer's heat and humidity have passed. You likely won't deal with the cold (by Florida standards) temperatures that come in January and February.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Best time for certain activities

Price aside, plan your visit around what you like to do. Water parks are most appealing during the hot summer months when you'd rather not sweat it out in the theme parks all day. Golf is best in spring and fall — unless you're an early bird who likes hitting the greens in the cool of dawn.

If you're headed to the massive ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, time your visit by the calendar of events to watch tournaments you'll enjoy. If someone invites you to a wedding at Disney's Wedding Pavilion or elsewhere, bring a hat for the sun and a sweater for the air conditioning.

Seasonal events at Disney World

From themed parties to food and wine festivals, special events are big at Disney World. The best time to visit could be when your favorite event is happening.

Spring events

Learn new gardening techniques and see detailed topiaries that resemble Disney characters at the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival . It runs for four months, from early spring through the start of summer. Not only does it features Disney topiaries, but it also offers festival-specific eats and concerts by your favorite bands from the '70s, '80s and '90s.

Summer events

There are fewer events during the summer at Disney World. However, the LGBTQI+ community holds its Gay Days gatherings in Orlando. That event can draw tens of thousands of excited visitors and increase daily attendance at the designated park.

Walt Disney World has also added more separately ticketed after-hours events — such as the H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon — that let you enjoy more time in the parks with fewer crowds.

Fall events

Culinary enthusiasts should time their visits with Epcot's annual International Food and Wine Festival. It features global food and drink stands, free concerts and more. The festival spans nearly four months, starting in late July and stretching into mid-November.

Don't forget to pack a costume and join the ghoulish crowd at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party , a ticketed event at The Magic Kingdom that runs from August until Halloween.

Winter events

Starting the day after the final Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney magically transforms overnight from a spooky destination to a winter wonderland . Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at The Magic Kingdom is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

This party is a ticketed event at The Magic Kingdom that runs from early November through Christmas. Disney also embraces the holiday spirit at the after-hours Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios . Additionally, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays offers several global incarnations of St. Nick, plus a nightly Candlelight Processional.

When Disney World crowds are smaller

You can't completely escape the crowds at Disney World. Its four theme parks received roughly 47 million visitors through the turnstiles in 2022, according to the Theme Index and Museum Index of the Themed Entertainment Association . That's not even including folks who show up only for the golf, water parks, shopping, dining, spas, entertainment and conferences. The Orlando area, in total, received approximately 74 million visitors in 2022 alone.

Related: Is a Disney World annual pass worth it?

On big holidays, such as Christmas and New Year's Eve, Disney World gets so packed that The Magic Kingdom — the most iconic of the theme parks — can reach maximum capacity. The sister parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Epcot, draw hordes, too, though not to the same extent. You'll likely wait longer for rides, food and character encounters.

If you do visit on a holiday, try to visit a park other than the one where the main celebration is being held. On the Fourth of July, for example, The Magic Kingdom and Epcot hold special fireworks shows. If you visit Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios on those days, you will probably see fewer crowds and shorter wait times.

Although it isn't always feasible, try to visit when most kids are in school to avoid the biggest crowds.

The ideal times are weekdays after Thanksgiving break and before families descend for winter break. The weather will be cooler, and the lines will be shorter than at other times of the year. Also, the weeks after Labor Day but before school breaks begin in the fall can also be good times to avoid crowds (but know that September weather is still steamy in Orlando).

Other less-busy times can be in late January and early May — again, especially during the midweek days before and after most school spring breaks.

Cheapest dates to visit Disney World

It's no coincidence that when the crowds are lighter, ticket prices are lower. In late 2018, Disney World moved to a ticket pricing system that features higher prices on some dates than others.

On less-crowded midweek dates in August and September, for example, you can find single-day tickets for $109. However, during peak demand times between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, ticket prices can jump closer to $160 per day. Weekends also tend to cost more than weekdays.

Related: These are the best restaurants at Disney World

More affordable airfare

If you have the luxury of flexible dates, you can find cheap flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) during the less expensive times at the theme parks in August and September, according to statistics from the flight search engine Skyscanner.

Related: How to find cheap airfare

When hotel prices are lower

Disney has more than 20 resort hotels that provide perks, such as extended theme park hours and complimentary transportation to and from Disney's theme parks. As with all hotels, prices ebb and flow with demand — including when you book with rented Disney Vacation Club points .

Walt Disney World's value hotels, such as All-Star Sports or Art of Animation , offer prices that can start at or below $100 per night during the slower season. During peak season, even those value resorts can see rates climb higher than $250 per night.

If you have your eye on a deluxe resort — such as Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge , the Contemporary or the Riviera Resort — prices can start under $400 per night during the slow season and soar to more than $1,000 per night during peak periods.

Related: How to save money at Disney resorts by renting DVC points

Disney also offers regular hotel discounts that can save you hundreds of dollars on your stay. Disney+ subscribers should especially be on the lookout for these offers, but you can check the Disney World website at any time for special offers available to the public.

How many Marriott points it costs to stay in the on-property Disney Swan or Dolphin properties also varies based on standard, peak or off-peak dates, so when you go will affect the total cost of your trip to Disney World.

Related: How much does a trip to Disney World cost?

Bottom line

We hesitate to say there's a bad time to visit Disney World, but there are times that are definitely less crowded and easier to enjoy. By finding the sweet spot for your schedule, factoring in Disney's slower seasons and any special events you want to experience, you can maximize the magic while saving money — and your sanity.

Related reading:

• Are the Disney Visa credit cards worth it?
• The best Disney World hotels for your 2023 stay
• How you can save hundreds of dollars by renting Disney Vacation Club points
• How to use points to buy Disney tickets
• New swan on the block: A review of the Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

Additional reporting by Tarah Chieffi.

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

Best Time To Visit Disney World: When To Go And When To Avoid

October 14, 2022 //  by  Sarah Newton //   Leave a Comment

When is the best time to visit Disney World, Florida? This is undoubtedly the question we get asked a lot and it’s not as easy to answer as it first appears.

Deciding on the best month to visit Disney is an individual decision and depends on so many factors. I mean the real answer is the best time to visit Disney World is when you can. If you have the privilege of being able to choose when you go then fantastic but please know whenever you go Disney is an incredible experience.

The best time to vacation at Disney is when works best for you and your circumstances.

In the article, we will walk you through all the information you need to help you make a decision about when to go to Disney World. Each month and season has its pros and cons and we will walk you through how to get the best out of your vacation whenever you decide to go.

So, are you ready to pack your bags, put on those mouse ears and get ready to meet Mickey? Of course, you are.

Oh and if you need help packing check out our Ultimate Packing Guide .

When Is The Best Time To Visit Disney World? 

The best time to visit Disney World depends on what you want out of a holiday and the capacity you have to choose when to go.

If you have children obviously the best time to visit is the school holidays because that is the only time you can take them.

Don’t handle heat well, then you will need to stay clear of the sticky hot months. Want to experience a particular celebration like Christmas or Halloween then you need to go when the decorations are up.

Keep in mind festivals. like the Food And Wine Festival, if you want to attend you will need to go when that is on. If you are going for a particular ride or entertainment event you will need to make sure it’s working and operational when you go.

If you hate crowds or are really short on time then you will need to visit in the off-season at Disney. Similarly, if you are looking to get the best value for money you will need to visit when the park is at low capacity.

There are so many considerations when it comes to the best month to go to Disney World, Florida. Our suggestion would be to decide on your three top priorities and plan from there.

Things to take into account are the weather, the crowds, the cost, park opening times, special events/festivals or celebrations, rides or entertainment shows you want to see and of course the times you can actually travel.

What Is the Worst Time To Go To Disney World?

There is no real worse time to go to Disney there is only a time that doesn’t work so well for you. However, saying this there are times that visiting Disney can be a more stressful experience than others.

If you can avoid the height of holidays. The park will sometimes get closed at Christmas because it has reached capacity to give you an idea of numbers. Easter and New Year can also be another really busy time.

If you hate the heat then July and August might be really challenging for you.

In general school vacations, weekends, public holidays, and the high summer season are the worst time to go to Disney World. But don’t worry if you have to go during these times there are things you can do to make it easier and more pleasurable.  

What Is The Cheapest Time To Go To Disney?

The cheapest time to visit Disney tends, not surprisingly, to be when the part is less crowded. This tends to be the winter months not including holiday periods so November, January, and February as long as you stay away from certain events.

During the slower times, Disney offers discounted packages and special promotions, particularly in hotels. Park tickets also have value, regular, and peak prices which are based on expected crowds for that day. Also, multi-day tickets tend to be better valued.

This article on How To Buy Discounted Disney World Tickets will help you decide when is the cheapest time to go.

In general the second week in January until spring break starts tends to be the cheapest time to visit Disney World, Florida. If you traveling on a budget early January, early May, late August, or all of September is the best time of year to go to Disney World for you.

If you are looking to save some money here are some money-saving Disney tips.

High And Low Season For Disney World 

While there is a Disney World off season it isn’t like other holidays in that within the low season you will also find huge peak periods. Low season at Disney is really more about quiet periods within the peak periods but you have to look for them.

The off-season at Disney tends to be January to early February and the times when children have gone back to school i.e September, October, and November. However, saying this while hotels might be cheaper in Florida the Halloween celebrations at Disney can make the park very busy.

The best way to think about the low season at Disney is that if the American children are at school it’s generally cheaper. And if you are not in America look this up as the school holidays in America are much longer than those in Europe for example.

While visiting during the Disney World off-season saves you money there are a few things to take note of. The off-season is often when Disney will close some rides for repairs and refurbishments so check before you go. There will also be fewer shows and entertainment on offer.

And while most people think that traveling out of season means you queue less this might not necessarily be the case. Often in low season, the rides run at a lower capacity as there is less staff on duty so the waiting times don’t necessarily reduce. Also, the park hours are reduced so you do get less time in the park.

Here are our tips for reducing wait time at Disney .

Visit Disney In Summer If You: 

For most this is the best time to go to Disney because their children are off school. For others, this is the worst time to go to Disney World due to the crowds, the expense, and the heat.

Summer at Disney World is a long season and really runs from May to September with June, July and early August being the busiest. However, if summer is the only time you go there are some advantages.

Everything at the park during summer will be operating at full capacity. All shows and entertainment will take place and rides and attractions are very unlikely to be closed for maintenance or refurbishment. Park hours are also longer and the sunlight hours are longer. So while the parks are busy everything is operating and you get longer in the parks.

If you also want to spend time in the water, be it in the hotel pools, the sea, or the Disney water parks summer is a great time.

If you are going to Disney World in the summer you do need to prepare for the heat, crowds, and rainfall. It’s not unusual for mid-day temperatures to reach over 100 with humidity of 61%. It is likely to also rain heavily most afternoons.

If you are going in the summer here are some of our tips to beat the heat at Disney . You might also be interested in how to survive Disney in the rain .

Visit Disney World In Winter If You:

Winter in Florida is actually really lovely with temperatures typically in the low 70 degrees. Walking around the parks in winter is so much more comfortable and bearable than in the warmer months.

Depending on when you go in winter it tends to be the least crowded time to visit Disney World apart from the Christmas celebration. It’s likely to be a much more pleasurable experience at this time and there is not as much rain as you are out of hurricane season.

The Festivals of Arts at Epcot also takes place during winter which is one of our favorite Disney festivals.

The park will be open fewer hours though and some events and rides are likely to be closed so keep that in mind.

Winter is the best season to visit Disney if you want cheaper prices and cooler weather.

Here are our tips for Visiting Disney World in the winter.

Visit Disney World In Fall If You:

Most who visit Disney World often believe that fall is the best time to travel to Disney. It’s practically perfect in every way. The weather is warm, the air is crisp and the rainfall is low.

Late August and September can also be some of the cheaper times to visit Disney World and you still have 8 hours of sunlight to play with.

And if you have never experienced Halloween at Disney you are in for a treat. While it can get busy, going on a weekday during the beginning or end of the Halloween season is likely to be less crowded.

Most agree fall is the best time of year to go to Disney World.

Our tips for visiting Disney before Halloween will help you plan.

Visit Disney In Spring If You:

If you are wondering when to go to Disney then how about visiting in Spring? Spring is wonderful at Disney with vibrant flowers, warm temperatures, and nine hours of daylight. There is also likely to be little rainfall as you are out of hurricane season. Humidity tends to also be lower in the spring.

Spring is the best time to vacation in Disney, however, avoid the busiest periods during Easter and Spring Break as the parks get rammed during these times.

Spring is definitely the best season to visit Disney if you want it to be warm but not too crowded. It is a perfect time for Adults to visit Disney .

When To Go To Disney By Month:

If you are still not sure when to go to Disney World then let’s help you a little further. Here we have broken down the best time to go to Disney month by month. This way you can decide which is the best month to go to Disney World depending on what you want to get out of your vacation.

Disney in January.

January is probably the least crowded time to visit Disney World. The Christmas holiday is over and the cooler temperatures tend to keep the crowds away with an average temperature of 70 degrees.

Visiting Disney World in January can also save you money as it tends to be one of the cheaper months due to smaller crowds. However, some things like the water parks and certain rides may be closed and the park hours are shorter.

New Year’s weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day are days to avoid if you don’t like crowds. It also can get busy during the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts is also held in January and is a wonderful experience.

January in Disney World is a really rather relaxed and chilled time to visit if you don’t mind the weather a little cooler and some of the attractions and rides possibly not running.

Disney in February

If you are not coming for the sun then February is the best time to vacation at Disney. You will find cooler temperatures with highs in the mid 70’s and fewer crowds.

The exception to this is Presidents’ Day week which sees the crowds flood in. For those not in the US that is the third Monday in February. The Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend tends to be a busy time too.

Disney World in February might lack some of the pizzazz you see in busier months but you will be able to get some great deals.

Disney in March

The best time to travel to Disney for perfect weather is in March. The highs tend to be in the high 70s and the lows in the high 50’s so it’s not too hot or too cold.

March at Disney World can also see fewer crowds but that depends on when Easter and Spring Break fall. During these times the crowds get really heavy.

The Epcot International Flower And Garden Festival also takes place in March and this really is worth seeing.

Disney in April

April in Disney World sees the climb to high temperatures with highs in the mid-80s. The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival continues and all the flowers and trees look beautiful in full bloom.

Easter and Spring break can see busy periods in April depending on the dates. There are a lot of ESPN Wide World of Sports held during this month and often the more budget hotels will be booked up.

Next to Christmas April can be one of the more expensive times to visit so keep that in mind.

Disney in May

Many believe that May is the best month to go to Disney World and we would be tempted to agree. The weather is into the 90s but it’s less humid. The flowers are all still in full bloom and there are no major holidays bringing in the crowds.

Memorial Day weekend does see the parks get busier but other than that Disney World in May is probably the best time to visit if you don’t have children in school.

Disney in June

June is Disney World tends to be a month of two halves. The first few weeks tend to be quite quiet with crowds rising as students are off for the summer break.

The increase in crowds sees extended park hours, more shows and activities, and lots of sunlight hours. It’s also a perfect month to visit the water parks.

It is hot and humid in June so make sure you have sunscreen and are prepared. It’s also the start of hurricane season and while they are remote in Orlando rain is very likely so make sure to pack a mac as the weather can be very unpredictable.

While most find the summer months too busy there is a certain buzz that comes from these busy periods that is hard to replicate when the park is quieter.

Getting Disney Genie the old fast pass and planning your days becomes more important in the summer months and you do need to be on the ball a little bit more to avoid frustrations and shattered expectations.

Disney in July

July in Disney World is continuously busy in fact the busiest month of the year. The crowds tend to be much heavier towards the July 4th holiday but other than that it’s pretty even, just always busy.

It’s also incredibly hot and often rains. However, the park hours are longer so you can miss out on the mid-day heat and return later in the day.

There is a certain vibe to Disney in the summer months that can be lacking in the slower months. So although it’s hot, humid, and busy Disney in June still enjoyable if you plan accordingly.

Disney in August

August in Disney World is hot, hot, hot in fact the hottest of the year so you might find yourself seeking shelter in air-conditioned attractions more than normal.

It is busy and crowded but unlike July the crowds tend to thin out towards the second half of the month as children go back to school. However, the events tend to pull people back in.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins in August and the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival begins in late August.

For Americans, some of the best deals can be found in late August with off-site hotels having low prices and Disney has in the past offered free dining during these times.

August tends to be peak hurricane season in Florida but the park has only closed a handful of times due to hurricanes during its lifespan. However, this could have an impact on other travel arrangements so keep that in mind.

Disney in September

Many think that September is the best month to visit Disney and they might be right. Especially the later half of September when prices are lower, crowds and less, and the heat is moderately better.

I mean it’s still hot and humid in September but if you can bare the heat it’s the best time to visit Disney World. Also of note is that September tends to be one of the more rainy months so keep an eye on the weather forecast and take a mac. Rain can interfere with some of the live shows and fireworks shows so things can get canceled.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival are still ongoing. Disney World in September is a really great time to visit.

Disney in October

If you love Halloween then Disney World in October is perfect for you. The park looks beautifully decorated for Halloween and while the decorations go up in early September October draws in the crowds.

Halloween and Columbus Day are the busiest days and the crowds tend to be really manageable outside of the weekends. It can still be hot during the day but the evenings do get cooler.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and After Hours Boo Bash is in full swing and The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is still ongoing.

Disney in November

November in Disney World sees really pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a festive spirit. If you miss out on Thanksgiving week, which is so busy, November is one of the best months to visit Disney.

Most of the Christmas decorations are up by mid to late Christmas and the parks really take on a different feeling when they are up. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also starts in November on select nights.

Disney in November gives you a taste of the Christmas season at a much lower cost and it’s the best time to visit Disney for good weather, lesser crowds, and Christmas spirit.

Disney in December

December in Disney World sees the Christmas season in full swing. Again December is one of those months where the crowds differ hugely depending on when you visit. Early in the month can be a very pleasant time to visit with lighter crowds, however, the latter half is one of Disney’s busiest times of the year and the most expensive.

You would think that Christmas day might find a bit of relief but no, often the park will close by 10 am as it has reached capacity. Anytime between the 20th and 31st of December see record crowds visiting.

There is a lot that happens during the holiday season though with Christmas parades, firework shows, celebrations shows, and the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Disney in December is picture perfect though and if you can go we feel everyone should experience the Disney Christmas Magic at least once.

Here are our tips for visiting Disney at Christmas .

As you can see when it comes to the best time to visit Disney World the answer isn’t as simple as it first seems. When to go to Disney World is a personal choice and we hope this article has helped make your decision a little bit easier.

What we do know is that whenever you go you will have a great time. There are always ways to make your Disney trip better whenever you go and with planning, you can enjoy even the busiest and hottest months.

To make sure you really enjoy your trip take a look at our article 12 Ways to Ruin A Disney Vacation (And What To Do Instead!)

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Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World Based on the Weather

There are a ton of things to consider when deciding when to visit Walt Disney World. Everything from work and school schedules to crowd levels can impact when you plan your trip, but the weather is an important consideration when deciding the best time to visit Disney.

When you think of Florida, you think of warm, sunny days, and that is true of Florida weather very often. It is called the “ Sunshine State !” However, there are times of the year when that beautiful sunshine is sweltering! And, believe it or not, there are some times downright chilly! Check out this information on weather at different times of the year, and how that can impact your vacation plans.

Find yourself on the wrong coast?  Visit our Disneyland Weather page .

Monthly Averages and Tips Hurricane Information Current Forecast

Monthly Averages and Weather Tips

January      February      March     April      May     June     July      August     September     October      November     December

Average High – 71ºF Average Low – 52ºF Average Daily Temperature – 60ºF Average Precipitation – 2.3 in.

January is the coldest month of the year in Florida. Yes, it does get chilly in Florida! While the average highs and lows do not sound very cold, there are times when it is quite nippy. During this time of year, a jacket or hoodie is often necessary, especially in the early morning or late evening. Gusty winter wind can be quite cold. The winter months are low in precipitation typically.

The chilly weather may mean you need a jacket, but you should not be sweating while wandering the parks. The cooler temperatures make it easier to stay in the parks longer, as they are less draining than intense heat. Many water attractions, like Kali River Rapids , may be closed for refurbishments during this time of year due to the cooler temperatures. Typically, only one of the water parks will be open through the winter months. It is occasionally possible to swim despite the cool weather because all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 73ºF Average Low – 54ºF Average Daily Temperature – 63ºF Average Precipitation – 2.4 in.

February is another cool weather month. Winter is typically the dry season in Florida, so there is less chance that it will rain. The weather can be quite cold in February, even though it is Florida. Be sure to pack socks, pants, and jackets, and even a scarf or gloves and a hat. Cold weather gear is especially necessary for the early morning or late evening hours. Gusty winds can be quite cold.

Park touring can be easier in cooler temperatures, as they are less draining than intense heat. Some water attractions, like Kali River Rapids , may be under refurbishment during winter months. Typically only one of the two water parks is open during the cooler season. It is still possible to swim if you want to, as all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 77ºF Average Low – 59ºF Average Daily Temperature – 67ºF Average Precipitation – 2.9 in.

In March, temperatures begin to fluctuate and may be extremely warm or quite cool. Springtime has arrived! Be prepared with a jacket in case of cooler temperatures, but it is also common to have really warm days in March as well. March is still in the dry season for Florida, so it is not likely that it will rain all day.

Temperatures begin to rise in March, but it can still be cool in the mornings and evenings. Water parks resume full operation in March, although they may close for the day if the weather is cold. The most important thing to note about March weather is that it can vary greatly. One week it may be very warm, and the next, quite cool. Despite fluctuating temperatures, you should be able to swim since all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Average High – 82ºF Average Low – 63ºF Average Daily Temperature – 72ºF Average Precipitation – 2.4 in.

Temperatures begin to be more consistently warm during April, and by the end of the month, it may be hot. The rainy season has not struck yet, so it is unlikely that it will rain all day long. However, it is springtime, and this can fluctuate. It is not out of the question to have a chilly day, so it is still probably a good idea to have a light jacket.

By April, both water parks are in full operation. It should be beautiful weather for swimming, especially since Disney pools are heated. Typically it is not necessary to prepare for extremely hot or cold temperatures in April. This is beneficial for park touring. Comfortable weather is very nice for spending the day outside.

Average High – 87ºF Average Low – 69ºF Average Daily Temperature – 77ºF Average Precipitation – 2.9 in.

In May, temperatures start to warm towards summer levels. It can be very hot, but not as hot as the peak summer months. You can prepare for warm temperatures by drinking plenty of water, carrying a spray fan, and having a cooling towel. May is still just on the outside of the rainy season, but as the month wears on afternoon showers are not out of the ordinary. Check out our rainy day page for tips on having fun despite the water.

As the temperatures rise, it is advisable to take an afternoon break from the heat. Get something to eat, take a swim, or even a nap to escape from the hot sunshine. The heat can be draining during park touring, so be sure to take advantage of the free cups of water available at all quick-service food locations.

Average High – 89ºF Average Low – 74ºF Average Daily Temperature – 80ºF Average Precipitation – 5.7 in.

In June, the temperatures can be extremely hot. Summer has arrived! Be sure to prepare. Check out our tips for beating the heat . Taking an afternoon break to nap, eat, or swim is a great way to escape the heat and humidity in the middle of the day. Be sure to take advantage of the free cups of water available at all Disney quick service food locations.

June starts the rainy season in Florida. This means there will typically be an afternoon rain or thundershower. Check out our tips for having fun despite the rain . This is also the start of the hurricane season . Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 90ºF Average Low – 75ºF Average Daily Temperature – 82ºF Average Precipitation – 5.6 in.

July is the warmest month of the year for Walt Disney World. It can get extremely hot! Check out our tips for beating the heat . Prepare for the hot weather. Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

The summer months are the rainy season for Florida. Typically this means an afternoon thundershower rather than all-day rain. Check out our tips for rainy days . An afternoon rain shower can be good, as it sometimes cools down for the evening following a brief shower. This is also hurricane season for Florida. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 90ºF Average Low – 76ºF Average Daily Temperature – 81ºF Average Precipitation – 5.6 in.

August retains almost all of the heat and humidity of July. It can be very, very hot! Check out our tips for beating the heat . Prepare for the hot weather. Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

Average High – 88ºF Average Low – 74ºF Average Daily Temperature – 80ºF Average Precipitation – 5.1 in.

In September, it is still very warm, but the heat finally begins to relent occasionally. Still, prepare for the extreme heat. Check out our tips for beating the heat . Drink plenty of water and take an afternoon break from the parks to eat, nap, or swim.

September is in the rainy season for Florida. Typically this means an afternoon thundershower rather than all-day rain. Check out our tips for rainy days . An afternoon rain shower can be good, as it sometimes cools down for the evening following a brief shower. This is also hurricane season for Florida. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 83ºF Average Low – 68ºF Average Daily Temperature – 75ºF Average Precipitation – 2.8 in.

In October, temperatures begin to cool down from the extreme heat of summer. It is still very warm, however. In the case of a day that is still extremely hot, check out our page on beating the heat . Overall, temperatures are typically a touch more moderate than the summer months.

October ends the rainy season for central Florida, so rain is not typically as much of a daily event as in the summer. However, it is still hurricane season , and that can bring rain to the forecast. Disney World has closed only nine times in 50+ years for severe weather, so this is not a common event for central Florida.

Average High – 77ºF Average Low – 61ºF Average Daily Temperature – 68ºF Average Precipitation – 1.8 in.

By November, temperatures can be much more comfortable for park touring. It can get cool, so it is advisable to have a jacket, especially in the evening and early morning. Overall, temperatures should be relatively moderate. This is not the rainy season for Florida, so rain should not be a significant problem. However, it is still hurricane season , and that can bring rain to the forecast. Disney has only closed five times in 45 years for severe weather, so severe hurricanes are not a common event for central Florida.

In the case of cooler weather (which does happen in Florida!), water parks may close for the day. Swimming pools remain open and available for guests as Disney pools are heated. Be prepared for cooler weather, but be aware that it can also still reach hot, summer-like temperatures well into November.

Average High – 73ºF Average Low – 55ºF Average Daily Temperature – 63ºF Average Precipitation – 1.9 in.

December marks the start of the holidays throughout Walt Disney World. The temperatures may not always reflect the season, though. Sometimes it can be quite cold, so be sure to prepare with pants, jackets, and socks. However, it is often very comfortable in December, which is nice for touring the parks in their holiday splendor. Most often, it is cool in the evening and morning and comfortable in the middle of the day.

Winter is not Florida’s rainy season, so all-day rain is normally not a problem. Often, only one water park will be open this time of the year because of the cooler temperatures. Swimming is still an option, though, as all of Disney’s pools are heated.

Weather information above was obtained from The Weather Channel.

Current Weather

Hurricane information.

As Florida prepares for hurricanes, there will be a variety of changes and cancellations occurring. Check back here for hurricane updates, and always check with your travel provider for current policies.

  Disney Cruise Line Walt Disney World Universal Orlando

Disney Cruise Line Hurricane Updates

Currently, there are no hurricane updates at this time.

Disney Cruise Line Hurricane Policy

Guest safety is a top concern for Disney Cruise Line, and ship captains will monitor the weather and make route or itinerary changes if necessary due to extreme weather. If modifications must be made, Disney Cruise Line will make every effort to alert guests as soon as possible. If these modifications are not possible to create a safe trip, Disney Cruise Line will cancel impacted sailings and offer full refunds to all guests.

Walt Disney World Hurricane Updates

Walt disney world hurricane policy.

Below is the Walt Disney World hurricane policy for your reference.

What does it mean for my vacation plans if a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date? If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Vacation Package and most room only reservations without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences. ________________________________________ Will I be responsible for any cancellation or change fees or other amounts if a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date? If a hurricane warning is issued by the National Hurricane Center for the Orlando area—or for your place of residence—within 7 days of your scheduled arrival date, you may call in advance to reschedule or cancel your Walt Disney Travel Company Disney Resort Hotel Vacation Package and most room only reservations without any cancellation or change fees imposed by Disney.

If you have products and services provided by third-party suppliers included in your vacation—such as airlines, hotels, car rental agencies or vacation insurance companies—you will continue to be responsible for any non-refundable payments, as well as cancellation or change fees assessed by those suppliers. The policy does not apply to certain special events or dining experiences. ________________________________________ If I reschedule my vacation to a different date because of a hurricane warning, will I be able to get my same accommodations? If you are scheduled to arrive within 7 days of a hurricane warning, you may call us in advance to reschedule without a Disney imposed change fee. We cannot guarantee availability of similar accommodations for the new travel dates. All amounts you paid to Disney for rooms, theme park tickets, dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.

Any discounts or special offers applicable to your original confirmed vacation will not apply to the rescheduled vacation travel dates. You are responsible for applicable package pricing for the new vacation dates. The policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences. ________________________________________ I received a special offer when I booked my vacation with the Walt Disney Travel Company. If a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date and I reschedule, will I get the same special offer? Only if an identical special offer is available for your rescheduled vacation dates. All amounts you paid to the Walt Disney Travel Company for rooms, park tickets, dining plans and other Disney products and services will be applied toward your new reservation.

Any discounts or special offers applicable to your original confirmed vacation may not apply to the rescheduled vacation travel dates. You are responsible for applicable package pricing for the new vacation dates. This policy does not apply to certain special events and dining experiences. ________________________________________ If a hurricane warning is issued within 7 days of my arrival date and I want to cancel or reschedule my vacation, what should I do with my airline tickets? If you booked your air travel through the Walt Disney Travel Company and you want to reschedule, we will attempt to rebook your air travel. However, you will be responsible for any cancellation or change fees imposed by the airline. If you did not book your air travel through the Walt Disney Travel Company, you should contact your airline. ________________________________________

Universal Orlando Resort

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is your policy for travel during Hurricanes? A:  In the event that a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts) without any cancellation or change fees imposed.

If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of our Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-407-4275 or emailing  [email protected] .

Additional elements including air, car rental or other theme park tickets are separate and not part of this policy.

If you booked your vacation package or tickets through a third-party travel agent or tour operator, please contact them directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies.

Q: Will Universal Orlando Resort help cancel my airline, rental car and other third-party related elements? A:  Universal Orlando is only able to assist with cancellations on your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts). Please contact airline, rental car and other third-party suppliers directly for these types of cancellations.

Q: If I booked my travel through a travel agent or tour operator will Universal Orlando help with canceling my trip? A:  Universal Orlando is only able to assist with cancellations on your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts). Please contact your travel agent or tour operator directly for information regarding their cancellation or change policies.

Q: If a hurricane warning is issued within seven days of my arrival, what should I do? A:  In the event that a hurricane warning is issued for the Orlando area or your place of residence, within seven days of your arrival, you can contact our team to reschedule or cancel your Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations hotel accommodations and Universal Orlando theme park tickets (booked directly with Universal Parks and Resorts) without any cancellation or change fees imposed.

But that said, we want our guests to feel safe and always try to work with them one-on-one. If you have additional questions or need to change or cancel your travel plans, please contact a member of our Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-407-4275 or emailing  [email protected] .

Q: Are the theme parks open at this time? A:  For updates, continue to check here, Universal Orlando’s Twitter (@UniversalORL), call 407-817-8990 or email  [email protected] .

Q: If I have additional questions where do I go? A:  Please contact a member of our Guest Services team by calling 407-817-8990 or emailing  [email protected] .

If you have additional questions or need to change plans, please contact a member of our Guest Services team by calling 407-817-8990 or emailing  [email protected] .

Walt Disney World Resort Free Quote

Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation with The Magic For Less Travel . Use the form below to request a free no-obligation quote, and one of their counselors will get in touch with you to begin planning. The Mouse For Less recommends the Walt Disney World vacation planning services provided by our sponsor, The Magic For Less Travel. Their expert planning advice will help you make the most of your vacation time and money. The Magic For Less Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and provides service free of charge.

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The Best Times to Visit Disney World in 2023

For many Disney fans, anytime is the right time to visit Disney World. Since central Florida typically has sunny, warm weather year-round, it’s hard to find a better vacation spot.

it can be hard to figure out when the best time to actual visit it.

Maybe too hard!

Between the great offerings, the fun festivals and the new attractions- it can get a little (ok a LOT!) overwhelming.

AND with the new 50th celebrations, there’s even more pressure to visit the parks. Between the marketing, the FOMO, and a bunch of new (and returning!) things, it’s any wonder that Disney World isn’t busting at the seems with attendance.

While these are my opinions based on a lifetime of Disney Travel, I do think that you can have a magical vacation no matter what time of year you travel BUT their are some optimal times you want to check out Disney World for lower crowds, more fun, and better on your Budget Disney trip! Ready to book right now? Talk to a Travel Agent about the best options for 2023 .

This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you, check out my affiliate disclosure for more information and all the legal mumbo jumbo.

First things first, can you be flexible? or does vacation time stand in your way?

Most families need to schedule vacation times around the kids’ school schedule but that means parks are jam packed with other families in the same boat and break time typically is in the summer when Florida temps are at their peak.

If you can be more flexible with your schedule, you can hit the parks when crowds and temps are a little lower.

There are also crowd calendars available to give you a better idea of the “crowd seasons” at the parks, that touch on specific days.

But we can predict some weeks and months that will be better than others… and we can tell those by availability, and if things are sold out.

Like strollers. Strollers get booked up and sell out all the time! It’s a big reason why I like using Kingdom Strollers (but still plan ahead!) You can always grab a stroller from the store if you needed too (oh the power of grocery delivery!) but it’s best to have things planned by reserving strollers ahead of time.

After all, you’re likely spendin 50+ dollars an hour to be at Disney between travel expenses, Resort fees, park tickets, food, and extra amenities. Those hidden Disney World expenses really add up!

So let’s talk the entire year of 2023 Disney Crowd Calendar

• January 7-11, last week
• First two weeks of February ( Princess Run Marathon usually 3rd week of Feb, avoid Epcot/Magic Kingdom because it will be packed!)
• The month of May (avoid Memorial Day weekend)
• The second half of August (even though they did Star Wars, the crowds were still decently low! This is a great time to come)
• Most days in September (My personal favorite!)
• Most weekdays in October (avoid Halloween)
• Weekdays in November (avoid the week of Thanksgiving)
• Weekdays in Early December- specifically the second week(avoiding the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

If you are budget conscious, the best times would be Sunday to Friday/the next monday.

I really like late September because you can enjoy the lower crowds, the better prices, the food and wine festival AND the hard ticket Mickey’s not so scary halloween party! But hurricanes are pretty common in September.

January is my ‘official’ recommendation, but I know not everyone can plan for that. C onnecting with a Travel Agent is a good option – simply because they can match up your dates with activities/closures/special events at Disney World.

What is the cheapest time to go to Disney World?

Historically, the best times to visit the parks are when schools are in session.

Most families don’t do much traveling during the school year and if they do, it’s on the weekends.

So, that would mean that September through May are not as busy as the summer months of June, July and August.

If you do go in the summer- please for all that is wonderful and holy, go prepared!

I’ve got my portable fan , my portable charger for my fan, my kids have their own stroller fans (and NOT the ones from disney because they break easily #askmehowIknow) and a cooling towel… but it’s TOO MUCH. The Florida Heat is here 10 months outa the year

What time of year is Disney World least crowded?

I’m sorry to disappoint, but as a local that goes weekly, I can assure you that there is no “off” season anymore.

Why is there no Disney World off season?

Well, Disney World has 1.) been upping their marketing and 2.) been adding offerings year round that make each experience unique.

Below in the calendar I’ll outline all the weeks that would be the best for a low crowd experience!

This is a loaded question (and a good one!) that is hard to answer. It really depends on what you consider cheap, and how much you are willing to sacrifice for a Disney Vacation.

You could, right now, get one annual pass for one of your family members, get a campsite at the local campground, and spend get a multi day ticket with no dining plan for the rest of the family (using your annual pass for food and merch discounts) and come out with just a few thousand dollars spent.

You could also do a stay cation at the value resort for 5 days, spend one day in the parks, and enjoy all the free things Disney has to offer for under 1000 dollars.

But there is no super cheap option for park tickets AND staying on Disney Property. There are moderately priced ones. But not super cheap.

*** Let’s also mention that the Holidays in December are literally the most expensive times of the year! Disney World Uses Seasonal Pricing, and that means they increase prices DAILY! Weekdays are different than weekends.

I’ve watched it happen before my eyes. Sure 50 cents doesn’t seem like much, until you add up the price for a family (especially those on a big family trip) and it can easily equal thousands of dollars between the resort, food, tickets and souvenir costs. You can peep all the holiday festivities available at Disney on their official page.

Below in the Calendar you can see all the suggested dates for the lowest seasonal pricing.

Celebrating the Holidays? Good Idea or Worst nightmare?

Let’s keep in mind that Disney celebrates holidays in a BIG way.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party usually runs on select nights from mid-August until the first week of November, Magic Kingdom will close early these nights and allows only guests with separate party tickets to stay.

Although these nights will bring in bigger crowds, the heaviest of them will be of course, Halloween week. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is celebrated on select nights in November and December.

If you want to attend these nights, tickets go on sale 6-7 months before the first party.

So the Halloween Party will go on sale in January! Planning ahead to visit during the Holidays is pretty important if you have a bucket list.

The holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve/Day and the days surrounding them are times that should be avoided due to extremely high crowds and shortened park time for the Magic Kingdom, to accommodate party ticket holders.

Magic Kingdom usually hits park capacity on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and has to turn ticket holding guests away.

8 tips for Enjoying the Holidays at Disney World

If you do plan on attending on either of these days, get there at rope drop (park opening) and don’t leave and plan to return later, you may not be able to get back in.

If you stay on Disney Property, you are guaranteed a spot in one of the parks on the holidays, BUT they don’t say which park.

Visiting Disney World During Spring Break

Spring Break is another peak time for Disney. The crowds are little harder to predict for this season because schools having varying break times, not all of them break for Easter since that date varies from year to year. However, many of the Florida annual passholders will NOT be attending because of black out dates.

This also means that crowds are more manageable than Christmas break because breaks are spread out between March and April.

What about the Festivals and Special Events At Disney World? Should I go to those?

Disney has been adding some really fun stuff the last 10 years, and amping up the stuff they already had.

Like the Festivals at Epcot. Like insane construction at every park. Like new additions of rides and attractions.

These are so much fun! They provide a new set of foods, and lots of new entertainment (concerts and drinks anyone)

But they also mean that the parks are much busier! You should take this into account when you are planning. It’s best to come in the middle of the festivals.

January- February is the International Festival of the arts.

March- June is the Flower and Garden Festival.

September- November is Food and Wine Festival.

December(ish) has the Festival of the Holidays

These festivals run EVERYDAY and they are also included in your park ticket. It’s certainly worth considering if you want to go- just remember that the weekends at Epcot will be busier and their will be more activities to enjoy.

Inclement Weather anyone? How Hurricanes can influence your Disney Vacation

Soooooo, how’s the weather?

Just kidding. I can tell you all about Florida weather.

It’s called- “the meteorologist is wrong and bring a poncho and shorts and a hoodie because Florida can’t make up it’s mind”

Especially, hurricane season , which runs from June 1- November 30.

Though Disney World rarely needs to close during this time, they have had to close at least one day each year for the last few years.

AND even if they aren’t closing 100%, they aren’t offering as much activities, rides, shows, and offerings because the heavy rains and thunderstorms (for days on end!) put a damper on the activities.

Curious about what you can do when it rains?

Again, please note that, Hurricane season is officially June 1st to November 30th.

However, for Orlando this usually just equates to a rainy June, July and August. The good thing is that even though there can be showers almost daily, they come and go very quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes time.

The rain water also dries quickly in the hot sun. ***HELLO HUMIDITY***

Disney had to close in 2017 for the Hurricane, and I won’t be surprised if it happens again (I didn’t have power for 2 weeks, so I’m just glad to have survived that one!)

Disney also just closed in September 2019 for Hurricane Dorian. While it didn’t directly impact Disney World, it did have impacts on the Disney Owned island in the Caribbean (and lots of other places not related to Disney!)

If you decide to come during Hurricane season, on a cruise or Disney World trip (or both!) get travel insurance!

YES! Let’s go to Disney World!

Ok, now that we’ve covered all the times that you shouldn’t go, let’s get to the happy stuff!

When should you go to Disney?

Whenever you want to!

But when is the best time, with the lowest crowd and the perfect weather?

>>> January. <<<

You should be able to make it to see all the new attractions in Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood studios and deal with low crowds and less expensive hotels + The Festival of the Arts at Epcot.

But maybe you don’t want to risk it in January in case your favorite ride is being refurbished?

Come in February! Deals aren’t quite as budget friendly, but crowd level is still tolerable.

January and February aren’t in your schedule?

Come in Mid October. You’ll be able to see all the fall festivites, get in the Holiday Spirit without the bother of snow, and weekday crowds should be very tolerable.

But what if I need to come in the Summer?

If you absolutely need to come in the summer, but want to deal with lower crowds, I’d suggest only going to the Parks during the midweek (tue-thurs) and heading to the resorts or another Theme Park on the weekends! Legoland and Seaworld have great lines with lower crowds most days, but Universal gets very packed on the weekends (and they’ve really paced themselves as a True Disney Competitor!)

If you go to Universal, be sure to check out these hacks for a fun Universal Vacation!

Have fun on your Disney World Vacation!

We know that whenever you decide to visit Disney, you’ll have a magical time!

Each season has it’s own perks, but you can find the best time to visit with your schedule. Anytime at Disney is a magical time.

The things I won’t be doing at Disney World (Ever again!)

Save money on your next Disney World Vacation!

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42 Disney World and Disneyland Tips for a Magical Vacation

Whether it's your first time or 50th, these Disneyland and Disney World tips will help you plan the ultimate Disney vacation.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Millions of guests visit Disney’s California and Florida theme parks each year to see Mickey and pals, experience innovative rides , watch the fireworks over the castle, eat Dole Whips and Mickey pretzels , and make happy memories with their families and friends. These days, planning the perfect Disney vacation requires a little more effort than just buying tickets and showing up, but don’t worry. With dozens of tips covering where to stay, when to go , how to use virtual queues, and how to save money, you’ll be an expert in no time. We included general information and tricks to maximize fun and save time and money, plus specific Disney World and Disneyland tips so you have the best theme park experience. Whether you’re visiting for the first time, or the first time in forever, we’ve gathered more than 40 Disney tips so you can plan the most magical vacation. 

Related: Disneyland vs. Disney World — Everything You Need to Know About Both Theme Park Resorts

Courtesy of Disney

Disney Tips and Tricks

Start booking hotels, tickets, and dining reservations months in advance..

Popular experiences such as character meals and after-hours events can book up quickly, and park reservations — still required to enter — can sell out on popular days. A last-minute Disney trip is doable, but it’s best to plan at least two months ahead to maximize your dining, hotel, and park choices. 

Visit during off-peak times.

Want to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more relaxed theme park experience? Plan your Disney vacation for off-peak periods. Avoid major holidays and school breaks; January and February can be great months to visit, along with late summer and early fall after kids return to school. 

Stay on property.

From adorably themed rooms to early park access to free transportation around the resort, Disney hotels offer guests lots of magical perks. Staying immersed in the Disney bubble is especially worth it for first-time visitors. 

And consider splurging on a club-level room.

These top-tier accommodations include access to a lounge serving up tasty eats and drinks (including free alcoholic beverages) all day long. 

Download the Disney World or Disneyland app.

Find real-time ride wait times, dining reservations, mobile food ordering, hotel information, and Genie+ (more on that next) in the resort’s helpful — and necessary — app.

Learn about Disney Genie+ before your trip.

Disney’s free FastPass system was replaced with a paid service that allows guests to make selections for expedited ride access via Lightning Lanes. During busy months, it can be worth buying to maximize your ride time, but you might be able to skip it during off-peak seasons. We’ve broken down the intricacies of the system in a dedicated Genie+ guide . 

The longer you stay, the less you pay per day.

Admission for Disney World starts at $109 for a one-day ticket, but seven-day tickets begin at $69 per day. Depending on your budget and vacation length, it might be worth it to add the extra day. 

Use mobile ordering.

Skip food lines at some quick-service locations by using the mobile ordering feature in the app.

Check the height requirements of any rides your children want to experience.

Traveling with small kids? You might want to check ride height requirements online before you go to avoid having any disappointed kiddos. 

Take advantage of the rider switch service.

If you’re visiting with a child that isn’t tall enough to ride or have someone in your party that doesn’t want to ride, you can split the group in two with rider switch and trade off waiting with the non-riders without losing your spot in line. 

Look over the ride refurbishment schedule.

Rides undergo scheduled refurbishment from time to time, so check the calendar online to see if any of your favorite attractions will be unavailable during your trip.

Scan the calendar for special events and extra park hours, too.

While you’re looking at the resort calendar , make a note of the park hours (including early entry and extended hours for select hotel guests), nighttime spectacular and parade times, and any festivals or specially ticketed events (like Halloween and holiday happenings).

Celebrate the holidays early.

Want to see the parks decked out for Halloween or the holidays, but don’t want to deal with the crowds? Plan to visit early in the holiday season (early September for Halloween and early November or December — avoiding Thanksgiving week — for the holidays).

Make it to the parks for rope drop.

To maximize the number of attractions you experience in a day, arrive at the parks a little before opening (30 to 45 minutes) so you can be one of the first in and knock out a few major attractions before the lines get too long. 

Prepare kids for long lines.

No matter when you visit, you’re bound to wait in at least a few lines. Download app games to keep kids occupied and entertained in line so the time flies.  

Make a midday table-service restaurant reservation.

If you’re getting to the parks early, you’ll want to take a break around midday to prepare for the afternoon. Instead of grabbing a quick bite, book a longer lunch at a table-service restaurant so you can take the time to cool off from the sun and rest your feet before hitting the rides again. 

Or, leave the park to take a break.

For a more restorative break, head back to your hotel for an afternoon nap or to splash in the pool. Avoid the midday crowds and heat and arrive back in the parks refreshed for a night of rides, fireworks, and fun. 

Apply for a DAS pass if you need one.

If you or someone in your party has a disability, you may be eligible for the Disability Access Service. For more details about this service and who can use it, check out our DAS guide .

Book at least one character dining experience.

If seeing characters is important to your crew, plan at least one dining experience to guarantee a little face time with your favorites. Instead of waiting in line to get their photos and autographs, the characters will come right up to you for a meet and greet.

Ask for a free special occasion button.

Celebrating something? Whether it’s a birthday, first visit, honeymoon , anniversary, reunion, or any other festive occasion, let a cast member know so they can give you a free celebratory button. 

Consider a VIP tour.

For the ultimate luxurious Disney World or Disneyland experience, book a VIP tour. Your friendly and super-knowledgeable guide will help you plan the perfect Disney day, escort you to the front of ride lines, and provide lots of fun facts about the park along the way. 

Bring the essentials.

Sunscreen, sunglasses, hand sanitizer, wipes, a hair tie, any over-the-counter medications — be sure to stash the essentials in a fanny pack or backpack.   

Invest in FuelRods.

Speaking of essentials, you’ll need a portable charger, and FuelRods are a great choice. There are places to exchange these little portable chargers all around Disney parks, and after you buy one, you can swap them out for free for limitless phone charging throughout the day.

Wear your most comfortable shoes.

You can easily walk miles around Disney parks, so you’ll want to wear your most comfortable sneakers or sandals . 

Look out for hidden Mickeys.

There are Mickey heads hidden throughout the park in discreet (and not-so-discreet) locations, so keep your eyes peeled for those three iconic circles. 

Michela Sieman/Travel + Leisure

Disney World Tips 

See all four parks..

While Magic Kingdom is the most iconic Disney World theme park, each of the four parks is well worth a visit. If you have the time, it’s a great idea to budget a day for each theme park. 

Get familiar with on-property transportation options.

Because the property is so expansive (it’s the size of San Francisco!), you’ll need a little help getting around. Thankfully, Disney World has you covered with an extensive, included transportation system of buses, boats, gondolas, and the famous Monorail. 

Go resort hopping.

There are more than 20 hotels at Walt Disney World, and thanks to their fun themes, many are worth visiting in their own right. Spot giraffes from dinner at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, grab a Dole Whip or tiki drink at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and stroll the lively promenade at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. 

Don’t miss Disney Springs.

This dining, shopping, and entertainment district has something for everyone, and it’s a great place to go for a bite to eat after a day at the theme parks. 

Prepare for summer storms.

Summer rainstorms are common in Florida, so having a poncho or umbrella on hand is always helpful.  

Disneyland Tips

Book a nearby hotel to save money..

While staying at a Disney hotel offers plenty of perks, travelers hoping to save money will be happy to know that there are tons of affordable hotels within walking distance of the park.

Or, splurge and stay on site for exclusive perks.

In addition to the Disney hotel benefits listed above, guests staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa can take advantage of a special Disney California Adventure Park entrance connected to the hotel. 

Get immersed in Disney history.

As the first Disney park, Disneyland is packed with history and nostalgia. You can experience that yourself when you ride still-operating opening-day attractions and spot Walt’s apartment. 

Spend the extra money on Park Hopper passes.

Hopping between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park takes just a two-minute walk, so we recommend getting a Park Hopper ticket so you can experience both in one day.

How to Save Money at Disney World and Disneyland

Bring your own snacks..

Did you know you can bring snacks to the theme parks? Stashing a few items in your bag can help you save a few bucks on pricey in-park eats. 

Use the ticket calendar to save money.

Disneyland and Disney World use dynamic ticket pricing, so the tickets are more expensive on busier days. That typically means that tickets during holidays, school breaks, and weekends are more expensive, while midweek tickets during off-peak times cost less. Visiting during these less crowded times may require some flexibility, but you’ll be rewarded with shorter lines and lower prices.  

Use points to book a hotel.

There are major chain hotels very close to both Disneyland and Disney World. You can easily find Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and more properties near Disneyland Resort. The Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve are Marriott Bonvoy properties located close to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Check for special offers.

Always check to see what special offers are available on the Disney website — there may be a money-saving package available for your trip.

Include a resort day in your itinerary.

Tickets are one of the greatest costs for a Disney vacation, so spend a day outside the parks taking advantage of your hotel’s included amenities and activities. 

Don’t pay for water.

You can always ask for free cups of water at Disneyland and Disney World dining locations, so you don’t need to shell out for a bottle every time you’re thirsty. Better yet, bring a water bottle to refill throughout the day so you can stay hydrated.

Buy T-shirts (and other souvenirs) before your trip.

Target, Walmart, and H&M — so many retailers sell relatively inexpensive Disney apparel these days, so this is an easy way to save money on your Disney trip.

Related Articles

2024 & 2025 Disney World Crowd Calendar (best times to go)

Planning a Disney World trip for 2024 or 2025?

You’ve come to the right place. Our easy-to-use Disney World Crowd Calendar will help you avoid long lines, so you can have more fun on your Disney vacation.

Here’s what you need to know:

In this article

When are the best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 and 2025?

We know you are probably eager to dive in to check on those predicted crowds, so let’s start off first with our big graphics (please note there is one for 2024 and one for 2025), and then we will go into more detail for both years, month-by-month, down below.

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024

Here’s our current predictions for how the crowds will look if you plan to travel to Disney World in 2024:

• Click for full-sized PDF

Note: Our ‘best times to visit’ below are a mix of times of the year when you’ll have either low crowds OR good weather. Due to Disney’s strategy of filling the cooler, quieter periods with special events and competitions, finding a time that offers both low crowds and ideal weather has become more challenging than in the past.

WDW Top Picks for Disney World in 2024 :

• January 16-31 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 1-9 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 6-23 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-29 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 3-19 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

2024 brought about a bunch of changes, including the end of Park Pass reservations for date-based tickets (which covers most guests aside from Annual Passholders) plus, we’ve also seen the long-awaited return of the Disney Dining Plan . And we can’t forget the highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening (exact date still unknown).

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2025

And here’s how its looking for 2025:

WDW Prep School Top Picks for 2025 :

• January 21-31 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 21-28 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 5-22 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-31 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 1-30 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re expecting to keep seeing some familiar patterns when it comes to crowds. All signs point to the fact that summers could possibly continue to be a less busy than they used to be, while January might pick up the pace and get busier. Also, October will remain a popular time for families to visit due to the increase in the number of schools hosting Fall Breaks.

2024 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Ready to book a trip for 2024? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

• April 1-7 – heavy crowds continue due to the Easter holiday
• April 8-17 – moderate crowds return
• April 18-21 – even though there is the runDisney Springtime Surprise race, expect the crowds to remain moderate
• April 22-30 – moderate crowds finish up the month, even with a couple of cheer and dance competitions happening

Things to keep in mind for April:

• The Easter holiday falls on March 31 in 2024, which means the first week of April will see an increase in crowds.
• The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival transforms Epcot into an array of color. Make sure you set aside some time to check out the topiaries there.
• Storms (especially midday storms) will also likely be a factor, so we highly recommend you plan midday breaks from the sun and rain during your trip.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the April crowd calendar .
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds across all of WDW, and heavy crowds at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-10 – lighter crowds return for a few days
• May 11-12 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 13-17 – light to moderate crowds
• May 18-19 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 20-23 – light to moderate crowds
• May 24-31 – moderate crowds return, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

Things to keep in mind for May:

• There are a few special limited time celebrations taking place this summer , so be sure to check those out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the May crowd calendar .
• June 1-30 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for June:

• June is also the start of hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Epcot construction finally wraps up, plus there are several limited-time celebrations happening. Check out what’s in store for Summer 2024 at Walt Disney World .
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the June crowd calendar .
• July 1-7 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 8-31 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for July:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in July can be particularly brutal.
• July is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• This is typically the month where we see the Food & Wine Festival begin.
• There are several limited-time celebrations taking place across Walt Disney World in 2024.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the July crowd calendar .

August 2024

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-9 – light crowds
• August 10-11 – moderate weekend crowds
• August 12-29 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• August 30-31 – crowds pick up a bit before the Labor Day holiday

Things to keep in mind for August:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in August can be particularly brutal.
• August is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• The International Food and Wine Festival will be in full swing over at Epcot. Whenever possible, we recommend that you avoid Epcot on Thursday – Sunday (especially in the evenings).
• Look for Halloween entertainment to begin at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the August crowd calendar .

September 2024

• September 1-2 – peak Labor Day crowds
• September 3-19 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• September 20-23 – light to moderate crowds return for a few days
• September 24-26 – light crowds
• September 27-30 – moderate crowds return as we start ramping up to the busy Fall Break season

Things to keep in mind for September:

• September is typically a great time to travel to Walt Disney World as school is usually back in session in most areas, but it is before any Fall Breaks have the chance to bring heavy crowds.
• Halloween entertainment continues at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in September can be particularly brutal.
• September is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the September crowd calendar .

October 2024

• October 1-3 – moderate crowds as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-9  – moderate to heavy crowds
• October 10-14 – peak Indigenous Peoples’ Day crowds
• October 15-31 – moderate to heavy crowds for the rest of October, with the busiest days on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and towards the end of the month as guests arrive for Halloween and the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Things to keep in mind for October:

• The growing popularity of Fall Breaks in schools means that October is far busier than it used to be.
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in October often surprises guests visiting from cooler climates.
• October is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the October crowd calendar .

November 2024

• November 1-3 – heavy crowds due to the runDisney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon
• November 4-6 – moderate to heavy crowds for Jersey Days and early Veterans Day visitors
• November 7-11 – heavy crowds for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-22 – moderate to heavy crowds in the days after Veterans Day and before Thanksgiving
• November 23-24 – heavy crowds begin arriving for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 25-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

Things to keep in mind for November:

• Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are both popular across Walt Disney World, which means to expect heavy crowds if visiting then.
• Christmas events usually kick off at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to start this month.
• Food and Wine Festival at Epcot wraps up this month.
• The Epcot Festival of the Holidays typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the end of December. 
• Even though November typically begins a gradual cool off, storms (especially mid-day storms) and high heat and humidity can still be a factor, so plan accordingly.
• November brings the end to hurricane season. Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the November crowd calendar .

December 2024

• December 1-20 – heavy crowds with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays a bit busier (although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations)
• December 21-31 – peak holiday crowds

Things to keep in mind for December:

• Although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations. If you are traveling during this time, expect it to be busy.
• Christmas events continue over at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to run until the week of Christmas.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the December crowd calendar .

@wdwprepschool 4 least busy times to go to Disney World in 2024! 🏰✨ #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #epcot #animalkingdom #greenscreen ♬ original sound – WDW Prep • Disney Tips

2025 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Dreaming of taking a Disney World vacation in 2025? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

January 2025

• January 1-5 – very busy time as people use their days off from work/school to vacation at Disney World for the holidays
• January 6-12 – most schools are back in session during this time, but you can still expect moderate to heavy crowds due to the extremely popular runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon
• January 13-16 – crowds lighten up a tiny bit before a big dance & cheer competition and the busy Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
• January 17-20 – heavy crowds descend on Walt Disney World as guests visit for both the long holiday weekend and the UCA College Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals
• January 21-30 – moderate crowds for most of the rest of the month
• January 31 – slight uptick in crowds due the UDA National Dance Team Championship

Things to keep in mind for January:

• There are a few holidays and special events sprinkled throughout this month that have historically drawn large crowds. If at all possible, try to avoid traveling over those.
• The weather in January is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers, but be prepared for comfortable days and cooler nights and mornings.
• The Epcot Festival of the Arts is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the January crowd calendar .

February 2025

* Note: These events are estimated dates and may change after official schedules are released.

• February 1-2 – although February used to be relatively slow, look for the entire month to be busier than years past, starting with moderate crowds due to the UDA National Dance Team Championship
• February 3-7 – slight dip in crowds before things pick up again for another weekend cheer competition
• February 8-9 – look for this weekend to be busier due to the UCA National High School Cheer Competition
• February 10-12 – small pocket where the crowds will likely decrease a bit
• February 13-20 – very heavy crowds due to the combination of a cheer/dance competition * , Presidents’ Day weekend, and the start of the runDisney Princess Half Marathon
• February 21-24 – moderate crowds over the weekend as the runDisney Princess Half Marathon wraps up
• February 25-28 – moderate crowds to wrap up February, increasing some towards the end of the month for the start of another cheer/dance competition *

Things to keep in mind for February

• The  Epcot Festival of the Arts  is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• The weather in February is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the February crowd calendar .
• March 1-2 – busy weekend due to a dance/cheer competition *
• March 3-6 – moderate crowds for the first part and middle of the week, with overall levels increasing the closer you get to the weekend
• March 7-9 – heavy crowds due to a dance/cheer competition * and the start of Spring Break
• March 10-31 – heavy crowds Spring Break crowds

Things to keep in mind for March:

• Spring Break typically begins this month, which means heavy crowds at Walt Disney World.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the March crowd calendar .
• April 1-6 – heavy crowds to start out the month due to Spring Break and the runDisney Springtime Surprise
• April 7-11 – moderate crowds return for a few days
• April 12-20 – heaviest crowds of the month due to the Easter holiday and school breaks
• April 21-27 – expect this week to be just slightly less busy than the week before due to the holiday and school breaks
• April 28-30 – moderate crowds return for the end of the month

• The Easter holiday always brings heavy crowds for both the week before and the week after.
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds kick off the start of the month due to a dance/cheer competition * with heavy crowds likely at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-9 – lighter crowds expected during the middle of the week
• May 10-11 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 12-16 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 17-18 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 19-22 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 23-31 – moderate crowds return as school years start wrapping up, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

• June 1-30 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

• July 1-3 – moderate summer crowds
• July 4-6 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 7-31 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

August 2025

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-8 – light crowds
• August 9-10 – moderate weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• August 11-31 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

September 2025

• September 1-30 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with the days around Labor Day being a bit more crowded. Also, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays will likely have slightly heavier crowds than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap.

October 2025

• October 1-3 – crowds start increasing as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-5 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 6-9 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week before things get very busy
• October 10-20 – heavy Fall Break crowds
• October 21-24 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 25-26 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 27-30 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 31 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend

November 2025

• November 1-2 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend
• November 3-5 – moderate crowds before Jersey Days and Veterans Day visitors
• November 6-11 – heavy crowds due for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-14 – slight dip in crowds before the weekend
• November 15-16 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• November 17-21 – moderate crowds before Thanksgiving guests arrive
• November 22-23 – heavy crowds arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 24-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

December 2025

• December 1-5 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 6-7 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 8-12 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 13-14 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 15-17 – final days for moderate crowds before holiday travelers start arriving
• December 18-25 – heavy holiday crowds, increasing the closer you get to December 25
• December 26-31 – peak holiday crowds

When is Disney World the LEAST crowded?

Typically, the least crowded times at Disney World tend to be:

• Mid-May : There aren’t any holidays during this time, and not as many families travel in the final weeks of school.
• Mid-August through most of September: This is when most American kids are back in school, and there are fewer vacationing families. The weather in Florida is also typically very hot and humid, which can deter some guests.

When is Disney World the MOST crowded?

As you can imagine, holidays and long weekends see the heaviest crowds at all tourist destinations, and that includes Walt Disney World. Basically, any time school is out of session, Walt Disney World will be busier.

Look for the parks to be the busiest around these dates. That includes the days before and in some instances, the days after, too:

• New Year’s Day  (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in January)
• Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in February)
• Spring Break (especially last 2 weeks of March)
• Easter (both the week before and the week after typically have increased crowds)
• Independence Day  (July 4)
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day  (2nd Monday in October)
• Veterans’ Day  (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day  (4th Thursday in November)
• Christmas week through January 1

In addition to all of those, keep in mind that the weekends are almost always busier than the weekdays, with mid-week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) being less crowded than Mondays and Fridays.

What month at Disney World is the BEST?

What month is the best month to visit Walt Disney World depends on what your goals are:

• August, and September (excluding holiday weeks) are historically the least crowded . Especially if you can avoid the weekends, this time of year typically sees some of the lowest crowds.
• January and February have the best weather . This time of year has cooler temps and way less rain. You may need a jacket in the morning or evenings, though.
• Late August and September are best for fall decor and Halloween activities . Late August and September are historically way less crowded than October, making them the better options if you are going for the fall decor or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• December is best for holiday decorations and festivities. All parks and resorts will be decorated, Festival of Holidays will be happening, but it will likely be crowded.

When is the best time to visit in Walt Disney World for holiday decorations?

Lots of people like to travel to Walt Disney World to check out the holiday decorations. In the past, the time between the end of Thanksgiving and about the middle of December would be perfect for that.

However, over the past several years, we’ve seen the crowds during that time period steadily increase to the point now that what used to be a relatively slow time of the year, has become quite busy.

If you’d like to visit Walt Disney World to see the holiday decorations, there are still some days that are better than others. Just keep in mind that even though they are “better”, they will likely be busier than what you might have experienced over the same days in years past.

• November 15-22, 2024 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 2-20, 2024 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• November 17-21, 2025 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 1-5, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• December 8-12, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)

What happens if the parks are busier than anticipated?

Although we have years of experience putting these crowd calendars together, occasionally something happens (like a surprise announcement from Disney) that can throw off our predictions. But don’t panic!

Even though heavier crowds may sound scary, that doesn’t mean that your trip will be ruined.

To help navigate it all, we have a few resources to share, including complete guides for using Disney’s Genie+ system, which we have personally found *extremely* useful at keeping waits to a minimum:

• Tips for handling the crowds at Disney World
• Best Genie+ choices (book these first!)
• How to use Genie+ at Walt Disney World
• How to book Individual Lightning Lane selections

In fact, we recommend all guests visiting Walt Disney World spend some time looking through those guides – no matter how busy the parks are expected to be.

Will the new stuff at Universal affect the crowds at Disney World?

If you haven’t heard, Universal is getting a lot of new and highly anticipated stuff in the upcoming years, and we do expect many people will be scheduling trips for those openings.

And, since it isn’t unusual for people to want to pair both a Universal trip with a Walt Disney World trip, we would not be surprised to see an uptick in WDW crowds when the Universal openings happen.

How does a crowd calendar work?

Crowd calendars have been a staple for many people planning Disney World vacations, but exactly what do they do?

Simply put, crowd calendars are predictions for just how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort will be on any given day.

If you are a repeat visitor, it can be easy to want to compare crowd levels from previous trip dates to future trip dates.

But, that won’t work.

Typically, aside from what we saw in 2020 and 2021, more people are going to visit Walt Disney World year-over-year.

So, keep this in mind:

When looking at crowd levels, please remember that you can’t compare this year to last year, or any other year for that matter. What we consider “heavy” crowds now will likely look nothing like the “heavy” crowds from years past.

And, most importantly – w hen we predict that crowds will be “heavy” or “light”, we mean that on those dates the crowds will be heavier or lighter when compared to the rest of the year .

Which park should you visit on each day of a Disney World trip?

In addition to the yearly information above, we also publish monthly crowd calendars that include refurbishment and closure information, park and entertainment hours, plus the dates you’ll need to know for booking Advanced Dining Reservations.

When planning your park days, the goal is to visit the park with the lowest predicted crowds.

The monthly calendars are easily customized to display the exact information you need for all 4 parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Plus operating information (hours, refurbishments & closures, etc.) for:

• Disney Springs
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

We recommend you use the information on this page to guide you as you select your travel dates, and then use the monthly crowd calendars linked below each month to help you plan your individual days.

How do opening and closings affect crowds at Disney World?

As you can imagine, anytime something major opens or something popular closes, the crowds in the parks are heavily impacted.

In general, the parks where the attraction or show is located will see the largest impact, but it isn’t unusual for all the parks to see a temporary surge in crowds.

So, keep this in mind when noting the crowd levels above.

Crowd levels are fluid from year to year. What was considered “moderate” in years past is not the same thing that is considered “moderate” now; it is simply “moderate” when compared to the rest of the current year .

Do runDisney races and sports competitions make Disney World more crowded?

During the slower times of the year, you’ll often find that Disney World hosts lots of competitions.

If you are planning to visit during the time of the year that a cheer, dance, or other sporting event competition is taking place, we recommend trying to avoid booking a room at one of the host resorts. The primary host resorts are typically all 3 of the All-Star Resorts ( All-Star Sports , All-Star Movies , and All-Star Music ).

There is also sometimes some overflow into the moderates, primarily Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs , however, the main impacts (like crowded buses and busy food courts) are guaranteed to be felt at the 3 All-Star Resorts.

Does that mean you will never find competitors in the other resorts? No. But you’ll definitely find them in the ones listed above.

runDisney races , on the other hand, tend to bring in far greater crowds that stay at all levels of resorts and since the competitions occur outside the normal park operating hours, the impact is more wide-spread. That doesn’t mean a trip will be ruined if a race is occurring while you are there, it is just something to be aware of.

An experienced travel professional at Small World Vacations can help you navigate all the changes.

→ Get a quote now ←

Are crowd calendars a thing of the past?

For a long time, Disney World crowd trends were relatively easy to predict.

It was never an exact science, but years and years of near-monthly visits paired with giant spreadsheets and databases of wait times did help us, with at least a decent amount of accuracy, predict how we thought things would go.

In our opinion, Crowd Calendars aren’t a thing of the past, but they are going to look different .

School schedules have been changing. Remote work is a thing, making it easier for families to travel during traditionally off-peak times.

Choosing those “best dates” just got a lot more nuanced, and things we’d never thought we’d have to consider are a new reality.

But – even though things definitely will look different, there are still times of the year that are less busy than others.

If you’re just starting to plan a trip between now and the end of 2024, you should first read our free Walt Disney World Vacation Planner to make sure you don’t miss anything that could mess up your trip.

When do you plan to visit? Any questions about our Disney World crowd calendar?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments , but please don’t ask us to compare to crowd calendars from other sites . We’ve explained the reasoning behind our calendar here and won’t be commenting on how other sites do things.

Christine Smith

Friday 27th of October 2023

It may not matter too much, but Mardi Gras is February 13th this year.

Emma Bridgeman

Friday 20th of October 2023

Your crowd calendars are so useful! When will your calendar for 2025 be out? Thanks!

Shannon Albert

Monday 23rd of October 2023

Glad the info is useful! 2025 will likely be out in May/June of 2024.

Michelle E Barthlow

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

If you could pick any 10 days/nights between May 25th and July 27th, what dates would be the best? Unfortunately, we can't take our daughter out of school anymore like we always used to do.

Barbara Sofer

Tuesday 12th of September 2023

We--grandparents, one parent, two boys 11 and 13, are landing from abroad and driving directly to Epcot on September 26. We won't get there until the noon. What would you recommend vis a vis Gene+ and Lightening Lanes?

Friday 15th of September 2023

Would recommend buying it and starting to book from home and while you're traveling. Buy an Individual Lightning Lane Selection for Cosmic Rewind so you can pick a time to ride and consider getting Standby Skipper because it can book your Lightning Lanes even when you don't have access or want to be on your phone.

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

What does moderate mean? How long are waits with a moderate crowd? I'll be there on Jan 8th, 2024.

When is the best time to go to Disneyland Florida?

Visiting Disneyland Florida, also known as Walt Disney World Resort, is a magical and memorable experience for people of all ages. However, determining the best time to visit can be a bit tricky, as it depends on your preferences for weather, crowds, and special events. This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about when to plan your trip to Disneyland Florida.

The best time to visit Disneyland Florida depends on your preferences. If you prefer mild weather and lower crowd levels, consider visiting during the dry season from October to April, especially in the weeks after Thanksgiving and early January. If you don’t mind the heat and rain, the wet season from June to September can be a good time to visit. Special events and holidays may also influence your decision, as they can enhance your experience but may result in higher crowd levels and ticket prices. Always check the official Disneyland Florida website for the most accurate information.

Weather Considerations

Florida’s weather varies throughout the year, with mild winters and hot, sunny summers. The dry season typically begins in October and lasts until late April, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is generally considered a pleasant time to visit Disneyland, as you can enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about rain or extreme heat.

The wet season, from June to September, is characterized by high heat, humidity, and frequent rain. Temperatures can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which could impact your comfort and enjoyment of the parks. However, if you’re prepared with rain gear and a plan for indoor activities, you can still have a fantastic time at Disneyland Florida during this season.

Crowd Levels

Crowd levels at Disneyland Florida fluctuate throughout the year. The lowest crowd levels are typically observed in the weeks after Thanksgiving and the first few weeks of January. Moderate crowds are present during long weekends and holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. The weeks leading up to and during Christmas and New Year’s Eve see the highest crowd levels, often leading to park closures due to reaching maximum capacity.

For a better understanding of crowd levels during your visit, consider checking crowd calendars provided by Magic Guides , Undercover Tourist , Love the Mouse Travel , WDW Prep School , Disney Tourist Blog , and The Park Prodigy. These calendars use historical data to predict crowd levels, helping you plan your visit accordingly.

Operational Hours

Disneyland Florida’s operational hours vary depending on the time of the year and the specific theme park. Generally, the parks open between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM and close between 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM. However, these hours may change based on demand, holidays, and special events.

For the most accurate operational hours for your visit, consult the official Walt Disney World park hours calendar.

Special Events and Activities

Disneyland Florida hosts numerous special events and activities throughout the year. These can range from holiday celebrations, such as Halloween and Christmas events, to themed parties, food and wine festivals, and more. Visiting during these special events can enhance your Disneyland experience, but keep in mind that they may also result in increased crowd levels and ticket prices.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices for Disneyland Florida can fluctuate throughout the year, based on demand, holidays, and special events. Generally, ticket prices are higher during peak seasons and lower during off-peak times. For the latest information on ticket prices and available discounts, check the official Walt Disney World tickets page.

The best time to visit Disneyland Florida depends on your personal preferences for weather, crowd levels, and events. Whether you prefer the pleasant temperatures of the dry season, the lower crowd levels of the off-peak times, or the special events of the holiday season, there’s a perfect time for everyone to visit Disneyland Florida. Plan your visit carefully, and you’re sure to have a magical experience at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main theme parks in disneyland florida.

Disneyland Florida, or Walt Disney World Resort, consists of four main theme parks: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park.

Can I visit all the parks in one day?

While it is technically possible to visit all four parks in one day, it is not recommended. Each park has numerous attractions and experiences that can take a full day or more to fully enjoy.

How can I avoid long lines at Disneyland Florida?

Disneyland Florida offers a service called FastPass+, which allows you to reserve access to certain attractions, entertainment, and character meet and greets in advance. This can significantly reduce your waiting times.

Are there any discounts available for Disneyland Florida tickets?

Yes, Disneyland Florida often offers discounts on tickets, especially for Florida residents, military personnel, and AAA members. Additionally, you can often save money by purchasing multi-day tickets, as the per-day price decreases the more days you add.

What is the best way to get to Disneyland Florida?

Disneyland Florida is easily accessible by car, and there are plenty of parking options available. Alternatively, if you’re staying in a Disney Resort hotel, you can take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express, a complimentary roundtrip service that whisks you between Orlando International Airport and select Disney Resort hotels.

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Ashley is a true theme park veteran, with insights gleaned from multiple visits to every park in the US. Her goal is to provide an insider's guide to making the most of your visit to any theme park.

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Best Time to Go to Disneyland 2024 & 2025

Photo Credit: MickeyVisit.com

One of the biggest deciding factors when planning a Disneyland trip is figuring when to go! While there is no time of the year anymore that Disneyland will be completely empty, there are certainly certain best months to visit Disneyland and specific dates of those months to consider.

You can avoid some of the most intense crowds of the year while also taking advantage of some of the best deals which often coincide with those less busy months at Disneyland. But this doesn't also mean you can't visit during some of the best celebrations of the year which include both Halloween and Christmas. We have all our tips

My guide to the best months to visit Disneyland covers not just the best months of the year to avoid crowds but also the best dates to visit to enjoy everything Disneyland has to offer with special events, holidays, and celebrations. Click here to see our Disneyland crowd calendar that's updated every month.

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

Best Time to Go to Visit Disneyland

Here are some of the best times to visit Disneyland broken down by our favorite months to visit. These choices reflect some of the lower crowded times of the year but also the celebrations at the resort.

As you are looking ahead to plan the best times to visit Disneyland, we put together a helpful download with all of the SPECIFIC best dates to visit in 2024 and 2025. Click the button below to receive this when to visit resource and other super helpful planning resources! You'll also get access to our FREE Mickey Visit newsletter when you sign up to receive our free printable.

What Are the Slowest Months to Visit Disneyland?

The slowest months of the year at Disneyland are January, February, April, August, September, and November. Other information stating that October is one of the slowest months of the year at Disneyland is completely outdated. Even the official Disneyland page still has this listed and it is absolutely incorrect.

Let's dive into all the information on the least crowded months to visit Disneyland throughout the year.

January offers some of the least crowded Disneyland days of the year which makes it a popular month to visit Disneyland. If you visit at least a week after New Years Day you will see some of the lowest crowds of the year. Of course, if you're looking to avoid crowds then you shouldn't visit on the weekend of Martin Luther King Jr. Day which is a popular travel holiday weekend. Read our guide to Disneyland in January .

Guests looking to enjoy special celebrations at the resort can also target the end of January which is often when the popular Lunar New Year festival at California Adventure kicks off bringing a variety of food marketplace booths, entertainment, and special character photo ops.

Guests looking to prioritize low crowds above all other considerations will find January a great time to visit.

February is another month that sees lower crowd levels before the busy spring break season begins. The only weekend to avoid in February is the third Monday of February which is President's Day weekend. As always, any three day weekend will bring extremely high crowd levels. Read our guide to Disneyland in February .

February also will see the continuation of the Lunar New Year festival at California Adventure which usually lasts until the middle of the month. There is also the time of year we will see the popular after dark events take place with Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite occurring multiple times throughout the month.

February is one of the best months to visit Disneyland if you want to take advantage of lower crowd levels and also enjoy special events.

April is far busier than both January and February but not quite as busy as other months of the year (think October for Halloween season!) and offers plenty of things to do. Especially if you take advantage of weekdays or go towards the end of the month, you can find plenty of days in April with reasonable crowds. Read our guide to Disneyland in April .

During April the popular Disneyland Food and Wine Festival takes place in California Adventure which is one of the best festivals offered at California Adventure all year. This festival brings marketplace booths full of varieties of food and wine, culinary demonstrations, the return of Soarin' Over California, and more. Dapper Day at Disneyland also takes place in April which is a fun site to see as many guests dress up in their best to visit the resort. Depending on when Easter takes place, if it falls during April, you will also find plenty of Easter themed treats, activities, and more.

Though August is usually the hottest month of the year at Disneyland, it is one of my favorite times to visit as you get to enjoy all of the summer celebrations while the crowds begin to die down. Many schools return to class before Labor Day which makes August one of the slower months of the summer as tourist crowds start to trickle down. Read our guide to Disneyland in August .

I have visited during the beginning of August before the local passholders ( Magic Key holders ) are unblocked from visiting the parks and as some of the tourist crowd levels start to dwindle down. This is one of the best months to visit Disneyland. You will still get to enjoy the longer operating hours of summer along with all the other benefits of a summer visit without the higher crowd levels you may see in June and July.

For folks looking for the best time to visit Disneyland for Halloween season, September is the best choice. October is notorious for being busy, perhaps being one of the busiest months all year at Disneyland! September is the perfect time to visit before the Halloween crowds at Disneyland start picking up. Read our guide to Disneyland in September .

The Halloween season at Disneyland usually begins after the first week of the month and crowds will progressively pick up as the month goes on. The earlier in September you can visit, the more crowds you can avoid.

November is a great winter month to visit Disneyland as you can enjoy the holiday season which kicks off within the first week of the month. If you want to try and catch both Halloween and Christmas, visit starting November 1st for the best chance of seeing the Halloween decorations (as they come down) and the holiday ones (as they go up.) Read our guide to Disneyland in November .

Just be sure to avoid Veteran's Day weekend as this will likely be one of the most crowded weekends in the month along with Thanksgiving weekend.

Discount Disneyland Tickets

Our favorite Disney-approved re-seller,  Get Away Today, offers the best Disneyland discount tickets around. In addition to great discount prices, their customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a wonderful experience and they are on-call to help you during your vacation if you need them.

Book your discount tickets NOW >

Buying tickets from Get Away Today is easy and convenient since all their tickets are sent electronically. You can take their vouchers and head straight to the gate without needing to wait in any ticket booth lines. They also offer layaway plans so you can pay off your vacation over time.

Best Time to Go to Disneyland Each Month

While it can be hard to pinpoint the exact best date to visit Disneyland, I can give a rough estimate for the best days each month. This isn't an exact science but you can get an idea of what days to focus your trip on. These dates would be the ones I would select if I were picking my own best times to visit Disneyland.

What Days of the Year Is Disneyland Least Crowded?

Disneyland Best Days to Visit 2024

Disneyland is expected to be least crowded on the below days of the year in 2024.

• January : 4-11, 17-31
• February : 1-13, 21-29
• March : 1-9
• April : 23-30
• May : 1-9, 15-25
• June:  1-30
• August : 1-31
• September : 4-30
• October : 1-6
• November : 1-7, 13-22
• December : 1-14

Disneyland Best Days to Visit 2025

• January : 7-16, 22-31
• February : 1-13, 19-28
• March : 1-7
• April : 21-30
• May : 1-8, 12-22, 28-31
• June:  1-12, 17-30
• July:  8-31
• September : 3-30
• October : 1-9
• November : 1-6, 12-25
• December : 1-15

These dates are all meant to avoid peak holiday periods in each specific month.

Cheapest Days to Visit Disneyland

Disneyland's cheapest one-day ticket is called Tier 1 and is priced at $104 for an adult ticket. Disney usually just offers these lower prices for one-day tickets on days of the year they would consider slower days.

Most of these cheapest days for Disneyland will be on weekdays during slower months of the year. Read our guide to the cheapest times to visit Disneyland .

Busiest Times to Visit Disneyland

You can read more about the busiest time to visit Disneyland in our crowd calendar, but ultimately the good rule of thumb is to avoid holidays. This also includes holiday weekends which can sometimes be the busiest weekends the parks will see all year. Some of these weekends to avoid include President's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Labor Day, and Indigenous/Columbus Day .

October is also known to be one of the busiest months of the year at Disneyland due to the popularity of Halloween along with the many Fall breaks that schools receive on the west coast. Other times of year like Spring Break weeks during March/April, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week also all draw big crowds. During the holiday season especially in late November and December, weekends will be extremely busy as locals turn out in droves to see the holiday decorations.

Best Time to Visit Disneyland During Halloween

Disneyland goes all out for Halloween with the celebration taking place starting mid-September through the full month of October. What can be surprising for a lot of guests to find out is that October is just as popular as December can be, if not more, at Disneyland. Many schools in California, Utah, Arizona, and more all have week long fall breaks in October and many of those families choose to visit Disneyland. Read our full guide to Disneyland Halloween for details on the general celebration and a guide to the after-hours Ooogie Boogie Bash Party .

If you want to see Disneyland during Halloween and avoid the crush of the crowds, then visiting during September is going to be your best choice. Avoid October if you can and choose to visit in September. Disneyland will begin decorating for Halloween as early as September 1st, sometimes even in late August, but the official Halloween celebrations begin the first week of the month.

When is Best Time to Visit Disneyland During Christmas?

If you're looking to visit Disneyland during Christmas then there are some best times to visit to avoid crowds and have better weather. This is one of the best times of the year to visit Disneyland as the parks go all out for the holidays! This is truly one of the best times of the year to visit, it's my favorite time to go personally!

If you are looking to avoid crowds, the earlier in the celebration you go the better. The seasonal celebration often begins after the first week of November and runs until the first week of January. If you visit before Thanksgiving, you will experience the lowest crowd levels during the holidays. After Thanksgiving, the parks will increase in crowd levels, especially on weekends, as the holiday draws near and more locals are enticed by the Christmas decor.

Another tactic is to wait until after New Year's Day and catch the Christmas celebration before it officially ends during the first week of January. Crowds will filter out quite quickly at Disneyland after New Year's.

When is the Best Time to Visit Disneyland in Summer?

Disneyland is actually pretty reasonable when it comes to crowds in the summer, more so than busier weeks during the Halloween and Christmas seasons! While you will have more tourists coming to visit the parks during the summer, many of the Magic Key holders will have more restrictions on their park availability. However, there are still some best times to visit Disneyland in the summer too! Read our guide to Disneyland in the Summer .

The first half of June is still wrapping up the Grad Nites celebrations at California Adventure Park so if you visit towards the end of June you will avoid most of those crowds. July will see some of the heavier summer crowds and you will also have higher temperatures so if you're looking to avoid both, the end of June is a great choice.

August is another good month to visit as many schools around the country go back before Labor Day with many school dates scattered throughout August. My son's school always starts around mid-August, usually the 12th or so, so this is more common than you might expect. The end of August is a great time for low crowds although you may have high temperatures.

Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

Be sure to subscribe to our Disneyland deals newsletter for all of the latest information on deals and saving tips to help you save money and experience more!  Sign up here .

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

• Disneyland Restaurant Reviews
• Disneyland Character Dining
• How to Plan Your Disneyland Trip
• Disneyland in the Summer
• Disneyland Discount Packages

Frequently Asked Questions 

Disneyland is least crowded earlier in the year from late January through February before Spring Break season kicks off and late April (unless Easter falls during this time). There are also other times of year when you can find lower crowds like parts of August, September, and November. See our full discussion above on the best times to visit Disneyland!

If you're visiting during peak times of the year, the slowest day to visit Disneyland will often be Saturday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays can also be good times to visit with lower crowd levels from visiting tourists and Magic Key holders. You can see more details and why these are the slowest days to visit in our guide to the best day of the week to visit Disneyland . 

January and February are often the cheapest times of year to go to Disneyland. You'll find lower hotel rates before Spring Break season starts as well as lower airfares during these months. Disneyland's lowest ticket tier types are often Mondays, making this often the cheapest day of the week to visit. You can see all details about the cheapest time to go to Disneyland in our guide. 

January can often be Disneyland's least busy month if you're looking to avoid crowds. If you visit at least a week after New Year's Day and avoid the three-day weekend surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day, you'll be able to enjoy some of the lowest crowd levels of the year as mentioned above in our guide. 

To avoid crowds at Disneyland if you are visiting during a busy time, make sure to arrive at the park early for rope drop and take advantage of the morning hours when you can ride popular attractions with shorter wait times. You'll also want to make sure you're utilizing Genie+ as effectively as possible to make the most of this offering and avoid long wait times for attractions. Visiting during the best months listed above will help you avoid the biggest crowds during the year.

The best month to visit Disneyland is January if you are interested in the least crowded time of year or December if you are looking for the overall best Disneyland experience.

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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2024 Best & Worst Months to Visit Disneyland

Planning a trip to Disneyland and trying to determine the best month to visit in 2024? We analyze crowds, weather, seasonal events, park hours, and other factors to rank every month of the year for Disneyland in this post, plus our 3 favorite weeks to visit.

It’s been a wild ride since Disneyland and DCA reopened. There have been waves of pent-up demand made for a busy summer, followed by attendance fizzling out, and that process repeating itself multiple times. The debut and subsequent suspensions of Magic Key Annual Pass sales has further complicated crowd predictions, as have ticket deals for Southern California residents.

The good news is that things have started getting back to normal in the last 8 months. Looking forward to 2024, this should be the first normal  year at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure since 2018. (Due to the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, 2019 was anything but normal. Ditto the following two-plus years, for obvious reasons.) Pent-up demand is already starting to exhaust itself, and it’s forecast to slow even further in 2024.

With that said, there’s no such thing as a totally normal year at Disneyland Resort. While we are fully expecting familiar patterns to return to the attendance dynamic over the course of the entire year, there are some monkey wrenches thrown into the mix due to differences in the the  Full 2024 Calendar of Events at Disneyland as compared to last year and the exhaustion of pent-up demand.

Accordingly, we’re ranking all months of the year. Even if our expectations about crowds are slightly off, weather, seasonal events, and other factors are consistent from year to year, making this resource equally useful for planning a trip to Disneyland in 2024 or 2025.

A lot of resources already exist to help planners choose the best time to visit Disneyland, but they do so from an objective, statistical perspective. While crowd calendars are a great resource, we believe in a more holistic approach to planning a Disneyland visit.

To be sure, everyone loves low crowds, but those low crowds don’t tell the whole story. When it comes to Disneyland, low crowd levels are sometimes accompanied by shorter operating hours, poor weather, additional refurbishments, and a lack of seasonal events. Few people evaluate their vacation’s success by some statistical ‘fun quotient’, so we feel it only makes sense to approach the best months to visit Disneyland from a similar qualitative approach.

That’s our belief, at least, and one that has proven popular with readers of our Disneyland Crowd Calendars: When to Visit & Avoid . We’ve had a lot of questions for greater guidance in that post, so we thought we’d provide that here. In this, we provide the pros & cons of every month at Disneyland and rank the best and worst times to visit accordingly.

As such, the point of this post is to rank every month of the year for visiting Disneyland in light of all relevant considerations . After ranking each month with accompanying analysis (so you can determine whether you’d weigh the factors differently) we also cut to the chase and choose our 3 favorite weeks of the year for visiting Disneyland.

In order of worst to best, here’s how every month of the year at Disneyland ranks…

12. June – Due to the summer tourist season mixed with pent-up demand (people making up for lost time and taking trips), June has become one of the busiest months of the year. It has been busier than July, which used to be the busier summer vacation month.

June being busier than July actually makes sense for one big reason: lower tier Magic Key passholders are not blocked out earlier in June, causing them to descend upon the park. That means there’s a dynamic with both tourists and  locals in June, whereas July has fewer of the latter.

The only other major consideration for the summer months is weather. While June is one of the hottest months of the year in California, it’s typically not as hot and humid as Florida. Beyond that, it comes down (mostly) to luck whether June, July, or August will have the “worst” weather. Click here to view our June Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

11. July – Pretty much the same story with July. This is often the peak of California’s summer tourist season, but it has more narrowly-tailored Magic Key blockouts. With pent-up demand exhausting itself, we expect to see June and July 2024 crowds die down quite a bit, making the summer far less busy than a lot of other months.

We could end up being “wrong” and misjudging the new crowd dynamic, but it doesn’t really matter. Regardless of what happens with summer crowds, we’d pick a different month if visiting Disneyland as tourists. There’s too much downside and not enough potential upside. The summer just doesn’t have enough selling points, even if you set aside crowds for some reason.

In general, July is not as bad at Disneyland as Walt Disney World. You still have the potential for hot weather, but it’s not nearly as humid. There’s also an influx of summer tourists, but far fewer than Florida. The days around Independence Day are an exception, as they are exceptionally busy despite the blockouts. The upside to July 4th at Disneyland is added entertainment and special fireworks. Click here to view our July Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

10. October – As Halloween becomes increasingly popular, October has become–on average–the second-busiest month of the year. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, as October had become increasingly chaotic in “normal” years. In large part, this can be attributed to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure and more demand for all things Halloween at both parks.

On top of that, October has a surplus of “crazy” holidays–half of which I think Utah and Nevada are making up just to mess with Disneyland crowd levels. Nevada, you don’t get your own holiday . I’ll sooner recognize “Whacking Day” as an official holiday. Aside from this nonsense Utah and Nevada are celebrating, there’s also Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day. While not major holidays on their own, many school districts use that as a proxy for fall breaks. And the schools that don’t typically have their breaks scattered throughout other long weekends in October.

Then there’s Halloween, and everyone knows that those heathens in California celebrate by taking 13 days off work. 😉 Seriously, though, October has become a really busy month at Disneyland. The weather and seasonal entertainment are both great (just check out our Ultimate Guide to Halloween at Disneyland ), but crowds are too unpredictable and heavy. Click here to view our October Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

9. March  – This month will be much worse than last year due to Easter falling on March 31, 2024 (as opposed to in April). Due to that, Los Angeles County and most Orange County school districts both have their Spring Break in the last couple weeks of the month, and out of state schools will be scattered throughout the month.

Nevertheless, the first ~3 weeks of the months should not be that bad. Then there’s weather, which is starting to improve in March. It’s also the first full month of Disney California Adventure’s Food & Wine Festival , which usually runs through April. It’s an enjoyable event that does not really draw crowds, but provides a nice way to get a taste of California’s diverse cuisine.

8. April – Even though Easter isn’t in April 2024, there are still a ton of school districts throughout California and other western states that have spring break during the month. That means you’ll have a mix of locals and tourists who are on vacation descending upon the parks during the first half of the month.

This makes for the first couple weeks of April one of the busier times of year, and also most expensive dates of the year at hotels near Disneyland Resort. This is especially frustrating at Disneyland, a park that was simply not built to accommodate as many guests as cram into the parks during the month of April.

Normally, there would be two silver linings. First, that the last two weeks of April should be quieter as Spring Break winds down. Second, April weather in Southern California is great, with little precipitation and warmer temperatures–but not too warm . Click here to view our April Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

7. February – Crowds in February 2024 shouldn’t be as bad as they were last year. This year, there’s no ‘100 Years of Wonder’ celebration, new nighttime spectaculars in both parks, or a new ride. All of that elevated crowd levels in February last year.

However, there’s still the week of Presidents’ Day, which will significantly spike crowds (avoid that entire week). Even before that, there’s an uptick earlier in the month due to the Lunar New Year celebration…causing increased crowds the first half of the month.

All of that is the downside of February. The upside is fewer refurbishments and warmer weather than January. Click here to view our February Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

6. August – This month has seen its stock soar in the last two years, driven largely by the new dynamic of summer vacation crowds dropping precipitously towards the start of August, rather than halfway through. There’s no reason to expect this trend to change for August 2024. This year, the added wrinkle is that the D23 Expo will run August 9-11, 2024–and it’ll spike crowds in the lead-up to that event.

The biggest downside is the potential for really hot weather, but you still have that reprieve from locals. The additional upside to August is that you don’t have the Independence Day spike. While the entirety of August has improved, crowds get  really good mid-month, as that’s when schools start going back into session.

While it didn’t make the cut for our best weeks of the year, there’s a fourth “sweet spot” in the exact middle of the month that has long operating hours, reduced crowds, and Magic Key passholder blockouts. Strongly consider this week if you’re thinking of doing a late Summer 2024 vacation at Disneyland. Click here to view our August Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

5. December  – This month slips a bit for our Disneyland rankings for one reason and one only: crowds . Everything else about December at Disneyland is great: cool weather, beautiful decorations, wonderful entertainment, and great food. (See our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Disneyland for more on why this is the greatest time of year at the parks.)

We spend a lot of time at Disneyland in December, and love every minute of it. If we had no choice but to visit during this month, we absolutely would. So don’t let that ranking discourage you too much–it’s mostly that November is superior to December. Even this comes with an asterisk, as the first week of December is typically the least-busy of the holiday season. (That’s a relative term–it’s still usually around 5/10 on the crowd calendar.)

That ‘confluence of greatness’ at Disneyland in December means that a lot of Magic Key passholders prioritize visiting in December, as do locals who are not passholders but visit once or twice per year. Add to that tourists, who are drawn to the parks this time of year, and it’s a recipe for heavy attendance. About the only times that are not chaotic are the couple of days after most blockouts take effect–but before Christmas vacation crowds arrive–and any day that it rains. Click here to view our December Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

4. January – The first month of the year ranks highly and is once again the winter doldrums, filled with refurbishments and low crowds. With that said, there are some important caveats to that, as January 2024 will most definitely be a month of high highs and low lows .

First, you do not want to visit in the first week of the new year. That’s because Los Angeles and Orange County schools do not go back into session following their winter breaks until January 8, 2024. Up until then, it’s still the holiday season at Disneyland–especially since ALL Magic Keys were blocked out for (at least) the 12 days before that. Expect crowd levels on par with the worst of Christmas as a result.

Second, the Disneyland Half Marathon returns for January 11-14, 2024. As a result, we’re expecting the week leading up to this to have elevated crowds, as the runDisney crowd tends to travel for events. So in other words, the low crowds won’t really  arrive  until January 15, 2024. The first half of the month will range from slightly elevated to very busy.

However, just about everything after should have low crowds. After January 15, it’ll feel like the true off-season at Disneyland. The only other things to be mindful of are the Martin Luther King holiday weekend (which mostly coincides with the Disneyland Half Marathon) and Southern California ticket specials typically converge to spike crowds a bit in mid-January. There’s also the start of the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure , which causes a spike to attendance at DCA. It still will be one of the best months of the entire year when all is said and done. Click here to view our January Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

3. May  – Normally, May is a “sweet spot” for Disneyland. It’s before schools are out for summer and also before Magic Key passholders who are blocked out for the summer start making their “last visits.” As such, May normally sees a lull in demand before the arrival of summer tourist season, and everything that brings with it.

This year, the only things to be mindful of are the return of Fantasmic (May 24, 2024) and the approximately two weeks leading up to the expiration of the Southern California resident ticket deal (ends June 2, 2024). Basically, the last couple weeks of the month will see elevated crowds as people rush to race their unused days before those tickets expire, and try to see Fantasmic for the first time in about a year.

The first half of the month will once again be the sweet spot between spring break and summer seasons. This was one of the very best times of the year last year, and that should be true again in May 2024. On top of that, May is also usually a strong month weather-wise, with mild temperatures. The downside is that Grad Nites can throw a wrench into crowd levels on any particular evening. Click here to view our May Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

2. September – Disneyland in September shares the same low crowd levels as Walt Disney World, but what it doesn’t share is humidity and hot weather. September has been getting busier, but still typically has the lowest or second-lowest average wait times of the year. It also helps that the D23 Expo will not occur in September this year.

Halloween Time will run for the entirety of September 2024, and that’ll cause a bit of a bump to crowds. However, that’s mostly a plus as the added seasonal entertainment far outweighs the increased attendance. Moreover, the spook season crowds shouldn’t show up in full force until October. September is reliably off-season, as school has just gone back into session and California’s summer tourist season has come to an end. Weekends can still see higher crowds, but weekdays tend to be great. We expect the same for September 2024.

As an added bonus, September is typically warm but totally bearable in Anaheim. On top of the crowds and pleasant weather, you have the Halloween entertainment, special food, and attraction overlays, which we highly recommend seeing. Click here to view our September Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

1. November  – Christmas is the absolute best time of the year at Disneyland from a qualitative perspective. The sweet spot for enjoying the holiday season entertainment is the beginning of November and right after the popular Veterans Day holiday in mid-November until Thanksgiving.

With that said, it’s important to note that from a quantitative perspective, November 2024 is not #1. Average wait times will almost certainly be lower in January, May, August, September, plus maybe February and April. If this were purely a crowd calendar ranking, November 2024 would be middle of the pack.

However, the elevated attendance is not that pronounced until Thanksgiving week (one of the very worst weeks of the year), and early November (minus Veterans Day weekend) can be relatively relaxed. Moreover, this is not a simply a ranking of the months based on crowds–it’s qualitative, and no month is better than November from that perspective.

Unlike the Florida parks, the holiday season all starts in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on the same day, so there’s no disadvantage in going early. This entertainment is exceptional, and makes the higher crowd levels totally worth it. The festive atmosphere, attraction overlays, decorations, and seasonal foods–plus typically good weather make mid-November an unbeatable time to visit, even with only so-so crowds. Click here to view our November Disneyland Crowd Calendar .

Want to cut past all of those rankings and simply looking for a point-blank recommendation as to when you should visit Disneyland? Here are our 3 favorite weeks of the year, followed by some explanation:

• Thanksgiving “Bookends” (November 12-22, 2024 or December 1-7, 2024)
• Last week of August or first week of September (August 25 through September 7, 2024)
• Early May (May 1-12, 2024)

Our first (and favorite) times to visit are the weeks before and after Thanksgiving week. Typically, Christmas season at Disneyland starts the weekend before this, meaning you have a week gap between the start of Disneyland’s holiday season and the start of actual holiday travel. This is a ‘sweet spot’ for low crowds, perfect weather, and seasonal entertainment.

The early Fall 2024 offseason is trickier because Halloween is starting earlier (August 23, 2024) and there are a couple of holiday weeks in the second half of the month. While those don’t have a major impact on crowds, we’d still skew towards late August and early September 2024 as a result. We’d definitely opt for the earlier window here, as Halloween Time at Disneyland will be fully kicked off by then.

Finally, we like just about any dates in late April or May 2024 up until the end of the month, when locals will be scrambling to use the remainder of their SoCal tickets, which expire on June 2, 2024. This is after the madness of Spring Break and Easter, but before summer tourist season. It’s also before locals try to get their last visits in before the summer blockouts. With nothing new of import debuting in May 2024, it should be a great month to visit.

All in all, this should be a useful guide to strategically plan your visit (or visits) to Disneyland Resort in 2024 or even 2025. While some of the dates will shift–and any impact of things debuting or returning in 2024 won’t be relevant, the general contours of these rankings remain (mostly) consistent from year to year.  Even if you only follow this guide loosely, we think you’re bound to choose a good time to head to Disneyland!

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets . Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings . For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews . For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney . For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide . Finally, for guides  beyond Disney , check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

Your Thoughts

What do you think about the best and worst months to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in 2024? Any specific ideal months/weeks of your own that you’d recommend people visit Disneyland? Do you think weather plays any factor when it comes to the SoCal parks? Do you think crowds have increased over the last couple of years, across the board? Any questions? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments below!

Written by Tom Bricker

Hi Tom, Thanks for your thoughtful and entertaining analysis as always! Our family is scheduled to visit Disneyland (first time in 5 years, first time ever for three of my kids) the week after Easter April 10-15 during their Spring Break which it appears may still have substantial spring break crowds. Our alternative option would be the week of May 22, after their school is out, which looks also complicated by end of the local ticket deal and Grad nights. Which do you think would be the better option between the two in terms of crowds? Thanks!!

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The Best Time to Visit Disneyland

TripSavvy / Ashley Nicole DeLeon

• Best Day to Visit

Peak Season at Disneyland

• Frequently Asked Questions

"When is the best time to go to Disneyland?" The answer to that question depends on your preferences, but there are factors to consider to guide your decision.

You could go in the middle of the week in February , on a sunny day when there are no school holidays to avoid crowds—but there won't be any fireworks. Or you could think about going in the summer when all the rides are running, the days are long, and you can see the fireworks and other nighttime shows every day of the week—but the heat and long lines come with that timing.

Your trip is all about you, so the key is to understand the trade-offs of what you'll get and what you'll sacrifice to pick your own ideal time of year.

Generally, the best time to visit Disneyland is during the summer and holidays. Disneyland hours are the longest at these times, meaning more hours to play, more things to do, and more rides to experience. Plus, parades, shows, and fireworks happen every day in the summer. Rides are also unlikely to be closed for maintenance, which means there's less chance of missing out on them. 

On the downside, Anaheim's summer weather can be so hot you'll worry you might melt. Anytime the hours are long, the place is also packed, leading to long waits. Hotel rates will also be at the year's highest, increasing your total trip cost.

Best Day to Visit for the Most Magic

To pack in maximum value, visit in the middle of the week during less busy times of the year. When fewer people are around, it's easier to enjoy the company of your family and friends. You might even get to kiss Donald Duck or dance with Pinocchio. You'll spend more time having fun and less time waiting.

January through March is the season that attracts the fewest visitors, except for holiday weekends and school breaks. On the downside, this off-season means you'll have fewer hours to experience everything. Some rides may close for extended maintenance and upgrades, and some nighttime entertainment may not happen on weekdays. 

Overall, Disneyland is the second-busiest theme park globally, according to the Themed Entertainment Association, with more than 18 million visitors per year. (No surprise that Disney World is tops.) No matter when you visit, you won't be alone. 

On the big holidays—July 4, Thanksgiving week, and Christmas through New Years—Disneyland can get so crowded that the front gates sometimes stop letting people in for safety reasons, even if they have a ticket. If avoiding crowds is your number one goal, these are the least busy windows at Disneyland:

• First full week of January through the middle of February
• Third Tuesday of February to mid-March (when spring break starts for many schools)
• Mid-April through the third week of May
• First Tuesday of September to the beginning of October
• Second week of November 

January is an excellent time to visit Disneyland to avoid crowds and experience good weather. Holiday decorations are still up for the first part of the month. Unfortunately, park hours will be shorter than other times of the year, and some rides might be closed for renovation during the winter.

Events to check out:

• Lunar New Year festivities may start near the end of the month.

It's among the quietest months, but February can be a great time to visit Disneyland . The park is open fewer hours than in the summer, but it isn't crowded, and you won't have to wait for rides.

• President's Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February and may bring slightly larger crowds that weekend.

March can be pleasant—or overly crowded, depending on when you go. If you visit Disneyland in March , try to go earlier in the month before school is out for spring break. Late March can be very crowded.

• Disney California Adventure hosts a food and wine festival that lasts through mid-April.

Like March, April is also prime spring break time. If you want to travel in spring and your schedule is flexible, think about going to Disneyland in a different month. If your schedule is fixed, get some tips on managing your April trip .

• DapperDay : Late in April, another unofficial event happens. For this one, visitors dress up in their cutest clothing to visit the park, often choosing retro outfits that visitors might have worn on opening day.

Disneyland often soft-opens new attractions in May in preparation for the busy summer months. May can be a great time to visit , but avoid Memorial Day weekend as it's one of the busiest times in the park.

• The last Monday of the month is Memorial Day and is usually very crowded. 

June kicks off summer at Disneyland . Schools start summer break, which ups the crowds, but the park also hosts a full event calendar this month, including parades, fireworks, light shows, and more.

• Disneyland's annual Grad Night events continue into June. The after-hours graduation dance party is held in California Adventure .

In July at Disneyland , you can expect long hours, but a full entertainment lineup and as many rides as possible will be open. Also, expect big crowds.

• On the Fourth of July, Disneyland can get so crowded that it reaches capacity. When that happens, they sometimes can't let any more people in. 

August at Disneyland is hot and crowded. Disneyland is open for extended hours, typically between 14 to 16 hours per day, which gives you plenty of time to have fun. You can also expect a full entertainment lineup of parades, fireworks, and light and water shows.

• CHOC Walk in the Park is a charity 5K in Disneyland in late August. It benefits the Children's Hospital of Orange County.
• D23 is a big Disney fan expo held in August every other year at the nearby Anaheim Convention Center.

If you like nice weather, minimal crowds, and short lines, September is a great time to visit Disneyland . Crowds taper off after Labor Day weekend and stay low until Halloween festivities start later in the month.

• Disneyland kicks off Halloween celebrations in September. Prepare to see plenty of Disney villains, plus a haunted mansion. The Disneyland Halloween Party also occurs on select nights.

There are lots of fun reasons to go to Disneyland in October . They celebrate Halloween all month, including decorations and celebrations. Visit for Mickey's Halloween Party when children can go trick-or-treating throughout the park.

• Days when the Disneyland Halloween Party is always fun, but the park hosting it will close to other guests in the late afternoon.
• Gay Days are an unofficial event held in early October as part of Anaheim LGBTQ celebrations.

Early November is a nice time to visit, with few crowds, but the park gradually swells as it gets closer to Thanksgiving and the holiday season. You can enjoy it any time if you use the guide to visiting Disneyland in November .

• Disneyland's holiday celebrations begin early in November. Events vary by year, and you can find a list on the Disneyland website .

Besides enjoying the holiday decorations, in December at Disneyland , you can watch a unique holiday parade and fireworks, visit Santa, or attend the annual​ Candlelight Processional. December can be crowded, especially on holidays.

• The Candlelight Processional is an old-fashioned celebration of the season featuring celebrity narrators. It's typically an invitation-only event.
• New Year's Eve brings a special fireworks show—and maximum crowds.

The best time to visit depends on what kind of trip you're looking for. If you want short lines, January through March typically have the smallest crowds. Summer is crowded, but parades and fireworks happen daily. November and December are also busy, but the holiday decorations around the park make it extra magical.

If you want to avoid big crowds and long lines, the period between Christmas break and spring break is usually the quietest time at the park. Mid-September to mid-November is also shoulder season, especially if you can visit on weekdays.

On popular holidays like Spring Break, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas break, the park can get so crowded that they actually close the front gates. The entire summer is also busy, especially on weekends.

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11 Things You Can Do At Disney World That You Can’t Do At Disneyland

Disney World and Disneyland are both super fun places to visit and go for vacation.

They are both super magical and have a lot of similarities, but it’s really fun to do their unique things.

In this post I’m going to tell you about the best things you can do in Disney World that you can’t do in Disneyland!

1. Disney Transportation

image credit

Disney provides complimentary transportation between their hotels and theme parks. These free transportation services start 45 minutes before the theme parks open and they close 1 hour after the parks close.

The different modes of transportation they offer are the monorail, the Skyliner, water transportation, and buses.

Related Content: 9 Things You Can Do At Disneyland That You Can’t Do At Disney World

2. Visit 4 Theme Parks

Walt Disney World is absolutely massive! It has four separate theme parks that guests can visit, while Disneyland has 2 theme parks.

Disney World’s four theme parks are Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios. Each one gives guests a unique and fun Disney World experience.

Magic Kingdom is similar to Disneyland park and Hollywood Studios is similar to California Adventure park, but they still have a lot of differences.

Disneyland has nothing like Animal Kingdom and EPCOT though!

3. Toy Story Land

Toy Story Land is located in Hollywood Studios. It has 3 rides which are Alien Swirling Saucers, Slinky Dog Dash, and Toy Story Mania!

Disneyland has Toy Story Mania, but not the other 2 rides. Toy Story Land also has 2 restaurants, shopping, and lotso opportunities to meet your favorite characters from the movies.

4. Water Parks

Did you know Disney World has 2 water parks? Im here to tell you that they are a ton of fun and they’re a great way to cool off in the Florida heat.

The water parks are called Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. You can go down water slides, relax in the lazy river, and eat Dole Whips. What’s not to love?

This is a great activity for a Disney rest day when you aren’t in the theme parks, but still want to do something cool.

5. Simba Waffles

If you’re a big Lion King or Simba fan, then add this to your bucket list! There’s a restaurant in Animal Kingdom called Tusker House Restaurant that serves Simba waffles.

You can also get them from Boma in Animal Kingdom Lodge.

They’re also too cute to eat, but Disney waffles are delicious so you’ll definitely want to indulge. This restaurant has character dining and is on the expensive side.

6. Disney Springs

Disney Springs is somewhat similar to Downtown Disney, but it’s different enough that it’s making the list of things you can do in Disney World, but not Disneyland.

It has restaurants, shopping, shows, and events. It’s on the water, making it a really pretty area.

7. Scuba Diving

I know it sounds a little out there, but you really can go scuba diving in Disney World at EPCOT. It’s the EPCOT Seas Adventure DiveQuest.

It’s at The Seas With Nemo & Friends Pavilion. You must be scuba certified to do this. It’s a 2 hour experience with 40 minutes of actual diving.

You’ll swim with over 2,000 sea creatures, including sharks, sting rays, fish, turtles, and more.

People you’re traveling with who aren’t diving can watch you dive from the other side of the aquarium.

8. Dolphin Encounter

EPCOT Seas Adventures – Dolphins In Depth is a 2 hour dolphin encounter in The Seas With Nemo & Friends Pavilion. You’ll need a reservation ahead of time.

You’ll learn about the dolphins here and even get to spend 30 minutes being waist-deep in the water interacting with the dolphins. This is a total splurge that sounds amazing!

9. Club Cool

Club Cool is in EPCOT in World Celebration. You can taste different Coke products from around the world.

Beverly is known for being the most disgusting. Try it if you dare! We can’t stand it! This is a free activity.

10. Private Fireworks Cruise

Embark on the water for amazing views of Disney World firework shows like Luminous The Symphony of Us or Happily Ever After.

Snacks and soft drinks are provided on your cruise and you can request to have balloons and festive banners.

11. Go On Unique Rides

Disneyland and Disney World both have amazing rides. They have some of the same attractions, but there are quite a few that are unique to Disney World.

Some of them are Tower of Terror, PeopleMover, Tron, Avatar Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Cosmic Rewind, and Frozen Ever After.

The post 11 Things You Can Do At Disney World That You Can’t Do At Disneyland appeared first on That Disney Fam .

Best Time Of Year To Visit Disneyland (By Annual Passholders)

Disneyland may be “the happiest place on earth” but things can quickly seem not so magical during those more crowded times of the year.

The best time of year to visit Disneyland if you’re looking to avoid the crowds is in January, February and March (before Spring Break), late April (after Easter), late August (after the summer holidays) and on weekdays in both September and October.

The worst time to visit is over Spring Break, in the summer and over the holidays (the most popular being Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas).

Of course, whichever time of year you visit you’ll typically find that weekends are busier than weekdays.

Best Time To Visit Disneyland In 2023

As you plan your vacation this year, you’ll want to pay close attention to these times to visit:

• Early March: March offers moderate temperatures, so if you go before Spring Break, you’ll likely see fewer people and shorter lines. You’ll also be able to experience the Food & Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure Park, which is scheduled from March 3 to April 25.  
• Late April: People don’t usually travel in late April because it’s between Spring Break and summer vacation, so this is one of the least busy times at Disneyland provided you can avoid Easter.
• Late August: Kids typically return to school in mid-August, so you’ll see fewer crowds in late August while still enjoying the warmer temperatures.
• Weekdays in September and early October: September and early October are also fantastic times to visit, although the difference between weekends and weekdays at this time of the year is significantly more noticeable so opt for a weekday to enjoy even fewer crowds.

Worst Time To Visit Disneyland In 2023

Below are some of what I anticipate are going to be the worst times to visit Disneyland in 2023 and why: 

• March 17-19: The reimagined Mickey’s Toontown is set to open on March 19th , so that weekend will most likely draw huge crowds and make for a stressful Disneyland vacation. Additionally, many kids finish school for Spring Break around this time, which makes it one of the busiest months, even when there isn’t a major opening . 
• Early to mid-April: This is still Spring Break season in some parts of the United States, which combined with Easter and the nicer weather typically leads to those early summer crowds.
• All of June: June is typically one of the busiest and hottest months at Disneyland. The good weather alongside most kids breaking up for the summer leads to high crowd levels throughout the month.
• November 23 – 26: Thanksgiving Day and the days before and after are typically some of the busiest at Disneyland. Not only are most kids out of school during this time, but most adults have time off work too.
• Christmas: Christmas is busy at Disneyland because of the magical decor and unique attractions and entertainment options that the holiday season brings. If you hate crowds, avoid visiting during this time. However, if you don’t mind sharing the park with scores of people, then spending Christmas Day at Disneyland could be one of the best days of your life. It’s all about perspective.

Best Time To Visit Disneyland In 2024

Looking ahead to 2024, here are what we think will be some of the best times to visit:

• Late January: After the craziness of December, most people return to routine whether it be work or school in January, making this one of the quietest and cheapest times to go to Disneyland.
• February: With no new rides or lands set to open during February 2024, we expect this month to be a continuation from late January with lower crowds. Just keep an eye out for the weather.
• Early March: Provided you’re able to miss the start of Spring Break, you’ll typically find that lower Winter / Spring crowds roll into early March.
• Late August: Once again we expect the summer of 2024 to be a busy one. However, once everyone returns back to school, the crowds typically dip significantly much like they do in January. Except at this time of year, you’ll still benefit from the warmer weather.
• Early November: There’s a two-week window between the end of Halloween and the start of Thanksgiving where Disneyland typically sees lower crowd levels. If you’re looking to visit Disneyland between November and December then this is the best time to do it!

Worst Time To Visit Disneyland in 2024

As with 2023, there are several times when you may not want to visit Disneyland:

• January 13 – 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day makes this a long weekend in the United States, which makes it a crowded weekend at Disneyland. 
• Mid-March to early April: If you can avoid the Spring Break crowds, you should. 
• May 24 – 27: Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest times of the year. 
• June 1: This is Disneyland Day in California, and is subsequently usually one of the busiest days of the year to visit the park.
• August 30 – September 2: Labor Day weekend is another busy long weekend at Disneyland. 
• November 28 – December 1: Thanksgiving is a busy time of the year at Disneyland, so it’s best to avoid these holiday crowds if possible. 
• Mid-December to early January: The Christmas season is a busy time of year at Disneyland every year, so 2024 will be no exception. 

Things That Influence Crowd Levels At Disneyland

Several factors influence the crowd levels at Disneyland so if you’re planning a trip beyond 2024, here are some things to keep in mind.

Major holidays are some of the busiest and most magical times of the year at Disneyland.

Disneyland often features special decor, entertainment, and activities according to the holiday season, making your visit even more special.

However, this also means that holidays are busier during holiday celebrations. 

Here are some holidays that bring lots of people to Disneyland: 

• Lunar New Year, January, and February 
• Independence Day, July 4th 
• Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November 
• Halloween time, late October to early November 
• Christmas season, mid-December to early January.

School Vacations

While people of all ages are free to enjoy Disneyland, the target market of the resort is families with children.

Subsequently, you’ll typically find that school breaks see higher crowds when compared to times when the majority of children (especially those in the state of California) are in class.

Some school breaks you should keep in mind are the following: 

• Thanksgiving break, typically the entire week of Thanksgiving 
• Christmas break or holiday break, typically mid or late December to early January 
• Spring break, typically the third or fourth week in March 
• Summer vacation, typically late May or mid-June to late August or early September 

After-Hour Parties

Disneyland hosts various parties and seasonal events after regular park hours throughout the year, which can be a fantastic, trip-enhancing experience. The vast majority of these experiences require you to purchase a separate ticket on top of your regular park ticket and feature unique themes, entertainment, and other festivities.

The popularity of these events often increases the crowd size inside the Disneyland parks. However, it also frequently reduces the park’s standard opening hours. Therefore if you’re visiting during one of these times and not going to an After-Hours party you may be left disappointed. The current After-Hour parties scheduled for 2023 include:

Princess Nite, March 7 & 9

Princess Nite celebrates all of the incredible Disney Princesses. Attendees of this event will benefit from early admission to Disneyland, a concert, female DJs, a dance party, experiences with iconic female Disney characters, and delicious food.

Throwback Nite, April 18 & 20

Throwback Nite is a celebration of the 50s and 60s and features characters from that Disney era, a special fireworks show, and vintage music and dancing.

Star Wars Nite, May 2, 4, 8, & 11

Star Wars fans are sure to love the out-of-this-world experience that is Star Wars Nite. This after-hours party features a fireworks show set to music from the films, Star Wars character interactions, a galactic dance party, and after-hours access to some of the most popular attractions in the park. 

Oogie Boogie Bash, Select Nights in September and October

Disneyland has yet to announce its official dates for the Oogie Boogie Bash (March 2023). However, on select nights in September and October, Disneyland will have a Halloween party with after-hours park access, photo ops with Disney characters, entertainment opportunities, and unique and spooky decor. 

This event is similar to Mickey’s Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. 

Southern California has a pretty moderate climate which makes Disneyland a year-round attraction. However, the best months for great weather at Disneyland are typically March, April, May, and November. That’s because these months have the most moderate temperatures (not too hot, and not too cold) and almost zero rainfall.

Disneyland often experiences the worst weather during December, January, and February. During these months, the lows are between 47-50°F (8-10°C), and rain (even snow in recent years) is common. Therefore if you choose to go to Disneyland during this time, be sure to bring a jacket.

Weekends are always a busy time at Disneyland. However, bank holiday weekends during any time of the year are notorious for bringing higher crowds.

Bank holidays you should be aware of include:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the weekend of the third Monday in January
• Presidents’ Day, the weekend of the third Monday in February
• Memorial Day Weekend, the weekend of the last Monday in May 
• Labor Day Weekend, the weekend of the first Monday in September 
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day ( or Columbus Day ), the weekend of the second Monday in October 

Ride Closures, Reopenings, & Specific Shows

Throughout the year, some rides and attractions at Disneyland close or re-open which influences crowd levels. Specifically in 2023, we’re seeing the re-opening of Mickey’s Toon Town and It’s A Small World.

However, annually the Haunted Mansion closes in late August and is converted into the Haunted Mansion Holiday until the end of January. As such there’s typically a week or two-week period during these months when the attraction is being converted and is subsequently not available.

How To Handle Crowds At Disneyland

For various reasons, many people are only able to visit Disneyland during a busier time of year. However, not all is lost, as with the right amount of planning and preparation we believe you can still have a fantastic time at the resort.

Arrive Early

One of the best ways to maximise your time at Disneyland is to arrive early. During every visit, we aim to be at the park ready for “rope drop” so we’re able to head to the most popular rides and attractions within the park once it opens.

Rope drop takes place inside the park, past the ticket turnstiles so make sure you arrive at the resort at least 45 minutes prior to the park’s scheduled opening time. We also recommend deciding which of the most popular rides you want to go to first in advance and downloading a copy of the park map to understand the route you’ll need to take to get there.

Make Dining Reservations

If you’re looking to dine at a table service restaurant during your trip to Disneyland then you’ll want to make your reservation as far in advance as possible (up to 60 days in advance) to avoid disappointment.

If you’re travelling on a budget and looking for quick-service options then we recommend avoiding peak dining hours and using the Disneyland mobile app to place mobile food orders at eligible locations.

Stay At A Resort Hotel (Or Nearby)

If you have the budget then staying on-site at a Disneyland property allows you ‘Extra Magic Hours’. This extra hour allowed you to enter the park prior to general admission and subsequently the ability to ‘walk on’ many of the park’s most popular rides and attractions.

The cost of staying on-site at the Disneyland Resort isn’t in everyone’s budget (sadly, mine included). However, thankfully there are several Disney themed Airbnb’s near Disneyland as well as a number of hotels within walking distance.

The great thing about staying in a hotel within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort is that you won’t have to waste both time and money parking your car in the parking lot. Instead, it’s just a short morning stroll to the parks.

Genie+ is a new paid service that replaces the previous FastPass system. Available at a starting price of $25 per person, per day, you can make Lightening Lane reservations for select rides within the park which allows you to skip the line during your Lightening Lane window.

Plan An Extra Day

If you’re going during a busy time of year, it’s always best to allow for an extra day to get to everything because things will most likely take longer than you anticipate.

There are so many incredible things to do at Disneyland, so make sure you have enough time to do everything you want (and more!), especially when visiting during the peak season.

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Disneyland Tips: Best & Worst Times To Visit [Day + Month Breakdown]

If you're planning a trip to Disneyland you'll absolutely want to know the best, and worst times of the year to visit.

We've broken down the best and worst days of the week, months and overall times to totally avoid Disneyland in this guide to help you plan your next trip!

Questions We'll Answer About The Best Times To Visit Disneyland:

What is the best day of the week to visit disneyland, what is the worst day of the week to visit disneyland, what are the worst months to visit disneyland, what are the best months to visit disneyland.

• Days Of The Year You Should Avoid!

Let's start with the best days of the week to visit Disneyland.

You'll typically find  Monday ,  Tuesday and  Wednesday to be the best days of the week to visit Disneyland.

Disneyland is quite widely known as a "locals park", so you can expect to see bigger crowds on the weekends and in the evenings when residents of Southern California are off of work.

With Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday being early in the week when people tend to be more busier with their jobs, these three days are great for visiting Disneyland.

Thursday  will see more moderate crowds, but not to the same extent of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays. As it gets later in the week, people are more inclined to visit Disneyland as a break from the week or a way to wind down from their day jobs as the week slows down.

Holidays excluded, you'll likely have the best experience at Disneyland in terms of shortest lines and smallest crowd levels Monday through Wednesday! 

If there's one day better than all others it's going to be Tuesdays which in our experience are consistently the slowest day of the week at Disneyland!

On the contrary,  Friday ,  Saturday and  Sunday are going to be the worst days of the week to visit Disneyland.

Saturday takes the crown as the single worst day to visit Disneyland as most Southern California residents flock to the park on the weekends, with Saturday being the most popular day.

Those from out of state or driving in for a quick weekend trip will typically arrive throughout Friday with Saturday being their first full day at the park, only making it even more crowded. 

Fridays will typically see moderate crowds until later in the day as when we see a combination of Southern California residents getting off of work to visit the parks, as well as tourists from all over arriving for their vacation.

While you might not be able to avoid visiting Disneyland on certain days of the week, you may at least be able to skip some of the worst months of the year to visit the park!

Day of the week is certainly a big factor in determining how busy Disneyland will be, but the actual month you visit may be even more important!

If possible, you'll want to avoid the hot summer months of June, July and August. These are the busiest three months of the year for Disneyland with July being the busiest every single week.

Schools are out across the country for a majority of these three months, so you're going to see consistently high crowd levels with families flocking to Disneyland to take advantage of summer break. 

March and  April are also going to be quite busy with Spring Break drawing families and tourists to the parks. Early March and late April are going to be much more manageable, but the rest of these two months will typically be quite busy.

Finally,  November and  December can be quite a rough time to visit Disneyland as well.  

Early November and early December are typically great times to visit, but the closer you get to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve the crazier the parks will get. 

If you can make it to Disneyland the first two weeks of either November or December, you'll likely only experience moderate crowd levels, but outside of these two weeks it'll be packed!

Now let's get to the better news - the best months to visit Disneyland!

February ,  May ,   September and October are going to be you go-to months for Disneyland.

While February, May and September do have holiday weekends, the rest of the time these months are the slowest at Disneyland. The weather is also very enjoyable throughout these months, though it can get chilly in February even in Southern California! 

In the months of February and September, school has just restarted after long breaks, so most families will not be traveling, which really lightens the crowds at Disneyland.

October is generally slow at Disneyland, but because of the popular Halloween event,  Oogie Boogie Bash ,  California Adventure closes as early as 5PM. Because California Adventure closes so early, crowds will flock over to Disneyland to enjoy the evening at the only park open to guests without an Oogie Boogie Bash event ticket. 

Mornings and early afternoons during October are great to visit Disneyland, but the evenings may get quite crowded with only one park being open!

May comes right after the Spring Break travel season and just before Summer travel, so most families have either just finished their visit to Disneyland or waiting for Summer break to travel again. 

Aside from the some of the lowest crowd levels, the weather is also great in May, making it the best month to visit Disneyland! 

January and August   are going to see more moderate crowd levels throughout the month.

January will be extremely busy around New Year's day and Martin Luther King weekend, but the rest of the month should be relatively slow.

Schools will be starting up again throughout August, so the beginning of the month will be quite busy, but begin to taper over each week later into the month. 

Days Of The Year You Should Avoid!

If you're looking to avoid some of the longest long lines of the year and huge crowds, then you should mark the following days of the year off of your vacation calendar! 

• January 1st - 5th : New Years day and the following few days are among the most popular to visit Disneyland!
• July 1st - July 7th : July is crazy at Disneyland throughout the month, but especially bad around Independence Day. 
• The week of Thanksgiving : The Thanksgiving holiday week is another incredibly popular time to visit Disneyland and will see huge crowds!
• December 22nd - December 31st :  The few days before Christmas and following weeks into January is one of the busiest stretches of the year to visit Disneyland. 

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Disney Suspends Theme Park Location Indefinitely Without Warning

in Disney Parks , Disneyland Paris

Disney has mysteriously closed down a popular experience at its theme parks without warning.

Related: Woman Reveals Disney World Burger Was Catalyst for Divorce

The Disney theme parks are filled to the brim with incredible rides, thrilling attractions, and magical experiences around every corner. Whether guests visit the Magic Kingdom in Florida or Disneyland Park in California,  they’re sure to have a fun and magical time.

However, as is the case with all theme parks, certain rides, attractions, and locations close down occasionally, with Disney recently closing an incredibly cool and unique theme park experience.

Like all Disney theme parks, Disneyland Paris features many attractions and activities to discover and enjoy. The resort’s original theme park, Disneyland Park, is home to several themed lands and a plethora of classic rides.

Unfortunately, guests hoping to walk across the bridge in Adventureland are out of luck, with Disneyland Paris closing the suspended bridge indefinitely.

Related: The Last Stand of the Splash Mountain Fans

This closure reportedly started on July 5, 2024, and has been confirmed by multiple sources, including DLP Report, who shared the news on Twitter/X.

In Adventureland, the Suspended Bridge is closed until further notice due to an undisclosed issue.

🔧 In Adventureland, the Suspended Bridge is closed until further notice due to an undisclosed issue. pic.twitter.com/scDQefRFog — DLP Report (@DLPReport) July 8, 2024

Twitter/X user DLPLive also shared the news, calling the situation an “anomaly.”

Following an anomaly, the Adventure Isle suspension bridge is closed until further notice.

⚠️ Suite à une anomalie, le pont suspendu d’Adventure Isle est fermé jusqu’à nouvel ordre. pic.twitter.com/cs8bDdLUKi — DLPLive (@dlplive_) July 5, 2024

It’s unknown why the bridge was closed or when it will reopen. It’s possible safety concerns forced Disney to reconsider. It’s also possible the bridge closed due to regular maintenance, but it’s somewhat strange that Disney gave no warning about it or a reopening timeframe.

This bridge is located in Adventure Isle, an activity-filled area inside Disneyland Paris’ Adventureland. This area is intended for younger guests, with Disneyland Paris describing Adventure Isle as an experience guests will “never forget.”

Related: As Disney Prices Skyrocket, Universal Cuts Ticket Prices, Adds New Ride to Express Pass

Despite being located in France, the Disneyland Paris Resort still features some of Disney’s most iconic and beloved theme park rides and attractions of all time. Guests will find classic dark rides such as Peter Pan’s Flight and Pirates of the Caribbean and thrilling roller coasters like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

In addition to classic rides, Disneyland Paris also puts a cool spin on some of Disney’s most legendary attractions. Hyperspace Mountain is Paris’ version of Space Mountain , sending guests on a Star Wars-themed adventure.

Disneyland Paris also features a unique version of the Haunted Mansion called Phantom Manor, immersing guests in a dark and creepy western town.

Have you ever been to Disneyland Paris?

Disneyland Vs. Disney World: Every Major Difference In Size, Castles, Cost & More

Disneyland and Walt Disney World share similar names, but the two destinations are stunningly different in terms of their rides, size, ticket prices, and so much more.

Apart from these two stateside Disney destinations belonging on two different coasts, here's a breakdown of the major distinctions between Disneyland and Disney World.

[ Disney World Unveils Official Logo for Its Next New Ride ]

The Differences Between Disneyland and Disney World

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Size

Disneyland Park, Walt Disney's original theme park, first opened in 1955 in Anaheim, California, and has since expanded into the 55-acre Disneyland Resort.

In addition to Disneyland Park, the Disneyland Resort is home to a second theme park, Disney California Adventure, three resort hotels, and Downtown Disney, a dining and shopping district. 

When Walt Disney dreamed up his next vacation vision, which was also known as "The Florida Project," he went way bigger purchasing a whopping 25,000 acres outside of Orlando, Florida.

While Walt Disney World only opened with the Magic Kingdom and two hotels in 1971, the resort has expanded throughout its 43-square-mile property and still has room to spare. 

Today, guests will find three additional theme parks, including EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

And, as a prime example of the differences between Disneyland and Disney World, the latter also offers two water parks, 25 resort hotels (and counting!), golf courses, a campground, and a shopping and dining district known as Disney Springs .

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Castles 

Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland's centerpiece and icon, is one of the smallest Disney park castles today standing at only 77 ft. tall. 

Even so, it houses the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, a passageway filled with special effect dioramas retelling 1959's Sleeping Beauty .

Disney World's castle at the Magic Kingdom is known as Cinderella Castle and is considerably larger at 189 ft. tall. 

Also, instead of a walkthrough, Cinderella Castle is home to Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant and the exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite. 

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Rides

Disney World and Disneyland share some of the same rides but also offer attractions exclusive to their respective parks. 

Still, while the two locations share classic Disney Park rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and more, Disney rarely opts for a complete ride replication. 

This is why Disney World fans may find new details and experiences in Disneyland's classic rides and vice versa. 

As for exclusive rides, fans won't find Matterhorn Bobsleds, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Radiator Springs Racers, or Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure anywhere but at Disneyland. 

Disney World also boasts an impressive roster of unique attractions, such as Kilimanjaro Safaris, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Avatar Flight of Passage, Spaceship Earth, Slinky Dog Dash, Expedition Everest, and more. 

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Cost

While Disney World and Disneyland have a number of differences, they are somewhat similar in terms of cost.

A recent study from NerdWallet discovered one-day Disney World tickets are only 3.9% more expensive in price than one-day Disneyland tickets. 

Disney World Park Hopper tickets (which allow guests to visit multiple parks in a day) vary in price depending on the time of year but are also typically higher than Disneyland's Park Hopper ticket option. 

But given that Disney World is home to four parks, and Disneyland only has two, this makes sense. 

Food is also higher at Disney World than at its California counterpart; however, thanks to the property's variety of resort accommodations, hotel options are cheaper on average.

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Experience

One of the biggest differences between Disneyland and Disney World is the overall vacation experience.

For instance, Disney World is often described as a "bubble" due to its size, the fact it operates as its district or municipality, and because guests never have to leave Disney property when the parks close for the night. 

Adding to this unique set-up is Disney World's internal transportation system which includes buses, boats, monorails, and its Skyliner system.  

The number of parks, resorts, and recreation opportunities also makes it impossible to see and do it all within a single week-long vacation. 

Now, because Disneyland is located in the City of Anaheim, and due to its smaller size, the Disneyland Resort is more of a temporary escape and appeals to locals as much as to tourists. 

Its history and legacy are also part of its draw while Disney World is more about variety. 

As for transportation, Disneyland also offers a monorail system; but walking is the main means of getting around since the Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the resort hotels are all within walking distance. 

Interestingly enough, for some guests, the fact everything within the Disneyland Resort is within walking distance and its two parks are yards apart is actually more convenient.

Check out other Disney Park stories below:

Disney World Is Closing One of Magic Kingdom's Most Popular Rides Later This Year

Disney World Club 33 - Secrets, Cost, Membership, Perks & More

Disney World's Rumored Villain Land: News & Everything We Know (2024 Updates)

LATEST NEWS

Disneyland | Disneyland unions vote overwhelmingly to…

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Breaking News

Disneyland | president joe biden drops out of the 2024 race. vp harris gets his nod, things to do, disneyland | disneyland unions vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike, disney negotiators and union officials are scheduled to meet again on july 22 and 23..

Union members voted 99% in favor of authorizing a strike in an election held by Master Services Council, which represents 14,000 Disneyland employees from four unions.

“Disney cannot continue to silence cast members,” said a statement released by the Disney Workers Rising Bargaining Committee. “We are prepared to take action.”

A strike date has not been scheduled and the Disneyland resort continues to welcome visitors, according to Disneyland officials.

Disney negotiators and union officials are scheduled to meet again on Monday and Tuesday, July 22-23.

“We greatly appreciate the important roles our cast members play in creating memorable experiences for our guests, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement that focuses on what matters most to them while positioning Disneyland Resort for growth and job creation,” according to Disneyland officials. “Master Services Council’s strike authorization is not unusual as part of a negotiations process, and we look forward to continuing discussions at upcoming meetings on Monday, July 22 and Tuesday, July 23.”

Disneyland union employees and supporters rally outside the theme park’s Harbor Boulevard entrance in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Ride operators, candy makers and ticket takers are fighting for a pay raise ahead of a planned strike vote on Friday. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Candy maker Aaron Zarate addresses Disneyland union employees and supporters rally outside the theme park’s Harbor Boulevard entrance in Anaheim, CA, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Ride operators, candy makers and ticket takers are fighting for a pay raise ahead of a planned strike vote on Friday. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

It’s unlikely a strike will be called while the two sides are still negotiating — but a labor stoppage could happen anytime after an affirmative authorization vote.

Union members chanted “Shut it down” during a rally outside the Disneyland entrance on Wednesday, July 17 that organizers said drew more than 1,000 protestors.

ALSO SEE: Don’t buy those $900 Oogie Boogie Bash tickets on StubHub — Disneyland is watching

The union coalition — which has been negotiating with Disney over a new contract since April — represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers, ticket takers, parking attendants, tram drivers and other cast members, Disney parlance for employees.

The Disneyland contract covering approximately 9,000 employees expired June 16. The Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney contracts covering approximately 5,000 employees expire on September 30.

ALSO SEE: Disneyland offers $69 ticket to Anaheim residents in honor of park’s birthday

Master Services Council declined to enter into a contract extension after the Disneyland contract expired, according to Disneyland officials.

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Politics | Key August election dates: Monday is deadline…

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Politics | president joe biden drops out of the 2024 race. vp harris gets his nod, politics | key august election dates: monday is deadline to register for florida primaries and nonpartisan contests.

It’s also the deadline for anyone who wants to change a party affiliation to vote in a Democratic or Republican primary if they aren’t already registered in that party.

For others, voting in the Aug. 20 primaries and nonpartisan elections has already started.

On Tuesday, Broward Supervisor of Elections Joe Scott’s office shipped almost 200,000 mail ballots to county voters who’ve signed up to receive them. Palm Beach County mailed ballots on Friday; Miami-Dade County mailed ballots on Thursday.

As soon as voters receive mail ballots, they’re able to complete and return them.Ballots have to be back at the supervisor of elections offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day; postmarks don’t count.

Registration

The deadline to register to vote is Monday. People registering online have until 11:59 p.m. and those registering at an elections office have until they close at 5 p.m., said Scott and Alison Novoa, director of strategic initiatives at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Registrations sent by mail will be processed if they are postmarked on or before July 22, Novoa said. She said it’s important for someone returning an application by mail to examine it closely to make sure it’s complete.

Scott said the easiest way is registering online.

People can also download and print a registration form, or pick one up at elections branch offices, motor vehicle offices and libraries.

People registering or updating their registrations online will need their Florida driver’s license (or state ID card) or the last four digits of their Social Security number, Scott said.

In-person registration is available at supervisor of elections offices, government offices such as tax collectors that issue driver;s licenses or state ID cards, and government offices that include public assistance, public libraries or Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles driver’s license offices.

Someone renewing a driver’s license or state ID card online can also register during that process.

Address changes can be processed after the deadline, if the voter is moving within Florida, say from Broward to Palm Beach County or vice versa, Scott said.

Mail ballots

Broward sent out its initial batch of mail ballots to voters on Tuesday. It was slightly later than Scott would have liked, but within the eight-day window prescribed by state law. The delay, Scott said, resulted from his office’s move into a just-competed new elections headquarters .

Some finishing touches were still being put on the Fort Lauderdale facility on Tuesday. Previously most of the back office operations were handled in a large rented space at the Lauderhill Mall.

Scott joined elections office workers in wheeling 42 dollies of ballots from the work area in which they were assembled and prepared for mailing to a loading dock where they were put in two semi-trailers for delivery to the Postal Service’s Royal Palm Processing and Distribution Center in Opa-locka.

In 2012, as part of a nationwide cost cutting move, the Postal Service closed the mail processing centers in Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines and shifted the work sorting Broward’s mail to the Opa-locka center .

The trucks were accompanied by Supervisor of Elections Office employees — and escorted by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. (Because the trucks crossed the Broward/Miami-Dade county line, FHP was used instead of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, said Mary Hall, chief deputy supervisor of elections.)

State law governing mail voting has changed since 2022.

All requests for vote-by-mail ballots made in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election — when mail voting surged because of the COVID pandemic — and the 2022 midterm elections have been voided under state law.

That means voters who haven’t signed up again won’t get mail ballots for the August primaries and nonpartisan elections or for the November presidential election.

Returning mail ballots

Florida law is strict when it comes to returning mail ballots. They must be in the hands of the county supervisor of elections office by the time polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Postmarks don’t count. In every election there are ballots that arrive late and can’t be counted under Florida election law — sometimes more than enough to swing the results of an election.

The Palm Beach County mail voting instructions state that “If you plan to mail your ballot back to us, you should allow at least one week for your ballot to reach our office.”

Ballots can also be returned to county elections offices and early voting sites, when they’re operating.

There is an exception to the deadline: For elections involving federal offices, including the U.S. Senate and congressional primaries on the Aug. 20 ballot, an extra 10 days are allowed for military and overseas ballots to be returned and still get counted.

On the ballot

On Aug. 20, voters will select party nominees for a range of offices, from state Legislature to Congress. In most cases, the primaries are open only to registered voters in the political party holding the primary.

There are also many contests on Aug. 20 open to all voters, including elections for School Board and judges.

In addition, there are several primaries that are open to all voters, regardless of whether they’re registered as Democrats, Republicans, no party affiliation or in minor parties.

Open, universal primaries in which all voters can participate include Florida Senate District 35 in Broward, Broward clerk of the circuit court, supervisor of elections and tax collector, and Palm Beach County public defender.

Register to vote/change party: July 22.

Request mail ballot: Aug. 8.

In-person early voting: Aug. 10-18. People can vote at any early voting site (28 in Broward; 23 in Palm Beach County) in the county in which they live.

Return mail ballots: 7 p.m. Aug . 20. Postmarks don’t count.

Election Day: Aug. 20. Neighborhood polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Information

People can check to see if they’re registered to vote, request mail ballots and check their status, and find locations of polling places online and by phone.

Broward County: www.browardvotes.gov , 954-357-8683.

Palm Beach County: www.votepalmbeach.gov , 561-656-6200.

State Division of Elections: registertoVoteFlorida.gov .

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