When is the Best Time of the Year to Go to Disney World?

If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to Disney World, you may be wondering when is the best time of the year to go. There are a lot of things to consider when deciding when to take your trip… What is the weather going to be like at that time of year? Are the kids in school? Are there any special events or festivals happening at the parks that you want to attend? What are the crowds going to be like at certain points during the year? It’s a lot… I know. I’m here to simplify the decision making process for you.

First, I will say that the best time of the year to go to Disney World is whenever you can go! If the only times you can go are during school breaks, then you’re realistically looking at spring break, summer break, or winter break. These are traditionally the busiest times of the year, but that is totally OK with the right expectations, good planning, and utilizing Lightning Lanes. The last two times that I went to Disney were the week after Christmas, which is the absolute busiest time of the year, and spring break. Crowds were high, but the weather was fantastic. We used Lightning Lanes, made dining reservations so we didn’t have to wait in long lines for food, and we had a great time. Summer will be incredibly hot and sticky, but if you dress appropriately, carry water, and plan in breaks to get out of the sun, you’ll be just fine!

OK… let’s talk about festivals and seasonal events at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom! EPCOT is one of my favorite parks… think Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and experiencing food and drink from all around the world. EPCOT also has some amazing festivals throughout the year that you might want to consider when planning your trip.

Festival of the Arts is generally mid January through mid February, and it’s basically an artist marketplace paired with really cool food and drink options. Orlando has amazing weather this time of the year, and there can be fairly low crowds this time of the year as well. Next up is the Flower and Garden Festival which is generally early March through late May. It is one of the most beautiful festivals, with Disney character topiaries, plantings galore, and a butterfly house that all turn EPCOT into a gardener’s dream come true! Also in true EPCOT fashion, there are delicious food and drink pairings. Be aware of a larger peak season around late March through April for spring break, but you can find some lower crowds before and after the spring break wave hits.

The Food and Wine Festival is up next and is one of the longer festivals, generally spanning mid to July through mid November. This is during some of the wettest Orlando weather (be aware it’s hurricane season!), but if you are a foodie and wine lover, you’ve got to experience this festival! Last, but certainly not least, is the Festival of the Holidays, running Thanksgiving through the end of the year. Expect a holiday wonderland, some of the largest crowds of the year, and one of the coolest New Years’ Eve parties ever!

It’s also worth noting that if you love Halloween or Christmas, Magic Kingdom offers Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party from mid August through Halloween and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party from Thanksgiving through the end of December. Both holidays are extra special times to visit Magic Kingdom. There are special parades, special food and drink throughout the park, and all kinds of themed merchandise. October through December also tends to have amazing weather and a wide variety of crowds. Early October and early December can see lower crowds, but both months pick up by the end of each month.

Although as I said, anytime of the year is a great time to visit Disney World, clearly there’s a lot to think about when you plan a trip to Disney World. My job as your travel advisor is not only to help you find the right time of the year to go, but also to empower you with the best strategy to make the most of your trip no matter when you decide to go! Send me a message today with any questions or to start planning!