What time of year is best to travel to Disney World? Many personal factors apply, however each season has its good and not so good points. Today, learn the best & worst of each season at Disney World.
Winter
Best: Winter brings Christmas decorations to Disney World during November and December and an extra touch of magic. As well as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Festival of the Holidays runs through December at Epcot, then Festival of the Arts occurs at Epcot yearly from mid-January through February.
Worst: This season brings holidays which makes for crowded parks especially Thanksgiving Week, Christmas week through New Years Day. Disney World also commonly uses Winter (January & February) to refurb popular attractions, as select weeks in these months have lower attendance times. Furthermore, late winter can bring temps less than desirable for swimming.
Spring
Weather wise Spring at Disney World is a gorgeous time to visit.
Best: Flower & Garden Festival occurs at Epcot yearly from March through May bringing beautiful flower displays and topiaries to the park. Weather is pleasant, before the heat of summer begins. Rainfall is also much lower than summer months.
Worst: Easter crowds & Spring Breaks for schools can make this a busy time of year to visit. Out of March, April or May, the least crowded is May (prior to end of May when schools begin releasing for summer).
Summer
School is out for the Summer and many families head to Disney World, one of the downfalls of this season.
Best: Food & Wine Festival begins at Epcot late summer. Summer months bring the most daylight out of the year and parks are often open an average of 1 hour later than Winter months. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins as early as mid-August each year, and these early season tickets are the cheapest time to go.
Worst: Summer is hot, especially at Disney World under the Florida sun, the summer months see the most sun and rainfall. Besides the less than ideal weather, Summer months bring crowds as schools are released for summer vacation.
Fall
Fall is a gorgeous time of year to visit Disney World, with pleasant weather as fall progresses (September will still be hot) and Mickey pumpkin decorations! I have to get a picture of these the first time I see one.
Best: Food & Wine Festival continues at Epcot through mid-November, then switches to Festival of the Holidays end of November through December. Magic Kingdom will host Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party select nights August-October, bringing added fall decorations to the park.
Worst: Fall brings peak Hurricane season, travel insurance is a good idea this time of year (peak is mid-August through October).
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.