One of the best ways to save on your Disney World vacation is simply to go at the right time of year. Moving your Disney vacation up or back by a few weeks can sometimes make all the difference in price.
Another timing issue to consider is day of arrival and departure. A 10-day vacation leaving on Saturday has you coming back on Monday. Instead if you leave on a Monday and come back on a Wednesday, learn how you save. The difference being scenario #1 has you paying weekend rates twice. Weekend rates are usually always more expensive than midweek rates.
Absolute Cheapest Time To Go To Disney World:
January and early February are the cheapest times to visit Disney World yearly. The holiday rush is over after the New Year. Plus great weather, January & February bring the low rainfall totals. Morning & evenings may be cool, daytime temps will reach low-mid 70’s. Epcot’s Festival of the Arts brings extra color to Epcot.
However, Cheapest time to go doesn’t always mean low crowds. Learn dates to avoid in January & February.
During January guests will want to avoid Marathon Weekend (next upcoming is January 9-13, 2019 for the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend) and in February avoid the Princess Half Marathon weekend (next upcoming is February 21-24, 2019). Other times to avoid in the beginning of the year is President’s Day Weekend, Martin Luther King weekend and as you get later into February – school’s February vacations start bringing crowd levels & prices back up.
Therefore, Visiting in January (avoiding the dates mentioned) and early February are not only the cheapest time to go to Disney (value season), they are also low crowd times. Another pro tip, visiting Disney World during Super Bowl Weekend produces low crowds, as many are watching the big game at home with family and friends.
Second Cheapest Time To Go To Disney World:
Next up, is the month of September. September is another value season at Disney World. While not quite as cheap as January/early February guests can score decent room rates in September. By now, guests with children are settling into the new school year, clearing out the park crowds & lowering prices for this time of year. Plus, if you like the heat September feels very summer like with temps in 90’s.
Do be aware, September is part of hurricane season at Disney World (trip insurance is a good option for this time of year). Otherwise, September is a great time to visit with Halloween decorations (and the option to add tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party), plus Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival will be happening.
Third Cheapest Time To Go To Disney World:
The next value season may surprise you as it is nestled between 2 major holidays. Guests can find lower room rates following Thanksgiving and before the Christmas rush hits. The 2-3 weeks following Thanksgiving are a great time to visit Disney World. Guests who visited over Thanksgiving are leaving and the crowds for Christmas have not started yet. Plus school vacations are not in-between this time.
The weather is gorgeous at this time with low rainfall amounts and temps in the low-mid 70’s. Guests will have the benefit of seeing all the Christmas decorations without the crowds. The option to add tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are available at this time. Also, Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays brings extra entertainment to Epcot.
Learn more ways to save with a discounted Disney Vacation.
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Learn more tips and tricks for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Destinations in Florida can also help you add tips and tricks to your next vacation.
Sheila says
Great info, especially on the fact that children under 3 do not need a park ticket. I agree with you on the dates in November as that is when we visited with our daughter. We will now consider January and February, thanks to this post.
Rosemary Vincent says
I went to Disney in September and it was overly crowded. If that was less crowded then I hate to see it crowded
Charity L. says
I would say it depends on the park. With food and wine in Epcot and Mickeys not so scary in MK, those parks can get very crowded still on the weekends. I think during the week they are not that bad in September unless MK has a Halloween party that night.