Best time to visit Disney World

One of the most asked questions I see is "when is the best time to visit Disney World?" Duh! That's pretty obvious, the answer to that question is "anytime you can". OK, I know, that's not very helpful, if you're trying to make a decision on when to go, so let's check it out.

Sponsor Ads

If we are really going to figure out the absolute best time to take a wonderful trip to the happiest place on earth, we need to look at a few pesky details (crowds, weather, events and prices). OK, I accept the challenge. This is going to be fun.

The best time to visit Walt Disney World

Photo by Don Sullivan

Here's how we're going to figure this thing out. First, we have to look at crowd levels, then we need to check the weather and prices, and special events. Then after all of that I'll reveal the real best times to go on a great WDW vacation.

Are you ready?

Crowds

The crowds at Walt Disney World are legendary. Over 50,000,000 people visit WDW every year. When you're trying to choose the best time to visit Disney World, you need to know something about the crowds. That's pretty basic.

If you want to miss all of the crowds at Disney World, you will want to visit when the schools in the United States are in session. Usually the last week in January and the first week or two of February have the smallest crowds. September is another month will small crowds.

To find out how to avoid crowds at Walt Disney World you'll want to check out Dad's Disney World Crowds page. It will tell you all you need to know.

Dad's Disney World Crowds page

Weather

Walt Disney World weather can bring rainbows to the Magic Kingdom

Orlando (home of Walt Disney World), is in the smack dab middle of the state of Florida. Florida can have some extreme weather. Orlando isn't exempt from the extremes. Florida is also well know for rain. Yes, it rains in Florida. A lot. You can expect to have at least one rain shower during your stay. Sometimes it rains every day. Even in December. So come prepared. (Bring your own ponchos.)

To be sure you find the best time to visit Disney World, know what the weather is going to be when you arrive so you can pack accordingly.

Walt Disney World weather page

Special Events

Walt Disney World differs from other amusement parks by the quality of it's special events. Disney puts on celebrations almost year around. Some of them draw small crowds. Some draw very large crowds. There are celebrations that last for only one day, like the 4th of July or New Years Eve. But some last for months, like Epcot's Food and Wine Festival or Flower and Garden Festival.

Choosing the best time to visit Disney World could be highly influenced by the events going on. You have to check out Christmas at Disney World at least once.

Dad's Disney World Events page

Prices

Disney changes prices almost daily. It seems that way. Fridays are more expensive than Thursdays. Holidays are outrageously expensive.

Hotel prices change from day to day, week to week. Even Ticket prices change at least once every year (and yes, they go up). Yep, you need a really good travel agent (like my Travel Agent partners) to find the best price.

Dad's Disney World Hotel price page

Discounts

Getting a discount on a Disney World vacation can be an easy task (depending on the time of year), but it can also be almost impossible. Changing your arrival day by a day or two might save you thousands.

Disney offers discounts for most weeks of the year. See how to get yours ...

Dad's Disney World Discounts page

The Best weeks to visit

OK, "Anytime You Can" is not very helpful, so let's talk a bit about the best weeks of the year to visit Disney. I"ve picked out 5 (or so) weeks that have low crowds, great events, good weather (usually) and low crowds (oops, I think I said that already).

When you take all of these factors into consideration, the best times of the year to visit Disney World are ...

Well let's just take a look.

Check out Dad's Best Weeks to visit Disney World page

The best day of the week to arrive -

The Contemporary Resort

The best day of the week to arrive at Walt Disney World is Sunday. Sunday is cheapest day to arrive. Disney charges more for Friday and Saturday nights.

So unless you stay exactly 7 days, avoiding Friday and Saturday nights will save you some money.

The other reason the best time to visit Disney World starts on Sunday is that that's typically the cheapest day to fly. Business travelers don't fly much on Sunday so there are more seats available at a cheaper price. It's also when the traffic around Orlando is the slowest.

All part of the Plan

Choosing the best time to visit Disney World is all part of the grand plan you should have every time you visit. Walt Disney World is an immense place and a vast undertaking. For a Perfect vacation you'll need a plan. We'll help (that's what Dad does, he helps). We've gathered a lot of what you need to make a perfect plan into one simple location. Check out ...

Dad's Plan a Disney Vacation page

As part of planning your vacation, there is one resource everyone should have. That's a subscription to Touringplans.com. Touringplans has over 100 plans to to help you put together an itinerary for your trip. They'll also help yo u choose the best time to visit Disney World.

Dad's Touringplans.com page

Get started today

If you are ready to take a Disney World Vacation, why not let Dad give you some help. Dad has teamed up with some really great Disney Vacation Planners and hopes you'll give them a shout and let us help you put together a Magical Vacation.