The Best Times to Go to Disney World for Fewer Crowds and Beautiful Weather

There’s always a reason to visit the "Most Magical Place on Earth," Walt Disney World. Deciding exactly when to go depends on what matters most to you. Looking to spot the famous Mickey pumpkins that line Main Street, U.S.A., during Halloween season? How about visiting when the temperatures are at their coolest? These factors and many more can affect your decision about when to plan a Disney trip, but if you want general guidelines, consider this overview.

• High Seasons: March to April and June to August
• Shoulder Seasons: December to February, plus the month of May
• Low Season: September to November

Whether traveling with a group of friends or your family, here are the best times to go to Disney World.

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Smaller Crowds

A Walt Disney World vacation involves navigating a variety of details from booking theme park tickets and dining reservations to deciding which rides to try when. The last thing you want to add to that list is heavy crowds.

While Disney parks consistently draw guests year round, there are a few times to visit that are typically less crowded. In the winter, any date outside of the busy weeks of Christmas and New Year's can be fairly quiet. A trip at this time of year also has the added bonus of cooler temperatures — or, to superfans, "Spirit Jersey weather." Disney World's least busy month, though, is almost always September. Crowds begin to thin out as school breaks wind down in August, and once Labor Day is over, the resort is usually as close to empty as it ever gets. Disney World used to remain uncrowded throughout the fall, but the growing popularity of Disney's Halloween offerings does mean that October is increasingly busy.

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Good Weather

There's a reason they call Florida the Sunshine State. The Orlando region can see more than 300 days of sun each year, making for ideal vacation weather almost year-round. Though July and August are risky given their occasional triple-digit temperatures, you can usually expect pleasant conditions in Disney World no matter when you visit.

Temperatures are at their coolest — often as low as 50 degrees — in January. (Yes, it can get chilly in Florida!) But while this may limit some activities, like visiting your resort’s pool or one of Disney's water parks, it does make for a more comfortable time in the theme parks. The winter months are also typically low in precipitation, so chances are you'll avoid the afternoon thunderstorms common in Florida summers — along with the need for pricey ponchos and umbrellas. To take advantage of this mild winter weather, visit between January and March.

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Lower Prices

The most important piece of any Disney vacation is theme park tickets. Disney World uses a dynamic ticket pricing system, meaning park ticket prices are tiered and will cost less during slower times. One-day, one-park admission starts at $109 but can increase significantly from there, especially if you're visiting on a holiday or busy weekend. A visit on Christmas Day, for instance, will set you back $159 per ticket. 

Off-peak times fall around January, February, September, and early November. Discounts on vacation packages booked directly through Disney (which combine park tickets and hotel stays) can be found year-round, though they're most common at these less-crowded times. The same tends to apply for deals on accommodations and airfare. 

Related: These Are the Cheapest Times to Visit Disney World, According to Experts

Best Times for Adults to Visit Disney World

Walt Disney World can be an adult’s playground all year round, with standout dining and a host of experiences specifically catered to grown-up guests. One of the best times for adults to visit, though, is late summer and early fall, when summer-break crowds give way to (relatively) uncrowded autumn bliss. This time of year also coincides with Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. At the park's longest-running and largest festival, you can nibble on globally inspired bites from dozens of outdoor kitchens. As the sun sets, enjoy concerts from national acts as part of the Eat to the Beat concert series, included in admission. 

One of Disney's most underrated festivals, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, is also not to be missed. Celebrating culinary, performing, and visual arts, this falls during one of the slowest points of the year, typically mid-January through February. While more intimate than Food & Wine, it delivers standout eats and entertainment, plus cooler temperatures for those who dislike the heat. 

Best Times to Visit Disney World for Families

Holidays at Disney are truly magical. While you may have to deal with more crowds than usual, the reward is a whimsical transformation of the parks and numerous limited-time offerings — from incredible decor to delicious seasonal foods. Kids will also love Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the after-hours special events that take over Magic Kingdom park in the final months of each year. Tickets for these parties follow a dynamic pricing system just like standard park admission does, so if you want to attend, plan your visit outside of each holiday's peak dates. While attending a Halloween party in August or a Christmas party in November may seem odd, families can enjoy hefty savings by embracing the festive spirit at unorthodox times.

Summer is ideal if your crew prefers to spend mornings on the rides and afternoons by the pool. Disney’s deluxe resorts — like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa — offer the most elaborate pool complexes, complete with slides and poolside lounges. If taking full advantage of your resort’s amenities is a priority, a summertime stay may give you the best experience, despite its higher price tag.

Worst Times to Visit Disney World

A summertime Disney trip is a rite of passage for many families, but various factors can make the season less than ideal. The weather is arguably at its worst this time of year, with temperatures often in the 90s and an average humidity level of around 70 percent. Despite this, prices and crowd size both hit a peak in June, July, and August — so if you want to save money and avoid unpleasantly long lines, you may want to plan your trip for another season.

The winter months can offer good deals and above-average elbow room, but there are still challenges to consider. The weeks surrounding Christmas are some of the busiest (and priciest) of the year, and January's chilly conditions can pose a problem for visitors wanting to enjoy Disney World's pools and water parks.