Tagged

The Best Days to Visit Disney World

Updated: March 23, 2023 by Valerie Mellema | Leave a comment

With operating hours running 365 days a year, there is no bad time to visit Walt Disney World. However, some days are surely better than others. What makes some park days better might come down to your personal preferences and the kind of experience you want to have. Here are a few things to consider when deciding the best days to visit Disney World.

Crowd Size

The number of visitors you’re sharing the park with during your visit can have a direct impact on your experience, so knowing how to predict crowd levels at Disney World can help you plan accordingly. If you prefer smaller crowds of people, it’s usually a good idea to plan your trip when most kids are in school, between the months of late August to mid-May, and outside of any winter holidays or spring breaks. Winter break, spring or Easter break, summer vacation, and Thanksgiving are typically the busiest in terms of crowd sizes.

On the other hand, if the purpose of your Disney trip is to bring your kids along with you and this means going during a busier season, you might still be able to avoid larger crowds. Long weekends, or Friday through Monday, are the busiest days of the week in most Disney parks. Most people plan trips over long weekends whether utilizing those created by holidays or making one on their own terms. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are the least busy weekdays for Disney World.

Ticket Prices

The smaller the crowd trends, the less expensive park tickets also tend to be. Disney uses a flexible pricing template to adjust their admission prices based on attendance, so seeking the lighter populated days can also save you a bit of money on the cost of admission.

There are several different ticket pricing “seasons,” the cheapest of which is Adventure Season. This season runs in January, September, and the first half of December. The most expensive season is Premier Season, which runs from April 24-27, and December 24-31. Three other pricing tier seasons cover the rest of the year and are worth your consideration if booking your trip based on affordability.

Year-Round Special Events

If you’ve already had the chance to visit Disney World on a “normal” day (although, what day is really normal at Disney World?), there are different holidays and events in every month of the year that can bring you different things to experience within the magical parks.

For example, January brings the “runDisney” Walt Disney World Marathon. Start your year off with a magical competition that celebrates its 30th anniversary in January of 2023. Participate in different races ranging from a 5k to a full marathon in length. There are more “runDisney” events in February, April, and even November. Book them all and stay in shape all year!

March marks the beginning of the Flower and Garden Festival that runs through May at EPCOT. View amazing gardens and topiaries as well as taste delectable spring menu items to get you and your family warmed up for the summer months.

Dapper Day comes around at Disney World once or twice a year, often in May, and is a fun way to play dress-up and enjoy the park at the same time. First started in 2011, it’s one of the newer Disney World traditions. Park-goers that want to participate wear fancy vintage attire reminiscent of the wardrobes of the world of Mary Poppins. Bold-colored tea dresses and pinstripe three-piece suits in all colors of the rainbow make the park come to life in a most “dapper” way. Nothing to wear? Don’t worry, the marketplace offers a wide selection for you to choose the perfect Dapper Day outfit.

Fourth of July week also brings some patriotic themes that are fun to experience through the lens of Disney. Although, like many other holidays in the park, it can be quite busy.

August through November brings a Food and Wine Festival that is sure to invigorate your tastebuds with savory late-summer flavors to enjoy in between park attractions. You can also plan for holiday-related activities such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in September and October, and the Very Merry Christmas Party running November through December to help you celebrate your favorite holidays with a Disney twist.

Disney World Christmas trees — Disney World in November and December brings the Very Merry Christmas Party for a fun seasonal holiday twist.
©VIAVAL TOURS/Shutterstock.com

Weather

For the most agreeable Florida weather, you’re going to want to try and visit Disney World in the late summer, early fall, and mid-to-late spring. The winter months of January and February will generally be the coolest with average temperatures between 51 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit, with the warmer days being perfect to enjoy an amusement park comfortably. The summer months, however, bring both higher temperature and higher humidity which can make for an uncomfortable combination if you weren’t planning on visiting a water park.

Vintage Florida postcards at Sea World — Sunny Florida makes Disney World ideal to visit from early spring to late fall, though even in the winter, temps aren't unbearable.
©VIAVAL TOURS/Shutterstock.com

There Are No Bad Days at Disney

While there are certainly no bad days to visit Walt Disney World, the experience you hope to have is very unique to you and your family. Whether you’re looking for the smallest crowds, the best pricing, or certain special events or holiday celebrations, you can always plan the Disney vacation of your dreams with a little insight into what days accommodate your wishes the best. One thing is for sure, no matter the season, Walt Disney World is always ready to welcome you with open arms with the most magical and unforgettable experiences for your family. Start planning your trip today!