Beginner’s Guide: When to Go

When’s the best time to visit Walt Disney World? There are a few things to consider when deciding when to go.

Crowds

There are definitely certain times of the year that are more crowded than others and these times typically fall around school vacations. Summer is always busy and typically when new attractions and lands opens, which tends to draw in even bigger crowds. Crowds are also big in the spring for spring break and the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. This has been the time I've typically gone in the past and the crowds are bearable.

Around the holidays it can also get super busy, but the decorations and shows are certainly worth it if you love Christmas. Christmas Day does have a reputation of being one of the busiest day of the year, occasionally parks close their gates because they near capacity. New Year’s Day is also in the running for most crowded day and like Christmas, wait times can peak near 300 minutes and the parks have been known to reach capacity.

Marathon Weekend in early January is surprisingly busy. Not as busy as school vacations, but definitely not as quiet as you’d expect. It caught me off guard since I was expecting low crowd levels in January only to find out just how popular the Walt Disney World Marathon is.

From what I've heard September, end of November into beginning of December, and January into February tend to be the quietest times, though I haven't gone then so I can't confirm personally. You can expect anytime that schools are in session to be quieter, but don’t think that means no lines, there’s always going to be people. There are websites out there that track the crowd levels throughout the year and are super helpful if you're wondering just how crowded it is at different times.

Weather

Weather doesn’t have a big an impact as other things because it’s easy to avoid the elements, but you will be outside, so it is something to consider. In the summer, it’s hot and humid and while air conditioning is in all the buildings, you still have to walk from place to place and many queues (lines) start outside, though most are covered and many also have fans. So if you can’t deal with heat and humidity, I don’t suggest going in late spring and summer. But don’t think it’s hot and humid all the time. I’ve gone in January hoping to wear shorts on vacation only to find out that it’s actually a bit cold and I’m from Maine, so that says something.

It can be rainy certain times of the year, and when it’s hot and humid, thunderstorms are bound to pop up. Water rides and other rides that are exposed to the elements close during thunderstorms and torrential downpours, but these storms often come quick and leave just as fast. And don’t forget about hurricane season, though rare the parks may close if the weather is severe enough. The Disney resorts remain open, so you won’t be kicked out if you get caught vacationing in the storm.

Events

There are tons of special events and festivals throughout the year and can really add to your experience, but the one downside is that they tend to happen when it's busier at the parks.

Walt Disney Marathon Weekend

·        Four days in early January

·        Multiple races all around the resort and events for runners and their families

·        Also the Princess Half Marathon Weekend in late February

Epcot International Festival of the Arts

·        Mid-January to mid-February

·        Celebration of the performing, visual, and culinary arts

·        Stage productions, concerts, food kiosks, art exhibits, and more

·        Art seminars and workshops at the Odyssey Center

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

·        March to May

·        Extra flowers, gardens, and topiaries all over the park, even a butterfly tent

·        Seminars and demonstrations at the Festival Center (former Wonders of Life Pavilion)

·        Outdoor kitchens all around World Showcase with garden inspired cuisine from each of the countries plus a few more

·        Garden Rocks Concert Series on the weekends

Epcot during the International Flower and Garden Festival

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween

·        End of August to the start of November at Magic Kingdom

·        Halloween decorations everywhere

·        Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on select nights

o   Halloween parade, fireworks, and trick or treating

o   Special ticketing, so it costs more and the park is closed to those without tickets

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

·        September to the start of November

·        International food kiosks in addition to kiosks from the 11 countries around World Showcase

·        Culinary seminars and demonstrations at the Festival Center

·        Eat to the Beat Concert Series

The Holidays

·        November to early January

·        Christmas decorations everywhere across the resort

·        Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

o   Holiday Kitchens and traditions from each of the 11 World Showcase countries

o   Candlelight Processional with an orchestra, choir, and celebrity narrator

o   Holiday presentation of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

·        Flurry of Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

o   Sunset Seasons Greetings brings falling snow and a projection show on the Hollywood Tower Hotel (Tower of Terror)

o   Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Fireworks and projection spectacular on the Chinese Theater (formerly the Great Movie Ride)

·        New Year’s Eve

o   Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks at Magic Kingdom

o   New Year’s Countdown Fireworks at Epcot

o   Dance parties at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Cinderella Castle lit up for the holidays

So when to go is entirely up to you and your interests and one time of year might be more enjoyable than others. You just have to decide what's most important for you. Consider when you can go during the year and what time of year is most appealing.