January
January is the coldest month in Florida, but it can still be rainy. News Years celebrations bring heavy crowds the first few days of the month, and is then followed by Marathon weekend (Jan. 3 – 7). After Marathon weekend, many runners will linger for a few days. Disney World sees heavy crowds during most holidays and during school breaks, and MLK weekend (Jan. 13-15) is no exception. The second half of the month will see light to moderate crowds. Because of lower park attendance, there will be many refurbishments. Be sure to check the list of refurbishments to see if your favorite rights will be open.
The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will take place January 12 – February 19. The event will include phenomenal art exhibits, workshops, seminars, artistic dishes, and live performances from local bands to Broadway stars.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
February
February has some of the lightest crowds of the year, but there are a few weekends that will draw larger crowds. Dance competitions take place Feb. 2-4 and will bring a slight increase in crowd levels. Then cheerleading competitions take place Feb. 10 – 11. The competitions will not have a huge impact on the crowd levels, but the All Star Resorts will be more crowded (and louder) with these students. Disney World sees heavy crowds during most holidays and during school breaks. President’s Day weekend (Feb. 16-19) is very busy! Some of the crowd will linger after President’s Day weekend. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts will continue to run until February 19. The Princess Half Marathon and Mardi Gras celebrations take place the last weekend of February (Feb. 22-25). In addition, some schools have a winter break towards the end of February.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
March
The weather in March is pleasant and not too hot. The crowd levels begin as moderate with Mardi Gras parades and dance and cheerleading competitions taking place March 2 – 4 and March 10 – 11. Mid-March is the beginning of Spring Break season and the crowds move from moderate to heavy by the end of the month.
The Epcot Flower & Garden Festival begin February 28 and lasts through May 28. Attendance for the festival will only impact Epcot which will see heavier crowds on the weekends. During the Flower & Garden Festival, you can view the topiaries throughout Disney World that are shaped like famous Disney characters, attend a gardening seminar, walk through the butterfly garden, or sample food at the festival booths. The “Flower Power” concert series also takes place during the Flower & Garden Festival and features bands from the 60s through the 80s.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
April
The weather in April is beautiful! It is warm, but not too hot and there are beautiful flowers everywhere due to the Flower and Garden Festival. April begins as a busy month and then slows down to moderate to light crowds towards the end of the month. Disney World sees heavy crowds during most holidays and during school breaks. So the week of Easter (April 1 – 6) is very busy. The Star Wars Half Marathon – Dark Side will then take place on April 20-22) which also brings heavy crowds.
The Flower & Garden Festival continues through May 28. Attendance for the festival will only impact Epcot which will see heavier crowds on the weekends. During the Flower & Garden Festival, you can view the topiaries throughout Disney World that are shaped like famous Disney characters, attend a gardening seminar, walk through the butterfly garden, or sample food at the festival booths. The “Flower Power” concert series also takes place during the Flower & Garden Festival and features bands from the 60s through the 80s.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
May
The weather in May is still nice and it may rain occasionally. The crowd levels are very light during the first two weeks of the month. Cheerleading competitions take place the first two weekends of May. The competitions will not have a huge impact on the crowd levels, but the All Star Resorts will be more crowded (and louder) with these students.
The Flower & Garden Festival continues through May 28. Attendance for the festival will only impact Epcot which will see heavier crowds on the weekends. During the Flower & Garden Festival, you can view the topiaries throughout Disney World that are shaped like famous Disney characters, attend a gardening seminar, walk through the butterfly garden, or sample food at the festival booths. The “Flower Power” concert series also takes place during the Flower & Garden Festival and features bands from the 60s through the 80s.
Crowds become heavier towards the end of the month, and Memorial Day weekend kicks off the summer travel season.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
June
The weather in June is hot! It is also the rainiest month in Orlando. Make sure you wear light, breathable clothes, stay hydrated, and take a handheld fan. You should also pack a poncho for everyone and rain covers for strollers. My tip is to arrive to the parks early, take a mid-afternoon break to either nap or enjoy the resort pool, then return to the parks in the evening. June is considered the “shoulder season” because the first two weeks have moderate crowds before the heavy crowds show up mid-June. Mid-June is the beginning of the busy summer season.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
July
The weather in July is extremely hot! It is the hottest average month and the third wettest in Orlando. Make sure you wear light, breathable clothes, stay hydrated, and take a handheld fan. You should also pack a poncho for everyone and rain covers for strollers. My tip is to arrive to the parks early, take a mid-afternoon break to either nap or enjoy the resort pool, then return to the parks in the evening.
The entire month of July is busy, but the week of July 4th is the busiest week during the summer.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
August
The weather in August is hot and rainy. It is the second wettest month in Orlando. Make sure you wear light, breathable clothes, stay hydrated, and take a handheld fan. You should also pack a poncho for everyone and rain covers for strollers. My tip is to arrive to the parks early, take a mid-afternoon break to either nap or enjoy the resort pool, then return to the parks in the evening.
The first week and a half mark the end of the busy summer travel season. The crowds begin to lighten in the middle of the month with moderate crowds and then it slowly tapers off. The last week of August is one of the best weeks to visit during the summer months.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
September
September is one of the best months to visit Disney World in terms of crowd levels. However, September falls during hurricane season and is considered the fourth rainiest month in Florida. So you may want to consider purchasing travel insurance in case a hurricane washes away your travel plans. Lower crowds also means more refurbishments will be taking place. Be sure to check the list of refurbishments to see if your favorite rides will be open during your trip.
During the month of September, you will see the debut of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Nights of Joy (a Christian concert series held the first weekend) and the Food & Wine Festival. Only the first night of Mickey’s Not So-Scary Halloween Party will be crowded. Crowd levels tend to be lower for parties held during the week. The Food & Wine Festival will bring heavier crowds to Epcot during the weekend as this event tends to draw the locals.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
October
October has traditionally been one of the best months to visit Disney World. However, it has become an increasingly popular month to visit. Mickey’s Not-So- Scary Halloween Party and the Food & Wine Festival continue through the month of October. Crowd levels tend to be lower for parties held during the week. The Food & Wine Festival will bring heavier crowds to Epcot during the weekends as this event tends to draw the locals.
Disney World sees heavy crowds during most holidays and during school breaks. Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 6-8) will be very busy. Many schools also have fall break during the month of October.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
November
The first three weeks of November are a very nice time to visit Disney World. You will experience low crowds and nice weather. Plus, the entire resort is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. The Food & Wine Festival and Eat to the Beat concert series both end mid-November. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins in early November along with the Castle Dream Lighting Ceremony. Parties that take place mid-week tend to have lower crowds. Holidays Around the World with the Epcot Storytellers will debut the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The first week of November is considered “Jersey Week” which can cause the parks to be busy. The schools of New Jersey are closed this week and many families descend upon Disney World. The Wine & Dine Half Marathon, which takes place Nov. 1-4, also adds to the crowds during the first week of November.
The week of Thanksgiving is very busy! However, the crowds die down significantly the week after Thanksgiving.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
December
The first two and a half weeks of December are one of the best times to visit Disney World. The crowds are among the lowest and the weather is very pleasant. Plus, the entire resort is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas parties and the Castle Dream Lightning Ceremony run through Dec. 18. Parties that take place mid-week tend to have lower crowds. Holidays Around the World and Epcot Storytellers continue through Christmas Eve.
Pop Warner Football and Cheerleading Championships take place the second week of December. The competition will not have much of an effect on park attendance, but the All Star Resorts will be more crowded (and louder) with these students.
The crowds begin to increase in the middle of the third week as people kick-off the holiday season. The last two weeks of December are insanely crowded from Christmas through New Years. This also tends to be the most expensive time to visit Disney World since the week between Christmas and New Years are often blacked out from any special offers.
If you want to avoid crowds, then my tip is to avoid the parks with the longest hours (usually because of Extra Magic Hours) because they tend to be the most crowded. If you do want to use Extra Magic Hours, go to the park that offers morning Extra Magic Hours because they will provide the most benefit. Avoid the parks that offer evening Magic Hours because they will have the largest crowds at night.
