When there are 52 weeks in a year, it can be hard to figure out when’s the best time to go to Disney World. We know the busy times like Christmas or spring break, but what about the times that aren’t flooded with people?
Magic Kingdom
As Disney World experts, we pulled some of our favorite times of the year to visit Disney World, where we think the crowds are a little calmer than usual.
I probably don’t need to convince you why coming to Disney World when it’s not busy is the best thing ever, but here are a few perks:
- Lower wait times and cheaper Lightning Lanes
- Easier to grab dining reservations at hard to get restaurants
- Lower prices for tickets and hotels
- More relaxing experience
We don’t want this
Now onto the dates! You might find other random weeks that aren’t very busy in Disney World, but these are a few that we can usually count on. Of course, sometimes we’re wrong, despite it not being busy for the past few years, but these will give you a pretty good chance of fewer crowds.
Last Week of February into Early March
The EPCOT Festival of the Arts ends on February 23rd, and the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival starts on March 4th, which usually means the parks (especially EPCOT) are pretty quiet. There are no major holidays around this time, and the weather isn’t too hot either.
EPCOT Festival of the Arts
End of April into Early May
This is the time when most spring breaks are usually over. March and April can be pretty busy with all the different spring breaks from around the country, but this is a bit of a sweet spot. The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is also going on, which makes EPCOT the most beautiful park to visit.
Prettiest time of the year
First Week of June
The Flower and Garden Festival ends June 1st, and if there’s not a festival, the parks can be pretty relaxing. This can also be before most schools are out, and while it’s going to be hot, it’s not as hot as it can be at the end of July into August.
June crowds
First Week of September
In Disney World, Halloween starts towards the end of August, along with the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. Because of this, August can be super busy, but September can be a little nicer. Most families are back in school, and the hype of Halloween and the festivals starting have already passed. It also starts to cool down in temperature, and you get to celebrate Halloween — score!
Magic Kingdom
Early to Middle of November
Halloween tends to end at the beginning of October, and full-on Christmas isn’t until Thanksgiving. While the decorations usually start popping up, the holiday crowds usually aren’t in full swing since travelers will wait till Thanksgiving and the day after, which is when the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays usually starts. If you plan it right, you can also get a perfect combination of Halloween and Christmas.
Magic Kingdom
First Week or Two of December
Similar to Thanksgiving, people usually wait till the actual holiday and winter breaks before heading to the parks, making Disney World weirdly quiet. It’s also pretty cool (and sometimes chilly), and you can enjoy a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Then you can head home and still celebrate the actual holiday with your family back home.
Magic Kingdom
There are some dates that we don’t know about, yet that can cause a potentially quiet week to be even more chaotic than we thought. Here are some details to keep an eye out for as more dates are released:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopening (spring 2026)
- Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin reopening (spring 2026)
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets (summer 2026)
- New Bluey show at Animal Kingdom (summer 2026)
- Walt Disney Studios opening (summer 2026)
Projects happening
Now, who’s ready to plan your next Disney World vacation? If you’re looking for some help booking all the details, reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.
In the meantime, make sure you keep following Disney Food Blog for the best tips and tricks you need to know when planning your next Disney World vacation! We’re in the parks every day, bringing you the best details so you can have the best trip yet.
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Won’t the Princess half marathon affect late February?
Arrival date of Dec. 9th to the 11th. Family of 10. Really need to find good deals all the way around. Room and food on a budget.
Disney is by far the greatest place on earth.
We recommend reaching out to our friends at Small World Vacations for assistance with planning your next visit! You can find more info on their planning services here.
Wishing you the very best time during your visit!
If you’re intent on experiencing one of the attractions undergoing refurbishment, add 3 months to above estimated re-opening dates.
Ugh I had a trip planned the first week of March at riviera but I changed it to the first week of February when I realized I saw openings at the Polynesian….