Hi Tom!

The second half of February can draw crowds due to Presidents Day weekend (Feb. 18-20) and the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (Feb. 23-26). Mardi Gras can also play a minor factor, so with all three going on, there can be elevated crowds during that timeframe.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Stacy!

We think your best bet would be mid-November or the first week of December. Holiday festivities should be in full swing by mid-November so there's less of a chance for ride refurbishments. By then, the weather has started to cool off (may even experience the first cold front around this time, so keep an eye out for the weather forecast so one doesn't sneak up on you). There's still a chance of rain, but the rainy season patterns should settle down by then. As for crowds, it won't be the absolute lowest levels (that would be end of August/September, which is still hot and rainy), but it will be the lowest during the holiday season. End of January/early February could also be an option (these are months with the lowest average rainfall of the year), but there's more chance of a cold front, as well as shorter park hours and possibilities of ride refurbishments. (We consider March and April the best for "ideal" weather, but then you would deal with spring break crowds.)

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Rose!

We would go with Nov. 14, as Nov. 11 is a holiday (Veterans Day).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jeff!

The end of January is typically a good time to go. Weekends in general are busier than weekdays, but during this time, they're only busier by a crowd level or two (see our Crowd Calendar here!). EPCOT in particular is usually busier on the weekends due to locals going to the Festival of the Arts.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jenn!

If avoiding crowds is more important, then we'd go with Feb. 28 through March 7 so you can avoid the middle of spring break season! As long as a cold front doesn't come through, it should be warm enough (though at this time, the weather can still be a bit unpredictable).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Joy Dee!

We'd suggest September (aside from Labor Day weekend) in terms of crowds — weather can still be quite hot, but it would likely be the most budget-friendly. If you wish for it to cool down, then November is a good time to go (aside from Thanksgiving week and Veterans Day, particularly if the latter falls on/near the weekend).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Dini!

We'd go with EPCOT and Hollywood Studios! It's easy to hop between these two parks since they're close to each other. You could take Disney Skyliner, a Friendship boat or even walk (all via the International Gateway entrance)!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Dini!

We love them all but if narrowing it down, we'd say have to say EPCOT, for sure — mainly for the food, drinks and attractions. Animal Kingdom would be a good choice if you want a more relaxed day and love animals, and Hollywood Studios if you like thrill rides such as Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror (plus Galaxy's Edge — Oga's Cantina is a must!).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Michelle!

The actual races take place early in the morning (with 5 a.m. start times), so they all should be completed by park opening. They mainly take place near/in EPCOT, though the Half Marathon goes to Magic Kingdom and back. Just be aware of the early morning road closures, which may only affect you if you're trying to rope drop. Crowd levels shouldn't be hugely impacted, though it may feel more crowded at EPCOT. And if you haven't booked a hotel yet, we'd suggest hopping right on it!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jeanine!

If weather is an important factor for you, we'd go with May. Otherwise, you can expect almost daily storms, which can bring heavy rain (particularly in the afternoon/evening) but they usually aren't long-lasting.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jennifer!

Our favorite hotels for toddlers would have to be any of the Value Resorts, which have some of the best "quintessential Disney" theming. We toadally recommend Magic Kingdom as a must-do! As for the others, it may depend on her preferences — Animal Kingdom is a great choice particularly if she loves animals. Hollywood Studios has the most thrill rides which are likely too big for her, but if she likes Toy Story or Disney Junior Pals, it may still be worth a visit. During February, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts would be taking place, which is one of our favorite festivals for kids.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Tillie!

In September and October, we'd recommend staying away from Labor Day weekend (Sept. 2-4) and Columbus Day weekend (Oct. 7-9).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi John!

In terms of crowds, both are great times to go! Late January and early February will likely have colder weather (though more unpredictable), if that is a priority for you.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Cheryl!

Generally, weekends are busier than weekdays, particularly the second half of February due to Presidents Day weekend and the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend. If not counting EPCOT, then we'd recommend Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Unless you like thrill rides (or Star Wars or Toy Story), Hollywood Studios would probably be the one to skip.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Emily!

Aww, thank you for the kind hoppy words! Generally, yes it should be a good time to go :) The Disney World parks in particular may have elevated crowds from February 23-26, as the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend will be taking place that weekend. You'll be sneaking in before the major Spring Break crowds (local schools will be out from March 13-17), but there's a chance that it could start getting busier toward the end of your trip due to the spring break season (as schools across the country have varying spring breaks). At Disney, the Flower & Garden Festival at EPCOT typically begins the first week of March. For Orlando in general, Universal hosts Mardi Gras from February through April, and SeaWorld has a Seven Seas Food Festival from February to May.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Mary!

Yes :) early May is a great time to visit! It falls after the busy spring break season, but is still early enough before summer crowds that begin toward the end of the month with Memorial Day weekend.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Brandon!

Early in December - especially on weekdays - is typically a great time to visit. Have fun!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Pete!

Those two weekends will be the most affected by crowds since it'll be Presidents Day weekend followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend. People may linger or arrive early for the marathon weekend, plus there may be people visiting due to Mardi Gras — all of which is why we kept the entire timeframe as a higher crowd level.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hey Alana!

We're glad you asked! Historically, we've seen patterns in which parks visitors hoppen to head to on certain days of the week, which is why you may find us recommending certain parks (green check) or not (red exclamation point) on particular days of the week. For your dates, since Nov. 11 is a holiday, we think that Thursday the 10 will be your best bet to visit Hollywood Studios (crowds overall will be lower than Friday). Hope this helps!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Erik!

In terms of crowds, the first week of August still falls within the summer season, so crowd levels remain high (check out our Crowd Calendar for more details!). The weather is hot and humid in August, often with afternoon rain. We've got a guide on how you can pack for the Orlando weather in summer (and year-round).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Leigh!

We think it's still possible! The biggest thing you'll need to look out for is checking availability for your theme park reservations and booking those as soon as you know your dates. You can book reservations for dining and special experiences (such as Savi's lightsabers) up to 60 days in advance, so you're still before that time window even opens for most dates in October and November.

Let us know if you need any help or have additional questions!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Gary!

The winter months (November through February) generally have the lowest average rainfall. March's rainfall is still low, compared to the summer months, but it can be just a tad more unpredictable than the winter months. While we can't guarantee that there won't be any rain at all, there's still less of a chance of the daily rain that you get in the summer. We also have a guide about how to pack for the weather year-round that you may find to be hopful!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Ronde!

There may be some lingering crowds from the holiday weekend, but we think it'll be manageable. Enjoy!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Michelle!

Spring Break varies by schools all over the country (plus public and private schools, even from the same town or city, may have differing breaks), so it creates more of a "Spring Break season" that lasts from early March to a week after Easter (which falls on April 9, 2023, and March 31, 2024). Overall, expect the parks to be busy through early to mid-April both years, but some weeks may be busier than others, particularly when local schools are out (these weeks would be March 13-17, 2023, and March 18-22, 2024).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Joe!

The end of February sees both Presidents Day Weekend (Feb. 17-20) and the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend (Feb. 23-26), which bring in crowds during the later half of that month.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Jack!

The end of February sees both Presidents Day Weekend (Feb. 17-20) and the Disney Princess Half-Marathon Weekend (Feb. 23-26), which bring in crowds for the later half of that month.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Kathryn!

Early February is generally a quieter time to visit! If you decide on February, then avoid Feb. 17-20 (Presidents Day weekend) and Feb. 23-26 (the Princess Half-Marathon Weekend). If you need to go in March, then we'd recommend the first week over the rest of the month, which sees Spring Break crowds for the majority of March. You can compare crowd levels on our Crowd Calendar!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Carly!

Holiday weekends do tend to draw in larger crowds, so we expect it to be busy on Labor Day. That said, there is still a reservation system in place that controls capacity — be sure to get your tickets and make your park reservation sooner than later! We'd recommend getting Genie+ to use for that day, especially for Magic Kingdom (which has the most Genie+ rides available).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Brad!

We have a post about visiting Disney in the summer, which may be most helpful for you in terms of tips and tricks for managing crowds. We also have a post about Fourth of July and the ways you can celebrate at Disney World.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Brandi!

Typically, with off-season hours, the theme parks can close as early as 5 p.m. (Animal Kingdom usually closes first, while the others stay open a few hours later) and as late as 9 p.m. For holiday weekends, such as MLK Jr. Day and Presidents Day, hours can extend.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Ami!

Usually, we recommend early December (right after Thanksgiving but before mid-December) if you want to experience the holidays without the largest crowds, so you'd be in a good spot. That said, there still may be moderate crowds, so we'd recommend Genie and/or Express if you can swing it (especially since you're only planning one day at each). Using Genie+ at Hollywood Studios in particular is one of our recommended parks, as you can use the stacking strategy. The Pop Warner Championships typically take place around this time, and last year, Universal hosted the families at the hotels, so that may be something to keep in mind. We also have a guide about doing Universal in one day that may be helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Vicki!

If you purchase a 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket and a 3-Day Base Ticket, that would be toadally fine! Our only caveat is that if you have multiple tickets in your account, you'll want to stop by Guest Relations (or have a cast member with an iPad at the entrance touchpoints scan your MagicBand/MagicMobile pass) before you scan in at your very first park to make sure the right ticket is being activated. They would be able to tell which ticket is being prioritized — if the ticket you want to use first is prioritized, no need to do anything; if the other ticket is being prioritized, you'll need to ask the cast member to re-prioritize the tickets before entering the park. (That way, you can avoid accidentally activating the 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket on a day that you weren't planning to park hop or vice versa!) For this reason, we'd recommend your park hopping day to be first or last.

That said, if you've already purchased your tickets, then you could upgrade to a Park Hopper ticket, but it would need to be for the length of your ticket (it cannot be upgraded for just one day out of four).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi April!

We think it's one of the best times to go, especially if you want lower crowds. It does have some trade-offs, such as shorter park hours since it's considered the off-season. Weather, which is another important factor, is a bit more unpredictable during the winter. It can be very nice, but if a cold front comes through, it can dip down to the low 40s. What do you consider a priority (low crowds, weather, special events)? If you can narrow it down, it may help you decide when to visit.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Erin!

Ooh, good question - it can be a bit of a wild card, but we feel the end of the month will give you the best chances weather-wise :) Have a great trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Beth!

With heat and crowds in consideration, we'd recommend looking into late January/early February, November (aside from Veterans Day and Thanksgiving week) or the first week of December. September is another recommended time to visit, but the weather can still be quite hot. It doesn't usually cool down until much later in October or November.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Kirst!

Despite it being the tail end of the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend and the start of MLK Jr. Day weekend, midweek should see lower crowds than those weekends. Though we'll add that this most recent January had higher crowds than usual throughout the month, likely due to more and more families traveling. Due to this, we're not sure if Jan. 2023 will follow a similar pattern, but midweek should not be as bad as those two weekends.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi John!

We always recommend arriving early to take advantage of lower wait times. If you're staying on-site, use Early Theme Park Entry, which will allow you to enter 30 minutes early at any park, any day.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi AlaskaMom!

Historically, yes, that has been a great time to go! Though lately, we will say it's been a bit harder to predict crowds since this year has not been following past trends as closely. We think it's due to various factors such as the 50th Anniversary and the pent-up demand for traveling (many families who had to reschedule in 2020 are now taking their trips). That said, it should still be a less busier time when compared to peak times, such as spring break, summer and the holidays. As for park hours, since it is an off-peak time, the parks do usually have shorter hours (though not typically as early as 4:30 p.m. for Magic Kingdom — though it can close that early due to a special cast member event which usually takes place midweek at the beginning of the year). Park hours are usually not confirmed until a month or two in advance. For instance, right now, we can only see park hours through July 20.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Kristen!

We'd avoid EPCOT on the 5th and 6th as that's where the 10K and Half Marathon are based, and since the runDisney event is Food & Wine themed, most people will likely go to EPCOT, especially on the 6th. The Half Marathon (the 6th) does go through Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios briefly but since the races start at 5 a.m., there shouldn't be a huge impact. If you want to avoid altogether, we'd suggest Magic Kingdom while the race weekend is going on. During the week, you should be good to book however you want.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Tory!

We're actually going to be having a new post all about maximizing your time at Disney World coming real soon, so keep hopping back for that one! In general, we're big advocates of arriving early for rope drop (or Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours, if you're staying in the designated hotels), using mobile ordering during off-peak meal times, utilizing Genie+ (if it's in your budget — even if it's just for a few days during your trip, though since you're sticking around for a long time, you may not even need it), following our park plans and using Single Rider lines.

Keep hopping!

Leap

It is still toadally possible to have a great time, even when it's busier - we're sure you'll have a magical time, Karolina!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Mary!

Yay, we are so glad to hear it - thank you for sharing with us! Typically, that first week of June is a little slower than the rest of the month - but it can also be hot and wet, so you'll want to pack accordingly! Schools are just starting to get out for the summer, and families will start to trickle in, but things should be manageable. If you are planning rest days, we'd save those for the weekend, if possible, and plan our park days for the weekdays. If you are staying on-site, make sure you take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry (or Extended Evening Hours if you're staying at a Deluxe hotel or Swan Dolphin). Have a great time!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Alicia!

Generally, weekdays in October have moderate crowds, even during the week of Halloween. However, with the recent announcement of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party's return, we'd expect that it may be busier than usual during the week leading up to Halloween, as there are several parties scheduled that week. The weekdays during the week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 5, with the exception of Halloween, may fare better than the week before (though also keep in mind that the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is Nov. 3-6, and the event may bring in some crowds).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi PJ!

We would go with Dec. 16-22! While it's still definitely a peak time, it should be the most manageable, as it's noticeably different than the weeks of the actual holidays - both Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year's.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Julie!

The marathon race does go through all of the parks (the half-marathon, 10K and 5K races also go through select parks, depending on the race). However, since all of the races start at 5 a.m. before the parks officially open, the races tend to have the greatest impact on transportation in the mornings since they have to block off roads. We'd suggest taking that into consideration if you're planning to rope drop and allot some extra time in case you are diverted.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Maddie!

We would go with March 3 to 8/9, as it's earlier in the spring break season. You can check out predicted crowd levels on our Crowd Calendar!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Matt!

That's a bit of a tough one, but we'd go with February 25 to March 12. Feb. 18 to March 5 would include Presidents Day Weekend and the Princess Half-Marathon Weekend (both of which can bring heavily concentrated crowds on those weekends). While you might run into the beginning of the spring break season if you go February 25 to March 12, the crowds likely won't be as concentrated until the following week, March 13-17. You can reference our Crowd Calendar for expected crowd levels.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Mara!

Bingo! Both the summer crowds and weather are factors to consider during this time. Summer crowds usually don't slow down until the middle of the month when it's time for kids to go back to school, and as far as the weather goes, you would deal with high humidity, heat and afternoon thunderstorms. However, that doesn't mean you can't have a good time — you would just need to prepare!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Hi Maddie!

While we think any of those times would be a good time to visit, there are several factors to consider. February would probably have the best weather (cooler temps and less rain chances) and your visit would still fall during the 50th Anniversary Celebration. August has the best crowd levels out of the three options, according to our Crowd Calendar (due to kids going back to school, starting mid-August), but the weather will be more hot, humid and rainy compared to the other two times. However, the Halloween festivities should start by then, and it would also have the lowest crowds for the Halloween event. October can still be hot and rainy but is less intense than August. It's still a great option if you're wanting to visit during the Halloween season (though since it's closer to the actual holiday, it may be a little bit busier than an August visit).

Keep hopping!

Leap