The Very Best Times to Visit Disney World in 2023 and 2024

Hi Julia!

It's accounting for Presidents Day, which can bring in crowds for the long weekend.

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Hi Jason!

Expect long lines for popular rides but smaller rides would still have lower waits.

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Hi Tessa!

We would still be prepared for high crowds, as it's a highly anticipated ride and its debut is happening during spring break season. But have no fear — if you set expectations beforehand and utilize these tips to maximize your time (plus follow our spring break tips!), you can still have a great trip!

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Hi Jamie!

There shouldn't be too much of a difference in crowds, as both would overlap with the race weekend. It could depend on if your husband would want to start your vacation with the race, or end your trip with the race. Most races are at EPCOT, so you may see slightly higher crowds in that park on race days. There will also be several cheer/dance competitions going on from April 19 to April 30.

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Hi Meg!

With spring break season underway, there likely won't be much of a significant difference between the two days, so go with whichever fits your schedule the best.

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Hi Heather!

The second half of April will be a great time to visit. Crowds from the spring break season should decrease after the week following Easter. It will certainly be less crowded than the week of Christmas! One thing to keep in mind is that there will be some cheer competitions going on. The events typically take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports or Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, so while they're going on, the parks may not be impacted as much. But you may see the parks get busier in the evenings during free time or as teams get eliminated. As for the weather, expect warmer weather that could possibly get into the mid- to high 80s (but it won't be as hot and humid as summer weather).

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Hi Paula!

There isn't a huge difference between the two, so either could work. There will be some dance/cheer competitions going on at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney's Coronado Springs Resort during both timeframes, which could draw in some crowds during the evenings when the teams have more free time. But overall, crowd levels are expected to be moderate. As for the weather, again, there isn't much of a difference, but it tends to get hotter as it gets closer to summer.

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Hi Todd!

Yes! Mid-April will be a great time to visit once the spring break crowds start to wind down after Easter. With one caveat, there will be a couple cheer/dance competitions going on mid-April at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Since the events take place during the day, you'll likely see more crowds in the evenings. You could also run into crowds at the hotels and Disney Springs. Overall though, we'd still expect the first half of the month to be more impactful with higher crowd levels.

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Hi Spencer!

Have a frogtastic time! It's one of our recommended times to visit — crowd levels are expected to be moderate.

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Hi Ray!

Generally, the spring break season ends the week following Easter and crowds start to lessen. Though you may also want to note that the runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend ends April 16, so depending on when you arrive (if you have time to hit the parks at all), it may be busy that day. Additionally, there will be some cheer competitions going on from April 19-24. Despite these going on, we'd still expect spring break crowds to be more impactful. During the day, the athletes should be at their events, so the evenings tend to be more crowded once they have free time.

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Hi Norma!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Jan. 15 in 2024, and typically, the long weekend can draw in larger crowds.

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Hi Renee!

Both pre- and post-Thanksgiving weeks usually have about the same level of moderate crowds, so we'd pick whichever works best with your schedule.

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Hi Sarah!

It depends on the sporting schedules, but cheer/dance competitions can take place around this time (for instance, there will be the D2 Summit - All Star Championship from May 5-7, 2023). At the end of the month, there's Memorial Day weekend, which draws in the most crowds of the month.

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Hi Sarah!

With the marathon weekend, some of the biggest things to consider are transportation/traffic, hotels and restaurants. Roads get blocked off for the races (which all take place in the morning), so you may experience more traffic then (especially if you're trying to rope drop) so you'd need to allot extra time for transportation whether you're driving yourself or taking Disney transportation. Hotels will get booked up quickly so book your room as far in advance as possible. Restaurants, especially at the hotels and Disney Springs, may also be very busy with runners. For crowds inside the parks, even though you'd have to deal with traffic, we still recommend rope dropping or taking advantage of Early Entry if you're Disney hotel guests since many runners will likely not be inside the parks until later in the afternoons when crowds increase. The big event — the marathon — takes place on Sunday and ends at EPCOT, so you may want to avoid going there on that day.

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Hi Jenna!

At this moment, we do not know when 2024 tickets and vacation packages will become available, so our best advice is to check back later.

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Hi Kimberly!

We'd expect high crowd levels due to Memorial Day weekend.

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Hi Andrea!

Those dates will fall during one of the busiest times to visit in 2023 due to spring break season (and that week in particular is when local schools are out). However, if it's the only time you can visit, then we'd suggest checking out our best spring break tips so you can prepare and set expectations.

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Hi Molly!

Yes, we've grouped Monday and Tuesday in with the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend, as some participants may stay a couple of extra days to experience the parks.

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Hi Sherry!

It is true that Magic Kingdom can have lighter crowds on days that it closes early. But if you wish to experience the fireworks, we'd recommend going on a different day, unless you can park hop!

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Hi Chelsea!

September still falls during Florida's rainy season, so you should continue to expect regular afternoon/evening storms that pass through fairly quickly. With that, we recommend carrying around ponchos and extra pairs of socks. For more tips on what to pack, hop over to our Orlando weather guide.

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Hi Chelsea!

Yes! If you wish to avoid the cheer and dance crowds, we'd suggest moving to first half of May if you're looking to go around a similar timeframe. Otherwise, we suggest mid-January to early February or the second half of August (though keep in mind the heat).

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Hi Linda!

Usually, Memorial Day indicates the very beginning of the summer vacation season, so that weekend in particular will be very busy. After then, crowds may subside a little bit but the parks will still remain quite busy. We think the first week of June is the best time you could go during the month. While many school districts are out by then, some school districts across the country don't end until mid-June, which is why we usually see June get steadily busier as the month goes on. As for the weather, expect hot & humid temperatures, as well as rain.

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Hi Amber!

We'd suggest the first week of March! Avoid March 11-19 (that's when local schools are on spring break). However, the rest of March is still subject to spring break crowds since dates vary at school districts across the country. The majority of rides should be open, though always subject to change. You can check our Refurbishments post, which we update weekly.

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Hi Emma!

During that timeframe, some of the best times to visit would be: 1) weekdays during the first two weeks of December, 2) Jan. 18 to Feb. 15, 3) March 1-10 and 4) April 17-30. For the best weather out of those options, we'd go with March 1-10.

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Hi Terri!

We would consider all three of those timeframes as good times to visit (though if you could do the first half of May, that would be even better), so it just depends on other factors such as weather. For the end of January, the weather can vary greatly. Sometimes winter in Florida can be really warm (as high as the low 80s F) so pool days could certainly still be a thing to do — but if a cold front passes through, then it can get really cold (usually 50s during the day but can get as low as the 30s F). Because it's a slower time, there are usually shorter park hours and ride refurbishments. For the last two weeks of August, the weather will be the biggest drawback as not only is it the hottest month of the year but it's also during the rainy season so expect daily thunderstorms in the afternoons/evenings. Weekdays in the beginning of May would probably be your best option out of the ones mentioned, as it's after spring break season but before summer vacations begin. The weather can get still quite hot, but it's not as bad as in late summer, and it's right before the official start of rainy season (which usually starts mid-May).

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Hi Chrystel!

For Aug./Sept., the biggest pro would be low crowds (with the exception of Labor Day weekend), as most kids are back in school by mid-August. The biggest con is the weather — August can be one of the hottest months of the year, plus it's still rainy season with daily afternoon storms (this year, we saw the rainy summer patterns continue through the end of September).

For Sept./Oct., September has low crowds (especially the first half), but October can get busy due to some schools across the country with fall breaks. You'd also want to avoid Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day, as it's a holiday weekend. The weather is slightly better, but you still may likely encounter storms and high temperatures (particularly in September). October may be cooler in the early mornings and evenings.

During either timeframe, you'll be able to experience both EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival and Halloween festivities & fall decor, as Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party usually starts mid-August (though more special Halloween treats may be available at more dining locations during October).

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Hi Beth!

The end of March and beginning of April falls during the spring break season, so that's why we have it listed as one of the busier times of the year. Are you wanting to stay on-site? There are family suites at Disney's Art of Animation and Disney's All-Star Music Resort — both are Value Resorts, offering some of the lowest rates for family suites on property. We have a post about choosing which Disney parks to visit here.

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Hi Jane!

Overall, October crowds are generally moderate, with weekends being more crowded than weekdays. You can get a better sense of October crowd levels on our Crowd Calendar (it currently shows 2022, but 2023 would be similar).

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Hi Liz!

We're not toadally sure about if/when the Canadian discount could come back — though we always encourage to purchase tickets the earlier, the better once you've nailed down your dates.

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Hi Anne!

While we can't speak to his individual capabilities, we will say there is a lot of walking (and standing) involved at the theme parks, so generally speaking, we'd recommend renting a wheelchair or ECV. Without one, it could potentially be too much for someone with mobility issues.

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Hi Kelly!

You can check out our Crowd Calendar here! Midweek should be less crowded than the weekend. As for Pop Century, the preferred rooms are scattered around the '50s, '60s, and '70s Buildings (see map here). For a standard room that is still relatively close to Classic Hall and the bus stops (though a bit more of a walk to Skyliner), we'd suggest the '80s section (9101-9472).

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Hi Jess!

We believe you can have a magical visit to Walt Disney World no matter the circumstance or crowd level! While, of course, summer is a busier time of the year, we do have some tips for visiting during this time. With a five-year-old in tow, you'll want to consider the weather as well. June can be hot, so we recommend taking lots of short breaks throughout the day (even potentially a longer break midday to go back to the hotel and nap) to keep everyone hoppy.

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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.

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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.)

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Hi Rose!

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

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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)!

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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!).

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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).

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