The Very Best Times to Go to Disney World in 2025 and 2026

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It's a playground full of magic kingdoms, future worlds and galaxies far, far away. There is so much to do at Walt Disney World! The only question is ... when do you visit? 2025 at the Most Magical Place on Earth will be nothing short of exciting! With a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, a new Disney Villains show at Hollywood Studios, and more, the magic (and fun) is definitely calling! Some of you may even be looking into 2026 and beyond to get a head start on your planning now that tickets, hotels and packages have been released. Understandably, some of you may be wondering: "When is the best time to go to Disney World?"

Hop To

• Overview
• Determining Factors
• Summer: May - July
• Fall: Aug. - Oct.
• Winter: Nov. - Jan.
• Spring: Feb. - April

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, unfortunately. What we can say, and what has always been true, is this:

You can have a magical visit to Walt Disney World no matter the circumstance or crowd level.

For over 25 years, Undercover Tourist has been helping families plan toadally magical vacations — and along the way, we've also gained some insight into the hows and whys of crowds. That historical knowledge, coupled with our #1 ranked Crowd Calendar, makes up our recommendations on when to visit each year.

Around the pond, we've decided to organize this post a little differently so that no matter which criteria you're taking into account for your next trip, we can help! Maybe you're flying solo or with a small group of adults who can adjust their schedules based on the least crowded time to visit. Maybe you and your family really want to experience the twinkling magic of the holidays at Disney World (complete with hot cocoa and cookies!). Maybe you've always wanted to see the character topiaries at EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, or take your mom to EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. Maybe you're frugal frogs like us and want to know the cheapest days to go to Disney World. No matter the reason or the season, the frogs are here to help!

Determining the Best Time to Go to Disney World

It should come as no surprise that the best time to go to Disney World has historically fallen along with school schedules, which is to say, the best time to visit is generally when the kids are in school.

Generally, any time there is a school holiday, there will be bigger crowds at Disney World.

When planning the best time to go to Disney World, we recommend you check our Crowd Calendar. The yearly, monthly and daily crowd levels are right there for you to see, along with individual park recommendations, Disney World hours and even events that are taking place. Disney World hours are important and should be factored in when deciding when to visit Orlando. This is because when crowd levels are lowest, park hours are the shortest. When crowd levels are highest, the parks generally open earlier and close later, and key entertainment might have two showtimes each evening.

Our recommendations take into account historical trends (and wait times), plus factors we believe will draw in more people, including openings, school schedules across the nation, runDisney events, sports competitions, special events, refurbishments, weather and more to come up with a holistic look at each timeframe. We get so many great questions from you about why certain dates are green, yellow or red, so we hope peeling back the curtain gives you a little more insight to make the best decision for your family. (But we're still all ears — drop us a comment if you have questions!) Since saving you some green is kind of our thing, we also wanted to call out the cheapest times to visit Disney World.

New rides, attractions and lands — major openings — can also impact crowds. In 2025, we've got a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, a new Disney Villains show at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and so much more! Plus, exciting developments were announced for the next several years across the Walt Disney World Resort at D23, including a Villains Land at Magic Kingdom, the transformation of DinoLand U.S.A. into the Tropical Americas and a Monsters, Inc. Land coming to Hollywood Studios.

One thing is for sure: the sooner you can plan your trip, the more flexibility you'll have, so once you know your dates, we recommend taking the leap! Did you know that Undercover Tourist now offers Disney World vacation packages? That means you can bundle your Disney World tickets, hotel stay and even add on an optional dining plan all in one spot (and yes, still at a discount!). The best part? We now offer a flexible deposit option, meaning that you can secure your Disney World vacation for a refundable $200 deposit. Then, you'll pay the rest 30 days prior to check-in.

Just looking for the TLDR? Check out the infographic above for a cheat sheet of the least busy times to visit Disney World in 2025. Now, let's hop into the fun stuff!

Summer — May, June, July

School's out for summer!

The summer months are pretty consistently well-attended, as the final school bell rings. Orlando weather is also pretty consistent in these months — expect higher temps and afternoon showers. There is plenty of summer fun to go around, including pool parties, After Hours events and more. Let's dive in!

Highlights

That summer sunshine means peak pool weather, making it an amazing time to visit the Disney World water parks. In past years, right about now is when we'd share that there's only one water park open — but in 2025, BOTH Disney World water parks are open as of May 21, 2025! For Disney World hotel guests visiting in summer 2025 OR summer 2026, that means double the fun as you redeem your complimentary admission to a water park on check-in day.

This is also one of our favorite times to attend Disney After Hours events to capitalize on the cooler nighttime temps. There's even an After Hours event AT Typhoon Lagoon, with specialty food and beverages, glowing dance parties and more.

May 27 marked a BIG day around Walt Disney World Resort in 2025, as two all-new shows debuted at Hollywood Studios: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure.

Fourth of July is generally a busier time around Walt Disney World — but as with other busy times, there are also some really fun activities going on! Catch special Fourth of July fireworks on July 3 and 4 at Magic Kingdom, and a special presentation of "Heartbeat of Freedom" at EPCOT on July 4, plus red, white and blue treats and specialty entertainment around the resort.

@undercovertourist Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is now open! Just in time for your spring and summer trips! 🌊 ‼️We’re huge fans of the Disney water parks and here’s why: 💦The best way to beat the Orlando heat! 💦Parking is FREE! 💦No theme park reservation required 💦Family-friendly! There’s something for everyone 💦Yummy treats and drinks 💦Incredible Disney theming 💦The perfect way to spend your arrival day or a rest day 💦Accessible via Disney bus transportation AND right now- when you book a trip for 2025- a water park day is included with your stay! 😱 Be sure to visit our stories to learn more, plus tips on how to save on tickets! See ya there! ☀️🌴🏄 #disneyparks #waltdisneyworld #wdw #disneyworld #typhoonlagoon #disneywaterparks #disneyvaca #disneyvacation #disneycreators ♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist

Summer 2025 also brings with it an all-new, adults-only lounge at EPCOT — GEO-82, now open — and a sparkling new parade. Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away will make its debut July 20. As of July 22, 2025, guests can also officially race back into Test Track after its refurbishment!

Things to Consider

In May, things stay fairly quiet until Memorial Day (May 26, 2025, or May 25, 2026). Most schools are out across the nation by the second week of June, meaning that things will ramp up and stay consistently busy until school is back in session in mid-August. Fourth of July is typically an extra busy time — but again, there are special foods, fireworks shows and more to celebrate Independence Day.

The main consideration during this timeframe is the weather. Park hours are a little longer, but the heat and rain in Orlando are in their element. Pack your ponchos, fans and extra socks and think through your park strategy for the day to incorporate AC, water breaks and rest and you'll be sitting pretty.

In 2025, we expect Memorial Day weekend and beyond to see elevated crowds in Orlando for the opening of Universal Epic Universe. Many guests will want to visit both Universal Orlando Resort AND Walt Disney World — when in Rome (err, Orlando), right? We've got all of the details on planning a split Orlando trip at both Universal Orlando and Disney World in this post (including pricing! Spoiler alert: You can visit both for a whole week for around $7k for a family of four!).

In 2025, know that the FIFA World Cup will host matches in Orlando from late June to early July, which may result in some futbol fans visiting the parks.

Our Overall Pick: This timeframe offers up some consistent weather patterns, crowds and events. Either weekdays in the first half of May or the first half of June are equitable in our eyes, though May is slightly cooler than June, with an average high of 88 versus 91, with fewer rainy days overall.

Least Busy

• Weekdays in the first half of May

Busiest

• Weekends in May, especially around Memorial Day (May 26, 2025, May 25, 2026)
• Elevated crowds in June + July, especially around July 4

Cheapest

• May 1, 30, 2026
• June 3-6, 2026
• July 29-31, 2025; July 29-31, 2026

*prices based on a 4-day base ticket from Undercover Tourist and are subject to change

Fall — August, September, October

You may be saying to yourself, "August? Why is August lumped in with fall?"

Well, at Disney World, the spooky season gets into full swing in mid-August as Mickey pumpkin lantern wreaths adorn the lampposts in Magic Kingdom and Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins. In 2025, this spooktacular event kicks off Aug. 15, to be specific. Mid-August, most of the nation sees tadpoles hoppin' back to school, making the end of August a particularly good time if you're looking for low crowds. Along that same line, expect things to be busier around holidays — in this timeframe, that's Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Highlights

Pumpkin spice and Halloween mice! Fall is such a fun time at Disney World. You'll find seasonal decor and frighteningly fun foodie finds. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (a separately ticketed event) gives families the chance to trick or treat around Magic Kingdom and enjoy exclusive entertainment offerings, including character meet and greets, fireworks and a parade that aren't available to daytime guests. Plus, in 2025, EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival begins Aug. 28 and will run through Nov. 22.

Things to Consider

If you won't be attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, know that Magic Kingdom closes early to park guests — 6 p.m. You'll want to plan to hop to another park before 4 p.m. (as party guests begin to be admitted to the park) if you have a park hopper ticket, or will want to plan to spend that day in a different park. You can see exactly which days are party days on our Crowd Calendar to plan accordingly. (And don't froget that we've got discount Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets!)

Fall in Orlando can still be pretty warm, and August and September make up the tail end of Orlando's rainy season. Be sure to check the weather before you visit ... and pack those fans and ponchos! If you'll be in costume, be sure to take the heat and rain into consideration when planning. (Looking for our best rainy day tips? We've got you!)

While long fall breaks are prevalent on the West Coast, the East Coast also sees some shorter spurts of crowds in the fall, most on the week of Indigenous Peoples' Day — which means we expect slightly elevated crowds that week, even after the official holiday ends. Halloween crowds increase around the holidays and grow leading up to Halloween. In 2025, we get the ultimate Halloween treat: Halloween on a Friday! We expect many trick-or-treaters will take a three-day weekend to celebrate. That means Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026.

Unlike Halloween Time at Disneyland, Disney World's Halloween decor and festivities are mostly concentrated in Magic Kingdom.

Our Overall Pick: When it comes to fall, September is our favorite time to visit Disney World. The weather is slightly cooler than August, crowds are lighter and you get to enjoy those fall feels in the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Least Busy

• The second half of August
• Most weekdays in September (minus the days around Labor Day)
• Most Tuesdays and Wednesdays in October

Busiest

• Days around Labor Day - Sept. 1, 2025; Sept. 7, 2026
• Days around Indigenous Peoples' Day - Oct. 13, 2025; Oct. 12, 2026
• runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - Oct. 23-26, 2025
• Halloween - Oct. 31 (a Friday in 2025 and a Saturday in 2026!)

Cheapest

• Aug. 19-22, 2025; Aug. 18-21, 2026
• Sept. 2-6, 10-15, 2025; Sept. 8-10, 2026
• Oct. 1-3, 2025; Oct. 1-2, 2026

*prices based on a 4-day base ticket from Undercover Tourist and are subject to change

Winter — November, December, January

Practically overnight, Disney World transforms from a pumpkin patch to a winter wonderland in November.

Orlando typically follows suit, with cooler weather moving in (aaaahhh). If you're looking to take a dip in the Disney World pools, don't worry — they're heated. This period also sees some of the busiest times of the year — Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. It's also stuffed with special events.

Highlights

Unlike Halloween, you'll find the entire Walt Disney World Resort decks its halls for the season. You can expect decor at all four theme parks, Disney Springs and the Disney World Resort hotels beginning Nov. 14, 2025. No matter the year, the holidays at Disney World wrap up on Dec. 31, with some epic New Year's Eve festivities, including the opportunity to ring in the new year around the world (and plenty of opportunities to toast to the new year).

• Select nights in November and December: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is another separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom, with free cookies and cocoa as you take in the glimmering holiday festivities (my suitcase is usually full of gingerbread when I head home — don't judge). This year, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party begins Nov. 7, 2025.
• Select nights in November and December: The separately ticketed Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios returns in 2025 beginning Nov. 8, 2025. It offers party-exclusive entertainment, special character greetings, short ride lines and tons of holiday dining options. 
• Nov. 28, 2025: Typically the day after Thanksgiving, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins. Enjoy holiday food and traditions around the world and maybe even catch a Celebrity Narrator such as Whoopi Goldberg or Brendan Fraser retelling the story of Christmas with a live orchestra and choir in the Candlelight Processional. (And EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, like all of the EPCOT Festivals, is not a separately ticketed event — your general admission is all you need to access the delicious food and festivities!)
• Dec. 30-31: New Year's Eve celebrations are in full swing, with special fireworks presentations on both Dec. 30 and 31 at both Magic Kingdom at EPCOT. On New Year's Eve, you'll find beach parties at the Bay Lake resorts (one year we even spied Chip 'n' Dale in tuxedos!), as well as special DJs in each pavilion of World Showcase, allowing you to celebrate the new year in each country in real-time. 
• January/February: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts typically begins mid-January, celebrating creativity in all of its incredible forms — the culinary, performing, visual and more. It's the shortest EPCOT festival but one of our very favorites to attend. 

Things to Consider

The weather is beautiful, holiday celebrations are in full swing and kiddos are out of school — which means that the week of Thanksgiving and the weeks of Christmas and the new year see a lot of visitors. These are the busiest weeks of the year around Disney World ... but there are still some sweet spots to get a visit in!

If you won't be attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, know that Magic Kingdom closes early to park guests — 6 p.m. You'll want to plan to hop to another park before 4 p.m. (as party guests begin to be admitted to the park) if you have a park hopper ticket, or will want to plan to spend that day in a different park. You can see exactly which days are party days on our Crowd Calendar to plan accordingly. Jollywood Nights will impact crowds when mix-in begins from party guests at 5:30 p.m., and the park closes only an hour early to daytime ticketed guests.

There are also a few holidays and events that draw in larger crowds during the season, including:

• Veterans Day - falling on a Tuesday in 2025 (Nov. 11) and a Wednesday in 2026
• Thanksgiving - Nov. 27, 2025; Nov. 26, 2026
• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - Jan. 7-11, 2026
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 19, 2026

The Walt Disney World Marathon is the biggest runDisney event that takes place. Know that there may be longer waits for transportation, as well, as certain roads and routes are closed to make way for runners.

Much like other seasons and EPCOT festivals, there are a few weeks between festivals when EPCOT is in its true evergreen form. Trust us when we say you'll still find an incredible array of food and entertainment! But if you'd like your trip to include Food & Wine, Festival of the Holidays or Festival of the Arts, keep an eye on run dates.

Beginning mid-January, a few water rides close for refurbishments, and you may notice that park hours are reduced until things heat up again in the spring.

@undercovertourist♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist

Our Overall Pick: Holiday decorations are typically taken down in January before the marathon, so if you're in it for the holiday hoopla, our best recommendation is to visit early to mid-December, before schools let out (noted in our recs below), or the week before Thanksgiving. Mid- to late-January is another great time to visit if the holiday decorations aren't on your wish list!

Least Busy

• Weekdays in November (minus the week of Thanksgiving)
• The first week of December
• Jan. 13-15, 27-28, 2026

Busiest

• Veterans Day — Nov. 11
• The week of Thanksgiving
• The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
• Walt Disney World Marathon - Jan. 7-11, 2026
• Martin Luther King Jr. weekend -  Jan. 16-19, 2026

Cheapest

• Nov. 1-4, 2025
• Dec. 3-11, 2025
• Jan. 9-11, 2026

*prices based on a 4-day base ticket from Undercover Tourist and are subject to change

Spring — February, March, April

Spring is in the air!

Say hello to warmer weather, rainbows, flowers, bunnies and spring breakers. Two gorgeous EPCOT festivals take place in the spring, and of course, these months also hold Easter and spring break.

Highlights

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts continues into February, bringing colorful displays, live art installations and the incredible Disney on Broadway Concert Series, with real Broadway performers showcasing their talent. Blossoming shortly thereafter is EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, which usually runs from March to June. Snap a selfie with intricate and impressive horticultural displays (including some of your favorite characters) or catch a Garden Rocks concert.

While Easter and spring break are busy times, they are also unique opportunities to catch the Easter Bunny in the parks, participate in an egg hunt, check out huge confectionery egg displays or celebrate St. Patrick's Day from the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Things to Consider

The biggest variable for spring is when Easter falls. When it's earlier, you can expect a shorter, more intense "spring break" season — and therefore, more crowds at Disney World. When it's later, there is generally a longer but less intense season as school districts vary more on when they let kids out. 2026 will have a shorter spring break season, with Easter falling on April 5. You'll see these noted on our Crowd Calendar, as well.

February brings a three-day weekend for Presidents Day (Feb. 16, 2026), and a runDisney event (Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - Feb. 26 - March 2, 2026). Many school districts have the entire week of Presidents Day off, so expect elevated crowds even after the holiday officially ends. The runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend will take place April 16-19, 2026.

Spring 2025 was the last time to experience Muppet*Vision 3D before the Grand Avenue area starts its transition into Monsters, Inc. Land.

Our Overall Pick: We think there are two great options here, largely depending on which EPCOT Festival you'd like to see. If you'd like to see Flower and Garden, we recommend the first week of March, before spring break largely happens across the U.S. Plus, the weather is still fresh and breezy, with an average high of 79 and a low of 57. Bask in that Florida sunshine, but pack a light sweatshirt for the cooler evenings. If you'd prefer Festival of the Arts, we recommend the first half of February, just before the holiday weekend; the averages in February are a bit cooler, with expected highs of 75 and lows of 54.

Least Busy

• Feb. 3-5, 10-11, 24-25, 2026
• March 4-5, 2026
• April 21-23, 28-30, 2026

Most Busy

• Feb. 13-22, 2026
• March 7-31, 2026
• April 1-13, 2026

Cheapest

• Feb. 26-29, 2026
• March 1-3, 2026
• April 27-30, 2026

*prices based on a 4-day base ticket from Undercover Tourist and are subject to change

I'm Going During a Busy Time — Now What?

Don't panic!

In our book, it's always a good time to visit Disney World. And let's be real: The best time to go to Disney World is when you can go! We've visited during every season and have found we can manage crowds just fine by following our own tips and park plans at the theme parks — and this may include utilizing new Lightning Lane Passes, taking over for Genie+ as the paid skip-the-line option. The key is going in with realistic expectations and a solid plan for your days. (Got questions about this new service? We've got answers here!)

If it's going to be hot, plan donut days (that is, create a hole in the middle of it!). Take a break at the hottest times of the day, whether that's kicking your feet up and enjoying the AC at a table-service restaurant or heading back to the hotel for a nap or splash in the pool.

If you're going during the winter months when hours are reduced, plan for more park time and take your downtime in the evenings around the hotels. There are plenty of fun activities to take in — piano sing-alongs with Yeehaw Bob, seeing holiday decorations around the resorts, woodworking at Fort Wilderness, Sangria University at Coronado Springs — and that's just scratching the surface!

During busier times, be sure to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry if you're staying on-site (and if you aren't, be sure to arrive at the parks before they open to get a head start!). You've got this — and we can't wait to hear all about your magical trip!

And if you want even more froggy insight planning your next Disney World vacay, we're more than hoppy to help! We know there's a lot to consider when planning a Disney World vacation, so we've created a Jump Start guide so everything you need to know is all in one place.

Well, there you have it — the best times to visit Disney World in 2025 and 2026. Let us know your favorite time of year to visit Disney World in the comments below! Curious how busy Disney World will be when you plan to visit? Check out our Crowd Calendar. You'll find more resources to help you plan your Disney World vacation in our Jump Start guide.

Keep hopping!