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? 2024 and 2025 at the Most Magical Place on Earth are nothing short of exciting! With a new nighttime spectacular illuminating the newly-refreshed EPCOT and Tiana's Bayou Adventure splashing into summer 2024, and more, the magic (and fun) is definitely calling! Understandably, some of you may be wondering: "When is the best time to visit Disney World?"
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 20 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 Crowd Calendar, makes up our recommendations on when to visit each year. But in the past few years, typical rules of thumb have stopped applying as often — things tend to ebb and flow a little less "by the old rules" these days, and that's OK! Plus, more and more families are looking at seasons or timeframes versus specific days to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth.
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 a frugal frog 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 Visit Disney World in 2024 and 2025
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. Park 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 ride 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 dates with the cheapest tickets (and now that discount tickets are available through October 2025, we've got deets for 2025 visits too!)
New rides, attractions and lands — major openings — can also impact crowds. In 2024, the big draw is Tiana's Bayou Adventure which opened June 28, 2024.
Just looking for the TLDR? Check out the infographic above for a cheat sheet of the least busy times to visit Disney World in 2024. 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
Tiana's Bayou Adventure debuted June 28, 2024, letting us splash into Mardi Gras mode just in time for summer visitors.
That summer sunshine also means peak pool weather, making it an amazing time to visit the Disney World water park, Typhoon Lagoon (Blizzard Beach is often undergoing refurbishment in the summertime). In past years, 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 the water park, with specialty food and beverages, glowing dance parties and more.
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.
Things to Consider
In the month of May, things stay fairly quiet until Memorial Day (May 27, 2024, or May 26, 2025). 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.
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
- M-Th in the first half of May
- First week of June
Busiest
- Weekends in May, especially around Memorial Day (May 27, 2024, and May 26, 2025)
- Elevated crowds June + July, especially around July 4
Cheapest
- May 2-7, 31, 2024
- June 14-20, 2024
- July 21-23, 2024
- May 2-6, 30-31, 2025
- June 1-4, 2025
- July 21-25, 29-31, 2025
*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 2024, this spooktacular event kicks off Aug. 9, 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 2024, EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival will kick off Aug. 29!
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.
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 days in September (minus the days around Labor Day)
- Most weekdays in October (minus the days around Indigenous Peoples' Day)
Busiest
- Days around Labor Day (Sept. 2, 2024, and Sept. 1, 2025)
- Days around Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct. 14, 2024, and Oct. 13, 2025)
Cheapest
- Aug. 20-23, 2024
- Sept. 10-13, 2024
- Oct. 1-2, 27-31, 2024
- Aug. 19-22, 2025
- Sept. 2-5, 11-15, 2025
- Oct. 1-4, 2025
*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 time 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. In 2024, you can expect decor at all four theme parks, Disney Springs and the Disney World Resort hotels beginning in early November. 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 beginning Nov. 8, 2024: 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).
- Select nights beginning Nov. 9, 2024: Returning for its second year is the separately ticketed Disney Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios! It offers party-exclusive entertainment, special character greetings, short ride lines and tons of holiday dining options.
- Nov. 29 - Dec. 30, 2024: 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 Jordan Fisher or Neil Patrick Harris 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, 2024: 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 2025: 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 7 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:
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend - Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 2024
- Veterans Day - falling on a Monday in 2024
- Thanksgiving - Nov. 28, 2024, and Nov. 27, 2025
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - Jan. 8-12, 2025
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 20, 2025
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 Who’s feeling ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛’ good headed into 2023?! 3️⃣✌️☝️…HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Frog Family at Undercover Tourist! 🎉 🎊 🎈 #EPCOT #undercovertourist #wdw #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #disneylove #happynewyear #newyearseve #disneyworld #disneymagic ♬ suara asli - Ægoes EDM🔂⏪⏸▶⏩🔀
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)
- Weekdays in December (minus the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Eve)
Busiest
- Veterans Day — Nov. 11
- The week of Thanksgiving
- The week of Christmas through the week of New Year
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Jan. 20, 2025
Cheapest
- Nov. 1-3, 2024; 2025 pricing not available yet
- Dec. 10-12, 2024; 2025 pricing not available yet
- Jan. 5-7, 2024; 2025 pricing not available yet
*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 kicked off Feb. 28, 2024, and ran through May 27, 2024. Snap a selfie with intricate and impressive horticultural displays (including some of your favorite characters) or catch a Garden Rocks concert.
@undercovertourist From Hook to Tiana, these topiaries are absolutely flowertastic! 🌸 Catch them from now until July in EPCOT! Which one is your fav? #epcot #epcotflowerandgarden #epcotflowerandgardenfestival #disneyworld #waltdisneyworld #wdw ♬ original sound - Undercover Tourist
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. In 2025, it will fall on April 20. You'll see these noted on our Crowd Calendar, as well.
February brings a three-day weekend for Presidents Day (Feb. 17, 2025), and a runDisney event (Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend - Feb. 20-24, 2025). 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 follow April 3-6, 2025.
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. 1-6, 26-28, 2025
- March 1-6, 2025
- April 22-25, 28-30, 2025
Most Busy
- Feb. 14-24, 2025
- March 14-31, 2025
- April 1-21, 2025
Cheapest
- Feb. 26-28, 2025
- March 1-4, 2025
- April 28-30, 2025
*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 visit 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 as of summer 2025, 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, gingerbread house hopping at the Grand Floridian and monorail 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 2024 and 2025. 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!
