Walt Disney World Resort

When to visit

The best time to visit Walt Disney World_® Resort depends on what matters most to your family. You might plan your trip around an EPCOT_® festival or a Magic Kingdom_® Park holiday party. Or nice weather and lower crowds could narrow your dates instead. Or your main priority might be getting the most value from your budget.

Four factors to consider

To find your travel dates, consider four factors: experiences, weather, crowds, and cost. Many guests rely on crowd calendars to help pick dates. In our crowd calendar, we list each factor week by week so you can compare and choose. Travel advisors can help, too. They watch for calendar changes and new offers, then combine all these factors with your family’s needs.

Experiences

The Disney Parks in Florida offer countless things to do. Disney has 70 years of theme park experience and knows how to create memorable visits. With rides, shows, dining, and much more, the value is significant.

Choosing the right season can give you extra fun that fits your family’s interests.

EPCOT Festivals

EPCOT hosts popular festivals for most months of the year. These events are an extra perk included in the price of park admission. Many families plan their trips around these times.

Guests love the seasonal food, decorations, and entertainment. Each event has its own theme:

• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (Jan-Feb). See live painting, art displays, and Disney on Broadway throughout the park.
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (Mar-Jul). Enjoy beautiful gardens and character topiaries with plants and gardening themes in the food and drinks.
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (Jul-Nov). Try food from around the world and watch live cooking demonstrations. Participate in hands-on cooking classes. End your evening with a drink and nightly concert.
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Nov-Dec). Celebrate global holiday traditions with festive shows, food, and decorations.

Parties

Families love Walt Disney World holiday parties. These special ticketed events add to the fun of the season.

Parks close early on party nights for most guests, but party guests can enter a few hours before the celebration begins. Parties are held on select nights during the holidays:

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Aug-Oct). Trick-or-treat at Magic Kingdom Park with a spooky (but not scary) Halloween parade and fireworks. Meet character villains. Some attractions have Halloween themes just for the party.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Nov-Dec). Enjoy a holiday parade and fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park with festive treats and drinks. Meet special characters dressed for winter. Some rides have Christmas overlays.
• Disney Jollywood Nights (Nov-Dec). A glamorous, vintage Hollywood holiday party with stage shows, live jazz, and holiday snacks. End the night with festive fireworks and projections.

runDisney

runDisney_® draws runners from around the world. If running is your passion, these events offer a good reason to visit Disney World.

Each event creates a unique path through the theme parks with special medals and merchandise for participants.

Families enjoy these weekends together. Some guests run while others cheer from the sidelines. After the races, families spend time in the parks.

Popular runDisney weekends include:

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January)
• Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February)
• runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend (April)
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (November)

New attractions

Disney often introduces new rides and experiences. If you want to be among the first to enjoy the attractions, it can be fun to plan around openings.

Recent openings at Walt Disney World Resort:

• Test Track. EPCOT, reopened July 22, 2025 with extensive reimagining.
• Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After. Magic Kingdom Park, opened May 27, 2025.
• The Little Mermaid - A Musical Adventure. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, opened May 27, 2025.
• Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. Magic Kingdom Park nighttime parade, debuted summer 2025.

Coming in 2026:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - Mandalorian Mission. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, May 22, 2026.
• The Magic of Disney Animation. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, summer 2026.

Weather

Orlando’s weather changes with each season. Some families plan around cooler temperatures. Others don’t mind the heat if they’re prepared.

Your comfort shapes how your vacation feels. Understanding the weather helps you pick the best time for your trip.

Packing for Florida weather

With the right gear, you can enjoy the parks in any season. Bad weather doesn’t need to ruin your fun. It only requires a little planning. A few simple items can keep your group comfortable. For a full breakdown, see our packing list.

• Pack ponchos or rain jackets for sudden showers.
• Bring a portable fan or cooling towel to help with the heat.
• Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to stay safe in the sun.
• Add layers for cool mornings or evenings.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

• Mild and sunny, with highs in the low 70s.
• Cool mornings and evenings. Bring a light jacket.
• One of the driest seasons, with little rain.
• Comfortable weather for walking in the parks.
• Holidays bring more guests, but the weather stays nice.

Spring (Mar–May)

• Warm and sunny, with highs from the upper 70s to the high 80s.
• Early spring is drier, and May sees more rain.
• Short showers may happen, but days stay bright.
• A favorite season for mild warmth without heavy heat.

Summer (Jun–Aug)

• Hot and humid, with highs in the 90s each summer month.
• Afternoon thunderstorms are common but brief.
• Heaviest rainfall of the year, but the rain often passes.
• It’s hurricane season, but direct hits are rare.
• Late August, after school starts, is good if you like the Florida heat and lower crowds.

Fall (Sep–Nov)

• Early fall stays hot, with highs near 90, but average crowds are low.
• Rain tapers off by October, and November is drier and cooler.
• By late fall, temperatures drop to the mid-70s.
• Fewer storms as hurricane season ends.
• Warm weather and fewer crowds make fall a top choice.

Crowds

There’s no perfect system to predict attendance, but Disney has tools to manage crowds even during busy times:

• Controlling park reservations for single-day Walt Disney World tickets
• Adjusting ride capacity
• Adding shows, entertainment, and character experiences
• Extending park hours

These tools make the parks feel less crowded, even when attendance is high.

Understanding what factors affect crowd size helps you plan around peak times.

Factors that shape crowds

Many crowd calendars rely on past ride wait times, but historical data can be misleading.

Yearlong events can shift travel patterns. The 50th Anniversary Celebration is one example. Disney may also drop offers that change when people visit. Changes in the economy also affect when guests plan trips. These factors can skew wait time data from year to year.

Beyond wait times, our travel advisors look at other factors:

• Weekly patterns. More locals visit on weekends. Saturday to Monday typically has higher attendance. Other weekdays are quieter.
• Holidays. Big holidays boost crowds with seasonal events. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve see very high crowds. Long-weekend holidays also increase attendance.
• School breaks. School schedules have a big impact. Spring break and summer vacation bring family trips and higher crowds. Visiting when schools are in session often means fewer crowds.
• Special events. RunDisney weekends bring thousands of runners. Cheerleading and sports competitions increase crowds. Picking other dates avoids these crowd spikes.
• New attractions. Crowds often increase when Disney opens a new ride or experience as guests visit to be among the first.
• Outside events. Big events in the Orlando area may shift attendance. Universal Epic Universe is opening, which could affect crowd patterns at Disney World.

Predict crowds with Annual Passholder blockout dates

The Annual Passholder Admission Calendar helps predict busy park days.

It’s designed to help Passholders plan when to visit, and it’s useful for anyone trying to avoid peak attendance. Travel advisors often use it to spot the busiest times of the year.

Annual Passes give access to the parks without day tickets. Most passes include blockout dates when certain Passholders can’t visit. Disney uses these dates to manage crowd size.

The Disney Pirate Pass blocks out holidays like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, plus some school breaks and special event days. The Disney Pixie Dust Pass has the most blockout dates, including weekends.

Even without an Annual Pass, you can use this calendar as a shortcut to spot busy days.

Cost

Pricing matters to most Disney guests, and you have many options if cost is your main concern.

Lower crowds can mean lower prices

Disney tends to reduce hotel and ticket prices when attendance is low. Tickets and packages may cost less during this time. These periods also bring shorter lines and a more relaxed pace. If your schedule is flexible, this can be a great way to save.

Good deals all year

Disney drops special offers throughout the year. Even during busier periods, you can find deals on tickets and packages. Sometimes, you might get perks like free dining plans. Upgrades to Park Hopper tickets can happen as well.

Check what offers match your trip before you book.

Travel advisors track deals for you

Travel advisors stay updated on Disney’s latest deals. Look for advisors specializing in Disney vacations, like Good Story Vacations. Disney notifies these advisors of offers ahead of time, so they’re ready when offers go on sale.

They make sure you have the best possible offer for your travel dates. If a new deal appears, they update your reservation. You always get the best available price without extra work.

Special offers for specific groups

Disney sometimes has discounts for certain groups. Florida residents almost always have special rates. Disney+ subscribers sometimes find exclusive offers. If you have a Disney Visa Card, you might get special perks too.

Being part of these groups can help stretch your budget even further. Again, a travel advisor is most helpful in tracking which offers may apply.

Places to stay at every budget

Disney Resort hotels come in several price levels. Each offers a different mix of space, comfort, and location.

• Value Resorts. These are the most affordable Disney hotels. Rooms are small but include all the basics. The theming is bright and fun. Pools are large and great for kids. Some offer family suites with extra space.
• Moderate Resorts. These hotels offer more space and comfort with larger rooms and more detailed theming. Pools have slides and the grounds are quieter. Dining includes quick-service and table service options.
• Deluxe Resorts. Disney’s most upscale hotels, closest to the parks. Rooms are larger and more refined. Dining is high-end with spa services available. Guests here also get Extended Evening Hours.
• Deluxe Villas. These are part of the Deluxe Resorts. They include studios and multi-bedroom spaces. Most have kitchens and laundry facilities. They are great for families or longer stays.

You can also stay at an affordable partner hotel off Disney property. Many are comfortable and good for families. A travel advisor can help you find the right one for your budget and needs.

Making the most of any attendance level

The best time to visit Disney World is when it aligns with your family’s schedule. Many guests have school, work, or other commitments. Some wait until their kids are tall enough for that next big ride. These constraints limit flexibility, and that’s fine.

Disney offers something special every season with unique experiences throughout the year. Planning makes a big difference in what you accomplish, regardless of crowds or weather.

Time-saving tools

Disney provides several tools to help you save time in the parks. These tools help you do more and wait less.

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass. Skip long lines at popular rides by reserving ride times in advance. The cost of these services varies by park and by day.
• Early Entry. Enter parks 30 minutes early if you stay at a Disney Resort hotel. This grants you access to some popular rides before the park opens.
• Extended Evening Hours. Guests of Deluxe Resort hotels can stay after closing in select parks. On select nights, you can enjoy fewer crowds and shorter wait times.
• Mobile Orders. Skip the wait at quick-service restaurants. Order food on the go with the My Disney Experience app. Choose a pickup time that works for you and avoid waiting in line.
• Park Hopper Tickets. This ticket upgrade lets you visit more than one theme park in a day. It gives you flexibility if one park gets crowded or closes early. You can also plan rides in one park and dining in another. But be sure to plan for travel time between parks.

Trip length and pacing

Your trip length plays a big role in how you plan. Longer visits give you more time to relax and spread things out.

More time lets you slow down and do more, including time for pools, Disney Springs, or a ride on the Disney Skyliner. You also get more flexibility if weather or ride closures affect your day.

In 2026, you can also enjoy admission to a Disney water park on check-in day (May 26–Sep 8). Disney Resort hotel guests receive this as part of their stay.

Shorter trips need more focus. Choose your must-do rides and top priorities first. Lightning Lane passes can help you save time and fit more into each day.

Rest days are helpful on any trip. Taking a break at your hotel or by the pool recharges everyone. Even a quiet afternoon off your feet makes a big difference. A balanced schedule keeps the whole group happy and ready.

Travel advisors help you choose the best time

Travel advisors learn what matters most to your family. Then, they match your plans to the best travel dates.

Even better, most travel advisors work for free.

Here’s how a Good Story Vacations travel advisor can help:

• Listen to what matters most: the weather, special events, or budget.
• Find the dates of the experiences and festivals you want.
• Track ride openings and closures.
• Prepare you for the weather in each season.
• Explain how crowds might affect your plans.
• Watch for new Disney offers and match them to your dates.

A travel advisor brings all these pieces together. They help you choose dates that fit your family, not only what looks good on a crowd calendar.

Now that you know what affects crowds, let’s look at each week at Walt Disney World in 2026.