The Best Times to Visit Disney World in 2024
The New Year is right around the corner - and your next vacation too!
It was November 2022 and our plane had just landed at the Orlando International Airport. I turned off Airplane Mode and notifications started popping up, alerting me about a certain tropical storm. By the time we got off the Uber at the hotel, we heard that Disney was closing early that day — and potentially not even opening for guests the next day. The storm had become Hurricane Nicole.
Determined not to let the heavy rain and winds of 75mph get in the way of my perfect Disney vacation, we packed our ponchos and went to Animal Kingdom anyways. It did close early, but I’ll tell you: what an incredible experience it was to enjoy Flight of Passage with no lines, Kilimanjaro Safaris almost to ourselves and a romantic early dinner at Nomad Lounge.
I think we just have to agree that every day is a perfect day at Disney. But even though the weather in Orlando can be unpredictable, a little planning can go a long way when choosing the best time to visit Mickey and his friends. You have to consider the crowds, seasons, special events and so much more. That’s why here you’ll find the best times to visit Walt Disney World Resort, in Orlando, Florida.
January to March
While early January in Disney World can be super crowded because of New Years — and runDisney events — the second half of the month is a great time to visit when it comes to crowds, as well as the weather. It’s not too hot during the day, and you can still enjoy seasonal beverages and wearing a sweater at night.
EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts also begins on January 12th, and you can take advantage of less lines to enjoy the exclusive booths and special events at the park.
Early February is an also a fantastic time to visit, if you can make that off-season trip. If you can, avoid President’s Day, on February 19, that always draws heavier crowds into the parks, as well as Marathon weekend starting February 23.
The Flower & Garden Festival usually begins in early March to celebrate Spring, which also comes with mildly warmer weather, less crowds and little to no rain. The first week of March is amongst the cheapest weeks of the year to visit.
April to June
After the rush of Easter holiday on March 31st, the first week of April is expected to have light crowds, shorter lines and fantastic weather. Another runDisney event starts on April 18th, so if you can, avoid traveling during this time, since the Marathon events usually attract more than 100,000 runners.
Pro Tip: If you are an Animal Kingdom lover like I am, April 22nd is a special time to visit the park — it’s Earth Day and anniversary of the park opening. While this celebration attracts more crowds, it sure is a memorable day. You can enjoy Commemorative Wilderness Experiences at the Conservation Station, exclusive merchandise and a lot of delicious food and drinks. Note that the profit from those items are directed to the Disney Conservation Fund, which has raised more than $120 million to save wildlife, inspire action, and protect the planet.
If you’re planning to visit Disney in May, the second week (5/6 to 5/11) should be close to perfection: cheaper tickets, lower crowds and excellent weather, with temperatures between 65 and 80s. The second half of May is much busier, when many kids are off school for one of the biggest federal holidays: Memorial Day. During these holidays and busy times, tickets are more expensive as well.
It’s officially summer! Typically, the weather in June will be much hotter - get your sunscreen and portable fans ready! Although June usually has shorter lines for attractions, the chance of heavy thunderstorms and hurricanes is higher. Pick your battles here, my friends. I’ve been to Disney on the second half of June and here’s my personal recommendation: plan to stay a little longer in Orlando, so you can escape to your resort midday if it gets too hot and also to have more time to visit the parks in case you get rained in.
July to September
The first week of July at Disney World is one of the busiest (and expensive) of the year, with special Independence Day celebrations and commemorative fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. It is indeed a very special time to be in the parks, but you won’t be able to enjoy a relaxing stroll down Main Street during this time of the year.
Pro Tip: The weather gets hotter and hotter by the day and you will feel more tired at the end of your park day — I would suggest planning resort days in between park days, and even two days at Magic Kingdom (if you can), so you can enjoy everything it has to offer.
At the end of July, EPCOT’s most popular event begins: Food & Wine Festival. So visiting in the first week of August is a good idea if you want to enjoy the festival with shorter lines. The downside here is that many festival booths open later in the year, so you don’t have as many food options as you would have if you visit in November, for example.
August has no major federal holidays, so it is generally a good month for low crowds, although the heat is no joke! Be prepared, summer in Orlando is definitely not for the faint of heart. The weather is still unpredictable — hurricane season in Orlando peaks between August and October. Pack extra socks, pack your ponchos, and if it rains, have fun in the rain too! The parks are gorgeous in the rain!
If you love Halloween, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins, so you can partake in fun celebrations in the park, especially themed attractions and Trick-Or-Treating. And here’s the best part: the third week of August is one of the cheapest to visit in 2024!
Then comes September… although Labor Day Holiday Weekend brings serious crowds to Disney World, the month is overall a good time to visit. After September 16th you’ll have a completely different experience. It still gets pretty hot in Orlando in September, but at least the parks are not packed, especially on the weekdays. Kids are back in school, so you can enjoy a less jammed Magic Kingdom and the tickets will be much cheaper as well.
October to December
Ask any Disney fan about which attraction they’re most excited to see in 2024 and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is top of mind for many guests. Although Disney hasn’t officially announced an opening date, it is expected that the re-themed Splash Mountain will open late (fall) 2024. So stay tuned if you’re planning your vacation for the end of the year, because you will experience a busier park when they open the new attraction.
October can be a great time to visit Disney, especially the second or third week of the month. It’s a little bit cooler, so you get to enjoy that pumpkin spice season, cozy up and have a hot apple cider during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
November brings the Wine & Dine Marathon, Christmas decorations, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and many cookies and hot cocoa! If this is a must-do for you and your family, this is a great time to go. The first half of November is fantastic, with relatively good prices and manageable crowds (except for Veteran’s Day on November 11).
The second half is tricky, since a lot of guests come celebrate Thanksgiving at Disney, so crowds start picking up — then it’s peak season pretty much until beginning of January. If you must go in December, aim for the first week, which is a great break between the crowds of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The weather is much more pleasant, which makes people happier, parks are more delightful and lines, more tolerable.
Pro Tip: Christmas or New Year’s at Disney is on your bucket list? Just one piece of advice: Be. Patient. And another piece of advice: Get Disney’s Genie+. Just one more: Stay at a Disney Resort to avoid traffic jams and make your stay much more enjoyable.
The Holidays at the parks can be even more magical and beautiful, but they are undoubtedly the busiest season of the year at Disney.
The Lowest Crowds
After breaking down the year by quarters for you with the best events, weather and crowd prediction, here are the best times to travel to Disney World in 2024:
January 16 - 31
February 1 - 9
March 4 - 8
April 8 - 30
May 6 - 23
June 1 - 7
August 5 - 29
September 3 - 26
No matter when you plan your trip to Disney, it will for sure be a magical experience. No matter if it’s your first or tenth visit, Disney never ceases to amaze, surprise and enchant us with magical moments and everlasting joyful memories. With planning and expert advice, you’ll conquer the theme parks and make the most out of your time in The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Not sure where to start planning? Click on the button below to email me. I’d love to hear about your plans and help you make your dreams come true!
