Even though our family is based in SoCal (only 45 minutes from Disneyland), we have still trekked across the country 30+ times to visit the Disney World Resort Parks! We quickly learned the magic of Disney World is less enjoyable when it’s overcrowded.

The key to a great visit often lies in choosing the right time to go. So, I bring to you my DisneyWorld Crowd Calendar 2024!

DisneyWorld Crowd Calendar 2024

The very best time to go is the sweet spot when prices are reasonable, crowds are manageable, and temperatures are tolerable. The stars align a few times a year when all three happen to be at their ideal at the same time. If you can’t hit them all, then aim for two out of three.

My handy month-by-month chart below rates three key factors (hotel price, crowds, and average daily temperature) and highlights which months are the best overall for visitors. Click here if you want to head right to our handy-dandy chart!

We looked at a combination of factors that most visitors care about; price, crowds, events, and weather. Here is the month-to-month breakdown.

January: 

The first week of January at Disney World is typically bustling, especially due to the Walt Disney World Marathon. This year the marathon is from January 3-7. After this event, the parks will become significantly less crowded, offering a more relaxed experience.

Pros:

• Light crowds (except for New Year’s Week)
• Affordable hotel rates
• Mild weather and not much rain
• Epcot’s Festival of the Arts starts in mid-January

Cons:

• Cold weather (well…cold for Florida)
• Epcot will likely be more crowded due to the Festival of the Arts

Special Events and Additional Considerations:

• Epcot’s Festival of the Arts: January 12-February 19
• MLK Jr. Day Weekend: January 13-15

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February

February at Disney World is a month of contrasts. The early part of the month is quieter, but the latter half sees a significant increase in crowds due to President’s Day and the Princess Half Marathon Weekend.

Pros:

• Light crowds early in the month
• Hotels are more affordable (except for President’s Weekend)
• Mild weather
• Epcot’s Festival of the Arts runs through February 19

Cons:

• Cooler weather
• Heavy crowds during the Festival of the Arts and the Princess Half Marathon

Special Events and Additional Considerations:

• Festival of the Arts at Epcot from January 12-February 19
• Princess Half Marathon Weekend from February 22-26

Peak Crowd Days

• Presidents Day Week: February 10-24
• Mardi Gras: February 13
• Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 22-26

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March/April

March and April at Disney World are vibrant times to visit, with the weather warming up and the popular Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival (my personal favorite) in full swing.

Pros:

• Beautiful weather
• Flower & Garden Festival transforms Epcot into a floral wonderland with stunning displays and live concerts

Cons:

• Busy for Spring Break
• Higher prices
• Easter and Special Events crowds

Special Events:

• Flower & Garden Show at Epcot: February 28-TBD
• Easter: March 31
• runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: April 18-21

Peak Crowd Days

• Spring Break
• Easter Weekend

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May

May at Walt Disney World is a time of transition, with the shoulder season offering an attractive balance of weather, events, and crowd levels.

Pros

• Moderate Crowds
• Amazing Weather
• Flower & Garden Show at Epcot
• Fewer Refurbishments & Longer Park Hours

Cons:

• Spring showers
• Hotel Prices start to increase

Special Events:

• Flower & Garden Show at Epcot

Peak Crowd Days

• Memorial Day

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June/July/Early August

It’s Summer, it’s Disney, basically…it’s going to be packed. Hey, that doesn’t mean you have to have a bad time. Check out our Ultimate Tips & Tricks to help you navigate the parks during this busy season.

Pros

• Longer park hours
• More park entertainment options
• Fewer rides down for refurbishment

Cons:

• Expect large crowds
• Hot and humid weather
• Frequent rain storms
• High hotel prices

Peak Crowd Days:

• 4th of July

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Late August/September

This is a glorious time to visit the parks! While the weather is still hot, the park is often quite calm.

I remember one year we went in September, and all the fast passes were useless cause the lines were 5 minutes long (oh, the days of fastpasses before Genie+!). We watched the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom and hopped on a bus with just a few people on it. Usually, the buses are packed after the fireworks.

Pros

• Reduced hotel rates
• Oftentimes Disney offers a free dining plan with a Room and Ticket package
• Still hot enough to hit up the water parks
• Moderate Crowds

Cons:

• Hot and humid with frequent rainstorms

Special Events:

• Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Peak Crowd Days:

• Labor Day Weekend: September 4

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October/Early November

October & November used to be a quiet time of the year at the parks, but since Magic Kingdom stepped up their Halloween events, and Epcot expanded the food and wine festival the parks are pretty busy. Not summer busy, but pretty busy. You will find wait times similar to the beginning of summer, especially at Epcot.

Pros

• Food & Wine Festival is at Epcot (It’s awesome!)
• The weather is simply delightful
• Halloween-themed events and decor including Mickey’s “Not So Spooky” Halloween Party (extra fee applies)

Cons:

• You might eat too much at the Food & Wine Festival 😉
• Fairly busy

Special Events

• Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s “Not So Spooky” Halloween Party

Peak Crowd Days:

• All weekends in October

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Late November/December

If you can pull it off and want to hit up Disney World during the holidays, the time to do it is between Thanksgiving break and Christmas Break (around Dec 1-15). Crowd levels are at their absolute lowest. The parks are empty and the holidays are in full effect at all 4 parks.

If you are visiting on Thanksgiving Weekend and Christmas Break, well those are the busiest times at Disney World, take your time because the parks will be busy.

Pros

• Decorations, Holiday Music, Holiday Cookies, Holiday Everything!
• Light crowds if going between Dec 1-15
• Not much rain

Cons:

• Expect Large Crowds during Christmas & Thanksgiving Break
• Can get cold, but it’s hit or miss
• Hotel Prices are at peak levels during Christmas & Thanksgiving Break

Special Events:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
• Holiday-themed parades and fireworks

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Disney World Crowd Calendar Printable

Click Here to Download!

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So, What’s My Favorite Time of Year to Visit Disney World?

It’s a split. I love going the week before Christmas Break, experiencing the holidays at the parks is just so magical. However, I also love going in May. The weather is perfect, the crowds aren’t too bad and I simply love the Flower & Garden Festival.

By the way, anytime you get to go to Disney World is a lucky time to be there, so use the crowd calendar as a guide to what to expect. Do not let it deter you from visiting during certain times of the year! I have gathered some amazing tips over the years to help manage visiting during bust times of year.

Quick Tips on Avoiding Crowds

You might get stuck in some crowds at Disney World. Here are a few quick tips. For more Disney World Tips & Tricks check out my Ultimate Guide to Disney World!

• Go to the left and back of the park first
• Avoid Magic Hours Days (especially if staying off property) in fact go on the days right after a park had magic hours
• Use the app My Disney Experience to find rides with little to no wait times
• Use Genie+, you can find out my tips and tricks for that here

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If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, contact our friends at Best Day Ever Vacations. They are truly Disney Experts, and not only are their services FREE, but they will save you both time and money.  

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