Busiest Times To Go To Disney
As a busy mom, I know how much pressure we put on ourselves to make every family trip count—and Disney can feel especially overwhelming. When you’re taking precious time off, you want the whole experience to feel seamless, magical, and absolutely worth it. But figuring out when to go so you can avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds? That part can feel like its own full-time job.
If you’re dreaming of a Disney vacation but aren’t quite sure which times of year are calmer (or which ones to steer clear of), you’re in the right place. Just remember—Disney attendance can shift for all kinds of reasons: weather, special events, school breaks, holidays…you name it. So as you read on, keep in mind that these patterns are helpful guides, not hard-and-fast rules.
5. June/July
Summer used to be the busiest time to visit Disney, but now it’s not that bad. While it is much better than it used to be, it can still get quite crowded, especially around the 4th of July. If summer is your only option, I’d suggest a multi-day trip. Trying to fit more than one park in one day isn’t going to be worth it (I speak from experience). The only way it might be worth it is if you get fast passes, but Disney has so much to see and do, and it’s much more enjoyable when everyone isn’t exhausted from running from park to park. Giving each park its own day not only cuts down on the constant travel, but it gives you room to relax.
The second half of August is hit-or-miss: between parents preparing for the back-to-school season and those looking to fit in one last vacation before school starts, it can be difficult to predict. Florida is notoriously rainy during this season, with clouds hanging overhead around 3-6pm, so it’s crucial to get an early start to your day. If you arrive 30 minutes before the park opens and get all of the essential preparation in (potty time, applying sunblock, mapping out your day), then you can enjoy all your favorite rides and attractions before lunch time.
4. 12pm-5pm
The afternoon is, hands-down, the busiest time at Disney World. One of the stories you may have heard me tell over and over actually took place when my family went to Walt Disney World for Christmas. I’d created an itinerary to make the most of our park time, and my brother (who was in college and hadn’t seen a single digit on his morning alarm in years) took one look at it and asked: “Why does 7 AM exist?”
We arrived 30 minutes prior to Magic Kingdom opening, rode all of our favorite attractions, watched the parade at noon, used our Fast passes for the day, and went to Be Our Guest for our lunch reservation. As we were leaving the park around 2 pm, we’d done everything we wanted to and more. We even got to ride Pirates of the Caribbean without any wait! By the time we walked out, the expected wait time was around 80 minutes. After that, I never had to argue to get my brother out the door in the morning—he knew why 7 AM existed.
3. March/April
The months where Easter and Spring Break take place are undoubtedly going to be a busy time. The beginning of March, however, is an incredible time to go to Disney for Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Plus, the beginning of March offers sunny days without the sweltering heat of a Florida summer. If you can choose any time of year to visit Disney, pick March! But keep in mind that the end of March is the Spring Break for the local school district, and many Florida residents will probably plan to go to Disney then.
2. October
With events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, it’s no surprise that October is going to be busy. However, don’t write off the Halloween season entirely, because many Orlando parks will be competing for visitors from SeaWorld’s Spooktacular and Howl-O-Scream events to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. Halloween may be a more crowded time than a non holiday week, but it’s a worthwhile experience for wholesome family fall fun. You can also expect the week of Thanksgiving to be busy, but the beginning of November won’t be as crowded.
1. Christmas Time
Yes, Christmas at Disney can be done, but know that it will be busy! That being said, it is most definitely worth going for the magical experience. If you plan accordingly, you can still enjoy your time there. If you’ve never been to Disney, this may not be the best time to go if you’re looking forward to going on a lot of rides. But if you’re going for the attractions and shows like the parade at Magic Kingdom and the Candlelight choir at Epcot, then spending Christmas at Disney may be the time of your life! Again, an early start is key to getting the most out of your day. The first week or so of January is also going to be busy because it’s still winter break. Just be sure to book your hotels and dining reservations way in advance!
Like I said, the attendance at Disney isn’t always predictable, and neither is the weather in Florida. The best idea to avoid crowds is to go right before or right after these busy times. But if you have to go during your Winter or Summer break, then plan in advance and get to the parks early!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
