Timing is Everything: A Guide to Choosing the Ideal Season for Your Disney Vacation
When it comes to planning your perfect Disney vacation, timing is EVERYTHING. Unfortunately, the days of having a Disney slow season are long gone, but there are still times that may be slower with lower crowds.
So, why does this matter to your budget? As the crowds fluctuate, so do the cost of ticket prices, Genie+ and Resorts (more on what these are in future articles). By avoiding peak times, you can lessen the cost of your trip and find the vacation that fits perfectly into your budget!
So, let's get into it!
Deciding When to Visit
I know sometimes people aren’t able to be flexible with when they travel, but it you can be, it can make a huge difference on your experience at a Disney Park. You are able to avoid the stress and expense of going during crowded times and will get to wait less and do more during your visit.
When you are deciding when to visit, you will want to consider the variables that will influence the crowds and cost of your vacation. Below are some major factors to keep in mind when deciding when to visit.
Holidays and School Breaks
This has the largest impact on crowd size and pricing of all of the factors. Crowds will peak on the actual holiday, however the weeks leading up to Christmas will also generally draw high crowds and higher prices. Unless you really want to experience a holiday at Walt Disney World or this is the only time you can travel, I would recommend traveling outside of the days surrounding any holiday.
Now, for school breaks, the trick is that you have to consider the school calendars around the country, not just your own backyard. A great example of this is the phenomenon known as Jersey Week. Every year in November, there is a surge of New Jersey visitors who come to Walt Disney World on their November break. This week brings high crowds, high wait times and higher pricing. I have heard of many unsuspecting people who thought they were picking an off week only to be caught up in insane crowds.
Crowds gathered in front of the Tree of Life
Sporting Events
Walt Disney World is the host to multiple sporting events throughout the year. There are RunDisney races in Walt Disney World in January, February, April and November. These races draw large crowds and fill up Resorts quickly.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex also hosts competitions of all kinds, including large cheer and dance competitions. These competitions can bring an influx of visitors to Disney and raise the prices. If you are looking to stay at a Value Resort, these become very difficult to get as the competition attendees generally fill up these Resorts.
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Resources to check if there are events during your planned visit:
Disney Special Events
Special Events are not necessarily something that will significantly increase crowds, but is something to consider. The standard events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the EPCOT Festivals won’t have a large impact on their own (except on opening day and the last day of each event). Where this will be more impactful will be when there are exclusive events, like D23. These events may not even increase attendance in the Parks, but it will increase the Resort occupancy driving up pricing.
Opening Day of New Attractions (like Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana) attract large crowds to the Parks
Ready for this? Here are my favorite times of the year to visit!
I’m going to tell you a secret and share with you my absolute favorite times to visit Walt Disney World throughout the year. Let’s keep this between us, ok?
The last week of January/First weekend of February - This late winter sweet spot comes after the January crowds from Marathon weekend and Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but before President’s Weekend, Princess race weekend and Winter Break crowds start. One thing to watch out for during this time frame is that we are starting to see Cheer competitions in early February that can increase crowds - it is still a pretty safe bet though!
Bonus: This is during EPCOT International Festival of the Arts - my FAVORITE of the EPCOT Festivals!
2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
The last two weeks of August - This is a HOT time of year to visit, but so worth it for the low crowds. Schools in the Southeast have re-opened at this point decreasing local crowds and Northerners are preparing to go back to school and generally avoiding travel. This makes for the perfect storm that creates low crowds and lower prices. We have traveled at this time of year multiple times and always had a great time!
Bonus: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has typically started during this time, letting you start the holiday season early and with lower crowds!
2023 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
The last two weeks of September/First week of October - This time of year is more crowded than it used to be, but you can still get a break from the heavy crowds. This is after Labor Day crowds and before the Halloween crowds really start. The weather can be a gamble this time of year with increased rain and risk of hurricane, but when it is good, it is beautiful!
Bonus: This is a great time to visit the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival!
EPCOT World Showcase during the 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The week immediately following Thanksgiving - Believe it or not, this is one of the best times of year to visit! The Sunday to Saturday immediately following Thanksgiving brings lower crowds, but offers all the holiday festivities that we love to enjoy. When we travel during this time, we love to road trip down after Thanksgiving to relax before hitting the Parks!
Bonus: You can experience EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Jollywood Nights during this time!
Cinderella’s Castle at the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
I’m sure by now, your head is spinning with all this information. If you’d like help finding the vacation of your dreams at the lowest cost, your best bet is to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, like my planning services offered through Dreams By Design Travel with Katie T. As your Planner, I will look for the best deals for you and automatically apply new discounts that are released. It takes the stress out of vacation planning!
Just one final thought before we wrap this up. Remember that in the end your Disney budget is just that - YOURS. Only you can decide what is the right fit for you and your family. No two Disney budgets are the same, but in all cases a little planning and knowledge will create a much less stressful Disney experience.
Coming Next Week in the “How to Create Your Perfect Disney Budget” Miniseries: Sleeping in Style: Choosing the Perfect Disney Hotel for Your Stay!
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
