When to Visit Disney World: Saving, New Attractions & Alternatives

If you’re wondering when to visit Disney World, you’ve found the right post!

Maybe you’re looking to avoid massive crowds, endless lines, and sky-high prices.

Perhaps you want to plan your visit to coincide with new attractions you’re excited about.

Or maybe you want to check out the rapidly-improving competition first (hello, Universal Studios Orlando).

So, let’s get to the important stuff – including when not to visit Disney World.

This post is all about when to visit Disney World for your ideal trip.

When to Visit Disney World

Understanding Crowd Dynamics at Disney World

If there’s one thing that may make or break your Disney World trip, it’s the size of the crowd.

The Best and Worst Times of the Year to Visit

Summer Break (June through mid-August): While schools are out, Disney is packed. Expect high temperatures, humidity, and elbow-to-elbow crowds. On the bright side, longer park hours and more entertainment options can make it more worthwhile.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Weeks: These are Disney’s busiest weeks of the year (with Christmas usually being the busiest). But it’s also when the parks are decked out in spectacular holiday displays.

Want to feel like you have the park to yourself? Okay, that’s a stretch. But comparatively quieter months can make a world of difference when it comes to wait times and overall enjoyment.

And if you’re wondering ‘when is the cheapest time to visit Disney World?’, keep this in mind.

Mid-January to Mid-February: Post-holiday slowdowns create lesser crowds. Plus, cooler weather means you won’t be sweating your way through the parks!
Late September to Early October: Overlapping with kids being back in school and before the holiday rush, this period can be ideal. It’s also when Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival is in full swing!

Seasonal Events and Park Activities

Another factor that heavily influences Disney crowd patterns? Seasonal events. Disney’s ability to make every time of year feel magical is both a delight and a double-edged sword. Here are some major events to consider when deciding on your trip:

Fall Festivities: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Running from early ish-August through October or very early November, this after-dark, ticketed event transforms Magic Kingdom into a trick-or-treat paradise.

It’s great for families with younger kids who prefer lower-key thrills (i.e. NOT Universal Halloween Horror Nights).

Keep in mind, though, that Magic Kingdom closes early on event nights.

Winter Wonderland: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Disney Jollywood Nights

when to visit disney orlando — Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

A similar deal to the Halloween parties, these festive evenings during November and December bring beautiful fireworks, holiday parades, rare character meet-and-greets and unlimited cookies, hot cocoa, eggnog and apple cider!

The trade-off? The holiday events coincide with Disney’s peak season, so plan accordingly.

Not interested in the added cost of a Christmas party ticket? Check out our post on budget-friendly ways to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World.

Epcot Festivals
For most of the year, you’ll find there’s an Epcot festival at Epcot.

There are four different festivals celebrated each year:

Festival of the Arts (in Winter, usually starting a few weeks after Christmas into February)
Flower & Garden Festival (normally early to late Spring/early summer)

Food & Wine Festival (late summer into Fall)
Festival of the Holidays (late November – December)

For upcoming Epcot festival dates, see this post here.

Marathon Weekends and RunDisney Events
Running events like the Disney Princess Half Marathon or Wine & Dine Half Marathon can draw large (but specific) crowds. The upside? These events don’t affect park hours much, but hotel rooms can book quickly, so plan early if this coincides with your dates.

Here’s more information on RunDisney Events.

What’s New at Disney World: Attractions Worth Experiencing?

Disney World isn’t a museum of the 1970s; it has evolved greatly (for better and worse) in recent years.

And there are plans for even bigger changes for the rest of this decade.

What’s new at Disney World often becomes the reason to visit.

Latest Opened Attractions

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: This ride isn’t exactly new, but it is the Princess and the Frog re-themed version of Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom.

TRON Lightcycle / Run: The newest Magic Kingdom roller coaster, where you sit at a unique angle.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Exhilarating roller coaster (by Disney World standards) and the first coaster at Epcot.

Upcoming Rides and Experiences

What’s around the corner at Disney World is just as exciting as what’s already opened (and *arguably* WAY more interesting).

In the next few years (if all goes to plan), Disney is adding a variety of lands, rides and shows to its parks (primarily Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom).

Want to know more about these experiences? Check out our post on Disney World New Attractions: What’s Opened Recently & New Attractions Opening Soon! [new rides, timelines & D23 announcements]

New Resort Openings and Their Impact on Visitor Experience

Disney hasn’t had an entire resort open since Disney’s Riviera Resort – a Deluxe Disney Vacation Club Resort – in 2019.

But in 2027, Disney Lakeshore Lodge (another Deluxe DVC Resort) is opening in the Magic Kingdom area (on the land previously occupied by the former water park, River Country).

Whilst details are sparse on this hotel, it appears to be a bland-looking hotel with a few character-themed aspects to justify the high prices.

That being said, we don’t know this for sure until it opens in 2027.

But should you hold off your Disney World trip JUST to see/stay at this hotel?

Probably not. Disney already has plenty of great hotels (many of which will probably be better than Disney Lakeshore Lodge).

Universal Studios Orlando & The Opening of Epic Universe

Universal Studios is about to flip the theme park world upside down with the much-anticipated opening of Epic Universe on May 22nd, 2025.

What is Epic Universe?

Epic Universe is the first major theme park to open in Orlando in the 21st century. So yeah, it’s kind of a *huge* deal!

If the rumours and teasers are to be trusted, Epic Universe will make other Disney (and maybe Universal) theme parks feel dated and less innovative.

This park is opening with 5 lands and 11 rides, so Universal is not holding back with this one!

Want more details on Epic Universe? Check out these posts:

Universal Studios Orlando Tips for Visits in the Age of Epic Universe & Beyond

What Will Happen to Disney World After the Epic Universe Opening Date? [smaller crowds, lower profits, lower prices for guests?!]

The Many Perks of Staying at Hotels on Site Universal Studios Orlando (& why this is so helpful when Epic Universe opens)

Best Plan for Universal Studios Orlando (After Opening of Epic Universe)

Although Disney World is great, once Epic Universe opens, Universal may be equally as great (if not, better).

If you want to experience the most innovative theme park in Orlando, opting for Epic Universe is your best bet.

That’s not to say that you shouldn’t go to Disney World. But for some people, prioritizing the new attractions at Epic Universe will make the most sense.

Frequently Asked Questions about When to Visit Disney World

When is the best month to visit Disney World?

The best month to visit Disney World depends on your priorities. If you want lower crowd levels and shorter wait times, consider January, February, or early May.

These months usually have fewer visitors, making it easier to enjoy the parks.

If you’re looking for festive decorations, November and December are magical, but they also bring big crowds near the holidays.

To avoid hurricane season, you may not want to visit between June and November.

When is the slowest time to visit Disney World?

Wondering ‘when is the best time to go to Disney World without crowds’?

The quietest times tend to be early January, the first few weeks of May, and most of September.

These periods usually have fewer crowds and more manageable wait times, though this is subject to change (and does not apply to holidays that occur during this period).

What tips help manage park visits during peak times?

Plan shows, dining, shopping or resort/villa time during the midday heat or busiest hours.

Save high-demand rides for early mornings or evenings after fireworks (just before closing).

Stay flexible and prioritize must-see experiences over trying to doing it all.

Are there new attractions planned for 2025?

Yes, Disney has several updates for 2025, including the Disney Starlight Night Parade at Magic Kingdom, a Villains stage show at Hollywood Studios, a returning Little Mermaid show at Hollywood Studios, and a revamped Test Track 3.0 at EPCOT.

Ta Ta For Now

Choosing when to visit Disney World is as much about timing as it is about what’s new and exciting.

With the changes of new attractions, resorts, and seasonal events, there’s always something reshaping the Disney (and Universal) experience.

Are you planning a visit to Disney World? When do you think are the best times to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments 🙂

This post was all about when to visit Disney World for your ideal trip.