Recommendations on the Best Time to Go to WDW

[Choirmom]

Hi all! I'm looking at booking a trip for me and my 2 adult children. I specifically want cooler weather and lower crowds. I was just there last month for a conference and the heat and humidity made things almost unbearable. We are from the PNW, so not used to the Florida summer weather!!!

These are the months I'm thinking about: end of January, end of April/beginning of May, early to mid November. February, March, and the beginning of April are out as my son and I are tax professionals.

Holidays are not of big importance as we have done them before (mostly Disneyland), but I would consider if we could go at a lower crowd time.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Tatebeck]

When we were there at the end of April/beginning of May it was getting into 90+ degrees this year so it was pretty toasty even then. We love late January and early Feb, just make sure to look up the cheerleading championship dates so you can avoid them lol. Probably lower crowds than November but similar weather.

 

[StarCruzer]

Keep in mind that even in the "cooler" months it can be luck of the draw. We exclusive go between November through late January and have had the bad luck of it being high 80s every trip! Even during our late January trip the week before we went it was in the high 50s somehow it was high 80s by the time we go there. Even the bus driver said it was way hotter than normal.

 

[beccasmom]

- Our last visit in January was during the last week of 2020. It was overcast with daytime temps in the mid-50’s. Parks were not too crowded. We’re planning to visit in late January again next year. Try to avoid visiting around MLK weekend if you want to avoid crowds. Been there, done that (my birthday is around the same time). It’s a little too busy for my taste.

- We experienced the nicest weather on our shortest trip in late April 2019. Gorgeous, sunny, and low humidity. Epcot was crowded (Food & Wine Festival was taking place, but it was a weekend). Note that Easter is in late April next year, which changes the dynamics a bit with regards to park attendance.

- We visited in early May this year. It started out warm-ish, then really got hot and humid as the week progressed with temps in the high 90’s. Early May can be lovely (it has been on our other trips at that time), but nothing is written in stone. There was no rain (which was sorely needed at the time).

- Early November in 2023 (first week) was warm, but not “surface of the sun” warm. On our trip it was sunny the whole week. The parks were busy, especially Epcot (Food & Wine Festival).

​

​

 

[_19disnA]

I agree that avoiding Disney in the Summer is a good idea since it is way too HOT/HUMID to enjoy walking all those miles with huge crowds. Frankly, Disney tends to be busy most times of the year since it such a big draw for people from all over the world. We happened to be there a couple of years ago in early May while that cheerleading competition was underway. We didn't notice any difference in the parks since I assume most in the competition were busy practicing or competing during the day. Perhaps if staying at the same budget hotels where they stay you might notice a difference, but we were at the Contemporary and it had no impact for us.

Schools take Spring Break at various times so you can't really determine how crowded it might be during any particular week. Even the week we were there, the crowds tended to vary and not really sure you can plan for that in advance. We had park hopper tickets which were useful since if on a particular day one park was really busy, we just went to one of the other parks.

 

[Giraffe_Zen]

Of the choices you gave, January. April-May is going to be in the 90s with humidity already.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi all! I'm looking at booking a trip for me and my 2 adult children. I specifically want cooler weather and lower crowds. I was just there last month for a conference and the heat and humidity made things almost unbearable. We are from the PNW, so not used to the Florida summer weather!!!

These are the months I'm thinking about: end of January, end of April/beginning of May, early to mid November. February, March, and the beginning of April are out as my son and I are tax professionals.

Holidays are not of big importance as we have done them before (mostly Disneyland), but I would consider if we could go at a lower crowd time.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

Another tax preparer here! I've been able to go all of those times (some were pre-tax days). I've found that mid-January is the best for cooler weather and decently low crowds. End of April/beginning of May was incredibly hot last time we went.

 

[sponica]

Personally I like late April/early May, while it can be hot, the humidity (to me) hasn't crept up to the heat.

I've done end of January as well, but it's not the softest space on the calendar that it used to be and I don't like the risk of cold weather in the swamp...

 

[rangerxenos]

I've found early December to be a great choice, both for weather and crowds. I usually come in early that first week after Thanksgiving.

 

[Shellyred8]

The past two years we went the first week of May and it was in the high 80's to low 90's for most of our trip. A little warmer than I was hoping for, but the humidity wasn't horrible yet. So, it was a little more tolerable. Mid to end of Jan is probably the best bet if you are looking for cooler weather.

 

[varsityboyz]

I've found early December to be a great choice, both for weather and crowds. I usually come in early that first week after Thanksgiving.

I like the first week of December, post Thanks Giving and before the holiday season. Crowds are definitely manageable. Kids are bunking school though!

 

[rangerxenos]

I like the first week of December, post Thanks Giving and before the holiday season. Crowds are definitely manageable. Kids are bunking school though!

I don't have to worry about taking kids out of school, so I'm good!

 

[emilyann704]

I've gone the first week of May the last 2 years and I love that time - it's quieter because the spring break crowds have gone and kids aren't off for the summer yet. It is, however, quite hot - high 80's/low 90's. I didn't find it to be overly humid yet so as long as I took some shade breaks or went indoors to cool off it was definitely manageable. I think it's a little less expensive than April or the start of summer.

I'm from Chicago BTW so it was pretty average for how our summers feel. Humidity in the summer in Florida is the worst because you can't really escape unless you're indoors.

 

[Choirmom]

I think I may have narrowed it down to either November 1-9, 2025 or December 6-14, 2025. January 2026 is not out of the question yet...2026 just seems so far way!

 

[lankman]

Hi all! I'm looking at booking a trip for me and my 2 adult children. I specifically want cooler weather and lower crowds. I was just there last month for a conference and the heat and humidity made things almost unbearable. We are from the PNW, so not used to the Florida summer weather!!!

These are the months I'm thinking about: end of January, end of April/beginning of May, early to mid November. February, March, and the beginning of April are out as my son and I are tax professionals.

Holidays are not of big importance as we have done them before (mostly Disneyland), but I would consider if we could go at a lower crowd time.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!

We were there mid 2 weeks of November 2023. We stayed at WL & saw quite a difference between the first & second week.
The crowds were lighter between the 11th -16th & the weather was comfortable at around 22-24degrees each day. But the second week from the 17th through to the 24th we saw a marked increase in crowds. This was down to thanksgiving & the Festival of the holidays starting on Friday the 21st.

 

[matt_in_nh]

I think I may have narrowed it down to either November 1-9, 2025 or December 6-14, 2025. January 2026 is not out of the question yet...2026 just seems so far way!

Yeah, you will have to make a pre-trip trip, that is the only way!

 

[tguz]

We went for our Honeymoon for ten nights from Dec 6 - Dec 15th and the weather was perfect. The daytime highs did not get past 80 and it only rained very lightly for about an hour on our last afternoon. It was an amazing change from our usual Summer trips.

 

[Hubie]

We've been several times in January and some of the days are cold and windy especially near water. We're from WI and love going in early November now. It's been sunny every year and with low humidity most days. It's never not crowded anymore though at any time that we've been there the last few years.

 

[Choirmom]

Update...We decided to go the first week in May for a few reasons. We will be celebrating the end of tax season. I think it should be a relatively slow time to visit. Other family members who like to invite themselves on our vacations will still be in school (I know, but I want it to just be my kids and I).

I really appreciated everyone's input.