When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World? You may be wanting to consider the weather at Disney World which can totally affect your stay. Or perhaps the many holiday seasons that happen throughout the year.
The school holidays in America are very different to school holidays in the UK for example, so it’s always worth checking this data before you plan your Disney World holiday.
The weather in Florida is so very different to the weather in the UK and other parts of the World. For example, June – November is hurricane season in Florida, and you could visit a Disney park on Christmas day in just a t-shirt. You couldn’t do that in some of the other Disney parks around the World, Disneyland Paris for example.
United States Federal Holidays 2023
- January 16th 2023 – Martin Luther King Jr Day
- February 20th 2023 – Presidents Day
- April 9th 2023- Easter Sunday
- April 10th 2023 – Easter Monday
- May 29th 2023 – Memorial Day
- June 19th – Juneteenth
- July 4th 2023 – Independence Day
- September 4th 2023- Labor Day
- November 11th 2023 – Veterans Day
- November 23rd 2023 – Thanksgiving
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Disney World Festivals And Special Events
Run Disney Events
- January 4th – 8th 2023 – Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
- February 23rd – 26th 2023 – Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
- April 13th – 16th 2023 – RunDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
- November 2nd – 5th 2023 – Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
Epcot Festivals
- Jan 13th – Feb 20th 2023 – Epcot International festival Of The Arts
- March – July (2023 TBA) – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
- July – November (2023 TBA) – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
- November – December (2023 TBA) – Epcot International Festival Of The Holidays
Magic Kingdom Parties
- August – October – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- November – December – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
January At Walt Disney World
If you are looking for the quietest time to visit Walt Disney World, then January is a great month to visit. Generally the crowds are lower as families aren’t thinking of taking a holiday just after the Christmas season.
Bear in mind it’s going to be cooler in Disney World in January, so you’ll want to tale layers. If you’re hoping to see the parks decorated for Christmas, you may still have a chance if you visit early in January. Often the decorations stay up for the first few days.
January 4th – 8th 2023 is Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Expect crowds to be higher this weekend.
Average temperatures at Disney World in January are 15C/59F.
February At Walt Disney World
Visiting Walt Disney World in February can offer a mixed bag weather wise. The temperatures can fluctuate during the day, and also day to day. Some days at Disney World in February you could be wearing shorts. Other days there is a need for long trousers and a hoodie.
If the weather does dip, one thing to bear in mind is that the water parks can close if it’s deemed too cold.
A UK school half term break falls in February. Usually somewhere in the middle around Valentine’s Day . Presidents Day in USA also falls on the third Monday in February. This usually coincides with the UK February half term.
Whilst parks are definitely quieter than the Summer months, this week in February can attract more crowds. February 23rd – 26th 2023 is also Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend. Crowds will be higher this weekend as well.
Average temperatures at Disney World in February are 16C/61F.
March At Walt Disney World
Depending on when Easter falls during the year, March can be a great quiet time to visit Walt Disney World. If Easter is in April, then March is the time to go. The weather is generally good during the day. You may need a light jacket in the evenings, or in air conditioned restaurants and shops.
The parks will become decorated for Spring, along with the start of the Flower and Garden Festival in Epcot. Spring Break also begins in March so expect the crowd level to become higher as the month progresses.
Average temperatures at Disney World in March are 19C/66F.
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April At Walt Disney World
The question you may be asking is is Walt Disney World busy at Easter? Easter generally falls in April. Expect the parks to be very busy, especially around the four day weekend between Good Friday and Easter Monday. Spring Break crowds will also be high during April.
That’s not to say you can’t still have a good time at Disney World in April. Your visit may just require some additional planning. April 13th – 16th 2023 is the RunDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend. This weekend will attract higher crowds.
The Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing during April. Visiting Epcot to sample all the treats and drinks from the World Showcase is a great way to spend a day.
The weather in April is beginning to get a lot warmer. Average temperatures at Disney World in April are 22C/72F.
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May At Walt Disney World
The weather in May at Disney World is really starting to heat up with the average temperature being around 25C/77F. May sees the start of what is known as rainy season in Florida. Rain storms can last a few minutes or a few hours. You can also be treated to some amazing thunder and lightning.
Rain in Florida is unlike your average rain storm. You’ll notice in the Disney parks that rain doesn’t very often make anything stop. Park guests will pop their poncho on and carry on. Rides and attractions will only stop if the rain or inclement weather of thunder and lightning forces them to.
May is also one of the two months during the year when you may be pestered by Love Bugs. The mating season begins in May and lasts around four weeks.
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June At Walt Disney World
Is Walt Disney World busy in June? Visiting Disney World in June is where the weather really starts to heat up.
June is known as rainy season in Florida. Rain storms can last a few minutes or a few hours. You can also be treated to some amazing thunder and lightning.
A rain storm in June at Disney World is often a welcome relief from the heat. You can be walking through puddles one minute and sat on a dry pavement thirty minutes after the rain has stopped.
Average temperatures at Disney World in June are 27C/81F.
July At Walt Disney World
Expect big crowds at Walt Disney World during July. Summer break has begun.
Summer weather can be very hot, so it’s important to pack for the season and take plenty of sunscreen. There aren’t huge amounts of shade in the standby lines of some rides, and with high crowds, there can be long waits.
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July also sees the start of Epcot’s Food & Wine festival. This is a great chance to sample limited edition treats and snacks from the festival booths around the World Showcase.
The parks are open late until around 10pm or even 11pm, so why not plan your days to rest during the hottest part. Weather wise, expect rain in the middle of the day. These 3pm storms (or there about) often don’t last very long at all.
You can always return to the parks during the evening when the weather starts to cool a little and other guests are leaving after a long day.
Average temperatures at Disney World in July are 28C/82F.
August At Walt Disney World
Visiting Disney World in August is similar to visiting in July. Expect there to be large crowds and the weather to be very hot. The crowds will start to lessen slightly in the last two weeks of August. Summer break will be ending for many and the parks quieten down a bit.
I recommend breaking up the day and visiting early in the morning and then again in the evening. Take advantage of your hotel swimming pool if you have access to one.
Halloween season at Disney World begins in August. Magic Kingdom becomes decorated for Fall in time for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party which begins on a date in August.
Average temperatures at Disney World in August are 28C/82F. It will likely rain during your visit to Disney World in August. Pop to the nearest shop or restaurant and shelter until it passes.
September At Walt Disney World
With the Summer holidays over, September is a great time to visit Walt Disney World.. The crowds become lower and the weather is still really nice, with average temperatures of 27C/81F.
September is also known as the peak month there is most likely to be a hurricane. Hurricane season in Florida lasts between June and November, but September is the peak month.
Don’t let this put you off visiting Disney World in September though. Not all hurricanes will reach Florida, and many change pace and direction quickly.
September is also one of the two months during the year when you may be pestered by Love Bugs. The mating season begins in September and lasts around four weeks.
October At Walt Disney World
Its peak Halloween season at Disney World in October. The Mickey’s Not So Scary parties are very popular this month. Crowds during October will become heavier as the month goes on.
The humidity starts to become a lot more bearable in October, making it a great month to visit Disney World. Average temperatures at Disney World in October are 24C/75F.
If you want to see both the Halloween and Christmas decorations at Disney World, I suggest visiting the last week of October into the first week of November. This gives you the best chance of seeing the parks change decorations for Christmas.
November At Walt Disney World
Once Halloween is Over, thoughts turn to Christmas. Visiting Walt Disney World in November is a nice time to see lower crowds as everyone waits for Christmas. November 2nd – 5th 2023 is the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. This weekend will attract higher crowds.
The parks become decorated for the holiday season, and there is so much to look at that can’t be seen at any other time of the year. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also begins on selected dates in November.
Average temperatures at Disney World in November are 20C/68F.
December At Walt Disney World
Ah that magical time of year at Disney World is Christmas time in December. With the parks decorated for Christmas and fake snow falling, this is one of the best times to visit Disney World.
Many families deliberately book Christmas at Walt Disney World to enjoy the festive season. It’s easy to see the appeal, but definitely a time to consider the crowd levels.
December is probably the best month to visit Walt Disney World for that magical Winter experience. December also sees the popularity rise a lot for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Average temperatures at Disney World in December are 17C/63F.
