There are so many factors that come into play when deciding when to go to Walt Disney World. Who all is going, are there time restraints on when everyone can go, is there something in particular we want to see while there, and the list can go on and on…
Once I know who is going, it is easier to decide when. If school age children are not along on this trip, my favorite time of year is fall. Not only is attendance down, but the weather is milder. There are several special events during the fall, such as my favorite, The Food & Wine Festival. The Food & Wine Festival runs from late September to mid-November. Also starting in late September and running to late October is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Another great time of year is Thanksgiving to Christmas. The decorations throughout the parks and hotels are amazing. The crowds are still down and the weather is still mild, but does start getting cooler in evenings. I’ve been there the 1st weekend of December and had shorts on one day and the next day it was freezing. Watch the weather as your trip arrives, it can change quickly.
My son just visited Walt Disney World in January and he was very pleased at the crowds being low. It can be a little cool, but this year was mild. It can rain quite a bit in early January and February, but just grab a poncho and go on! The one thing he noticed is more things were closed with renovations this time of year than any other, at least it seemed that way.
Springtime brings Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival and the gardens, the topiaries, the garden market and the Flower Power Concert Series. Epcot is dressed up in all its finery with colorful flowers, and plants from all over the world. Springtime can also bring spring breaks from schools all over the country. You’ll need to do some extra planning on what to do, but don’t let that scare you.
Summertime can be quite hot and humid, so be prepared. Summer can be a little more crowded with schools out. Early June or August tends to be slightly better than July, which is the busiest month of the summer, especially around July 4th holiday. The advantage of summer is longer park hours, so decide if that is a good pay-off for your group.
These are just a few things I consider when deciding when to travel, hope it helps you make your decision easier.
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Debbie and her husband live in Collegedale, TN where her youngest son is going to college. She is a huge Disney fan who dreams of someday retiring and working as a tour guide at Walt Disney World. She has enjoyed many trips to WDW with children, grandchildren and sometimes adults only. It is her ultimate goal to make sure everyone who visits WDW has the same magical time that she enjoys every time she visits.
