When you’re planning a Disney World trip, there are probably a few things you want to avoid – shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, expensive pricing, and bad weather. The tricky part is figuring out exactly which weeks and days are the worst offenders.

That’s why I’m walking you through the worst weeks to go to Disney World, PLUS the worst days to go to Disney World when crowds and weather are at their worse. Then I’ll tell you my secret to picking better times to visit instead, based on wait-time data, Disney’s own pricing trends, and years of first-hand trips. Because after dozens of trips during everything from hurricane season to Christmas week, I’ve learned exactly which weeks and days feel magical…and which ones I’ll never book again.

So, whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Disney regular trying to avoid the chaos this year, use this as your shortcut to when not to go to Disney World — and what to do if those “worst” dates are the only ones that work for your family.

FIND OUT WHEN YOU SHOULD AVOID GOING TO DISNEY WORLD IN OUR LATEST VIDEO!

At a Glance: Worst Weeks & Worst Days To Go to Disney World

If you just want a quick list of the worst weeks to go to Disney World and the worst days to go to Disney World, start here and then keep reading for the “why” behind each one and what to book instead.

Worst weeks to go to Disney World (typical year):

• Spring Break weeks (late March–early April)
• 4th of July week
• Thanksgiving week
• Christmas week through New Year’s (roughly Dec 24–Jan 1)
• Peak summer vacation (mid-June through early August)

Worst days to go to Disney World:

• Major holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve/Day, Easter, 4th of July
• Saturdays at Magic Kingdom and weekends during festivals
• Mondays at EPCOT and other parks during extend long weekends

Better alternatives:

• The week after Thanksgiving, early May, late August/early September, and non-holiday weekdays usually offer lower crowds and better prices.

Worst Weeks To Go To Disney World

Spring Break (Late March-Early April)

If you’re thinking about going to Disney World over spring break…well…so is everyone else. Spring Break is consistently one of the worst weeks to go to Disney World. From late March through April, schools across the country have time off. So, it’s very common for families to plan their Disney trip during this time. And, it makes sense why – the weather is warm but not hot yet (which is desirable for those who live in the north), the parks are open a bit longer since it’s a popular time to travel, and the EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival is in full swing.

But, with crowds comes longer wait times for attractions, crowded walkways, and overall busyness. And, with so many people traveling to Disney during this time, prices during Spring Break tend to be higher. Hotels and flights can be more expensive, and Disney World often raises ticket prices during peak seasons.

So, if you’re on a budget and don’t want to have to deal with long wait times and crowds, it’s best to plan your trip during a less busy time of year.

Peak Summer Vacation (Mid-June-Early August)

With schools out for the summer from late May through mid-August, the Disney Parks are full of crowds ready to take on the parks in the high heat and humidity of Central Florida. This is one of the most popular times of the year for families to visit. And, because of that, it can be less enjoyable if you don’t like waiting in long lines and needing to find a spot for parades and fireworks early. Plus, the weather can make getting around the parks more difficult, as you’ll need additional breaks to stay cool and afternoon thunderstorms are common.

However, if you’re set on visiting Disney World during the summer, there are a few things you can do to make your trip more comfortable. Be sure to wear lightweight, breathable clothing, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day. You’ll also want to pack some rain gear so you don’t have to leave the parks if a storm pops up.

Alternatively, if you want to avoid the high humidity and heat of the summer, consider planning your vacation for March, April, or May. These months have some of the lowest humidity during the year while still being warm. Just keep in mind that you may run into spring break crowds.

Holiday Weekends

The weekends are a bit busier in the parks year-round compared to weekdays. However, holiday weekends draw even larger crowds than normal with guests taking advantage of the extra day off work and school. Some of the most popular holiday weekends to avoid include Labor Day, Memorial Day, and MLK Jr. Day.

To avoid crowds, consider planning your trip during a less busy time of year or weekdays. This will allow you to experience the parks without the stress of navigating through large crowds.

Hurricane Season

While an afternoon storm in the summer can throw a curve ball in your day at Disney World, a hurricane can have an even bigger impact on your trip. Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th every year. If you are planning a trip during this time, you’ll need to keep a close eye on weather forecasts so that you know what to expect.

It’s important to note that Disney World is well-prepared for hurricanes and has a comprehensive plan in place to ensure the safety of its guests. However, if a hurricane is expected in the area, you may experience last-minute changes to your itinerary. This could include park closures and transportation disruptions.

To avoid any potential issues, it’s recommended that you read up on Disney’s hurricane refund policies before booking your trip. This will ensure that you are aware of the options available to you in the event that your trip is impacted by a hurricane or tropical storm.

Holiday Weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)

If you want to avoid overwhelming crowds and the highest prices, it’s best not to plan your vacation around the holidays. The weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas through New Year’s are not just busy — they’re some of the worst weeks to go to Disney World if you’re trying to avoid shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and top-tier pricing. In fact, the parks often reach capacity limits early in the day during these times (which means no one else can enter). And, both hotel and ticket prices are the most expensive during this time.

However, it’s worth noting that many people actually consider this one of the best times to go to Disney World. This is because of the decorations, special events, treats, and more that are available. If you want to experience the holidays at Disney World but want to avoid max pricing and crowds, we recommend planning your trip for the weeks surrounding the holidays rather than on the holidays.

Worst Days To Go To Disney World

The Five Busiest Holiday Days

Historically, some of the worst days to go to Disney World for crowds are major U.S. holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Easter, and the 4th of July. These days often see wall-to-wall crowds, especially in Magic Kingdom, and the parks may hit capacity early.

Special Events

When planning a trip to Disney World, it’s important to be aware of the special events. These can have a huge impact on crowds and prices. Things like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and runDisney race weekends can draw lots of people to the parks and resorts. You’ll also want to consider skipping EPCOT if one of its seasonal events is set to kick off. The first day of EPCOT festivals is a huge draw for travelers and locals resulting in long lines at the festival booths and activities.

To see when these special events are hosted, click here. And, check out the EPCOT festival schedule here.

New Attraction Opening Days

Much like the first day of an EPCOT festival, grand openings of new (or even updated) rides and attractions bring Disney fans from near and far to the park to experience it for the first time. You can usually expect that the majority of the crowds will be focused around the new attraction in the morning. But, it tends to just be busier in the park overall throughout the day.

There are a lot of new attractions and restaurants opening in Disney World in the next few years. In fact, Disney recently announced a major expansion of the parks in the coming years with plans to invest $17 billion in the park over the next decade. Most of the major additions will likely open closer to 2030. However, Disney almost constantly adds or updates new things even sooner than that.

Of course, if you’re a fan of Disney World and love experiencing new attractions, there’s never been a better time to plan a trip. But, instead of planning to be at Disney on the day the new attraction opens (which you can find by visiting Disney’s website), we recommend planning to visit a few weeks or even months later to avoid crowds.

Anniversary Celebrations

Disney goes all out when there’s an anniversary to celebrate. This usually means that there are specialty food and drink offerings, limited-time entertainment, and even new costumes for characters and decorations throughout the parks. So, of course, everyone wants to visit to experience it all.

However, if you’re someone who doesn’t care to see all the “extras” and just enjoys visiting Disney World, it’s best to avoid traveling when an anniversary celebration is happening. These often years-long celebrations are a major attraction for vacationers. And, they often spur anyone considering a trip to solidify their travel plans. So, naturally, wait times tend to be longer for rides, dining reservations are harder to get, and shows are more crowded.

So, if you’re looking to avoid crowds, it may be best to plan your trip during a non-celebratory time. However, visiting during an anniversary celebration can be a fun and exciting experience if you don’t mind the crowds.

Scheduled Refurbishments

Few things feel worse than arriving at Disney World and discovering that Disney has closed the attraction your kids have talked about riding for refurbishment. These refurbishments and closures can impact your experience both in the parks and at the resorts. So, it’s crucial to be aware of them before booking your trip.

Attractions often close for routine maintenance, safety upgrades, improvements, and reimaginings. Luckily, it’s easy to see all the closures during your travel dates on Disney’s calendar and your hotel’s website. Disney updates both regularly, so check them before your trip to avoid disappointment.

And, if you’re hoping to visit Disney’s water parks, be sure to check Disney’s website. Oftentimes, one water park will close for refurbishment while the other remains open, so if you have your heart set on a specific water park, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Busiest Days of the Week in the Parks

Looking at average wait times across the year, Mondays and Saturdays frequently land among the worst days to go to Disney World overall. Mondays tend to be very busy at EPCOT and other parks as visitors start their vacation, and Saturdays are usually packed with both tourists and locals, especially in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.

We also have a full breakdown of best and worst days to visit each park if you’re flexible on which park you go to when.

How To Survive a Trip During the Worst Times to Go

So, what do you do if you need to travel during one of the worst times to go to Disney World? There are a few things to keep in mind that will make your trip a little better regardless of the crowds, weather, or pricing.

Consider Purchasing Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, and Premier Pass are the new ways to skip the lines at the most popular attractions throughout all four Disney World parks. These services do cost extra on top of your park ticket. But, they can be the key to getting on all the attractions when it’s crowded. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to purchase early, as they can sell out when it’s busy. We recommend buying it as early as you can prior to your trip.

Pack Rain Gear

Summer weather in Central Florida can be unpredictable, so err on the side of over-preparing. Pack extra socks and shoes in case yours get wet. And, bring a poncho or umbrella (or, even better, both) for everyone in your family. Throw these in your park bag so that you don’t need to leave the park if a thunderstorm pops up.

Check For Discounts

While Disney usually offers hotel and ticket discounts during the slower seasons, sometimes a discount pops up over the summer or around the holidays. So, be sure you’re checking Disney’s website before you book to get the best deals! And, if you end up planning your trip and then finding a discount later, contact Disney to see if they can apply the savings to what you have booked.

Adjust Your Expectations

There’s a reason these times of the year are so popular for travelers. Schools are out, people are off work, and there’s often something special going on at Disney World! So, it makes sense why you may want to visit during these times too. If you do plan your trip during a busy season, just go in expecting long wait times and budget appropriately. You can still have an amazing Disney trip!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the worst weeks to go to Disney World?

The worst weeks to go to Disney World are typically Spring Break (late March–early April), mid-June through early August, Thanksgiving week, and the week of Christmas through New Year’s. Visiting during these weeks comes with the highest ticket and hotel prices with some of the heaviest crowds of the year, which means longer waits and more time spent in lines instead of on rides.

What are the worst days to go to Disney World?

The worst days to go to Disney World are major holidays like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Easter, and the 4th of July, as well as Saturdays and some Mondays when crowds and wait times spike. While you shouldn’t necessarily avoid these (since you can still have a really great time in the parks on these days too!), you should come prepared for longer lines and large

Comments

Do you agree with our assessment of the worst times to go to Disney World? Do you have any recommendations or tips to add? Leave us a comment below to share your least favorite time to visit the most magical place on earth.