When you’re planning a Disney World trip, there are probably a few things you want to avoid – crowds, expensive pricing, and bad weather. And, while that seems like a simple request, it can be hard to nail down the perfect time to visit. So, we’re taking the guesswork out of picking your vacation dates and bringing you the worst times to go to Disney World – let’s get to it!

Spring Break

If you’re thinking about going to Disney World over spring break…well…so is everyone else. 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.

Summer Vacation

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.

Holidays

If you want to avoid overwhelming crowds and the highest prices, it’s best not to plan your vacation around the holidays. The week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years are notorious for being the busiest time of the year. 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.

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 Openings

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 2024 and more to come. 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 are expected to open closer to 2030. However, there are almost constantly new things being added or updated in Disney 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

There’s nothing worse than getting to Disney World just to find that the attraction your kids have been talking about riding for years is closed 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.

It’s not uncommon for attractions to be closed 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. Both are updated regularly, so it’s a good idea to check it before your trip to avoid disappointment.

And, if you’re hoping to visit Disney’s water parks, be sure to check Disney’s website. For the past few years, only one water park has been open throughout the year. So, if you have your heart set on a specific water park, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Tips For Traveling During The Worst Times To Go To Disney World

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 and Lightning Lane Single 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 if 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

With the weather being pretty unpredictable in the summer in Central Florida, it’s better to be overprepared. Pack extra socks and shoes in case they 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!

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.