The most frequently asked question that we receive is “When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World Resort?” That’s a complicated question because there is no longer a slow season. The Disney calendar is filled with specially-ticketed parties, events and festivals year-round. Today on the blog, we’ll examine monthly trends as well as weather and events that might impact your trip to Walt Disney World.
January
You’ll still find holiday decor in the parks and resort hotels a few days after New Years Day.
The first part of January is very busy with people finishing up their holiday vacations and that usually leads directly into the RunDisney Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. Marathon weekend for 2021 will be January 6-10. The crowds from the marathon usually disperse pretty quickly making the following week a great time to visit. Martin Luther King Day weekend as well the UCA and UDA National Championship will make the crowds pick up again significantly for the long weekend. Then we will see a nice lull of low crowds to end the month. The weather is quite variable in January, making pool time questionable. But if you are like our midwestern kids, any day is a pool day!
Average Orlando weather in January: 72° / 51° with 4 days of rain
BIV picks for January touring: January 19-31, 2021
February
The first two weeks of February enjoy light to moderate crowds with the only significant crowds resulting from the National High School and Dance Championships. You will see these groups more frequently at the value resorts. Crowds pick up again heading into the long weekend for President’s Day which leads directly into the RunDisney Princess Half Marathon. The dates for this race are February 18-21, 2021. The rest of February finishes with moderate crowds due to extended school breaks and Mardi Gras celebrations. February weather makes park touring quite pleasant.
Average Orlando weather in February: 75° / 54° with 4 days of rain
BIV picks for February touring: February 1-11, 2021
March
Gorgeous topiaries dot the landscape during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival which runs from March to June.
Early March sees moderate crowds especially at the value resorts with many cheer and dance competitions. As the month goes on, crowds become heavy with spring breakers. We send many, many families to Walt Disney World at this time, and we tell our clients that this time period is doable with a good touring plan - which is part of the concierge services our clients receive at no cost. Overall the weather is pleasant with temperatures increasing toward the end of the month.
Average Orlando weather in March: 79° / 57° with 5 days of rain
BIV picks for March touring: March 1-12, 2020; March 1-11, 2021
April
Crowds remain moderate to heavy as we near Easter with the heaviest crowds being the week leading up to Easter. After Easter, the crowds break a little bit but still remain moderate for the RunDisney Star Wars Half Marathon weekend. The dates for the race are April 16-19, 2020 and April 15-18, 2021. Crowds for the rest of the month are moderate with cheerleading and dance competitions being the main factor. April weather is still very pleasant for touring the parks and splashing in the pools.
Average Orlando weather in April: 84° / 63° with 4 days of rain
BIV picks for April touring: April 20-29, 2020; April 19-29, 2021
May
Beating the May heat wtih a pool day at the Fuentes del Morro pool at Caribbean Beach Resort
Early May also sees moderate crowds due to cheer and dance competitions. The crowds dissipate around Mother’s Day making mid-May a great time to visit Walt Disney World. The crowds are manageable; the weather is pleasant; and one of our favorite Epcot festivals, the Flower and Garden Festival, is in full bloom. Around Memorial Day, the crowds ramp up for the long weekend and the start of summer break for many schools around the country. May brings the return of the summer heat so we love resorts with a great pool like Caribbean Beach Resort and Beach Club!
Average Orlando weather in May: 88° / 69° with 6 days of rain
BIV picks for May touring: May 11-21, 2020; May 10-25, 2021
June
The summer crowds are here, but we have been seeing a dip in park visitation over the last few years. Read our tips to beat the summer heat at WDW! Don’t forget to bring a poncho as June marks the beginning of the rainy season. Luckily, summer showers in Orlando tend to be short afternoon downpours so chances are you won’t be rained out. The waterparks are open for business, making June a great time for your WDW trip.
Average Orlando weather in June: 91° / 73° with 12 days of rain
BIV picks for June touring: All month!
July
There’s no show like a fireworks display at Magic Kingdom!
The Fourth of July holiday sees the largest crowds of the summer and for good reason - the fireworks displays are spectacular. The rest of the month has typical summer crowds, again lower than past years. Same deal with the rain in July, usually late afternoon downpours that are annoying but manageable. July is HOT so be sure to plan some waterpark and pool time.
Average Orlando weather in July: 92° / 75° with 13 days of rain
BIV picks for July touring: July 5-31 unless WDW fireworks are on your bucket list!
August
Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival kicks off in August.
The summer crowds stick around for about the first week of August and then start to dissipate as most districts head back to school. Crowds are light until Labor Day weekend when we see a moderate increase. August is hot and muggy, so it is best to get out early in the morning before the heat of the day kicks in. Epcot favorite Food and Wine Festival returns at the end of the month and believe it or not, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party also starts in August.
Average Orlando weather in August: 91° / 75° with 14 days of rain
BIV picks for August touring: August 10-27, 2020; August 9-25, 2021
September
Autumnal decor pops up in September despite the hot temps.
There are no two ways about it: September is hot and muggy, but it does enjoy some of the lowest crowds of the year. The weekends are busy with locals enjoying Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, but outside of Labor Day weekend, crowds are light. Halloween parties are in full swing so if you can be prepared for the heat, September is a great time to visit and get a lot of bang for your buck at the parks.
Average Orlando weather in September: 89° / 74° with 11 days of rain
BIV picks for September touring: September 8-30, 2020; September 7-30, 2021
October
The first part of October is a great time to visit Walt Disney World as most fall breaks have not started yet. The weather is great. The last two weeks of October have moderate to large crowds as many schools on the East Coast have fall breaks. Weekends at Epcot are very busy as locals are visiting Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. Furthermore, the Halloween parties are increasingly more popular as Halloween Day approaches.
Average Orlando weather in October: 85° / 68° with 5 days of rain
BIV picks for October touring: October 1-9, 2020; October 1-8, 2021
November
Mickey and Minnie Mouse greeting guests during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The first two weeks of November are very busy with the Wine and Dine Half Marathon as well as Jersey Week over Veteran’s Day week. The week before Thanksgiving enjoys moderate crowds before very heavy crowds return for Thanksgiving week. November also sees the beginning of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. We love to see the holiday decorations pop up around the parks and resorts as the month goes on.
Average Orlando weather in November: 78° / 59° with 3 days of rain
BIV picks for November touring: November 15-22, 2020; November 14-21, 2021
December
Seasonal fun isn’t limited to Epcot and Magic Kingdom - holiday decor at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The first two weeks of December see moderate crowds with Pop Warner week and overall larger crowds visiting in December than ever before. However, the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are manageable with a good touring plan. Christmas parties and decorations are in full swing, making December a magical time to visit. The crowds pick up as the month progresses with the week before Christmas and New Year’s being the largest of any time at Walt Disney World. We only recommend visiting during this time period for seasoned guests.
Average Orlando weather in December: 75° / 55° with 4 days of rain
BIV picks for December touring: December 1-17, 2020; December 1-15, 2021