What Time of Year Should I Go?

2022 National Plan for Vacation Day

1. Choosing the Best Time for Your Disney Vacation

   • The month of February is the best time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. The weather is mild compared to the heat of the summer and it is the driest month on average for the year. Since Walt Disney World Resort pools are heated, you can usually get a swim in during your stay as well. You will typically find shorter wait time for attractions and quick service dining locations! Let's not forget the biggest draw to coming during this time and that is the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. The festival will typically run until the third week of February and is a can't miss event. It's colorful, creative, and entertaining in all the best ways possible! ~Greg G.
   
   • Growing up, my family visited Walt Disney World Resort during school vacations, like spring break or Christmas. The challenge was that often many other families were doing the same. As an adult, I try to go in the shoulder seasons before holidays or school breaks. For a summer vacation, I’ll go in May. I also enjoy going in late October or early November to visit during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. If you time it right, you might be able to see the fall decorations come down and holiday decorations go up! If it’s during a busy time, Hakuna Matata, there are options like Disney Genie Service to make sure you hit all your favorite attractions. ~Bryanna B.
   
   • Bright lights, shiny ornaments, lighter crowds, and Florida snow - for me, the most perfect time to visit Walt Disney World is in the very early weeks of December, just after Thanksgiving. EPCOT's International Festival of the Holidays features storytellers from around the globe, regaling guests with tales of the holidays in their home countries, and you can feast on holiday flavors from some of your favorite cuisines. The Candlelight Processional, the musically accompanied retelling of the story of Christmas, is where my Christmas spirit comes from every year. You'll be able to take advantage of the special after-hours holiday event at Magic Kingdom Park and enjoy holiday themed shows at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. And oh, the holiday treats! You can indulge your sweet tooth or sip a happy holiday beverage at many locations throughout the park. Now that's some holiday magic! ~ Anna S. 
   
   • There's no wrong time of the year to visit Walt Disney World Resort, but nothing says Springtime quite like the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival! From beautiful topiary and garden displays to great food, drinks, and music, it's the perfect way to celebrate the beginning of Spring! Our family also loves to check out the Easter egg displays at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts! ~Lisa E.
   
   • Southern California typically has great weather all year round, making it a great time, anytime, to go to the Disneyland Resort! But with that said, I have two little kiddos, and we try to time our Disneyland Resort vacations when it has the least amount of crowds. If you can take advantage of the parks when school is in session, the crowds there should be much less! However, if you have kids in school, like myself, we try to take advantage of the non-typical school closure days. My daughter's school has certain days throughout the year where school is closed, and these are non-typical school closure days. If you're child's school has these types of closures, take advantage and make a trip to the Disneyland Resort! ~Jin L. 
   
   • Halloween Time! But make it September. The beautiful thing about the Disney parks, is that they love a good, LONG holiday season so you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the seasonal festivities, eats and treats. Most of the summer crowds have died down, but the Halloween spirit is in full force. Our favorite weekend to visit is for the opening of Haunted Mansion Holiday when the pumpkin king himself Jack Skellington and friends overtake one of our favorite attractions! I can smell the gingerbread wafting through the ballroom now! ~Tara H.
   
   • The "best" time to visit Disneyland Resort depends on what you're looking for in a Disney vacation. For our family, "best" is usually defined by smaller crowds and moderate weather, which means a quick weekend trip in late February to early March is in order (or if we can swing a trip during the week, there may be Disneyland Resort Hotel deals available Sunday through Thursday.)  "Best" for us can also be when our kids are on a school break, hence we will rally in July or August, bring our cooling fans, and count on the phenomenal cosmic power of Disney Genie+ to get us on our favorite attractions. For me personally, "best" is the winter holiday season, as I truly adore admiring the lights and festive decor with a hot cocoa in hand; a weekend in early December is ideal before it gets more crowded end of month. ~ Kamini C.
   
   • For my family, there's nothing we love more than spending the most magical time of year at the Happiest Place on Earth! The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort are pure magic... from the enchanting lights of "it's a small world" Holiday to my personal favorite, A Christmas Fantasy Parade. And you can't forget about the food! From the delectable cuisine offered at Disney Festival of Holidays to the scrumptious treats throughout the Resort (hello, Mickey Gingerbread Cookie!) there's something for every taste bud. I recommend planning your visit just after Thanksgiving or early December for lighter crowds. ~ Kristin C.
   
   • With a variety of destinations to choose from, you'll find a Disney Cruise to be an amazing vacation at any time of year. Disney's private island, Castaway Cay can be enjoyed at any season due to its tropical location. My personal favorite time to sail with the Disney Cruise Line is in the fall on a special Halloween on the High Seas voyage. I love the decor, the entertainment, the themed food, and the chance to see Mickey and his pals in costume! ~ Adrianna H.