Pluto Topiary at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
  • On Jan 9, 2023
    Rene from NY Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    What are the busiest times or the year for Disney World? When are the best times of the year to visit Disney World in terms of weather, park busyness and flight costs?

    Hello Rene!

    Welcome to planDisney and Thank You for asking me this excellent question! I feel like this is one of the most important questions you should consider when beginning to plan a trip to the most Magical Place on Earth. 

    Alright, let's start with the facts. Walt Disney World is a highly desired vacation destination year-round! However, the truth is that some weeks out of the year are just a lot busier than normal. Usually, these weeks correspond with major school holiday breaks such as around Easter/Spring break, most of the Summer break, and Winter break in December.  Also, it's in Florida so it's very warm to very hot almost every day. Now, I can't attest to the cost of flights as that is beyond my skillset but I wonder if there is a direct correlation between the busy season in Walt Disney World and airline fares. Let's focus however on Walt Disney World. 

    When looking at visiting the Parks I would personally recommend visiting between January till before Easter. I have found this time to have some lovely weather where I can wear a T-shirt and shorts but not sweat through them. I may need a light jacket for the evenings and mornings. I also find the crowds to be much more manageable. It also helps that I have a sweet spot in my heart for the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival which is a springtime event. EPCOT is adorned with beautiful topiaries perfect for family photos, delicious food stands, and live music. My kids love doing the Easter Egg Hunt in EPCOT! Earlier in the year, from January to the end of February (approximately), you will have the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts. I have yet to do this event but almost every planDisney panelist considers this their favorite!  However, if I did not want my kids to miss school I would consider the last two weeks in August as my second choice. Yes, it is very hot but as a fellow New Yorker, we know that school does not begin usually until September while much of the South- including Florida have returned in early August. Strategically it's a wise choice as well. In addition, to keep with our festival theme check out the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival as it should be happening during this time. 

    Now, after writing all of this I want to say I just visited the park during Winter Break. This is normally considered one of the highest capacity times in the Park with unusually long attraction wait times and crowds of people. I had an amazing time. I used Genie+, booked my dining reservations promptly 60 days out from the day I wanted, and met all the characters my family wanted to meet. I had a five-minute wait to see Chewbacca! Only 5 minutes!  While I didn't get to do everything I wanted and there were some long lines, I found joy in the Holiday decorations, special parades, seasonal snacks, and cooler weather. I say that you can make the best vacation for your family anytime you go! 

    I hope you can find something in my answer that can help. Remember to come back if you think of anything else and I will be glad to assist!
    -Nimmy
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Meet the Panelist: Nimmy, New York

Hey, it's Nimmy from New York! Just like my guy Jiminy Cricket I am your wisecracking and helpful guide to making the best decisions for your Disney vacation! My husband and I work very hard to journey to our favorite place on Earth, Walt Disney World Resort, as much as we can. We have traveled as just adults, with babies, kids, teenagers, and senior citizens. We have seen so many characters, eaten at amazing places, and consumed a ton of Dole Whips. So "give a little whistle" and let me be your guide! Learn More About Nimmy

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