Hi Zara!
Welcome back to planDisney! Those are some of my favorite months to enjoy the parks! Let’s break it down by month to help you choose what might work best for you.
In November, you’ll get the start of the
holiday season around Walt Disney World, but you’ll also get to enjoy the end of the
Food & Wine Festival at Epcot. It just might be my favorite time of year to visit!
While you can always expect crowds at Disney, my top pick for lower crowd levels in November is the middle of the month. That way, the crowds from
Halloween have dissipated, but the Thanksgiving crowds haven’t started up yet.
Moving on to December, the holidays are in full swing around the parks and resorts. You’ll really get to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer at this time of year, including
Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays.
My favorite time to visit Disney World with fewer crowds in December is the first two weeks of the month – after Thanksgiving, but before winter break.
Finally, let’s chat about January. In 2026, the Walt Disney World Marathon is scheduled for January 7-11. And of course, the very beginning of the month is usually pretty busy with guests still enjoying their winter break.
For lower crowd levels, I’d personally plan a trip anywhere from mid to end January. Plus, if you go that route, you’ll have a better chance at being there for
Epcot’s Festival of the Arts! That’s always such a fun one because it comes along with lots of activities around the park.
I will say that I’ve visited the parks in January for the past two years, and by the time that month rolled around, it was pretty chilly overall. So, pack layers just in case. Or you can be like me and accidentally “forget” to pack a sweatshirt to give yourself an excuse to buy a souvenir!
No matter which month you choose, I hope you have the best trip! You really can't go wrong! If any other questions pop up, let us know. We’re always happy to help!
Jenn J.