When’s the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World?
The answer is—it depends! There are many factors that can affect crowd levels. While any day at Walt Disney World can be magical, some days do have lighter crowds than others. Here are some key factors to consider when planning your 2026 visit:
HOLIDAYS
Holidays significantly impact crowd levels at Walt Disney World, with some being more impactful than others. Holidays that include a long weekend—such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day—tend to bring increased crowds compared to surrounding weeks, though they are not overwhelmingly busy. However, holidays like Independence Day, Easter, and Thanksgiving see moderate to heavy crowds. The busiest time of year is the weeks before and during Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when the parks often reach maximum capacity, sometimes resulting in park closures. If you have flexibility in your travel dates, avoiding these peak holiday periods will help you experience lower crowd levels.
REGIONAL EVENTS
Several regional events across the country impact attendance at Walt Disney World:
- Mardi Gras (varies yearly between late January and early March) brings visitors from Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, states within a reasonable driving distance to Orlando. Some years see larger crowds than others, depending on the timing.
- Jersey Week (early November) occurs when New Jersey schools close for a break, leading to an uptick in visitors from the Northeast.
- Northeastern School Breaks (third weeks of February and April) bring many families from northern states to Florida for a warm-weather getaway.
- Spring Break (March-April) attracts local and regional travelers, making it one of the busier times of the year.
DISNEY EVENTS
Walt Disney World hosts numerous special events, festivals, and races that bring visitors from around the world.
- EPCOT Festivals: The International Food & Wine Festival (fall), Festival of the Holidays (winter), Festival of the Arts (winter), and Flower & Garden Festival (spring) draw in extra guests.
- Seasonal Events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (fall) and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (holiday season) bring added crowds to Magic Kingdom.
- runDisney Races: These highly anticipated events take place throughout the year, with race entries selling out quickly and attracting over 25,000 runners.
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Events: Cheerleading and athletic competitions occur throughout the year, bringing large groups of participants and their families
Want to plan your perfect Disney vacation? Whether you want to take part in the fun or avoid the busiest times, let a Love the Mouse Travel Agent help you choose the best time to visit!
Ready to start planning your magical vacation?
Fill out a no-obligation request form, and we’ll help you create a trip filled with pixie dust!
Calendar subject to change without notice.