Figuring out when to go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida or the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you want to go when the Anaheim and Orlando theme parks are the least crowded. After all, the one thing nobody likes at a theme park is a long line on a hot day. I always say that you can deal with the heat or the crowds, but never both.
Even though the top amusement parks for kids really don’t have a “slow season” anymore, there are a few times each year when the theme parks are definitely slower. During the slower times, visiting the Orlando and Anaheim parks (and the Disney water parks for that matter) is a lot easier due to the parks being less crowded. So pack your Disney luggage and your best pair of mouse ears: Here’s what you need to know about avoiding crowds at all the Disney parks in the U.S.
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The best time to visit Disney World to avoid crowds
It may seem like the crowds at Disney World never calm down, and what was once considered the off-season is now filled with new shows, festivals, and events. But there are still a few lighter-than-normal times to visit Disney World in Orlando.
1. Mid-January through mid-February is the best time to go to Disney World
The period from the middle of January to the middle of February is the least crowded time of the year to hit Disney’s Orlando theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, the latter of which is home to Disney’s Star Wars Land). Why is this the best time to go to Disney World and other Florida attractions? Because people are wrapping up holiday travel and trying to pay for all their holiday spending.
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From mid-January to mid-February, you’re most likely to encounter shorter lines for attractions. That said, the Disney World park hours are also a little shorter at this time of year. The best experience to see during this slow time is the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, which runs every year from January through the end of February. You’ll just want to watch out for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 8 through 12, 2025), which brings thousands of runners to Walt Disney World for a nearly weeklong event.
January 20 is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which brings in large crowds of locals and tourists thanks to schools being out. In February, the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend takes place, which brings the end of the less crowded days at the parks. The runDisney event is February 20 through 24.
2. The end of August through mid-November is another good time to visit Disney World
Yes, the late summer and early fall months are warmer than what’s ideal in Orlando, but the period between the end of August and the middle of November makes a great time to go to Disney. This is when kids are heading back to school after their summer vacations, and many families just aren’t thinking about family vacations again just yet.
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That said, there is one Disney park in Orlando you should avoid at this time of year if you don’t want to deal with crowds, and that’s EPCOT during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. Every day is busy during the festival, and even more so on the weekends. But that also leaves other parks, like Magic Kingdom, a little lighter on the crowds. And if you’re visiting during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, try to head to Magic Kingdom on a party night, even if you’re not going to the party itself. You’ll find fewer crowds and lower wait times for popular attractions thanks to the park closing early to regular guests.
3. Early December is the best time to go to Disney World during the holidays
If you’re planning a family trip to enjoy the beautiful holiday decorations and festivities at Disney World in December, be aware that the closer you get to Christmas the busier the parks become. Heading to Walt Disney World at the very beginning of December will ensure that all of the holiday celebrations are in full swing, but the crowds are light relative to the rest of the holiday season.
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Whatever you do, avoid the week of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. The parks are pretty maxed out with people, and always feel busy. If you absolutely must go during the busy holiday rush, consider making a priority list of things to do where everyone gets to pick at least one ride, show, or meal, and do those things first. Anything else you get done on top of the priority list is a bonus.
The best time to go to Disneyland to avoid crowds
Disneyland in Anaheim is a little different in terms of crowds than Disney World, especially since many of the visitors are locals or coming from within driving distance on a California family vacation. So, the best time to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park is when kids are in school.
1. Mid-January through mid-February is the best time to visit Disneyland
The middle of January through the middle of February is the perfect time to go to Disneyland. The crowds are genuinely light, the weather is nice, and even the hotels near Disneyland are less crowded. Park hours might be shorter during this time, but that shouldn’t deter you from going, especially since the lines will be shorter too. If you’re looking at an early spring vacation, expect Disneyland to come alive with fresh blooms on its iconic cherry blossom trees around the castle hub. Right around Valentine’s Day expect crowds to start to surge at the two parks since the weather starts to warm up.
2. Early May is another great time to visit Disneyland
The crowds do start to pick up at Disneyland around early May, but they aren’t unmanageable by any means. The closer you get to Memorial Day, though, the more crowded the Disney parks tend to get. Either way, the weather around this time is perfect for enjoying an entire day out without needing a break from the heat. You may just need a break from all of the walking you’ll be doing. If that’s the case, I suggest getting in line for the Animation Academy at Disney California Adventure and learning from a Disney artist how to draw some of your favorite characters.
3. Mid-September through mid-October also see smaller crowds at Disneyland
If Halloween is your favorite holiday then mid-September through mid-October is going to be the best time to go to Disneyland. The crowds aren’t nonexistent, but they also aren’t as bad as you’ll find during the summer months. Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have their own way of celebrating Halloween that are worth checking out.
Just like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, Disney California Adventure throws its own Halloween party called Oogie Boogie Bash. If you’re looking for lighter crowds at California Adventure go into the park on a party night since most people won’t want to waste a precious park day on shorter park operating times.
4. Early November through early December is the best time to visit Disneyland during the holiday season
There’s nothing like the holidays at Disneyland. The castle gets a magical dusting of snow, Main Street, U.S.A. is covered in garlands and lights, and even Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park gets a festive makeover.
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Except for the week of Thanksgiving, early November through early December is a great time to experience the holidays at Disneyland. The early part of December can bring some crowds, especially on nice weekends, but it’s similar to the smaller early May crowds. The closer you get to Christmas, the bigger the crowds become. Just be sure to avoid the crowds that come the first weekend of the holiday celebrations and over Thanksgiving week.
What’s the sweet spot for visiting Walt Disney World and Disneyland?
This is somewhat of a trick question because the answer is whenever you can! There’s always something new to do at both the Anaheim and Orlando parks, and even if the crowds are large, most people enjoy still hanging out at one of the many restaurants or playing at their Disney World hotel pool.
If I had to pick, though, the absolute perfect time to go to Walt Disney World is mid-January through mid-February, and the sweet spot for visiting Disneyland is mid-September through mid-October.
Frequently asked questions about Disney crowds:
1. Should I avoid three-day weekends?
This really depends on what you’re looking to do at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If you’re just looking for a fun weekend away without any sort of need to ride every attraction three-day weekends are great. You can enjoy all that your Disney resort has to offer, explore Disney Springs or the Downtown Disney District, and of course make your way into the parks. All of these areas are bound to be busy, but if you go in with the right mindset that it’s going to be busy and that’s okay with you then you’ll have a great time.
2. What if I can only visit when it’s supposed to be crowded?
I always say that a busy day at a Disney Park is better than a boring day at home. So if you can only visit when it’s supposed to be crowded that’s completely fine. Just walk into the parks knowing that it may be busy. Be sure to make your dining reservations in advance or plan to mobile order meals early in the day to be able to eat when you want to. Know how to make virtual queue reservations and Lightning Lanes before walking into the park. This will save you a lot of time. And if you’re looking to save money, consider staying at a Good Neighbor hotel at Walt Disney World or Disneyland.
3. Can avoiding crowds save my family money?
The short answer is yes, going to Walt Disney World or Disneyland during less crowded times can save your family money. Tickets during the slower times are often cheaper at both resorts, and hotel prices are lower also. You may also find that you don’t need to purchase Lightning Lane Multipass for every day of your trip if you’re willing to get up early and rope drop some of the more popular attractions.
4. Can the weather impact crowds?
Yes, especially at Walt Disney World during the rainy months from June through September. While the parks may be busy during the morning, the afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers tend to drive people out of the parks and back to their hotels. If you don’t mind wearing a poncho or carrying an umbrella, this can be a good time to ride some attractions with a lower wait time. Just know that outdoor rides will close temporarily if there is lightning in the area, so head for indoor rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or shows like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
5. How many days should I spend at Walt Disney World or Disneyland?
It depends on whether you visit frequently or not. I like to spend about three days at Disneyland because I don’t get to the California parks as often as I get to the Florida parks, and those three days give me plenty of time to see and do everything I want without feeling rushed.
Walt Disney World in Orlando is a whole different story. If you’re only going to visit once or twice every few years, you’ll likely need five or six days to see and do most of what Disney World has to offer. You could easily spend two days at Magic Kingdom alone and still not do everything during crowded times. That said, think about your budget and how you want to stretch it to get the most out of your time at Walt Disney World too.
