Figuring out when to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, or the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, can be daunting. When your family visits may be determined by a multitude of factors, from your kids being out of school and paid time off to wanting to experience seasonal festivals and parties.
Even though top amusement parks for kids, like Disney World and Disneyland, really don’t have a “slow season” anymore, there are a few times each year when the theme parks are definitely slower and cheaper. So pack your Disney luggage and your best mouse ears. Here’s what you need to know about avoiding crowds at all the Disney parks in the U.S. in 2027.
The best times to visit Disney World in 2027
It may seem like the crowds at Disney World never calm down, but if you plan your vacation correctly, you can time your trip around fewer crowds, great weather, and discounts that add up quickly.
Looking for great weather? Mid-January through early April is the best time to go to Disney World
The middle of January through early April is the best time to visit Disney World if you’re looking for great weather. Temperatures generally range from the low 70s in January to the mid-80s by April. The summer humidity hasn’t set in yet, so the parks are more enjoyable from a weather standpoint. You’ll just need to watch for the pesky splash-and-dash showers that Florida is known for.
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Some school holidays, like Spring Break, are during this time, but cooler temperatures can make navigating a busy theme park less stressful. Disney also hosts some of its popular runDisney weekends during this time, so if you’re not participating, it’s best to avoid those weeks if possible. Other weekends where big crowds are present include Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.
Summer is the new “slow season”
While summer and theme parks used to go hand in hand, Walt Disney World is seeing a new “slow season” emerge in June, July, and early August. The hype of Memorial Day weekend has faded, and let’s face it, Orlando is hot hot during this stretch. If you’re willing to brave the heat in the theme parks, you may find lower crowds and wait times, but the trade-off is the summer sun. This is especially true of EPCOT, which doesn’t host one of its delightful festivals during this time, so the park feels, and likely is, more empty.
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If summer 2027 follows recent trends at Walt Disney World, summer will also bring some deals for families looking to save on their next Walt Disney World vacation. In 2026, families could take advantage of discounted hotel rooms and tickets, plus free entry into the Disney World water parks on your resort check-in day. All of this, combined with longer operating hours, can make a summer trip worth it for some families.
The best time to go to Disney World during the holidays is mid-November to early December
If you’re planning a family trip to enjoy the holiday festivities at Disney World, be aware that the closer you get to Christmas, the busier the parks will be. Planning your trip between mid-November and the first of December (skipping Thanksgiving) will ensure the holiday celebrations are in full swing, without the mass of people that come later in the 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 maxed out and always feel busy. If you absolutely must go during the holiday rush, consider making a priority list of things to do. Everyone in the family gets to pick at least one ride, show, or meal, and do those things first. Anything else you do outside 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 within driving distance on a California family vacation. Overall, the best time to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park is when kids are in school, but for more pinpointed seasons in 2027, keep reading.
Mid-January through mid-February is the best time to visit Disneyland for cheaper tickets
Mid- January through mid-February is one of my favorite times to go to Disneyland. Crowds are generally light, and the weather is cool (though you’ll want to pack a sweatshirt for early mornings and after sunset). Park hours might be shorter during this time, but that shouldn’t deter you from going. 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 surge.
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This time’s biggest benefit is the cheaper tickets. Disneyland is displaying its ticket price calendar through July 2027 (as of writing), and January and February have the most days at the lowest single-day ticket cost. Single-day, non-park hopper tickets start at $104 per day, per adult. From January 7 through February 25, 2027, 26 days have the lowest ticket cost. These can make a Disneyland vacation easier on your wallet. Another great way to save on your next Disneyland trip is to stay at an off-site Good Neighbor hotel.
Early May is another great time to visit Disneyland for great weather
Crowds do start to pick up at Disneyland around early May, but they aren’t unmanageable. 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.
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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Early December is a great time to experience the holidays at Disneyland. There will be light crowds, especially on nice weekends, but not unmanageable. The closer you get to Christmas, the bigger the crowds become.
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 still enjoy hanging out at one of the many restaurants or playing at their Disney World hotel pool.
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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 in May before Memorial Day.
Frequently asked questions about Disney crowds
1. Should I avoid three-day weekends?
This depends on what you’re looking to do at Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If your family wants a fun weekend away without riding every attraction, three-day weekends are great. You can enjoy everything your Disney resort offers, explore Disney Springs at Disney World or the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland, and of course, go to the parks. If you go in with the right mindset that it will be busy and you don’t need to do everything, 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. Make dining reservations in advance or plan to mobile order meals early in the day so you can eat when you want. Know how to make Lightning Lane reservations 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 slower times are often cheaper at both resorts. Hotel prices are lower also. You may also find you don’t need Lightning Lane Multi Pass (Disney’s paid skip-the-line service) every day if you’re willing to get up early and rope drop 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 in the morning, the afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers tend to drive people back to their hotels. If you don’t mind wearing a poncho or carrying an umbrella, this is a good time to ride some attractions with lower wait times. 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 how often you visit. 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 your family visits once every few years, you’ll likely need five or six days to see and do most of what Disney World offers. 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.
