Many guests planning their visit to Disney World have the same question in mind: when is the best time to visit the parks? The answer to this question is complicated because there is no perfect time to visit Disney World. Some guests might prefer certain times of the year over others, but the true answer to the best time to visit the parks is simply: whenever you are able to. For some guests this might been traveling during school breaks. Winter Break is a popular time to visit Disney World, and many guests prefer to visit December-February because the weather is more mild and less hot. Visiting Disney in the winter can be a magical experience. Here are some of our best tips for those visiting Disney World during the winter.
Avoid Holidays
Traveling to Disney during the winter is a great idea and many guests prefer spending the cold months in Florida! However, as a general rule of thumb for doing Disney in the winter it is advised to avoid holidays. Typically, the closer you get to a holiday the more crowded the parks become. Magic Kingdom has even been known to hit capacity during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, with New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day filling up quickly as well. Other winter holidays to avoid is MLK Day and President’s Day, as many local residents have these days off work and flock to the parks.
Pack Layers and Options
Weather in central Florida during the winter can be quite unpredictable! It can be cold or chilly in the mornings but by the late afternoon it could be extremely hot. Because of this, guests should pack layers of clothing with them and several options. Jackets and gloves for the brisk mornings, but t-shirts and shorts for the hot afternoons. Even though the forecast might be predicting stable weather, this can change quite quickly in Florida so it is best to just come prepared.
Wear Sunscreen
The weather can be deceiving! Even if it is cold or chilly during your visit you should still remember to wear your sunscreen. You will be outside for most of the day during your Disney vacation and the sun is still shining whether it feels hot outside or not. Don’t let yourself or your family get a winter sunburn!
Expect Crowds
Even if you aren’t traveling near a holiday or are arriving during “off season” you should still expect crowds. It is rare for Disney World to not be crowded anymore. Come prepared for your winter trip by purchasing Lightning Lane Multi-pass, and making Advance Dining Reservations as soon as you are able to.
Look Into Events and Festivals
There are many events and festivals that occur during winter at Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios occur on select nights throughout November and December. These are special ticketed events that require a reservation and separate admission. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays occurs during November and December and is included with the cost of admission, as well as EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts during January and February.
Have you ever visited Disney World during the winter? When is your favorite time to visit the parks? We want to hear from you in the comments below!
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Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Megan Woodard
Contributing Writer
Megan was born into a Disney family. Her first trip to Disney World was when she was only 18 months old. Now as an adult, Megan loves to share the magic of Disney with her family. Keeping up with Disney news and Disney World knowledge is a fun hobby for Megan. Disney World is her favorite place to be and continuously brings back her childhood joy.
