Some of the most common questions we get asked are about avoiding crowds at Disney World. This question used to have a pretty simple, straightforward answer. However, more flexible work and school options have allowed families to vacation throughout the year instead of during distinct travel seasons. Now, determining the best time for your family to visit Disney World can be challenging. That’s why we’re here! In this post, we answer your questions about the least crowded time to visit Disney World and how to get the most out of your vacation.
When is Disney Least Crowded?
Disney doesn’t release official information on crowd levels throughout the year. However, a few things can help you figure out crowd levels during your visit. The most notable factor is ticket pricing. The “surge” pricing model Disney uses means guests pay more for tickets during peak seasons (such as Christmas or spring break) and less during slower seasons. Days with higher ticket prices are generally more crowded, and days with lower ticket prices are the least crowded. When planning your Walt Disney World vacation, look at the whole picture—not just anticipated crowd levels. You’ll want to consider your availability, hotel preferences, weather, and deals or promotions. These will help you decide the best time to visit Disney World.
What Month is Disney World Least Crowded?
September is consistently the least crowded month to visit Disney World. Specifically, the week after Labor Day through the end of September. September is a relatively slow month because most students in the US have just returned to school. It’s also peak hurricane season. However, September is one of the cheapest times to visit Disney, so it’s a great option if you’re on a limited budget.
Which Disney Park is the Least Crowded?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the least crowded and least expensive park to visit. This is consistent throughout the year. However, Animal Kingdom is an excellent park for adventure seekers, with amazing attractions like the Kilimanjaro Safari, Avatar: Flight of Passage, and Expedition Everest, along with entertainment like The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!. Animal Kingdom is also slated for new experiences in the next few years, which were announced at last year’s D23 event. These include Indiana Jones and Encanto-themed attractions.
Stay updated by joining our email list!
What Time of Year is Disney World Least Crowded?
The least crowded seasons at Disney World include:
- Late August — Mid-October (excluding Labor Day Weekend)
- Early January—Mid-February (excluding Martin Luther King, Jr. and Presidents Day weekends)
- The week after Easter—Mid-May
While these seasons are the least crowded, RunDisney marathons and sporting events like dance or cheer competitions will increase crowds on select days.
What is the Slowest Time of Day for Disney World?
The slowest time of day for the theme parks is within the first two hours of park opening. While many people get to the parks and bee-line to the biggest attractions like Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Flight of Passage, we recommend purchasing Individual Lightning Lanes for these must-do rides to skip the line. Instead of spending hours in the standby queue, you can spend that time riding attractions with relatively low wait times. If you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, you even get an extra 30 minutes to enjoy the parks and attractions!
You can also experience fewer crowds and shorter wait times during fireworks displays and parades. This is a great time to hop on an attraction or two.
What Days of the Week are Least Crowded at Disney?
You won’t notice a difference in crowds on any particular day of the week. However, you may experience fewer crowds on days when the parks close early for special events. For instance, there are typically fewer people at Magic Kingdom on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party dates. On these days, Magic Kingdom closes at 7 pm, and there are no fireworks or nighttime shows for day guests. Party guests can start to enter the park at 4 pm.
Can I Trust Crowd Calendars?
We don’t recommend planning your Disney vacation solely based on a crowd calendar. Crowd calendars are produced by third-party news sites and publications, which break down each week of the year with red, yellow, or green labels with anticipated park crowds. The calendars are the publication’s best guess of anticipated crowds based on last year’s attendance, special events, and ticket pricing. However, they are not official or affiliated with Disney (Disney doesn’t release this information to the public). Instead of planning your trip off of a crowd calendar, choose a time that makes the most sense for you and your family’s schedule, regardless of crowds.
When is the Best Time to Go to Disney World?
Crowds shouldn’t be the primary reason to choose when to visit Disney World. You will encounter crowds whenever you vacation, regardless of when. Choose when to visit Disney World based on your family’s schedule, budget, and travel preferences. Then, work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, like Wishing On A Star Travel®, to help you plan your dream Disney vacation. We’ll help you book your vacation package (including park tickets and a hotel stay), dining reservations, Lightning Lane passes, and more. With our guidance, you will enjoy your family vacation—even during the busiest times of the year. Plus, most of our services are free to you! Get your vacation quote to get started!
