Disney World: What's the Best Time of Year to Go?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

10 May 2007 11:30 AM

If you ask ten different people what's the best time of year to pay a call on Disney World, chances are you'd get ten different answers. I haven't had a chance to ask ten different people what their opinions are on the best time to go to Disney World, so I'll go ahead and just give you my opinion on when the best time to go to Disney World is.

Autumn in Orlando

You often hear about autumn in New York or a weekend in New England (yes, okay those are titles and I'm borrowing them shamelessly), but autumn in Orlando is my favorite time of year to go to Disney World. I've been there three times in autumn and the weather is always great that time of year. Yes, it may rain, but the rain is usually warm and you can still wander through the parks and enjoy many of the attractions despite the rain.

The temperatures are comfortable, but not excessively hot. Mornings can be cool and crisp with the heat of the day holding off until afternoon and then cooling down again by evening. I've never been to Disney World in the summer, but considering how hot it gets here in Texas - I'm not that eager to discover the temperature in the middle of summer in Florida.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Another great perk of going to Disney in the autumn includes attending the Magic Kingdom's special events such as the Not So Scary Halloween Party. Trust me, it's an experience to get all dressed up and trick or treat your way through the park as well as visiting the rides. I know there are other evening celebrations during other parts of the year - including the Christmas parties (November & December) and the Pirates and Princess party (that's coming in August). I'm reserving opinion on those.

What's your favorite time of year to go to Disney World? Please answer, I need at least ten different people to base my survey on!

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Pattie Hughes (7652) 10 May 2007 11:58 AM

I lived in Florida for 12 years and have been to Disney in every season. Late fall is nice, after Hurricane season and when temperatures have dropped. Winter is lovely, if you like sweater weather and sunny skies. Early spring is nice too, before the oppressive heat sets in. All that said, we are going in early June. Crazy, I know, but that's when the kids get out of school! Great blog, Heather!

Heather Long (16954) 10 May 2007 12:08 PM

Winter and spring sound wonderful, they are on my wish list for sure! Thanks for the response Pattie! Now I just need 9 more.

Lisa P (24013) 11 May 2007 07:46 AM

I used to work at Disney World, in their Central Reservations Office, and the Off Season is my favorite time to go because it is much less expensive to stay at the Disney resorts. Off Season is basically anytime when children would normally be in school: Fall (between Labor Day and Thanksgiving) and Winter (after New Year's but before Spring Breaks kick in). Anytime after Feb 1 and before Labor Day is pretty much considered High Season.

Heather Long (16954) 12 May 2007 06:08 AM

Off seasons sounds wonderful, thanks for the tips!

dsnydreamer (5) 17 Jun 2007 07:09 AM

We went to Disney World on our honeymoon the week of Easter, which is one of the busiest times. The lines for rides were averaging 30-90 minutes but we used FastPass and saved a lot of time. The parks were open later, which was great. We were at Magic Kingdom, riding Splash Mountain at 2 am in the morning. Last time we went to DW, we went in January-Value Season. The lines were about 15-30 min waits, which was awesome. But the parks closed early-sometimes 8PM. And our favorite rides, Splash Mountain, Test Track and Dinosaur were closed for refurbishing. Overall, I would say early spring was the best time.