The Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2022 and Beyond!

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2022 and Beyond!

The Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2022 and Beyond!

Are you trying to figure out the best time to visit Disney World in 2022 and beyond? There has never been a more important time to plan every aspect of your Walt Disney World vacation than in 2022. With the recent impacts of Covid-19, many families that made the difficult decision to postpone their Walt Disney World vacation are planning for a visit in 2022. These delayed vacations, plus the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebration, means we are sure to see increased crowd levels at Disney in 2022 and beyond.

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next vacation. This includes finding the best time to buy find the Walt Disney World tickets and book awesome Disney World packages!

So if you’re ready to pick the best time to visit Disney World in 2022 read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for our 2022 Disney World Crowd Calendar be sure to go straight to the link below. 

Disney World Crowd Calendar

When is The Best Time of Year to Visit Disney World in 2022?

There’s always a myriad of factors to consider when planning your trip to Orlando, but this year has its own unique set of curveballs. Operational updates to the parks have been made to protect guests health and safety. So while historically these dates and times are when Disney World is less crowded, keep in mind that crowds and wait times may be higher than we’re used to seeing. We anticipate things to go back to how they were once safety measures are relaxed. Be sure to check back here for updates!

The best time to visit Disney World in 2021

Bringing in more than 52 million guests each year, Walt Disney World is the single most visited vacation destination on the planet. With its ever-growing popularity, there is no “dead” time at Disney World anymore. However, there are certain times of the year where you’ll encounter much smaller crowds at Disney. 

• Jan. 11-18, 25-31
• Feb. 2-12
• Mar. 1-5
• Apr. 25-May.1
• May. 11-17
• Aug. 10-31
• All of September
• Oct 12-14, 19-21 (Keep in mind Disney World will be celebrating its 50th anniversary so we do expect crowds to be heavy the entire month)
• Nov. 15-19th (avoid Thanksgiving week)
• Dec. 1-5, 6-12 (minus the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

The best time to visit Disney World in 2022

Based on our data, the least crowded times to visit Disney World in 2022 will be the following.

• Jan. 5-8, Jan. 10-15, Jan 24-31
• Feb. 1-14, Feb. 22-28
• Mar. 1-6
• Apr. 25-May.1
• May. 8-15
• All of August
• All of September
• Oct. 1-7, 11-16, 18-22, 24-29
• Nov. 1-6, 8-10, 14-19 (avoid Thanksgiving week)
• Dec. 1-4, 6-11  (avoid Christmas and New Year’s Eve)

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Save up to three hours in the parks and up to 30% on select hotel rooms with The Park Prodigy! You can book your Walt Disney World vacation package with as little as $200 down! Request a no-obligation quote online or by calling our office at 407-630-8650.

Our team at the park prodigy has been grabbing data, a lot of data and we created our Disney World Crowd Calendar. Very simply it helps you avoid the large crowds, and spend more time having fun. So if reasonable wait times and a lesser chance of getting run over by a stroller is your idea of a picture-perfect Disney vacation, check out the dates below.

Our Favorite Time to Visit Disney World

So when is the best time of year to go to Disney World if you’re avoiding the crowds? Very simply the end of August – September is one of the least busy times at Disney World. We love this time of year for a few reasons. The first being that guests can also take advantage of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. The second being you can visit the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. The only downside to this time of year can be the weather, which is typically hot and humid.

The second best time of year to visit Disney World is early January – February. The period right after marathon weekend has historically proven to be some of the least crowded days at Disney World. This is also a great time of year to visit if weather is an important factor which we will cover later on in this post!
It’s important to note we still highly recommend making your top priority FastPass+ selections and Disney dining reservations.

Cheapest Time to go to Disney World

When is the best time to go to Disney based on budget? The cheapest time to visit Disney World is often very similar to the least crowded times we just discussed. These are August-September and late January-February. The only downside is if you’re traveling with kids, you might have to take them out of school for a more affordable vacation, but hey, we’re not judging! Very simply the general rule is the bigger the crowds the higher the prices, the lower the crowds the cheaper vacation you will book.

It’s important to note that we have seen shifts in large crowds from the summer months to the fall, specifically October and November. To make up for this, Disney has been running some great promotions during the summer months of June, July, and August. Be patient and always ask your Disney travel agent if there are any special deals coming up. This will allow you to save quite a bit of money on your room and Disney World Tickets.

Best Time to Visit Disney World 2022 Tips

Disney’s slow period begins right after the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend in early January, and Disney typically takes advantage of this time to refurbish some of its most popular attractions. So keep in mind that if you plan your Disney World vacation for January or February you may encounter a ride or two closed for maintenance, but nothing excessive. There have been some major additions to Walt Disney World over the past few years including Toy Story Land, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, and now the upgraded EPCOT.

Which Disney park is expected to be the least crowded in 2022?

There’s no sure answer, but our best guess is Epcot if there’s not a festival happening. This is because Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the smallest of the four parks, they typically fill up the fastest. Animal Kingdom is the largest park, so in theory, it should take longer to hit capacity each day. However, it’s also a staple park for families, especially with the addition of the Avatar Tree of Life section and ride. Most families visiting the Disney parks probably will not start with Epcot, so if you’re looking for a more relaxed day, this park may be your best bet. Again, remember that there really isn’t a “dead” park, and crowds are usually inevitable no matter which park you attend.

Special events

Special event pre-sales can be a great indicator of how busy Walt Disney World might be during any given week because they require an additional ticket – i.e. you can’t attend them if you’ve only purchased a standard park ticket. So if you see a special event sell out during a certain week or weeks, it’s a sign that Disney is expecting heavy crowds during this time. We saw this when the popular Disney After Hours Boo Bash event sold out for its first week and the last week of October. If tickets are a slightly lower price one day, then you can take that as a sign that crowds are anticipated to be smaller that day.

New attractions at Disney World in 2021 & 2022

It’s important to stay up to date on all of the newest attractions planned to open up in the fall 2021. This is especially true for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind, Ratatouille Remy’s Adventure, and the rumored nighttime parade coming to the Magic Kingdom.  We are still unsure of how new attractions will be impacted by the recent changes due to Covid-19. So keep an eye on all of the breaking news if you have your heart set on visiting Walt Disney World for a new attraction.

We should also note here that it’s important to remember that you’re not the only one who is eager to enjoy new Disney World attractions! Ride openings and re-openings often draw in an extra crowd and are something that park-goers often don’t consider before booking their trip. Don’t worry, you don’t have to keep up with everything Disney is working on in order to have the best possible experience – that’s our job! Chat with us here on The Park Prodigy website to be sure you choose the best time to visit Disney World on the budget that works for you.

Busiest Times at Disney World 2022

So now that we have covered the off-peak periods, let’s review the busier periods at Walt Disney World. We have found that the crowds are predictable and look to Disney World ticket prices to help us predict the busiest times at Disney World. Using this ticket data we have outlined the three worst times to visit Disney World based on crowds below.

• Spring Break (March-April)
• Thanksgiving week
• Christmas and New Years Eve

Spring break (March-April) is also a very busy time of year at Disney World. Very simply, if you are trying to avoid the most crowded months at Disney World, travel when the majority of the country’s schools are in session. However, if you can’t, don’t let the crowds discourage you from planning your trip. You should also take into consideration that the parks open earlier and close later… because who doesn’t want to run over to Space Mountain for one last ride after the fireworks?!

The truth is, you can still have a great time if your trip falls within these periods! With a little help from the My Disney Experience app, you can lock in your top priority FastPass+ attractions and make your must-do dining reservations far in advance to outsmart the crowds and make your experience much more manageable.

We understand families can’t always plan around the crowds and we still wanted to help! Weather you’re planning your next trip to experience the holidays at Disney or spring break you can use our WDW Crowd Calendar to optimize your budget as well. This option will allow you to plan around the most expensive days to visit and highlight the cheapest Disney Tickets for that month!

2022 Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World for Special Events

Disney hosts several special events which have grown in popularity over the past few years. These events include EPCOT Festival of the Arts, EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, EPCOT’S International Food and Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Although these events can attract large crowds, there are still some great times to visit if you plan correctly. Below is the best time to go to Walt Disney World during each special event:

• Festival of the Arts: Last two weeks of January – Early February
• Flower and Garden Festival: First two weekends in May
• International Food and Wine Festival: Entire month of September
• Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary: We recommend waiting until early 2022 as we do expect a rush early on in the celebration
• Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party: Last two weeks of August
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: First two weeks of December
• Festival of the Holidays: First two weeks of December

Many of these events offer a great chance for guests to eat and drink their way around EPCOT World showcase special events. For these reasons festival seasons are considered to be the best time for adults to go to Disney World. If you’re looking for an overview of all the special events coming up in 2021 be sure to check out our recent Walt Disney World special events blog post.

Best Time Based on Walt Disney World Weather

The best time of year to visit Disney World in terms of weather is probably between March and early May. Orlando is typically much warmer than the rest of the country year-round, as we covered in Orlando packing guide, you’ll definitely need a jacket during the months of November, December, January, and February.

March through early May is typically perfect t-shirt weather, which is why we consider them the best months to visit Disney World for the weather. Many don’t realize how much of a difference good weather can make a difference when touring the parks – especially families with young children – until they’ve experienced bad weather!

Worst time based on Disney World weather

Disney World weather is the worst from June to September because that is when Orlando gets the most rain. Be prepared for some afternoon storms that could potentially cause outdoor rides to temporarily close. Always pack an umbrella and/or rain jacket to bring with you.

Remember, Orlando summers aren’t just hot – they’re also incredibly humid, especially after some rain! Plus, August through October is hurricane season and can bring heavy wind and rainfall to the parks. If you’re visiting the theme parks during any of these months, be sure to check the predicted weather in our Disney Crowd Calendar to decide whether or not you’ll be able to take the heat.

How to deal with bad weather in Disney

There are certainly ways to prepare and conquer the parks during the hottest and most humid temperatures. Hydrate! Sealed, unopened bottles of water are permitted in the parks, so pack a backpack cooler! Plan for pit stops. Whether it’s stopping at Gaston’s Tavern for a sip of ‘LeFou’s Brew’ at the Magic Kingdom or stopping at Pizzafari for a Mandarin Orange Lemonade, there are plenty of air-conditioned areas to stop and cool off while sipping on something frosty. And lastly, plan on heading back to your Disney resort for a splash in the pool or a quick nap. Consider planning your FastPass+ options around a midday break!

We also outline which Disney World Resorts we feel are best for midday breaks based on location, transportation, and budget! Depending on what’s most important to you or your family (smaller crowds, budget pricing, weather, etc.), one thing’s for sure – there’s NEVER a bad time to go to Disney World! From large crowds to scorching temperatures, there are plenty of ways to plan around certain things that are out of your control. From locking in FastPass+ selections, to reserving those must-try dining locations and a whole lot more, you’re one step closer to creating memories that’ll last a lifetime!

The Best Month to Visit Disney World

So when is the best month to go to Disney World? We believe it’s September! You simply won’t find lower crowds and better deals then traveling to Disney World in September. Most families have already had their kids go back to schools which is the main factor behind the low crowds. On top of this we also love the fall events and the popular EPCOT Foot and Wine festival which takes place at EPCOT.

The best time to visit Disney World in January

So is January a good time to go to Disney World? Yes! In fact, January has some of the best weeks to visit Disney World, typically right after Disney’s Marathon weekend which is the first weekend of January. Those dates are January 11th -18th, and the 25th-31st.

If you are only planning on visiting Disney for a few days, the best individual park days based on crowd levels and theme park ticket prices are January 13th or January 14th. If you’re unable to travel during these weeks and you are still concerned with just how busy is Disney World in January you can always visit our Disney World Crowd Calendar.

There are a ton of advantages of visiting Walt Disney World in January which include the great weather, lower park crowds, and even cheaper Walt Disney World tickets. You and your family might even be able to take advantage of visiting the Magic Kingdom when it’s still decorated for Christmas depending on the week you visit.

The best time to visit Disney World in February

Just how busy is Disney World in February? The best weeks to go to Disney World are February 1-7, and 7-14th. However, the best time to go to Disney World in February based on individual days is the 9th and the 10th.

You’ll want to be sure to visit Walt Disney World before Presidents Day weekend if you are trying to avoid the crowds. Luckily, there are the same advantages as visiting in January such as great weather, lower park crowds, and discounted Walt Disney World tickets if you do.

If you and your family decide to visit later in the month you can check out EPCOT’S newest festival, the Festival of the Arts. Guests can also participate in one of the Run Disney half-princess half marathon events if they missed the full Walt Disney World marathon weekend. We do find that these events have made February one of the best times for adults to visit Disney World.

The best time to visit Disney World in March

If February didn’t work for you and your family, you’re probably wondering how busy is Disney World in March? Well, March is when we first start to see the weather get warmer and schools begin to go on breaks. So it’s usually a little more crowded than January and February, especially later into March, but it’s still considered off-peak. We find the best week to visit Disney World in March is the 1-7, and the 3rd and 4th if you are only planning on spending a day.

We find this month to be one of the best times to visit based on Disney World weather. This gives families a ton of flexibility as they can plan a few days by the pool of their favorite Disney hotel or even at a Disney water park. March also kicks off the beginning of one of our favorite festivals, the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. 

The best time to visit Disney World in April

If the crowds at Walt Disney World start to pick up in March, you might be wondering is April a bad time to go to Disney World? Our answer to that is there is never a bad time to go to Walt Disney World! However, if you want to avoid crowds as much as possible, we recommend the last week of the month, April 25th – May 1st. If you’re looking to go to Disney World for a day, try April 29th or 30th.

Visiting Disney World in April is very popular among families for a few reasons. The first it is another month when almost all schools with have a break which allows families to take advantage of a great vacation without taking their kids out of school. The second reason is there is so much to do including the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival, to the Disney water parks and nights at Disney Springs.

The temperature in Disney World is April is exactly what you would expect, with hot Florida days and enjoyable nights. You can still have an amazing Disney trip in April, just plan as much as you can using our Disney crowd calendar to avoid the April crowds at Disney World.

The best time to visit Disney World in May

So as school breaks start to officially wind down towards the end of April, your family might be wondering how busy is Disney in May? Historically, May has been a slower month compared to April and the summer months. If you’re picking a full week to travel we recommend the week of May 11th-17th, but if you are looking for the slowest time to go to Disney World for a day, try May 12th or 13th.

The middle of May has two of the best weeks to visit Disney throughout the entire year. This is because guests will have access to all of the attractions and water parks but enjoy lower crowds than March and April. Guests can also still take advantage of the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival. The only downside to visiting Walt Disney World in May is that this is when Florida temperatures start to go from warm to hot.

The best time to visit Disney World in June

The beginning of summer has historically been a very popular time to vacation, but is June a good time to visit Disney World? We’ll get into the pros and cons in a minute, but the best week to visit Disney World in June is the 1st-6th. We anticipate the best day to go to Disney World in June to be the 7th or 8th.

We’re going to start with a pro because truth be told, there are a lot of cons. June and July typically give families more flexibility to take longer trips since they don’t have to worry about school. As you can probably guess, the downside are the crowds. They typically start to pick up towards the end of June and lasts through early August. Plus, Florida temperatures are notoriously humid in the summer.

With all of that being said, summer vacations at Walt Disney World can still be a blast! Make sure to be prepared and plan your trip in advance if you are trying to avoid being out in the heat. You can always split your days up and take pool breaks.

The best time to visit Disney World in July

There are very few places in the country that celebrate the 4th of July like Walt Disney World! So when is the best time to visit Disney World in July? If you are planning a full week we recommend July 25th – 31st. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in July we recommend the 28th or 29th.

Guests will be able to enjoy specially themed fireworks at the Magic Kingdom for a few nights leading up to the 4th, and it has always been one of the most popular times to visit. With that being said,  one of the most interesting trends over the past few years has been more and more discounts in late July and early August than in years past. We believe this is due to people choosing to hit the beach to stay cool during those hot Florida months! For this reason, if you can grab a discounted Disney vacation package or Disney World tickets, this can be one of the cheapest times to visit Disney World.

The best time to visit Disney World in August

August has always been the best summer month to visit Disney World. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in August? If you are planning a full week, we recommend August 22nd – 28th. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in August, we recommend the 25th or 26th.

August has typically always been the calmest summer month as many of the schools in the southern part of the United States are back in session. Plus, Disney runs some amazing vacation deals. One of the coolest parts about August is also the fact that Disney allows you to get a head start on your Halloween celebration as the first Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place around August 13th.

The best time to visit Disney World in September

September is a great time to visit Disney World if you are looking for very low crowds. Schools throughout the entire country are now back in session and it is one of the cheapest times to visit Disney World. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in September? If you are planning a full week we recommend September 6th – 11th. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in September we recommend the 14th or 15th.

Just like in August, one of the coolest parts about visiting Disney in September is the fact that you can attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as well as the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Guest can also head over to Universal Orlando and attend one of the amazing Halloween Horror Nights events. You will also find the ticket prices for most events in the month of September to be cheaper.

September 2021 might be a uniquely great time to visit as we expect Disney World to have everything prepared for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary. However, the anniversary won’t begin until October 1st. This means guests visiting in September 2021 will be able to see all of the new upgrades and attractions Disney plans on releasing for the 50th-anniversary celebration without dealing with the crowds!

The best time to visit Disney World in October

Disney recently announced the start of its highly anticipated WDW 50th Anniversary celebration will begin on October 1st! This will for sure have an impact on the crowds visiting Disney World in October of 2021! So when is the best time to visit Disney World in October? If you are planning a full week we recommend October 4th – 10th. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in October, we recommend the 14th or 15th. Crowds can pick up based on the time of the month you visit, and you will want to avoid Columbus day weekend if possible.

October is one of my favorite times of year to visit Disney World as it is the perfect mix between warm Florida days and cool nights. This will allow you to take advantage of afternoon breaks by the pool or visiting a Disney water park.Just like in September one of the coolest parts about visiting Disney in the fall is the fact that you can attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party as well as the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Guest can also head over to Universal Orlando and attend one of the amazing Halloween Horror Nights events.

The best time to visit Disney World in November

Crowds are consistent all month long and really pick up the week of Thanksgiving. So when is the best time to visit Disney World in November? If you are planning a full week we recommend November 1st – 7th. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in November we recommend the 10th or 11th.

One of the coolest things about visiting Walt Disney World in November is you can attend both a Halloween Party and a Christmas party in the same week if you plan it right! Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is held on November 1st and the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is being held on November 8th. Depending on the week you visit, you can also attend the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.

Just like October, this is another great month to visit Disney World as it is the perfect mix between warm Florida days and cool nights. The only downside is depending on the time of the month you visit it might be too chilly to hang by the pool.

The best time to visit Disney World in December

There simply is nothing like visiting Disney World during the most wonderful time of the year! But when is the best time to visit Disney World in December? If you are planning a full week we recommend December 1st – 8th. If you are only visiting Disney for one or two days in December we recommend the 7th or 8th.

As discussed, crowds are consistent throughout the first two weeks, and continue to get worse as you get closer to the Holiday. The closer you visit towards the beginning of the month, the better. This is because many schools are still in session and crowds will still be moderate. Almost every aspect of Walt Disney World is decorated by the first week of December as well!

How to Book Your Walt Disney World Vacation

There has never been a time where it’s been so important to book your Disney World vacation with a park expert. With changes happening at a rapid pace, it’s important to book your vacation with someone who will guide you through the entire process and answer any questions along the way. When you book your Walt Disney World vacation with The Park Prodigy, it includes our services absolutely FREE!

Once we plan the perfect itinerary for you, you’ll pay just $200 down to hold your vacation package. Final payment is due 30 days prior to arrival and payment plans are available. Plus our travel agents will take all of the hassle out of it if you do have to rebook or cancel your trip for any reason. To get started you can request a no-obligation Disney World vacation quote online or by calling one of our travel experts at 407-630-8650.

If you’re not in need of a package but would still like to take advantage of our amazing benefits be sure to check out our Walt Disney World Tickets. All Park Prodigy customers will automatically save when compared to purchasing at the park gates!

Does it Cost More to Book with The Park Prodigy? 

Nope! With so many added benefits, you might expect to pay more by booking with The Park Prodigy, but it’s actually the opposite. Booking with The Park Prodigy is easy, and we have made it our goal to help save families time and money on their next vacation. There are no fees to use our vacation planning services, and all of our vacation planners are Disney enthusiasts who will give their unbiased opinion. Get started today by calling us at 407- 630-8650.

Finding The Best Time to Visit Disney World

Our Disney Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning, we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.

Last but not least if you’re also planning a trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out the best time to visit Universal Studios and our Universal Orlando Tickets! All Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets come with Universal Studios Early Park Admission.

Are you planning on visiting Walt Disney World, or have you visited in the past? If so, would you like to share your experiences and tips or ask us any questions at The Park Prodigy? Hearing your feedback and helping with your questions is not only our goal but will help other readers! Please leave your thoughts and questions in the comments!