So you’ve officially decided you’re taking a Disney World vacation…but where do you start?!
One of the first things you’ll need to figure out is when you want to go to the parks. Some look forward to a summer getaway, while others are focused on avoiding the crowded times of the year. Many Disney World-goers will claim that January is the best time to go to Disney World based on weather and crowds. Specifically, people love to list January as one of the BEST times to visit Disney World since the “holiday crowds have gone home.” This statement couldn’t be further from the truth!Â
While yes, the majority of the Christmas holiday crowds have dispersed in January, the crowds don’t dissipate completely in January. While crowds and wait times are unpredictable and continue to surprise us now that things are going back to normal after COVID-19 closures, we have noticed some trends over the last few years. Let’s talk about it!
One of the busiest holidays at Disney World is New Year’s Eve when many people gather to ring in the New Year with fireworks shows in the parks. Many combine this holiday with their Christmas holiday trip, so a lot of the crowds don’t leave until well after the first of the year.
“So? We’ll just go the weekend after! School is still out for us, and the crowds will surely be gone by then.” Think again, friend. The first or weekend of January is typically reserved for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. Not only will the parks be filled with runners, but you’ll face transportation delays and road closures.
Okay, but the crowds have to get better after that, right? Wrong. Lots of families also take advantage of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend to head into the parks for a few days. There is usually a peak in crowds around this time as well.
As you can see, January isn’t the most ideal time to visit Disney World if you’re hoping to avoid dense crowds and calmer wait times. If you’re aiming for a Disney trip with short waits and low crowds, consider visiting in early May (between spring and summer break) or in early September (after schools are back in session.)
We’ll continue to provide you with all our best travel and Disney World tips, so make sure to stay tuned for more. Follow along to make sure you never miss a thing!
This Is the Perfect Amount of Time to Stay at Disney World
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What time of year is your favorite to visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Crowds are relevant to the situation and need, the best time to go is when you truly want and can go. A good plan can even make the most crowded of days work – just keep your expectations in perspective. Oh, yeah, and if you get frustrated don’t take it out on the other guests or cast members – the time you choose to go there is just that, your choice, not theirs.