10 Dates to Avoid the Orlando Airport in 2026

The winter months are the perfect time to start planning those Disney World and Universal Orlando vacations. You’ve probably already looked at things like your budget, hotels, and more, but you also have to consider how you’re getting to Orlando.

For most, that means flying into Orlando International Airport, but if you want to have the least stressful flight possible, you’ll want to avoid certain dates.

If you want to avoid crowds, chaos, and everything that comes with a super busy airport, you’ll want to try NOT to fly on these dates:

February 13th

President’s Day Weekend is usually packed at Disney World, which means people have traveled to get there, usually on the Friday before President’s Day so they can enjoy a long weekend. This year, that Friday is February 13th.

If you can fly in a little earlier, you might just save yourself some serious stress.

March 14th-22nd

It seems like almost everyone wants to travel to Disney World or Universal Orlando for Spring Break, and that’s part of the problem. The busiest Spring Break travel period this year is expected to be between March 14th and 22nd.

Spring Break Crowds in Hollywood Studios

Sure, the kids are out of school, which makes traveling easier, but if you can avoid it, we highly recommend skipping Disney World during Spring Break.

May 22nd

Memorial Day Weekend is also a very busy time in the parks, because so many people have a long three-day weekend. The busiest travel time for Memorial Day weekend is usually the Friday before the holiday. This year, that’s May 22nd.

If you MUST travel to Disney World for Memorial Day weekend, consider flying a little earlier to miss the worst of the airport crowds.

July 3rd

Likewise, the 4th of July weekend is also a busy one in Disney World and Universal Orlando, and this year, the 4th falls on a Saturday, so a lot of folks will be going to the airport on July 3rd, the day (and Friday) before.

If you plan on visiting this holiday in a theme park, consider flying in a little earlier.

July 5th

The day after the 4th is a Sunday, and with most people needing to be back to work that following Monday, they’ll be traveling back home on the 5th. So save yourself some hassle by taking that Monday off and traveling then instead.

September 4th

Another busy weekend is Labor Day Weekend, which is often the end of the busy summer travel season. So everyone wants to have one last hurrah in the theme parks. Most people fly on the Friday before, which is September 4th, this year.

November 26th

Thanksgiving weekend is the beginning of the holiday season in Disney World, and one of the busiest weekends of the YEAR for Orlando International Airport. Most people are flying the day before Thanksgiving.

Give yourself more time, take a longer vacation, and fly in a little earlier to avoid the stress at the airport.

November 29th

Those people who are visiting the parks for Thanksgiving weekend are often leaving on the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving, which is November 29th this year. Do yourself a favor and take that Monday off and fly back home then.

December 23rd

Christmas in Disney World? A lot of people love the idea, but don’t plan for the crowds that will be descending upon the airport on December 23rd to make that happen.

December 26th

The day after Christmas is also a huge travel day for airports, not just for people who are visiting the theme parks, but for those who are traveling back home after spending the holiday with family or friends.

So the best strategy is to fly earlier than December 23rd and later than December 26th.

If you’re going to fly this year, avoiding these days could take a lot of hassle and stress out of travel. Flying can already be pretty chaotic, so why add to it? We’ll keep giving you our best tips for Disney World and Universal Orlando, so check back with AllEars again soon for more.