undercover tourist disney calendar

2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar

These free 2024 Walt Disney World crowd calendars rate dates so you can choose best weeks to go & avoid the worst, skipping long lines and high wait times. We cover seasonal events, weather, park hours, Orlando travel trends, and factors impacting when to visit Florida’s theme parks. (Updated April 1, 2024 .)

Three months are in the books on 2024, and it’s already been a weird year for Walt Disney World crowds. Wait times have increased year-over-year so far in 2024, reversing monthly declines that occurred in the last 11 months of 2023. Although January, February and March 2024 all had higher average wait times than the same months last year, it hasn’t been an across-the-board increase. Some days and weeks have been slower, with Orange County’s Spring Break–which was downright dead–being a prime example.

This honestly was not what we expected. As a whole, our 2024 Walt Disney World crowds forecast was for pent-up demand to continue exhausting itself, a process that had not yet fully played out as of the end of last year. As such, we expected crowd levels to drop slightly through at least the first half of 2024. Instead, the opposite is happening. In What’s Causing Higher Crowds at Walt Disney World in 2024? , we theorize about the why  of that, with discussion of various factors that have led to ‘re-revenge travel’ this year.

Regardless of whether crowds increase or decrease for the remainder of 2024 as compared to last year, you should be prepared for high wait times by historical standards. This year likely won’t be on par with the stratospheric heights reached in 2022 ( due to a unique set of circumstances that’ll hopefully never be repeated ), but it’ll still higher than any year between 2014 and 2019.

Even amidst last year’s “slowdown” at Walt Disney World, average wait times still reached 2018 levels. This year is shaping up to be, at minimum, a repeat of 2019 and much busier than 2020-2021. This is key context since wait times in 2019 were almost 10 minutes higher on average than any year before 2017.

In other words, your frame of reference matters. Walt Disney World is still very crowded by historical standards. We expect this trend to continue throughout 2024 and the parks to be busier than they were 6+ years ago, even if crowd levels don’t hit the record-setting peaks from 2022.

Part of Walt Disney World has seen a rebound in crowd levels thus far in 2024 is due to discounting, especially on park tickets. Walt Disney World releasing tons of different discounts for 2024 . Deals are better than the last two years and are coming out earlier, and the end result is that it’s actually less expensive to visit Walt Disney World now than it was in the last two years. Beyond that, the company is pulling more “levers” in an attempt to entice guests to return, and a lot of them appear to be working.

The next three months are a roller coaster of crowd levels that include both some of the slowest dates and also some of the busiest weeks of the entire year. Post-Easter, Walt Disney World has entered the second half of Spring Break, which (unsurprisingly) should be busy.

After that, “shoulder season” arrives. That was one of the slowest 6-week stretches of last year, but we expect late April and May 2024 to be busier. That’s in large part due to the aforementioned ticket deals, which are being offered to both Florida residents and the general public. There’s also the completed overhaul of EPCOT, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening in June 2024, and new summer offerings designed to lure people to the parks.

If you’re looking for a convenient resource for planning a weeklong or so vacation to Walt Disney World and want to know when to visit or avoid based on crowds & congestion, weather, special events, and more–check out our list of the 10 Best and 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2024 & 2025 .

Note that crowd levels are calculated on a rolling basis relative to the prior 365 days. They are not anchored to 1971 or 1993 or 2008 wait times. In other words, a 1/10 today is not the same as a 1/10 in September 2012 or October 2015. Today’s 1/10 might be closer to a 5/10 from five years ago.

Pretty much every single day in 2024 would be 10/10 if we used 2008 or earlier as the baseline. If you last experienced Walt Disney World several years ago, your baseline expectations and experience probably differ from someone who visited over holiday weeks in 2022 when pent-up demand was running hot.

Not only that, but a ‘low’ crowd levels does not mean that in absolute terms. Even on 1/10 days, the parks will not be ghost towns allowing you to do snow angels on the ground. You will see rides with 60-90 minute posted wait times. You will encounter areas of congestion. “Uncrowded” at Walt Disney World means something different than it does at the American Dream Mall or Wyoming in  The Last of Us.  The most popular rides, especially during the middle of the day, will still have long lines.

For example, going from a 10/10 crowd level to a 1/10 crowd level means you might encounter a 65-75 minute average wait time for popular rides–including but not limited to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Slinky Dog Dash, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, Na’vi River Journey and Avatar Flight of Passage–as opposed to 90+ minute wait times. Those numbers are averages, so it also means higher peaks and lower lows. Below-average crowd levels does not mean every ride is a walk-on!

We’re not trying to be debbie downers. Our goal is to provide  realistic  expectations and preparation for crowds. And if you read reports of the parks being empty, ghost towns, or dead…well, you might have be surprised to encounter “only” an hour wait time for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. (Yes, that’s a lot of waiting–but that posted wait time is also inflated and still far lower than it’d be during peak season.)

Point being, there are still definitely big differences in crowd levels, and you should plan accordingly. No matter how hard Disney might try, there are certain times that travel is slower. School schedules, weather, seasonal festivities, youth sporting events, conventions, and other factors all play a huge role in crowd levels at Walt Disney World.

If all of this sounds overwhelming or imprecise, the good news is that it’s entirely possible to beat bad crowds. In fact, we recommend savvy strategy over choosing the “best” days to visit!

By utilizing Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, rope drop, etc. We cover the best & worst approach for each park in Best Time-Saving Strategies for Walt Disney World . (If you’re only going to read one planning post, make it that!)

If you want to read a few more posts–all more useful than crowd calendars–be sure to also check out our Walt Disney World Itineraries   for plans of attack, with options now with and without Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.

Speaking of which, we have a ~4,500 word   Guide to Genie+ at Walt Disney World & Lightning Lane FAQ  for those who want to thoroughly master the new paid FastPass system.

Honestly, following a good itinerary and utilizing smart strategy is way more important than choosing the “right” dates. There are some exceptions to this, such as going on December 29, 2024 instead of September 6, but by and large, using smart strategy will put you in a better position than picking the least-busy days and doing zero strategizing.

Ideally, you’d opt for a best of both worlds approach–choosing good dates  as well as  utilizing savvy strategy, but that’s not always possible. After all, there’s a reason most families visit Walt Disney World during school breaks. If you don’t have any choice but to travel during busier dates, you can still beat the crowds.

With that said, here are more detailed suggestions for when you should and shouldn’t visit Walt Disney World…

2024 Disney World Crowd Calendars

If you’ve already narrowed down a season or range of dates during which you want to visit Walt Disney World, we’d recommend forgoing the remainder of this post. Instead, refer to our individual monthly guides, which offer free crowd calendars and cover weather, seasonal events, refurbishments, and what’s new & next.

These 2024 Walt Disney World crowd calendars offer more granular details for each specific month. We’d suggest reading all months for the time of year you’re considering. For example, if you’re thinking of a summer vacation, read the May through August monthly guides; if you’re considering Christmas, consult both November and December.

• January Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• February Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• March Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• April 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• May 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• June 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• July 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• August 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• September 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• October 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• November 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info
• December 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar & Info

These Walt Disney World crowd calendars are most reliable about 6 months in advance. It’s still too early to make reliable predictions for next summer and beyond. With that said, some of the same general patterns play out year in and out, so later months are useful for broader weekly trends–rather than specific dates to visit.

For these crowd calendars, we combine normal data like wait times and other info that serves as a proxy for crowds with our in-person observations and anecdotal experiences. From all of this, we’ve learned to spot patterns and notice things about wait times and attendance at Walt Disney World, which we share with you in our crowd calendars.

Note that the above crowd calendars do not, for the most part, offer park by park crowd levels. On a calendar day basis, that’s far too granular and no longer possible to predict. However, we’d direct you to Best & Worst Days to Do All Parks at Walt Disney World for advice on choosing which day to do each park. Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT typically follow patterns and picking the right (and avoiding the wrong) days can make a big difference, no matter what time of year (uncrowded or crowded) that you visit.

Having a little knowledge about the ebb and flow of attendance throughout the day will also prepare you to avoid crowds and zig when others zag. Some parks and attractions see visitor numbers and lines spike during certain parts of the day, and it’s important to understand the why of this, so you can plan around the peak crowds.

This isn’t to say that there’s no way to avoid the crowds anymore–there absolutely is–and crowd calendars will help with that. The slower dates are still noticeably slower than the busier dates. All we’re saying is that crowd calendars are not some ‘magic bullet’ that you can use without doing any other research to have a great trip, walking onto every attraction. Over-reliance on Walt Disney World crowd calendars (including ours!) will lead to disappointment.

If you’re trying to determine when to visit, we recommend starting by choosing seasonal events and the type of weather that appeal most to you, and then narrowing your dates within those broad parameters based on what crowd calendars identify as the best and first weeks to visit. Walt Disney World crowd calendars are still a useful tool, but they’re not a planning panacea.

Choosing which days to visit Walt Disney World is just one aspect of planning a trip. To make sure you tackle everything, make sure you read our Guide to Planning a Walt Disney World Trip , which covers all of the essentials. With that said, here’s what else to consider…

If weather is an important consideration, we highly recommend heading down from in late September, October, early November, late February, March, or April. Those are ideal  from a weather perspective. That is, assuming you want more temperate weather, rather than extreme heat and humidity or more cold weather. If you like your clothes drenched in sweat from high temperatures, May until late-August are the perfect times for you to visit.

Late summer and early fall are the height of hurricane and storm season, which have become increasingly relevant. We highly recommend consulting our Visiting Walt Disney World During Storm Season article before booking a trip this time of year. The best case scenario is navigating the afternoon showers without them putting too much of a damper on your trip. Worst case, an approaching hurricane forces you to cancel your trip or be at Walt Disney World while the parks close due to the storm.

If you must visit between the late spring through early fall, just remember to pack accordingly, bringing the Frogg Toggs for the humidity…and ponchos for the rain so you don’t spend $179 on them at Walt Disney World. Read our Unique Disney World Packing List for some items you might not otherwise think of taking.

While early December and January are great times to visit to avoid crowds, our experience has been that these are the worst two months in terms of weather. Not only does it get extremely cold (well, relatively speaking–it is Florida after all), but there are substantial swings in temperature. You might find yourself wanting to wear shorts in the morning but by late afternoon it is jeans and sweatshirt weather. As the night rolls on, you might even find yourself wanting to put on a parka.

If you travel during these seasons, expect to bring more luggage and make more stops at your room to change clothing (or at least plan on renting a locker to store additional layers of clothing each day). You may be lucky and find relatively consistent temperate weather during these timeframes, but it’s best to prepare for the worst so that you don’t have to purchase a bunch of $50 sweatshirts from the Emporium on Main Street. Those $50 sweatshirts can add up quickly! Check out our Winter Packing Tips for Disney post for more insight on what to take on your winter trip to Walt Disney World.

In talking to others, we’ve found that this is the one area that people consider the least when planning their trips, which we think is at least a small mistake. It’s important to note up front that, typically, less busy seasons have shorter park hours and busier times have longer park hours.

It thus stands to reason that you can basically get the same amount done in a shorter day during a less busy time than you could during a busier time. However, this isn’t always true. If you use an efficient touring plan (see our Itineraries for Walt Disney World ), you have a good chance of getting more done during a busier time of year than during a slower stretch.

This is especially true if you get to the park early and stay late. Sometimes during especially busy times, Magic Kingdom will open at 8 am and will close at 11 pm. While we’ve taken advantage of these hours without taking a break during the day, we realize some of you are mere mortals.

A great strategy to employ during days with operating hours such as these is to get to the park shortly before opening, stay until around 11 a.m., go back to your resort to nap or relax, and return around dinner time to stay until park close. Regardless of the time of year, the parks will always be fairly slow during the first couple operational hours, and will always be fairly deserted late at night. Ride as much as you can early in the day and do less popular attractions as the day wears on.

Similarly, park hours should be taken into account based upon your sleep habits. If you’re a late-to-rise night owl, the Fall and late Winter/early Spring months may be a bad idea, as these entail many early closing times. If you’re not going to get to the parks until noon anyway, your day might be only 7 hours or so.

Conversely, if you wake up early and generally call it a day by 5 or 7 pm or so, those midnight closings aren’t going to do you any good. Make sure you check Disney’s park hours calendar when planning your trip. It’s important to note that this calendar is often inaccurate far in advance (Disney posts hours conservatively, then extends them as bookings increase).

Special Events

This is a big one for us, as we’ve been to Walt Disney World so many times that it’s nice to visit during different times of year to keep things varied. Even if it’s your first visit to Walt Disney World, if you have particular interests, you might want to consider planning your trip around these special events. The schedules for these varies, as does the price (if any), so please consult the respective page for each event when doing your planning and budgeting.

Halloween and Christmas events in the Magic Kingdom are separately ticketed, meaning you can’t use your standard park tickets for them. Unlike regular park tickets, you also can’t purchase these tickets at a discount from authorized vendors ( which can save you a lot of money on regular tickets ). Despite this, both events are a ton of fun and well worth experiencing. As you can read in our Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World , it’s our favorite time to visit the parks!

We’ve written tips & tricks for almost every seasonal event at Walt Disney World , because most aren’t simply a matter of “show up, have fun.” We encourage you to click these links (they will open in a new tab) and read the guides. Like all things Walt Disney World-related, you’ll have a much better time and see more that the event has to offer if you do some advance planning…

• Walt Disney World Marathon   – The flagship runDisney race weekend is held in early January, usually the weekend after New Year’s. It typically occurs while schools are still out for winter break, effectively extending the holiday season crowds into early January.
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – This is one of the highlights of January and February at Walt Disney World for us. Truly captures the essence of old school EPCOT Center.
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival – Our Guide to the Flower & Garden Festival. We think this is one of the most underrated events at Walt Disney World. Epcot looks so beautiful in full bloom.
• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival – Beginning in late summer, this is EPCOT’s flagship culinary event. Want to know what to do–and more importantly what NOT to do? Read our guide. It’ll give you an idea of what’s not worth the money, and what is worth doing.
• 2024 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom – Possibly more than any other special event at Walt Disney World, you need to do advance planning for this. Character meet & greets can form hour-plus long waits, and there’s so much to do that you can’t accomplish everything in one party. We highly recommend reading this guide!
• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival – Same as above usually continues through mid to late November.
• 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom – Read this post for our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tips & tricks, including what to do and when to do it at the party.
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays – This expanded event now features food, Holiday Storytellers in the World Showcase, and other entertainment.
• Candlelight Processional at Epcot – Here we cover whether you should do the dinner package, along with a list of the narrators, and some photos from recent Candlelight Processionals we’ve attended.

School Schedules

If school schedules are something around which you must plan, chances are you’re going to go during one of the busier (or at least not one of the least busy) times of the year. School schedules are the paramount consideration for many other families planning trips, too.

It may seem convenient to visit during one of the ‘holidays’ your kids have off from school, but it’s important to consider whether other schools have these same dates off, as well. Of the traditional school holidays, only Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are good times to visit.

Because most schools have the week before Christmas until the shortly after New Year’s off, this is an especially crowded window to visit. Likewise, the same goes for President’s Day weekend, Easter week, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day week, Veterans Day week, the entirety of the Summer, and Thanksgiving week.

Although schools do vary their Spring Break schedules, don’t expect the parks to be any less busy because of staggered Spring Breaks. Mid-March until mid-April are also incredibly busy dates for the parks because of Spring Breaks, with the two weeks abutting Easter being the absolute worst (since most schools still use Easter as a proxy for Spring Break).

Some people don’t have many other options, so it’s going during a school break or nothing. If so, it’s not the end of the world. As we’ve stressed above, crowd calendars are not as important as they used to be. Simply pack your patience and have a good touring plan (which is far more important than choosing dates based upon a crowd calendar, anyway). For help with this, refer to our Free Walt Disney World Park Itineraries & Touring Plans . We have the perfect strategy for fun, efficient, and memorable days in the parks!

If you don’t have kids or aren’t otherwise forced to travel around holidays or traditional vacation periods, we’d highly recommend avoiding them. Not because we have anything against kids, but because crowds and prices will be higher during these breaks. Plan around them and save both time and money! As we often say, pack your patience and arm yourself with savvy strategy if you’re visiting Walt Disney World and you’ll do just fine, regardless of crowds.

If you are unsure of when visiting Walt Disney World might be best for you–or need personalized help with any aspect of your trip from hotels to the Disney Dining Plan and more–we recommend contacting a no fee “Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” (basically, Disney’s term for a travel agent) to get a quote and to help you plan. They get their commission from Disney, so none of the authorized (key word) planners will charge you for booking their trip and helping. Here’s one such Authorized Disney Vacation Planner that we recommend!

Hopefully this is a valuable primer to help you choose when you want to visit Walt Disney World. Figuring out when to visit is an important first step, but there’s much more to know. You’ll also want to read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post to buy the cheapest tickets from legitimate sources. To figure out where to stay, our Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews page is a great resource. Want to know where to eat or if the Disney Dining Plan is right for you? Our Walt Disney World Dining Resources will help! For lots of other Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide .

Your Thoughts

Visiting Walt Disney World during the best dates to avoid crowds is probably one of the most important aspects of trip planning. What season, month, or week do you generally visit WDW? Do you visit at times when you know crowds will be light, or do you visit when school is out of session? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

I’m trying to reconcile the statement on this page, “Honestly, following a good itinerary and utilizing smart strategy is way more important than choosing the ‘right’ dates,” with a seemingly opposite statement at https://www.disneytouristblog.com/genie-plus-versus-standby-strategy-disney-world/ : “Less than 4/10 and, frankly, you don’t need much strategy at all.”

Can you clarify the relative importance of strategy versus date selection?

Hi First of all congratulations on your growing family and thank you for all your wonderful information. Since more extra disney after hours have been added to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, I am not sure whether it is better or not to go to these parks on those select days if I am staying off site so I don’t have early entrance in the morning and I am not planning on paying for the extra hours. I know you have been reporting changes in the 2024 crowds but using past experience, what do you usually recommend for these nights? I know I read something you had previously written but since it didn’t impact me at the time I kind of skimmed over it and now can’t find it. Thank you again for all you do for Disney guests.

Hello. How’s the crowd in MK during Memorial Day? Thank you

SWORE last year was my final time after battling end of January crowds….but now after reading here i decided ..OK i will go back on my favorite time….first week of December……seems everyone else read your posting here….our old faithful FRENCH Qtr is BOOKED……..UGHHHHHHHH……

We were at Epcot, Disney Springs, and Universal last week. We were also at Disney the exact same week in ’23. The crowds we’re definitely bigger, with the most noticeable difference being significantly more foreign language speakers this year. I would guess international guest numbers are up a lot!

Thanks for the analysis, Tom. Do you have any plans to update your days-of-the-week schedule given some of the surprising data in the first three months?

Yes to this, please! (Also, I live by your Genie+ priority rankings, Tom. Thanks for continuing to keep those up to date.)

I last updated that post ( https://www.disneytouristblog.com/best-worst-days-week-visit-every-park-disney-world/ ) in mid-February and made a note about evolving trends with Saturday and Sunday.

I’m waiting for the new ticket deals to get going for a few weeks before drawing any further conclusions. I think that will tell us a lot, but it’s still too early for that.

Next crowd resource update is on the best & worst weeks to visit.

Are we really talking about unexpected crowds, or just increased wait times as a result of WDW trying to drive Genie+/ILL sales by operating attractions with less capacity and less adequate staffing than in the past (thus driving up wait times on purpose)? Now that WDW is financially incentivized to make wait times longer instead of shorter, I don’t think wait times are still a reliable shorthand way to estimate or compare crowd levels.

How do we think the dance competition crowds on the weekend of 02/03 along with the pro bowl happening in downtown Orlando that same weekend will affect the crowds at the parks ?

Could be wrong because it’s unprecedented, but I don’t think the NFL Pro Bowl will have any impact whatsoever on Walt Disney World. I don’t see much demographic overlap between the two.

If anything, I could see a scenario where demand for the Pro Bowl spikes hotel and airfare prices enough that it discourages winter weekend getaways to WDW at a time when they’re otherwise fairly popular.

I’m prepared to be totally wrong about any/all of this since we don’t have past precedent for it…but that’s what my gut says.

Tom, I went to the November 2024 link, but it still has 2023 info. I know the first half of the article is obviously generalized and still fits, but any updates for the second half?

Thanks for the heads up on that. Did you have that same issue with the other links or did you only try that one?

I had just updated the late (October-December) month crowd calendars for 2024, so it’s possible the page cache just hadn’t cleared. I’ve now manually done that, so you *should* see the updated pages now even if you weren’t before. Please let me know if there’s still an issue. Sorry about that!

Other links, like the Best and Worst Weeks, were fine! I’m very excited, we are booked for the prime week, December 1-8, 2024!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Disney World Crowd Calendar

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar helps you find the best times to visit Disney’s theme parks in 2024 and 2025. Lower crowd levels mean less time waiting in line and more time enjoying your vacation. Walt Disney World crowds fluctuate throughout the year, so it’s really important to choose your dates carefully.

We’ve designed our crowd calendar to show you just how crowded Disney’s theme parks will be each day of the calendar year.  We predict Disney’s theme park attendance for the next 12 months so that you’ll be able to narrow down the months, weeks, and days of your next vacation. Our Disney crowd calendar updates on a monthly basis and currently features the remainder of 2024 and portions of 2025. Check back frequently!

How do we forecast the crowds at Disney World? Our methodology tracks past attendance data in order to predict future crowds at Disney’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Hopefully, these estimates will help you focus on the dates that best suit your Disney vacation goals in the coming year. So let’s begin!

Want Free Help Deciding When To Travel? Get Personalized advice from Our Favorite Disney Travel Agency!

• Magic Kingdom » [3]
• Epcot » [4]
• Hollywood Studios » [4]
• Animal Kingdom » [4]
• Animal Kingdom » [3]
• Epcot » [3]

Calendar updated through May 2025

* Guests ages three and up with certain ticket types may be required to have a park reservation in addition to valid admission for the same park.

** Advance Dining Reservations become available to book starting at 6 AM on the date indicated.

***  COVID-19: Face coverings are optional for Guests, but are not allowed while Guests are in the water or on water slides.

The Disney World Crowd Calendar provides information on crowd sizes, updated information regarding the average daily temperature ranges for Orlando, and when you are eligible to make your Advance Dining Reservations. Let’s review some background information so that you understand how our crowd calendar is organized.

We trust the Travel Agents at  The Vacationeer  for all of our Disney travel planning needs. 

We hope you’ll consider working with them too, what is a crowd calendar.

The best time to go to Disney World depends on many factors, including the weather, which time period fits into your busy schedule, and, of course, how crowded the theme parks will be. After all, who likes waiting in long lines when you could be enjoying the rides?

Crowd calendars predict how busy a theme park will be on any given day of the year. By using data compiled from recent years, Disney crowd calendars help us determine which theme parks will have the shortest lines and which parks will have the longest lines.  While not every traveler has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, this can still be a valuable tool. Knowing what to expect will allow you to plan accordingly and help you to maximize your Disney experience.

Rating System for the Disney World Crowd Calendar

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar uses a rating system from 1 to 5 for each of the Walt Disney World theme parks. We compile this information using historical data from the past several years. Our rating system also takes variable factors (like seasonal events and new in-park openings ) into account. While ride refurbishments and temporary closures don’t necessarily influence crowd levels, they are usually scheduled during slower times of the year.

Please note that past attendance figures are not always reflective of future attendance, and there may be slight differences between our prediction and the actual crowd sizes. We do our best to give you the most up-to-date and accurate predictions so that you may know what to expect when you arrive at Disney World.

Ratings based on Park Attendance:

1 = Light Crowds ( minimal lines ) 2 = Below Average Crowds 3 = Average Crowds 4 = Above Average Crowds 5 = Heavy Crowds (long lines)

How the Disney Crowd Calendar is Organized

Let’s look at how we’ve set up this valuable trip planning tool.

Crowds at each Disney Theme Park

Our Disney World Crowd Calendar predicts the crowds at Walt Disney World for every day in the next 12 months. Our estimates are broken down by Disney World theme park: Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Magic Kingdom.

Weather at Disney World

Orlando, Florida is known for its nice weather . That said, there are some seasonal differences that you may want to take into consideration when booking your Disney vacation.  For example, August is historically the warmest month while January is the coldest. July is typically the wettest month and June has the most sunshine hours.

We list the average temperature range for each day of the calendar year. This will give you an idea of what to expect (and what clothes to pack) when you vacation at Walt Disney World.

Dining Reservations

Our Disney Crowd Calendar lists the specific date you will be eligible to make your Advance Disney Reservations.

Guests can book their dining reservations up to 60 days in advance (starting at 6 AM on the date indicated in the calendar).  The Disney Crowd Calendar lists the specific date you should start booking your Walt Disney World dining reservations.

Newbies are often surprised by the lack of dining availability once they get to Disney World. You shouldn’t expect to just walk into a full-service restaurant at Walt Disney World and get seated right away. It usually won’t happen.

It’s why it’s imperative to book your reservations well in advance to ensure your spot at some of Disney’s outstanding dining establishments. Certain restaurants are more difficult to book, and traveling at peak times means there will be more demand for full-dining options. We recommend that you book your Advance Dining Reservations as soon as you are able (60 days out).

The Disney Reservation Calculator is another tool you can use to find the dates you will be eligible to make your dining reservations.

Do you need help booking your Advance Dining Reservations? How about some advice on where to eat? Contact the Disney travel agents at The Vacationeer today.  There’s no charge to use their planning services!

Get Free One-On-One Help Planning Your Trip

When is Disney World Least Crowded ?

Walt Disney World’s parks are typically least crowded:

• January 2 nd until just prior to Presidents’ Day week (third Monday in February)
• The week after Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week
• The week following Thanksgiving weekend until the week prior to Christmas .

The reasons for this are that parents typically plan Disney World vacations around two major factors, school schedules, and Summer heat.

Labor day is typically around the time U.S. schools get their year started, so the month or so after that is the least crowded time of year.

July and August can also be good times to go if you don’t mind the typically higher heat and humidity.

When is Disney World Most Crowded ?

Walt Disney World parks generally experience their highest attendance around:

• Presidents’ Day week (third week in February)
• the Spring Break period from mid-March through late April
• Memorial Day weekend, Summer (mid-June through Labor Day)
• Thanksgiving week
• Christmas week through January 1 st
• Weekends are typically more crowded than weekdays
• When it comes to weekdays, Mondays and Fridays tend to be slightly more crowded than Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

How bad are the crowds at Disney on a “most crowded” day versus a “least crowded” day?

The difference between a “least crowded” day and a “most crowded” day can be significant.

What are crowds like on Least Crowded days?

On the least crowded days at the parks, you might find that you’re able to walk straight through the line for at least a few of the rapidly-loading rides in the parks.  Many middle-tier rides will have waits around 10-15 minutes, with the most popular attractions like roller coasters having waits of around 30 minutes.  Dining is usually easy to obtain, with short waits for quick service dining and even the ability to get same-day reservations at some table service locations.

What are crowds like on Most Crowded days?

During the parks’ most crowded days, even quickly loading rides routinely show wait times of 15-45 minutes.  60+ minute waits for the most popular rides are not unheard of.  Fortunately, the implementation of theme park reservations and other entry restrictions has eliminated many of the nightmare scenarios we used to see, such as 3-5 hour waits on Christmas Day or New Years Eve.   Dining can also be a bit more challenging on crowded days, with longer waits (and occasionally having to “hover” to snag an empty table) at some quick service restaurants during peak lunch and dinner hours.  Same-day reservations at table service restaurants may not be available.

Should I avoid the parks on Most Crowded days?

All of the scenarios listed above are just representative samples.  Individual days have their own individual quirks; you might have shorter than expected waits on a “most crowded” day or longer than expected waits on a “least crowded” day.

It’s obviously best to plan your trips during less crowded times whenever possible, but we all know that it’s not necessarily possible due to work and school schedules.  If you do find yourself traveling during a more crowded time, you’ll still have a good time on vacation.   You’ll just want to plan ahead and take advantage of all the tools at your disposal – extended park hours, advance Park Pass reservations (when required), advance dining reservations, Genie/Genie+, our Disney World Crowd Calendar, and the like – to make the most out of your time in the parks.

If you need help planning and booking your magical Walt Disney World vacation, then please contact the Disney Travel Agents at  The Vacationeer . Their services are always helpful and totally free of charge. Call 833-4MY-TRIP  (833-469-8747) or click the button below for a free, no-obligation price quote today!

When are the best days to visit Walt Disney World?

The best time to visit Disney World depends on many factors, including the weather, each traveler’s busy schedule, and, of course, how crowded the theme parks will be.

Our Disney travel planning experts regularly analyze past park attendance data, special events, attraction openings/closures, travel trends, weather, and many other elements in order to forecast and predict future crowds at Disney World’s four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.

We’ve taken some of this data and compared the average temperature predicted on each day to the predicted crowd level. Temperature range (F) and average crowd levels were converted to scores between 1-5. Temperature and crowd scores were then weighted and converted to a total score out of 100 to reveal the best days to visit each park. The best days to visit each park were determined based on the combined score.

According to the crowds-to-weather score, there are a few particular days to visit each park at Walt Disney World over a 12-month period which tend to offer the best balance. The data revealed that Magic Kingdom, for example, historically has three days to visit for the best crowds-to-weather ratio: October 26th, 31st, and November 1st. In comparison, Epcot has six perfect days (October 24-26 and 31, plus November 1 & 2).  Hollywood Studios has 5 (October 24-26 and 31, plus November 1). And Animal Kingdom has the most, with 12 (October 23-27, October 30 – November 3, and November 7-8). Interestingly, the dates are similar for each park, highlighting that the last week of October is the best week to visit Disney World.

Of course, crowd levels can vary from year to year, and weather can most certainly depart from averages.

So why pay attention to these scores? MagicGuides Editor Jaimie Michaels explains:

“By using data compiled from recent years, Disney crowd calendars help us determine which theme parks will have the shortest and longest lines, to discover the best times to visit the parks for fewer crowds and beautiful weather. While not every traveler has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, this can still be a valuable tool for all, as knowing what to expect will allow you to plan accordingly and help you to maximize your Disney experience.”

Still concerned about crowds? Or maybe you have other questions? Fortunately, there’s a way to get expert help at no additional cost.

Connect With a Disney Super Fan Who’ll Plan Your Trip for Free

Planning a Disney World vacation can be overwhelming. You’re bombarded with confusing choices: dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and endless ticket options. It’s easy to feel helpless.

Now imagine getting personalized advice and help from an expert who’s visited the parks dozens of times and knows all the tips and tricks. And better yet, they’re willing to handle all of it for you, for free !

That’s exactly the idea behind  The Vacationeer — a group of 100+ Disney Super Fans who are also highly-trained travel professionals .

Why not let them take the stress out of your Disney vacation ?

Why Use The Vacationeer For Your Disney Trip?

No Planning Fees

The Vacationeer never charges you for their services. Your trip won’t cost a penny more than if you’d booked it yourself.

One-on-One Service

One dedicated agent handles everything from start to finish. No impersonal call centers and no waiting on hold.

Hassle-Free Booking

Don’t sweat the logistics. Your  Vacationeer arranges hotels, tickets, dining, and activities so you don’t have to.

The Best Price

They’ll find the best possible rate for your trip, and keep searching for new discounts to add as they’re announced.

What Their Clients Have to Say

“I can’t thank them enough”

“Emily did an AMAZING job planning my Disneymoon. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on! I can’t wait for her to plan our next vacation!”

“We had a wonderful vacation”

“Much of that had to do with the help we received from JoMarie! Disney can be a little overwhelming when you’re new to it, but she made it very enjoyable and low stress !”

“I could not be happier”

“Carla worked side by side with me to plan the perfect shows, rides, fireworks and places to stay with our group. We saved the most money possible .”

Here’s What To Expect

Step 1: Answer a few easy questions Just tell The Vacationeer who you are, how to reach you, and what your dream vacation looks like. They’ll assign a dedicated agent to handle your vacation from start to finish.

Step 2: Let them handle the details Your agent will help you pick the best options for your needs and budget. They’ll make your reservations and keep watching for better deals. And they’ll be there to answer any questions or concerns that arise.

Step 3: Pack your bags! Scream it out loud: “I’m going to Disney World!”  Thanks to your Vacationeer ‘s know-how, you’re off on an unforgettable adventure during the vacation of a lifetime!

The Vacationeer Advantage

Hotel Reservations: Your agent will help you pick the right place for the right price and arrange everything.

Dining: They’ll run the numbers on the Disney Dining Plan and secure tables at your choice of 100+ restaurants.

Theme Park Tickets: They’ll find the best ticket option for your family so you don’t waste money.

Recreation, Events, & More: You name it — golf, fishing, shows, backstage tours, ground transport — it’s all handled!

Virtual Queue, Genie+, & Lightning Lane Tips: They’ll help demystify these line-skipping strategies for you.

Peace of Mind: You’re booking through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.

Unparalleled Expertise: As an Earmarked Diamond agency, they’ve booked more than 25,000 Disney vacations.

Personal Experience: They visit the theme parks often and can’t wait to share their insider tips with you!

Disney’s Lowest Prices: They’ll use their knowledge of discounts and deals to find the best rates.

New Discounts As They’re Announced: Your agent never stops looking for a better price, even after you’ve booked.

Ready To Do Disney The Stress-Free Way?

The MagicGuides Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar keeps you updated on all the special events happening at Disney. Check back often so you won’t miss out!

If you enjoyed our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar page, be sure to check out our other articles like our Disney World Cost Calculator , Disney Dining Plan Calculator ,  Disney Dining Plans , Disney World Free Dining , Disney World Planning Timeline , Disney World Map ,  Tips and Tricks , Disney Travel Planners , How To Become a Disney Travel Agent , and our Secrets and Reviews pages. Also check out our in-depth article on the Best Days to Visit Magic Kingdom .

Thank you for reading our page, and we hope you have a magical Walt Disney World vacation!

Related Posts:

2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars

by Morgan Flaherty | Jun 12, 2024 | Crowd Calendars , Featured , Vacation Planning , Walt Disney World

Wondering what time of year you should be visiting Walt Disney World Resort? We’re sharing the Disney World crowd calendars for 2024 and 2025 so you can figure out the best time you should be visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Are you going to Walt Disney World? Ready to start planning when you’ll visit next? You’ll want to check out our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars! There, you’ll find out what the daily crowd levels will be like, type of weather you can expect, and seasonal experiences for you to enjoy.

Dad’s Guide to WDW Crowd Calendar Disclaimer: This calendar is based on historical facts as we know them today, and personal experiences. Walt Disney World is an ever-changing destination, and you might find the crowds, weather, or seasonal experiences to be different from what we’ve predicted.

2025 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars

January 2024 crowd calendar.

Walt Disney World crowd patterns have undergone a pretty substantial shift over the last few years.  The introduction of tiered ticket pricing (back in 2016) had a major impact on crowd patterns that still lingers to today.

Some of the traditionally slow times have become busy and historically busy times have slowed down quite a bit. Much of the summer has gone from extremely busy to moderately busy (even the 4th of July isn’t  as busy as it used to be) and certain times in September have become much more crowded.

January Disney World crowds start off with a  bang —New Year’s Eve is quite possibly the busiest single day of the year at WDW! After the new year celebrations fade, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (my personal favorite annual EPCOT festival!) begins.

February 2024 Crowd Calendar

February is one of the best months of the year to visit WDW. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts continues, and the crowds are pretty low all month long… Aside from the week of Presidents Day, which always draws heavy crowds.

March 2024 Crowd Calendar

In March, Spring Break drives up the crowd levels significantly. But, if you visit during any other part of the month, you’ll find beautiful temperatures and get to enjoy the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival .

April 2024 Crowd Calendar

The continuation of the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival  and Easter festivities (which do draw  very large  crowds) sum up the special happenings during April. Low crowds, warm temperatures, and special seasonal events make April such an enjoyable month at WDW.

May 2024 Crowd Calendar

Memorial Day Weekend marks the (unofficial) start of summer at Disney World—and in the past few years, this weekend has been quite eventful! From the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar to the kickoff of a recent “Incredible Summer” campaign of special offerings, Memorial Day Weekend is a very exciting (but busy ) time of year. But, in early-mid May, you can enjoy some great pool weather with moderate crowds while the EPCOT International Flower and Garden is still taking place.

June 2024 Crowd Calendar

In June, the temperatures start to spike, but the crowds (luckily) range from low to average. The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival runs all month long and Gay Days happen (during 4 consecutive days) early in the month!

July 2024 Crowd Calendar

Spending the 4th of July (despite the very heavy crowds) at WDW is something I believe all Disney fans should do at least once! Seeing so many guests dressed in red, white and blue at the parks, which are also decorated for the patriotic occasion, is just outright cool. The fireworks at EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom will leave your jaw dropped, ready to head back again next year (trust me, I’ve been there)! But, if you know me, you won’t be too surprised to hear that my ultimate 4th of July must-do at WDW is seeing the Voices of Liberty perform their signature show of the year (several times throughout the day)—outdoors at The America Gardens Theatre!

August 2024 Crowd Calendar

August is a very rainy—and low crowd—month at WDW, which all leads up to the start of the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival later in the month. If you’re okay with some extreme heat, then August would be a great time for you to take advantage of those low crowds… Just make sure you plan extra time to enjoy the pool at your resort!

September 2024 Crowd Calendar

After encountering the most incredibly hot weather I’ve ever experienced at WDW in September over the past couple of years, I have a (personal) theory that September is the hottest time of the year to visit WDW (especially early in the month). On Labor Day Weekend, the crowd levels are almost as high as the temperatures! Labor Day is becoming an increasingly popular holiday to visit WDW, but after that busy weekend, the crowds tend to disperse. Plus, by September, the Halloween season is already in full swing!

October 2024 Crowd Calendar

October is undoubtedly the most  spooktacular time of the year to visit WDW! Crowd levels vary greatly throughout the month (making it even more important to reference our crowd calendar when planning your trip). In addition to the many Halloween festivities October has to offer, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival continues all month long.

November 2024 Crowd Calendar

To me, the month of November at WDW can be summed up in one simple word… CHRISTMAS! The holiday season begins at WDW in November (right after Halloween) with a very quick transition from pumpkin and leave-filled decor throughout the parks and resorts to Christmas trees, lights, garland, and ornaments.

Also, in mid-late November, the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival comes to an end, making way for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays !

December 2024 Crowd Calendar

All months are magical at WDW, but December just might be the most magical of all. From Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (at the Magic Kingdom ) to Sunset Seasons Greetings (at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ), the amount of holiday spirit at WDW is simply off the charts… As are the crowd levels towards the end of the month!

January 2025 Crowd Calendar

January starts off as one of the busiest times of year to visit Disney World. At the start of the month, you have the last bit of the holiday crowds with New Year’s Eve. And while you may think it would quiet down afterward, the holidays quickly transition into the annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, which continues to bring crowds into the parks. While crowds slow down as you get further into the month, you’ll still want to watch out for some three-day weekends, such as the weekend around Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Midway through the month, you can also enjoy events such as the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts , a celebration of culinary, visual, and performing arts. This annual festival typically kicks off in January and lasts through late February.

January Events and Holidays;

• January 1, 2025: New Year’s Day
• January 8-12, 2025: 2025 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
• January 20, 2025: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Mid-January: EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

February 2025 Crowd Calendar

While there are pockets of higher crowds (namely around Presidents Day Weekend), February is one of the prime months to visit the parks. Not only do you have fairly moderate crowds, but you can also expect some truly beautiful weather (with the potential for temperatures that may even dip to cold!). Plus, you’ll have the ongoing EPCOT International Festival of the Arts .

Also look out for crowds from February 22 to 26, as the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend brings in runners and visitors.

February Events and Holidays:

• February 17, 2025: Presidents Day
• February 22 to 26, 2025: Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

March 2025 Crowd Calendar

Spring Break kicks off in March, meaning the later you get into the month, the more crowds you can expect. In early March, you’ll also be able to begin experiencing the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival , which typically lasts throughout the spring.

There are pockets that have lower crowds than others, but be prepared for high Disney Genie+ pricing, longer wait times, and more people if you plan on visiting during the latter half of March.

March Events and Holidays:

• Early March: EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
• Spring Break

April 2025 Crowd Calendar

April brings the continuation of spring break, along with the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival  and Easter festivities (which do draw  very large crowds). Once you get later into April, you may be able to find some lower crowd times, which, when combined with teh mild temperatures, can make for a pleasant time to visit!

April Events and Holidays:

The EPCOT International Flower and Garden typically lasts throughout May, giving you another month to experience. Early May has some pockets of lower crowd times, but be prepared for that to change significantly once you hit the unofficial start of summer with Memorial Day Weekend!

This is also the time of year that temperatures start to really climb (though still not to the extent of an August day), so make sure to pack that sunscreen.

May Events and Holidays:

• Memorial Day
• EPCOT International Flower and Garden

June 2025 Crowd Calendar

By June, the temperatures really start to spike, but you may find some lower crowds until you start hitting the end of the month. However, with many Florida schools beginning to get out for the summer, you may see some spikes in people as locals visit the parks.

June Events and Holidays:

• Start of summer break
• Gay Days Orlando (typically early in the month)

July 2025 Crowd Calendar

The 4th of July is particularly magical at Disney World, with special celebrations and fireworks shows. However, it’s also usually  incredibly  crowded. While not a guarantee, July can be a particularly crowded month, as families come to spend a few days or more for summer break.

July Events and Holidays:

• July 4, 2025: 4th of July

August 2025 Crowd Calendar

August is an incredibly hot month in Disney World — and that may be one of the reasons that crowds are typically lower! If you can deal with the extreme heat, this is a great time to take advantage of lower wait times and summer events happening at the parks. Just make sure you’re spending some extra time at the pool!

August is also typically the start of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which means Halloween decorations will be up! Plus, it’s usually when the  EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival kicks off for the next few months.

August Events and Holidays:

• Mid-August: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
• Mid-August: The start of Halloween at Disney World
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

September 2025 Crowd Calendar

In years past, September used to be thought of as one of the least crowded times to visit Disney World. However, that’s no longer the case. While there are pockets of less crowds, there are also some incredibly crowded times, mainly over Labor Day Weekend at the beginning of the month.

If you are visiting, prepare for higher temperatures, but also enjoy the Halloween season in full swing at the parks.

September Events and Holidays:

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

October 2025 Crowd Calendar

October brings the start of lowering temperatures, as well as the continuation of Halloween at Disney World. For a particularly spooktacular experience, trying and book your party for Halloween night itself, one of the most popular picks!

October Events and Holidays:

• October 31, 2025: Halloween

November 2025 Crowd Calendar

November brings the end of the Halloween season and the beginning of the Christmas season in the parks. Along with holiday decorations, the season brings the beginning of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which lasts through late December.

For crowds, the beginning of the month can have lighter days, especially on weekdays. However, that changes over Thanksgiving weekend, which brings significant crowds to the parks.

November Events and Holidays:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins
• End of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
• After Thanksgiving: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

December Crowd Calendar

December is a particularly magical time of year at Disney World, with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and holiday decorations at all the parks and resorts. Crowds at the beginning of the month are lighter, but by the week before Christmas, you can expect the parks to be packed to the max (with reservations selling out).

December Events and Holidays:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
• December 25, 2025: Christmas Day
• December 31, 2025: New Year’s Eve

Latest Stories

Disney world reveals big changes coming for genie+ and lightning lanes.

Big changes are coming for Disney Genie+. The paid FastPass+ replace first debuted in 2021, and has undergone several major updates over the years. But beginning next month, the service will undergo its biggest change yet, with a name change and major updates on how...

Top Tips for Planning Your Magic Kingdom Day From a Rope Drop Expert

Every time I go to Walt Disney World, I rope drop Magic Kingdom. Heck, I rope drop every park, every day I’m there. The morning is my favorite time to be in the parks: It’s not too hot yet, crowds are lower, and you can fit in a bunch of rides without paying for...

Lotus Blossom Café

From fried rice to noodles to classic combos like orange chicken and Mongolian beef, Lotus Blossom Café in EPCOT’s China Pavilion is home to some classic and comfortingly familiar food.  While this isn’t the fanciest or most appealing quick-service restaurant in...

Mark Your Calendars! 2024 Disney World Holiday Event Dates Are Here

Find out the 2024 dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays so you can plan your winter vacation. The holidays are the most magical time of the year at Walt Disney World Resort, and for good...

A Complete Guide to the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Celebrate the holiday traditions of countries around the world – and make this festival one of your very own – at the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays. Visit EPCOT at any given time of the year, and you’re bound to encounter one of the theme park’s many festivals. But...

Authored by Morgan Flaherty

Best Disney World Crowd Calendars

By: Author Courtney Derqu

Posted on Last updated: January 8, 2022

The hunt is always on for the best time of year to visit Disney World. And with the start of the new year, there’s no time like the present to start planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Crowd calendars can be a great gauge on when to be where at Disney World. Unfortunately, there is a bit of bad news I have to pass along about this. In recent years, there has become a shortage of these “dead” periods at Disney World. Disney is just becoming more and more popular so crowd calendars are becoming more important when it comes to Disney World vacation planning.

What is a Disney World Crowd Calendar? 

A Disney World crowd calendar is a type of methodology that helps guests know when is the best (and worst) times to visit Disney. Crowd calendars examine all sorts of data, including previous park attendance rates, resort and ticket prices, holidays, and different promotions such as the summer and fall sales that offer 25% off room rates when booked during a certain period. 

This data is used to make future predictions about attendance trends in the coming year. 

Disney World Crowd Calendar Options

Some popular Disney World crowd calendars are both  Touring Plans  (paid) and  Undercover Tourist.  These two calendars are based on a database of collected information.

We also enjoy the crowd calendars from the  Disney Tourist Blog  as well as  WDW Prep School.  These two crowd calendars fall into the category of well-thought-out opinions. Despite these two sites’ calendars not coming from a database of scientific information, we wanted to share them because they are two trustworthy Disney World opinions. Both teams have vast knowledge and frequent experience traveling to Disney World.

What Factors Affect Disney Crowd Calendars? 

Unfortunately, many things. Let’s look at the COVID-19 pandemic as the best example. Since data from the previous year is looked at, it was very difficult to make predictions about what the crowds would be like in 2021 since the data from 2020 was so unpredictable, thanks to park closures, limited tickets, and travel restrictions. However, this example is the exception rather than the rule as pandemics aren’t usually a common thing. 

Traditionally speaking, the most common factors that affect the reliability and accuracy of Disney crowd calendars has a lot to do with special events, annual passholder tickets, and in recent years, influencers. 

Disney World holds a lot of events throughout the year. That, combined with the onset of new attractions and experiences at an almost unprecedented rate, you’d be hard-pressed to find a time to visit Disney when there isn’t something special going on. Here’s a list of all the special events happening in Disney World in 2022 (so far): 

• Re-opening of the Festival of Fantasy parade 
• Epcot’s Festival of the Arts : January 14, 2022: February 21, 2022
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser resort : March 1, 2022
• Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival : March 2, 2022 – July 4, 2022
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue….and Beyond
• Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival: July 15, 2022 – November 20, 2022
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend: November 3-6, 2022
• Tron Lightcycle Power Run
• Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

This, of course, doesn’t include everything that occurred in the latter half of 2021 that many people haven’t yet experienced such as the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , La Creperie De Paris, and Space 220 in Epcot, as well as the new firework show, Enchantment in Magic Kingdom, KiteTails in Animal Kingdom, and Drawn to Life, the new Cirque du Soleil show at Disney Springs. Nor does it include special ticketed events such as Boo Bash or other festivities such as the park’s 50th Anniversary Celebration . 

These events and attraction openings usually result in higher crowds, which can dramatically skew these numbers. Another factor that may affect Disney crowd calendars are annual passholders, as these not only have blackout dates but can fluctuate throughout the year. For example, many annual passes for out-of-state visitors were paused in late 2021 due to the influx of travelers over the holiday season.

Another more recent trend affecting the reliability of Disney crowd calendars is the rise of influencers. While Disney has always been synonymous with families, it has increasingly become more popular with millennials. I could see this shift a few years ago at the Disney Store (rip) when they started introducing cookware, jewelry, and fashionable adult clothing in the front of the store that appealed to adults, rather than the kids they’ve always marketed to.  

Furthermore, with the rise of social media apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, there has been an influx of Disney influencers and creators spending time in the parks documenting all of the latest events and new merchandise for their YouTube channels and Instagram accounts. Disney themselves have taken advantage of influencers and use them as part of their promotion for these events, as well. With the addition of creators in the parks for grand openings, festivals, and other special occasions, this may inflate the number of park attendance, regardless of whether or not these individuals are riding rides or staying on property. 

What Month is Disney the Least Busy?

Typically speaking, Disney World is usually less crowded during off-periods, such as right after the holiday season and the week after Labor Day when kids have already returned to school. However, with many children still taking part in remote learning, this allows families a little bit of extra flexibility to travel to Walt Disney World outside of summer and winter break. 

Final Thoughts

While it may seem like a Disney crowd calendar won’t be too helpful, the opposite is exactly true. Even though the park attendance changes due to the factors mentioned above, it doesn’t change that much from year to year. The parks usually hit max capacity during the holiday season, especially during the week of Christmas. Special dates, such as the introduction of Enchantment and Harmonious saw increased attendance, and the first couple of months of Tron’s and Guardians of the Galaxy’s opening will see increased attendance at both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. 

When it comes to booking your Walt Disney World vacation, a crowd calendar can help you make an informed decision based on previous data, and you can come up with your own plans after doing a little research on any upcoming events that may be taking place during your proposed dates. Even going during a crowded season, chances are, you probably won’t be waiting more than an hour for the majority of the rides. Plus, even if you are waiting, there are a lot of  things to do waiting in line at Disney World  that can pass the time. 

Do you use Disney crowd calendars to help plan your trip? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for all the latest Disney tips and tricks. 

As a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer, Courtney Dercqu is a fan of all things Disney. Between decorating her desk with souvenirs from the park, to making unique mouse ears and having a dedicated Disney Instagram, Courtney is a true believer in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. Having had more than 200 articles published on various content, Courtney’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with everyone! Be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the Disney magic.

2024 & 2025 Disney World Crowd Calendar (best times to go)

Planning a Disney World trip for 2024 or 2025?

You’ve come to the right place. Our easy-to-use Disney World Crowd Calendar will help you avoid long lines, so you can have more fun on your Disney vacation.

Here’s what you need to know:

In this article

When are the best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 and 2025?

We know you are probably eager to dive in to check on those predicted crowds, so let’s start off first with our big graphics (please note there is one for 2024 and one for 2025), and then we will go into more detail for both years, month-by-month, down below.

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2024

Here’s our current predictions for how the crowds will look if you plan to travel to Disney World in 2024:

• Click for full-sized PDF

Note: Our ‘best times to visit’ below are a mix of times of the year when you’ll have either low crowds OR good weather. Due to Disney’s strategy of filling the cooler, quieter periods with special events and competitions, finding a time that offers both low crowds and ideal weather has become more challenging than in the past.

WDW Top Picks for Disney World in 2024 :

• January 16-31 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 1-9 (light to moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 6-23 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-29 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 3-19 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

2024 brought about a bunch of changes, including the end of Park Pass reservations for date-based tickets (which covers most guests aside from Annual Passholders) plus, we’ve also seen the long-awaited return of the Disney Dining Plan . And we can’t forget the highly anticipated Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening (exact date still unknown).

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2025

And here’s how its looking for 2025:

WDW Prep School Top Picks for 2025 :

• January 21-31 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 21-28 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 5-22 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-31 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 1-30 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re expecting to keep seeing some familiar patterns when it comes to crowds. All signs point to the fact that summers could possibly continue to be a less busy than they used to be, while January might pick up the pace and get busier. Also, October will remain a popular time for families to visit due to the increase in the number of schools hosting Fall Breaks.

2024 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Ready to book a trip for 2024? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

• April 1-7 – heavy crowds continue due to the Easter holiday
• April 8-17 – moderate crowds return
• April 18-21 – even though there is the runDisney Springtime Surprise race, expect the crowds to remain moderate
• April 22-30 – moderate crowds finish up the month, even with a couple of cheer and dance competitions happening

Things to keep in mind for April:

• The Easter holiday falls on March 31 in 2024, which means the first week of April will see an increase in crowds.
• The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival transforms Epcot into an array of color. Make sure you set aside some time to check out the topiaries there.
• Storms (especially midday storms) will also likely be a factor, so we highly recommend you plan midday breaks from the sun and rain during your trip.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the April crowd calendar .
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds across all of WDW, and heavy crowds at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-10 – lighter crowds return for a few days
• May 11-12 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 13-17 – light to moderate crowds
• May 18-19 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 20-23 – light to moderate crowds
• May 24-31 – moderate crowds return, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

Things to keep in mind for May:

• There are a few special limited time celebrations taking place this summer , so be sure to check those out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the May crowd calendar .
• June 1-30 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for June:

• June is also the start of hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Epcot construction finally wraps up, plus there are several limited-time celebrations happening. Check out what’s in store for Summer 2024 at Walt Disney World .
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the June crowd calendar .
• July 1-7 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 8-31 – moderate to heavy summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week

Things to keep in mind for July:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in July can be particularly brutal.
• July is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• This is typically the month where we see the Food & Wine Festival begin.
• There are several limited-time celebrations taking place across Walt Disney World in 2024.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the July crowd calendar .

August 2024

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-9 – light crowds
• August 10-11 – moderate weekend crowds
• August 12-29 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• August 30-31 – crowds pick up a bit before the Labor Day holiday

Things to keep in mind for August:

• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in August can be particularly brutal.
• August is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• The International Food and Wine Festival will be in full swing over at Epcot. Whenever possible, we recommend that you avoid Epcot on Thursday – Sunday (especially in the evenings).
• Look for Halloween entertainment to begin at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the August crowd calendar .

September 2024

• September 1-2 – peak Labor Day crowds
• September 3-19 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week
• September 20-23 – light to moderate crowds return for a few days
• September 24-26 – light crowds
• September 27-30 – moderate crowds return as we start ramping up to the busy Fall Break season

Things to keep in mind for September:

• September is typically a great time to travel to Walt Disney World as school is usually back in session in most areas, but it is before any Fall Breaks have the chance to bring heavy crowds.
• Halloween entertainment continues at Magic Kingdom, including the very popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in September can be particularly brutal.
• September is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the September crowd calendar .

October 2024

• October 1-3 – moderate crowds as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-9  – moderate to heavy crowds
• October 10-14 – peak Indigenous Peoples’ Day crowds
• October 15-31 – moderate to heavy crowds for the rest of October, with the busiest days on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays and towards the end of the month as guests arrive for Halloween and the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Things to keep in mind for October:

• The growing popularity of Fall Breaks in schools means that October is far busier than it used to be.
• Weather has always been a factor when planning Disney World trips, but the temps and humidity in October often surprises guests visiting from cooler climates.
• October is also during hurricane season . Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the October crowd calendar .

November 2024

• November 1-3 – heavy crowds due to the runDisney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon
• November 4-6 – moderate to heavy crowds for Jersey Days and early Veterans Day visitors
• November 7-11 – heavy crowds for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-22 – moderate to heavy crowds in the days after Veterans Day and before Thanksgiving
• November 23-24 – heavy crowds begin arriving for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 25-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

Things to keep in mind for November:

• Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are both popular across Walt Disney World, which means to expect heavy crowds if visiting then.
• Christmas events usually kick off at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to start this month.
• Food and Wine Festival at Epcot wraps up this month.
• The Epcot Festival of the Holidays typically begins the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the end of December. 
• Even though November typically begins a gradual cool off, storms (especially mid-day storms) and high heat and humidity can still be a factor, so plan accordingly.
• November brings the end to hurricane season. Consider trip insurance if planning a vacation during this time. 
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the November crowd calendar .

December 2024

• December 1-20 – heavy crowds with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays a bit busier (although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations)
• December 21-31 – peak holiday crowds

Things to keep in mind for December:

• Although early December used to be known for light crowds, that is no longer the case as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations. If you are traveling during this time, expect it to be busy.
• Christmas events continue over at Magic Kingdom, look for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to run until the week of Christmas.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the December crowd calendar .

@wdwprepschool 4 least busy times to go to Disney World in 2024! 🏰✨ #waltdisneyworld #magickingdom #epcot #animalkingdom #greenscreen ♬ original sound – WDW Prep • Disney Tips

2025 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Dreaming of taking a Disney World vacation in 2025? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

January 2025

• January 1-5 – very busy time as people use their days off from work/school to vacation at Disney World for the holidays
• January 6-12 – most schools are back in session during this time, but you can still expect moderate to heavy crowds due to the extremely popular runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon
• January 13-16 – crowds lighten up a tiny bit before a big dance & cheer competition and the busy Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
• January 17-20 – heavy crowds descend on Walt Disney World as guests visit for both the long holiday weekend and the UCA College Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals
• January 21-30 – moderate crowds for most of the rest of the month
• January 31 – slight uptick in crowds due the UDA National Dance Team Championship

Things to keep in mind for January:

• There are a few holidays and special events sprinkled throughout this month that have historically drawn large crowds. If at all possible, try to avoid traveling over those.
• The weather in January is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers, but be prepared for comfortable days and cooler nights and mornings.
• The Epcot Festival of the Arts is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the January crowd calendar .

February 2025

* Note: These events are estimated dates and may change after official schedules are released.

• February 1-2 – although February used to be relatively slow, look for the entire month to be busier than years past, starting with moderate crowds due to the UDA National Dance Team Championship
• February 3-7 – slight dip in crowds before things pick up again for another weekend cheer competition
• February 8-9 – look for this weekend to be busier due to the UCA National High School Cheer Competition
• February 10-12 – small pocket where the crowds will likely decrease a bit
• February 13-20 – very heavy crowds due to the combination of a cheer/dance competition * , Presidents’ Day weekend, and the start of the runDisney Princess Half Marathon
• February 21-24 – moderate crowds over the weekend as the runDisney Princess Half Marathon wraps up
• February 25-28 – moderate crowds to wrap up February, increasing some towards the end of the month for the start of another cheer/dance competition *

Things to keep in mind for February

• The  Epcot Festival of the Arts  is one of the shorter festivals, but it is definitely worth checking out.
• The weather in February is some of the best of the year. We recommend you pack layers.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the February crowd calendar .
• March 1-2 – busy weekend due to a dance/cheer competition *
• March 3-6 – moderate crowds for the first part and middle of the week, with overall levels increasing the closer you get to the weekend
• March 7-9 – heavy crowds due to a dance/cheer competition * and the start of Spring Break
• March 10-31 – heavy crowds Spring Break crowds

Things to keep in mind for March:

• Spring Break typically begins this month, which means heavy crowds at Walt Disney World.
• Get park hours and info on refurbishments and special events (plus lots more) on the March crowd calendar .
• April 1-6 – heavy crowds to start out the month due to Spring Break and the runDisney Springtime Surprise
• April 7-11 – moderate crowds return for a few days
• April 12-20 – heaviest crowds of the month due to the Easter holiday and school breaks
• April 21-27 – expect this week to be just slightly less busy than the week before due to the holiday and school breaks
• April 28-30 – moderate crowds return for the end of the month

• The Easter holiday always brings heavy crowds for both the week before and the week after.
• May 1-5 – moderate crowds kick off the start of the month due to a dance/cheer competition * with heavy crowds likely at Hollywood Studios for May the Fourth
• May 6-9 – lighter crowds expected during the middle of the week
• May 10-11 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 12-16 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 17-18 – weekends (especially Saturdays) are typically a bit busier as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• May 19-22 – lighter crowds expected for much of the week
• May 23-31 – moderate crowds return as school years start wrapping up, with the busiest days being around Memorial Day

• June 1-30 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

• July 1-3 – moderate summer crowds
• July 4-6 – heavy summer crowds as guests travel to WDW for the 4th of July
• July 7-31 – moderate summer crowds, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays likely being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

August 2025

• August 1-4 – moderate crowds that get lighter as the month goes on and more kids return to school
• August 5-8 – light crowds
• August 9-10 – moderate weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• August 11-31 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays being a bit heavier than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap

September 2025

• September 1-30 – some of the lightest crowds of the year, with the days around Labor Day being a bit more crowded. Also, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays will likely have slightly heavier crowds than the other days of the week as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap.

October 2025

• October 1-3 – crowds start increasing as Fall Breaks begin
• October 4-5 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 6-9 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week before things get very busy
• October 10-20 – heavy Fall Break crowds
• October 21-24 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 25-26 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• October 27-30 – a slight dip in crowds during the middle of the week
• October 31 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend

November 2025

• November 1-2 – heavy crowds for the Halloween and runDisney Wine & Dine * weekend
• November 3-5 – moderate crowds before Jersey Days and Veterans Day visitors
• November 6-11 – heavy crowds due for the Veterans Day holiday
• November 12-14 – slight dip in crowds before the weekend
• November 15-16 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• November 17-21 – moderate crowds before Thanksgiving guests arrive
• November 22-23 – heavy crowds arrive for the Thanksgiving holiday
• November 24-30 – peak Thanksgiving crowds

December 2025

• December 1-5 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 6-7 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 8-12 – moderate crowds as many people travel to WDW to check out the decorations
• December 13-14 – heavy weekend crowds as guests arriving for their vacation and those leaving Walt Disney World overlap
• December 15-17 – final days for moderate crowds before holiday travelers start arriving
• December 18-25 – heavy holiday crowds, increasing the closer you get to December 25
• December 26-31 – peak holiday crowds

When is Disney World the LEAST crowded?

Typically, the least crowded times at Disney World tend to be:

• Mid-May : There aren’t any holidays during this time, and not as many families travel in the final weeks of school.
• Mid-August through most of September: This is when most American kids are back in school, and there are fewer vacationing families. The weather in Florida is also typically very hot and humid, which can deter some guests.

When is Disney World the MOST crowded?

As you can imagine, holidays and long weekends see the heaviest crowds at all tourist destinations, and that includes Walt Disney World. Basically, any time school is out of session, Walt Disney World will be busier.

Look for the parks to be the busiest around these dates. That includes the days before and in some instances, the days after, too:

• New Year’s Day  (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in January)
• Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday  (3rd Monday in February)
• Spring Break (especially last 2 weeks of March)
• Easter (both the week before and the week after typically have increased crowds)
• Independence Day  (July 4)
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day  (2nd Monday in October)
• Veterans’ Day  (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day  (4th Thursday in November)
• Christmas week through January 1

In addition to all of those, keep in mind that the weekends are almost always busier than the weekdays, with mid-week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) being less crowded than Mondays and Fridays.

What month at Disney World is the BEST?

What month is the best month to visit Walt Disney World depends on what your goals are:

• August, and September (excluding holiday weeks) are historically the least crowded . Especially if you can avoid the weekends, this time of year typically sees some of the lowest crowds.
• January and February have the best weather . This time of year has cooler temps and way less rain. You may need a jacket in the morning or evenings, though.
• Late August and September are best for fall decor and Halloween activities . Late August and September are historically way less crowded than October, making them the better options if you are going for the fall decor or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
• December is best for holiday decorations and festivities. All parks and resorts will be decorated, Festival of Holidays will be happening, but it will likely be crowded.

When is the best time to visit in Walt Disney World for holiday decorations?

Lots of people like to travel to Walt Disney World to check out the holiday decorations. In the past, the time between the end of Thanksgiving and about the middle of December would be perfect for that.

However, over the past several years, we’ve seen the crowds during that time period steadily increase to the point now that what used to be a relatively slow time of the year, has become quite busy.

If you’d like to visit Walt Disney World to see the holiday decorations, there are still some days that are better than others. Just keep in mind that even though they are “better”, they will likely be busier than what you might have experienced over the same days in years past.

• November 15-22, 2024 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 2-20, 2024 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• November 17-21, 2025 (moderate crowds, holiday decorations are out, but the Festival of the Holidays will not have begun yet at Epcot)
• December 1-5, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)
• December 8-12, 2025 (moderate to heavy crowds, holiday decorations, Festival of Holidays will be happening)

What happens if the parks are busier than anticipated?

Although we have years of experience putting these crowd calendars together, occasionally something happens (like a surprise announcement from Disney) that can throw off our predictions. But don’t panic!

Even though heavier crowds may sound scary, that doesn’t mean that your trip will be ruined.

To help navigate it all, we have a few resources to share, including complete guides for using Disney’s Genie+ system, which we have personally found *extremely* useful at keeping waits to a minimum:

• Tips for handling the crowds at Disney World
• Best Genie+ choices (book these first!)
• How to use Genie+ at Walt Disney World
• How to book Individual Lightning Lane selections

In fact, we recommend all guests visiting Walt Disney World spend some time looking through those guides – no matter how busy the parks are expected to be.

Will the new stuff at Universal affect the crowds at Disney World?

If you haven’t heard, Universal is getting a lot of new and highly anticipated stuff in the upcoming years, and we do expect many people will be scheduling trips for those openings.

And, since it isn’t unusual for people to want to pair both a Universal trip with a Walt Disney World trip, we would not be surprised to see an uptick in WDW crowds when the Universal openings happen.

How does a crowd calendar work?

Crowd calendars have been a staple for many people planning Disney World vacations, but exactly what do they do?

Simply put, crowd calendars are predictions for just how busy the entire Walt Disney World Resort will be on any given day.

If you are a repeat visitor, it can be easy to want to compare crowd levels from previous trip dates to future trip dates.

But, that won’t work.

Typically, aside from what we saw in 2020 and 2021, more people are going to visit Walt Disney World year-over-year.

So, keep this in mind:

When looking at crowd levels, please remember that you can’t compare this year to last year, or any other year for that matter. What we consider “heavy” crowds now will likely look nothing like the “heavy” crowds from years past.

And, most importantly – w hen we predict that crowds will be “heavy” or “light”, we mean that on those dates the crowds will be heavier or lighter when compared to the rest of the year .

Which park should you visit on each day of a Disney World trip?

In addition to the yearly information above, we also publish monthly crowd calendars that include refurbishment and closure information, park and entertainment hours, plus the dates you’ll need to know for booking Advanced Dining Reservations.

When planning your park days, the goal is to visit the park with the lowest predicted crowds.

The monthly calendars are easily customized to display the exact information you need for all 4 parks:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Plus operating information (hours, refurbishments & closures, etc.) for:

• Disney Springs
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

We recommend you use the information on this page to guide you as you select your travel dates, and then use the monthly crowd calendars linked below each month to help you plan your individual days.

How do opening and closings affect crowds at Disney World?

As you can imagine, anytime something major opens or something popular closes, the crowds in the parks are heavily impacted.

In general, the parks where the attraction or show is located will see the largest impact, but it isn’t unusual for all the parks to see a temporary surge in crowds.

So, keep this in mind when noting the crowd levels above.

Crowd levels are fluid from year to year. What was considered “moderate” in years past is not the same thing that is considered “moderate” now; it is simply “moderate” when compared to the rest of the current year .

Do runDisney races and sports competitions make Disney World more crowded?

During the slower times of the year, you’ll often find that Disney World hosts lots of competitions.

If you are planning to visit during the time of the year that a cheer, dance, or other sporting event competition is taking place, we recommend trying to avoid booking a room at one of the host resorts. The primary host resorts are typically all 3 of the All-Star Resorts ( All-Star Sports , All-Star Movies , and All-Star Music ).

There is also sometimes some overflow into the moderates, primarily Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs , however, the main impacts (like crowded buses and busy food courts) are guaranteed to be felt at the 3 All-Star Resorts.

Does that mean you will never find competitors in the other resorts? No. But you’ll definitely find them in the ones listed above.

runDisney races , on the other hand, tend to bring in far greater crowds that stay at all levels of resorts and since the competitions occur outside the normal park operating hours, the impact is more wide-spread. That doesn’t mean a trip will be ruined if a race is occurring while you are there, it is just something to be aware of.

An experienced travel professional at Small World Vacations can help you navigate all the changes.

→ Get a quote now ←

Are crowd calendars a thing of the past?

For a long time, Disney World crowd trends were relatively easy to predict.

It was never an exact science, but years and years of near-monthly visits paired with giant spreadsheets and databases of wait times did help us, with at least a decent amount of accuracy, predict how we thought things would go.

In our opinion, Crowd Calendars aren’t a thing of the past, but they are going to look different .

School schedules have been changing. Remote work is a thing, making it easier for families to travel during traditionally off-peak times.

Choosing those “best dates” just got a lot more nuanced, and things we’d never thought we’d have to consider are a new reality.

But – even though things definitely will look different, there are still times of the year that are less busy than others.

If you’re just starting to plan a trip between now and the end of 2024, you should first read our free Walt Disney World Vacation Planner to make sure you don’t miss anything that could mess up your trip.

When do you plan to visit? Any questions about our Disney World crowd calendar?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments , but please don’t ask us to compare to crowd calendars from other sites . We’ve explained the reasoning behind our calendar here and won’t be commenting on how other sites do things.

Christine Smith

Friday 27th of October 2023

It may not matter too much, but Mardi Gras is February 13th this year.

Emma Bridgeman

Friday 20th of October 2023

Your crowd calendars are so useful! When will your calendar for 2025 be out? Thanks!

Shannon Albert

Monday 23rd of October 2023

Glad the info is useful! 2025 will likely be out in May/June of 2024.

Michelle E Barthlow

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

If you could pick any 10 days/nights between May 25th and July 27th, what dates would be the best? Unfortunately, we can't take our daughter out of school anymore like we always used to do.

Barbara Sofer

Tuesday 12th of September 2023

We--grandparents, one parent, two boys 11 and 13, are landing from abroad and driving directly to Epcot on September 26. We won't get there until the noon. What would you recommend vis a vis Gene+ and Lightening Lanes?

Friday 15th of September 2023

Would recommend buying it and starting to book from home and while you're traveling. Buy an Individual Lightning Lane Selection for Cosmic Rewind so you can pick a time to ride and consider getting Standby Skipper because it can book your Lightning Lanes even when you don't have access or want to be on your phone.

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

What does moderate mean? How long are waits with a moderate crowd? I'll be there on Jan 8th, 2024.

Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 2024

What is a Walt Disney World crowd calendar?

You’re trying to figure out when to plan your Disney World vacation. While you know the general parts of the year you should avoid, you’re ready to take the next step in researching and planning exactly when you should visit. Which specific days are the worst for each park? What things should you account for as you make your plans? How do you make sense of all the information available?

Good news friends, I’ve got your back. This Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar will be your complete guide to planning your Disney vacation like a pro.

We’ll cover everything:

• What to plan for each month of the year
• Where you can look for resources to get down-to-the-minute information
• Tips for planning your vacation around the crowds

Just grab your own calendar and get ready to learn everything you need to know. 

Looking for more help planning your upcoming Disney trip? My Disney on a Budget post will give you every resource you need. 

What’s a Crowd Calendar and How to Use It

Here’s just a quick refresh on crowd calendars to help you get the basics down. Crowd calendars are planning tools that indicate crowd volume levels for a given amusement park or attraction and often give information on the best times to plan your trip. 

It’s good to keep in mind that crowd calendars are not written in stone because they deal with real people doing real things. I have always found them to be beneficial in my own planning, but there are always variables you can’t control. Crowd calendars help us make an educated guess about avoiding the crowds, which is certainly better than winging it and visiting on an exceptionally busy day. 

I recommend checking multiple crowd calendars to get as much information as you can. It can be a bit of a process to sort through what’s important and what’s not, which is why I did all the hard work for you!

Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

Here’s the most important things to know about planning your trip, month by month. Read on to get tips and tricks for traveling seasonally or over a holiday, plus more crowd calendars to help you visualize your trip.

Important Note: This is a general Walt Disney World calendar based on events and busy times you can plan for every year. 

Important Dates: 

• The first two weeks of January are generally still busy from the holidays, particularly as school kids still have a few weeks of vacation. 
• Mid-January usually sees the annual Marathon Weekend at Disney World , where runners show up for several days to run multiple races. Expect higher crowds.
• The third Monday in January is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the U.S., and is a federal holiday. This means that kids are off school and parents are off work. 
• For the past few years, the NFL’s Pro Bowl has been held in Orlando, leading to slightly higher crowd volumes. The game will draw football fans into the parks for denser crowds. 

January Overview:

If you can plan your trip for weekdays in the middle to the end of the month, you will have lighter crowds to deal with. 

Important Dates:

• February features the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts, which runs through the month. Like the other Epcot festivals (Food & Wine, Flower & Garden), this can lead to bigger crowds at Epcot, as well as other parks.
• Several dance championships are held in Disney during the early weeks of February.
• Watch out for President’s Day Weekend in the middle of the month; this long weekend will likely see February’s highest crowd levels. 
• The Princess Half Marathon is also held shortly after the President’s Day Weekend. This race usually draws many runners into the Disney parks.

February Overview:

Sneak your trip in between the dance championships and the long weekend in the middle of the month to escape crowds. 

• Mardi Gras will draw in some revelers, but not as many as other holidays. 
• Beginning in March is Epcot’s annual Flower and Garden Festival (it runs through early July). 
• Mid-to-late March is usually when high school and college spring break falls, so bear in mind that you might have to combat vacationing students if you schedule during those times. 

March Overview:

March could be an excellent month to plan your travels as long as you avoid the aforementioned dates. If you have the freedom to do so, definitely avoid the spring break weeks by going in the early or very end of the month.

• The Star Wars Half Marathon is held in the early portion of the month and is slightly less popular than the beloved Disney Princess Half Marathon in March. 
• Easter changes year by year, so be aware that many families will take advantage of the few days that students have off for the holiday to go on vacation.

April Overview:

Again, avoid the crowds by planning around the major holidays. Otherwise, April is another (comparatively!) slow month for Disney World.

• Several cheerleading competitions typically fall in the first two weeks of May.
• The end of the month also means the end of school for some school districts. Be aware of that and try to get into the parks before the crowds start to settle in for the summer months. 

May Overview:

Early May will be one of the last months with light to moderate crowds for the next few months, so book for those first few weeks if you want to enjoy both beautiful weather and shorter lines. 

• All month: expect moderate to heavy crowds with the onset of summer. 
• Luckily, shifting weather patterns mean that June is not as busy as it once was. Beware of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon, though. 

June Overview:

Even though June is technically the start of summer for both the kids and the calendar, the crowds are moving in slower than in the past. June could be a good time to make it to Disney during the summer.

• Disney is famous for its July 4th fireworks shows, and crowds tend to show up in the few days preceding and following the holiday.
• The rest of the month tends to be heavier in terms of crowds, with vacationers booking at times most convenient for their schedules. 

July Overview:

I would recommend picking another time to visit Disney besides July if you can, and perhaps go see fireworks somewhere closer to where you live (unless you want to battle some wicked crowds). 

• Continuing heavy summer crowds. 
• Disney tends to schedule major openings of attractions during the summer months when the parks are busiest. For example, Star Wars: Galaxy Edge opened in August of 2019. For 2021, this could be the new Ratatouille ride at Epcot or a few other projects currently under construction. 
• The end of August typically sees a slight dip in crowd levels as school districts go back into session. 

August Overview:

If you are planning an August trip, see if you can go near the end of the month and schedule around major attraction openings. 

• Expect lingering crowds from attraction openings and the summer months. 
• Labor Day falls in the first few weeks of September, so crowds will likely be heavier that weekend.
• Lighter crowds the rest of the month as schools go back into session. 

September Overview:

Try and book your trip for the end of the month if possible, especially to enjoy the last of the summer sun without fighting endless crowds and lines. 

• October sees Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival (which is always fun, for the record), so expect crowds to be slightly higher in Epcot during this time. 
• Columbus Day falls near the middle of the month, with crowds likely being moderate to heavy. 
• Colleges and high schools sometimes have a fall break during this time, so expect a slight influx of students and families. Not as heavy as spring break, but good to keep in mind.
• October 31 is Halloween, of course, which tends to see slightly higher crowds at Disney. Of all the holidays to go on a Disney vacation , though, Halloween is probably the best. 

October Overview:

Just avoid the Columbus Day weekend and fall break, and you will be able to enjoy Disney World in peace without worrying about extremely heavy crowds. 

• The Wine and Dine Half Marathon typically falls near the end of October/ early November, and is one of the most popular half marathons that Disney offers. 
• Veterans Day weekend typically sees heavier crowds. 
• Thanksgiving falls on the third Thursday of November, of course, and Disney has no shortage of guests for the holiday. 

November Overview:

Unless you are quite interested on spending your Thanksgiving in Disney, go earlier in the month or not at all. 

• The early part of December usually sees residual Thanksgiving crowds. 
• Epcot hosts their International Festival of the Holidays during this month.
• The rest of the month is a slow build of increasingly heavy crowds as people flock to Disney World to see the holiday attractions. 
• Essentially, the last two weeks of the year will be extremely busy as visitors use their vacation time to see the park over the holidays. 

December Overview:

Go to Disney early in the month if you can to avoid the heavy crowds that fill the parks during the holidays. 

Specific Things to Look Out for in 202 4

It’s safe to say that 2024 at Walt Disney World will be a little different than most years. As of Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will officially be a thing of the past for guests with date-based tickets.

Disney World temporarily closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic and reopened in July 2020. Since then, if you had a Park Hopper ticket, you were required to wait until 2 p.m. to visit a second or third park. This meant that you couldn’t hop to another park for lunch or try for an early afternoon virtual queue spot for popular rides. However, starting from January 9, 2024, guests with Park Hopper tickets or annual passes will be able to visit another park at any time.

In 2024, the Disney Dining Plan is set to make a comeback on January 9th. For those who may be unfamiliar with the plan, it is a pre-payment option for dining costs that is available to Disney World guests who book their vacation packages through Disney. This plan has been absent from Disney World since 2020.

A new ride called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to replace Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom. The latter will closed in early 2023 to make way for the new ride, which is inspired by Disney’s animated film, The Princess and the Frog. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will take visitors through the bayous of Louisiana, where they can join Tiana in her new endeavor, Tiana’s Foods. The ride is expected to open in 2024.

Now open, Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana is a new attraction that recently opened at Epcot in Walt Disney World. This unique experience takes visitors on a journey through the world of water, inspired by the hit Disney movie, Moana.

Consider if you want to be visiting during all this renovation and change, or would possibly want to delay until more of it is done and open. 

What to Do If Your Trip Dates Aren’t Flexible

I know what you’re thinking. Sometimes it’s not always possible to plan your trip around the ever-changing crowds in Disney World. You might only get certain days off, or you have to work with your local school district’s schedule. 

I have good news for you, though, because you are not necessarily doomed to a vacation crammed with crowds and long lines. Just follow a few key tips to make the most of your time in the parks. 

• Find out which parks are busier than others. Different areas of Disney World are busier at different times (i.e. the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and the opening of a Star Wars attraction in Hollywood Studios), so you can always take the road less travelled to cut down your lines.
• Pro tip: Try going back to your hotel to rest or nap in the afternoon, when most of the parks are busiest. Make use of the cool early mornings and evenings!
• Go against the traffic flow. Have you ever noticed that most parks and attractions are laid out in a certain pattern? Try walking the opposite way of what you might expect, and you’ll find shorter lines along the way (especially if you show up early in the morning). 
• Get your tickets well in advance, and upgrade to jump ahead of lines as needed.

Planning any Disney trip can be stressful, and there will always be hiccups along the way.

No matter when you choose to go, I can practically guarantee you’ll have to wait in a line or two. Make it worth it for yourself by prioritizing what you really want to do, see, and experience. 

If you are planning a trip for the December holiday season or during the summer, don’t focus all your attention on avoiding every busy day. There are some really cool things happening in Disney during these times, so you might as well enjoy it! 

More Crowd Calendars

Looking for more information about the Disney World crowds? There are some really good crowd calendars available that break everything down by month, week, and day. There’s something for everyone, whether you just want a quick glance at a picture to tell you the crowd levels or you want to know all the data behind the calendar. 

Undercover Tourist

From one of my absolute favorite places to get discounted Disney tickets. Undercover Tourist always has this massive calendar available for every Orlando park. Just click on the places you’re heading, and they’ll give lots of good information on the crowd levels, historical trends, etc. 

Magic Guides 

I really like this crowd calendar from Magic Guides as well. It also breaks down the crowd levels by each park, but it features a visual infographic that gives you a snapshot of the entire year’s levels. 

WDW Prep School

The best crowd calendar that I’ve seen. I use this one personally to help me figure out the best times to schedule my trips. It gives specific dates for each and every month, and is updated all the time. It goes a full year ahead of time with detailed information, which is super helpful if you’re a planner (like me!). 

Next step: get your tickets all set to go. Check out my blog post all about getting the best budget Disney tickets. 

Do you use crowd calendars to plan your trip? What are your best tips for avoiding the crowds at Walt Disney World? Let me know! 

Sunday 28th of July 2019

Wow Disney is literally a whole new World! I had no idea about the crowd calendar and all of these events at Disneyworld!

Lyanna Soria

Saturday 27th of July 2019

This is quite an informative and helpful article. I didn't even know some and it's great that you compiled them all in one place.

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

We went before Thanksgiving and it was quite crowded. It definitely seems like they always have something going on.

This is pretty nice to have and post on a wall. The motif is literally for every age and gender. It will help you manage tasks and time as well.

We are planning a trip to Disney next year. Thanks for these tips!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Join Our Mailing List

• Date Calculator
• Annual Events
• Vacation Planning
• Vacation Packages
• Money Saving Tips
• Disney Genie
• Magic Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon
• Disney Springs
• Restaurants
• Dining Packages
• Dining Tips
• Resort Guides
• Resort Tips
• Planning Tips
• Ship Guides
• Things to Do
• Cruise destinations
• Dining Options
• Disneyland Park
• Disney California Adventure
• Downtown Disney
• Universal Studios
• Islands of Adventure
• Epic Universe
• Volcano Bay
• Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar 2024

Are you going to Walt Disney World in 2024? Would you like to know what you can expect from the crowds? Are you trying to determine the best time to head to Walt Disney World? Then take a look at our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar for 2024.

Our crowd calendar will help you prepare and make the best decisions for planning the dates of your magical Disney vacation. While days with more substantial crowds may occur, this crowd calendar will give you a traditional idea of what you can expect.

On This Page

• January Crowd Calendar
• February Crowd Calendar
• March Crowd Calendar 
• April Crowd Calendar
• May Crowd Calendar
• June Crowd Calendar
• July Crowd Calendar
• August Crowd Calendar
• September Crowd Calendar
• October Crowd Calendar
• November Crowd Calendar
• December Crowd Calendar

January 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

January key events.

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• January 3 – 7: Marathon Weekend
• January 12 – February 19: Epcot International Festival of the Arts
• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Summary of the month

The beginning of January begins super busy with the New Year. The busy holidays lead right into the very popular Marathon weekend. Next, Martin Luther King Day is a holiday where many visit the parks due to kids having time off from school and businesses having Monday off. By the end of the month, however, crowds will have lightened.

February 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

February key events.

• February 14: Valentine’s Day
• February 19: Presidents’ Day
• February 22 – 26: Princess Half Marathon Weekend
• February 28 – May 27: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

The month of February begins with lower crowds. February is a great time to go as the weather is nice, and crowds are typically lower than average. February doesn’t usually get busy until around Valentine’s Day through President’s Day Weekend. Presidents’ Day, like Martin Luther King Day in January, causes crowds to increase due to longer school breaks. Presidents’ Day Weekend and extends into the week as guests take extra days off for a longer getaway. Student groups (like sports, cheer, music, etc.) tend to have events during this time of year.

March 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

March key events.

• March 31: Easter Sunday

Summary of month

March starts with spring break crowds that will grow as the month continues.  The second week of March typically starts to show an increase in crowds as spring break crowds get heavier around the US. Don’t shy away from this time of the year, though, as the weather is nice and the parks are beautiful with spring flowers blooming.  Just make sure you plan to manage the crowds. The week before and after Easter bring the most Spring Break travelers.

April 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

April key events.

• All month: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
• April 18 – 21: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend

The month of April starts with crowds as the week after Easter attracts many travelers. Once the week after Easter passes, spring break crowds will diminish.  runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend is a fun addition to April. Like the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, this doesn’t draw as many runners as the marathon in January, but it does slightly increase crowd levels on race days. April will wrap up with moderate to lighter crowds as temperatures warm.

May 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

May key events.

• May 12: Mother’s Day
• May 27: Memorial Day

The beginning of May is a great time to visit the parks as crowds are on the low end. With schools wrapping up, few families take vacations during this time of the year, making crowd levels low. As the month continues, crowds will increase as schools finish their year. Memorial Day Weekend will be a higher level crowd time due to extra time off from work and schools.

June 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

June key events.

• June 16: Father’s Day
• June 19: Junteenth

June starts the summer months of crowds, where you can expect moderate to heavy crowds most days. Although this may seem like a time to avoid visiting, with a good plan, you can manage the masses, making June a good summer month option.

July 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

Key events in july.

• July 4th: Independence Day

With the 4th of July, this month starts with higher crowds. The most intense summer crowds occur around the 4th of July celebration. Following the holiday, crowds are heavy to moderate throughout the month. Like with June, although this may seem like a time to avoid visiting, with a good plan, you can manage the crowds. 

August 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

August key events.

• TBD August – November:   Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• mid-August – October 31: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

August starts with the typical summer crowds; however, as the month continues, the crowds lessen due to schools starting. Leading into September is often some of the slower times of the year. 

September 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

September key events.

• September 2: Labor Day

September is often the slowest month, however thanks to possible special offers, sometimes September can see moderate crowds. Labor Day Weekend sees a moderate uptick in crowds, and weekends will likely be heavy due to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

October 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

October key events.

• All Month:   Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• October 31st: Halloween
• October 31 – November 3: Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend

October sees an uptick in crowds due to a number of school districts taking a fall break in the first couple of weeks of the month. The Epcot Food and Wine Festival also brings crowds on the weekends as locals come to experience the event. Also, don’t forget about Halloween Parties, which brings people to the resorts.

November 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

November key events.

• November 11: Veterans Day
• Through mid November:   Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• November 28: Thanksgiving

Summary of Month

With both the Epcot Food and Wine Festival and Jersey Days early in the month and Thanksgiving later in the month, November sees heavier crowds. Add in the holiday decorations and parties starting earlier each year, this month keeps more moderate crowds overall. Like in the summer months don’t let this keep you from enjoying the magic.  Plan and be prepared and the crowds won’t bother you anyway.

December 2024 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

December Key Events:

• Through December: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• December 25: Christmas
• December 31: New Year’s Eve

Summary of the month:

December has quickly become one of the busiest times at Walt Disney World.  More and more people want to experience Walt Disney World during the holidays and who can blame them? However, this has led to an increase in park crowds.  It is important during this time of year to have a plan, allowing you to truly enjoy the magic of the holidays at Walt Disney World. Make sure to book early because resort availability will be limited, especially in the second half of the month. 

Above all, it’s always a great time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort no matter what time of the year it is, as the magic never stops. When you visit Walt Disney World, make sure to use your MyDisneyExperience to help make the most of your trip.

Walt Disney World Resort Free Quote

Start planning your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation with The Magic For Less Travel . Use the form below to request a free no-obligation quote, and one of their counselors will get in touch with you to begin planning. The Mouse For Less recommends the Walt Disney World vacation planning services provided by our sponsor, The Magic For Less Travel. Their expert planning advice will help you make the most of your vacation time and money. The Magic For Less Travel is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and provides service free of charge.

Privacy Overview

2022 Disney World Crowd Calendars – When to Go

by Rain Blanken | Feb 2, 2021 | Animal Kingdom , Disney's Hollywood Studios , EPCOT , Magic Kingdom , Walt Disney World News , WDW Blog

Everything you need to know about using a 2022 Disney World crowd calendar, and which are the most reliable.

If you’ve never used a Disneyland or Walt Disney World crowd calendar before, here is what you should look for in a reliable source and what those calendars just can’t predict. (Updated 01-08-2022)

What is a 2022 Disney World Crowd Calendar?

Crowd calendars offer an estimate of how crowded the Disney Parks will be on a specific day.

Disney World crowd calendars can include weather, crowd levels, ticket prices, hours, and seasonal event information. They typically are created a year in advance , so most information is estimated.

2022 WDW Crowd Calendar Inclusions

🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏿Crowd Levels: Usually indicated by attention-grabbing green, yellow, or red symbols. This information is at the heart of the crowd calendar, so it is usually the most prominent and accessible element.

☀️Weather: Crowd calendar weather is typically derived from historic weather in Anaheim and Orlando… sunny, rainy, cloudy? These are put in simple terms, sometimes with an average temperature.

🎃Seasonal Events: Some crowd calendars will also list seasonal events, like EPCOT Festivals, runDisney events, or Magic Kingdom after-hours parties. This information can help you to determine why the crowds are so high in a day or week.

🎟️Ticket Prices: The cost to enter a Disney Park can vary depending on the time of year. Demand and capacity dictate which days are more expensive. Crowd calendars follow official posted Disney prices, so this tends to be one of the most accurate stats in a crowd calendar.

⏰Hours: Some crowd calendars list operating hours for all of the Disneyland or Disney World parks. This information could have changed since the calendar was posted.

📝Excess Info: Some crowd calendars track a lot of information you’ll never need. Like when SeaWorld is open, for instance. Make sure you’re using a simple crowd calendar that helps, not one that hides what you need among a lot of other info that doesn’t apply to your vacation.

How Do Crowd Calendars Help Plan Your Trip?

Different crowd calendars use various colors, numbers, and rating systems to give you the info on Disney World crowds.

Make sure you’re familiar with their system before you go making reservations! Crowd calendars can be confusing, especially if you are consulting a few with different tracking systems .

NOTE: ALL crowd calendars are an estimate of what will come to pass, based on previous years. While crowd calendars can offer some basic advice, make sure you are double-checking the information.

Top 2022 Disney Crowd Calendars

Not sure which calendar to go with? Here is a quick rundown of what each of the most popular crowd calendars has to offer:

1. Dad’s Guide to WDW Crowd Calendars

• ✔️Crowd Levels, Weather, Events
• ✔️Easily shareable calendar images
• ✔️Simple symbols and information
• ✔️Dedicated full pages to explain crowd levels each month

We have a soft spot for Dad’s Guide Crowd Calendars (as part of our parent company), but our team really does prefer Dad’s crowd control.

The easy-to-read crowd level indicators, weather, and special event notes are all we need. The best part is that the calendar images are easy to screenshot or share so that you have the info at your fingertips without sifting through a lot of extra text.

But you need more crowd details? Well, there’s a whole page dedicated to every calendar month in case you want to read a bit more.

2. Touring Plans Crowd Calendar

• ✔️Crowd levels, park hours, ticket prices, events
• ✔️Extra price and hourly information
• ❌Number system and extra info can be confusing
• ❌Redundant with MDE app info
• ❌Hard to look at on mobile
• ❌No shareable calendar images

The Touring Plans crowd calendars include crowd levels, park hours, ticket prices, and events. However, they are not easily shareable images and can be difficult to read. Much is info that My Disney Experience already has, like attraction wait times.

3. Undercover Tourist Crowd Calendar

• ✔️All the info you ever wanted
• ✔️Park-specific crowd levels
• ❌TOO MUCH info you never ever wanted
• ❌Hard to see the month on mobile

The Undercover Tourist crowd calendar has information for SeaWorld, Universal, etc. That can be a good thing but can make you go cross-eyed trying to look at it all. If you want something easy to read and share, avoid this beast of a mega-planner.

4. WDW Prep School Crowd Calendar

• ✔️All on one page
• ❌Per week, not per-day estimates
• ❌Only crowd levels and holidays
• ❌Not a true calendar; it is a list
• ❌Monthly information is not easily shareable

The WDW Prep School info is not a crowd calendar so much as a one-page list of which weeks are more crowded and the holidays that accompany them.

So, maybe you need some of what these calendars are offering, but Dad’s Guide is the one we stick with for our WDW-specific needs! The info is just what we need for at-a-glance planning, and the images are easy to share on mobile.

2022 Disney World Crowd Calendars

What is the best day to go to Walt Disney World? Photo by Rain Blanken

Are crowds down at Disney World? These monthly crowd calendars from Dad’s Guide give us a quick at-a-glance for each month alongside in-depth articles on what is happening each month (and how to make the most of the events and weather each month!)

January 2022 Crowd Calendar

• January Events: New Years Day, marathons, and Festival of the Arts. Which weeks will these events impact?
• View the January 2022 Crowd Calendar…

February 2022 Crowd Calendar

• February Events: Valentine’s Day and chillier weather can mean thin crowds:
• View the February 2022 Crowd Calendar…

March 2022 Crowd Calendar

• March Events: Most of March seems moderate… but wait till Spring Break hits:
• View the March 2022 Crowd Calendar…

April 2022 Crowd Calendar

• April Events: Easter, Spring Break, and the Flower & Garden Festival all build the crowd:
• View the April 2022 Crowd Calendar…

May 2022 Crowd Calendar

• May Events: Flower and Garden Continues, and May the 4th festivities may appear…
• View the May 2022 Crowd Calendar…

June 2022 Crowd Calendar

• June Events: Summertime is here, and Dad’s has tips on how the rain could actually save your park day…
• View the June 2022 Crowd Calendar…

July 2022 Crowd Calendar

• July Events: Fourth of July brings in lots of guests, but part of July is sparse…
• View the July 2022 Crowd Calendar…

August 2022 Crowd Calendar

• August Events: August is… HOT in Florida. But these crowd levels may convince you…
• View the August 2022 Crowd Calendar…

September 2022 Crowd Calendar

• September Events: The holiday season starts early at WDW, and Food and Wine is well underway…
• View the September 2022 Crowd Calendar…

October 2022 Crowd Calendar

• October Events: Time to howl at the moon, it’s Halloween at WDW!
• View the October 2022 Crowd Calendar…

November 2022 Crowd Calendar

• November Events: Next month may sound cozy, but Festival of the Holidays in November could be the perfect jolly getaway…
• View the November 2022 Crowd Calendar…

December 2022 Crowd Calendar

• December Events: It’s the most, crowded time… of the year! But who can resist the holidays with Mickey?
• View the December 2022 Crowd Calendar…

A crowd calendar above will tell you all the details, but in case you’re just looking for the least-crowded and most-crowded months, here is your briefing.

When is Disney World Least Crowded?

For the least-crowded months at Disney World, keep your eyes on these two chunks of the year:

• The last half of January—February
• The last half of August—September
• The last week of November—first full week of December

Kids are freshly back in school at these times, so not many families will have vacations planned. Spring break ramps up after February, and before that, marathons are happening in the first half of January.

Summer is busy, then in October, the Halloween crowds come in. That will immediately transition into Thanksgiving crowds. The last week of November/first week of December seems to be the eye of the holiday storm with a good lull in crowds.

When is Disney World Most Crowded?

The holidays are the most crowded time to visit at Disney World and tend to be more expensive too, as the resort rates and ticket prices fluctuate for demand.

Summer months also tend to be very crowded , and any other minor holiday when kids are out of school. Spring break (March—April) could also be avoided.

Disney World is most crowded during these chunks of the year:

• The last half of December
• Spring break months: March—Early May
• Summer months: May—the first half of August

Even in the low-crowd months, you’ll get more out of your park ticket if you visit on a weekday instead of a weekend when local Annual Passholder families are roaming the parks.

To see the Christmas decorations without the crowds , hit up Disney World in the first week of December, or immediately after Thanksgiving weekend.

Latest Posts

Big Changes Coming for Genie+ at Disney World

July 4th at walt disney world: fireworks, food, and more, disney world gingerbread houses: a complete guide, these are the absolute worst ways to use the disney dining plan, disney world refurbishment schedule for 2024 and 2025, disney reveals dates for 2024 epcot festival of the holidays, posts by rain blanken.

Authored by Rain Blanken

Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $100. Dismiss

• Foods & Restaurants
• Travel Tips
• Flight Ticket
• Relationship

• WORLD'S BEST

2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar – Plan Your Magical Visit

Are you planning a trip to Disney World soon? If so, it’s essential to ensure the best possible experience. One effective way to do this is using a Disney World Crowd Calendar. This tool helps you plan your visit when crowds are typically smaller, allowing you to avoid long lines and maximise your enjoyment in the parks.

But why is a crowd calendar so important? As you may already know, Disney World is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. It can get crowded, especially during peak travel times like holidays and school breaks. By consulting a crowd calendar, you can better understand when to visit the parks to avoid the biggest crowds. This can help you save time, reduce stress, and make your trip more enjoyable.

So, if you’re looking to plan a trip to Disney World, be sure to consult a crowd calendar before you go. With the correct information, you can make the most of your time in the parks and create memories that will last a lifetime. Keep reading to learn more about how a crowd calendar can help you plan your perfect Disney World vacation.

Table of Contents

What is the Disney Crowd Calendar?

The Disney Crowd Calendar is a tool that predicts the estimated crowd levels at Walt Disney World on any given day. This calendar is designed to help you plan your trip and avoid long lines and wait times.

There are five levels that the crowds are divided into:

Lowest : These days are the least crowded and offer the shortest wait times for attractions.

Low : These days are still relatively uncrowded, but wait times may be slightly longer than on the lowest days.

Moderate : These days are moderately crowded, with longer wait times for popular attractions .

High : These days are very crowded, with long wait times for most attractions.

Highest : These days are the most crowded, with extended wait times for all attractions.

The Disney Crowd Calendar considers various factors affecting crowd levels, such as holidays, special events , and school breaks. It also provides information on Orlando’s average daily temperature ranges, which can help you plan your trip accordingly.

The calendar is updated regularly to guarantee that the crowd predictions are as accurate as possible. It’s essential to remember that the crowd sizes are estimates and may change based on various circumstances, including the weather and unforeseen events.

Using the Disney Crowd Calendar, you can plan your trip to Walt Disney World during the least crowded times, which can help you make the most of your vacation and have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Factors Influencing Crowd Levels

When planning a trip to Disney World, it is vital to consider the factors that can influence crowd levels. Here are some of the main factors to keep in mind:

Time of Year

The time of year you visit Disney World can significantly impact crowd levels. Generally, the busiest times of year are when schools are on break, such as summer, spring break, and winter holidays . If you can be flexible with your travel dates, consider visiting during the off-season when crowds are lighter.

Here is a table summarising the typical crowd levels for each month:

Special Events

Disney World hosts various special events throughout the year, such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. These events can draw large crowds, so check the calendar before planning your trip.

Here is a table summarising the dates of some of the most popular special events:

Weather Conditions

The weather can also play a role in crowd levels at Disney World. During the hot and humid summer, crowds increase as visitors flock to water parks and indoor attractions to escape the heat. Conversely, during the cooler winter months, crowds tend to be lighter.

Here is a table summarising the typical weather conditions for each month:

How to Use the Crowd Calendar?

When planning your Disney World vacation, utilising the crowd calendar to help you decide when to visit the parks is essential. Here are some tips on how to use the crowd calendar effectively:

Planning Your Visit

1. Use the crowd calendar to identify the best times to visit the parks. Look for dates with lower crowd levels to minimise wait times and maximise enjoyment.

2. Plan your visit using the park hours and Extra Magic Hours (EMH). EMH are additional hours only available to guests staying at select Disney resorts. Check the crowd calendar to see which parks have EMH on which days.

3. Plan your FastPass+ selections based on the crowd calendar. Book FastPasses for the most popular attractions during peak crowd days to avoid long wait times.

4. Consider attending special events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These events have limited attendance and can offer a more enjoyable experience during peak crowd times.

Maximising Your Time

1. Arrive at the park before it opens to maximise your time. Use the first hour of the day to ride popular attractions with shorter wait times.

2. Take advantage of mobile ordering for quick-service restaurants. This allows you to order and pay for your food in advance, reducing wait times.

3. Use the My Disney Experience app to check wait times and plan your day. The app also allows you to change your FastPass+ selections and dining reservations.

4. Consider taking a mid-day break during peak crowd times. This allows you to avoid the hottest part of the day and recharge for the evening.

Using the crowd calendar and following these tips, you can maximise your Disney World vacation and minimise wait times.

Best Times to Visit

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, it’s essential to know the best times to visit to avoid crowds and long wait times. Here are some of the best times to visit Disney World based on crowd levels:

Low Crowd Periods

The best time to visit Disney World with low crowds is during the off-season. This includes the months of January, February, May, September, and November (excluding Thanksgiving week). You can expect lower wait times, shorter lines, and fewer crowds during these months.

Moderate Crowd Periods

March, April, and October are good times to visit Disney World if you want to avoid the crowds while it’s still nice outside. As these months fall in between the high and low seasons, you can anticipate pleasant weather and a moderate number of visitors.

High-Crowd Periods

If you want to visit Disney World during peak season, be prepared for larger crowds and longer wait times. The busiest times of the year are during the summer months (June-August), Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, and New Year’s week. If you must visit during these times, consider using a FastPass or booking a VIP tour to help manage wait times.

Remember that Disney World Crowd Calendar is just a guide and not a guarantee of crowd levels. Unexpected events like ride closures, weather, and holidays can affect crowd levels. However, planning your trip during the best times to visit can help ensure a more enjoyable and less stressful experience at Disney World.

Tips for Navigating Crowds

Visiting Disney World can be a magical experience , but navigating the crowds can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time at the park.

FastPass System

One of the best ways to avoid long lines is using the FastPass system. This system allows you to reserve a spot in line for select attractions, shows, and character meet and greets. You can reserve up to three FastPasses per day, and once you use them, you can reserve additional ones, one at a time, using the My Disney Experience app or at a FastPass kiosk.

Arriving Early

Arriving early can also help you avoid crowds and lines. The parks are typically less crowded in the morning, so consider arriving before opening. This will allow you to experience more popular attractions before the crowds arrive.

Dining Reservations

Making dining reservations can also help you avoid crowds and lines. Disney World has many dining options, and many popular restaurants fill up quickly. By making a reservation, You can avoid waiting in long lines and ensure you experience some of the best dining options the park offers.

Remember to plan and make the most of your time at Disney World. By taking advantage of the FastPass system , arriving early, and making dining reservations, you can avoid long lines and make the most of your time at the park.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the most reliable disney crowd calendar.

The most reliable Disney crowd calendar is the one that is updated frequently and takes into account holidays, special events, and school breaks. Some popular and reliable crowd calendars for Disney World are Magic Guides, WDW Magazine, and Undercover Tourist.

What are the busiest days at Disney World 2024?

The busiest days at Disney World 2024 are typically holidays, weekends, and school breaks. The busiest times include Christmas, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Visiting Disney World during these times is best to avoid crowds.

How accurate is the Undercover Tourist crowd calendar?

The Undercover Tourist crowd calendar is known for its accuracy and is one of the most popular crowd calendars for Disney World. It considers historical data, special events, and holidays to predict crowd levels.

However, remember that crowd levels are always subject to change and can be affected by unforeseen circumstances.

Where can I find a free Disney World crowd calendar?

There are many free Disney World crowd calendars available online. Some popular options include WDW Travels, Touring Plans, and MouseSavers. Remember that free crowd calendars may not be as accurate as paid ones and may only consider some factors that can affect crowd levels.

Planning your visit to Disney World using a crowd calendar can help you avoid long lines and crowded attractions. While many crowd calendars are available, choosing one that is accurate and up-to-date is vital. Consider seasonal events, holidays, and school breaks when selecting the best time to visit .

Remember that weekends are often busier than weekdays, so plan accordingly. Additionally, making advance dining reservations can help you save time and avoid restaurant wait times.

Overall, using a crowd calendar and planning, you can make the most of your visit to Disney World and enjoy a magical experience with shorter wait times and fewer crowds.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

The 20 Cities That Start with D [Updated List 2024]

Top 14 Richest Cities in Florida [Latest Update 2024]

Fuxi Mountain Stairs: A Journey Through Ancient Beauty

Discover Top 6 the Best Landscape Place in the World

Mircari Travel Blog – Journey Through Hidden Gems and Global Wonders

Countries that Start with D in The World

Serengeti National Park: A Journey Through Africa’s Wildlife Paradise

Traveler Zeno Mabinogi – Exploring the Edge of the World’s Mysteries

When is the Best Time for Wildebeest Migration? [Maximize Your Experience]

Witness the Epic Wildebeest River Crossings: A Must-See Natural Wonder

Best Time to Visit Death Valley National Park

4th Largest Island in the Philippines

Bandarban Tour | Best Things to Do Bandarban | Bangladesh

35 Best Hotels in Cox’s Bazar | Tour Bangladesh

What is Insurance? Types of Insurance, Benefits

The 12 Best Travel Clothes for Women in 2024

Why Thieves Hate Crayon In Wallet?

Are 3 Carat Lab-Grown Diamond Rings Worth It for Your Special...

What is a Vertical Restore Facelift?

Why Are Beginners In Favor Of Using Vape Juice This Year?

Latest articles.

Masai Mara Wildebeest Migration: Nature’s Grand Spectacle

Three Underrated Gadgets for Digital Nomads in 2024

Wildebeest Calving Season: The Great Migration Unveiled

Rent a Car in Dubai: Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring The...

Jose Ignacio Uruguay: Where Rustic Charm Meets Modern Elegance

Florida Sun Adventures

The Best Disney World Crowd Calendars

Avoid crowds on your next Walt Disney World Visit. Here a list of the best Disney World Crowd Calendars.

One thing everyone needs to know when going to Walt Disney World is that there will be crowds. No matter when you go, there will be busier and more crowded days at Walt Disney World than other days. To make your trip more enjoyable, knowing these days can help you plan your trip and your itinerary to avoid the most crowded days at Disney World.

Often, the locals will know the best times to avoid crowds at Disney, however, connecting with them can be difficult. In order to help, many have created Disney World crowd calendars that pull information from multiple sources to create updated and accurate Disney World crowd calendars. Many of these crowd calendars will take into account special events, school breaks, concert series, annual pass blockout days and even weather.

3rd: Undercover Tourist Disney Crowd Calendar

Late nights after fireworks, our list of disney world crowd calendards.

Here is a list of our favorite Disney World crowd calendars. Each of these Disney crowd calendars have different features. We suggest you use all of these calendars to get a better understanding of crowd levels at Disney World.

Note: In 2016, Disney rolled out a new pricing structure giving historically lower crowd days lower ticket prices and higher prices on the busier days. This has created a huge shift in the crowds and since these prices are dynamic, this can cause these calculators to be less accurate than they have been in the past.

1st: Dad’s Guide To WDW Crowd Calendar

This is a great Disney World crowd calendar put together by Dad’s Guide to WDW. What I enjoy about this calendar is he breaks it down by month and gives you the reasons as to why he predicted the crowd levels as high or low as he did.

This site does a great job of monitoring new events and updating their crowd calendars for these new events.

2nd: TouringPlans.com Disney Crowd Calendar

This is one of our favorite Disney World crowd calendars as it allows us to see crowd levels by park. Touring Plans uses data scientists to analyze patterns from previous data to determine what the crowd levels will be like. Furthermore, they also use this same data science to predict ride wait times for ride and attractions.

What we don’t like about this site is not all the data is free. In order to see the wait times and see 365 days of their crowd calendar, you have to subscribe to their service. That said, a subscription is only $16 per year and they state you will save up to 4 hours a day of standing in lines. If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, having this crowd calendar may be worth the price.

Undercover Tourist breaks down a crowd calendar by park in an easy to read calendar form. I am unaware of how they get their data. In addition to Disney, this site also provides Universal Orlando crowd calendars as well as SeaWorld crowd calendars. This would be a great crowd calendar to use if you plan on visiting other parks in addition to Disney World.

When is Disney World Least Crowded?

The most common question we are asked is when Disney World is least crowded. This answer changes based off festivals, events and even weather.

Typically, Walt Disney World is least crowded from the first week of January through the 3rd week in February, right before presidents day. Disney is also less crowded from the week after Labor Day through the week right before Thanksgiving week. Once Thanksgiving has passed, the first 2 weeks of December you will find less crowds at Disney World.

When is Disney World Most Crowded?

Weekends are always more crowded at Walt Disney World, however, there are times that you will find higher crowds on both weekdays and the weekends.

• President’s Day Week (3rd week of February
• Spring Break (mid-March through late-April)
• Memorial Day Weekend
• Summer (June through Labor Day)
• 3rd of July and 4th of July (EXTREME crowds)
• Thanksgiving Week & Weekend
• Christmas Week through January 1st (Sometimes extends a few days into January depending when the 1st falls)
• New Years Eve (EXTREME crowds)

When is the Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Many still want to know “When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World?” Using the Disney Crowd Calendars above, there are still some days that are less crowded at Disney, however, it is becoming harder and harder to have a slow day at Disney.

Weekdays Instead of Weekends

Some of our tips to have less crowds is to arrange your schedule to get the most out of the less crowded days. Weekdays, especially days when school is in session will be your least crowded. Rather than visiting Disney on the Weekend, visit throughout the week and make the weekend be one of your down days.

Florida is notorious for our afternoon “monsoons” only to be followed up by sunshine and unfortunately humidity. While these may get you wet, planing a Disney day when a storm may roll through could help clear out some of the crowds. There are many things to do at Disney on rainy days , however, staying in the park can be one of your best bets.

Park hours vary throughout the year at the different parks. During the summer, you will often find the parks open extremely late into the night, however, Fireworks may be scheduled for earlier. Our experience is that many parents will tell their little ones (yes, we have done this when our teen was toddler) that the park is closed after the fireworks and head back to the hotel. This often results in less crowds for those final few hours.

What’s Your Favorite?

There are a lot of Disney World crowd calendars online and in apps. In the comments below tell us your favorite crowd calendar and why you like it and we will add it to our list.

• Posted in: Attractions , Featured
• Tagged in: Walt Disney World

Related Posts

Leave a reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *