My husband and I try to go to Walt Disney World as often as possible throughout the year. We make about 3 week-long trips a year and we’ve definitely discovered the best times to go and when to just stay far away. Some people just laugh when you tell them you’re going to Disney World or say “but isn’t that for kids,” to which I will unequivocally debate that theory. My co-workers no long ask where we’re going on vacation, but rather ‘when’ we’re going back to Disney World – they know me well. I think Disney World is a wonderful place for both young and old, especially when it’s just a couples trip – I mean, who doesn’t like to feel like a kid again? Work and life in general can be stressful and a trip to Disney World just kind of takes it all away, even if for only a brief period of time.
So what are the best times to go and when should you avoid going to Disney World if you’re traveling as a couple? The obvious time to avoid the parks is during the summer. Not only is it insanely HOT in Florida, but it’s crowded. Kids are out of school and everyone is taking vacation, so the parks are busy and you’ll be beyond sweaty after a day in the parks. Holidays are also times you want to avoid for the same reason that schools are out for breaks during those days. Big events in the parks also bring crowds, such as Star Wars Weekends (although I do have to admit that as someone who has never seen an entire Star Wars movie, I really enjoyed going during one of the weekends this was going on). But those events are generally held during the year when schools are perhaps still in, so the crowds aren’t too bad.
There are three times of the year that we like to visit the parks. Fall is a very popular time of the year to go, usually in October or early November. The weather is (usually) much cooler, Magic Kingdom has awesome Halloween decorations and the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party to enjoy, and typically the crowds are pretty low. Although, I’ve heard a lot of complaints about the higher-than-normal crowds in October this year, but it still beats going in the summer or during a holiday weekend. Another word of warning, since this is also the time of year when the Food & Wine Festival is going on, be sure to avoid Epcot particularly on weekends when locals visit the parks. I’ve yet to hear many positives about visiting on weekends during the festival when it’s insanely crowded in World Showcase.
We love visiting Disney World when the Flower & Garden Festival is going on and have done it every year for 3 years now – but we avoid going the week before and after Easter, as schools are out on Spring Break then. Not only is the temperature cool or mildly warm in March/April, Epcot is simply beautiful during that time of year. We’re sort of HGTV nerds, so we try to plan our trip around which HGTV designer is featured that week at the Flower & Garden Festival, but that probably doesn’t matter to most people.
Our hands down favorite time of the year to visit Disney World is in early December. We try to visit in the first or second week in order to avoid those who are getting out of school for Winter Break (it starts to get crowded each year around December 20th). The resorts are beautifully decorated, there is just a slight chill in the air, the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a lot of fun, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights are awe inspiring and mesmerizing, and nothing can beat the decorations and Castle Dream Lights in Magic Kingdom. It just doesn’t feel like Christmas to us until we’ve made a trip to WDW. And of course it’s simply romantic to take it all in with the one you love.
When do you like to visit Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comment box below.
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I wish I could go more often. The last two trips were not as enjoyable. Dec. 1-8, 2006 was our first trip since I was there in 1978 . It was enjoyable but we were new and missed so much. Since then we have been there about four more times. Early December is the best. It is so very beautiful. Late September was nice but rainy. Late March into early April was awful. To many people and too much drinking in Epcot. The best times were when it was just me and the family. I hope to go back Dec. 2014.
I agree that the first two weeks of December are great if you want to see the holiday decorations. The second week is usually Pop Warner week so we do prefer the first week but during the day the 2nd week is good too. We also like January and early February. Low crowds and cooler weather.
We’ve yet to take a cruise (with any cruise line), so it’s on our to-do list and we may end up doing it next Fall 🙂
It really depends on when you go for SWW. The later you go during the time they have it, the more crowded it will be since schools are starting to get out. It will be absolutely packed while you’re trying to watch the shows for SWW at Hollywood Studios, so be warned. All parks tend to be a bit more crowded when there are special events going on that bring people to Disney World. But if you go early on and before Memorial Day, you shouldn’t experience 9 or 10 level crowds like you can at times once schools are out.
Oh my… I love meeting new people and would have loved to say hi. I definitely need to look into the passholder thing. My next venture is to talk the sweet fiance into a Disney Cruise.
I haven’t been to WDW in nearly a decade, and my boyfriend has never been before. I was only 13 when I went, and I only went to Magic Kingdom, so I don’t remember much! For our trip, my boyfriend and I are planning on going to Star Wars Weekends, but since we don’t know how to navigate WDW, I’m really worried about crowds. Will only Hollywood Studios be crowded on the weekends, or will every park be crowded all week?
That’s awesome Lindsey! We’ve been passholders since we first started going to Disney together. I didn’t go for the first time until I went with a friend in 2009 (and my husband had to convince me to go then since I felt guilty going without him). That next summer we were passholders lol. We now make it a point to go every December and this year we’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary, so it makes it extra special. If I had to choose only one time to go, it would be then. It’s extra magical and you will LOVE it! We’ll be leaving the parks on the 7th, so looks like we’ll just miss being there when you’re there, but Chip will be there the following week 🙂
Love, love, love that you mentioned early December as your fav. We went early February this year and it was great. Low crowds, limited ride closures, and fabulous weather. We tried to hit the same time in 2014 but weren’t able to so December 9th, 2013 we will be on our way to our Disneymoon. Prior to reading this, I was still a little nervous that it would be very different than our February trip. While we don’t go near as often as you (or as I would like), it is just me and the future hubby. BTW, a little jealous that you get to go so often.