Though the weather in Central Florida is deceptively even-keeled throughout the year, Orlando does experience distinct seasons of a sort. The times of the year are heralded less by changing leaves and bouts of snow, and more by tourist traffic and event calendars. If you’re trying to pinpoint the optimum time for your visit, there’s good news and bad.
There’s something outstanding to enjoy at Walt Disney World in every single season. However, the perks also come with their own unique pitfalls. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for when to visit, but understanding the distinctions between the seasons will help you find the ideal dates for your individual party.
Spring
During the spring months, Orlando’s average highs warm from the mid-70s to upper 80s while lows range from the upper 50s to upper 60s. Is this fresh and blooming time of the year right for you?
The Best
Epcot’s Flower and Garden festival spans the entire spring season, typically running from the beginning of March to the end of May. You’ll find Epcot awash in colorful flowers with specialty outdoor kitchens scattered liberally throughout. You can visit the popular cranberry bog, sign up for special events and tours, or catch live music as part of the Garden Rocks Concert Series.
The Worst
Spring means Spring Break. Most schools have their Spring Break between mid-March and mid-April, giving you a solid month of high traffic from families with children. The Wide World of Sports also hosts dance and cheerleading competitions on select weekends through March, April, and May. If this is your crowd, you may love this time of year. However, if you’re looking for low guest traffic, the masses of dancing, cheering teenagers may not enhance your vacation.
Summer
Orlando’s summer is hot and humid, with average highs in the 90s and lows in the mid-70s. You might love or hate this kind of weather, but there are several other factors that will determine whether this is the season for you.
The Best
The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is the most prominent event in the summer. For the most part, the parks offer an assortment of smaller celebrations, such as dining specials for Father’s Day and patriotic fireworks on July 3 and 4. This is a popular time to visit as many children are enjoying summer vacations from school. However, school schedules are spread out enough that there’s no single rush of traffic, and you can enjoy moderate crowds for most of the season.
The Worst
Hurricane season starts June 1 and continues through the rest of the summer. The weather during this time is relentlessly humid with daily showers most afternoons. Average monthly precipitation is 8.7 inches in June, 7.1 inches in July, and 7.8 inches in August. If you want to avoid crowds, the week of Independence Day is something you should definitely steer clear of.
Autumn
Orlando’s autumn temperatures drop from average highs in the upper 80s in September, to the upper 70s in November. The average lows are in the mid-70s in September, but dip down to 60 by November. Is this season of thanks right for you?
The Best
Autumn is, in my opinion, the absolute best time of the year for special events in Walt Disney World. Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival begins in late August and typically runs through the middle of November. Enjoy delicious food and drinks from around the world, attend special cooking demonstrations, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the event.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom starts around mid- to late September and continues through Halloween. This is a separately ticketed event that includes masses of candy, costumed characters, and a special parade and fireworks show. By the end of September, most schools are back in session so the crowds tend to drop until the Thanksgiving spike.
The Worst
Hurricane season is still in full swing until the end of November. The rain drops off gradually from 6 inches in September to 3.3 in October and 2.4 in November. However, the risk for a major storm still lingers. The Food and Wine Festival brings a lot of traffic to Epcot. If you’re not interested in the festival, this isn’t the best time to visit, as you’ll find longer lines and a lot more people in the streets.
Winter
Orlando’s winter offers a welcome respite from the chill of other parts of the country. Average highs are in the low 70s and lows are in the low 50s. This brisk season might be everything you’re looking for.
The Best
If you enjoy holiday festivities, no one does it quite like Disney. The Magic Kingdom hosts the separately ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. At Epcot you’ll find Holidays Around the World. The Holidays at Disney Springs bring some outstanding seasonal shopping and the chance to meet Santa. Resorts and parks throughout are decked out in Christmas wonder. If you wait until after the holidays, January offers a nice slow season for a visit with minimal crowds.
The Worst
If you visit around any major holiday, you’ll find some of the worst crowds all year. The weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years find the streets literally shoulder-to-shoulder. The weather is typically too cold to enjoy the resort pools or water parks.
You’ll find something wonderful to enjoy any time of the year at Walt Disney World, even if you miss all the major celebrations. Think about your family’s individual needs and pinpoint the right time for your next visit to this magical destination.
