When is the best time to go to Disney World: choose the right time

By Alina GoncharovaMar 6, 2024 15:23 PMBudget trips
Share:
When is the best time to go to Disney World: choose the right time
A favorite place for children and adults. Source: Image Ricardo Guzman/Pixabay

Accommodation, dining, purchasing branded souvenirs such as T-shirts or Mickey Mouse ears, as well as tickets to the amusement park itself – the cost of a trip to Disney World can quickly add up if you don't take care to plan a fun vacation with or without children. It's worth planning your trip carefully if you want to stay on budget. Use the following tips to save money on your vacation, keeping in mind the most expensive and cheapest times to visit Disney World.

When is the best time to visit Disney World

The favorite theme park, like other popular attractions in the world, is no exception, and the time of the highest activity is often the most expensive. However, this means that during relatively off-peak seasons, you can get a pretty good deal.

Disney World operates year-round, so it's not easy to find obvious periods of minimal activity. Nevertheless, it is still possible to track when the number of visitors is the lowest and prices are lower throughout the year. If you plan to visit theme parks on a tight budget, it's important to be flexible. For example, adults traveling without children or families with kids who don't go to school yet can skip the vacation schedule and visit Disney World at a less popular time, especially avoiding winter holidays. This will not only save money but also allow you to avoid the longest queues for rides. In addition, most visitors gather on weekends throughout the year, so it's better to choose a weekday in the middle of the week.

Another tip on how to save money on a trip to Disney World is to regularly monitor the park's official website. You should especially pay attention to the "Special Offers" section. Here, you can often find favorable options for purchasing tickets and accommodation in nearby hotels, which also usually offer a shuttle service to the early entry service. There is also an option to leave your email address to receive notifications about special promotions. Planning your trip under limited-time offers will help you save a lot of money on your trip.

The company uses the principle of dynamic ticket pricing, so the entrance to the park will be most expensive during busy hours. You can often find cheaper options for the middle of the week than for the weekend. The highest ticket prices occur on major holidays, including:

  • Thanksgiving;
  • Christmas;
  • New Year's Eve.

Experts recommend January, after school holidays, and February for a cheap visit to Disney World. Another option, if you are not planning a winter trip, is to choose the end of August and the beginning of September, when children have already returned to school and the summer vacation season is over.

The most expensive time to go to Disney World

When is the best time to go to Disney World: choose the right time
Winter Holidays with Disney. Source: Image peridotmaize/Pixabay

As expected, prices rise the highest during the winter holidays, and the week of Christmas and New Year's Eve will be the most expensive in most cases. Other holidays that are in high demand for visiting theme parks include:

  • Thanksgiving (November 23);
  • Easter period, including spring break (April 1-16);
  • Halloween (October 31);
  • Memorial Day (May 26-29) and other federal holidays.

Also, during the summer holidays, the parks are very hot and humid, so if possible, it is better to plan your vacation for May or the end of August and September to feel more comfortable and avoid dizziness.

If you want to enjoy Christmas or Halloween celebrations and see the bright-themed decor, a good solution for an inexpensive trip to Disney World is to visit the park at the beginning of the season. Your favorite theme park starts celebrating early, so you can plan your trip a few weeks before the big day while enjoying the magical atmosphere and saving money. To take advantage of favorable offers, you can choose the first week of December when children are still at school and the crowds are not as large as during the Christmas holidays. Visiting Disney World at a less busy time also means that you can minimize additional costs, such as paying for the Genie+ tariff, which allows you to avoid queues at popular attractions (more than 40 on the list). The cost of this service is $20 per person.

How to save money and when to spend it

When organizing an inexpensive trip to Disney World, you should pay special attention to finding accommodation, as this can be the largest expense item during your trip. For example, you can choose a more affordable resort. For example, the Pop Century complex offers modern and branded amenities and a convenient transfer via Skyliner. The money you save is worth spending on the famous fireworks party, which will give you an unforgettable experience.

Another option for saving money is to visit less expensive fast food restaurants in parks or resorts, but we recommend that you still arrange one or two gourmet meals in the signature style. Also, some hotels offer breakfast for children with their favorite cartoon characters and specialties that are not to be missed.

Walking around a theme park requires a lot of energy, so we recommend packing extra snacks, such as nuts, crackers, or favorite sweets from home, to avoid wasting time and money on visiting food outlets and queues.

An important point is the strategy of buying tickets. The longer you stay, the more you can save. For example, the cost of a one-day pass starts at USD 109. Seven-day tickets start at $69 per day. Also, if you choose a resort that offers a lot of entertainment and amenities, you can spend a day or two not in the park, but on the hotel grounds, swimming in the pool, attending kids' clubs or other free activities.

Choosing a hotel

When traveling to a famous theme park, it's best to stay at a Disney-owned resort to get the full experience. In this case, you get extra time on the rides (formerly known as Extra Magic Hours), priority table reservations, and pre-access to Genie+. You also don't need to worry about transfers and travel, as some of the complexes are adjacent to the park.

Just like entrance ticket prices, the cost of accommodation fluctuates throughout the year, so it will depend on your choice how cheap your vacation to Disney World will be. The highest cost is typical for the period of vacations and weekends. Mostly, the price increase is observed from January to March, April, to the beginning of summer, and in September there is a slight decline, reaching a peak at the end of the year.

We advise you to keep an eye out for promotions and special offers offered by Disney from time to time.

Other tips for saving money

When is the best time to go to Disney World: choose the right time
Welcome to Disney World. Source: Image 10674425/Pixabay

In addition to information about the cheapest time to go to Disney World, you should check out other tips to help minimize costs.

  1. Give the greatest attention to the choice of accommodation. For example, Marriott Bonvoy members have the opportunity to use their points to save on a stay at one of the nearby resorts and stay at the Walt Disney World Swan or another hotel.
  2. When traveling in a large group, consider renting an apartment on Orlando Airbnb, where you will have enough space to cook and relax. Besides, you can divide the costs among everyone.
  3. Take a reusable water bottle with you to fill it up for free if necessary, rather than buying drinks in establishments.
  4. You can buy Disney merchandise, such as T-shirts and sweatshirts, even at supermarkets like Target, although some of the accessories sold at the park are too cute to pass up.

We also recommend bringing a small umbrella or waterproof poncho, as it can be difficult to avoid rain at certain times, especially in the summer.

Top Articles
The Best Travel Luggage: Choosing Guide and Top Brand Reviews

The Best Travel Luggage: Choosing Guide and Top Brand Reviews

Jan 21, 2025 19:00 PM
Discover the Best Restaurants in San Jose: Must-Try Spots

Discover the Best Restaurants in San Jose: Must-Try Spots

Dec 29, 2024 23:49 PM

Explore the Best Shopping Spots in San Francisco

Dec 28, 2024 23:14 PM

Explore the Best Tide Pools in San Diego

Dec 27, 2024 22:53 PM
More News
A JetBlue aircraft flying against a clear blue sky

JetBlue Integrates Venmo for Flight Payments

Jan 23, 2025 00:30 AM
An ANA aircraft on the tarmac being prepared for departure, showcasing the "Inspiration of JAPAN" branding

ANA Group Announces Expanded Flight Plans for FY2025

Jan 22, 2025 18:32 PM

EU Unifies Health Data Access for Travelers

Jan 22, 2025 12:32 PM

Edinburgh’s Six Nations: A Travel Opportunity for Rugby Fans

Jan 22, 2025 06:31 AM
Stormy ocean waves crashing against a vessel under dark, overcast skies

Storm Éowyn Brings Challenges for UK Travelers

Jan 22, 2025 00:30 AM
A blue ITA Airways aircraft taxiing on the runway at an airport

Airlines Revive Key Routes to Israel

Jan 21, 2025 18:33 PM
View from an airport lounge showing SWISS planes parked on the tarmac during sunset, with passengers silhouetted inside the terminal

SWISS Now Accepts TWINT Payments

Jan 21, 2025 12:32 PM
AirAsia wing view from a plane flying above a coastline under a blue sky

Santan Brings Affordable Dining Options to AirAsia Flights

Jan 21, 2025 06:31 AM
A street view of Big Ben and Westminster in London, with Santander bicycles and people in the foreground

UK Tourism Faces Critical Challenges

Jan 21, 2025 00:30 AM

Severe Weather Threatens Travel Plans

Jan 20, 2025 18:31 PM

Condor Unveils Expanded Routes for Summer Two Thousand Twenty-Five

Jan 20, 2025 12:30 PM
Tail fins of airplanes featuring UK flag design

UK ETA Fee Increase Sparks Concerns

Jan 20, 2025 06:34 AM
Emirates airplane flying against a cloudy sky

Emirates Expands Vegan Options for Travelers

Jan 20, 2025 00:33 AM
A tranquil lake in the Lake District at sunset, surrounded by rolling hills and reflected in still waters

UNESCO Celebrates Eight Decades of Preservation

Jan 19, 2025 18:32 PM
A red AirAsia aircraft ascending against a blue sky with clouds

New Opportunity For Travelers: AirAsia MOVE Partners with SriLankan Airlines

Jan 19, 2025 12:31 PM

Qatar Airways to Reconnect Travelers with Malta

Jan 19, 2025 06:30 AM

Improved Customs Efficiency in Mauritania Promises Smoother Travel

Jan 19, 2025 00:33 AM
A red car parked near an airport runway with an airplane landing overhead on a sunny day

Air Europa Introduces Car Rental Integration

Jan 18, 2025 18:32 PM
A traditional Indian meal served with papad, chutneys, and a pressure-cooked curry, showcasing vibrant and rich flavors

European Union Showcases Culinary Excellence at SIAL India Twenty Twenty-Four

Jan 18, 2025 12:31 PM
A Ryanair plane landing at an airport, with clear skies and a terminal building in the background

Lublin Gains Fresh Travel Connections with Barcelona Route

Jan 18, 2025 09:30 AM
A SWISS aircraft taking off from Zurich Airport on a clear day

Airlines Resume Tel Aviv Flights Amid Regional Changes

Jan 18, 2025 00:35 AM
A rack of colorful surfboards on a sandy beach with a striped towel hanging, set under a canopy, against a backdrop of calm ocean and seated beachgoers

Eddie Aikau Invitational: A Unique Surfing Event for Travelers

Jan 17, 2025 20:34 PM

VisitBritain Showcases the UK to Global Travel Buyers

Jan 17, 2025 16:33 PM

Seamless Travel: Italy-Slovenia Rail Project

Jan 17, 2025 12:32 PM
A yellow and black Avanti West Coast train at a station platform, surrounded by tracks and infrastructure

Temporary Halt to Avanti Strikes Brings Hope for Travelers

Jan 17, 2025 08:31 AM
A ski lift surrounded by snow-covered trees in a serene mountain setting

Manchester Airport Expands Ski Travel Options

Jan 17, 2025 04:30 AM