Ride Ready Guide
The best and worst months to visit the Disney parks
Every month graded on crowds, cost, weather and what is actually running. We commit to a letter grade for each one — including the months we think you should avoid.
Ranked, best to worst
One verdict per month, in order. Click through for the reasoning.
September
A
The lowest waits and the lowest prices of the year at Walt Disney World, bought with heat and storm risk. Disneyland is a different answer — Halloween keeps its weekends genuinely busy.
Low crowds
Low cost
January
A-
The quietest, cheapest four weeks at both resorts once New Year's traffic clears. The catch is short park hours and the heaviest refurbishment schedule of the year.
Low crowds
Low cost
May
A-
Book the first two weeks and this is close to the best trip available all year. Book the last week and you have paid summer prices for summer crowds without summer's long hours.
Moderate crowds
Moderate cost
November
B+
You can buy December's product on November's prices for about two weeks, then Thanksgiving arrives. One local school break in early November is the trap most planners miss.
High crowds
Moderate cost
February
B
Excellent everywhere except Presidents' week, which behaves like a holiday week. Four festivals run this month — more seasonal content per day than any other point on the calendar.
Moderate crowds
Moderate cost
October
B-
Excellent weather and the strongest seasonal program on the calendar, sold at fall-peak prices with weekend crowds to match. Go midweek or accept that you chose a busy month.
High crowds
High cost
March
C+
Perfect Orlando weather, permanently high attendance, and upper-tier pricing for four straight weeks. Go in the first week or accept that every day will be busy.
High crowds
High cost
August
C
The first half is July with worse humidity. The second half is one of the year's genuine value windows at Walt Disney World and still peak season at Disneyland.
Moderate crowds
Moderate cost
December
C
Early December is an A. The holiday week is close to an F. There is no middle, and the difference between them is about ten days and roughly double the room rate.
Peak crowds
Peak cost
April
C-
The most expensive and most crowded non-summer month, carrying the year's second-largest peak. Its saving grace is a genuine price and crowd cliff once the holiday clears.
High crowds
High cost
June
D+
Bad at Walt Disney World and merely busy at Disneyland. If June is the only month available and the resort is not fixed, this is the strongest case on the calendar for choosing Anaheim.
High crowds
High cost
July
D-
Peak prices, a flat four-week crowd plateau, and an Orlando heat index over 100 most afternoons. Go only if the school calendar leaves you no choice, and plan fewer park days than you think.
High crowds
Peak cost
The same twelve, in calendar order
| Month | Grade | Crowds | Cost | Orlando high | Anaheim high | On |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | A- | Low | Low | 72°F | 69°F | 3 |
| February | B | Moderate | Moderate | 75°F | 69°F | 6 |
| March | C+ | High | High | 79°F | 71°F | 4 |
| April | C- | High | High | 84°F | 73°F | 4 |
| May | A- | Moderate | Moderate | 89°F | 75°F | 3 |
| June | D+ | High | High | 92°F | 78°F | 3 |
| July | D- | High | Peak | 93°F | 83°F | 3 |
| August | C | Moderate | Moderate | 92°F | 85°F | 4 |
| September | A | Low | Low | 90°F | 84°F | 4 |
| October | B- | High | High | 85°F | 79°F | 4 |
| November | B+ | High | Moderate | 79°F | 73°F | 5 |
| December | C | Peak | Peak | 74°F | 68°F | 4 |