Disney World is an unmissable experience, but that moniker also makes it a very crowded one. Part of the reason so much planning goes into visiting Disney is the need to counterbalance the weather and the crowds.
While every trip to the Magic Kingdom is a world-class experience, some families want – or need – to plan around the massive crowds.
What’s the best time to visit Disney World? Here’s how to find the best time to go to Disney.
What Are the Best Months to Visit Disney in 2020?
The year 2020 is slowly wrapping up, but the next few months have historically been the best time to visit Disney.
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World in 2020, then you will likely find that most weekdays in September, October, November, and December will help you steer clear of the huge crowds.
These months and days are traditionally off-peak for all the parks.
However, the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve is usually crowded as families spend their school and work vacations in Orlando.
Keep in mind that you will see more people in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas than you used to. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party happens on dates between November and December, which draws in both out-of-state visitors and Floridians.
How Has Disney World Changed to Adapt to COVID-19?
Planning a Disney trip this year means you need to take a few extra considerations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you might remember, Disney World closed during the early months of the pandemic and only re-opened in July 2020.
While the pandemic means there may be fewer visitors in general, you shouldn’t use lower footfall as an excuse to be spontaneous. After all, Disney World has limited the number of guests allowed into the park. So, if you have a preferred day, then you should book in advance.
What else can you expect when visiting Disney World this year? All employees will wear facemasks – and all visitors need to wear them, too. You will also undergo a temperature screening when you enter and receive reminders to stay apart from other people where possible. Ground markings and plexiglass help drive the point home.
Additionally, Disney World suspended both close-up encounters, which means you won’t be able to meet or hug Mickey or Minnie. Instead, you’ll see them on horseback or floats.
Disney World also stopped running activities that create crowds, like fireworks and parades.
In other words, Disney World is still there, but it won’t be the same experience you had in previous years. So, it’s essential to be prepared for that and to have patience with yourself, your kids, Disney World staff, and other guests, and you navigate this new version of Disney.
When’s the Best Time to Visit Disney World in 2021?
Are you planning a trip for next year? Everyone hopes that by 2021, Disney World will start to feel a bit more normal.
If you’re ready to plan, consider booking:
• End of January
• Early February
• Late February
• Early March
• Late April
• Early May
Staying within this framework will help you avoid the crowds and lines created by school holidays. Additionally, waiting until the end of January means you’ll miss the maintenance period when many rides and attractions are fixed.
As always, weekdays are best if you want to avoid the lines.
What is the Best Time of Year to Go to Disney World and Save Money?
Going to Disney World and avoiding the lines usually takes a little bit of research: the general rule is to avoid school and national holidays. But what is the cheapest time to go to Disney World? Is there a time of year where you can save money?
The cheapest time to go to Disney World is the period between January 1 and January 20, and then again in late August and early September.
However, you may find that you miss out on some experiences during the January session. As mentioned earlier, the park undergoes maintenance during this time.
What Are the Best Hacks for Saving Money at Disney World?
If you do a quick search on a vacation planning site, you might wonder whether it’s possible to save money at Disney World. Thankfully, there are whole corners of the internet dedicated to helping families save cash when visiting Disney parks.
The good news is that there’s a lot of data on park prices, hotel prices, and flight prices. You can use MouseSaver’s room rate and season dates to get the rack rates and see where your preferred booking date and venue falls on the scale.
If you travel to Disney World regularly, you might also find you can save money by joining Disney Vacation Club (DVC), which allows you to purchase a flexible time-share represented by point systems.
Additionally, there are travel hacks like renting DVC points from services, which allow you to get the benefits of Disney Vacation Club without committing to an ownership interest.
You Can Still Go to Disney World in 2020-2021
The best time to go to Disney World is whatever time works best for you. However, if you want to avoid lines, crowds, and high costs, then you’ll need to plan your trip carefully.
COVID-19 threw a wrench into many people’s Disney plans for this year and next. But you can still pull off a trip if you think carefully. There could even be more deals to be had as many international visitors, including European citizens, will likely be unable to visit anytime soon.
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