2025 & 2026 Disney World Crowd Calendar (best times to go)

Planning a Disney World trip in 2025 or 2026?

You’ve come to the right place. Our easy-to-use Disney World Crowd Calendar will help you avoid long lines, so you can have more fun on your Disney vacation.

How to Use This Crowd Calendar

We’ve broken it down into four easy sections:

• Best Weeks at a Glance for 2025 & 2026
• Full Visual Crowd Calendar Graphics
• Month-by-Month Crowd Predictions with tips
• FAQs: Weather, events, and holidays

The full calendar graphics are below, but first, let’s look at the best weeks at a glance.

Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2025 (At a Glance)

WDW Prep School Top Picks for 2025
(based on expected crowds + weather + events)

• January 21-31 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• February 21-28 (moderate crowds, but you’ll have cooler temps)
• May 5-22 (light to moderate crowds, but it will likely be hot)
• August 5-31 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)
• September 1-30 (some of the lowest crowds of the year, but it will be hot)

Note: Our ‘best times to visit’ below are a mix of times of the year when you’ll have either low crowds OR good weather. Due to Disney’s strategy of filling the cooler, quieter periods with special events and competitions, finding a time that offers both low crowds and ideal weather has become more challenging than in the past.

Best Weeks to Visit Disney World in 2026 (At a Glance)

Looking ahead to 2026? Here’s how things are looking! Keep in mind that there is always the possibility of things changing (slightly), so be sure to check back often!

WDW Prep Top Picks for 2026
(based on expected crowds + weather + events)

• January 20–30 – Cooler weather, post-marathon calm, and manageable crowds
• May 4–21 – Light to moderate crowds before Memorial Day and summer travel kicks in
• August 10–31 – Some of the lowest crowds of the year, especially mid-to-late August (but yes, it’ll be hot)
• September 1–30 – Historically one of the least busy months, especially after Labor Day
• December 1–5 – Early Christmas decorations + lower crowds before the holiday rush hits

New for 2025!

Our monthly crowd calendars now include park-by-park estimates for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, giving you a clearer picture of which parks to prioritize (or avoid) each day.

Alongside the overall daily crowd level (in the top-right corner of each day), you’ll see estimated crowd levels for each park:

• 🟢 Lighter Crowds – Lower wait times and a more relaxed park experience
• 🟡 Moderate Crowds – Expect a typical day with some longer waits
• 🔴 Heavier Crowds – Peak attendance and longer wait times throughout the park

📅 These enhanced calendars are typically available about 75 days in advance, so be sure to check back as your travel dates get closer.

2025 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2025

Dreaming of taking a Disney World vacation in 2025? Here are our month-by-month predictions:

September 2025

• September 1–30 – Some of the lightest crowds of the year
  • Slight bump around Labor Day weekend
  • Weekends (Sat–Mon) still a bit busier due to guest turnover

Things to keep in mind for September:

• Biggest Crowd Factor: Post-Labor Day lull = prime low-crowd window
• Events to Know:
  • EPCOT Food & Wine Festival continues
  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in full swing
• Weather Watch: Still brutally hot and humid with a daily shot of thunderstorms — plus, peak hurricane season at WDW
• Pro Tip: Epcot is best enjoyed early in the week. Avoid Thursday–Sunday evenings unless you’re into wall-to-wall food booths and frat-party vibes.

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October 2025

• October 1–3 – Crowds ramping up with Fall Breaks starting
• October 4–5 – Heavy weekend crowds from guest turnover
• October 6–9 – Slight midweek dip before the chaos returns
• October 10–20 – Peak Fall Break crowds = some of the busiest of the fall
• October 21–26 – Crowds build again for Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
• October 27–30 – A slight crowd dip midweek
• October 31 – Heavy Halloween crowds

Things to keep in mind for October:

• Biggest Crowd Factor: Fall Breaks = the new Spring Break
• Events to Know:
  • EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
  • Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party continues
  • Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Oct 30–Nov 2)
• Weather Watch: Slightly less brutal, but still hot and humid. Surprise storms are common + it is still hurricane season at WDW.
• Pro Tip: Avoid weekends at Epcot and Magic Kingdom during this month if you want elbow room. Go early, and don’t forget to book Halloween Party tickets way in advance.

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November 2025

• Nov 1–2 – Heavy crowds linger post-Halloween
• Nov 3–5 – Moderate crowds before Veterans Day wave
• Nov 6–11 – Heavy crowds for Veterans Day and Jersey Week
• Nov 12–14 – Slight dip before the holiday rush begins
• Nov 15–16 – Busy weekends from guest turnover
• Nov 17–21 – Moderate crowds and a sweet spot for holiday decor viewing
• Nov 22–23 – Crowds start to surge for Thanksgiving
• Nov 24–30 – Peak crowds for the Thanksgiving holiday

Things to keep in mind for November:

• Biggest Crowd Factor: Veterans Day + Thanksgiving week
• Events to Know:
  • Christmas decorations up across all parks
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party begins
  • Epcot Festival of the Holidays kicks off post-Thanksgiving
  • Food & Wine Festival wraps up mid-month
• Weather Watch: Cooler and less humid, but still warm by non-Floridian standards. Storms are less frequent.
• Pro Tip: For the best combo of decorations and lower crowds, aim for Nov 17–21. It looks to be the pre-Thanksgiving sweet spot.

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December 2025

• Dec 1–5 – Moderate crowds as guests arrive to see the holiday décor
• Dec 6–7 – Heavy weekend crowds
• Dec 8–12 – Moderate weekday crowds, with more guests coming for the festivities
• Dec 13–14 – Heavy weekend crowds continue
• Dec 15–17 – Final days for moderate crowds before the holiday rush
• Dec 18–25 – Peak holiday crowds build daily toward Christmas
• Dec 26–31 – Some of the heaviest crowds of the entire year

Things to keep in mind for December:

• Biggest Crowd Factor: Christmas + New Year’s = absolute madness (in a festive way)
• Events to Know:
  • Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs until mid-month
  • Epcot Festival of the Holidays continues through Dec 30
  • New Year’s Eve kicks off on December 30 at Magic Kingdom and December 31 at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios
  • Holiday overlays, seasonal shows, and décor in every park
• Weather Watch: Finally comfortable! Mild temps, cooler evenings, and less rain
• Pro Tip: If you want holiday magic without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, go early in the month (Dec 1–5 or Dec 8–12). And book your party tickets and dining way in advance—these dates fill fast.

2026 Disney World Crowds Month by Month

Looking ahead to 2026? Here’s what you need to know:

GRAPHIC: The best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2026

You can now book Disney trips for most of 2026. Here are our predictions for what that looks like:

January 2026

• January 1–3 – Very heavy New Year’s crowds
• January 4–6 – Crowds dip slightly, but still moderate as holiday guests head home
• January 7–11 – Moderate to heavy crowds return for the runDisney Marathon Weekend
• January 12–15 – Crowds level out mid-month before the next wave hits
• January 16–19 – Heavy crowds expected for cheer/dance competitions, the youth soccer showcase, and the MLK Day holiday weekend
• January 20–29 – A mix of light to moderate days with a bit of a lull between events
• January 30–31 – Moderate weekend crowds kick off another cheer/dance competition

Planning Tips for January

• Biggest Crowd Factors: New Year’s weekend, runDisney Marathon, and MLK Holiday + Youth Sports
• Events to Know:
  • January 1: New Year’s Day
  • January 7–11: runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
  • January 16–19: Cheer/Dance & Youth Soccer (estimated dates)
  • January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • January 30–Feb 1: More Cheer/Dance competitions begin
• Weather Watch: January is one of the coolest and most comfortable months in Florida. Expect highs in the 60s–70s°F and pack layers, mornings and evenings can be chilly.
• Pro Tip: The week after MLK Day is typically one of the best times in January to visit. If your trip overlaps with a competition weekend, consider skipping the All-Star Resorts to avoid packed buses and noisy food courts.

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February 2026

• February 1–8 – Light to moderate crowds early, cheer/dance competitions return
• February 9–13 – Moderate crowds from youth gymnastics
• February 14–16 – Very heavy crowds for Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, and a youth athletic event
• February 17 – Mardi Gras adds to crowd pressure, keeping crowds high
• February 18–25 – Crowds stay high post-holiday (& runDisney athletes start arriving)
• February 26–28 – Heavy crowds for the runDisney Princess 1/2 Marathon

Planning Tips for February

Biggest Crowd Factors: Presidents’ Day, Mardi Gras, runDisney Princess Half Marathon

Events to Know:

• Feb 1–2: Cheer/Dance competition
• Feb 6–8: More cheer/dance competitions
• Feb 13–16: Youth gymnastics events
• Feb 14: Valentine’s Day (expect local traffic + date-night energy)
• Feb 14–16: Youth soccer tournaments
• Feb 16: Presidents’ Day Holiday
• Feb 17: Mardi Gras (some Southern schools on break)
• Feb 27–Mar 1: runDisney Princess Half Marathon

Weather Watch: February is still pleasantly cool by Florida standards with highs in the 60s to low 70s°F. Morning and evening layers are still a good idea, and February tends to be drier than spring months.

Pro Tip: If you’re flexible, February 3–7 is one of the best weeks to visit. Avoid February 14–21 unless you’re locked into those dates, it’s a perfect storm of events, school breaks, and weekenders.

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March 2026

• March 1–5 – Moderate crowds as the Princess Half Marathon events wrap up
• March 6–9 – Crowds increase with cheer/dance competitions and early Spring Breaks beginning
• March 10–27 – Peak Spring Break crowds hit hard throughout the parks, especially mid-March
• March 28–31 – Crowds remain high as Easter, Passover, and late Spring Break visitors arrive

Planning Tips for March

Biggest Crowd Factors: Spring Break + Cheer/Dance comps = March madness (and not the basketball kind)

Events to Know:

• Feb 26–Mar 2: runDisney Princess Half Marathon
• Feb 27–Mar 1: Flag Football Championships (est.)
• Mar 8–9: Cheer/Dance competitions (est.)
• Mar 7–27: Peak Spring Break weeks
• Mar 17: St. Patrick’s Day
• Mar 28–31: Easter and Passover season begins

Weather Watch: March is when Florida starts heating up. Expect highs in the 70s–80s°F and a steady increase in humidity and quick afternoon storms.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a quieter March window, your only real shot is the first few days of the month. After that, expect big crowds, especially around mid-month. Use Lightning Lanes early and stay flexible.

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April 2026

• April 1–5 – Heavy crowds for Easter, Passover, and lingering Spring Break travelers
• April 6–11 – Still busy with holiday crowds, but they begin to taper late in the week
• April 12–15 – Light to moderate crowds return briefly
• April 16–19 – Moderate to heavy crowds for runDisney Springtime Surprise
• April 20–30 – Moderate weekday crowds, with bumps on the weekend for cheer/dance competitions

Planning Tips for April

Biggest Crowd Factor: Easter & Passover overlap = a bumpy start to the month

Events to Know:

• Mar 28–Apr 3: Early Easter & Passover travel surge
• Apr 1–9: Passover (continues)
• Apr 4–12: Easter/Spring Break crowds
• Apr 5: Easter Sunday
• Apr 16–19: runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend
• Apr 24–30: Cheer/Dance competitions (est.)

Weather Watch: Warm and humid is the name of the game. You’ll want sun protection and a solid midday break plan. Afternoon storms start picking up steam this month.

Pro Tip: If you’re flexible, aim for April 13–15. It’s the quiet pocket between Easter chaos and runDisney crowds. Otherwise, be ready for a busy first half of the month and solid, but not awful, crowds through the rest.

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May 2026

• May 1–3 – Moderate crowds, especially at Hollywood Studios due to cheer/dance competitions
• May 4–15 – Some of the lightest crowds of the spring, especially midweek — a sweet spot
• May 16–17 – Crowds climb slightly over the weekend
• May 18–21 – Light weekday crowds continue
• May 22–25 – Crowds spike due to youth soccer tournament and Memorial Day weekend
• May 26–31 – Moderate crowds as summer slowly ramps up

Planning Tips for May

Biggest Crowd Factor: Memorial Day weekend + youth sports

Events to Know:

• Apr 30–May 3: Cheer/Dance competition (est. dates)
• May 10: Mother’s Day
• May 23–25: Youth soccer tournament (est. dates)
• May 25: Memorial Day

Weather Watch: Hot, humid, and stormy. Daily afternoon rain likely.

Pro Tip: Visit early in the month for the lowest crowds and best park days. Memorial Day weekend = avoid if possible.

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June 2026

• June 1–30 – Moderate summer crowds with steady patterns
  Weekends are slightly busier due to guest turnover
• June 19–21 – Slight uptick for Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and youth tournaments

Planning Tips for June

Biggest Crowd Factor: Youth sporting events

Events to Know:

• June 19: Juneteenth
• June 19–21: Field hockey tournament (est. dates)
• June 21: Father’s Day

Weather Watch: Peak humidity + storm season. Expect daily rain and highs in the 80s–90s°F.

Pro Tip: Crowd levels are manageable, but weather makes strategy essential. Rope drop mornings and indoor attractions are your best friends.

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July 2026

• July 1–3 – Moderate summer crowds increasing the closer it gets to the 4th of July
• July 4 – Heavy crowds for Independence Day
• July 5–20 – Steady moderate crowds across the board
• July 21–26 – Slight uptick due to a youth soccer tournament
• July 27–31 – Moderate summer crowd patterns continue

Planning Tips for July

Biggest Crowd Factor: Fourth of July, especially at Magic Kingdom

Events to Know:

• July 4: Fourth of July
• July 21–26: Youth soccer tournament (est. dates)

Weather Watch: Expect extreme heat, high humidity, and daily thunderstorms.

Pro Tip: Fireworks on July 3 at Magic Kingdom are often less chaotic than July 4. Plan midday breaks or long table-service lunches to cool off.

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August 2026

• August 1–3 – Moderate crowds, summer break continues
• August 4–9 – Lightening crowds as some schools resume
• August 10–16 – Crowds drop further and midweek dates are best
• August 17–31 – Some of the lightest crowds of the year, especially weekdays

Planning Tips for August

Biggest Crowd Factor: Back-to-school = low crowds

Events to Know:

• None currently confirmed

Weather Watch: Still hot and humid, with a daily storm risk.

Pro Tip: Mid to late August is a sweet spot for lower crowds, just be ready for the weather. Cooling towels, handheld fans, and early mornings (or evenings) will save you.

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September 2026

• September 1–4 – Very light post-summer crowds
• September 5-7 – Slight bump for Labor Day
• September 8–30 – Some of the lowest crowds of the year with green across the board

Planning Tips for September

Biggest Crowd Factor: School is back in session = some of the lightest crowds of the year

Events to Know:

• September 7: Labor Day
• September 11–13: Rosh Hashanah
• September 20–21: Yom Kippur

Weather Watch: Hot, humid, and stormy — but hurricane season peaks here, so be weather-aware.

Pro Tip: September is your best bet for minimal crowds if you can handle the heat. Just prep for sudden rain and travel insurance is smart.

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October 2026

• October 1–4 – Light crowds, but short-lived
• October 5–9 – Crowds start ramping up ahead of school breaks
• October 10–25 – Peak Fall Break crowds; some of the busiest of the fall
• October 26–31 – Slight dip before a Halloween spike on the 31st

Planning Tips for October

Biggest Crowd Factor: Fall Break + Halloween season = peak October chaos

Events to Know:

• October 10–25: Heavy Fall Break crowds
• October 12: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• October 22–25: runDisney Wine and Dine Weekend (est. dates)
• October 31: Halloween

Weather Watch: Slightly more bearable than summer, but storms still pop up.

Pro Tip: Avoid EPCOT and Magic Kingdom on weekends during this stretch. And don’t sleep on Wine & Dine weekend crowds, they hit hard.

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November 2026

• November 1–6 – Moderate crowds with a slight post-Halloween dip
• November 7–15 – Crowds spike for Jersey Week and Veterans Day
• November 16–20 – Brief calm before the holiday storm
• November 21–29 – Thanksgiving Week crowds hit hard
• November 30 – Light reset before the December rush

Planning Tips for November

Biggest Crowd Factor: Veterans Day and Thanksgiving week bring heavy crowd spikes

Events to Know:

• November 6–15: Jersey Week & Veterans Day crowds
• November 11: Veterans Day
• November 21–29: Thanksgiving travel surge
• November 26: Thanksgiving Day

Weather Watch: Temps could be hot or chilly, so pack a light jacket just in case.

Pro Tip: If you want Christmas vibes without peak crowds, aim for the week before Thanksgiving.

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December 2026

• December 1–18 – Early December sweet spot with moderate crowds
• December 19–25 – Holiday crowds ramp up
• December 25–31 – Peak Christmas Week crowds (expect chaos + festive magic)

Planning Tips for December

Biggest Crowd Factor: Christmas week crowds = the busiest (and most magical) of the year

Events to Know:

• December 4: Hanukkah begins
• December 19–25: Early Christmas crowds
• December 25: Christmas Day
• December 26–31: Heavy holiday crowds

Weather Watch: Cooler temps and lower humidity continue, just watch for sudden cold snaps.

Pro Tip: Go early in the month (Dec 1–12) for the best combo of décor, parties, and manageable crowds.

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FAQs About Disney World Crowds

In our experience with our own trips and with the thousands of readers who have reached out to us over the years, here are the top things people keep in mind when deciding when to visit Walt Disney World:

How School Schedules Affect Crowds

If you’re traveling with kids, school calendars will probably shape your trip dates. But even if you’re not, they’ll still shape crowds.

• Fall Break = the new Spring Break. October used to be calm, now it’s one of the busiest times of the year thanks to more schools adding week-long fall breaks.
• Summer isn’t what it used to be. Because Disney has shifted events out of peak months, July and August now have moderate (even low) crowds…if you can handle the heat.
• Mid-May and late August = underrated gems. These shoulder-season windows avoid both major holidays and most school breaks.
• Holiday breaks = peak madness. Think Thanksgiving week, the last two weeks of December, and Spring Break (usually mid–late March into early April). If school’s out, Disney is in.

Pro Tip: Even if your kid’s school doesn’t have a break, assume others do. That random Tuesday in October? Probably not so quiet.

What’s the Weather Like at Disney World?

Florida weather is a whole thing. If you’re crowd-averse and heat-averse, timing your trip around the forecast is key.

January–February

• Coolest months of the year
• Highs in the 60s–low 70s°F
• Pack a jacket for mornings and evenings

March–May

• Starts mild, ends hot
• Expect highs in the 80s°F and rising humidity
• Daily thunderstorms become more common

June–October

• Welcome to the steam room
• Highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s°F
• Peak storm season = daily afternoon downpours
• Also: peak hurricane season (June–Nov)

November–December

• Warm-ish but way more manageable
• Highs in the 70s°F, occasional rain
• Great if you want cooler temps with festive vibes

Pro Tip: No matter when you go, pack a poncho. Rain happens fast, often, and without apology.

What Special Events Impact Crowds?

Disney doesn’t believe in “off-season” anymore. If it’s not a holiday, it’s a festival. And if it’s not a festival, it’s a runDisney race or a cheer comp.

Here’s what usually packs the parks:

January

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (runDisney)
• Epcot International Festival of the Arts

February

• Epcot International Festival of the Arts
• Disney Princess Half Marathon (runDisney)

March

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

April

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival
• runDisney Springtime Surprise (runDisney)

May

• Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

August

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

September

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

October

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (runDisney)

November

• Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
• Jollywood Nights

December

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
• Jollywood Nights

When’s the Best Time to See Holiday Decorations at Disney World?

If twinkly lights and fake snow are your thing (and honestly, who are we kidding—they’re everyone’s thing), here’s when to go for peak holiday magic without peak holiday crowds.

2025 Best Dates for Decorations & Manageable Crowds:

• November 17–21 – Decorations are up, crowds are still moderate, and Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays hasn’t started yet
• December 1–5 – Everything is in full swing: décor, parties, and festivals. Crowds are moderate but climbing
• December 8–12 – Still doable if you plan smart; holiday chaos hasn’t fully kicked in

Pro Tip: Magic Kingdom usually decks the halls right after Halloween. Want castle lights and lower crowds? Go mid-November.

Do runDisney Races and Cheer Competitions Make Disney More Crowded?

Short answer: yes — but not always in the way you’d think.

runDisney Races

• When they happen: January, February, April, and October or November
• What to expect: Crowds spread across all resorts and parks, especially Epcot and Magic Kingdom. The race weekends themselves can be busy, but most runners hit the parks after race mornings, not during rope drop.
• The wildcard: Early morning road closures and resort buses running behind schedule.

Cheer, Dance & Sports Competitions

• When they happen: Often during January, February, early May, and early December
• What to expect: Heavy activity at the All-Star Resorts (plus spillover into Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs). Parks? Usually not a huge impact, just longer bus lines and louder food courts.

Pro Tip: If you’re not part of the event, avoid the All-Stars during competition weeks. Your sleep will thank you.

Will Universal’s Epic Universe Impact Disney World Crowds?

Probably, but not in the way that ruins your trip.

Here’s what we’re expecting:

• Some guests may choose Universal instead of Disney, which could actually lighten crowds slightly at WDW around Epic Universe’s opening.
• Others will try to do both. Meaning you could see increased resort bookings and higher overall tourism in Orlando, especially around big Universal media events.

Pro Tip: If you’re doing both parks, build in a rest day. Epic Universe is going to be intense, and you don’t want to drag into a Disney park the next day like a theme park zombie.

Which Disney World Park Should You Visit Each Day?

Picking the right park for each day of your trip can be just as important as choosing the right week. Some parks (lookin’ at you, Magic Kingdom) are way more crowded on certain days — and we’ve learned the hard way which patterns to avoid.

Here’s a super quick cheat sheet:

• Magic Kingdom: Best on Thursdays and party days; avoid Mondays and Saturdays
• Epcot: Best on Wednesdays; avoid Friday–Sunday, especially during festivals
• Hollywood Studios: Best on Wednesdays and Thursdays; avoid Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays
• Animal Kingdom: Most flexible, but midweek is your best bet

Want a full breakdown plus monthly calendars showing which park is best on which day?

Check out our full Best Days to Visit Each Disney Park guide; it has day-by-day tips, color-coded monthly calendars, and real-world examples from our own trips.

Pro Tip: Avoid Magic Kingdom on Mondays. It sounds simple, but it’s one of the easiest ways to dodge a wall of first-day crowds.

When is Disney World the MOST crowded?

As you can imagine, holidays and long weekends see the heaviest crowds at all tourist destinations, and that includes Walt Disney World. Basically, any time school is out of session, Walt Disney World will be busier.

Look for the parks to be the busiest around these dates. That includes the days before and, in some instances, the days after, too:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (3rd Monday in January)
• Presidents’ Day/Washington’s Birthday (3rd Monday in February)
• Spring Break (especially last 2 weeks of March)
• Easter (both the week before and the week after typically have increased crowds)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day (2nd Monday in October)
• Veterans’ Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (4th Thursday in November)
• Christmas week through January 1

In addition to all of those, keep in mind that the weekends are almost always busier than the weekdays, with mid-week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) being less crowded than Mondays and Fridays.

What happens if the parks are busier than anticipated?

Although we have years of experience putting these crowd calendars together, occasionally something happens (like a surprise announcement from Disney) that can throw off our predictions. But don’t panic!

Even though heavier crowds may sound scary, that doesn’t mean that your trip will be ruined.

To help navigate it all, we have a few resources to share, including complete guides for using Disney’s Lightning Lane system (both Multi Pass and Single Pass), which we have personally found *extremely* useful at keeping waits to a minimum:

• Tips for handling the crowds at Disney World
• Lightning Lane Passes at Disney World

In fact, we recommend all guests visiting Walt Disney World spend some time looking through those guides – no matter how busy the parks are expected to be.

Final Tips for Using This Crowd Calendar

Crowd calendars are a great starting point — but they’re just one piece of the planning puzzle. Here’s how to make the most of the info you just soaked up:

• Midweek is almost always your best bet. Tuesdays–Thursdays are consistently calmer across all four parks.
• Don’t stress about “bad” days. With a smart strategy (hello, Lightning Lanes and early mornings), you can still have a great time, even on a busy day.
• Party days can be magic. Yes, Magic Kingdom closes early, but mornings on party days often mean shorter lines and thinner crowds.
• Pair your trip dates with the best parks each day. Use our Best Days to Visit Each Park guide to build a crowd-savvy itinerary.

Keep Planning With These Guides

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass + Single Pass: Complete Guide
• Disney World Itineraries for Every Park
• Epcot Festival Calendar + Tips
• How to Save Money on a Disney World Trip

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Use the 2025 and 2026 graphics above to pick your travel week, then head to our Best Park Days guide to start building your day-by-day itinerary.

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments, but please don’t ask us to compare to crowd calendars from other sites! We’ve explained the reasoning behind our calendar here and won’t be commenting on how other sites do things.