When to visit Orlando

It is not a great surprise that the crowds at theme parks like Disney World and Universal Studios align perfectly with school calendars. The parks are busiest when most of the country’s schools are out of session. To avoid the crowds, try to hit the park during January, February, or the last week of August. Weekdays during these periods are far less busy than weekends.

Several parks – including the four theme parks under the Disney World umbrella – have a crowd calendar on their website that predicts park attendance for the next 12 months. The calendar will help you narrow down the months, weeks, and days of your visit. In general, the busiest time at the theme parks tends to be during summer break, the week of Thanksgiving, spring break, and long holiday weekends.

After the bustling holiday season officially ends, Orlando experiences a significant drop in visitor numbers from January through mid-February. This period of reduced tourist activity offers a prime opportunity for budget-conscious travelers. Not only is the weather pretty amazing, with daytime highs in the 70s and minimal rainfall, hotels and airlines also typically offer the most competitive rates of the year. Additionally, some attractions may offer discounted rates or special promotions during this period, allowing visitors to save on their vacation expenses.

As a result, planning a trip to Orlando during these quieter months can lead to considerable savings, while still allowing travelers to enjoy the city’s numerous attractions.

Weather in March and April is just about perfect, with temperatures consistently ranging between the mid-50s and mid-80s and the humidity remaining low. While there may be a chance of rain some days, it is typically a dry time of year. Families flock to Orlando during spring break and Easter weekend, but they typically stick to the theme parks, making it a great time to enjoy other Orlando activities like renting swan-shaped paddle boats at Lake Eola Park, strolling through the botanic gardens at Harry P Leu Gardens, or biking the West Orange Trail.

The International Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot starts in March and continues through until the end of May. The annual event showcases an extraordinary array of flowers from around the globe by transforming the park into a stunning floral display. Alongside horticultural displays, the festival also offers garden-themed seminars, outdoor kitchens with fresh food and drinks, and live music, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and Disney fans alike.

While most golf courses in the country are under a layer of snow in December, golfing in Orlando during December is as close to perfect as it gets. Not only does the average high hover around 73 degrees, but it is one of the least rainy months of the year. The mornings can be chilly, so most golfers wear layered clothing and remove those layers as the temperatures increase progressively in the morning.

Orlando might be the best destination in America for Halloween lovers. Disney World transforms into Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, which offers all-ages Halloween-themed shows, trick-or-treat extravaganzas, and themed parades. Universal Studios kicks it up a notch with its Halloween Horror Nights. Guests can experience elaborately designed haunted houses based on popular horror franchises, encounter menacing scare actors roaming the streets, and witness breathtaking live shows that immerse them in the macabre atmosphere. This renowned event attracts horror enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to the theme parks, the city hosts numerous festive events, including Halloween parades, costume contests, and haunted hayrides.