Planning the perfect theme park vacation comes down to timing. Both Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort have their own unique events, crowd patterns, and seasonal perks. Whether you’re a Disney fan, Harry Potter enthusiast, or a family planning around school breaks, here’s my breakdown of the best times to visit each destination.
Early January: Big Difference Between Disney and Universal
- Universal Orlando: Right after the holidays, pricing at Universal drops and becomes much more reasonable. It’s one of the best times to experience The Wizarding World of Harry Potter without peak crowds.
- Disney World: On the other hand, early January is when the runDisney Marathon Weekend takes over. This brings in higher crowds and slightly elevated hotel pricing.
Mid-January to Early February: A Great Window for Disney Fans
- Disney World: This is one of the best times to visit. You’ll find lower crowds, reduced wait times, and better pricing. EPCOT also hosts the International Festival of the Arts, offering food studios, live performances, and stunning visual art. Disney also rolls out select After Hours events at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios for a more exclusive experience.
- Universal Orlando: This is also a solid time to visit with generally low wait times and moderate hotel pricing.
Mid to Late February: Universal Wins the Crowd Battle
- Disney World: February is competition season. Cheerleading squads, dance teams, and marching bands bring big crowds. Add in the Princess Half Marathon Weekend, and you’ll see higher resort prices and wait times.
- Universal Orlando: Universal stays quieter during this period, making it a great option if you prefer smaller crowds and better deals.
March: Mardi Gras vs. Moderate Crowds
- Disney World: Most competitions wrap up by March. It’s a decent time to go, but spring break crowds begin trickling in.
- Universal Orlando: This is one of the best times of year to visit Universal thanks to the Mardi Gras Celebration. Think concerts, parades, great food, and festive park energy—all included with admission.
April: Spring Break and runDisney Events
- Disney World: Early April features the Springtime Surprise Weekend, another runDisney event that increases crowds and pricing. Combined with spring break travel, expect busy parks.
- Universal Orlando: Universal also sees spring break spikes, but with fewer special events during this month, it can still feel less overwhelming than Disney.
May to Early June: A Sweet Spot for Both Parks
- Disney World: A fantastic time to visit. Pre-Memorial Day brings lower crowds, and EPCOT shines with the International Flower and Garden Festival.
- Universal Orlando: Early summer here means reasonable crowds and prices before the true summer rush begins.
Mid-June Through Late July: Summer Peak Season
Both Disney and Universal hit their peak with family vacations, long summer breaks, and hot Florida weather. Expect higher prices, longer wait times, and packed parks.
Early August Through September: One of the Best Times to Visit
- Disney World: Crowds thin out as schools go back in session. Prices drop, and EPCOT kicks off the International Food and Wine Festival. Special ticketed events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party also begin at lower price points.
- Universal Orlando: Halloween Horror Nights starts in September, and early event dates are typically the most affordable. With low crowds and cheaper hotel rates, this is a fantastic time for Harry Potter fans and thrill-seekers.
October: Fun but Busy for Both
- Disney World: October is packed with Food and Wine Festival crowds, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon late in the month.
- Universal Orlando: Halloween Horror Nights dominates, drawing huge crowds. Pair that with Florida’s unpredictable hurricane season, and it’s not the calmest month to visit.
November Through Early December: A Holiday Sweet Spot
Both parks offer a magical holiday experience without the overwhelming Christmas crowds.
- Disney World: EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays takes center stage with international traditions, food, and entertainment.
- Universal Orlando: For the holiday season, expect nightly Macy’s parade, Grinchmas shows, and festive décor throughout the parks. Prices are moderate and crowds are more manageable.
Mid-December Through New Year’s: Peak Holiday Magic (and Crowds)
From mid-December until January 1, both Disney World and Universal are at their busiest and most expensive.
- Disney World: Christmas décor is stunning, but expect the highest crowds of the year.
- Universal Orlando: Equally festive, with holiday celebrations across both parks, but crowds are shoulder-to-shoulder.
Final Thoughts: When Should You Go?
If you’re looking for lower prices and fewer crowds, target mid-January to early February or late August to September. For seasonal events and festivals, plan around EPCOT’s Festivals, runDisney weekends, or Universal’s Mardi Gras and Halloween Horror Nights.
No matter when you go, planning ahead makes all the difference.
👉 Ready to book your next Disney World or Universal Orlando vacation? Contact DizN Vacations with Jessica Yashin today to start planning your dream trip.
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