Choosing when to visit Walt Disney World can be a real head-scratcher: on top of school and work schedules, you also need to consider how busy the Parks might be at different times of year and what the weather will be like. To help you make the right decision for you and your family, we’ve devised a list of the best and worst weeks to visit Walt Disney World in 2027.
Certain times of year are always exceptionally busy, like dates that overlap with school holidays (no surprise there!). Still, other factors affect crowd levels, such as discounts Disney may be offering, special events and unknowns like when new rides, attractions or even lands like Tropical Americas open.
Don’t worry though, we’ve got lots of info about what, historically, are the best and worst weeks to visit WDW, much of which can be applied every year. UPDATED May 2026 with some 2028 dates!
And, if you want the ultimate guide to planning a Disney World holiday from the UK or Ireland, which includes how to avoid some costly mistakes, check out our detailed blog post that covers everything you need to know, in addition to the best/worst weeks to visit.
When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World from the UK or Ireland?
So, let’s dive straight into it. Just what are the best weeks of the year to visit?
Mid-January, specifically 9th-14th in 2027 and 8th-13th in 2028.
These dates fall after the New Year rush but before the ‘snowbirds’* (*visitors from the cold regions of the US and Canada who migrate south for better weather) arrive and can be fantastic times to visit.
- Avoid the holiday weekend before Martin Luther King Day, which always falls on the third Monday of January, the weekend dates are 16-17th January in 2027 and 15th-16th January in 2028.
- Check the date of the runDisney Marathon (7th-11th January in 2026), as that weekend will be busy.
- Refurbishments are often scheduled for this time of year; you will encounter more out-of-action rides.
Early February, specifically January 31st-February 5th in 2027 and February 1st-13th in 2028 (longer in 2028 due to later dates for both Mardi Gras and Presidents’ weekend), before the midwinter break (half-term for US schools).
- Dance and cheer competitions are held at the ESPN Sports Complex in WDW, but they don’t affect Park visitor numbers (unless you’re unlucky and get stuck behind a big group). They do impact Resort occupancy and pricing.
- Check the dates of Mardi Gras (February 9th 2027 & February 29th 2028) and Presidents’ Weekend (3rd Monday in February – 15th in 2027 & Monday February 21st in 2028), as they affect visitor numbers, with Presidents’ Weekend marking the start of the mid-winter break.
- RunDisney also hosts the Princess Half Marathon, which can affect crowd levels, although it’s not as busy as the January event.
Early spring, specifically February 28th-March 7th in 2027 and March 4th–11th in 2028.
Visit before the spring break crowds descend! This can be a great time to visit, as the temperature is mild (no humidity yet) and visitor numbers are low.
Is Easter a good time for UK families to visit Walt Disney World?
Post-Easter, specifically April 11th-25th in 2027, and April 23rd-May 5th in 2028, can be a great shout.
Crowd levels drop dramatically in the week after the holidays. If your child’s school is one of those that stick to set spring holidays (rather than tracking the actual date of Easter), it’s worth considering visiting around now! Plus, usually, the weather is better and there can be lower prices.
‘Shoulder Season’, specifically May 23rd-28th in 2027, and May 21st-26th in 2028.
Any time before the Memorial Day holiday weekend (the last Monday of the month) works, with the first two weeks being the best. Though Disney often have a special Florida resident ticket deal ending towards the middle of the month, which means weekends will be busier. The weather becomes noticeably hotter and more humid towards the end of the month!
When is the best time for UK families to visit Walt Disney World during the school summer holidays?
The last two weeks of August, specifically August 21st – September 4th in 2026 and August 20th – September 3rd in 2027.
This is a great time to visit because the US term times start earlier than those in the UK and Ireland!
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party kicks off early/mid-August, and earlier dates are cheaper if you fancy attending. Plus, top tip, visit Magic Kingdom early on party days! It is so much quieter, and you will get a lot more done, despite the shorter Park day!
- The downside is that it’s very hot and humid at this time of year, with frequent thunderstorms… oh, and it’s also peak hurricane season, so make sure your insurance covers you for them!
Pretty much all of September is off-season.
But going later in the month improves your odds of enjoying lower temperatures and fewer storms. You still run the risk of hurricanes, so check again to make sure your insurance covers them. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties will be taking place more frequently as the month goes on.
Are the October school holidays a good time to visit WDW from the UK or Ireland?
Yes, they can be, as they often fall directly after the US school holidays, and the weather is also more pleasant, making it a great time to visit!
Post US Fall holidays, October 20th-30th 2026 and October 19th-31st 2027.
- Even though it’s Halloween, the last three years have seen this return to being a great time to visit! Plus, you have the added bonus of these dates often coinciding with October half term in the UK and Ireland, as well as better weather.
When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World from the UK to see the Christmas decorations?
Pre-Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to visit, specifically November 15th-21st in 2026, and November 14th-20th in 2027.
Crowds tend to drop after Veterans Day (Remembrance Day) and stay low until the Friday before Thanksgiving. This is a lovely time to visit, thanks to the cooler, less humid weather and seasonal events: with Christmas just around the corner, many of the Resorts are beautifully decorated.
Or Post-Thanksgiving, specifically November 29th-December 6th in 2026, and November 28th-December 5th in 2027.
We can highly recommend visiting at this time of year! You get all the Christmas decor, entertainment, food, and parties combined with smaller crowds and pleasant weather (wear layers to cope with the cooler mornings and evenings). The following week is also good, though crowds start to build towards the end.
Don’t forget Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world, so even on a quiet day, you could be sharing the park with 50,000 other people!
When are the worst weeks for UK families to visit Walt Disney World?
Typically, the worst weeks of the year to visit are during peak season, when you can expect every Walt Disney World Park to be packed! Here is a list of the worst weeks throughout the year.
New Year before schools go back, roughly January 1st-5th in 2027 and January 1st-4th in 2028.
Walt Disney World will be heaving, with many locals using their Annual Passes once the festive period restrictions are lifted. This is often the busiest week of the entire year with 10/10 crowds!
- Runners also arrive early for the Marathon Weekend.
Presidents’ Day and the following week, specifically February 12th-21st in 2027, and February 18th-29th in 2028.
- With US schools being on mid-winter break and the runDisney Princess Marathon occurring around now, crowd levels are exacerbated – even more so when this week coincides with Mardi Gras, which it does in 2028; in 2027 it is a week earlier, Tuesday 9th February.
When is Spring Break at Walt Disney World?
Spring Break varies year on year, but certain dates within it can be worse than others, depending on when local schools are off. Here are the weeks to avoid:
Spring break, specifically March 15th-28th in 2027 and March 12th-26th in 2028.
Many schools in the WDW area are on holiday, which inevitably leads to bigger crowds! Anytime from Mid-March to Mid-April will be boosted by Spring Break crowds.
- Disney sometimes manages visitor levels by excluding certain special-offer tickets and applying ‘blockouts’ to certain types of Annual Passes, thereby preventing some holders from entering the Parks on particular dates.
Easter, specifically March 29th-April 5th in 2027. In 2028, Easter falls later; avoid April 8th–April 16th.
This is always the busiest week of spring break.
Are the UK and Ireland summer school holidays busy at Walt Disney World?
The good news is only some of them! Below you will find the dates to avoid, but check out the best weeks to see a surprising two weeks which can work really well!
US summer holidays, specifically the end of June, all of July and into early August.
- These dates haven’t been as busy since the post-COVID travel boom ended, but you can still expect hefty crowds, especially at the end of June (halfway through the holidays) and at the end of July/beginning of August (the last hoorah before US schools go back).
- The weather is hotter and more humid around now (so much more tiring), with regular afternoon storms and a risk of hurricanes.
US October school break, specifically 9th-17th in 2026 and 8th-16th in 2027.
This coincides with Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day, which in 2025, ended up being busier than Thanksgiving!
- Have you spotted the pattern yet? Whenever US schools are on holiday, WDW is busy!
- The lead-up to the festive season also heralds increased visitor numbers.
- Additionally, check the date of the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, as it can fall between the end of October and Early November, making it even busier. It’s taking place between October 22nd and 25th in 2026.
Early November, specifically 2nd-10th in 2026, and 1st-9th in 2027.
- Watch out for Veterans’ Day, a long weekend when vast numbers of US government workers and students flock to WDW a few days before!
- Also, avoid ‘Jersey Week’, the first full week in November, when New Jersey schools close, as this is another popular time for people to visit. But check the date as this holiday can vary.
Is Walt Disney World busy at Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving, specifically November 20th-27th in 2026, and November 19th-26th in 2027.
- Yes, Thanksgiving is hectic, the days before Thanksgiving are typically the worst, but it will be very busy throughout this holiday time.
- The Festival of the Holidays begins in EPCOT on Black Friday, attracting loads of visitors, so you’re best avoiding that Park until the Thanksgiving weekend has passed.
When does it get busy for Christmas at Walt Disney World?
The specific day Christmas falls on will dictate when the crowds ‘descend’ in earnest on Walt Disney World, but you can safely assume all dates in the second half of December will be crazy busy!
Christmas, specifically December 18-25th in 2026, and December 17th-25th in 2027.
Plus, you’ll want to avoid:
Post-Christmas/NYE, specifically December 26th–31st every year.
- The week leading up to NYE is always teeming with visitors and is likely the busiest week of the year!
- Park hours are typically extended in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year. Take advantage of this by arriving super early or staying as late as possible!
So, there you go… phew!
Please bear in mind this list is neither exhaustive nor set in stone: things can (and do!) change, but we hope it can help you plan when to visit WDW in the future.
And don’t forget, our Walt Disney World Planning Guides are packed with advice and strategies to use whenever you choose to visit, so you can always make the very most of your trip!
FAQs
Good news, there are some school holiday dates that can work well. The best time in the summer holidays is the last 2 weeks of August, after most US schools have returned. However, the weather will be very hot and humid, with frequent afternoon storms, and it is peak hurricane season. Other dates worth considering are the October half-term, provided the holiday falls in the last 2 weeks of October, and February half-term, though this depends on when Presidents’ Day falls (the 3rd Monday of February, which marks the start of US midwinter break). And finally, Easter, BUT only if your school sticks to a set spring holiday in mid-April rather than tracking the actual Easter date.
Yes, it is, as it looks fantastic and it is an amazing experience, BUT we wouldn’t recommend visiting the week before or the week after Christmas or over the first days of the New Year, as it is 10/10 BUSY! If you can work a trip before these times, then we’d highly recommend it.
There are a few times of the year when crowds are lower, the weather can be lovely and WDW has special events, which can make it a real treat to visit. Our highlights would be: Early Spring through Mid March, pre-Spring Break, especially if you can visit during EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival. Post Easter, when the weather is warming up, but the crowds have dropped dramatically after the holidays, plus the Flower & Garden festival is still on. Throughout September, as crowd levels are low, you see the parks decorated for Halloween and can experience Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. It is still very hot, but the risk of storms and temperatures decreases through the month. And finally, pre- or post-Thanksgiving, the weather is much milder (you may even need some layers), but crowds are low and you get to see the parks beautifully decorated for Christmas, as well as experience some of the special events that are offered, including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom or Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Andrea from Fabulous Park Days. I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World with my family since 2011 and help UK and Irish families plan stress-free Disney holidays with my regularly updated planning guides and useful blog posts.
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