If you want to avoid massive crowds on your next Walt Disney World vacation, there are a few weeks that you consistently need to avoid.

This isn’t to say that visiting during these weeks is bad. It just means they are the most crowded and often most expensive (and therefore, the worst).

Here’s out top 5 weeks to avoid at Walt Disney World:

1) Between Christmas and New Year’s (December 26-31, 2025)

The week between Christmas and New Year’s brings the biggest crowds of the entire year to Disney World. You’ll find the parks packed with families taking advantage of school breaks and holiday celebrations.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is over and you’re left with… crowds. The decorations are still up (and nice), but the wait times are brutal.

The cost for line skipping services like Multipass and Premier Pass are at their highest.

Wait times for popular rides can stretch to 2-3 hours during the period. Even less popular attractions often have lines over an hour long.

Extended park hours help spread out the crowds a bit. Disney typically keeps the parks open late, giving you more time to enjoy attractions when lines may be slightly shorter.

On benefit: the weather. Very little rain and often cooler temps!

2) Spring Break (March 23-April 3, 2025)

Spring break brings massive crowds to Disney World. Many schools across the country schedule their breaks during these weeks, leading to peak attendance levels at all four theme parks.

You’ll face long wait times for popular rides, often exceeding 2 hours for attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Slinky Dog Dash and Rise of the Resistance.

The weather in late March and early April is usually pleasant, but it can start to get hot, with temperatures in the mid to high 80s.

3) 4th July Weekend (July 1-6, 2025)

Disney World celebrates Independence Day with a bang, making it one of the most crowded periods of the entire year. You’ll find special fireworks shows at both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT on July 3rd and 4th.

Notably, in 2023 and 2024 crowds in the parks were lower than years past on July 4. Whether that trend will continue is up for debate, but it’s worth noting. The Resorts are still crowded, but the wait times have been lower than usual for two consecutive years.

On top of the crowds, the summer heat in Orlando reaches its peak in July, with temperatures often climbing above 90°. The feels like temperature can be above 100 degrees.

4) Thanksgiving Week (November 24-29, 2025)

Thanksgiving week crowds reach peak-level starting around Monday, November 24 and last through the weekend.

Continuing the theme, you’ll have higher prices, higher wait times and more people in the parks.

The benefit is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is in full swing and the weather is amazing with average temperatures between 60-75°F.

5) Easter (April 17-21, 2025)

I’ve honestly never understood the crowds around Easter. There are some fun and unique characters and other activities in the parks, but nothing that makes you think “wow, I need to go visit during Easter!”.

It also falls right after the big spring break crowds. Yet, it’s still always crowded.

3 Best Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World

Searching for alternatives? Here are 3 of our favorite weeks to visit Walt Disney World:

September 29-October 5, 2025

The first week of October brings perfect weather with average temperatures around 75°F (24°C). You’ll enjoy shorter wait times, fall decorations and great events throughout the parks.

Special Events:

• EPCOT Food & Wine Festival
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
• Fall decorations throughout the parks

The parks typically stay open until 9 PM or later, giving you plenty of time to explore and hotel rates are lower during the off-peak season.

The main downside is hurricane and rain risk, though the further into September/October you go the hurricane risk subsides.

Week of January 26, 2026

After the holiday rush ends and Marathon Weekend, crowds drop significantly. Morning temperatures are cool but comfortable for walking around the parks. There are occasional cold fronts that can make the parks quite chilly (in 2025 it almost snowed).

Park Benefits:

• Most rides have much, much shorter wait times
• Easy dining reservations
• Festival of the Arts at EPCOT

Hotel prices drop to some of their lowest rates of the year during this week.

Week of February 8, 2026

What to Expect:

• Average high of 72°F (22°C)
• Festival of the Arts continues
• Reduced prices on hotels
• Extended Evening Hours available at select parks

Understanding Disney World’s Peak and Off-Peak Seasons

Disney World’s crowd levels change a lot during the year based on school schedules and weather patterns. These patterns make some weeks much busier than others, but are largely predictable..

Factors Influencing Crowds

School breaks drive the biggest crowds at Disney World. Spring break (late February through March), summer vacation (June to mid-August), and holiday periods like Christmas week bring the heaviest visitor numbers.

Long holiday weekends pack the parks too. President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving weekends see big spikes in wait times.

Weather Considerations

Florida’s weather plays a big role in planning your visit. Summer months bring heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms that can interrupt your park time.

Winter months (December through February) offer milder temperatures, but can bring occasional cold snaps. Pack layers during this time since temperatures can vary widely.

Spring and fall give you the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities. These seasons offer warm days and cooler evenings that are perfect for long park visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the peak times of the year to avoid at Disney World due to high crowds?

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is always the busiest. You’ll find the parks reaching maximum capacity from December 26-31, 2025.

Spring break season in March and early April brings massive crowds too. Many schools have breaks during this time.

During which holiday periods should I expect the longest wait times at Disney World?

Christmas week sees the longest waits of the year. You might wait 2-4 hours for popular rides.

Easter and Thanksgiving weeks also bring very high wait times. Plan for long lines at all major attractions.

Are there certain months when visiting Disney World is not recommended because of overcrowding?

July tends to be very crowded, especially around Independence Day. The heat makes the crowds feel even worse.

Late December is another month to avoid. The parks often reach capacity between Christmas and New Year’s.

Could you list some specific weeks that are known for exceptionally high attendance at Disney World?

December 26-31, 2025 (Between Christmas and New Year’s) March 23-April 3, 2025 (Spring Break) April 1-7, 2025 (Easter Week)