It might be hard to imagine that Walt Disney World has a winter season, but it does happen. Winter at Walt Disney World can be a fantastic time to visit. From mid-November until the end of January, Walt Disney World is a beautiful place to visit for a vacation.
We have some reasons you will want to book a winter trip to Walt Disney World.
Great Weather
The weather is one of the top reasons to visit Walt Disney World during winter. If you have visited Disney during summer or spring break, you know how brutal the heat and humidity can be.
During the winter months, you will find much more comfortable conditions. You will enjoy much cooler temperatures and not deal with the humidity. In the evenings during winter, you will want to toss in a jacket or sweatshirt as temperatures can dip into the 40s and 50s.
The heat and humility isn’t the only thing that goes away in the winter months at Walt Disney World. You can also expect less rain during your trip. The dry season in Florida starts in late November and continues through May.
This drier season can be a welcome relief for travelers following hurricane season. Although you might still have some pop-up rain storms during your trip, winter typically doesn’t have monsoon-like rains that last all day.
Being a drier time in Walt Disney World means you won’t have to worry as much about shows, parades, and rides being impacted by the weather.
The cooler temperatures and less rain make the winter months a fantastic time to visit Walt Disney World.
Related: How to Pack for Winter
Lower Crowds Overall
If you are aware of the major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s that take place during the winter months, you will find lower crowds overall at Disney parks during the winter. There is no longer a slow season at Disney, but you can enjoy lower crowds and shorter waits during the winter compared to other times.
You might discover that the crowds during the winter months are of an older, more veteran group. As most families don’t pull their kids out of school around this time in addition to the holiday break, the guests during the winter are typically more adult-focused.
Because of the lower crowds during the winter, you will also be able to experience shorter waits overall. If you avoid the big holidays, you will see most attractions and shows with shorter wait times, making it easy to experience more during a shorter trip.
Fewer people in the park means better spots for fireworks, more availability for dining, and more space overall in the parks. Having fewer people to navigate around is a huge reason to visit Walt Disney World during the winter months.
More Dining Options
With fewer people in the parks and at the Disney resorts, you will have a lot more selection when it comes to dining. During spring break and the holidays, finding a reservation to top dining locations such as Space 220 or Cinderella’s Royal Table can seem impossible.
During the winter months, you will find much more availability when it comes to dining. You will discover not only a lot of openings when you go to make reservations at your 60-day mark, but you will also find last-minute and walk-up reservations available during your trip.
We also like making dining reservations during winter at locations with outdoor seating. As we mentioned earlier, the weather is fantastic during these months. Because of this great weather, we love sitting outside at places such as Baseline Tap House and Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios or Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Good meals are a huge part of a magical experience at Walt Disney World. This is much easier to accomplish during winter, with fewer people visiting the parks.
Holiday Events
A big reason to visit Walt Disney World during the early winter months is to experience the fantastic holiday events throughout the parks and resorts. Start by sharing all the outstanding decorations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Each Disney resort and park is decorated to celebrate the season, from the beautiful gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the carousel at Disney’s Beach Club.
While visiting during the winter months, you will want to experience some of the special events. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a huge holiday celebration at Magic Kingdom. This party is a special ticketed event that takes place on select evenings. During the party, guests can experience special holiday parades, fireworks, and stage shows full of holiday magic.
EPCOT celebrates the holiday in a big way with the storytellers around the World Showcase. Stroll around the countries as you enjoy hearing stories from around the world. Take time to wrap up the evening by experiencing the Candlelight Processional. A mass choir, a fantastic orchestra, and a celebrity narrator work together to create a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story.
A new holiday celebration is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios this winter. Jollywood Nights will take place on select evenings and is an all-new experience where glamor meets holiday cheer. We can’t wait to see what this new opportunity brings.
These holiday celebrations are a huge reason to head to Walt Disney World this winter.
Winter is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. There are so many fantastic experiences to enjoy and the weather and crowds make it accessible without stress. We hope this helps you consider booking a Walt Disney World trip this winter.
