There are few things that bring a smile to my face faster than a visit to a Disney World theme park. The delicious Disney treats, the incredible themed rides, the parades and nighttime fireworks—it truly is a magical place to visit. Not so magical: When you discover that you’ve planned your trip not only at the most expensive time but also when the parks are jammed mouse ear to mouse ear with enormous crowds. It’s enough to make you want to go “heigh-ho, heigh-ho” and head out of the parks altogether.

That’s not to say Disney World isn’t an amazing place to visit, but it is important to learn some Disney secrets ahead of your trip so you can time your visit to get the best value for your theme park investment and not spend all of your time waiting in lines.

Want the inside scoop on how to have the most fun at Disney World? Take a look at these insider tips on the best time to visit to avoid the crowds and save money too.

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What are the least crowded months to visit Disney World?

This probably won’t come as a surprise, but the least crowded times to visit Disney World coincide with some of the coldest and hottest temperatures: January and February (with the exception of New Year’s week and the long weekends around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day) and late August through September, when kids head back to school.

What are the least crowded days to visit Disney World?

Planning A Trip To Disney World GARY HERSHORN/GETTY IMAGES

Weekends are the most crowded days to visit the parks, and the days directly attached to Saturday and Sunday often get the spillover from the weekend. To hit the parks with the fewest people, aim for Tuesday and Wednesday, but note that during a holiday period or spring break, any day of the week may feel like the parks are bursting at the seams.

To drill down a bit on the absolute least crowded days and times, it helps to visit a website that maintains calendars of Disney’s busiest days; Undercover Tourist has a free one where you can keep track of crowds at each of Disney World’s four theme parks. (A top tip: Hit Animal Kingdom on a Monday, when other parks are historically busy.)

When is the cheapest time to go to Disney World?

Disney has a lot of sneaky ways to get you to spend money, and since it now uses dynamic pricing, meaning the most popular days are also the most expensive, it helps to have a good game plan before you book your trip. The cheapest times to go to Disney World will align with when most people are back at work and school, in late August and September. You’ll also find good deals during the weeks between spring and summer breaks.

And note that the longer you book a stay, the less expensive tickets become, so you’ll get a better deal on a four-day ticket, for example, than a one-day park ticket. (But let’s face it, the longer you’re at the parks, the more money you’ll spend on food and souvenirs, though there are ways to save on your Disney vacation.)

What deals are available for Disney World in 2025?

I have good news for you if you’re planning a 2025 trip to Disney World: You can nab some great deals.

Free Disney dining plan: Who doesn’t like free food? One of my favorite deals is making a repeat appearance in 2025. Purchase a non-discounted, three-night, three-day Disney package that includes a room at a Disney resort and a theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option, and you’ll get a totally free dining plan. A regularly priced adult dining plan is $94 a day. (Note that this 2025 promotion runs from May 27 to June 26 and July 7 to Aug. 6).

Free Disney water park admission: If you’re visiting Disney World this year, there’s a great value-add waiting if you’re staying on property at a Disney Resort. The brand-new offering gets you a free visit to a Disney water park on your day of arrival (a regular adult ticket is $74). Not only is this a great perk, but it also saves you from buying a full-price park ticket on your first day, which you might not have enough time to fully use.

Special Florida ticket prices: Do you live in Florida? If you don’t, you might want to move when you read this next one. Disney has brought back the Florida residents discount (something that’s been on hold since the pandemic). Through May 23, 2025, Florida residents can visit the park for a four-day stay for just $60 a day. For comparison, if you bought a four-day ticket without the discount, it would be approximately $150 a day, so $600 for four days compared with $240 for Floridians.

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