The Best Time to Visit Orlando? When to Go, By a Local
The best time to visit Orlando, Florida is in the spring when the weather is comfortable and the summer crowds have not flown in yet. Since a majority of Orlando attractions operate year-round, you never need to worry about activities being available.
The best time for you to visit Orlando will of course depend on your preferred activities and availability. Luckily, there are plenty of periods throughout the year that are better for avoiding crowds, enjoying the best weather, and finding great prices.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Orlando
Spring is the best time to visit Orlando because the weather is warm but not too hot, the crowds are manageable, and there are some deals on hotels and attractions available. By visiting before the start of the rainy season in June, you won’t need to worry about planning backup activities for bad weather.
For each person, the best time to visit varies based on your planned activities in Orlando. While spring has the best weather, the cheapest prices are found in winter. We will go through the best times to visit for each factor.
When to Visit Orlando for Good Weather
The best time to visit Orlando for the most pleasant weather is March through early May. The evenings cool down to 50-70 degrees but the days are comfortably warm. You can enjoy a dip in the pool, but you won’t be overheating at Walt Disney World. This period is before the rainy months, so you can expect warm weather and sunny skies on most days.
👉 Pro Tip: The spring is my favorite time to hit the beach before the summer crowds come in. Check out our guide to the most gorgeous Florida beaches, some are just a short drive from Orlando.
When to Visit Orlando for Cheap Prices
The cheapest time to visit Orlando is in January and February, as long as you avoid Martin Luther King Jr weekend, Valentine’s Day, and President’s Day weekend. Since the kids are back in school, the crowds are much thinner at the theme parks and you can find deals on hotel prices.
Start checking prices 6 months before your winter visit to Orlando. While the weather is still chilly for locals (highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 50s), this is great weather for those with “thicker” blood to enjoy outdoor activities.
If you’re looking to save money, be sure to check out my article with tons of tips for visiting Orlando on a budget.
🚗 Where to Rent a Car: Discover Cars can help keep your budget on track by offering excellent rates on rental cars for your Orlando or Walt Disney World vacation.
When to Visit Orlando to Avoid Crowds
Crowds and Orlando go together like peanut butter and jelly. The best way to avoid crowds is to visit on weekdays when school is in session, especially if you’re wondering how to visit Disney World.
Some families will pull their children out of school for a vacation, but a majority of parents choose to travel during school holidays. The summer months have consistently large crowds, but the busiest season is actually the holidays.
👉 Some peak seasons to avoid include:
- Summer break (May – early September)
- Thanksgiving week
- The holiday season (Mid-December – January 5)
- Spring break (Mid-March – Mid-April)
- Long holiday weekends
When to Visit Orlando for Families and Kids
To minimize crowds and maximize the fun for the family, it is best to visit Orlando while school is in session. For many families, children can’t miss school, so the best time to visit would be during a long weekend. At the theme parks, the early mornings and late evenings will have fewer crowds and allow children to ride as many attractions as possible.
👉 Pro Tip: To avoid cranky kids during the summer heat, take a midday break. Head back to your hotel for lunch, swim in the pool, and enjoy some much-needed air conditioning. Once the entire family is refreshed, you’re ready to head back to the theme parks or other attractions.
Orlando Travel Seasons
January and February
- ☔ Weather – Expect daytime temperatures in the low-70s and lows at around 50-degrees. There is very little rainfall during the winter.
- 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 Crowds – After New Years Day, the crowds die down by mid-January in Orlando. Martin Luther King Jr. and President’s Day weekends will bring in moderate crowds.
- 💵 Prices – Other than early January and the holiday weekends, hotel rates are affordable and attractions with variable pricing will have their lowest rates.
- 🎉 Events – Epcot Festival of the Arts, Walt Disney World Marathon, Lunar New Year Festival, Mardi Gras at Universal Studios
👉 Pro Tip: The winter season is the best time for manatee viewing, which is one of my favorite Things to Do in the Central Florida area.
March and April
- ☔ Weather – The average temperature during the day will be around 80-degrees and the evenings can dip into the 50s. There may be a chance of rain on some days.
- 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 Crowds – Spring break crowds will flock to the theme parks, but other Orlando attractions are less affected. Easter weekend will also cause a spike in crowds.
- 💵 Prices – Early March and late April will offer better pricing than the peak season for spring break between those times.
- 🎉 Events – Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival, Easter and Earth Day events
May – August
- ☔ Weather – Summer brings high temperatures in the 90s and humid nights in the mid-70s. During Florida’s rainy season, afternoon showers are common, but they usually last less than an hour. Hurricane season begins in early June and runs through the end of November.
- 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 Crowds – As schools across the country start their summer vacation, the crowds increase throughout May and remain high for the rest of the summer. Major attractions will have long wait times and reservations fill up at popular restaurants in Orlando.
- 💵 Prices – Attraction and hotel prices will be high during the summer. Weekdays will offer better rates than weekends.
- 🎉 Events – SeaWorld’s Electric Ocean, Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Gay Days.
September and October
- ☔ Weather – September is still hot and humid in Orlando, but the weather usually cools down by the end of October. It won’t necessarily be sweater weather, but you won’t be sweating from sun up to sundown. Hurricane season is still in full swing during these months.
- 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 Crowds – Special events bring in crowds to the Orlando theme parks, but the city as a whole does not have too many tourists during this time. This is why September is my top pick for the best month to visit Disney World.
- 💵 Prices – You’ll notice hotel prices dropping in mid-September, as most kids are done with summer vacation. Other than school holiday weekends and fall break, prices should be reasonable.
- 🎉 Events – Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, Halloween Horror Nights, Boo Bash, SeaWorld Craft Beer Festival, SeaWorld Spooktacular, Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND, Magical Dining, Come Out With Pride Festival
November and December
- ☔ Weather – Expect very little rain, high temperatures in the 70s, and low temperatures in the 50s. Orlando gets a few cold fronts throughout the winter months that can send the temperatures down into the 40s-60s. Hurricane season ends on November 30.
- 🧑🏻🤝🧑🏾 Crowds – These months bring some of the lowest and highest crowds. Early to mid-November and early December will have fewer visitors. During the winter break, expect theme parks to close due to holiday crowds hitting capacity, traffic to be horrible, and restaurants to be full.
- 💵 Prices – Just like the crowds, prices are low during the beginning of each month and high during the holidays. You can find some great deals on hotel rates before and after the holidays. Rates are highest around the holidays, one of the peak seasons.
- 🎉 Events – Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival, Disney’s Very Merriest at Magic Kingdom, Asian Lantern Festival at the Central Florida Zoo, Holidays at Universal Orlando, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, Holidays at LEGOLAND, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, FusionFest, Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids the World,
Orlando Weather and Climate
Orlando has a subtropical climate. The average temperatures in Orlando range from highs in the low 70s in January to the mid-90s in August. Overnight temperatures average from 50 degrees to 75 degrees. Orlando may receive a few touches of frost from January to mid-February, but it rarely receives a true freeze. Overall, Orlando weather offers pleasant temperatures.
The average humidity in Orlando is over 50% year-round. Expect the humidity to jump to 70% or more during the summer.
Orlando does not have very many significantly windy days. There is usually a light breeze, but it varies depending on where in Orlando you are. The many bodies of water around Orlando help create lake wind effects, adding a cooling breeze to many places.
Tips for Visiting Orlando
Bring Sun Protection
The Sunshine State got its name for a reason, so always be prepared for sunny days. A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are necessities for a day out and about in Orlando.
Be Prepared for Rain
The summer has the highest chance of rain when it is common to have an afternoon shower almost every day. Don’t let the rain ruin your plans though because most storms move through quickly.
☔️ Need an Umbrella? Bring this compact umbrella (with over 6,000 5⭐️ ratings!) to Orlando so you’re always prepared for an afternoon shower.
Plan for Some Pool Time
The weather is warm enough to go swimming throughout most of the year. Even in winter, you can find hotels that have heated pools.
📚 Related Reading: Is Orlando Safe to Travel? (A Local’s Perspective)
FAQs About When to Visit Orlando
What is the cheapest month to visit Orlando?
January (and early February) is the cheapest month to visit Orlando. You can find excellent prices at hotels and attractions after the holiday tourists have returned home.
📚 Related Reading: For more ways to save money on your Orlando vacation, read my article about visiting Orlando on a Budget.
When is the low season in Orlando?
Orlando has several low periods for tourism, including:
Mid-January through early March
Late April through mid-May
Mid-September through mid-November
Early December
These low seasons occur when school is in session and there are no Orlando events taking place, especially events at Walt Disney World.
What if I want to visit Orlando for the holidays?
If you plan on visiting Orlando during Thanksgiving week, Christmas week, or New Year’s Eve week, expect large crowds, traffic, and long wait times. To see the holiday decorations and shows while avoiding the worst crowds, visit Orlando during the first week of January. The theme parks, restaurants, and town centers typically don’t take down their decorations until a week into January.
👉 Read Next: Best Time to Visit Tampa
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Whether you plan to visit in spring, my recommended season, or another time of year, there are always periods for better prices, fewer crowds, and great weather. Now that you’ve narrowed down when to visit, figure out Where to Stay in Orlando.
Have fun deciding when to visit Orlando!
