December is usually declared the “the most wonderful time of the year” to enjoy some of Disney World’s new attractions, as well as the cool theme of Common Orlando. However, as a theme park addict since I was a child, I have had many wonderful theme park experiences at various times outside of busy vacations. While they all have their pros and cons, I feel comfortable saying that mid-January through February are the best times to visit the parks if you can get there.
It’s a great time to go with kids or with (always controversial to some) adults without kids, but I understand that the restrictions some parents face around school hours may make it more difficult. This is especially true if you are a family that has to take a long car or plane trip to get to the theme parks. But if you can go in mid to late January (or even a little later in the winter months), I really feel like most of the time you’ll get more bang for your buck.
The advantages of going to Common Orlando and Walt Disney World in winter
- The lines are shorter
- The climate is normally mild
- There are fewer families around (but still enough businesses to generate good vibes)
- It’s just a more relaxing trip as a whole.
Listen, I understand why December is such an in style time to go to theme parks. Kids get out of school at different times, theme parks are full of holiday cheer and special offers. holiday events like Grinchmas (which has required waits of up to 420 minutes) and the Epcot International Holiday Competition. And the popularity of the parks right now means there are plenty of little extras, like decorations and special holiday programming at Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom. Normal people are in the mood to celebrate and spend money on experiences and I wouldn’t take that away from anyone.
Then January arrives and we are all preparing for the year. But if you can postpone spending that money, I really prefer January and early February because you get more bang for your buck, especially if you can spend time in the parks some weekdays (although weekends are at least a little quieter). . also).
While the theme and decor is back to normal, that can be a nice change of pace in itself. And while the most popular ticketed attractions may still have virtual queues (like Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind) or long lines like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures, you’ll still get more bang for your buck than in the summer or holiday months. You can usually make more trips with less hassle if that’s a priority.
I’m writing this while we’re in the fifties in Orlando, but another thing to keep in mind is that the weather is also usually mild. Going in January or February can mean shorts and a t-shirt or sweatshirt most of the time, and it’s much more relaxing to walk around and not sweat than even in October when it’s still very hot.
Also keep an eye out for hotel discounts and deals this time of year.
The disadvantages of going to Common Orlando and Disney World in the winter months
- Volcano Bay, Blizzard Seaside and other water parks sometimes close in winter or it’s too cold to go
- Sometimes you need gloves and a coat. (Which can be cumbersome and make walking less fun.)
- Typically, there are fewer fun “events” and unique decorations.
- Hours are more limited in the parks.
Listen, I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that everything about theme parks in winter is A+. One of my favorite things to do in Florida is go to Volcano Bay, which was recently closed for two days in early January due to bad weather. Water parks and other attractions sometimes renew in winter as well, or alternatively, the weather may simply be too cold to attend. (Top tip: On the other hand, if it’s a little cold but not too cold to go, you’ll often see much shorter lines for some of the better slides and attractions.)
Speaking of weather, I once went to Hollywood Studios on a January day when it was mid-thirties and windy. My husband and I had hats and gloves, but we had foolishly not brought real coats due to what we assumed would be the Florida weather. Most of the time the weather is fantastic this time of year, but cold snaps can still occur. In those cases, it’s not as fun to walk for more than a few hours at a time. Be ready.
The last thing to keep in mind about this time of year is that your bandwidth with hours may vary. Some Common Orlando theme parks close at 6 or 7 p.m. Disney World hours (outside of Animal Kingdom) generally open a little later, but if you’re a night owl, you’ll still get more bang for your buck at other times of the year.
On February 3, 2025, Mardi Gras: Worldwide Flavors of Carnival begins at Common Orlando and on March 5, 2025, and a favorite among CinemaBlend staff, the Flower and Garden Competition begins at Epcot. In recent years, parks have found more reasons to keep bodies coming at undesirable times, but there are still some wonderful weeks when things are at least a little quieter after the holiday crowd leaves early. of January. And if you plan to go early in the competition, it can also be a more relaxing and cheaper experience!
It’s also worth noting that Common Orlando is debuting the new Epic Universe theme park in May 2025. Early summer is already a great time of year to go to theme parks, and I’m guessing things will be even crazier this year. So if getting bang for your buck is more important than visiting a brand new theme park, that may be another reason to recommend a theme park visit sooner rather than later.
Honestly, every time of year has its charms and problems (and those charms and problems are very different for California theme parks), but for me this time of year is simply the most relaxing and I don’t need a ton of things. of additional bells and whistles. If you’ve never had time off, consider it this year.
