Often times when planning a Disney World vacation you are looking to find the most cost-effective time to travel. There are so many variables to consider, crowds, temperature, and price when picking when to visit. We find that the more flexible you are the better. If you are limited to just school breaks then you find higher ticket and hotel prices. So let’s take a look at the cheapest time to go to Disney World.
Choosing to stay off site will always save you money versus staying at a Disney World Resort. But that’s not to dismiss a Disney resort. These hotels come packed with benefits and added features. Disney World Resort guest get Extra Magic Hours, free airport transportation and more! For a complete look read Benefits of Staying on Disney Property.
Inexpensive Dates to Visit Disney World
Weekdays
If you can swing the vacation days go for just staying during the week. Sunday through Thursday hotel room rates are significantly cheaper than Friday and Saturday. Let’s take a look at the Pop Century in August, on Tuesday it cost $158 then if we look at Saturday the same week it jumps to $185. That savings could help your family cover the cost of a meal or two!
An added bonus is that there are lighter crowds on the weekdays compared to the weekends. The weekend is when the locals will pop in for some fun in the parks.
Back to School
Here in Florida, the second week of August is about when local school starts back in session. This helps the crowds die down and prices drop as well. Historically, this is when you can catch the free dining deal! That runs through the end of September this year.
The Beginning of the Year
Once the New Year and Marathon weekend have passed at Disney World, the crowds die down and you can normally snag good deals. Of course, watch out for President’s Day weekend it’s a total madhouse here. Everyone is back in school so that discourages people from coming at this time. The weather is also all over the place in January as well. It’s not unusual for it to be rainy and cold. As an added bonus Disney has started doing the Festival of the Arts during this time to encourage more people to come to the parks.
The Worst Times to Visit Disney World
If you are looking to save money on your Disney vacation you should always steer clear of all major holidays. Not only is Christmas through New Years one of the busiest times of the year but it is also one of the most expensive time to travel here. Staying at Disney’s Pop Century Resort on Christmas Eve in 2019 will run you $236. That very same room in May of 2019 is only $107! Another major holiday to watch out for is Easter. It can be almost as bad as the Christmas week crowds.
After holidays then you have what Disney considers their peak periods. For 2019 this is expected to be:
- The first week of January
- February during President’s Day weekend
- Weeks surrounding Easter weekend
- Memorial Day weekend
- Halloween season (mid-August through October 31)
- Late November around Thanksgiving
- December (opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge)
More Money Savings Tips
It’s important to keep your eyes peeled for those special Disney promotions. For 2019, the most popular is, of course, the free dining promotion. We don’t always find this the biggest way to save money because even though you do get your meals covered you have to pay FULL price for your room. If you are interested in it, Free Dining 2019 is offered select stays July 5, 2019, through September 30, 2019 ( must book by 2/10/19).
I like taking advantage of the 30% off room offer. This 30% off deal has also been released for 2019. The details are:
- Save up to 25% for stays most nights April 28 through May 27, 2019, when you book through May 27, 2019
- Save up to 30% for stays most nights May 28 through September 30, 2019, when you book through March 24, 2019
For more information on this deal, you can go here and see the hotels and which tier of savings they fall into!
Also, the longer you stay the cheaper your tickets get per day! Really the one to four-day tickets is the least economical option. However, after the first four days adding extra days is so much cheaper! It’s just an additional $15-$20 for day 5, and the savings just get better from there. By the time you get to day ten, it drops down to less than $9 for the additional day.
So you get the most value out of a 4-day or longer ticket, but perhaps you want a shorter ticket for one reason or another. Maybe two or three days in a major theme park is all you can handle during one vacation, for example.
We hope this helps you find a time that is best for your family to come to visit Disney World. For more money-saving tips read All the Ways You Can Save Money at Disney.
I have been visiting the parks annually since my parents first brought me at just a year old. Recently I was able to fulfill my life long dream of being a Florida local and moved from the wintery Northeast to the sunshine and fun of central Florida. Now I am hoping to share my Disney knowledge with you so you can have the best vacation possible!
