A Rule of Thumb for Crowds

There are no times of year when Walt Disney World won’t be crowded. That said, there are times when it will be more crowded than others. There is a simple rule of thumb that you can follow to know immediately if you might have chosen one of those times to visit.

All that you need to do is to look at the schools. Are schools in session or are they out? If the schools are out, expect Walt Disney World to be more crowded.

You can cross all three day weekends off of your list if you’re trying to avoid crowds. Lots of families will plan mini-vacations because the kids don’t have school and also because offices are closed. The second half of June through the first half of August also usually have higher crowds because most schools across the country are closed. The 4th of July Week is the busiest of the summer. Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks bring some of the largest crowds of the year, especially since the weather is usually nicer.

Don’t follow this rule of thumb based only on what schools do in your area. Check Florida schools as well. Most schools in the area get out for the summer at the end of May, and with Florida Resident tickets there will be plenty of families starting their summers at Walt Disney World.

If you can only travel to Walt Disney World when schools will be out, don’t despair. You will still have a great time. If you can, consider adding a Disney After Hours event to your plans if you want to be able to do more. Even without Disney After Hours you can have a wonderful vacation. It’s up to you, because 99% of having a good time depends on your mindset. If you see the crowds and just complain, you’ll sabotage your vacation. If you decide to make the most of it, you’ll create your own magic.