Walt Disney World is rarely low cost, however some occasions of yr are considerably cheaper than peak dates, which may price over double the low season. Questioning when it’s most cost-effective to go to Walt Disney World? This provides a listing of days, weeks & seasons this yr and in 2025 which have decrease costs and crowds! (Up to date March 3, 2024.)
As advised above, “most cost-effective” is a relative time period and never an absolute one. Walt Disney World is an undeniably costly trip vacation spot, and the least costly dates are nonetheless priced on par with touring to Europe, Asia, or many tropical locales. Compounding that’s the actuality that whole journey costs to Walt Disney World are up by hundreds of {dollars} since 2019–and had risen by round 5% per yr within the decade earlier than that.
Park tickets, accommodations, eating places, and extra at Walt Disney World have all elevated dramatically within the final couple of years. The excellent news is that costs for 2024 haven’t elevated–they’re the identical value as they have been final yr. The unhealthy information is that there shall be 2025 Ticket Value Will increase at Walt Disney World. We’d additionally anticipate menu and memento costs to extend in October 2024, with one other improve potential in February 2025.
That sharp improve since 2019 doesn’t even have in mind all prices, like transportation (airfare, rental vehicles, rideshare, and so forth.) or added bills, comparable to souvenirs, eating, and extra. It additionally doesn’t issue within the shift from free FastPass to the flat-rate Genie+ to date-based and per-park pricing for the line-skipping service. What was as soon as free jumped to $16 per day and now could be practically triple that on busier days.
On a optimistic word, Walt Disney World has gotten extra aggressive resort reductions as “revenge journey” has fizzled out, leading to most resort charges successfully reducing as in comparison with the final two years. Along with this lower after reductions, 2025 trip packages and room-only reservations are actually out there and rack charges have really decreased for a lot of resorts. (See our 2024 vs. 2025 Walt Disney World Resort Resorts Value Comparability.) Those that drive or lease vehicles are the largest winners, as there’s additionally now not an in a single day parking price at on-site accommodations.
That is all victory, the extent of which differs relying upon how a lot you zoom out and examine costs to previous dates. Walt Disney World trip costs are decrease for 2024-2025 as contrasted with the height of pent-up demand in 2022, however up considerably as in comparison with 2019.
Walt Disney World costs are nonetheless shockingly excessive and stunning to first-timers and those that haven’t visited since 2019 or earlier. We revisited this subject in How A lot Does a Walt Disney World Trip Value? That was quite eye-opening for many individuals planning journeys for the primary time or getting back from a hiatus of some years.
The reader feedback to which are equally illuminating, as many reported spending much more than our already excessive price range ranges on Walt Disney World holidays. Contemplate this submit an oblique “sequel” to that–and one which goals to keep away from overspending.
Whereas this doesn’t aid you reduce prices or trim the fats out of your trip price range, it does purpose that will help you select probably the most economical dates to go to! Equally, our current High 14 Cash Saving Suggestions for Walt Disney World in 2024 provides help with lowering your trip price range by eliminating bills that don’t improve your journey. Actually, a few of that recommendation really improves your journey–for instance, doing breakfast in your room (saves cash and time–plus meals courtroom breakfasts typically underwhelm except you want powdered eggs).
This submit is comparable in that selecting cheaper dates will typically additionally enhance your journey and may prevent cash. That’s as a result of the dates with the very best costs are sometimes busiest, and vice-versa. As a basic rule, increased costs don’t deter individuals from visiting or “redistribute” attendance. Crowds are virtually at all times a superb proxy for costs–the decrease the costs, the decrease you possibly can anticipate attendance to be. Double win!
That’s one of many basic “guidelines” in terms of the most cost effective occasions to go to Walt Disney World, and there are just a few extra. One other is that costs sometimes go up each single yr. These will increase take many varieties, and are staggered throughout the calendar. Sometimes, the price of snacks, sodas, and different pre-packaged objects will increase in late January or February and probably once more in September or October.
Consequently, it’s normally cheaper to go to sooner quite than later. When you’re ready for costs to drop, historical past sometimes just isn’t in your aspect. Nevertheless, as famous above, the previous couple of years have been anomalies. As famous above, costs for 2024-2025 are decrease than 2022 when revenge journey was working sizzling and never all accommodations had totally reopened.
Charges for 2025 are barely decrease in some instances than this yr, however that can most likely be partially or totally offset by increased meals and ticket costs. For on-site company, the wild card that determines whether or not this yr or 2025 is cheaper is reductions. (For off-site company, 2024 will virtually definitely be cheaper.)
Walt Disney World has already launched extra–and higher–reductions for 2024 than have been out there by this similar level final yr (see All Present Walt Disney World Reductions). Reductions have gotten progressively extra aggressive within the final a number of months, with financial savings of as much as 35% off resort rooms (on common, reductions have provided 5-10% extra financial savings on common as in comparison with final yr). On high of the whole lot else, Free Eating returned for 2024–a primary since 2019.
In any case, the overall rule is that touring within the present yr is cheaper than within the following yr. However there might be exceptions to that even in regular occasions. For instance, in the event you e-book your trip early and lock-in pricing on tickets and accommodations, it’s going to probably be cheaper to journey most dates in January or February 2025 than in November or December 2024. That’s as a result of costs normally lower within the winter low season as in comparison with the prior vacation season, and there are additionally sometimes higher reductions for the low season.
Whereas it’s debatable whether or not February or September shall be cheaper inside 2024 after reductions, it’s probably that each of these months will supply decrease charges than their counterparts in 2025. Even with barely decrease resort rack charges subsequent yr, that’s only one consider pricing. It doesn’t account for the worth will increase between now and 2025 that can virtually assuredly happen on Lightning Lanes, restaurant menus, merchandise, and extra.
In different phrases, the recommendation right here needs to be utilized to dates or months in the identical yr (with the aforementioned carve outs). Except you’re “banking on” one other recession or financial downturn, it’s a secure wager that the overall development line for Walt Disney World costs will proceed its upward climb on an annualized foundation.
Getting right down to brass tacks, the least costly time to go to Walt Disney World are normally the winter low season. This principally encompasses January and February, except for the very starting of the yr when faculties are nonetheless on Christmas break plus the weeks round MLK Day, Mardi Gras and Presidents’ Day.
The overall rule is that January and February are the most cost effective months of the yr, on common. There’s a bit extra nuance to it than that, as the autumn has had higher reductions (traditionally) and different variables that may transfer the needle on a case-by-case foundation. Nonetheless, lets say January and February 2025 will largely be the most cost effective months of the subsequent 12, though parts of August and September 2024 may come shut and even surpass the winter relying upon the circumstances.
These aforementioned circumstances are largely Free Eating, which is on the market within the late summer season and early fall low season, however not the winter low season. For households which are the “proper” dimension and may take full benefit, there’s no higher deal than Free Eating. It’ll make these months cheaper than winter…however not throughout the board or for everybody.
When you’re in search of the most effective timeframes within the winter low season when Walt Disney World is most cost-effective, January 5 via mid-February is greatest. Once more, costs spike for the week of Presidents’ Day/Mardi Gras, falling once more the subsequent week–however not as little as these early-year low season dates.
Following that, costs in March and April are hit and miss, normally pushed by the timing of Spring Break and Easter. Every time goes are on break, you possibly can anticipate vital spikes to each pricing and crowds. This, Easter is early–which means that March is costlier (on common) and costs drop in mid-April. Subsequent yr, Easter will happen later, which means costs don’t lower as quickly.
Quick-forward previous Easter, and that week (after the vacation) via the week earlier than Memorial Day as soon as once more see decrease costs. That is technically thought of “common” season, however it’s on par with some dates in mid-February and is the most cost effective Walt Disney World shall be till early August.
A few week earlier than faculties return into session, costs lower once more. This happens earlier on the lodge aspect of the equation than with park tickets, presumably as a result of locals proceed visiting after vacationers cease touring–and solely the latter books lodge stays.
Beginning the third Sunday of August, costs return to close their lowest ranges of the yr and keep there till mid-September (with the notable exception of Labor Day weekend). Prices do get increased from then till early October, however it’s by a nominal quantity. Technically, these charges are increased than low season dates in January and February. As famous above, that may be additional exacerbated by intervening value will increase on tickets, meals, and so forth.
Nevertheless, it may also be greater than offset by reductions that are usually provided within the fall offseason (as mentioned above). Costs for October via early December are usually a veritable curler coaster relying upon whether or not it’s a vacation week/finish or not. Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving all see spikes–some pretty huge. Similar goes for runDisney race weekends.
If it’s not a type of weeks or weekends, pricing is close to its lowest ranges of the yr via the primary week of December. That step by step escalates starting the second week in December, culminating within the weeks of Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve. Starting December 16 and lasting till the tip of the calendar yr, vacation season kicks in and costs hit their highest ranges of your entire yr.
When you’re merely in search of the perfect dates in every season, they’re as follows:
Spring 2024
- March 17 to twenty, 2024
- April 7 to 11, 2024
- April 14 to 18, 2024
- April 21 to 25, 2024
- April 28 to Might 2, 2024
- Might 5 to 9, 2024
- Might 12 to 16, 2024
- Might 19 to 23, 2024
Summer time 2024
- All Sundays via Thursdays roughly equal in June and July 2024
- August 4 to eight, 2024
- August 11 to fifteen, 2024
- August 18 to 29, 2024
Fall 2024
- September 2 to 12, 2024
- September 15 to 19, 2024
- September 22 to 26, 2024
- September 29 to October 3, 2024
- October 7 to 10, 2024
- October 13 to 17, 2024
- October 20 to 24, 2024
- October 27 to 31, 2024
Holidays 2024
- November 3 to 7, 2024
- November 10 to 14, 2024
- November 17 to twenty, 2024
- December 1 to five, 2024
- December 8 to 12, 2024
Winter 2025
- January 5 to 9, 2025
- January 13 to 16, 2025
- January 19 to 23, 2025
- January 26 to 30, 2025
- February 2 to five, 2025
A few issues to notice in regards to the above. First, these season by season costs are relative to different dates inside every season. For instance, that final set of December dates prices precisely $100 per night time greater than the most cost effective dates in January. If your entire calendar is open to you and also you’re primarily involved with value, you actually wish to be winter or the late fall and early fall low season.
Nevertheless, not everybody can or needs to go to throughout these timeframes, so we’ve additionally included dates all through your entire yr which are cheaper than comparable options. Within the case of the above instance, these dates are practically $100 cheaper than the 2 weeks that observe. So considerably increased than the true low season, however far decrease than the true peak season. It’s all relative.
Second, there are main value adjustments in Spring 2024. That’s virtually definitely due to Easter shifting into March 2024, which makes that–and never April–the busy month for spring break season. April 2024 charges are nonetheless elevated as in comparison with January and February, however there are literally many dates which are cheaper than this yr.
In contrast, each single day in March 2024 is costlier than this yr. Based mostly on our analysis and comparisons, that’s the solely month of the yr when that’s true. (Though the jury remains to be out on October via December 2024–extra value will increase may come for these dates.)
Subsequent, it’s largely Sunday via Thursday nights which have the bottom costs, with Mondays via Wednesdays having absolutely the most cost-effective charges. When you’re in search of the least costly choices, you’ll discover them on the All Stars. These Worth Resorts begin at $117 per night time within the low season, which can probably be proper round $100 per night time after reductions.
Typically, Friday and Saturday would be the costliest days of the week to go to Walt Disney World, with Thursday and Sunday costing much less–however nonetheless greater than Monday via Wednesday nights.
As for probably the most costly dates to go to, we will say with virtually full confidence that the costliest dates to go to Walt Disney World are December 13-31, 2024. (January 1, 2025 can be extraordinarily elevated–costs drop like a rock the next night time.)
If you’d like extra specificity within the least & costliest dates to go to and the most effective & worst dates to go to, it may be helpful to seek the advice of our Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar. Search for the least busy dates, you’ll additionally typically discover the most cost effective dates.
In the end, that ought to reply some questions on when it’s most cost-effective to go to Walt Disney World in 2024…and maybe increase much more. Mainly, the least costly dates on paper as of proper now are January via early February and mid-August via September, adopted by late April to late Might, then October via early December–all minus lengthy vacation weekends and the total weeks main as much as main holidays.
In opposition to that backdrop and with that bias, if pressured to decide on dates to go to Walt Disney World within the subsequent two years–for a variety of causes each qualitative and quantitative–I might not decide the winter months. Although nice from a climate perspective and for EPCOT Pageant of the Arts, winter is now not the sleepy low season it as soon as was.
As an alternative, I might look to September. Though the climate is way much less fascinating within the early fall low season, September is reliably the most effective month for crowds and offers at Walt Disney World. It’s additionally a good time of yr with Halloween, EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant, and extra. The massive caveat right here is that you simply want to have the ability to bear the warmth and humidity in the event you select these dates.
Personally, I’d really transcend September for my journey goal and e-book the week after Thanksgiving. That is nothing new and truly has nothing to do with pricing–we’ve been recommending that week for ages, and it’s our private favourite for a mixture of causes associated to pricing, climate, crowds, and Christmas.
Late November and early December are “objectively inferior” to September, however the actuality is that people don’t take holidays in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. That’s the higher week on steadiness. It sometimes provides superior climate (far decrease chance of excessive warmth & humidity…or hurricanes!), seasonal occasions, and extra. It’ll be barely extra crowded and costly, however that’s a worthwhile tradeoff in our view.
The whole lot has a value, whether or not in {dollars} or in any other case, and you possibly can argue that the non-monetary prices of visiting in September are increased than within the lull between holidays. For different dates we love to go to (and ones we dislike), see our Greatest & Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 and 2025.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider this have a look at the most cost effective occasions to go to Walt Disney World? Which might you decide within the January/February vs. August/September dilemma? Suppose reductions will proceed to enhance all through 2024 and put a reality-check on runaway costs? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!