The Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world, so it is incredibly important that you choose the right time to visit. Choose well, and you’ll rush through the park, but choose wrong, and you may find yourself waiting in line for hours to get on one of Space Mountain’s rockets. Generally, the best time to visit the Magic Kingdom is during the off-peak months of September and January, when crowds and costs are at their lowest.
However, when visiting during the off-season, you can also miss out on the special events that happen during the more popular months, so decide what matters most to you before choosing a time.
What is the magic kingdom?
The Magic Kingdom is divided into sections, with Cinderella’s Castle at the heart. The six lands are Frontierland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Main Street USA, Liberty Square, and Tomorrowland. The areas are highly themed and incorporate different smells, sounds, foods, and foliage in each section.
Your tastes, as well as the ages of your children, will determine where you will spend the most time. Little ones can’t get enough of Fantasyland, where their favorite movie stars come to life through area rides and meet and greet in person, while older kids and teens will probably prefer Frontierland, where hugely popular attractions like Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion Resides.
How much does it cost to visit Magic Kingdom?
Disney introduced a controversial price increase for tickets at Magic Kingdom 2016. Each day of the year is classified as a “value”, “regular” or “peak” day, and follows the pricing structure that has been put in place for the hotel on site rooms for years. However, since prices are calculated on a day-to-day basis, visiting on Easter Sunday may be more expensive than going on a weekend during the summer, depending on past attendance records.
Disney is transparent with this pricing structure and publishes a calendar detailing which days are included in each category.
Weather in Magic Kingdom
Florida is known for its high temperatures, high humidity, and plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Temperatures are most severe in July and August and regularly climb into the upper 90s. From October to May, the weather is more moderate during the day, but it can be cold at night and early in the morning.
Hurricane season runs from June to October, although the chance of a hurricane hitting Florida during your stay is slim.
High season in Magic Kingdom
Sure, the months of June, July, and August are packed with guests, but you might be surprised to learn that the Christmas season can be even busier, depending on the day.
Unless you have no other option, you should avoid visiting on these dates:
- New Year 1st of January)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day (the third Monday in January)
- Presidents’ Day (the third Monday in February)
- Valentine (February 14)
- Easter Sunday (varies between March and April)
- Independence Day (July 4)
- Thanksgiving Day (the third Thursday in November)
- Christmas Eve (December 24)
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- New Year’s Eve (December 31)
In terms of few people, mild weather and the best prices, September and January are the best times to visit. February, May, and early November are also a great option, though you can expect somewhat larger crowds and slightly higher prices.
If you must visit during the summer, avoid the weekend (including Fridays) as these are certainly the busiest days.
Best time of day to visit
Whether you’re an early riser or not, your best plan of action is to head to the Magic Kingdom on any given day at least 15 minutes before opening. If you trust the Disney transportation system, allow at least 30 minutes of travel time to get to the park entrance. Arriving early will allow you to be one of the first guests to enter the park and quickly make your way to your favorite attractions that will fill up later in the day.
If you choose to stay on a Disney resort property (like The Grand Floridian, Pop Century, or Port Orleans), you have some added benefits when visiting the Magic Kingdom. When you check in at your hotel, pay attention to the daily park hours that you receive as part of your check-in package. This program will list the additional magic hours available only to resort guests during their visit.
The magical overtime is the best time to visit. They are designed to allow resort guests an extra hour, either before the park opens or after it closes, to tour popular attractions like It’s a Small World, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain with minimal wait times.
If you’re staying off-site, or even at a Disney “good neighbor” hotel that sits on the edge of Disney property, unfortunately, you won’t be able to take advantage of the magical overtime. Your best bet for visiting the Magic Kingdom is to go midweek, be it on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Thursday tends to be a bit busier but a long way from the weekend crowds.
If you can’t bear the thought of waking up so early, you can go the night owl route and get to the park early in the evening. You need to make a dinner reservation for 4-5pm, and then go to the games when you’re done (if you can handle it). Starting around 6 p.m., the park’s crowds begin to diminish as guests head to dinner, so you can take advantage of this time slot.
Spring
Spring can be a great time to visit the Magic Kingdom, as the weather is usually quite pleasant, but watch out for the crowds – unsurprisingly, the Magic Kingdom is an immensely popular spring break destination, and it shows. May, before Memorial Day weekend, can be an ideal time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.
Summer
Summers are peak season in the park, and the weather can be less than ideal. Temperatures are often hot, and Florida’s humidity is extreme. If you must visit during the summer, visit in late August; It will still be hot, but the crowds have started to shrink as more children return to school.
Fall
Generally, September and early fall is a great month to visit Disney World. The kids are back in school, so the crowds are thinning. Fall (through November 30) is hurricane season in Florida, but that is unlikely to affect your travel. A trip in late fall, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, can be ideal if you want great weather and minimal crowds.
Events to watch
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a festive fall celebration held in late September and October.
Winter
Winter offers ideal weather, but the park has reduced hours and sometimes reduced entertainment that can be disappointing for guests. Florida is still generally dry, but cold fronts emerge from time to time. The park has some special events during the winter months, ranging from a traditional Christmas celebration to a marathon run through the park.
Events to watch
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is generally held in late November and December.
- Walt Disney World Marathon weekend takes over the park in January. The racing series also includes events for children.
- For women only, Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is held each year in February.
