Hollywood Ride Guide
The best and worst months to visit the Disney parks
Every month graded on crowds, cost, weather and what is actually running. We commit to a letter grade for each one — including the months we think you should avoid.
Ranked, best to worst
One verdict per month, in order. Click through for the reasoning.
February
A
Low crowds, low prices, the most comfortable Orlando weather of the year, and Mardi Gras running at no extra charge. Avoid the Presidents' week and this is the month we would book.
Low crowds
Low cost
September
A
Empty daytime parks, cheap hotels, and the year's best event running at early-season prices. The costs are Orlando heat that has barely broken and the peak of hurricane season.
Moderate crowds
Low cost
January
A-
From the second week onward this is the best-value month at both resorts. You trade long days and a complete ride list for low crowds and low prices, which is a trade most visitors should take.
Low crowds
Low cost
May
B+
The best month of the first half of the year that is not February. Long hours, warm weather, crowds that have not yet turned over to summer, and prices that step up only at the very end.
Moderate crowds
Moderate cost
November
B+
The first two weeks are close to ideal in Orlando: low crowds, low rates, and the best weather of the year. Thanksgiving week undoes all of it, and the holiday layer arrives only in the second half.
Moderate crowds
Moderate cost
October
B-
The best weather and the best event of the Universal year, sold at the worst prices and the longest queues. Take a weeknight in the first half and October becomes a very good month.
High crowds
High cost
April
C+
Avoid the fortnight bracketing Easter and April becomes a good month, with warm weather, moderate crowds and Orlando prices stepping back down. Inside that fortnight it is as bad as July.
High crowds
High cost
March
C
Excellent weather, heavy crowds, and no reliably quiet week to escape into. Go in March if the school calendar decides for you, and buy Express Pass rather than hoping for a gap.
High crowds
High cost
August
C-
The last two weeks are one of the best-value windows Universal sells, and the first two are July. The whole month is hot, and Orlando adds hurricane risk to the deal.
High crowds
Moderate cost
December
C-
Book the first ten days and December is excellent. Book the Christmas fortnight and you get the year's worst queues at the year's worst prices, with parks reaching capacity on several days.
Peak crowds
Peak cost
June
D+
Long hours are the only thing June does better than May. Orlando becomes a morning-and-evening destination, Hollywood fills up from the first week, and prices reach summer level at both.
High crowds
High cost
July
D-
Peak prices, a flat four-week crowd plateau, and an Orlando heat index over 100 most afternoons. Go only if the school calendar leaves you no choice, and plan fewer park days than you think.
High crowds
Peak cost
The same twelve, in calendar order
| Month | Grade | Crowds | Cost | Universal Orlando high | Universal Hollywood high | On |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | A- | Low | Low | 71°F | 68°F | 2 |
| February | A | Low | Low | 74°F | 68°F | 1 |
| March | C | High | High | 79°F | 71°F | 1 |
| April | C+ | High | High | 84°F | 76°F | 1 |
| May | B+ | Moderate | Moderate | 89°F | 80°F | 0 |
| June | D+ | High | High | 91°F | 86°F | 0 |
| July | D- | High | Peak | 93°F | 93°F | 0 |
| August | C- | High | Moderate | 92°F | 94°F | 1 |
| September | A | Moderate | Low | 90°F | 90°F | 2 |
| October | B- | High | High | 85°F | 83°F | 2 |
| November | B+ | Moderate | Moderate | 79°F | 74°F | 4 |
| December | C- | Peak | Peak | 73°F | 67°F | 2 |