Walt Disney World is busier than ever, and knowing the best times to visit can be challenging. There’s a lot to consider—do you aim for the lowest crowds, the newest Walt Disney World rides, and attractions, or visit during the most temperate weather of the year?
It’s hard to choose, and it’s rare for all of those things to align. That’s why Perfecting the Magic creates guides (like this one!) to help you plan your trip. Join us as we explore the best times to visit Walt Disney World in 2023!
The Best Weather at Walt Disney World
While weather and ideal temperatures are subjective, the heat and humidity of Orlando can be overwhelming. If you’re looking to get a lot done, you’ll want to choose a time of year with manageable temperatures far removed from the oppressive summer sun and active hurricane season, which is why we recommend temperate temperatures whenever possible.
Here are the best weather months to visit Walt Disney World
January (high 72°, low 51°)
February (high 74°, low 53°)
March (high 79°, low 66°)
April (high 83°, low 58°)
Mid-late October (high 84°, low 64°)
November (high 79°, low 58°)
December (high 74°, low 54°)
You can still find manageable temperatures in May, but the heat will ramp up quite a bit, so we excluded it from our best weather list. June, July, August, and September should be avoided if you struggle in ultra-balmy temps, and October is best enjoyed later in the month. If you’re someone who lives in a hot and humid climate and you love the heat, then anything goes! Just prepare for unpredictable rain during the hottest months, as well.
Best Dates to Visit Walt Disney World in 2023
Selecting the best dates for your WDW trip is stressful! There are hotels, park ticket prices, weather, events, festivals, crowds, experiences, and availability to consider. Add on the world of crowd calendars, and it’s easy to feel paralyzed by choice. At PTM, we carefully select our recommended dates through data and trends to provide you with the best times to visit Walt Disney World.
Here are our picks
January 5th – January 12th
January 18th – January 31st
February 1st – February 12th
February 22nd – February 28th
March 1st – March 6th
April 11th – April 21st
May 1st – May 4th
May 9th – May 11th
Avoid June
Avoid July
August 21st – August 31st
September 5th – September 29th
October 3rd – October 6th
October 16th – October 20th
November 2nd – November 9th
November 28th – November 30th
December 1st
December 4th – December 7th
Coming to WDW in 2023
Good news, bad news—there’s newness coming to Walt Disney World in 2023. However, most of what Disney fans have been waiting for is coming later in the year, with one (very exciting!) exception.
Happily Ever After (at least the song) is returning, and we couldn’t be more excited. It will be part of an updated nighttime spectacular, so we imagine it won’t look exactly like what it used to, but we’re hopeful. Likewise, EPCOT will be replacing Harmonious with a new nighttime spectacular. While the current show is nice, we won’t miss the barges and look forward to seeing what the new show brings.
Continuing with EPCOT, we can expect a new Figment meet-and-greet character in 2023, and while Figment draws mixed reactions from Team PTM, he is an icon, and we’re happy to hear he’s going to have more of a presence in the park.
Speaking of icons, Journey of Water—Inspired by Moana will open in EPCOT in late 2023. This walkthrough will feature various interactive water experiences, a walkthrough trail, and a stunning Te Fiti model covered in grasses and flowers, not unlike a topiary. The concept photos are gorgeous, and we think this will be something children (and Moana fans) will fall in love with.
Now, back to Magic Kingdom and the news we’re really excited about. TRON Lightcycle /Run is scheduled to open in Spring 2023! We can’t wait to climb onto our own Lightcycle and surge around this all-new coaster. You can learn more about it here, but let’s just say the thrill seekers at PTM are beyond excited—and if you’re one yourself, you’ll want to prioritize a trip to Magic Kingdom later in 2023.
Finally, to close out the list of new additions coming to Magic Kingdom is the return of the Hatbox Ghost to The Haunted Mansion, which the Mansion has needed for quite some time. We expect his ghoulish arrival in late 2023.
If you’re only planning on visiting WDW once in 2023 and these rides, additions, and shows are can’t-miss experiences for you, be sure to plan your trip for the second half of the year, using the dates we highlighted in the section before this. While you can’t go wrong with a trip to Disney, it’s important to plan so you don’t feel that you’ve missed out on something you’d like to experience, which brings us to our next topic—EPCOT festivals.
EPCOT 2023 Festivals
We look forward to our favorite EPCOT festivals all year long, and there’s really something for everyone. We’ve compiled a list of dates to help you plan your visits. These dates as estimates and are subject to change once we have official confirmation from Disney, as the actual dates are to be determined. Our estimates are based on previous festival time frames and provide a ballpark timeline for those looking to start planning their 2023 Walt Disney World trips ASAP.
EPCOT Festival 2023 Dates and Descriptions
Festival of the Arts: January 13th – February 20th
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts offers excellent weather, beautiful art, interactive foodie offerings, and merch. The festival is short and worth visiting if you’re a lover of the arts.
Flower and Garden: March 6th – July 4th (Actual Dates TBD)
The EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is one of our favorites. The topiaries and flowers fill every corner with color, and the food is quite good too. The weather is especially manageable for the first half of the festival, and it’s one of our top picks!
Food and Wine: July 14th – November 20th (Actual Dates TBD)
Serious foodies shouldn’t miss the EPCOT International Food and Wine festival. Weekends can get busy, and it can sometimes be off-putting to eat rich dishes like filet mignon in the summer heat, but Food and Wine is popular for a reason. If you’ve dreamt of trying EPCOT eats and drinks at their peak, this festival is for you!
Festival of the Holidays: November 24th –December 30th (Actual Dates TBD)
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays features holiday foods, festivities, traditions, music from around the globe, a can’t-miss cookie stroll, and holiday décor. If you’re visiting Disney during the holiday season and are planning on visiting EPCOT, it’s worth checking out, especially if you love the season.
Of all EPCOT’s festivals, we enjoy Food and Wine and Flower and Garden the best. If you’re visiting for Food and Wine, try to visit at the end of the fest for more comfortable temperatures and at the start of Flower and Garden for breezier, cooler days. That way, you’ll be able to make the most of your visit in comfortable temperatures.
Seasonal Décor and Holiday Parties
Some of the best times to visit WDW are during the fall and Christmas seasons, and given that Halloween begins in August for Disney, there’s a lot of opportunity to bask in the seasonal vibes. While the 2023 dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party have yet to be announced, using previous trends, we can bet that ‘Not-So-Scary’ will begin in August and ‘Very Merry’ will start in November 2023.
In terms of the best dates to go, it’s always best to prioritize weekdays when possible and avoid the first party of the year. In addition, expect the parties that fall on Halloween and Christmas day to be packed with people, though still celebratory and fun!
The Party Dates We Recommend
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
(Please note that we recommend you avoid weekend parties whenever possible)
August 21st – August 31st
September 5th – September 29th
October 3rd – October 6th
October 16th – October 20th
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
(Be sure to avoid weekend parties if you can)
November 2nd – November 9th
November 28th – November 30th
December 1st
December 4th – December 7th
December 11th – December 20th
Seasonal parties at WDW are such an experience that it doesn’t matter as much if they’re busy. You can always find something to do that’s worthwhile. While the tickets are expensive, and that’s something to consider, if you live for the holidays and are planning on visiting Disney during a party period, they’re unforgettable experiences that we highly recommend.
The Best Way to Plan Your Trip
As you can see, there’s so much coming to Walt Disney World in 2023, and starting your planning early is essential to maximize your experience and tailor the trip to your interests. We hope our guide was helpful and has inspired you to book a trip you’ll not only love, but get the most out of.
Are You Going to Disney in 2023?
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2023? Did PTM’s recommendations help you with your planning? We’d love to hear from you, as it helps us tailor our pieces to meet your needs, and it’s a great way to stay connected! Check us out on Instagram and TikTok, so you never miss a second of the magic!
