When is the cheapest time to travel to Orlando? Seasons and Prices

In Orlando, the travel dates have a bigger impact on the total price than almost any other decision. The same hotel room can cost $180 one week and $520 the next, just three weeks apart. Ticket prices also vary by day. And the number of people in the parks completely changes the experience.

The good news is that Orlando’s schedule is fairly predictable, since it follows the U.S. school calendar and long holidays.

The Three Variables

Every travel date is evaluated by balancing three factors, and it’s almost never the case that all three are ideal at the same time:

• Price: hotel, tickets, and flights.
• Crowds: wait times at attractions.
• Weather: heat, humidity, rain, hurricanes.

Month by Month

January (after the 6th)

One of the best times of the year to visit. The holidays are over, American kids are back in school, and the weather is cool and dry: between 12 and 23 degrees. Low prices, small crowds.

The downside: it’s maintenance season, so attractions are often closed for renovations. Be sure to check the closure calendar before booking.

February

Similar to January until Presidents’ Day week, which brings a brief spike in crowds. The weather is excellent. A good overall choice.

March and April

The worst weeks of the year in terms of price-to-crowd ratio, due to U.S. spring break—which falls on different weeks depending on the state—and Holy Week. The parks get crowded, and prices rise significantly.

If you must travel during this time, aim for the first two weeks of March.

May

A very good time to visit, especially the first half of the month. The extreme heat hasn’t set in yet, American students are still in school, and prices are at moderate levels.

June, July, and August

Peak high season: summer vacation in the United States and much of Latin America. Prices are at their highest, crowds are at their peak, and the weather is the worst of the year—35 degrees, extremely high humidity, and thunderstorms almost every afternoon.

It only makes sense if your own school calendar leaves you no other choice. In that case, the last days of August: American tourists have already gone back to school, and prices start to drop even though the heat continues.

September

Undoubtedly the cheapest month of the year. Hotel rates are at their lowest, and parks are empty on weekdays.

There are two downsides, and they must be taken seriously: it’s the peak of hurricane season, and it’s still very hot. Traveling in September requires travel insurance with coverage for weather-related cancellations.

October

Very good value overall. The weather improves significantly, prices remain low except on weekends, and there are seasonal Halloween events at the parks. Weekends get crowded with locals; weekdays are quiet.

November (before Thanksgiving)

An excellent time to visit. Ideal weather, moderate prices, holiday decorations already up from the beginning of the month, and reasonable crowds. Thanksgiving week, on the other hand, is one of the busiest times of the year.

December

It’s like two months in one. From the 1st to the 15th, it’s one of the best times of the year: full holiday decorations, perfect weather, average prices, and few people. From the 20th onward, it’s the most expensive and busiest week of the year, with parks sometimes closing their gates due to capacity limits.