What Is the Best Time to Travel to Orlando?
Summer and winter are the most popular times to visit Orlando, but the best travel deals are during the shoulder season in spring.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- The best times of year to travel to Orlando
- The cheapest time to travel to Orlando
- Find the best month for your visit to Orlando
- How to find savings on car and rental insurance
- FAQ
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Whether you’re dreaming about the magic at Walt Disney World, looking for an airboat adventure in the Florida everglades, or dying to soak up some sun, the best time to visit
Orlando
depends on your budget and travel interests. The winter holiday season and summer break are the most popular times to visit Orlando, but spring and fall are when you’ll find the best deals.
Orlando is one of America’s most popular travel destinations, but between peak-season crowds, exorbitant prices, and hurricane season, timing your vacation to Orlando can feel nearly impossible. Overpriced hotels and entry fees along with extreme weather conditions can make your vacation stressful rather than relaxing, so planning carefully is important.
That’s why
car insurance
super app Jerry
has created a complete guide to help you find the ideal time to travel to Orlando based on your budget and what you’d like to do while you’re there. Read more to plan your perfect Orlando getaway! Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
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The best times of year to travel to Orlando
Deciding on when to go to Orlando depends on what festivals and events you’d like to see, which theme parks you’re planning on visiting (if any), and your budget. The most popular time to visit Orlando is December to January when families flock to celebrate the holidays and visit grandparents.
But if you’d like to avoid crowds, take advantage of less expensive rates, and enjoy mild weather, March to May is the best time to visit Orlando.
Peak season: December to February, June to August
The good: Holiday-themed events, pleasant weather (in winter)
The bad: Price gouging, intolerable heat (in summer)
The weather: Dec.-Feb low 50s to high 70s; Jun. to Aug. mid-70s to mid-90s
Orlando’s peak season coincides with the holidays and summer break when the kids are out of school, as Orlando is a popular family getaway destination. Top theme parks like
Walt Disney World
, Universal Studios
, Seaworld
, and Legoland
are brimming with tourists during these months. Popular peak season events include the
Citrus Bowl
, the Winter Park Bach Festival
, Mardi Gras at Universal Studios
, the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld
, and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
at Walt Disney World.Pro Tip Orlando’s top theme parks regularly reach capacity around midday during peak season, so make sure you get an early start to your day to avoid entry delays and long lines!
Off-season: September to November
The good: Low hotel and ticket fares
The bad: Extreme weather, hurricane season
The weather: Low 50s to high 80s
Hotel, travel, and entry fee prices all dip significantly between Orlando’s peak and shoulder seasons, making off-season a cost-effective time to travel. But buyer beware—Orlando’s off-season coincides with hurricane season, so vacationing in the fall can be risky.
Nevertheless, there are great events to attend during this season that may be worth the risk. If you’re a foodie, attend the
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
to enjoy tastes from around the world. The Orlando Come Out with Pride
, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios
, and the magical Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle
also take place during the off-season. Pro Tip if you’re planning on visiting Orlando during the off-season, purchase refundable hotel bookings and tickets where possible. Weather can be unpredictable, so prepare to rain-check your trip if you need to.
MORE:
Foodie road trip Florida
Shoulder season: March to May
The good: Lower prices and less crowding than peak season
The bad: More expensive than off-season, crowds during Easter and March Break
The weather: High 50s to high 80s
If you’re looking for great weather, reasonable prices, and fewer crowds, shoulder season during spring is the best time to visit Orlando. Shoulder season is a great time to explore
Florida’s everglades on an airboat
because of favorable weather and fewer crowds. This season is also perfect for taking in Orlando’s beautiful gardens. Visit the
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival
for over-the-top botanical displays and themed events. In search of a quieter garden escape? Make your way to the
Harry P. Leu gardens
just minutes away from Orlando’s downtown. These gardens are quieter during shoulder season and display a wide variety of temperate and tropical plants. Visiting the
Kennedy Space Center
during shoulder season is also a great idea. There’ll be fewer crowds, cheaper entry fees, and you might even get lucky with a rocket launch event! Other events you won’t want to miss include the
Florida Film Festival
in April and the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festiva
l in May.The cheapest time to travel to Orlando
The absolute cheapest time to visit Orlando is during the off-season from September to November. Most travelers won’t risk booking during Orlando’s hurricane season, so hotel fees, tickets, and rental car fees drop significantly.
If you’re not willing to chance getting caught in extreme weather but you’re still looking for affordable rates, you can still get great deals during Orlando’s shoulder season. This season is less popular for family getaways, so you’ll be able to take advantage of great weather, less crowding, and more affordable rates without worrying about extreme storms.
Pro Tip To get the best shoulder season deals, book outside of Easter or Spring Break when Orlando’s shoulder season experiences temporary crowding and price hikes.
Find the best month for your visit to Orlando
Ready to narrow down the right month to travel to Orlando? Check out the table below to find the ideal time for your Orlando adventure based on the activities you’re planning.
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Walt Disney World | March to May | This is a very popular theme park, so visiting during the less-busy shoulder season will save you money and time. |
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios | February to March | This famous Mardi Gras festival runs events from February to March, so you can pick a time during these months that works best for you. |
Alligator tour in the Everglades | May to September | The only time to see alligators mate and hatch is during Orlando’s wet season, so book your airboat tour for these months to see gators! |
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays | November | Avoid peak season crowds by visiting this popular holiday festival in November. |
Citrus Bowl | January | Don’t miss this famous collegiate football game on New Year's Day. |
Hogwarts Castle | October | Visit the Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios during October to see the Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle magical Halloween celebration with fewer crowds |
Florida Film Festival | April | Experience the Oscar-qualifying Florida Film Festival in Orlando during April. |
Harry P. Leu gardens | March to April | Experience the historic garden grounds in beautiful weather with fewer crowds during these months. |
Pro Tip You’ll find good food and many festivals and events year-round in Orlando, so time your trip based on savings and weather if you’re not interested in a particular event.
How to find savings on car and rental insurance
Whether you’re driving to Orlando or
renting a car
at the airport, it’s important to make sure you’ve got a solid car insurance policy in place before you begin your journey. Jerry
is the perfect place to start—as the No. 1 rated insurance app, Jerry is a genius at finding affordable policies in no time at all. All you need to do is enter your information and Jerry will browse policies from 50+ top insurance companies to find you the best rates available. Plus, Jerry won’t just find the deal for you—you’ll get end-to-end support from a team of experts who will even help you cancel your old policy!
On average, Jerry users save about $887 a year on car insurance. With savings like that, you might be able to afford that peak season vacation of your dreams!
“I was tired of looking around multiple websites, so I decided to giveJerrya try. Let me tell you—the process is so easy and simple, and they really find you the best prices for your coverage level. Getting insurance for my new car was quick and easy!” —Joanna D.
MORE: 7 ways to save money on car rentals
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FAQ
What’s the worst time to visit Orlando?
While there’s no wrong time to visit Orlando as each season has unique experiences to offer, the off-season months of September to November are the least popular. That’s because hurricane season in Orlando is during the same time, which makes planning a vacation risky.
If you’re visiting Orlando during the off-season, keep an eye on the weather forecast and make refundable bookings where you can.
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