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The best time to visit Orlando is late April to mid-May, or late October to early December (skip Thanksgiving week): average highs of about 74-88°F, less rain than summer and moderate crowds. For the lowest hotel prices, pick late August or September (after Labor Day).
Orlando no longer has a true off-season, but weather, crowds and hotel rates still move in predictable waves. This guide lines up NOAA climate normals, Visit Orlando hotel data and the 2026-27 park event calendar so you can pick the weeks that suit you.
Quick answer: for the best weather, go late April to mid-May or late October to early December (not Thanksgiving week). For the fewest crowds, pick September after Labor Day, mid-November or early December. For the cheapest hotels, go in late August or September. For events, late August through December brings EPCOT Food & Wine, Halloween Horror Nights and the holiday parties.
Check Orlando hotel prices for your travel dates
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Orlando month by month: weather, crowds and hotel prices
| Month | Avg high/low | Rain | Crowds | Hotel prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 72/50°F (22/10°C) | 2.5 in (63 mm) | Moderate | Moderate |
| February | 75/52°F (24/11°C) | 2.0 in (52 mm) | Moderate-High | Moderate-High |
| March | 79/56°F (26/13°C) | 3.0 in (77 mm) | Peak | Peak |
| April | 84/61°F (29/16°C) | 2.6 in (66 mm) | High, easing late | High |
| May | 88/66°F (31/19°C) | 4.0 in (102 mm) | Low-Moderate | Moderate |
| June | 91/72°F (33/22°C) | 8.1 in (204 mm) | High | Moderate |
| July | 92/73°F (33/23°C) | 7.5 in (189 mm) | High | Moderate |
| August | 92/74°F (33/23°C) | 7.7 in (195 mm) | Moderate, falling | Low-Moderate |
| September | 90/72°F (32/22°C) | 6.4 in (162 mm) | Low | Low |
| October | 85/66°F (29/19°C) | 3.5 in (88 mm) | Moderate | Moderate |
| November | 78/58°F (26/15°C) | 1.8 in (45 mm) | Low-Moderate (Thanksgiving: Peak) | Moderate (Thanksgiving: Peak) |
| December | 74/53°F (23/12°C) | 2.5 in (63 mm) | Moderate, then Peak | Moderate, then Peak |
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s 1991-2020 climate normals for Orlando International Airport (MCO). Crowd and price levels describe a typical week, based on Visit Orlando hotel data, Orange County tourist-tax collections and school calendars. Holiday weeks and big event weekends break the pattern.
The best time to visit Orlando for your priorities
| Priority | Best time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Late April to mid-May; late October to early December | Warm, drier than summer, moderate crowds |
| Best weather | Late April to mid-May; November | Highs of 78-88°F and only 3-6 rainy days a month |
| Fewest crowds | September after Labor Day; mid-November; early December | Schools in session, no big holidays |
| Lowest hotel prices | Late August and September | The lowest tourist-tax months of the year |
| Festivals and events | Late August to December; January to May | Food & Wine, Halloween, holidays; Festival of the Arts, Mardi Gras, Flower & Garden (March to May) |
| Pools and water parks | May to early October | Highs of 88-92°F; Universal’s Volcano Bay closes late Oct |
| Holiday atmosphere | After Thanksgiving weekend to mid-December | Decorations and Christmas events before the peak weeks |
The cheapest time to visit Orlando
The cheapest time to visit Orlando is late August through September, once most US schools are back in session. The next-best value windows are early May, early-to-mid January after the New Year‘s rush (except marathon and MLK weekends) and the first half of December.
Orange County’s tourist development tax, charged on hotel and other short-term stays, is a good proxy for what visitors spend on rooms. In fiscal 2024-25 the smallest monthly collections were August ($25.6 million) and September ($26.0 million), and the largest was March ($40.2 million). Fiscal 2025-26 is following the same pattern.
Hotel rates tell a similar story. STR data published by Visit Orlando put the metro average daily rate at $197.66 in June 2026, against $222.51 for January to June as a whole, so summer is busy in the parks but not when rooms cost the most. Area matters as much as timing: the January-June 2026 average was $310.78 in Lake Buena Vista/Walt Disney World, $185.15 around International Drive/Universal and $115.94 in Kissimmee/Orlando South.
- Stay flexible: moving a trip from a holiday week to the week after, or from spring break to early May, is often the biggest single saving.
- Favor Sunday-Thursday nights: weekends tend to cost more, especially on Halloween Horror Nights and race weekends. Near International Drive, check the convention calendar too, since big shows raise midweek rates.
- Look off-site: Kissimmee and US-192 hotels averaged far less than hotels in the Lake Buena Vista/Walt Disney World area in the first half of 2026. See our guides to cheap hotels in Orlando and the best areas to stay in Orlando.
- Count the extras: resort fees and parking can wipe out a low nightly rate. Compare Orlando hotels with no resort fees.
- Universal on a budget: the Value-tier Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a walk from two parks and CityWalk, and its family suites sleep up to six. Compare the cheapest Universal Orlando hotels.
Orlando weather and crowds, season by season
January & February
- Weather: Mild and dry, with about four rainy days a month. Average January highs are around 72°F (22°C) and lows around 50°F (10°C), but after a cold front, mornings can drop to about 41°F (5°C) or colder. February warms to about 75°F (24°C).
- Crowds: Peak through New Year’s, then quieter. Busier weekends include Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 6-10, 2027), MLK Day (January 18, 2027), Rock the Universe (January 22-23) and Presidents’ Day (February 15).
- Hotels: Early-to-mid January is a good value window once the holidays end. February costs more, especially around Presidents’ Day week.
March & April
- Weather: Among the best of the year. Highs climb from about 79°F (26°C) in March to 84°F (29°C) in April, with roughly four rainy days a month.
- Crowds: March is peak spring-break season, and the weeks around Easter (March 28, 2027) are very busy. Late April is calmer, apart from large cheer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
- Events: Universal Mardi Gras runs through March 27, 2027, and EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival runs March 10 to May 31, 2027.
- Hotel tip: Book well in advance, as popular hotels, especially Disney and Universal resorts, can sell out during spring break weeks.
May
- Weather: Warm, but not yet the peak heat of mid-summer. Rain is usually lighter than in June–September, though afternoon storms start returning late in the month. Expect highs around 88°F (31°C) and about six rainy days.
- Crowds and prices: Early May is one of the calmest, best-value stretches of spring. Memorial Day weekend (May 31, 2027) is busy.
- The advantage: This is a great month for resort pools and water parks without the July crowds, and EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival runs through May 31.
June, July & August
- Weather: Intense heat (average highs around 92°F/33°C, with the heat index often above 100°F) and high humidity. Brief but heavy afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, though not guaranteed every day.
- Crowds: Schools are out, so the parks stay busy from June into early August. Late August quiets down as US schools go back.
- Hotels: Not the priciest season for rooms, and rates start to drop in late August.
- Events: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, EPCOT Food & Wine and Halloween Horror Nights all start in August.
- Strategy: Choose a hotel with a good pool and easy transportation so you can take a midday break, and save indoor attractions for the afternoon.
September
- Weather: Still hot (highs around 90°F/32°C) and wet, and it is the peak of hurricane season (see below).
- Crowds: Among the lowest of the year after Labor Day (September 7, 2026). Universal gets busier on Halloween Horror Nights evenings. At Magic Kingdom, party days usually have lighter daytime crowds (the park closes early to day guests, usually at 6 p.m.), while non-party days are busier.
- The perk: This is when you find the best hotel promotions, and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is in full swing on select nights (it now opens in late August; check current dates).
October & November
- Highlight: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival (through November 21, 2026) and the Halloween events.
- Weather: It cools down noticeably, from highs of 85°F (29°C) in October to 78°F (26°C) in November, the driest month, with about three rainy days.
- Crowds: Moderate in October, with busier fall-break weeks and the Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend (October 12, 2026). Mid-November, after “Jersey Week” (around November 2-8, 2026, when many New Jersey schools close) and before Thanksgiving week, is one of the quieter stretches.
- Alert: Avoid Thanksgiving week (Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026). It is one of the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year.
December
- Early December: One of the best value windows of the year. Holiday decorations and events are in place, and hotel prices are usually still moderate.
- Late December: Christmas (a Friday in 2026) through New Year’s is typically the busiest and most expensive stretch of the year. Book early and expect long waits.
- Weather: Mild and mostly dry, with average highs of 74°F (23°C) and lows of 53°F (12°C). A typical December has two or three nights below 40°F.
Hurricane season and summer storms: what to know
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. According to the National Hurricane Center, activity peaks around September 10, and most of it falls between mid-August and mid-October. A storm is possible rather than likely in any given week, but one can mean park closures, canceled flights or a lost day, so build in flexibility.
- Book refundable rates for trips between mid-August and mid-October, and watch the forecast in the week before you travel.
- Consider travel insurance: buy it early and check what it covers for named storms.
- Check hurricane policies: your hotel, Disney and Universal may have specific terms for hurricane warnings, so read the current policy when you book.
- Plan around afternoon storms: summer thunderstorms typically last 30 minutes to two hours, and parks close outdoor rides when lightning is nearby, so carry a poncho.
Orlando events calendar 2026-2027
These dates were checked in September 2026; confirm them on the official park pages before you book.
| Event | Park | 2026-27 dates | Ticket? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party | Magic Kingdom | Select nights, Aug 7-Oct 31, 2026 | Separate ticket (2026 sold out) |
| EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival | EPCOT | Aug 27-Nov 21, 2026 | Park admission |
| Halloween Horror Nights | Universal Studios Florida | 49 select nights, Aug 28-Nov 1, 2026 | Separate ticket |
| Howl-O-Scream | SeaWorld Orlando | Select nights, Sept 11-Oct 31, 2026 | Separate ticket |
| Christmas Celebration | SeaWorld Orlando | Select dates, early Nov 2026-early Jan 2027 | Included with admission |
| Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party | Magic Kingdom | Select nights, Nov 8-Dec 22, 2026 | Separate ticket |
| EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays | EPCOT | Nov 27-Dec 30, 2026 | Park admission |
| Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend | runDisney (resort-wide) | Jan 6-10, 2027 | Race registration |
| EPCOT International Festival of the Arts | EPCOT | Jan 15-Mar 1, 2027 | Park admission |
| Rock the Universe | Universal Studios Florida | Jan 22-23, 2027 | Event ticket; check terms |
| Universal Mardi Gras | Universal Studios Florida | Feb 6-Mar 27, 2027 | Park admission (check) |
| EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival | EPCOT | Mar 10-May 31, 2027 | Park admission |
All remaining 2026 dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party had sold out by mid-September. Events also concentrate demand: hotels around Universal and International Drive tend to fill up on Halloween Horror Nights weekends, and Disney-area hotels on Marathon Weekend and busy festival weekends.
Water park closures and pool season
Universal Volcano Bay is closed for seasonal maintenance from October 26, 2026, and Universal expects it to reopen on or before April 1, 2027 (dates can change). During the closure, the walking path to Volcano Bay from Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Aventura Hotel is unavailable. Only that path is affected: Cabana Bay’s walk to Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and CityWalk is unchanged, and both hotels offer complimentary shuttle transportation.
Disney’s water parks: at the time of writing (late September 2026), Typhoon Lagoon was listed as temporarily closed and Disney pointed guests to Blizzard Beach. Both parks also close for refurbishments, off-season dates or bad weather, so check the park calendar first.
Pools and water parks are most comfortable from May to early October. For a winter trip:
- Ask about a heated pool before you book, and swim in the afternoon, when it is warmest.
- Consider a hotel with its own slides: a hotel pool complex is easier to fit around the weather than a full water-park day. Compare Orlando hotels with water parks and waterslides.
- Planning Universal while Volcano Bay is closed? Universal hotel guests get Early Park Admission at select attractions, and it has included Epic Universe since May 23, 2025 (check current terms). See our guide to hotels near Epic Universe.
Other things that push Orlando hotel prices up
- Conventions: the Orange County Convention Center hosted 187 events with a record total attendance of about 2.05 million in 2025. Big shows, most of them midweek, can push International Drive rates up even in otherwise quiet months.
- Cheer, dance and youth sports: Large cheerleading championships (such as The Cheerleading Worlds in late April) and youth sports tournaments at ESPN Wide World of Sports can fill up Disney’s budget-friendly hotels (like the All-Star Resorts) quickly.
- School breaks and three-day weekends: spring break, Christmas to New Year’s and the holiday weekends listed in the seasonal guide above.
Orlando packing checklist by season
Use this season-by-season checklist to pack for Orlando’s weather.
Spring (March–May)
- Clothing: Layers are key: lightweight T-shirts for the day and a light jacket or cardigan for cooler evenings.
- Protection: Sunscreen and sunglasses (the Florida sun starts getting intense in April).
Summer (June–August)
- Clothing: Moisture-wicking (dry-fit) fabrics that dry quickly, plus swimwear for the hotel pool.
- Rain gear: Reusable rain ponchos (buying them in the parks usually costs more) or a compact umbrella.
- Footwear: Breathable sandals or flip-flops for rainy days (wet sneakers are a common cause of blisters).
- Must-haves: A portable handheld fan and SPF lip balm.
Fall (September–November)
- Clothing: Shorts and T-shirts. From November on, add jeans and a sweatshirt for the evenings.
- Special events: If you have tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (a separately ticketed event on select nights from August through October 31 that often sells out), pack a lightweight costume that follows Disney’s costume guidelines.
- Protection: Insect repellent (September can still be buggy in the humidity).
Winter (December–February)
The most changeable season. It can be 77°F (25°C) during the day and 41°F (5°C) at night.
- Clothing: Dress in layers: a T-shirt, a fleece or hoodie, and a packable jacket that fits in your backpack once the sun comes out.
- Accessories: A beanie and light gloves if you will be waiting for fireworks on a cold night.
Year-round essentials
- Portable power bank: Park apps (My Disney Experience and the Universal Orlando Resort app) drain your battery fast.
- Broken-in walking shoes, plus moleskin or bandages for your feet.
- Lightweight backpack for water, snacks and ponchos.
- Power adapter: if you are traveling from outside the US, the plug sockets are Type A or B.
Once you have picked your dates, see how many days you need in Orlando, our day-by-day Orlando itinerary and how to budget for an Orlando vacation.
Month by month: see Orlando weather by month, plus our guides to Orlando in March and Orlando in April.
Month guides: Orlando in May, Orlando in June, Orlando in July, Orlando in August, Orlando in September, Orlando in October, Orlando in November, Orlando in December; for Universal only, see the best time to visit Universal Orlando.
Disney dates: see the best time to visit Disney World: prices by date, events and closures month by month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go to Orlando?
For most travelers, the best times are late April to mid-May and late October to early December, outside Thanksgiving week. Average highs run from the mid-70s to the high 80s°F, rain is lighter than in summer, and crowds are moderate. The fall window also overlaps EPCOT Food & Wine (through November 21, 2026) and the start of the holiday events.
What is the cheapest month to visit Orlando?
September is usually the cheapest month, along with late August: Orange County’s tourist-tax collections, a proxy for hotel spending, are lowest then, and crowds thin out after Labor Day. Early May, early-to-mid January and the first half of December are the next-best value windows. Staying off-site, for example in Kissimmee, saves more in any month.
What is the least crowded time to go to Disney World and Universal?
The quietest weeks are usually September after Labor Day, mid-November and the first half of December, plus early May and mid-January outside holiday weekends. Expect exceptions: Universal gets busier on Halloween Horror Nights evenings, Magic Kingdom on non-party days (it closes early for day guests on party nights), and Disney-area hotels during runDisney and cheer events. If short lines are your priority, avoid spring break, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s.
When is the rainy season in Orlando?
Orlando’s rainy season runs from about June through September. NOAA normals show roughly 6.4 to 8.1 inches of rain a month and about 9 to 12 rainy days, mostly from short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms. November through April is the dry season, with only three or four rainy days a month on average. May and October are transition months.
Is it safe to visit Orlando during hurricane season?
Yes, with sensible planning. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and most activity falls between mid-August and mid-October. A storm is possible but not likely in any given week. Book refundable rates, consider travel insurance, check your hotel’s and the parks’ hurricane policies, and follow official local guidance if a storm approaches.
Is Orlando too cold to swim in January or December?
Sometimes. Average highs are about 72°F in January and 74°F in December, and a cold front can bring mornings near 40°F. A sunny afternoon can still be fine for a swim, especially in a heated pool, so ask your hotel whether its pool is heated. Universal’s Volcano Bay is closed for the season from October 26, 2026 until on or before April 1, 2027.
Once you have picked your dates, choose your base: compare the best hotels near Disney World or the hotels near Universal Orlando.
Sources checked in September 2026: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991-2020), NOAA National Hurricane Center climatology, Walt Disney World EPCOT Food & Wine Festival page, Universal Orlando HHN 2026 press release, Universal Volcano Bay page.