Best Dates to Visit Disney in 2022

Don't like the heat? Crowds? Long waits with little reward? Call me Mike or Sully because I got you, Boo! Let's talk best times to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort in the coming year...

First, a few key considerations:

- Weather

- Predicted crowd levels

- Special events or holidays

- Potential for discounts or promotions

- Personal considerations (school breaks, PTO, celebrations, etc)

Your preferences around these things will vary, so let me start by saying: There is no WRONG time to visit Disney. The magic is there, year-round! Each season offers perks and pixie dust, so it's *always* a good time to go. I'm blessed to have visited at least once in every month of the year now, so let me be your fairy godmother in this adventure - bibbity-bobbity yourself there whenever you can and soak it all in!

That said - with a lot of research and a dash of personal preference, here are the dates I would highlight as top picks for the year of our Mick and Min 2022.

January 10 - February 18 (avoiding MLK and President's Day weekends). The BEST time to visit, in my opinion. Lowest crowds, best weather, and off-season pricing. There are a few RunDisney events in Jan and Feb, which I've omitted here, and you will want to avoid holiday weekends, including Valentine's Day. Other than that - go and make magic!

March 3-12. This one is tricky, because Spring Break. I definitely reserve the right to be wrong... But it looks like most big districts around the country are breaking a little later this year and I think this will be a small pocket with an early Spring avantage. Avoid March 1 - Orlando especially is high-volume at Mardi Gras.

March 27 - April 8. Again, Spring Break could increase crowds here, but at this point most of them will be behind or in front of your vacation. Easter is its own special mini-event at Disney, but the crowds are at the 2nd or 3rd heaviest levels of the year so pick your poison apple if ya know what I mean...

April 24 - May 28. Another of my top picks for vacation windows. The weather is warmer, but manageable. Crowds are low leading up to the summer rush, and we see more discounts and off-season pricing in this period. By Memorial Day things are heating up (figuratively and literally), so get in and get out before the holiday.

June 5-18 / August 14-27. I generally advise against summer Disney travel, if you can help it. But for many families the summer months are the best or only time to visit, and that's understandable! There are a few weeks where you can get a small respite from the crowds and at least a chance to beat the heat - early summer, and late summer. Will things be a little more elevated than the off-season months? Of course. But can you feel like you cracked the code and hero-d your way through your Disney vacay? You bet! Just pack a rain poncho :)

September 7-24. This is another wave-of-the-magic-wand moments. Every one of my mid-late September visits is in my top memories. It's still warm, but the parks have been practically dead. Take advantage of Halloween decor and events, festivals, and more - maybe avoid weekends when the locals come out to play. And if Florida is your destination, definitely purchase travel protection for this one bc #hurricaneseason.

November 1-15. Early November brings Christmas festivities (!!!!), mild weather, and low hustle and bustle. If you're interested, RunDisney also hosts their Wine and Dine race weekend at Disney World during this time. That's a slight uptick in crowds, but it's mostly adults - fewer families at that one - so this feels like a sophisticated and fun time to visit. And I promise that NOTHING will get you in a merry mood like starting your holiday season at Disney!

December 1-15. See above, but times 10. Ha! By this point, Christmas and holiday is in full swing across the Disney Parks & Resorts, so get ready to get your Very Merry on! It's also a little cooler, and most people will be home preparing for the big day - not traveling. If you can get a trip in early in the month, don't hesitate! The weeks of Christmas and New Year's Eve are the two busiest weeks of the year, enjoy the calm before that jolly storm.

It's worth noting that the resorts have been filling fast. My top recommendation for 2022 is BOOK EARLY.

You may also want to know about these special events, either announced or anticipated. The EPCOT festivals are my most favorite, and the after-hours events are really growing on me, especially if you want to be able to knock out a BUNCH of attractions!

• Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration - October 2021 - April 1, 2023 (yes, that's a 3!)

• Festival of the Arts (EPCOT, WDW) - January 14 through February 21

• Lunar New Year (Disney's California Adventure, DLR) - January 21 through February 13

• Disneyland After Dark Sweethearts' Night (DLR) - Separate ticketed post-closing park event, select nights in February

• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (WDW) - March 2 through July 4

• Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival (DLR) - March 4 through April 26

• Disneyland After Dark Villains Night (DLR) - Separate ticketed post-closing park event, select nights in March

• Disneyland After Dark Star Wars Night (DLR) - Separate ticketed post-closing park event, select nights in May

• EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival - Dates TBD, last year ran mid July - Early November

• After Hours Boo Bash/Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (ie, post-closing Halloween separate ticketed event; Magic Kingdom WDW) - select nights August through October, Dates TBD

• Oogie Boogie Bash (ie, post-closing Halloween separate ticketed event; Disney California Adventure DLR) - select nights September through October, Dates TBD

• Disney's Festival of Holidays (Disney's California Adventure, DLR) - November through December

• Very Merriest After Hours/Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (ie, post-closing Christmas separate ticketed event; Magic Kingdom WDW) - select nights November through mid December, Dates TBD

• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays & Candlelight Processional - Dates TBD, November/December

• Disney's Merriest Nights (ie, post-closing Christmas separate ticketed event; Disneyland Park, DLR) - select nights November through mid December, Dates TBD

So there ya go - my forecast for 2022 in the Disney Parks. When will you visit??