One of the great things about Florida is the year-round friendly climate, so when you’re planning your family’s Orlando vacation, is there any one part of the year that’s a better time for a visit than another? Let’s examine how things change at different times of the year to answer that question.
The first two months of the year are among the quietest of all, so if you like smaller crowds at the theme parks January and February may be the ones for you. The area gets a lot of visitors from the north, Canada and the USA, and these are the so-called “snowbirds” who escape wintery conditions in their home states. Because it is “low season”, a lot of family groups choose this time also. Rental homes and hotel rooms are available at just about their lowest rates of the year. Days are cool by comparison to the rest of the year but still warm by out-of-state standards.
March and April include the Easter break, which is just about the most popular time to travel to Florida. A lot of vacation homes are reserved for Easter and the surrounding weeks up to three years in advance, so it is crucial that, if you are restricted by school vacation schedules, you plan well in advance. Theme parks will be very busy, of course and you can expect long lines at many attractions.
During the next two months, May and June, you can experience a lot more calm period. For a couple of weeks the crowds are swelled by an influx of UK tourists in line with the school holiday break there but most of the weeks are quiet. Temperatures rise again and by June the routine of short showers has begun - although these are soon banished by the returning sun.
July and August are peak months because most people take their annual leave. Orlando temperatures soar into the high nineties and beyond. It is a busy time for vacation home rentals and theme parks alike.
Fall begins in September and temperatures begin their decline (even if this is only into the eighties!). As the crowds thin out in the theme parks and the humidity falls, Orlando becomes a little calmer each day.
By October and November, temperatures fall to around 70 to 80 degrees throughout the day, but nights are noticeably cooler, although nothing more than a light jacket or sweatshirt is needed. This also is an excellent time to visit Orlando, because theme parks are a lot less crowded and it is ideal if you find the hotter temperatures unpleasant.
Finally, December. This brings out the wonderful displays of decorations and parades in the theme parks - and decorations in local communities. In the first half of the month, flights and vacation homes are cheap because demand is low, so you can find a bargain. By the time you get to the weeks including Christmas Day and New Years Day, demand has soared and so have prices and crowds. For many visitors, the Disney New Year firework displays make the crowds and the expense completely worthwhile.
So overall, when is the best time to visit Florida? Without a doubt, the answer is “Anytime!”, because every time of the year holds something special. Plan your Orlando vacation to match your budget and your personal choices and you won’t be disappointed!