Aptly known as the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is home to over a dozen theme parks (and counting). Whether you want to experience the magic of Disney, the thrills of Universal Studios, or the fun of Legoland, there’s no shortage of theme park fun to be had in Orlando.
Coupled with Central Florida’s abundant sunshine, outdoor recreation, shopping, golf, and luxurious vacation rentals — Orlando is a world-class destination year-round. While any time can be a good time to visit Orlando, each season offers something a little bit different by way of weather, crowds, and special events.
Unless you prefer to plan your visit aligned with Disney World updates, here’s a look at Orlando theme parks by the season to help you plan your best vacation yet!
Visiting Orlando Theme Parks in The Spring
Spring is blooming with fun at Orlando theme parks. The weather is nice, the crowds are moderate, and there are lots of fun festivals to enjoy.
Spring Weather in Orlando
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Spring weather in Orlando can fluctuate between cool and warm but usually never gets too cold or too hot. Often, it’s considered “just right” and is comfortable for being outdoors all day. Temperatures can range from the mid-60s to the low 80s, with some cooler mornings and evenings. Days are typically sunny and dry, but towards mid-May, you may start to see some rain showers.
Spring Crowds in Orlando
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Spring crowds in Orlando can be moderate to high. The higher crowd levels usually occur around spring break and during holidays and special events.
Spring break can occur from early March to mid-April, but the third week of March, when local schools go on spring break, tends to be the most crowded. The Easter holiday weekend is also a notably busy time, especially in Walt Disney World.
Spring Events in Orlando Theme Parks
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- Universal Studios Mardi Gras: All the fun of Mardi Gras, in sunny Orlando. Enjoy colorful parades, costumes, endless beads, live music, and Mardi Gras food favorites like King Cake. Mardi Gras at Universal Studios typically runs from February through April with special concerts and parades on select nights.
- EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival: One of Disney’s most iconic events, EPCOT is transformed with ornate floral displays, living sculptures, special entertainment, and more. The International Flower and Garden Festival is “in bloom” from March through May.
- Seaworld’s Seven Seas Food Festival: A foodie favorite running February through May, the Seven Seas Food Festival at Seaworld showcases a variety of international cuisines. Guests can sip and sample their way around the park, enjoying culinary delights, specialty cocktails, wines, craft beer, and more.
Visiting Orlando Theme Parks in The Summer
Summer heats up in Orlando with hot weather and high crowds but you’ll also enjoy more time at the parks with extended summer hours and lots of water park fun — a summer must!
Summer Weather in Orlando
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Summer weather in Orlando is hot and humid with a mix of sun and rain. Temperatures tend to range from the lower 80s to the lower 90s, with evenings remaining balmy in the upper 70s. Summer is also the rainy season so afternoon showers and thunderstorms become increasingly common, especially during July and August.
While Orlando typically doesn’t face many hurricane threats due to its inland location, summer is hurricane season in Florida so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on any developing storms.
Summer Crowds in Orlando
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Summer is the high season in Orlando so crowds can reach peak levels. With schools across the US being out and an influx of international travelers, Orlando theme parks are at their busiest during the summer months. As schools return from summer vacation in mid-August, you’ll start to see fewer crowds.
Summer Events in Orlando Theme Parks
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- Disney’s H20 Glow at Typhoon Lagoon: Splash under the stars all summer long at Disney’s H20 Glow event at Typhoon Lagoon. Enjoy all your favorite water rides in a new light with special glow-in-the-dark effects, laser lights, DJs, Disney character dance parties, and more.
- Summer Brick Party at Legoland: Tons of fun for little ones, Legoland’s Summer Brick Party features stunt shows, live music, special food and drink, and of course — loads of Legos! Summer Brick Party runs from June through August.
- Seaworld’s Summer Spectacular: Party into the night at Seaworld’s Summer Spectacular which runs from late May through early September. Summer visitors can enjoy extended park hours, nightly concerts, parties, fireworks, and more.
- 4th of July: Celebrate Independence Day at Walt Disney World with special events and fireworks at Magic Kingdon and EPCOT. Legoland also features its signature Red, White, and Boom event.
Visiting Orlando Theme Parks in The Fall
Fall is an exceptionally fun and busy time in Orlando’s theme parks with cooler weather and lots of festivals and special events for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Fall Weather in Orlando
Photo Credit: Paula Montenegro Stock
Similar to the spring, fall weather in Orlando can fluctuate between warm and cool. September is typically still hot, humid, and rainy with average temperatures in the 80s, but by October, cooler, drier conditions set in. Mid to late fall temperatures tend to range from the upper 60s to lower 80s and rain chances begin to dissipate.
Fall Crowds in Orlando
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Fall crowds in Orlando can fluctuate quite a bit, depending on the month and events. Typically, September crowds are low, October crowds are high (especially nearing Halloween), and November crowds are moderate up until the week of Thanksgiving, which then gets quite crowded again.
If you’re looking for a less crowded time to visit in the fall while still enjoying cooler weather, a week or two after Halloween but before Thanksgiving can be the sweet spot.
Fall Events in Orlando Theme Parks
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- EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival: One of Disney’s most popular events, parkgoers get to eat and drink “around the world” at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival from September through November. Savor culinary delights and sample wines at every stop in EPCOT’s World Showcase. There’s also live music, shows, and special visits from Ratatouille’s Chef Remy.
- Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando: A favorite among horror buffs, Halloween Horror Nights brings all the scary thrills on select nights from late August through early November. If clawing your way through a haunted house, hoards of zombies, or scary clowns is your idea of a good time — Halloween Horror Nights is not to be missed!
- Seaworld’s Howl-O-Scream: For more fun fall thrills, Seaworld brings monsters to life at the Howl-O-Scream event from early September through Halloween. Enjoy late park hours with haunted houses, costumed characters, and “scare zones” for some spooky fun.
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: For a more kid-friendly Halloween event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party delivers just the right amount of spooky fun for little ones with a touch of Disney magic. Enjoy costume parties, trick-or-treating, Halloween parades, special character interactions, and more. The event runs on select nights from late August through early November.
Visiting Orlando Theme Parks in The Winter
Winter in Orlando has great weather and lots of holiday magic. It’s also one of the busiest times of the year, but as they say — the more, the merrier!
Winter Weather in Orlando
Photo Credit: Astrid Gast
Winter weather in Orlando is cool, breezy, and dry. Temperatures range from the mid-50s to the mid-70s for most of the winter, with some cooler days in January. There’s also typically plenty of sunshine and little to no rain. Winter is the closest you’ll get to perfect weather in Orlando!
Winter Crowds in Orlando
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Winter is one of the most crowded times of the year in Orlando, especially around the holidays which are the peak of the season. It’s not uncommon for parks to reach capacity on those days, so arrive early if you are planning to spend Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve at a theme park. January and February are still busy but have lower crowds than December.
Winter Events in Orlando Theme Parks
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- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: No one brings the holiday cheer quite like Disney and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a fan favorite. Enjoy special holiday characters, lights, parades, music, snow machines, special holiday treats, and much more. The event takes place on select nights from mid-November through Christmas at Magic Kingdom.
- EPCOT’s International Festival of The Holidays: Showcasing holiday traditions from around the world, EPCOT’s International Festival of The Holidays is as much fun as it is educational. Enjoy learning about holiday traditions and tasting holiday treats from several different countries in the World Showcase. There are also dazzling light displays, choir performances, Santa appearances, and more.
- Universal’s Grinchmas: A different kind of Christmas, Universal’s Grinchmas brings the magic of Who-ville to life with parties, parades, music, and of course — lots of appearances by The Grinch! Grinchmas takes place from mid-November through the holidays at Universal Studios.
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: If you’re a runner, be sure to mark your calendar for early January for Disney’s Marathon Weekend. You can choose from a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, Marathon, or one of the special challenges. If you’re not a runner, it’s still a fun time to visit and cheer on all the spirited runners as they sprint through the parks.
Note: These are just a few of the most popular winter events; nearly every theme park has special holiday happenings, so be sure to check their event calendars!
Theme Park Thrills for All Seasons
No matter what season you visit, an Orlando vacation never disappoints. Experience all the theme park thrills, cozy up with your favorite characters for photos, and indulge in one-of-a-kind sweet treats. After all the excitement, start your day right with a delicious breakfast at one of the best breakfast spots in Orlando.
The fun doesn’t have to stop when you leave the theme park! Extend the magic by staying with Element Vacation Homes where you’ll enjoy themed rooms, home theaters, arcades, indoor mini-golf, and much more.
