It’s no secret that a Disney World vacation is costly, but there is one BIG way to save on your trip that doesn’t require any discount codes or detailed budgeting — it’s all about the timing!
Disney World ticket and hotel prices fluctuate a lot throughout the year. And, it all depends on whether you’re visiting during a busy time of the year or a slow time of the year. Plan your trip when the crowds are lower and you could end up saving HUNDREDS.
But, how do you know what the cheapest time to go to Disney World actually is? After all, it seems that the parks are constantly crowded nowadays and that no “slow season” truly exists. Well, we did our research and compiled the room rates for every single Disney World hotel for every single night in 2023 and, the results are in!
Let’s take a look at the CHEAPEST time to stay at a Disney World hotel in 2023!
On average, the cheapest time to stay at a Disney World hotel this year is January according to Disney’s room rates calendar. Other months where rates are on the cheaper end correspond with the less busy times of the year including February, May, August (which is the second cheapest month on average), and September.
We’ll dive a little deeper into these months because the rates can really vary — even in the same month!
Taking a look at January and February, you can actually stay at the Disney hotels for the cheapest per-night rate of the entire year! This is likely because the holidays are over, kids are back in school, and there are just generally fewer people going to the parks. Let’s take a look at the rates for a standard room at Disney’s All-Star Resorts (a.k.a. the least expensive Disney hotels) to give you an idea of what dates are the cheapest during these two months.
According to the rate calendar, you can book any of the Disney All-Star Resorts for as little as $113 per night on January 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 16th-18th, 23rd-25th, 30th-31st, and February 1st, and 6th-8th. That’s pretty much every Monday through Wednesday for the first 7 weeks of the year. And, while the room rate is going to differ, these are going to be the dates that all the other Disney World hotels cost the least.
Of course, it’s not all that common to be planning a Disney World trip for only three days at the beginning of the week, but even the Thursday-Sunday prices per night are on the lower end compared to the busier times of the year.
Now let’s take a look at how the rates compare in May, another less expensive time to visit Disney World.
Looking at the rates at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, you can expect to pay about $40-$50 more per night compared to January and February, but rates are on the lower end compared to the busier seasons (like spring break, summer, and the holidays in November and December). This is going to be true for the rates across all Disney World hotels at this time of year.
The nice thing about May is that it’s just on the cusp of a hectic season in Disney World. So, it’s a little busier, but the true summer crowds don’t roll in until June. Plus, you’ll be saving on the cost of your Disney hotel if you’re willing to travel.
And, now for the only other two months where room rates are at their cheapest in Disney World — August and September!
Generally, the beginning of August is still going to be considered a “peak season,” but once kids head back to school and the crowds clear out, you can get the second-best room rates that Disney offers all year long! For example, at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, you can book a room for as little as $132 per night — that’s only $20 more than the cheapest rates in January and February.
So, there you have it — the cheapest times to go to Disney World in 2023! While we may have used Disney’s All-Star Resorts as an example, don’t forget that you’re going to find the cheapest rates at ALL the Disney World hotels if you’re planning a trip in January, February, May, August, or September! What’s considered the cheapest rate will change based on what hotel you’re booking, but you’ll be getting one of the best prices that the hotel has to offer all year long.
Now, it’s also worth noting that, while these are the dates when Disney hotel rates are at their cheapest, they aren’t necessarily “cheap.” With price increases happening every year (and sometimes multiple times a year) at Disney World, there’s no longer a way to stay at a Disney hotel for less than $100 — that’s just the cost of staying immersed in the magic nowadays, and a reason that some families choose to stay at an off-site hotel instead.
And, if you’re tied to work and/or school schedules, you don’t have to throw any hope of sticking to your budget out the door! Disney has announced some major hotel discounts in 2023, and more could be coming soon — be sure to stay tuned to The VacationEAR to be the first to hear of any new deals!
So, are you planning a trip to Disney World in 2023? If so, where will you be staying?