Though the weather in Central Florida is deceptively even-keeled throughout the year, Orlando does experience distinct seasons of a sort. The times of the year are heralded less by changing leaves and bouts of snow, and more by tourist traffic and event calendars. If you’re trying to pinpoint the optimum time for your visit, there’s good news and bad.

There’s something outstanding to enjoy at Walt Disney World in every single season. However, the perks also come with their own unique pitfalls. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for when to visit, but understanding the distinctions between the seasons will help you find the ideal dates for your individual party.

Spring

During the spring months, Orlando’s average highs warm from the mid-70s to upper 80s while lows range from the upper 50s to upper 60s. Is this fresh and blooming time of the year right for you?

The Best

Epcot’s Flower and Garden festival spans the entire spring season, typically running from the beginning of March to the end of May. You’ll find Epcot awash in colorful flowers with specialty outdoor kitchens scattered liberally throughout. You can visit the popular cranberry bog, sign up for special events and tours, or catch live music as part of the Garden Rocks Concert Series.

Spring means Spring Break. Most schools have their Spring Break between mid-March and mid-April, giving you a solid month of high traffic from families with children. The Wide World of Sports also hosts dance and cheerleading competitions on select weekends through March, April, and May. If this is your crowd, you may love this time of year. However, if you’re looking for low guest traffic, the masses of dancing, cheering teenagers may not enhance your vacation.

Summer

Orlando’s summer is hot and humid, with average highs in the 90s and lows in the mid-70s. You might love or hate this kind of weather, but there are several other factors that will determine whether this is the season for you.

The Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is the most prominent event in the summer. For the most part, the parks offer an assortment of smaller celebrations, such as dining specials for Father’s Day and patriotic fireworks on July 3 and 4. This is a popular time to visit as many children are enjoying summer vacations from school. However, school schedules are spread out enough that there’s no single rush of traffic, and you can enjoy moderate crowds for most of the season.

Hurricane season starts June 1 and continues through the rest of the summer. The weather during this time is relentlessly humid with daily showers most afternoons. Average monthly precipitation is 8.7 inches in June, 7.1 inches in July, and 7.8 inches in August. If you want to avoid crowds, the week of Independence Day is something you should definitely steer clear of.