Best time to visit Orlando

Orlando is a theme-park calendar more than a weather calendar. Crowds and prices follow American school holidays: spring break in March, summer from June to early August, Thanksgiving week and the fortnight around Christmas are the peaks. Weather is warm all year, with a hot, humid, stormy summer from June to September that overlaps with hurricane season, and a dry, mild winter from November to April that is far better for long park days.

The sweet spots are late January to mid-February and September to early November, when lines are shorter, rates lower and afternoons bearable. Park reservations and the paid line-skipping systems change often, so check the resort apps a month ahead; the Halloween and Christmas party nights at the Magic Kingdom are separately ticketed and close the park early to day guests. Orlando International Airport is 30 to 45 minutes from the resorts. For the best balance of weather and lines, take the second half of January or the first half of November.