At their worst, Orlando-area theme parks can be unpleasantly crowded, with heavy traffic, congested parking lots, and long lines at the ticket counters, rides and restaurants. Peak-season visitors also must contend with inflated hotel and transportation costs, as well as hot, muggy weather in summer when Orlando is a favorite destination for vacationing families.

To avoid the crowds and hot weather, plan to visit in the fall, winter or spring, excluding the major holiday periods of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Easter and spring break. Although there is some chance of tropical storms or hurricane activity through November, and winter days are sometimes cold and drizzly, Florida’s climate is generally mild outside of the hot summer months. This is the best time to shop around for lodging discounts.

If you must go during high season, avoid long lines to some extent by following a schedule contrary to the typical tourist’s agenda. Most visitors flock to the theme parks right after breakfast, so try to arrive either very early or later in the morning. Once inside, head for the rides with the shortest lines, saving the more popular rides for lunchtime or later in the day when tuckered-out visitors head back to their hotel rooms to rest. Avoid crowded restaurants by carrying your own food and beverages in plastic, not glass bottles, or by saving your appetite for mid-afternoon when the lunch rush is over.