Not very original, but kind of catchy. You know you're humming the tune right now, don't deny it! You can thank me later!
One of my favorite things to talk about is trip planning to Walt Disney World. There's lots of information on the subject out on the wide world web. So much, it could make your head spin! You guessed it, I'm going to put more out there! In this five part series I am going to share how I get the ball rolling on my Walt Disney World trips.
There are five major things you have to decide. It doesn't matter if it's your first trip or your 50th!
They are:
1. When To Go?
2. What To Do?
3. How Long To Stay?
4. Where To Stay?
5. What Kind Of Ticket and/or Package To Get?
Okay let's tackle When To Go!
I'm sure the number one question everyone has is: When is the best time to go? Here's the answer, drum roll please.......... Anytime you can! Walt Disney World is open 365 days a year! It never closes!
Seriously, the answer to the question is all relative - find the best time for YOU! Some of the determining factors could be cost, crowd levels, park hours, weather and events. Let's take a look at it:
Seriously, the answer to the question is all relative - find the best time for YOU! Some of the determining factors could be cost, crowd levels, park hours, weather and events. Let's take a look at it:
Cost: Long gone are the days when it was simple to determine the cost of a Disney World vacation. Once upon a time there were three seasons of pricing for Disney resorts - value, regular and peak. We now have- value, regular, summer, fall, peak and holiday. There are also weeknight rates and weekend rates for all the seasons.
The cheapest time to go would be January (except Martin Luther King Weekend) and September. These are times when people are least likely to travel. Right after the holidays and right after school starts!
Disney does have promotions like free dining and resort discounts that can save you money too. No one knows when and if they will continue these promotions. One can only hope!
Crowd Levels: There always seems to be a lot of people walking around the parks at Disney World. The difference is the amount of people waiting in the lines for attractions. When the parks are more crowded you spend more time waiting in line. Here's a break down of attendance levels.
Low:
- January (except New Year's Day and Martin Luther King weekend) until just prior to Presidents' Week in February
- The week following Labor Day until the beginning of October
- The week following Thanksgiving until mid-December
Moderate:
- After Presidents' week in February through early March
- Late April through early June (except Memorial Day weekend)
- The end of August
- October until the first part of Thanksgiving week
- The week before Christmas (crowds pick up starting a few days before Christmas)
High:
- Presidents' week in February
- Mid March through Late April (Spring Break for lots of schools)
- Memorial Day weekend
- Mid June through Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day and weekend
- Christmas week through New Year's Day
Park Hours: Disney compensates the more crowded times of the year with longer park hours. When the parks are less crowded they do not stay open late.
Animal Kingdom can close as early as 5pm, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios as early as 7pm, Future World in Epcot closes at 7pm with the World Showcase staying open until 9pm.
If you go to Disney World during more crowded times of the year, you will find the parks staying open later ,sometimes as late as midnight or 1 am. So if you are a night owl, you may want to plan a trip when the parks are open later.
Weather: I personally do not like hot and humid weather. I'm okay, not thrilled with hot, but humid weather turns me into a whiny baby! Some people don't mind the heat and humidity. I know people who love to go to Disney World in August. To each his own and an example of having to determine when is best for you!
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg Hi 72 74 79 83 88 91 92 92 90 85 79 73
Avg Lo 50 51 56 60 66 71 73 73 72 65 59 53
Avg rain 2-3 2-3 3-4 2-3 3-4 7 7 6 5-6 2-3 2-3 2-3
Average Temperatures in (F) and average rainfall in inches.
Events: There are some fun events planned throughout the year at Disney World. Some of the big ones are:
- Holiday Events: From the end of November through December, the hotels to the theme parks and everything in between, are decked out for the holidays! You'll find the Candlelight Processional at Epcot, The Osborne Family lights in Disney's Hollywood Studios and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom.
- Fall Events: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom from the middle of Sept until the beginning of November. Epcot's Food & Wine Festival from Oct until the middle of November.
- Spring Events: Epcot's International Flower & Garden Festival from March until the middle of May.
Hopefully this will help you determine the best time to go for you!
Determining factors for me are cost, crowds and weather. That being said here are some of my favorite times to go:
- The first two weeks of December: There is nothing like the Disney Magic mixed with holiday magic! It can be chilly – sometimes even cold, parks close earlier and some attractions may be closed for refurbishment but all of the holiday happenings more than make up for it!
- First three weeks of May: Weather is warm (can get quite warm sometimes!) Humidity doesn’t seem to be as bad as in the summer and fall months. Flower and Garden Festival is in bloom.
- January after the holidays but before President’s Day: Can be chilly – sometimes cold, parks close earlier and attractions can be down for refurbishment but the low crowds make up for it.
Other good times to visit are:
- First two weeks of June – Some schools are still in session so the crowds aren’t as bad yet!
- Last two weeks of August until the end of September: Hurricane season, hot and humid – but low crowds.
Until tomorrow...... Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's off to (fill in the blank) I go .........
You're welcome!
You're welcome!
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