This week, we’re talking about the best times of year to visit Walt Disney World, great restaurant ideas at the resorts and Disney Springs for when the parks close early, and we play a game to see how much we’ve learned about each other in the past 20 episodes!
We also have a fun new option: Bingo! Click here to get your Bingo card. You can either play with a virtual card, or print one out. The first person to email us a bingo card will receive a prize.
Also as you listen this week, play along with our game of “Which One Will They Choose” at the end. Then go to our Facebook group page and let us know how you did!
Seasons at Walt Disney World
As travel agents, one of the most frequent questions we’re asked is “When is the best time of year for a Walt Disney World vacation. The short, easy, answer is “Whenever you can travel!”, but there are a few holidays and events you need to be aware of when choosing your dates.
January
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – Walt Disney World hosts a Marathon during the second weekend in January. Races include 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon, as well as kid’s races. Not only does the marathon bring in the crowds, the race courses can cause some early morning road and traffic disruptions.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts – This is the newest Festival in Epcot’s line up, and focuses on all aspects of the Arts – culinary, visual, musical, and performance. The festival goes through most of February.
Brazilian Tour Groups – Brazil is in it’s summer season, and students travel to Disney in large tour groups.
February
Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Typically held during the third weekend of the month. Races include 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.
March
Start of Spring Break season – Typically schools in the south will start their spring breaks during the second week of March. Spring Break season continues on until Easter week, which will be the busiest week.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival – This festival runs from March through the end of May, and includes food booths, topiary displays, and nightly concerts that are included with your park admission.
April
Easter – Depending on the calendar, Easter can occur in March or April. This will typically be a very busy week at Walt Disney World with a lot of schools out for Spring Break.
Star Wars Half Marathon Weekend – Typically occurs during the third weekend in April. Events include a 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.
May
There aren’t any events in May, other than the continuation of the Flower and Garden Festival.
June
Gay Days – While this annual event isn’t put on by Disney, it is a fairly large gathering every year. Participants have a scheduled park for each day, so if you would like to avoid the crowds just pick a different park for that day.
July
Fourth of July will bring in some crowds, but this is usually a great time to travel. Later in July will bring more tour groups from Brazil (see January).
August
Kids in the south are usually going back to school in the middle of the month, making this a great time to travel.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties – These popular parties usually start around the third weekend of the month, and last until Halloween.
Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival – This very popular festival begins at the end of August and goes through the first week of November. It’s best to avoid Epcot on the weekends – especially Saturdays – during this time.
September
Continuation of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties, and Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
October
Continuation of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Parties, and Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival.
November
Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend – This race typically occurs during the first weekend of November. Races include 5K, 10K, and Half Marathons.
Thanksgiving – Since all kids are out of school for at least a portion of the week it does tend to be busier than other holidays.
December
Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheer and Dance Championships – During the first week of December, these groups will take over the value and some moderate resorts. While the competitions take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, they can cause disruptions at the resorts.
Christmas and New Years – This is the busiest week of the year at Walt Disney World, and the closer you get to New Years the busier the parks will be.
No matter what time of year you travel you can have a fabulous vacation, as long as you have a plan and knowledge ahead of time.
Want to hear more? Be sure to listen to our podcast Episode #20 “Different Seasons at WDW, Dining Outside of the Parks”, and check us out on Facebook and Instagram @ears4youpodcast!
