4/2/13 Update: Updated refurbishments and a few dates. 2014 information will be available once Disney releases the resort rate charts, which will hopefully be…soon.

Introduction

This is a month by month look at the cost, crowds, weather, and special events at Walt Disney World.

The cost section relates primarily to booking a room at a Disney-owned resort. The cost of theme park tickets, upgrades, and other add-ons generally does not change throughout the year, with the exception of theme park tickets, which usually see one price increase during the course of the year. Traditionally, that increase comes in August, though it came during June in 2011.

The weather section is based on the historical data available. For a look at the last 15 years of Orlando weather on any date, check http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp?MR=1 This is a handy reference tool, but make sure you look over more than just the past couple of years. The fall of 2009 was one of the hottest on record and January 2010 broke record lows when the temperature dipped below freezing several times.

The crowds section is based on data from the past several years. Generally speaking, the higher the price of a Disney resort room, the busier the Parks will be. For example, Value season usually has the smallest crowds and Peak and Holiday seasons see the highest crowds. We’ll also take a closer look at the various exceptions throughout the year.

The Park hours and entertainment section covers the hours of operation at the Disney Parks. If the hours and entertainment aren’t yet available, you’ll see (expected) after the section header. In this case, I’m basing the hours and schedule on past years.

The best week to visit section takes into account crowd level, available promotions, Park hours, ride closures, resort cost, special events, and other pertinent information. Be sure to check out the day-by-day analysis when available to check on the daily crowd levels and dates of important events.

The closures and openings section lists all known and expected ride, Park, restaurant, and other closures and openings throughout Disney World. If a ride is closed for refurbishment or reopened after refurbishment or a new ride or restaurant is expected, it will be listed here.

Finally, I’ve included a brief description of the special events and other nuances throughout the year. This will help you plan around events that may adversely affect your vacation or you might want to tweak your plans to visit during a special event of particular interest. I link straight to the Disney website throughout this calendar so you can read “the official word” about the events or purchase tickets.

January 2013

See the January 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis Here.

January Cost:

January 1 is New Year’s, which is just slightly less expensive than Holiday, but more expensive than any other date.
January 2 – 9 is Value 1, the cheapest season.
January 10 – 12 is Marathon, which is similar to Regular and Martin Luther King.
January 13 – 17 is Value 1, the cheapest season.
January 18 – 20 is Martin Luther King, which is similar to Regular and Marathon.
January 21 – 31 is Value 1, the cheapest season.

January Weather: January weather is the coldest of the year in Orlando, with an average high of 69 degrees and an average low of 50 degrees. The weather is generally comfortable in the afternoon, but a light jacket or sweater may be necessary in the evening. Historically, there is little precipitation in January, although it does rain some on about 22% of days.

January Crowds: Because many United States school districts continue winter break though January 6th, January 1st through 5th continue to be quite crowded, though less crowded than the two weeks before it with the Christmas Holiday. Expect crowds similar to spring break in March, which is to say less heavy than summer, but still in the “7 to 9″ range.

Crowds are low to slightly above average throughout the rest of the month. Crowds spike for the Marathon from January 11th to 14th and again for Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend from January 18th – 21st. Still, you’re looking at average to slightly above average crowds compared to the rest of the year on those dates. Other than those weekends, crowds are well below average with January 23rd through the first ten days in February seeing the lowest crowds of the year outside of September.

January Park Hours and Entertainment: The final January operating schedule is available here: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_jan.pdf.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in January 2013: January 23-30 is the best week to visit, with some of the lowest crowds of the entire year and Value season pricing.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

The Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort closed September 19th 2011 for about 18 months, until at least June 2013. The Fitness Center remains open and guests will be shuttled to Saratoga Springs for spa services.
Character Spot at Epcot has moved behind its original location during a refurbishment that is expected to last through the middle of February. Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto continue greeting guests during the refurbishment.

New Refurbishments:

Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment from January 2nd through March 19th, reopening on March 20th.
Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through May 17th, reopening on May 18th. The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
Kali River Rapids will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through February 15th, reopening on February 16th.
Blizzard Beach will be closed from January 6th through March 16th for its annual refurbishment.
BoardWalk Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through April 26th, reopening on the 27th.
Mad Tea Party will be closed for refurbishment from January 7th through February 18th, reopening on the 19th.
Disney Jr. Live on Stage will be closed for refurbishment from January 14th through February 13th, reopening on the 14th.

Notes:

Historically, January has the most refurbishments and closures of any month. We’ll also have the last night of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios on January 6th, the change back to Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade (from the Christmastime Parade over the holidays) at Magic Kingdom, and the change over to Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade (from Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade) at Animal Kingdom. Lengthy pool refurbishments are also common at Disney resorts.

January Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The Disney World Marathon is held January 10 – 13, 2013. While the Marathon doesn’t increase lines at the rides much, it does cause a lot of congestion in and around the Parks on the mornings of January 12th and particularly January 13th. See http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/wdw-marathon/index?page=registration for more information on the event, including pricing and exact race times.

The last night of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is January 6th. See November and December for more information about the Lights.

Beginning in late January, South American tour groups tend to visit Disney World en masse due to a long vacation in throughout the continent. Expect to see large groups throughout the theme parks. If you do see a group, it’s best to avoid them.

February 2013

See the February 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis Here.

February Cost:

February 1 – 13 is Value 1, the cheapest season.
February 14 is Peak, the second most expensive of the major seasons.
February 15 – 17 is President’s Day Weekend, which is the same price as a weekend night during the rest of Peak Season.
February 18 – 23 is Peak, the second most expensive of the major seasons.
February 24 – 28 is Regular, which has prices that are about in the middle of Value and Peak Seasons. For example, a resort that is $100 during Value Season and $150 during Peak Season would be about $125 during Regular Season

February Weather: The average high in February is 72 degrees and the average low is 53. Highs do occasionally get into the low 80s. Precipitation is relatively low, but it does rain on about 23% of days.

February Crowds: Crowds are below average to average through February 13th, which is the Wednesday before President’s Day Weekend. President’s Day Weekend will be very busy, as will the week following it until February 24th due to some schools getting that whole week off. February 26th through March 7th has below average to average size crowds.

February Park Hours and Entertainment: The current February operating schedule is available here: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_feb.pdf. Expect Disney to update the schedule on January 14th or 18th. See the final February 2012 schedule here to compare.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in February 2013: The first two weeks in February are the best weeks to visit. Crowds will be the lowest of the month and it is still Value season, the cheapest season to book a Disney resort. Crowds pick up February 14th and continue to be large through the 23rd. February 24th through the first week in March is a decent time to visit, but after that we’re getting into spring break territory.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

The Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort closed September 19th 2011 for about 18 months, until at least June 2013. The Fitness Center remains open and guests will be shuttled to Saratoga Springs for spa services.
Character Spot at Epcot has moved behind its original location during a refurbishment that is expected to last through the middle of February. Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto continue greeting guests during the refurbishment.
Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment from January 2nd through March 19th, reopening on March 20th.
Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through May 17th, reopening on May 18th. The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
Kali River Rapids will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through February 15th, reopening on February 16th.
Blizzard Beach will be closed from January 6th through March 16th for its annual refurbishment.
BoardWalk Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through April 26th, reopening on the 27th.
Mad Tea Party will be closed for refurbishment from January 7th through February 18th, reopening on the 19th.
Disney Jr. Live on Stage will be closed for refurbishment from January 14th through February 13th, reopening on the 14th.

New Refurbishments:

Liberty Square Riverboat will be closed for refurbishment from February 1st through February 8th, reopening on the 9th.
California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage will be closed for refurbishment from February 7th through the 12th, reopening on February 13th.

Notes:

Some of the refurbishments from January will inevitably run into February. Pool refurbishments are also common throughout the month as temperatures are lower and fewer people are in the pool. Most refurbishments will be completed by mid-February to make way for the heavier crowds and higher resort prices.

February Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

Mardis Gras/Fat Tuesday is February 12th this year. Most of the state of Louisiana gets the entire week off. While not everyone in Louisiana visits Disney World, it does have an effect similar to Jersey Week in November and is the reason for the elevated crowd level leading up to President’s Day Weekend. Expect to see a lot more LSU Tiger hats than usual.

The Princess Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for February 22 – 24. It is a much smaller event than the January Marathon, but still brings people to the area. With heavier crowds already in town for a weeklong vacation beginnign over President’s Day Weekend, the Friday and Saturday leading up to the Marathon are quite busy. Beginning Monday February 25th, crowds return to below average. For more information on the Marathon, including the schedule and pricing, visit http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/princess-half-marathon/

Superbowl Sunday is February 3rd. Sunday during the Super Bowl is usually one of the best times of the year to tour the Parks due to all the people who will be home watching the Big Game. Hollywood Studios is particularly light on crowds.

Valentine’s Day (February 14th) is going to be busier than usual with Mardis Gras crowds in full force. Valentine’s Day itself does not have an appreciable effect on crowds, though you may notice more couples in the upscale restaurants.

The Atlanta Braves MLB baseball team returns to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in mid-February for spring training. For the schedule and ticket information, visit: www.espnwwos.com/atlantabraves.

March 2013

See the March 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis here.

March Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

March 1 – 7 is Regular Season, which has prices that are about in the middle of Value and Peak Seasons. For example, a resort that is $100 during Value Season and $150 during Peak Season would be about $125 during Regular Season.
March 8 – 23 is Peak Season, the second most expensive season.
March 24 – 31 is Easter Season, with prices slightly higher than a weekend during the rest of Peak Season.

Deluxe Resorts:

March 1 – 9 is Regular Season, which has pricing in the middle of Value and Peak seasons. For example, if a room is $200 in Value and $300 in Peak, it would be about $250 in Regular Season.
March 10 – 23 is Peak Season, the second most expensive season.
March 24 – 31 is Easter Season, with prices slightly higher than a weekend during the rest of Peak Season.

March Weather: March begins to warm up, but the temperatures remain erratic. Expect highs anywhere from the mid-60s to the mid-80s. The average high is 77 degrees and the average low is 57 degrees. March is usually among the best months to visit weather-wise, with warm afternoons and cool nights. March is also one of the driest months in Orlando, with rain on about 17% of days.

March Crowds: March 1st through 8th sees average level crowds compared to the rest of the year. Beginning March 9th, crowds increase substantially with Spring Breaks scheduled throughout the United States. Crowds generally aren’t as heavy as the summer, but you’re looking at solid “7s and 8s” on our 1 – 10 schedule. The fact that temperatures are much milder certainly helps and international attendance from South America is lower than the June – August months. With Easter falling on March 31st this year, we can expect March 24 – 31 to be one of the four busiest weeks of the year. Pricing reflects that fact as it’s also one of the most expensive weeks to stay at a Disney resort. Expect crowds in the 8 to 9 range over that week.

March Park Hours and Entertainment: The current March operating schedule is available here: http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/ParkHours/WDW_Operating_Calendar_mar.pdf. Expect Disney to update the operating schedule on February 15th or 18th. See the final March 2012 operating schedule here to compare.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in March 2013: March 1st through March 7th will have the lowest crowds and it’s the relatively inexpensive Regular Season at the Disney resorts.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

The Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort closed September 19th 2011 for about 18 months, until at least June 2013. The Fitness Center remains open and guests will be shuttled to Saratoga Springs for spa services.
Splash Mountain will be closed for refurbishment from January 2nd through March 19th, reopening on March 20th.
Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through May 17th, reopening on May 18th. The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
Blizzard Beach will be closed from January 6th through March 16th for its annual refurbishment.
BoardWalk Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through April 26th, reopening on April 27th.
California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.

New Refurbishments:

None currently scheduled, but it’s still early.

Notes:

There are a surprising number of pool closures in March, considering how heavy crowds are, but major ride refurbishments are less common. Expect a lot of pool refurbishment updates as we get closer to March.

March Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6th and runs through May 19th. Because it runs for so long and it isn’t a “big draw” on its own, the Festival does not noticeably increase crowds like the Food and Wine Festival does. HGTV is sponsoring the event for the third time this year and celebrities from the channel will be giving live demonstrations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the Festival (expected, this is what happened in 2012). Two shows are expected each day – one at 12pm and one at 3pm. Expect these shows to be crowded, but I’m not expecting the sponsorship to have a substantial impact on wait times or overall crowds. The Festival also features millions of flowers, Disney-themed topiaries, and an expansive butterfly garden. Visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival for more information on the event.

In addition to the Festival, there is also a concert series that takes place on weekends at the American Garden Theater in the United States Pavilion of the World Showcase. Shows begin at 5:15pm, 6:30pm, and 7:45pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

The 2013 schedule is:

March 15 – 17: Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
March 22 – 24: The Guess Who
March 29 – 31: Nelson
April 5 – 7: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 12 – 14: Paul Revere & the Raiders
April 19 – 21: The Village People
April 26 – 28: The Orchestra, featuring former members of ELO and ELO II
May 3 – 5: Tommy Roe
May 10 – 12: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 17 – 19: Starship starring Mickey Thomas

April 2013

See the April 2013 Crowd Calendar and Daily Analysis here.

April Cost:

April 1 – 6 is Easter, which has very similar pricing to weekend dates during Peak Season. In most cases, the cost is $5 more per night.
April 7 – 30 is Regular Season 1, with pricing that’s usually right in the middle of Value Season and Peak Season.

April Weather: April warms up even more with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s and lows in the mid-60s. The average high is 82 degrees and the average low is 62. Generally speaking, April is one of the most pleasant times to visit the Orlando area with moderate temperatures throughout the day. Precipitation is still very low, with an 18% chance of rain on any given day.

April Crowds: April 1st through the 6th will be extremely crowded, with overall crowd levels in the “8 to 9″ range. It’s one of the four or five busiest weeks of the year with Disney resort prices higher than any time outside of the busier weeks before and after Christmas. Beginning April 7th, crowds drop off substantially. Expect average to average crowds for the rest of April.

April Park Hours and Entertainment: The current operating schedule is available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in April 2013: April 23rd through 30th would be the best week to visit. Spring breaks will be over for most schools and Disney resort prices are lower than the beginning of the month. Avoid Easter if at all possible, it’s expensive and incredibly crowded. Any time after April 6th will see mostly average size crowds.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through June 18th (expected, the open has already been delayed twice). The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
BoardWalk Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through April 26th, reopening on April 27th.
The Spa at Saratoga Springs is expected to reopen on August 1st.
California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.

New Refurbishments:

Mighty Ducks quiet pool will be closed from April 1st through April 11th, reopening on April 12th.
Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.
Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom will be closed from April 10th through May 21st, reopening on May 22nd.
Beach Pool at Grand Floridian Resort will be closed from April 22nd – April 26th, reopening on April 27th.

Notes:

None at this time.

April Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6th and runs through May 19th. Because it runs for so long and it isn’t a “big draw” on its own, the Festival does not noticeably increase crowds like the Food and Wine Festival does. HGTV is sponsoring the event for the second time this year and celebrities from the channel will be giving live demonstrations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the Festival. Two shows are expected each day – one at 12pm on one at 3pm. Expect these shows to be crowded, but I’m not expecting the sponsorship to have a substantial impact on wait times or overall crowds. The Festival also features millions of flowers, Disney-themed topiaries, and an expansive butterfly garden. Visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival for more information on the event.

The 2013 schedule is:

Disney Grad Nights have been canceled and will not occur in 2013 or the foreseeable future.

May 2013

See the May 2013 Crowd Calendar and Daily Analysis here.

May Cost:

May 1 – 30 is Regular Season, which has prices that are about in the middle of Value and Peak Seasons. For example, a resort that is $100 during Value Season and $150 during Peak Season would be about $125 during Regular Season.
May 31 is Summer Season. At the Values, pricing is slightly lower than Peak Season. At the Deluxe Resorts, pricing is actually a little lower than Regular Season.

May Weather: The temperature will start to get up there in May, with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Lows are usually in the upper 60s to low 70s. The average high is 87 and the average low is 69. Historically, May is among the driest months in Orlando, with only a 13% chance of precipitation.

May Crowds: Crowds are low to moderate for most of May, until Memorial Day Weekend, which is May 24 – May 27. Generally speaking, the earlier in May, the less crowded it will be. Expect weekends to be busier with pleasant weather, visiting locals, and longer hours of operation. Memorial Day Weekend is busier than the rest of May, but not as busy as other major holidays like Easter, Independence Day, or Thanksgiving. Pay attention to the “special events” section below for more information on when certain Parks may be busier than the overall crowd level might insinuate (Hollywood Studios in particular).

May Park Hours and Entertainment: The current May operating schedule is available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in May 2013: Any time between May 1 – 16 would be best. You’ll find the lowest crowds of the month and be able to enjoy Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. You also won’t need to worry about the Star Wars Weekend crowds at Hollywood Studios. The weather is also cooler.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through June 18th (expected, the open has already been delayed twice). The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
The Spa at Saratoga Springs is expected to reopen on August 1st.
California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.
Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.
Mad Tea Party at Magic Kingdom will be closed from April 10th through May 21st, reopening on May 22nd.

New Refurbishments:

Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom will be closed from May 13th through May 15th, reopening on May 16th.
Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom will be closed from May 13th through May 16th, reopening on May 17th.
Grandstand Pool at Saratoga Springs Resort will be closed from May 13th through May 31st, reopening on June 1st.
Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel at Magic Kingdom will be closed from May 28th through June 10th, reopening on June 11th.

Notes:

None.

May Special Events That Could Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The Expedition Everest Challenge is scheduled on Saturday May 4th in 2013. The Challenge is an after-hours race at the Animal Kingdom theme park featuring obstacles, a treasure hunt, and a late evening “Party” when racers will have the opportunity to celebrate their achievement. Tickets to the Challenge no longer include a one-day theme park ticket, so prices are lower than past years. However, Disney is also offering admission to the race and a one-day theme park ticket at a discounted rate. As usual, there is a discount for purchasing tickets early. For more information, visit http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/expedition-everest-challenge.

The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6th and runs through May 19th. Because it runs for so long and it isn’t a “big draw” on its own, the Festival does not noticeably increase crowds like the Food and Wine Festival does. HGTV is sponsoring the event for the second time this year and celebrities from the channel will be giving live demonstrations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the Festival. Two shows are expected each day – one at 12pm on one at 3pm. Expect these shows to be crowded, but I’m not expecting the sponsorship to have a substantial impact on wait times or overall crowds. The Festival also features millions of flowers, Disney-themed topiaries, and an expansive butterfly garden. Visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival for more information on the event.

The 2013 schedule is:

Star Wars Weekends dates are May 17 – 19 and 24 – 26, May 31st – June 2nd and June 7th – 9th. See this post for more information about Star Wars Weekend, what to expect, and how to avoid the crowds.

Disney Grad Nights at Magic Kingdom have been discontinued in 2012 and the foreseeable future.

June 2013

See the June 2013 Crowd Calendar and Daily Analysis here.

June Cost:

All of June is Summer Season. At the Values, pricing is slightly lower than Peak Season. At the Deluxe Resorts, pricing is actually a little lower than Regular Season.

June Weather: June is hot, with highs in the mid-80s to upper-90s. The average high is 90 and the average low is 72 degrees. It’s also more common to run into days with significant rainfall of as much as two inches. Historically, it rains at least a little on 38% of days.

June Crowds: June gets busier and busier as the month goes on and more schools let out for the summer. Summer is obviously much longer than Spring Break and prospective visitors have several months to visit rather than just a one or two week window. This equates to smaller crowds than Easter or Christmas weeks, but still significant crowds larger than those found in January, most of February, most of March, the last three weeks in April, most of May, September, October, most of November, and the first three weeks in December. If you’re flexible and wary of crowds, you’ll want to visit during the first two weeks of June. You’ll still run into an above average amount of people, but it will be much more manageable than the last two weeks.

June Park Hours and Entertainment: The current June 2013 operating schedule is available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in June 2013: Saturday June 1st through Saturday June 8th will have the lowest crowds of the month and you will have the opportunity to enjoy or avoid Star Wars Weekends. If Gay Days (explained below) is a concern, Wednesday June 5th through Wednesday June 12h is the best week.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

Main Street Bakery will be closed for refurbishment from January 6th through June 18th (expected, the open has already been delayed twice). The new location will serve Starbucks coffee, pastries, and other items in addition to Disney favorites.
The Spa at Saratoga Springs is expected to reopen on August 1st.
California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.
Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.
Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel at Magic Kingdom will be closed from May 28th through June 10th, reopening on June 11th.

New Refurbishments:

None at this time.

Notes:

June Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

“Gay Days” is an event held in the Orlando area each year in June. It is not an official Disney event and the great majority of the participants do not stay on Disney property, but they do visit one of the Disney Parks over a four day span. In 2013, they are expected to be in town from May 29th through June 3rd. The schedule is not yet available, but we can expect them to be in these theme parks:

Thursday May 30, 2013 – Animal Kingdom
Friday May 31, 2013 – Hollywood Studios
Saturday June 1, 2013 – Magic Kingdom
Sunday June 2, 2013 – Epcot

For the first two days, we’ll plan to avoid the Parks that Gay Days is visiting because the additional crowds will have a more substantial impact. Because Animal Kingdom has a more limited number of attractions and is open fewer hours, the Gay Days crowd will make the Park considerably busier and it will be difficult to avoid them. Gay Days participants generally arrive at the Parks around 11am and leave much earlier than the Parks close. However, with the short 9am to 6pm hours at the Animal Kingdom, they’ll plan to arrive earlier and won’t leave early enough that we can get a lot done after they’re gone. On Friday, the Gay Days crowds will just add to an already busy Hollywood Studios because it’s also Star Wars Weekends. Luckily, almost all of the Gay Days participants go to the Park assigned by the schedule, so they do not have much impact at all on the other Parks. If you visit the recommended Parks each day (or avoid the Park designated as the Gay Days Park), it’s unlikely that you’ll even notice they’re there. In fact, they can actually help clear out Magic Kingdom on Saturday and Epcot on Sunday due to all the people who will avoid the Park that Gay Days is visiting solely because there will be a lot of gay people around. I won’t go into the morality of anything since that is not the purpose of this website, but I will point out the fact that there will be a lot of people who figure out the Gay Days schedule by day three and four and will adjust their own itinerary so that they are visiting a Park other than the one Gay Days will be attending. Because the Gay Days contingent isn’t that large and the fact that they tend to arrive late and leave early, we can get even more done than usual at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot if we arrive by Park opening and visit the headliners first thing. Since that’s our plan of attack anyway, we don’t need to be concerned about visiting the Magic Kingdom on Saturday or Epcot on Sunday. I still recommend avoiding the Animal Kingdom on Thursday and Hollywood Studios on Friday. Overall, Gay Days is not worth worrying about, no matter what your opinion of gay people happens to be. You can simply visit a Park that Gay Days is not visiting and you probably won’t run into more than a handful of Gay Days participants during your entire visit. Most of them also stay off-site, so they are unlikely to be staying at any Disney resort en masse.

The “Sounds Like Summer” concert series is expected to continue during June and July in Epcot outside the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase. This series features cover bands of popular artists with shows that begin at 5:45, 7:00, and 8:15pm. Because each band plays for one week and there are multiple shows per night, this concert series doesn’t make crowds any larger than they would be otherwise.

In 2012, the bands were:

June 10 – June 17: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
June 18 – June 23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – The Ultimate Billy Joel Show
June 24 – June 30: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees
July 1 – July 7: Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 8 – July 14: The Police Experience – A Tribute to the Police
July 15 – July 21: SouthBound and Company – A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
July 22 – July 28: 2U – A Tribute to U2

South American tour groups are common in June and July. I mention this because the groups are primarily made up of kids between the ages of 13-17 and they generally aren’t well chaperoned. Many people return complaining of rude behavior. If you see (or hear) a group of young kids walking around behind a 20-year-old carrying a flag, your best bet is to head in the opposite direction.

July 2013

See the July 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis here.

July Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

All of July is Summer Season, with prices slightly higher than Regular Season and slightly lower than Peak Season.

Deluxe Resorts:

July 1 – 13 is Summer Season. At the Deluxe Resorts, pricing is actually a little lower than Regular Season.
July 14- 31 is Value Season 2, which is just slightly more expensive than Value Season 1 and less expensive than Regular Season Season. Unlike most seasons, weekend pricing is not more expensive. All days are priced the same.

July Weather: July is among the hottest months in Orlando, with an average high of 91 degrees and an average low of 74 degrees. Yes, it will rarely be less than 75 degrees, even at 3am. Even worse than the heat is the humidity, which averages about 75%. Rain showers also increase in July, with a 49% chance of precipitation on any given day.

July Crowds: The July 4^th crowds are the largest of the Summer Season and usually rival Easter and Christmas, although they are slightly smaller. The rest of July is the busiest month overall at Disney World because the great majority of kids will be out of school and summer vacations will be on everyone’s minds. International visitation, fueled by South America, is also at its highest point of the year. Most other months have at least some portion where crowds will be smaller, but July is not one of those months. It is crowded every day. Crowds are slightly lower towards the end of the month as you move into August.

July Park Hours and Entertainment: The current July 2013 operating schedule is available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in July 2013: There are no breaks from the crowds in July and no “soft spot” like there is during other months. I would recommend a stay sometime after July 13th if you’re staying at a Deluxe resort because the cost will be less due to the change from Regular season to Value season. Otherwise, avoid July 1st through 7th because of the of extra cost and even larger crowds due to the holiday. A vacation that begins around the end of the month would see somewhat leaner crowds. If you’re flexible with your dates, avoid July if possible and look toward the end of August or September.

Continuing Refurbishments:

California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.
Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.

New Refurbishments:

None at this time.

Notes:

None.

July Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The “Sounds Like Summer” concert series is scheduled during June and July in Epcot outside the American Adventure Pavilion in the World Showcase. This series features cover bands of popular artists with shows that begin at 5:45, 7:00, and 8:15pm. On July 4th, shows begin at 5:15pm, 6:30pm, 7:45pm, and 9pm. Because each band plays for one week and there are multiple shows per night, this concert series doesn’t make crowds any larger than they would be otherwise.

In 2012, the bands were:

June 10 – June 17: Hotel California – A Salute to the Eagles
June 18 – June 23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – The Ultimate Billy Joel Show
June 24 – June 30: Stayin’ Alive – A Tribute to The Bee Gees
July 1 – July 7: Slippery When Wet – The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 8 – July 14: The Police Experience – A Tribute to the Police
July 15 – July 21: SouthBound and Company – A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
July 22 – July 28: 2U – A Tribute to U2

South American tour groups are also common in June and July. I mention this because the groups are primarily made up of kids between the ages of 13-17 and they generally aren’t well chaperoned. Many people return complaining of rude behavior. If you see (or hear) a group of young kidswalking around behind a 20-year-old carrying a flag, your best bet is to head in a different direction.

July 4^th Fireworks Shows at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot (Expected in 2013)

There are special fireworks at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios on the evening of July 4^th. In addition, they do a “dry run” on July 3^rd at the Magic Kingdom to make sure everything is ready to go for the 4^th. It is possible that Magic Kingdom will fill close to capacity on July 4^th and the Park will close to some or all visitors sometime in the afternoon. In 2012, closures were very brief on July 4th, but it’s always possible. If you want to be guaranteed entrance to Magic Kingdom to enjoy the evening fireworks, you will need to be at the Park by 10:30am. There will also be additional security at the Monorail Deluxes (Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary) as well as the Wilderness Lodge and you will either need to be staying at the resort or have a dining reservation for a meal to be admitted on that resort’s property if you’re arriving by car. This is because the beaches are such popular viewing areas for the patriotic fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. The same is likely to be true for the Epcot-area Deluxe resorts (Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club). If you’d like to visit these resorts, plan to do so by Disney transportation. You won’t be turned away if you arrive by foot or by monorail, but they will be enforcing the rules at the parking lot guard stand. Read over the July daily analysis for more tips on how to see the fireworks from inside and outside the Parks.

At the Hollywood Studios, you will want to be positioned on Hollywood Boulevard for the fireworks show. The fireworks are shot off of the various buildings and generally appear above Mickey Sorcerer’s Hat.

Since Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney closed, it is highly unlikely that there will be fireworks at Downtown Disney.

Of the various shows, the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are the best. I recommend seeing them on July 3rd when crowds will be slightly smaller and going to Hollywood Studios on July 4th.

August 2013

See the August 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis here.

August Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

August 1 – 3 is Summer Season and the cost is the same as most of June and July – higher than Value and Regular but less expensive than Peak or Holiday.
August 5 – 31 is Value Season 2, which is just a few dollars more per night than Value Season 1, the cheapest season to book a Disney resort room.

Deluxe Resorts:

August 1 – 17 is Value Season 2, which is just slightly more expensive than Value Season 1.
August 18 – 31 is Value Season 1, the cheapest season to book a Disney resort room.

August Weather: August is one of the hottest months in Orlando, with an average high of 91 degrees and an average low of 75 degrees. The humidity is extremely high, with a daily average high of about 90%. August is also peak Hurricane Season in Florida. Although Disney World is inland and not usually affected by hurricanes directly, they may affect flights and bring otherwise nasty weather with them. Showers and thunder are common in the afternoon, with a 43% chance of precipitation.

August Crowds: The first three weeks in August will be about as popular as the rest of the Summer season. In other words, crowd levels will be high. Crowds begin to diminish beginning the third week in August as more and more kids start the new school year and summer vacation season winds down. The last week in August is usually a good time to visit Disney World as far as crowds are concerned, though much of September will be even less crowded.

August Park Hours and Entertainment Schedule: See August 2013′s operating schedule here. Compare that with August 2012′s final schedule here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in August 2013: Beginning Sunday August 25th, crowds will noticeably thin out. I would highly recommend making the 25th the first day of your vacation. You will also be able to enjoy Value season pricing and potentially take advantage of the “Free Dining” promotion or other discounts. Both will save you a substantial amount of money over visiting during the first two weeks in August. Keep in mind that most of September will see even lower crowds than the end of August due to even more kids being in school. Save your trip until the middle of September if you’re flexible with your dates.

Continuing Refurbishments:

California Grill at the Contemporary Resort will be closed from February 2nd through at least the end of July.
Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.

New Refurbishments:

None at this time.

Notes:

None.

August Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

None.

September 2013

See the September 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis here.

September Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

September 1 – 14 is Value Season 2, which is just a few dollars more per night than Value Season 1, the cheapest season to book a Disney resort room.
September 15 – 30 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.

Deluxe Resorts:

September 1 – 26 is Value Season 1, the cheapest Season to book a Disney resort room.
September 27 – 30 is Regular Season 2, which is just slightly less expensive than Regular Season 1 and more expensive than both Value Seasons. Prices are also less expensive than Peak or Holiday Seasons.

September Weather: September is just barely cooler than June, July, and August with an average high of 89 degrees and an average low of 74 degrees. Humidity is still extremely high and there is also a good chance you will encounter a thunderstorm or rain most afternoons and some evenings. Historically, it rains on 40% of days in September. September is also peak Hurricane Season in Florida. Although Disney World is inland and not usually affected by hurricanes directly, they may affect flights and bring otherwise nasty weather with them.

September Crowds: Crowds are relatively low throughout September. The only time you may find less people in the Parks is certain days toward the end of January and the first two weeks in February, making it an excellent time to visit as far as crowds are concerned. Expect many visitors to be on the Disney Dining Plan due to the Free Dining Promotion, which means lines to the rides may be even shorter than they would be in January due to all the people focused on eating at the various table service restaurants. September 1st through third will be the busiest days due to the Labor Day holiday on Monday September 2nd, but even those three days will have significantly smaller crowds than any of the days during Summer and Peak Season. Things also pick up in the last week as the Food & Wine Festival kicks off.

September Park Hours and Entertainment: September 2013′s current operating schedule is available here. You can compare it to the final schedule last year, which is available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in September 2013: Any date from September 3rd through September 25th will have low crowds and you can take advantage of what will most likely be heavy discounts or the “Free Dining Plan” in addition to Value Season/Regular Season 2 pricing. Keep in mind that the very popular International Food and Wine Festival at Epcot starts September 27th. You may want your vacation to include a date at the end of September or beginning of October to take advantage of the Festival. The downside is that the cost to stay a Disney resort increases substantially at the Deluxe resorts beginning September 27th and slightly at the Value and Moderate Resorts. Crowds in October are also larger than in September and Epcot is more difficult to schedule because of the incredibly heavy crowds at the Food and Wine Festival on weekends.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

Fountain View Cafe at Epcot will be closed from April 8th through Fall 2013 as it’s refurbished into a Starbucks location.

New Refurbishments:

None at this time.

September usually sees a lot of refurbishments, though it’s still early and none are currently scheduled. Expect a similar number of refurbishments as January as Disney gears up for the popular fall and holiday seasons. Many of the refurbishments are at quick service locations and “secondary” attractions, though a major attraction or two may close.

Notes:

None.

September Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party includes several dates throughout September. This year, it looks like the Party will be scheduled on September 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, and 29. These dates are unofficial until Disney confirms dates and pricing. The Party runs from 7pm until midnight and includes an additional parade, fireworks show, and trick-or-treating throughout the Park. Most of the rides are open as well. For more information about the event, including pricing and tips to maximize your experience, see: http://www.easywdw.com/category/worth-2/halloweenparty/. For the official word and to purchase tickets when they become available, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/ Be aware that this event closes the Magic Kingdom at 7pm for visitors that do not have a ticket to the Halloween Party. The Magic Kingdom is actually less busy on days when there is a Halloween Party due to the fact that it closes early. If you have Park Hopper you may want to start there and then hop to another Park to end the day.

The Night of Joy is scheduled for Friday September 6th and Saturday September 7th in 2013. The Night of Joy is a Contemporary Christian concert of sorts at the Magic Kingdom. Like the Halloween Party, the Night of Joy closes the Magic Kingdom at 7pm for everyone who has not purchased an additional ticket to the event. The concert runs from 7:30pm until 1am and several of the most popular attractions will be open during the concert. However, many of the lesser attractions will not be operating since the music is the focus. There are several stages, including the main stage in front of the castle, a stage at Cosmic Ray’s, a stage in Fantasyland, and a stage in Tomorrowland, so a lot is going on. There are no seats set up in front of the stages, so be prepared to stand throughout the evening. For more information on performers or to purchase tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/night-of-joy/. The Night of Joy doesn’t necessarily increase crowds to Disney World overall, but the concert itself is very popular. Since guests can enter Magic Kingdom with their tickets beginning at 4pm, crowds do increase from 5pm to 7pm. The Ticket/Transportation Center monorail and boat toward Magic Kingdom also get slammed due to the number of charter buses arriving with area kids. Ride Disney bus/boat transportation from a resort if possible. Transferring from Magic Kingdom isn’t difficult because most guests are headed in the opposite direction. The cost in 2012 was $62.95 per night on the day of the event. For tickets purchased early, tickets were $52.95. Two day tickers were also available for $94.95. The price for adults and kids between the ages of three and nine is the same. Disney offers a discount for groups of 20 or more. Visit NightOfJoy.com for more information.

The Food and Wine Festival officially begins on September 27th. In past years, the booths have opened up as part of a cast member preview beginning right around 11am on Thursday the 26th. That tradition should continue and any regular guests are welcome to visit the booths on the 26th, which will be much less crowded than the Friday – Sunday of the Festival. The Festival continues through November 11th.

October 2013

See the October 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis here.

October Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

October 1 – 10 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.
October 11 – 13 is Columbus Day Holiday, pricing is equal to a weekend night during Regular Season. This is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2 or Fall Season, but slightly less expensive than Thanksgiving Holiday pricing.
October 14 – 31 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.

Deluxe Resorts:

October 1 – 10 is Regular Season 2, which is just slightly less expensive than Regular Season 1 and more expensive than both Value Seasons. Prices are also less expensive than Peak or Holiday Seasons.
October 11- 13 is Columbus Day Holiday, pricing is slightly less than a weekend night during Regular Season 1 and slightly less than a night during Thanksgiving Holiday.
October 14 – 19 is Regular Season 2, which is just slightly less expensive than Regular Season 1 and more expensive than both Value Seasons. Prices are also less expensive than Peak or Holiday Seasons.
October 20 – 31 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 1 and 2, but less expensive than Regular Season 1 and 2.

October Weather: The weather is slightly cooler than September, with an average high of 84 degrees and an average low of 68 degrees. Precipitation is much lower than the summer months, with a 26% chance of showers on any given day. Humidity is still high, but it’s lower than the summer months as well. Overall, October isn’t a bad month to visit weather-wise, especially as you get closer to November.

October Crowds: Crowds are slightly below average to just above average throughout October, making it a good month to visit. The only weekend I might avoid would be Columbus Day Weekend, which is the 11th, 12th, and 13th, when crowds will be larger. Still, they won’t be anywhere near as bad as summer or other holiday weekends. Some schools get a “fall break” during the first three weeks in October as well, which does increase crowds at the beginning of the month. If you are flexible with your dates, I would recommend holding off until after October 22nd. Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is scheduled for September 28 – November 12, which makes Epcot busier on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

October Park Hours and Entertainment: October 2013′s current operating schedule is available here. Compare that with last year’s finalized schedule, available here.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in October 2013: Sunday October 27th through Sunday November 3rd is the best week to visit in October, with average crowds, cooler weather, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and the International Food and Wine Festival. The cost to book a Disney-owned resort is also lower than earlier dates in October, especially at the Deluxe resorts.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

None at this time.

New Refurbishments:

None currently scheduled.

Notes:

None.

October Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler is scheduled for the evening of Saturday October 5th. After the run is a villains-themed party at the Studios. More information here.

The Gartner Symposium is coming to the Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club, and Yacht Club from October 6th through October 10th. All of the Epcot area resorts will be sold out and most of the restaurants in the area will be booked solid for those dates. The Gartner Symposium is the largest annual gathering of CIOs and senior IT leaders. You may not want to visit the BoardWalk in the evening during these dates because it will be crowded. The Symposium crowd will not affect the crowds at the Parks much because the conventioners are busy with their own activities. Epcot may be slightly busier in the evenings due to its proximity to the Boardwalk area, especially in the World Showcase area for the Food/Wine Festival.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party includes many dates throughout October. In 2013, the October dates are expected to be the 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31 (and November 1). The dates are not official until Disney confirms dates and pricing. The Party runs from 7pm until midnight and includes an additional parade, fireworks show, and trick-or-treating throughout the Park. Most of the rides are open as well. For more information about the event, including pricing and tips to maximize your experience, see: http://www.easywdw.com/category/worth-2/halloweenparty/. For the official word and to purchase tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/ Be aware that this event closes the Magic Kingdom at 7pm for visitors that do not have a ticket to the Halloween Party. The Magic Kingdom is actually less busy on days when there is a Halloween Party due to the fact that it closes early. If you have Park Hopper you may want to start there and then hop to another Park to end the day.

The Wine and Dine Half Marathon has moved to November in 2013.

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is a fun event that brings food and wine from around the world to booths spread out around the World Showcase. It runs throughout the entire month of October. There are also bands you’ve actually heard of (and some you probably haven’t) performing throughout the Festival outside on the American Adventure Pavilion stage for free. It’s a fun event with interesting food, educational classes, and several expensive dinners. For more information, and a complete list of the bands performing, head over to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/. The Festival makes Epcot busier on the weekends in particular, but weekdays are less affected.

November 2013

November Cost:

Value and Moderate Resorts:

November 1 – 22 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.
November 23 – 29 is Thanksgiving, with pricing about equal to a weekday during Summer season or about equal to a weekend during Regular season, depending on room type and resort.
November 30 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.

Deluxe Resorts:

November 1 – 25 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 1 and 2, but less expensive than Regular Season 1 and 2.
November 26 – 29 is Thanksgiving, which is more expensive than Value, Fall, and Regular Seasons, but less expensive than Peak Season and other major holidays like Easter, President’s Day, and Christmas. Pricing is similar to a weekend during Regular Season
November 30 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 1 and 2, but less expensive than Regular Season 1 and 2.

November Weather: November is noticeably cooler than September and October, with an average high of 76 degrees and an average low of 59 degrees. Humidity is also substantially lower and there is a 23% chance of precipitation. For those who like warm, but not uncomfortably hot temperatures, November is the perfect month to visit.

November Crowds: Crowds are surprisingly light for the majority of November, with two major exceptions. The first is November 5th through the 12th, due to a phenomenon known as “Jersey Week” combining with Veteran’s Day Weekend and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon. New Jersey schools get at least the 7th and 8th of November off and many families from the state travel to Disney World during that week and/or weekend. Certainly not everyone from New Jersey descends on Disney World, but it does have a modest impact on the overall crowd level. In addition, Veteran’s Day also has an impact because many other schools also take at least Monday November 11th off. The Half Marathon also brings in well over 10,000 people to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Second, Thanksgiving week is very crowded, from the Sunday before to the Saturday immediately following. November 24th to 30th will be substantially more crowded than the rest of the month. Other than those bottlenecks, November is an excellent month to visit Disney World, with generally low to moderate crowds. November 1st through 7th and 13th to 23rd are your best bets. November 30th through the first week of December also sees low to moderate crowds.

November Park Hours and Entertainment: The November 2013 operating schedule should come out on April 15th or 19th. To get an idea about what to expect, see the final November 2012 schedule here. Note that Thanksgiving is a week later and will see the longer operating hours in 2013.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in November 2013: November 1st to 7th is the best seven day period in November, with low Fall Season pricing and lower crowds. Consider the 17th – 23rd if you’d like to see the Osborne Lights and partake in Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (both events explained below).

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

None currently scheduled.

New Refurbishments:

None at this time.

Notes:

None.

November Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party includes one date in November – November 1st (expected, not yet officially announced). The Party runs from 7pm until midnight and includes an additional parade, fireworks show, and trick-or-treating throughout the Park. Most of the rides are open as well. For more information about the event, including pricing and tips to maximize your experience, see: http://www.easywdw.com/category/worth-2/halloweenparty/. For the official word and to purchase tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-not-so-scary-halloween-party/ Be aware that this event closes the Magic Kingdom at 7pm for visitors that do not have a ticket to the Halloween Party. The Magic Kingdom is actually less busy on days when there is a Halloween Party due to the fact that it closes early. If you have Park Hopper you may want to start there and then hop to another Park to end the day.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party occurs throughout November and December. It is a “hard ticket” event, which means you need to purchase a separate event ticket to attend. The November dates in 2012 were the 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, and 30. Like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Party includes an additional parade, fireworks show, stage show, and special Castle lighting. Cocoa and cookies also take the place of trick or treating candy. For more information on pricing, event features, and tips on how to maximize your experience, see: http://www.easywdw.com/category/worth-2/christmasparty/. For the official word and to order tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

“Jersey Week” is November 6th through the 12th in 2013, with all public New Jersey schools closing Thursday and Friday November 7th and 8th. While everyone from New Jersey does not visit Disney World, some do and it does noticeably increase crowds. Because Jersey Week coincides with Veteran’s Day on a Monday this year, crowds will be significantly higher over that weekend.

The Wine and Dine Marathon has moved to November 9th in 2013. The various races and prices are explained in full at http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/wine-and-dine-half-marathon/. The Marathon begins at 10pm at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and finishes at Epcot for the after-party, which runs (no pun intended) through 3am. Spectators may also purchase separate tickets to just the Party. This year, some of the major Epcot attractions will be open during the after-party along with the food and wine booths.

Veteran’s Day is Monday November 11th. The holiday increases crowds on the 9th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th due to parents taking that Friday off work if they do not already get it and traveling to Disney World for a four or five day vacation.

The Festival of the Masters art exhibition returns to Downtown Disney for its 38th year on November 8th and runs through November 10th. The work of more than 150 national and local artists is featured. Admission is free. The event usually brings much larger crowds than usual to Downtown Disney, so you’ll want to avoid it if it’s of no interest. Personally, I would make an effort to visit it if you’re planning a “down day” because the art is remarkable and the artists are friendly and approachable. There are several areas for kids to create their own art and many of the Downtown Disney restaurants have booths outside that offer inexpensive food. In 2012, the food was better and the portions were larger than the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot.

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is a fun event that brings food and wine from around the world to booths spread out around the World Showcase. The last day is November 11th in 2013. There are also bands you’ve actually heard of (and some you probably haven’t) performing throughout the Festival outside on the American Adventure Pavilion stage. It’s a fun event with interesting food, educational classes, and several expensive dinners. For more information, and a complete list of the bands performing, head over to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/. The Festival makes Epcot busier on the weekends due to visiting locals, but shouldn’t affect weekdays adversely. To have the most success, tour the World Showcase before 6pm.

Holidays Around the World in Epcot begins on Friday November 29th. Disney brings in storytellers to tell holiday stories and explain unique traditions in many of the World Showcase countries. Santa Claus is also available for pictures and wishlists in the American Pavilion. In addition, the Candlelight Processional is an amazing stage show featuring the voices of famous celebrities, a large choir, and a 50-piece orchestra. The show, which tells the story of Christmas, is put on three times throughout the night (5pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm) and lasts about 40 minutes. Illuminations, the nightly fireworks and laser show, also includes several holiday-only effects that you won’t want to miss. Holidays Around the World will increase crowds to the World Showcase in the evening, especially on the weekends. You may want to visit the World Showcase in the early afternoon if Epcot is particularly busy, because the evenings are much more crowded.

At the Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family (no relation to Ozzy and Sharon and no “u” in the name) Spectacle of Dancing Lights features over 5 million lights carefully set up throughout the Streets of America. While the dates haven’t been announced, the Lights should be scheduled for November 8th 2013 through January . While it isn’t official or guaranteed, I’m expecting the Lights to be extended through Sunday January 5th, 2014. The effects are truly mesmerizing and admission is included with your ticket. The lights are up every evening (unless a private event closes Hollywood Studios early) and shouldn’t affect daytime crowds much due to the fact that there is plenty of opportunity to visit the Spectacle. You may want to avoid the Streets of America during the evening lighting ceremony if it’s of little interest or you’ve already seen it. The best time to view the Lights is from about 15 minutes before the Studios closes through 60 minutes after the Studios officially “closes.” The Lights stay on and you will be allowed to stay and check them out for about an hour after the operating hours indicate the Studios will close. In other words, if the Studios closes at 7pm, you can enjoy the lights through 8pm. An announcement comes on when the last song is played and the Lights are turned off.

December 2013

December Cost:

December 1 – 12 is Fall Season, which is slightly more expensive than Value Season 2, but less expensive than Regular or Summer Seasons.
December 13 – 19 is Peak Season, with pricing higher than any Season other than Holiday.
December 20 – 31 is Holiday Season, by far the most expensive time to book a Disney-owned resort.

December Weather: December weather in Orlando is erratic and unpredictable. It is not uncommon for one day to be in the low 60s and the next day to be in the high 70s. Nonetheless, the average high is 72 and the average low is 53 degrees Fahrenheit. This may give you a good opportunity to swim some days and have cooler days to run around the Parks throughout your vacation. Historically, precipitation is low, though you will see some amount of rain during about 22% of days. It usually rains heavily two or three days during the month. Overall, December is one of the coolest months in Orlando, though the weather is almost always comfortable during the day.

December Crowds: I’ll split December into two categories – pre and post December 13th.

Pre-December 13th – The first two weeks in December are not the “sweet spot” they once were, with the lowest prices and lowest crowds of the year. December 1st through the 12th is the slightly more expensive “Fall Season” rather than the cheaper Value Season. 2011 was the first year that we saw Fall Season pricing and it looks like it’s here to stay for 2012 and beyond. Overall, crowds are still average to slightly below average during the first two weeks. The exceptions are Saturdays at the Magic Kingdom which are extremely crowded and the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas Parade Taping, which is expected to be December 6th and 7th.

December 13– December 31: This is the most crowded three weeks at Disney World as we move into the first few days in January. Expect wall to wall people by the afternoon at each of the Parks and standby waits that exceed 120 minutes at the headlining rides. The good news is that there are more Extra Magic Hours for resort guests and the Park hours are extended for more access to the rides and attractions. The first two to three hours of operation at each Park will be a good time to tour and very late nights are also recommended. However, expect the heaviest crowds of the year from December 25th through December 31st.

December Park Hours and Entertainment: December 2013′s operating schedule should be released on May 13th or 17th. Take a look at December 2012 here to get an idea about what to expect.

Best Week to Visit Disney World in December 2013: I recommend a trip during the first two weeks of the month, from December 1st through the 12th. You’ll be able to take advantage of Fall Season pricing, most of the amazing holiday happenings, and crowds will be manageable.

Closures and Openings:

Continuing Refurbishments:

None at this time.

New Refurbishments:

None currently scheduled.

Notes:

None.

December Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:

The ABC Christmas Day Parade taping is expected to occur on December 6th and 7th. On the 6th, Disney should tape musical performances in front of Cinderella Castle in the morning. This should only cause minor inconveniences around the Castle. On December 7th, most of Main Street will be closed off entirely from open through about 5pm. Other sections in Magic Kingdom will also be intermittently roped off, causing delays through the afternoon. For a look at last year’s taping and what you can expect, visit: http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorized/magic-kingdom-christmas-day-parade-taping-swiss-family-treehouse-greek-salad-extended-queue-saturday-and-the-survey-says/. If the weather is bad on December 7th, Disney uses December 8th as a backup filming date. I recommend avoiding Magic Kingdom on December 7th because it will be extremely crowded and moving around the Park will be a hassle.

Beginning December 20th (expected, not yet announced), Magic Kingdom will begin to offer the special Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Holiday Wishes during regular Park hours. They replace the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade and “Regular” Wishes. These are the special Parade and Fireworks Shows that are shown during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

At the Animal Kingdom, Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade replaces Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade for the entirety of December (expected, not yet announced).

The ESPNU College Football Awards show at Disney’s BoardWalk area and specifically the Atlantic Dance Hall is expected to return on Thursday December 5th in 2013. The event brings some of college football’s biggest names. The event itself won’t have any effect on the overall crowd level. If you are interested in getting to see or meet the players, you might consider visiting the BoardWalk area outside the BoardWalk Inn on Wednesday December 5th and Thursday December 6th. You can get to the BoardWalk by driving, taking a Disney resort bus or boat from a theme park to the BoardWalk Inn, or exiting Epcot through the International Gateway (between France and United Kingdom Pavilion in the World Showcase) and walking or taking the boat. It’s also accessible by walking from Hollywood Studios. Most of the athletes leave on Friday December 6th. If you have no interest in college football and would prefer to visit the BoardWalk when it is less busy, I would recommend avoiding December 4th and 5th. The Atlantic Dance Hall is a ways away from the BoardWalk Inn, so additional noise shouldn’t be much of an issue for those staying at the resort. If you have already booked the BoardWalk Inn or other Epcot area resort, you don’t need to be too concerned about the players adversely affecting your stay. December 4th through the 5th will be busier, but not so much so that it’s a “deal breaker.”

Pop Warner is a serious youth football league which brings its Super Bowl to ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex at the beginning of December. In 2013, it is expected to run from Saturday December 7th through Saturday the 14th. The National Cheer and Dance Championships are also that week. Pop Warner does not have a substantial impact on theme park attendance, but it does have a serious impact on the resorts because the great majority of the kids and their families stay on Disney Property. In 2012, Disney offered the All-Star Sports, Music, and Movies at discounted rates to Pop Warner families and these resorts are full of excited boys and girls between the ages of 8-14. The Caribbean Beach Resort and Coronado Springs Resort also offered discounted rates and was full of Pop Warner kids and their families. My strong recommendation would be to book one of the other resorts during the week of December 5th – 15th. For Values, look at the Pop Century and Art of Animation, and for Moderates, consider the Port Orleans French Quarter in particular. The Deluxes should not be affected. As stated before, Pop Warner kids and their families are occupied mostly by Pop Warner activities and they do not affect theme park crowds much.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party occurs throughout November and December. It is a “hard ticket” event, which means you need to purchase a separate event ticket to attend. In 2012, it was scheduled on December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21. Like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Party includes an additional parade, fireworks show, stage show, and special Castle lighting. Cocoa and cookies also take the place of trick or treating candy. For more information on pricing, event features, and tips on how to maximize your experience, see: http://www.easywdw.com/category/worth-2/christmasparty/. For the official word and to order tickets, visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/.

Holidays Around the World in Epcot runs through December 30th. Disney brings in storytellers to tell holiday stories and explain unique traditions in many of the World Showcase countries. Santa Claus is also available for pictures and wishlists in the American Pavilion. In addition, the Candlelight Processional is an amazing stage show featuring the voices of famous celebrities, a large choir, and a 50-piece orchestra. The show, which tells the story of Christmas, is put on three times throughout the night (5pm, 6:45pm, and 8pm) and lasts about 40 minutes. Illuminations, the nightly fireworks and laser show, also includes several holiday-only effects that you won’t want to miss. Holidays Around the World will increase crowds to the World Showcase in the evening, especially on evenings that the Candlelight Processional is shown (the specific dates aren’t yet announced). You may want to visit the World Showcase in the early afternoon if Epcot is particularly busy.

At the Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family (no relation to Ozzy and Sharon and no “u” in the name) Spectacle of Dancing Lights features over 5 million lights carefully set up throughout the Streets of America. While it isn’t official or guaranteed, I’m expecting the Lights to be extended through Sunday January 5th, 2014. The effects are truly mesmerizing and admission is included with your ticket. The lights are up every evening (unless a private event closes Hollywood Studios early) and shouldn’t affect daytime crowds much due to the fact that there is plenty of opportunity to visit the Spectacle. You may want to avoid the Streets of America during the evening lighting ceremony if it’s of little interest or you’ve already seen it. The best time to view the Lights is from about 15 minutes before the Studios closes through 60 minutes after the Studios officially “closes.” The Lights stay on and you will be allowed to stay and check them out for about an hour after the operating hours indicate the Studios will close. In other words, if the Studios closes at 7pm, you can enjoy the lights through 8pm. An announcement comes on when the last song is played and the Lights are turned off.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations (Expected): For New Year’s Eve, December 31st, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot all have special celebrations. It’s just like any other day at the Animal Kingdom, which closes at 8pm and doesn’t offer any special fireworks or Parade. At the Magic Kingdom, special “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks are featured on both December 30th and December 31st at 11:50pm. Fireworks are shot from all over the Magic Kingdom, creating a 360 degree panoramic effect. I recommend seeing the fireworks on December 30th because the Magic Kingdom will be slightly less crowded and you can see one of the other special shows on December 31st. None of the other Parks also have a special celebration on December 30th. At Epcot, IllumiNations has a special ending with about six minutes of additional fireworks. The show is shown twice, at 7:30pm and 11:40pm. Many countries in the World Showcase will host dance parties or similar other festivities. It’s a lot of fun for people of all ages. Hollywood Studios offers a special fireworks show called “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year’s” at 11:50pm. It’s also a great show, with fireworks shot from all over the Studios’ rooftops. I recommend going to the Studios because it’s less crowded than Magic Kingdom and Epcot and the fireworks are every bit as good. It will still be extremely crowded, but it isn’t quite as stifling as the Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

Tagged as: Best Parks to Visit, Calendar of Cost, Cost, Crowd Levels, Crowds, Disney, Events, Kingdom, Magic, Price, Resort, Weather, World

{ 77 comments… read them below or add one }

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Steve December 18, 2012 at 3:48 pm: Do you have an idea when your October 2013 calendar will be posted? I’m new to your site and don’t know how often you update
Ashley (wgwtgb) December 28, 2012 at 3:41 pm: Wow! Fantastic job Josh!! I love having all of this information all together!! You rock, as usual.
Meghan (affableolive) December 29, 2012 at 7:11 am: AMAZING as usual! Thanks for all your hard work! Will be planning my subsequent 2013 trips by this! Thank you!
Lisa December 29, 2012 at 10:08 am: This article just shows what a masterpiece this website is. Thank you Josh for doing what you do. Happy New Yearl
KapBoy77 December 29, 2012 at 4:26 pm: Yeah Josh is definitely my go to guy!!! Amazing and awesome!
ErinElizabeth January 11, 2013 at 8:46 am: I am planning at least one (hopefully more) trips to WDW in 2013. I’ve combed the web and this is truly the best & most helpful planning info website around. Thank you for your incredibly insightful perspective and useful information.
Jim February 8, 2013 at 4:03 pm: Sad, so sad, that your bigotry and hate spills over to your otherwise valuable site.

As a gay person I will match my morals to yours any day. I do not cast stones, and I love my neighbor. I do not judge (you should know the rest), and I leave the final decision to MY lord.

Doubt that this will ever make it to your pages, but if it even gives you one second pause to think that perhaps a gay person is exactly like you except for the sexuality with which he was born, than the effort of writing this won’t be in vain.
Dee February 10, 2013 at 9:19 am: Jim,
I don’t see anything on this site that shows bigotry. Gay Days is a concern for a lot of people visiting with young children. I have no problem with homosexuals and strongly support gay marriage, but I do not think my child should be exposed to PDA’s of gay people. I have no problem with seeing a same sex couple at Disney if they are there to enjoy the parks and have a great vacation, but when they are showing up in masses to try and prove some point…I don’t want my family to be a part of that. I’ve seen pictures of what goes on and I would never take my child during that time. It’s not being anti-gay at all, it’s just knowing that the type of people Gay Days draw is not the type of people I want my son exposed to. And by “type” I don’t mean homosexual, I mean the type who would overtake a happy place for children exposing them to perversion for no reason other than demanding equality and respect, the same respect they lack for all the families who’s vacations they ruin by their very actions. Gay Days reminds me of PETA, doing more harm for their cause than good. I support animal rights but am very anti PETA just as I support gay rights but am very anti Gay Days. Same principle.
He was simply providing valuable information for those of us who want to avoid those days. It absolutely does not mean he is a bigot.
Meg February 12, 2013 at 12:16 pm: Dee, just a little FYI, Disneyworld isn’t only for children. Have you been during ‘gay days’? If not, leave your little commentary out about what you think goes on. Pictures? Really that’s your defense. I’ve been during this time and it’s no different than any other time. Let’s be honest, a person displaying obnoxious PDA, is a hoosier whether homosexual OR straight. I’ve seen some nasty things at Disney, from straight couples being inappropriate. Ridiculous.
J February 15, 2013 at 12:30 pm: Josh mentioned Gay Days because the entire purpose of this site is to plan around the crowd. Gay Days affects the crowd — therefore he accounts for it.
Erin February 17, 2013 at 12:16 pm: Very insightful….and definately plan in using this for reference!
mc February 19, 2013 at 7:01 am: Wow….this world would be a better place if people weren’t so sensitive–thick skin needed. TO JIM: Josh simply makes note of when Gay days is to point out crowds–should the people from Jersey get upset because Josh points out when Jersey week is???? I agree…PDA from ANYONE is annoying, but I get when people are trying to make a point simply by being obnoxious in poblic–IGNORE THEM! They want to get your attention. I mean if there was a “straight day” at MK, then trust me, there would be a HUGE uproar.
mike February 27, 2013 at 1:04 pm: jim to defend onesself so vehemently shows a lot of guilty? feelings
mike February 27, 2013 at 1:08 pm: same with Meg
Susan March 5, 2013 at 10:20 am: I’m planning to go the week after Thanksgiving, when will your crowd calendar be up for Nov & Dec?
Steve March 21, 2013 at 12:50 pm: If you only have a ticket for mnsshp, are you still able to ride the attractions between 4-7?
Alana March 26, 2013 at 2:44 pm: Hey Josh, you mentioned for sept 2013 that there would be free dining promotion for the 3rd-27th. I was wondering if that is true or not due to not being able to find that information anywhere else. If it is true and hasnt been released yet, do you know when disney will announce it?
Thanks!
Anna April 2, 2013 at 9:33 pm: Your site is the best as always. Thank you
Donna April 3, 2013 at 6:50 am: Thanks for this awesome summary!!! This will be a big help for people trying to decide when to go. I thought I had read that Pirates of the Caribbean would be closed for refurbishment June 17-20. Has that changed?
Prof. Brainard April 3, 2013 at 2:17 pm: Knowledge of when Gay Days occurs is important if you are trying to avoid visiting when there are large crowds. A person wishing to have such information for this purpose has a legitimate and sensible reason for inquiring. If, however, people want that knowledge so that they can avoid certain kinds or classes of park guest, then that is a different matter entirely, akin to someone wanting to know when there would be large crowds of [insert minority group here] because they did not want their children exposed to such people. Avoiding Gay Days because one does not wish to subject one’s children to the sight of two men kissing leads to suspicion of bigotry (unless one objects to ALL public kissing regardless of the sexual orientations involved). As to people taking offense, it is not oversensitive to take offense when someone says the sight of you kissing your partner in public is so repugnant that children must be kept from it. Any straight person would be offended, likewise, if their relationship were viewed in such a way. No one can ever be too sensitive about their rights as a citizen and their dignity as a human being. I have no doubt that the owner of this blog would agree with these points.
mike April 4, 2013 at 1:25 am: Im sorry to disagree with you but why should my 3 year olds innocence be lost becausr he goes on gay days and sees 2 large men with princess dresses on. What am i supposed to tell him about that when he asks me? So i want to avoid my child losing his young innocence by avoiding gay days. Its not my childs fault, nor my fault that 2 depraved homosexuals want to flaunt thier lifestyles in front of young children. If it was just kiss ing
mike April 4, 2013 at 1:30 am: Then it would be easier to explain, and dont try to tell me it doesnt happen because i have seen it with my own eyes. I dont see touring groups doing depraved things
Psac April 5, 2013 at 9:58 am: Monday April 22 is earth day and the 15th anniversary of Animal Kingdom. Probably a busy day for that park.
Lisa May 8, 2013 at 6:26 pm: I don’t have offense to gay individuals or straight. However I do understand why some families may want to avoid gay days. That’s their personal right to their families. I have never been to a ‘gay day’. I have a 12, 10 and 2 year old and a husband. I personally would be ok with taking my children to a gay day at Disney as long as it is respectful the same as I would expect that same type of respect from straight individuals. Kissing in public is fine as long as it is respectful by anyone. I would hope and expect any human being to be respectful anywhere! Unfortunately some ‘bad apples’ wreck it..straight or gay.

But
Lisa May 8, 2013 at 6:28 pm: Disregard the ‘but’ on my last post on the end. Just an error
mike May 9, 2013 at 3:20 pm: Totally agree lisa couldn’t have said it better myself
Jen May 10, 2013 at 11:42 am: We have been to Disney during Gay Days. We’re a very accepting family, have a number of gay friends, and spend two weeks each summer with my best friend who is gay. Our kids have grown up understanding the basic difference between gay and straight, and they don’t think a thing of it. However, with that said, there are a couple of things you should know about Gay Days if you’re planning to bring your family during that week. Even though we are very accepting people, I was frankly appalled at the public displays going on at MK during our last trip. Our kids were 6 and 7, but they could READ – and it got a little awkward trying to explain the phrases displayed on the multitude of t-shirts worn by gay and lesbian tourists. We were really surprised that Disney allowed the sexually explicit language (rug-munching, boner, etc.) openly displayed, as most parents would be offended by t-shirts like that worn by ANYONE at a family theme park – gay or straight. When I talked to my best friend about it, he was appalled as well – and he’s gay! Our solution was simply to avoid the park designated for Gay Days on the rest of our trip, and we didn’t have any problems. Crowds are lower at the non-gay days designated park anyway! It’s a shame, however, that we don’t feel comfortable bringing our kids to a Gay Day park – they’re used to seeing members of the same sex holding hands, living together, even kissing – but the makeout sessions and vulgar t-shirts were too much even for us. It’s too bad there isn’t a better way to promote acceptance.

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Disney World Calendar of Crowds, Cost, Weather, Events

Introduction

January 2013

February 2013

March 2013

April 2013

May 2013

June 2013

July 2013

August 2013

September 2013

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December 2013

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