Planning Your Magical Vacation- Part 1. When?

"What are you gonna do now?" "I'm going to Disney World!"

At that moment, you start dreaming of a magical vacation where you ride rides all day, eat great food, and spend quality time with your family. Then you go online and get overwhelmed by all the options at the Walt Disney World Resort. First things first, when are you going to go?

The Walt Disney World Resort is bustling all year. Different events are offered at all times, and going in one season won't give you the same experience as another season. Here are some pros and cons for each time of year:

January through Mid March:

Pros

Temps are cooler

Usually smaller crowd levels

Festival of the Arts at EPCOT

Lower room rates

Cons

Water Parks may be closed due to cold temps

Need to take time off of school for those who have kids

Mid-March through end of Summer:

Pros

Spring Break

Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT

Star Wars Galactic Nights at Hollywood Studios

Water Parks open

Cons

Larger crowds

Higher room rates

Hot temps (especially in the summer months)

Stormy weather possible

Late August through September:

Pros

Usually smaller crowd levels

Lower room rates

Water Parks open

Start of Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT

Start of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Possibility of snagging a free Dining Plan

Cons

Need to take time off of school for those who have kids

Stormy weather possible

October through Mid November:

Pros

Food and Wine Festival at EPCOT

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP; ends October 31st)

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Possibility of snagging a free Dining Plan

Cons

Crowds start to pick up again

Room rates start to go up again

Needs more advanced planning for the MNSSHP

Need to take time off of school for those who have kids

Mid November through Mid December:

Pros

Cooler temps possible

Crowds thin out after Thanksgiving

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP)

Possibility of snagging a free Dining Plan

Cons

Large crowds through Thanksgiving

Room rates high

Needs more advanced planning for the MVMCP

Water Parks may be closed due to cold temps

Last couple of weeks in December:

Pros

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Cooler temps

Possibility of snagging a free Dining Plan

Cons

Lots and lots of people

Very high room rates

Needs more advanced planning

Water Parks may be closed due to cold temps

This list is just an average of what can happen throughout the year. Each year is a little different, and it can be hard to predict exact crowd levels and room rates. Free dining is getting harder and harder to get each year. It is highly coveted, and is gone quickly. Happy Planning!!!