notfrostyjosh
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 5, 2006
An update to what was once a relatively popular thread. The last version was deleted. This is just one person's opinion. Borrowed more or less with permission.
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
January Cost:
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 8" 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: With heavier crowds expected, January 1st through the 5th see longer hours at Magic Kingdom than the rest of the month, with both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes scheduled nightly. As we get closer to January, Disney may extend the close to 11pm and add a second Main Street Electrical Parade on most or all nights. Hollywood Studios stays open through 8pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly. When Disney updates the schedule in December, we can expect a second Fantasmic at 8pm each evening. Over at Animal Kingdom, the hours are currently 9am - 5pm. When the schedule is updated, we should see 7pm closures most days. Epcot has its usual 9am - 9pm day with IllumiNations scheduled nightly at 9pm.
From January 6th through the end of the month, Magic Kingdom's operating hours are much shorter, particularly on weekdays. Expect the 9am - 8pm hours to stick most days, though extensions on Mondays and Thursdays are possible. Magic Kingdom does close later on Saturdays and some Sundays. While Wishes is scheduled nightly, Main Street Electrical Parade is only offered three nights each week, making these days much more crowded because so many people want to see the show. At Hollywood Studios, the hours are shortened to 9am - 7pm after January 6th with Fantasmic scheduled nightly, other than January 22nd when the Studios closes at 6pm for a special event. We can expect Disney to extend the close to 8pm and add a second Fantasmic on weekend dates that are busier as well as Extra Magic Hour Mondays and Saturdays. At Animal Kingdom, the operating hours are 9am - 5pm, which is as short as they get. Expect Disney to extend the close as late as 7pm or 8pm on weekends when it updates the schedule in December to help pull people away from Magic Kingdom. Epcot has its usual 9am - 9pm hours with IllumiNations scheduled nightly at 9pm.
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.
New Refurbishments:
California Grill closes January 6th for a refurbishment that is expected to continue until sometime in the summer.
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 4th (possibly extended to the 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. While the great majority of attractions will be operating, it is important to note that we will most likely be adding a lot of refurbishments throughout the month of January.
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 7th and particularly January 8th. 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 4th. While it's not official, I'm expecting the date to be extended through the 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, its best to avoid them.
February 2013
See the February 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis
February Cost:
February Crowds: Crowds are below average to average through February 13th, which is the Wednesday before Presidents Day Weekend. Presidents 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: Up until February 13th, the operating hours and entertainment schedule are very close to most of January. The Magic Kingdom often closes at 8pm on weekdays and has Wishes scheduled each night at 8pm or 9pm. On Saturdays, Magic Kingdom is open later. Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled less often. At Hollywood Studios, the operating hours are 9am - 7pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly at 7pm. When Disney updates the schedule in January, we may see 8pm or 9pm closes along with a second Fantasmic on days that the Studios offers Extra Magic Hours. Animal Kingdom has its usual 9am - 5pm operating hours at the moment. When the schedule is updated, we may see 6pm or 7pm closes on weekends and Extra Magic Hour Wednesdays. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm hours with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
From February 14th - 23rd: Beginning February 14th, Magic Kingdom is open later and offers both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes nightly. When Disney updates the schedule, we should see a second Electrical Parade added most evenings along with 11pm or 12am closes. At Hollywood Studios, the current operating hours are still 9am - 7pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly. Expect the close to be extended to 9pm most nights with a second Fantasmic scheduled at 8:30pm. Animal Kingdom is currently scheduled to operate from 9am - 5pm most days, though the Saturday - Monday that comprise President's Day Weekend sees 9am - 7pm hours. Expect Disney to extend the close to 7pm or 8pm most days to accommodate the heavier crowds. Epcot is open from 9am - 9pm with IllumiNations nightly at 9pm.
Beginning February 24th, the operating schedule returns to one that looks similar to the first two weeks of the month. The Electrical Parade is scheduled less often and the Studios' hours will be extended less often with fewer nights seeing two Fantasmic shows.
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 California Grill is closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
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.
Valentines 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
March Cost:
Value and Moderate Resorts:
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 (Expected, not yet released): The first eight days in March have operating hours and entertainment similar to most of January and the first two weeks in February. That is, 9am - 8pm to 9am - 10pm operating hours at Magic Kingdom with Wishes scheduled every night, but Main Street Electrical Parade only scheduled on a limited number of nights. Hollywood Studios has Fantasmic scheduled every night and 9am - 7pm or 9am - 8pm operating hours. We may see the operating hours extended and a second Fantasmic scheduled on some or all dates when Disney updates the schedule in the middle of February. Animal Kingdom is open 9am - 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm depending on the day of the week. Epcot sees its usual operating schedule of 9am - 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
Beginning March 9th and continuing through the rest of the month, operating hours will be extended at all Parks other than Epcot and evening entertainment will be much more plentiful. By the time Disney updates the operating schedule in mid-February, expect Magic Kingdom to open as early as 8am and close at 12am most nights. Hollywood Studios' operating hours should be extended to 9am - 10pm to accommodate a second Fantasmic on most nights. Animal Kingdom should be open from 9am to 7pm or 9am - 8pm most nights, with 8am openings possible. Epcot will continue its usual 9am - 9pm schedule with IllumiNations scheduled every night. Over Easter Week, expect additional Extra Magic Hours to help accommodate the massive crowds.
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort is closed. It's expected to open sometime in the summer.
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 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.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6th and runs through May 19th. Because it runs for so long and it isnt 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.
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 2013
April Cost:
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 below average to average crowds for the rest of April.
April Park Hours and Entertainment (expected, not yet released): Easter week sees Park hours that are extended at all Parks other than Epcot, which will continue to operate from 9am to 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. Expect Magic Kingdom to operate from 8am - 12am from April 1st to 6th with a morning Extra Magic Hour scheduled every day. In addition, a second Celebrate A Dream True Parade should be added at 3:30pm and a second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm. Hollywood Studios should be open from 9am - 10pm with Fantasmic scheduled twice nightly. By the time all is said and done, Animal Kingdom should be open from 8am to 8pm or 9am to 8pm from April 1st through the 6th,
Park hours are shorter from April 7th through the end of the month. Magic Kingdom is open until 10pm most nights with Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes scheduled most nights at 9pm and 10pm, respectively. Epcot will be open from 9am to 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. Hollywood Studios is open from 9am to 9pm and offers Fantasmic most nights, with the possible exception of a couple dates that it closes early for private events. Expect extended hours and a second Fantasmic when the Studios hosts morning or evening Extra Magic Hours. Animal Kingdom is open from 9am - 6pm or 7pm every day.
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 below average to average size crowds.
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort is still closed, with an expected reopening sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
Notes:
April still sees a few pool closures, though they are more often the "leisure pools" rather than the main themed pools. Major ride closures are uncommon.
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 isnt 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 (expected, this is what happened in 2012). 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.
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 following acts are expected to perform, though the list may change as we get closer to the Festival:
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Disney Grad Nights have been canceled and will not occur in 2013 or the foreseeable future.
May 2013
May Cost:
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 (Expected, not yet released): May operating hours are average for the most part, with Magic Kingdom open until at least 10pm most nighst with Main Street Electrical Parade scheduled at 9pm and Wishes scheduled at 10pm most nights. Magic Kingdom sees longer operating hours and a second Main Street Electrical Parade on days that are expected to be busier, particularly on Saturdays and the days surrounding the Memorial Day holiday. Hollywood Studios is open from at least 9am to 9pm every day with Fantasmic scheduled every night, other than a day(s) when it may close early for a private event. When the Studios hosts morning or evening Extra Magic Hours, expect the close to be extended to 10pm and a second Fantasmic added at 10:30pm. The close is also extended to 10pm sporadically throughout the month on days that see higher overall crowd levels. During Star Wars Weekends, two Fantasmic shows are scheduled and the hours are extended to 8am - 10pm. Animal Kingdom is open anywhere from 9am - 6pm to 8am - 8pm depending on overall crowds and crowds specific to Animal Kingdom. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm hours and IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
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:
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.
The California Grill remains closed for refurbishment. It is expected to reopen sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
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. Pricing for 2013 is not yet available, but expect to pay $89 - $119 for a single racer or $175 and $205 for a two-person team without theme park admission. 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 isnt 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 (expected, this is what happened in 2012). 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.
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 following acts are expected to perform, though the list may change as we get closer to the Festival:
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Star Wars Weekends dates usually aren't announced until January, but we can expect the weekends of May 17 - 19 and 24 - 26 in 2013 to be included in 2013 if trends over the past ten years continue.
Disney Grad Nights at Magic Kingdom have been discontinued in 2012 and the foreseeable future.
June 2013
June Cost:
Value and Moderate Resorts:
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 quarters in April, most of May, September, October, most of November, and the first three weeks in December. If youre flexible and wary of crowds, youll want to visit during the first two weeks of June. Youll 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 (Expected, not yet announced): On average, June's operating hours are among the longest of the year. Expect Magic Kingdom is to close no earlier than 10pm every night and the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes to be scheduled each evening, making it easier to see them. As we get closer to June, Disney will most likely add a second Main Street Electrical Parade on most nights throughout the month and extend the close to 12am or 1am most nights. Hollywood Studios is open from 9am - 9pm each day with Fantasmic scheduled at 9pm. A second Fantasmic should be added to most or all nights as we approach June and the Studios' close will be extended to 10pm to help accommodate the show. During Star Wars Weekends, expect Hollywood Studios to be open from 8am - 10pm. Expect Animal Kingdom to be open from 9am - 7pm or 8pm every day. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm operating hours with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. June is also the beginning of the summer Extra Magic Hours schedule, where a second set of evening Extra Magic Hours are scheduled at Magic Kingdom each week on Fridays.
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:
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort began a refurbishment in January, it may be completed by now.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
Notes:
June Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:
Dates for Star Wars Weekends usually come out in January. If trends over the past ten years continue, we can expect the event to occur on May 31st - June 2nd and June 7th - 9th. and See this post for more information about Star Wars Weekend, what to expect, and how to avoid the crowds.
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, well 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, theyll plan to arrive earlier and wont leave early enough that we can get a lot done after theyre gone. On Friday, the Gay Days crowds will just add to an already busy Hollywood Studios because its 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), its unlikely that youll even notice theyre 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 wont 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 isnt 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 thats our plan of attack anyway, we dont 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 wont 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 doesnt make crowds any larger than they would be otherwise.
In 2012, the bands were:
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
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 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 8" 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: With heavier crowds expected, January 1st through the 5th see longer hours at Magic Kingdom than the rest of the month, with both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes scheduled nightly. As we get closer to January, Disney may extend the close to 11pm and add a second Main Street Electrical Parade on most or all nights. Hollywood Studios stays open through 8pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly. When Disney updates the schedule in December, we can expect a second Fantasmic at 8pm each evening. Over at Animal Kingdom, the hours are currently 9am - 5pm. When the schedule is updated, we should see 7pm closures most days. Epcot has its usual 9am - 9pm day with IllumiNations scheduled nightly at 9pm.
From January 6th through the end of the month, Magic Kingdom's operating hours are much shorter, particularly on weekdays. Expect the 9am - 8pm hours to stick most days, though extensions on Mondays and Thursdays are possible. Magic Kingdom does close later on Saturdays and some Sundays. While Wishes is scheduled nightly, Main Street Electrical Parade is only offered three nights each week, making these days much more crowded because so many people want to see the show. At Hollywood Studios, the hours are shortened to 9am - 7pm after January 6th with Fantasmic scheduled nightly, other than January 22nd when the Studios closes at 6pm for a special event. We can expect Disney to extend the close to 8pm and add a second Fantasmic on weekend dates that are busier as well as Extra Magic Hour Mondays and Saturdays. At Animal Kingdom, the operating hours are 9am - 5pm, which is as short as they get. Expect Disney to extend the close as late as 7pm or 8pm on weekends when it updates the schedule in December to help pull people away from Magic Kingdom. Epcot has its usual 9am - 9pm hours with IllumiNations scheduled nightly at 9pm.
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.
New Refurbishments:
California Grill closes January 6th for a refurbishment that is expected to continue until sometime in the summer.
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 4th (possibly extended to the 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. While the great majority of attractions will be operating, it is important to note that we will most likely be adding a lot of refurbishments throughout the month of January.
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 7th and particularly January 8th. 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 4th. While it's not official, I'm expecting the date to be extended through the 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, its best to avoid them.
February 2013
See the February 2013 Crowd Calendar with Daily Analysis
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 Crowds: Crowds are below average to average through February 13th, which is the Wednesday before Presidents Day Weekend. Presidents 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: Up until February 13th, the operating hours and entertainment schedule are very close to most of January. The Magic Kingdom often closes at 8pm on weekdays and has Wishes scheduled each night at 8pm or 9pm. On Saturdays, Magic Kingdom is open later. Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled less often. At Hollywood Studios, the operating hours are 9am - 7pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly at 7pm. When Disney updates the schedule in January, we may see 8pm or 9pm closes along with a second Fantasmic on days that the Studios offers Extra Magic Hours. Animal Kingdom has its usual 9am - 5pm operating hours at the moment. When the schedule is updated, we may see 6pm or 7pm closes on weekends and Extra Magic Hour Wednesdays. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm hours with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
From February 14th - 23rd: Beginning February 14th, Magic Kingdom is open later and offers both the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes nightly. When Disney updates the schedule, we should see a second Electrical Parade added most evenings along with 11pm or 12am closes. At Hollywood Studios, the current operating hours are still 9am - 7pm with Fantasmic scheduled nightly. Expect the close to be extended to 9pm most nights with a second Fantasmic scheduled at 8:30pm. Animal Kingdom is currently scheduled to operate from 9am - 5pm most days, though the Saturday - Monday that comprise President's Day Weekend sees 9am - 7pm hours. Expect Disney to extend the close to 7pm or 8pm most days to accommodate the heavier crowds. Epcot is open from 9am - 9pm with IllumiNations nightly at 9pm.
Beginning February 24th, the operating schedule returns to one that looks similar to the first two weeks of the month. The Electrical Parade is scheduled less often and the Studios' hours will be extended less often with fewer nights seeing two Fantasmic shows.
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 California Grill is closed for refurbishment and is expected to reopen sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
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.
Valentines 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
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.
- 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 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 (Expected, not yet released): The first eight days in March have operating hours and entertainment similar to most of January and the first two weeks in February. That is, 9am - 8pm to 9am - 10pm operating hours at Magic Kingdom with Wishes scheduled every night, but Main Street Electrical Parade only scheduled on a limited number of nights. Hollywood Studios has Fantasmic scheduled every night and 9am - 7pm or 9am - 8pm operating hours. We may see the operating hours extended and a second Fantasmic scheduled on some or all dates when Disney updates the schedule in the middle of February. Animal Kingdom is open 9am - 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm depending on the day of the week. Epcot sees its usual operating schedule of 9am - 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
Beginning March 9th and continuing through the rest of the month, operating hours will be extended at all Parks other than Epcot and evening entertainment will be much more plentiful. By the time Disney updates the operating schedule in mid-February, expect Magic Kingdom to open as early as 8am and close at 12am most nights. Hollywood Studios' operating hours should be extended to 9am - 10pm to accommodate a second Fantasmic on most nights. Animal Kingdom should be open from 9am to 7pm or 9am - 8pm most nights, with 8am openings possible. Epcot will continue its usual 9am - 9pm schedule with IllumiNations scheduled every night. Over Easter Week, expect additional Extra Magic Hours to help accommodate the massive crowds.
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort is closed. It's expected to open sometime in the summer.
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 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.
The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival begins March 6th and runs through May 19th. Because it runs for so long and it isnt 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.
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
April 2013
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 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 below average to average crowds for the rest of April.
April Park Hours and Entertainment (expected, not yet released): Easter week sees Park hours that are extended at all Parks other than Epcot, which will continue to operate from 9am to 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. Expect Magic Kingdom to operate from 8am - 12am from April 1st to 6th with a morning Extra Magic Hour scheduled every day. In addition, a second Celebrate A Dream True Parade should be added at 3:30pm and a second Main Street Electrical Parade added at 11pm. Hollywood Studios should be open from 9am - 10pm with Fantasmic scheduled twice nightly. By the time all is said and done, Animal Kingdom should be open from 8am to 8pm or 9am to 8pm from April 1st through the 6th,
Park hours are shorter from April 7th through the end of the month. Magic Kingdom is open until 10pm most nights with Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes scheduled most nights at 9pm and 10pm, respectively. Epcot will be open from 9am to 9pm with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. Hollywood Studios is open from 9am to 9pm and offers Fantasmic most nights, with the possible exception of a couple dates that it closes early for private events. Expect extended hours and a second Fantasmic when the Studios hosts morning or evening Extra Magic Hours. Animal Kingdom is open from 9am - 6pm or 7pm every day.
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 below average to average size crowds.
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort is still closed, with an expected reopening sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
Notes:
April still sees a few pool closures, though they are more often the "leisure pools" rather than the main themed pools. Major ride closures are uncommon.
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 isnt 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 (expected, this is what happened in 2012). 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.
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 following acts are expected to perform, though the list may change as we get closer to the Festival:
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Disney Grad Nights have been canceled and will not occur in 2013 or the foreseeable future.
May 2013
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 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 (Expected, not yet released): May operating hours are average for the most part, with Magic Kingdom open until at least 10pm most nighst with Main Street Electrical Parade scheduled at 9pm and Wishes scheduled at 10pm most nights. Magic Kingdom sees longer operating hours and a second Main Street Electrical Parade on days that are expected to be busier, particularly on Saturdays and the days surrounding the Memorial Day holiday. Hollywood Studios is open from at least 9am to 9pm every day with Fantasmic scheduled every night, other than a day(s) when it may close early for a private event. When the Studios hosts morning or evening Extra Magic Hours, expect the close to be extended to 10pm and a second Fantasmic added at 10:30pm. The close is also extended to 10pm sporadically throughout the month on days that see higher overall crowd levels. During Star Wars Weekends, two Fantasmic shows are scheduled and the hours are extended to 8am - 10pm. Animal Kingdom is open anywhere from 9am - 6pm to 8am - 8pm depending on overall crowds and crowds specific to Animal Kingdom. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm hours and IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm.
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:
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.
The California Grill remains closed for refurbishment. It is expected to reopen sometime during the summer.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
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. Pricing for 2013 is not yet available, but expect to pay $89 - $119 for a single racer or $175 and $205 for a two-person team without theme park admission. 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 isnt 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 (expected, this is what happened in 2012). 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.
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 following acts are expected to perform, though the list may change as we get closer to the Festival:
These are the acts that performed in 2012, to give you an idea of the talent:
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 7: Chubby Checker and The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere and The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Star Wars Weekends dates usually aren't announced until January, but we can expect the weekends of May 17 - 19 and 24 - 26 in 2013 to be included in 2013 if trends over the past ten years continue.
Disney Grad Nights at Magic Kingdom have been discontinued in 2012 and the foreseeable future.
June 2013
June Cost:
Value and Moderate Resorts:
- 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 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 quarters in April, most of May, September, October, most of November, and the first three weeks in December. If youre flexible and wary of crowds, youll want to visit during the first two weeks of June. Youll 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 (Expected, not yet announced): On average, June's operating hours are among the longest of the year. Expect Magic Kingdom is to close no earlier than 10pm every night and the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes to be scheduled each evening, making it easier to see them. As we get closer to June, Disney will most likely add a second Main Street Electrical Parade on most nights throughout the month and extend the close to 12am or 1am most nights. Hollywood Studios is open from 9am - 9pm each day with Fantasmic scheduled at 9pm. A second Fantasmic should be added to most or all nights as we approach June and the Studios' close will be extended to 10pm to help accommodate the show. During Star Wars Weekends, expect Hollywood Studios to be open from 8am - 10pm. Expect Animal Kingdom to be open from 9am - 7pm or 8pm every day. Epcot has its usual 9am to 9pm operating hours with IllumiNations scheduled each night at 9pm. June is also the beginning of the summer Extra Magic Hours schedule, where a second set of evening Extra Magic Hours are scheduled at Magic Kingdom each week on Fridays.
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:
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.
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort began a refurbishment in January, it may be completed by now.
New Refurbishments:
None at this time.
Notes:
June Special Events That May Affect Crowds or Your Stay:
Dates for Star Wars Weekends usually come out in January. If trends over the past ten years continue, we can expect the event to occur on May 31st - June 2nd and June 7th - 9th. and See this post for more information about Star Wars Weekend, what to expect, and how to avoid the crowds.
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, well 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, theyll plan to arrive earlier and wont leave early enough that we can get a lot done after theyre gone. On Friday, the Gay Days crowds will just add to an already busy Hollywood Studios because its 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), its unlikely that youll even notice theyre 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 wont 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 isnt 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 thats our plan of attack anyway, we dont 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 wont 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 doesnt 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
