| You are right, it is a good question... so what is the | | | | parks by the quality of it's special events. Disney puts |
| answer? | | | | on celebrations almost year around. Some of them |
| Question - When is the best time to visit Walt Disney | | | | draw small crowds. Some draw very large crowds. |
| World? | | | | There are celebrations that last for only one day, like |
| The Answer - it depends. | | | | the 4th of July or New Years Eve. But some last for |
| Yes, that's not a very satisfying answer, but it's a | | | | months, like Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. |
| true one. The best time to visit depends on several | | | | The most popular Special Event at Walt Disney |
| factors. Let's take a look at the most important. | | | | World is the Christmas Holiday season. Festivities |
| Crowds - | | | | start around November 14. Every day during |
| Walt Disney World is notorious for drawing large | | | | Christmas season, Disney throws a Christmas Party. |
| crowds even when other parks don't. The Disney | | | | Every park, every hotel, every restaurant, every |
| World parks always rank at the top in theme park | | | | where you look there are outstanding decorations, |
| attendance. During school holidays, crowds at Disney | | | | special shows and holiday candy. Disney knows how |
| World will swell to unimaginable proportions. Christmas | | | | to celebrate Christmas. The party continues until the |
| week is usually the busiest week at Walt Disney | | | | first Sunday in January the they magically disappear. |
| World. On Christmas Day, if you arrive at the Magic | | | | Make sure to check out the Special Events during |
| Kingdom after mid-morning, you might not get in. | | | | your stay. |
| If you want to miss all of the crowds at Disney | | | | The Prices - |
| World, you will want to visit when school is in session. | | | | Disney hotels are priced by different "seasons". The |
| Usually the last week in January and the first week | | | | lowest time of the year is called Value Season. Value |
| or two of February have the smallest crowds. Fall | | | | Season is when Disney predicts crowds to be the |
| also has smaller attendance. | | | | smallest. Disney also has several promotions during |
| Make sure you know a little about how to avoid | | | | the year. Over the last few years they've offered |
| crowds at Walt Disney World. | | | | promotions with free tickets, free dining, or reduced |
| Weather - | | | | rates on hotels. These promotions sometimes bring in |
| Orlando Florida, is in the smack dab middle of the | | | | big crowds. They can save you lots of money. Free |
| state. Florida can have some extreme weather. | | | | dining can save a family of 4 over $100.00 per day. |
| Orlando isn't exempt from the extremes. Florida is | | | | Ticket prices aren't dependent on crowds. Prices stay |
| also well know for rain. Yes, it rains in Florida. A lot. | | | | the same throughout the year. Disney will usually |
| You can expect to have at least one rain shower | | | | have a price increase the first Sunday in August. |
| during your stay. Sometimes it rains every day. Even | | | | Tickets are a big part of your Disney World vacation. |
| in December. So come prepared. | | | | Several scams have been reported over the last |
| During the summer, temperatures will average in the | | | | couple of years. Make sure you buy your tickets |
| mid to upper 90's, and no, it's not a dry heat. Along | | | | from reputable dealers. |
| with the heat you can expect the humidity to be | | | | Prices for meals at Walt Disney World restaurants |
| 70% or more. This makes for a very sweaty and | | | | are fairly stable. During the holiday seasons (which |
| sometimes uncomfortable combination. Rain is | | | | can be anytime during the year when Disney expects |
| sometimes a blessing. | | | | big crowds) Disney puts on what they call "holiday |
| During the springtime and in the fall the weather in | | | | pricing" on selected restaurants. This will increase the |
| Orlando is usually pretty nice to downright perfect. | | | | price of a meal substantially. If holiday pricing" will be |
| Winter is another story altogether. Winter can be | | | | in effect you should be notified when you make your |
| unpredictable. In December, for example, | | | | reservation. |
| temperatures can range from highs in the 80's to | | | | Make sure to check out what special deals Disney is |
| highs in the 30's, and everything in between. | | | | offering during your stay. |
| Make sure you know what the weather is going to | | | | The Bottom Line - when you look at crowds, |
| be when you arrive. Pack accordingly. | | | | weather, Special Events, and pricing, when is the best |
| Special Events - | | | | time to visit Walt Disney World? |
| Walt Disney World differs from other amusement | | | | Whenever you can. |