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Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World, but you're
not quite sure what time of year might be best to go? Yearly events at
Walt Disney World can have a significant impact on crowd levels, park
hours, and offerings such as fireworks and parades. The chart below
summarizes some of the special events you can expect during specific
times of the year and the impact they may have on your vacation. While
the scheduling of these events are somewhat predictable, travelers
should consult official WDW information if they want to confirm dates
for any of these events.
• For current park hours and parade and firework times
visit Disney Online
Additionally, the scheduling of Extra Magic Hours can have an impact on crowds at parks designated to open early or close late.
January
Event: Youth Group Competitions and Exhibitions
(sports, dance, cheerleading, bands)
Time: January - March
Participation: Some public exhibitions may be
scheduled
Location: World-wide
Impact: Heavy bookings at some resorts, especially
All-Stars, by youth groups, where the noise levels may be significantly increased. Possible random closure of certain park attractions for use as event venues such as Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Event: Disney's Pirate and Princess Party
Time: Select Dates Late January - Early June
Participation: Public, ticketed event
Location: Magic Kingdom; 7:00 p.m to 12:00 a.m
Impact: Possible early closures at the Magic Kingdom
Event: Walt Disney World Marathon
Time: Second weekend in January. Next Dates: 1/8/09 - 1/11/09
Participation: Registered Event
Location: World-wide
Impact: Possible heavy resort bookings by marathon
participants. Restricted access to some park areas during race.
February
Continuation: Youth Group Competitions and Exhibitions
Continuation: Disney's Pirate and Princess Parties at Magic Kingdom
Event: Presidents Day Week
Time: Third weekend in February
Participation: No related events scheduled
Location: Walt Disney World-wide
Impact: Possible heavy booking at resorts. Extra crowds possible in all
parks. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of fireworks,
parades and some shows.
Event: Mardi Gras
Time: Mid or late February; early to mid-March. Next Date: 2/24/09
Participation: Open to public
Location: Pleasure Island
Impact: Possible extra crowds due to the closure of New Orleans schools. Increased crowds and drinking at Pleasure Island
March
Continuation: Youth Group Competitions and Exhibitions
Continuation: Disney's Pirate and Princess Parties at Magic Kingdom
Continuation: Mardi Gras
Event: Spring Break
Time: Mid-March - Late April
Participation: No related events scheduled
Location: Walt Disney World-wide
Impact: Possible heavy booking at resorts. Extra crowds possible in all
parks. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of fireworks,
parades and some shows.
Event: Flower & Garden Festival
Time: Mid-March, running 75 days
Participation: Open to public
Location: Epcot
Impact: Possible extra crowds at Epcot. Additional live entertainment at World Showcase
April
Continuation: Disney's Pirate and Princess Parties at Magic Kingdom
Continuation: Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot
Continuation: Spring Break
Event: Easter
Time: Easter Sunday (March or April). Next Date: 4/12/09
Participation: Open to public
Location: World-wide
Impact: Likely extreme crowds in all parks,
especially MK. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of
fireworks, parades and some shows. Special events at some resorts and Downtown
Disney
Event: Grad Nights
Time: Last two weekends in April. Next Dates: 4/17/2009 - 4/25/2009
Participation: Private event
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studio, 10 p.m. - 4 a.m
Impact: Fri/Sat Early closure at Disney's Hollywood Studio, approximately 6:00 pm. Increased traffic in the vicinity.
May
Continuation: Disney's Pirate and Princess Parties at Magic Kingdom
Continuation: Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot
June
Event: Gay Days
Time: First week in June. Next Dates: June 2-8, 2009
Participation: Unofficial public and private events
Location: World-wide
Impact: Possible extra crowds in specific parks, one per day. Possible early closings of some theme parks, water parks and Pleasure Island clubs for private parties.
Additional Information: Scheduled events and times
can be found at GayDays.com and OneMightyWeekend.com.
Event: Star Wars Weekends
Time: Four consecutive weekends in June
Participation: Open to public
Location: Disney Hollywood Studios (MGM)
Possible Impact: Increased crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Event: Summer Vacation
Time: June - mid-August
Participation: No related events scheduled
Location: Walt Disney World-wide
Impact: Schools out and families are headed to WDW! Possible heavy booking at resorts. Extra crowds in all parks. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of fireworks, parades and some shows.
July
Continuation: Summer Vacation
Event: Independence Day celebrations
Time: 4th of July
Participation: Open to public
Location: World-wide
Impact: Heavy crowds in all parks except Animal Kingdom.
Longer park hours and special firework shows. Heavy Crowds at Pleasure Island
August
Continuation: Summer Vacation through first half of August
September
Event: Night of Joy
Time: First weekend in September. Next Date: 9/5 & 9/6 2008
Participation: Ticketed event open to public
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios; 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Impact: Possible early closings at Studios on Fri/Sat.
Event: MNSSHP & Halloween
Time: Select Dates September - October 31st. Next Dates: 9/5 - 10/31, 2008
Participation: Public & extended ticketed events
Location: Magic Kingdom, 7 p.m. - 12 a.m for MNSSHP; Downtown Disney Halloween
Impact: Early closings at MK for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party;
crowds and special events on Halloween day/night at Downtown Disney
Event: Food & Wine Festival
Time: Late September - Early November. Next Dates: 9/26 -11/9, 2008
Participation: Open to public; some ticketed events
Location: Epcot
Impact: Possible extra crowds at Epcot, especially
the World Showcase, mostly on weekends. Some events may require advance tickets and reservations.
October
Continuation: Food & Wine Festival at Epcot
Continuation: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Parties at Magic Kingdom
November
Continuation: Food & Wine Festival at Epcot through first week.
Event: Jersey Week
Time: First or Second in November
Participation: New Jersey Teachers Convention & Jersey Families
Location: World-wide
Impact: Decreased availability at resorts. Extra crowds at all parks.
Event: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Time: Select Dates in November and December. Next Dates: 11/10 - 12/19, 2008
Participation: Ticketed event
Location: Magic Kingdom
Impact: Early closings at MK for ticketed events. Possible heavier than usual dinner crowds at MK restaurants and resorts.
Event: Super Soap Weekend
Time: Second weekend in November. Next Dates: 11/15 & 11/16, 2008
Participation: Public events
Location: Disney Hollywood Studios
Impact: Extreme crowds at Studios
Event: Thanksgiving
Time: November 25th
Participation: No special events scheduled
Location: World-wide
Impact: Likely extreme crowds on Thanksgiving
weekend, especially at MK; heavy bookings at sit-down restaurants.
Event: ABC Filming of MK Christmas Parade
Time: Late November/Early December
Participation: Public
Location: Magic Kingdom
Impact: Extreme crowds in the Magic Kingdom; some shows and parades may be cancelled.
December
Continuation: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties at Magic Kingdom
Event: Pop Warner Sports Tournaments
Time: First weekend in December. Next Dates: 12/7 - 12/13, 2008
Participation: Some public exhibitions may be
scheduled
Location: Wide World of Sports
Impact: Heavy bookings at some resorts, especially
All-Stars, by youth groups; possible crowds in parks during evening hours.
Event: Christmas events
Time: Christmas Week and After
Participation: Public
Location: World-wide
Impact: Heavy booking
at resorts for end of December. Extreme crowds during Christmas week
and between Christmas and New Year's Day. Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studio 11/28 - 1/4/2009; Candlelight Processional at Epcot 11/28 - 12/30
Event: New Year's Eve events
Time: December 31
Participation: Public & ticketed
Location: World-wide
Impact: Heavy booking at resorts.
Extreme crowds at all parks. PI restricted for ticketed event. Special Celebration at Atlantic Dancehall on the Boardwalk; Extra Performance of Cirque du Soleil (ticketed and priced separately). Extended
Park hours and special fireworks.
Updated June 01, 2008
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