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Are you among the many that had to cancel, cut short, or postpone your dream vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort recently? We can imagine how disappointing that might have been. After all the planning, dreaming, counting down to the magic, for it to fizzle out unexpectedly. However, there is good news! The magic will be waiting for us when this is all over and the wait will make the experience even more amazing!
To pass the time as we wait, why not keep dreaming about that magical visit by re-scheduling it for the perfect time for you and your family. But when exactly is that? Well, let’s take a look at all the different scenarios and special events you can look forward to when you reschedule.
Health Concerns
The first thing to consider is that currently, the parks are not accepting new reservations before June 1st. So, be sure to plan for that date and beyond. And if you want to be on the conservative side of things, push it back even further to be on the safe side.
Related: It’s Official: Walt Disney World Resort Extends Park Closure
Crowd Calendar
There is nothing quite like experiencing the magic with low crowds. The Walt Disney World Resort is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world, so it’s no wonder it is often jam-packed with Disney fans that are all equally excited to experience the magic.
In recent years, what used to be considered low season is no longer. It seems the tides have changed, and the crowd levels have hit a consistent degree of “busy” throughout the year. That being said, there are still times that the parks tend to be a tad slower or less busy than others.
Rule of thumb is that holidays and school breaks will be busier than when school is in session. Think Spring Break, Summer, and all major holidays. However, Disney has done a good job of drawing people in during lower seasons with special offers, events, and festivals during those used-to-be slow seasons. Think EPCOT festivals, free dining offers, . We’ll expand on those later.
Take a look at this recent Crowd Calendar to get an idea of the ebb and flow of crowds throughout the year. January, February, and September have the most weeks in green. But again, it’s good to keep in mind that special events and offers draw crowds during those times, so be sure to find out what is going on at the parks before you lock in one of those dates expecting low crowds. You don’t want to be surprised with masses upon arrival because you didn’t realize a runDisney race happening. We know this from personal experience!
Lastly, crowd calendars are not an exact science and with all the changes happening currently, we would use this as a last deciding factor when choosing your vacation dates! Remember, a busy day at Disney is better than a day pretty much anywhere else!
Related: Planning a Disney World or Disneyland Trip Even Though the Parks are Closed
Special Events and Festivals
Maybe you want to be there to experience some of these magical events. If you’re a runner, we HIGHLY recommend experiencing a runDisney race. And if you’re a foodie, or really love the holidays, Disney makes all these experiences extra magical!
Special Ticked Events and Holiday Parties
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
The most SPOOK-takular Halloween celebration in the land! Dress up and trick or treat at the most magical place on earth. This party is a fan favorite for a reason!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
A personal favorite, this party is a must-do! If you love all things Disney and Christmas, you’ll have the most holly jolly time during the most wonderful time of the year. Seeing Cinderella Castle decked out in Christmas lights and Magic Kingdom’s halls decked is pure magic!
After Hours Events
On select dates, you can experience your favorite theme parks with crazy low crowds after the parks close. These events are on the pricey side, but we think they’re worth it. Especially if your crew is ok staying up late and going hard at the parks for three hours! Complimentary drinks are included!
Related: Going to a Disney After Hours Event at Magic Kingdom? You can still get FastPasses!
EPCOT Festivals
EPCOT has four seasonal festivals throughout the year. And we love them all almost equally! They all have something special to offer, so be sure to make plans and check them out if you choose to visit when one of the Festivals are happening.
From late winter to spring, you can enjoy the celebration of the visual, performance, and culinary arts at the Epcot International Festival of the Arts. We especially love the Disney on Broadway Concert Series! In the Spring, check out the incredible topiaries throughout the park during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. In the fall, the ever-popular EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. ChEARs! And finally, during the most wonderful time of the year, enjoy the EPCOT International Festival and don’t miss the majestic Candlelight Processional.
Special Offers
Throughout the year, Disney releases special offers that can stretch those Disney dollars and make your vacation extra special! One of the most popular offers is the Free Dining offer where you can add a Disney Dining Plan at no extra cost with the purchase of a resort room and ticket package.
Other magical offers include resort room discounts, Annual Passholder discounts, and Florida Resident specials. You can browse all available offers on the Disney World website and these offers might help you choose the perfect dates for you to reschedule your visit!
Related: Eligible Disney Annual Passholders Can Take Advantage of Free Dining Offer Extension
PRO-TIP: Crunch numbers! Sometimes, a resort room discount is a better saving. Don’t let that word “free” draw you in. Rack room rates are not cheap.
Planning Help
Planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation can be a daunting task. Four theme parks, two water parks, over 25-resort hotels to choose from… Then there are dining reservations, Fastpass+“>Fastpass+ booking windows, and other details that even the most seasoned Disney veteran can miss.
Having a dedicated Travel Agent can make the planning process enjoyable and stress-free! But most importantly, in situations like these were the unexpected happens, they will be there to help every step of the way.
While guests that booked their stays on their own had to navigate long wait times on the phone to deal with modifying their plans, guests that booked with Academy Travel had all that taken care of for them. And the best part, it doesn’t cost them anything extra. Disney picks up that bill! Now that is some magical pixie dust!
We know there are so many great travel agents to choose from, but we can’t recommend our friends at Academy Travel enough! They have earned the highest designation that Disney can bestow upon a travel agency, EarMarked Diamond. With over 20-years of experience, you are not likely to find a better specialized Disney planning service!
Why not enjoy the most magical vacation without stressing about the planning details? Our friends at Academy Travel can offer that white-glove service so you can simply choose your perfect dates and simply count down to that upcoming magical vacation!
We hope these tips help you as you continue dreaming up and planning that upcoming visit to the most magical place on earth! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest Disney news, tips, and more delivered straight to your inbox!