If there is one thing Disney is good at (and there are, of course MANY things Disney is good at!), it’s knowing how to keep us wanting to come back. 
There’s always something new to see or do: new rides, new attractions, new shows, new promotions, new events….you really can never say that you’ve seen or done it all.The special events that are scheduled year-round at Walt Disney World are a perfect example of this. For nearly every month of the year, there is some special event that is above and beyond your basic theme-park vacation. Some are quite well-known, like the Food and Wine Festival. But others are just as much fun, yet not as well-known. And as I have found in working with my travel clients, many people don’t know about any of these events.
So with that in mind, here is a run-down on additional Disney fun throughout the year. When you check them all out, you just might find that you will want to plan your next vacation to take advantage of one of them!
January:
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5 – 8, 2012. Registration opened on March 15, for the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon, Disney Marathon Relay, and Walt Disney World Half Marathon featuring special medals.
February:
Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend, which will take place February 24-26, 2012 at Walt Disney World. To run in the Half Marathon, you must be 14 years of age or older. Other events that weekend include the all-ages Disney Royal Family 5K, Disney Royal Family Kids’ Races, and Disney’s Fit for a Princess Expo
March:
ESPN the Weekend is a special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park featuring all-star athletes, live ESPN telecasts, broadcast personalities and the chance to meet and greet your favorite sports stars. Next year’s event will be held from March 2-4, 2012.
March, April, May:
Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival, next year scheduled for March 7 – May 20, 2012. This Festival presented by HGTV celebrates spring and gardening as only Disney can do it, with whimsical topiaries, colorful flowers and gardens, presentations from gardening experts, and the Flower Power Concert Series.
May, June:
Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates all things Star Wars. During these special weekends, you can meet Star Wars celebrities and get the autographs of your favorites. Guests under 12 can enroll in the Jedi Training Academy or take the Padawan Mind Challenge. And each day ends with Hyperspace Hoopla, where guests, Wookies, Jedis, and stormtroopers sing, dance, and just have fun.
June, July:
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series of tribute bands at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot. You’ll hear bands playing tribute to classic music from U2, The Bee Gees, Janet Jackson, Bon Jovi and many more. It’s a summer fun dance party that is perfect for all ages.
July:
Fourth of July fireworks and patriotic festivities
September:
Night of Joy is an after-hour evenings of contemporary Christian music. While artists are performing at several stages, many popular Magic Kingdom attractions also are available for Night of Joy guests.
September, October:
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a special event that takes place on certain nights in the Magic Kingdom. From 7 p.m. to midnight, guests can trick-or-treat, see Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade; and the special Happy HalloWishes fireworks.
September, October, November:
Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, this year being held from September 30 through November 13, 2011. This year’s theme is “Passport to a World of Flavors,” and will feature new offerings from Hawaii, the Caribbean islands and Portugal. Call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) or visit www.disneyworld.com/foodandwine for information. In addition, Epcot also offers the Eat to the Beat concert series, which runs during the Festival.
November:
Special Olympics Florida Fall Classic at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is the second largest Special Olympics event held in Florida each year and is the state championships in the sports of softball, bowling, power lifting, roller skating, target bowling and gymnastics for more than 1,300 Special Olympics athletes from throughout Florida.
Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney: Nearly 150 award-winning artists exhibit their paintings, jewelry, sculptures and photographs, this year to be held from November 11-13. The Festival also features live entertainment and family-friendly activities each day.
November, December:
Holidays Around the World in Epcot – The Candlelight Processional, is a moving presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a Mass choir and 50-piece orchestra. This event takes place in the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase in Epcot. This year, the Candlelight Processional begins November 25, 2011, and runs every evening until December 30.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom- These special parties, which run from 7 p.m. to midnight, allow guests to enjoy special holiday festivities including the nightly lighting of the Castle Dream Lights; Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade featuring Santa Claus; special Holiday Wishes Fireworks; Celebrate the Season Castle Stage Show; snow on Main Street, U.S.A.; and free hot cocoa and cookies.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this year to be held from November 10, 2011 through January 3, 2012. With 5 million individual lights, more than 40 hidden Mickeys, a 70-ft tall Christmas tree displaying 58,000 shimmering lights and a 30-ft tall tree with 27,300 lights, this free display will truly take your breath away.
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom celebrates the holidays like the animals do, this year from November thru January 2, 2012.
The Festival of the Seasons in Downtown Disney begins in mid November and runs through December 24. Here Santa Claus will meet with children and pose for pictures daily at the Marketplace.
So, what’s happening during your next Disney World vacation?
For more information about any of these events, visit DisneyWorld.com/Special Events. Special thanks to AllEars.net for additional information and details.
Want help planning your Disney vacation? Find out how the FREE services of a Disney World travel agent can make it all simple…and save you time and money too!
Related posts:
- Disney Vacation Planning: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
- Running With Disney: We Have a Plan! Sort of….
- Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Tips for Eating Your Way Around the World
- Christmas at Walt Disney World: The Candlelight Processional
- Walt Disney World Holidays: What You Must See During the Chrismas Season
Festival of the Masters is November 9-11 this year!