Well, we are less than 3 months out from our Disney World vacation and it can’t get here soon enough!
Choosing when to go to Disney can often be the hardest decision that has to be made when planning your vacation. Aside from the obvious obstacles, (ie school, weather, cost) most people worry about the crowds. My husband and I have vacationed at Disney World during each season and have enjoyed each for different reasons. For us, just being at Disney World is an incredible and exciting time, so ANY time we get to go we’re EXTREMELY happy! But we DO have our favorite time of the year to go and that is during the fall. Let me explain and I hope that I can offer tips for you when that daunting choice of when to visit faces YOUR family.
Summertime is the most obvious time to visit for most families, as the kids are normally out of school for summer vacation. Summer is also the most crowded of the seasons for the same reason. Taking a break during the day, either resting or playing in the pool at your hotel, gives you a chance to regroup after being in the long lines and heat. Disney offers many special events during this time for guests to enjoy, such as Star Wars Weekends and the 4th of July Celebration, which can add a lifetime of memories for the entire family.
Wintertime, especially Christmas, is a wonderful time to enjoy Disney World as the parks are transformed into a winter wonderland of lights and beautiful Christmas decorations that are a MUST see! The weather is cooler, but not necessarily cold (sweaters, hoodies are all that are needed) and the crowds can be large during the main Christmas school holidays, but can be smaller during the early part of December. On the down side, the water parks are generally closed for the winter and water rides can be a bit challenging with the cool air. All in all, this is a magical time of year that is a must for all Disney fanatics.
Springtime is exciting and beautiful at Disney World, but again, you must expect large crowds especially during the spring break season. With the wonderful weather beginning, Disney World reaches some of the highest crowd levels during peak hours, so you must plan accordingly. Events during this time, such as the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, bring the parks to heights of beauty that must be seen to be believed. Weather wise, this may be the best time to visit Disney World with the temperatures in the 70’s and low 80’s which make for comfortable days.
Now, let’s get to Fall, our FAVORITE season for many reasons….the leaves begin to change…there is a crispness in the air…and one of our favorite days of the year is coming….Halloween! Disney in the fall is a wonderful time to plan your trip, even if the kids have to miss a few days of school (this becomes harder the older they get)…the weather is not quite so hot now, the crowds are smaller and the lines are shorter. The parks are decorated in vibrant fall colors with adorable Mickey Mouse pumpkins on the light posts on Main Street, beautiful mums and other fall flowers everywhere…it just gets you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season!
Three big events either take place or start in the fall at Disney World…Mickey’s Not- So- Scary Halloween Party, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival and Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party. All will add some very AWESOME and EXCITING memories to your vacation!
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a MUST DO for families (even the little ones, hence the Not-So-Spooky part) and happens on select nights from September through October. Tickets can be purchased before your trip or at the gate, but it is best to get them early if you have a certain night scheduled to attend, as they do sell out! What could be MORE FUN that dressing up in costumes and going trick or treating in the Magic Kingdom??? As you enter the park, Cast Members give you a cute Disney Trick or Treat bag and a map of the candy stations (which by the way have GREAT candy and other healthy options) located throughout, for a night filled with excitement and fun! You also won’t want to miss Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade with Disney characters dressed up in Halloween costumes on spectacularly decorated floats, being led in by the Headless Horseman! After the parade, you can go to Cinderella’s castle and enjoy the Disney Villains Dance, Mix and Mingle, where you can meet and take pictures with some of your favorite villains!! And of course, the Halloween fireworks show is Fantastic!!!
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is an annual event that takes place this year from September 27th through November 11th. We are very excited about this as we missed it by a week on our last trip, so this will be our first time to attend! We can’t wait to try the delicious foods and drinks from the different countries around the world! There will be celebrity chefs, seminars, dining experiences and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. We will get to enjoy concerts by Starship, the Go-Go’s and Air Supply while we are there!! YAY!
The kick-off to the Christmas season which starts in November, is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that among other sights transforms Disney World into a magical winter wonderland of beautiful lights. Check with The Affordable Mouse website for more information regarding these exciting events as planning is important to find the best times to visit for your family.
I have a feeling that if our Disney World vacation doesn’t get here quickly, I’m going to drive everyone in my office crazy!! I have 3 countdown apps on my phone and iPad and the newest has a timer that goes off each morning at 10:00 and I announce to everyone in close proximity the amount of days we have left before we leave. Soon they will probably start saying it with me when they hear the timer go off and on my last day will breathe a sigh of relief and be GLAD to see me go! HA! I just can’t help myself….I am Disney World OBSESSED!! 🙂
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As Julie says: “I am addicted to all things Disney! 🙂 I grew up in Vernon, TX and now reside in Waller, TX (outside of Houston) on a small ranch with my hubby and all of our animals who we affectionately call “The Zoo Crew”! We have been married almost a year now (together for 7) and have 5 children and 9 grandchildren between the 2 of us. We knew we were meant for each other when we discovered we were both Disney fanatics! 🙂 I went to Disneyland for the first time when I was 6 and fell in love with the magic of Disney. Now, my husband and I go to Disney World every 2 years either with friends or with whichever kid and grandkid are available to go at the time. We spend a lot of time planning our trips to ensure that everyone has the most memorable time while there, so that is what I will be writing about and hopefully give you some ideas to try for YOUR next Disney vacation. I am very excited to be a part of The Affordable Mouse team!”
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