Walt Disney World Yearly Events that Impact Crowds

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

• To see a complete analysis of the best time to plan your visit, see our Avoid the Lines Park Guide.

• 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
Time: January - March
Participation: Some public exhibitions may be scheduled (sports, dance, cheerleading, singing, bands)
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: Walt Disney World Marathon
Time: Second weekend in January
Participation: Registered Event
Location: World-wide
Impact: Possible heavy resort bookings by marathon participants

February

• Continuation of youth group competitions and exhibitions

Event: Presidents Day Weekend
Time: Third weekend in February
Participation: No related events scheduled
Location: Walt Disney World-wide
Impact: Traditional start of spring break season. Possible heavy booking at resorts. Extra crowds possible in all parks. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of fireworks, parades and some shows. ESPN The Weekend impacts crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios the last weekend in February.

Event: Mardi Gras
Time: Mid or late February; early to mid-March.
Participation: Nothing announce at WDW since Pleasure Island Closure
Location: N/A
Impact: Possible extra crowds due to the closure of New Orleans schools.

March

• Continuation of youth group competitions and exhibitions
• Continuation of Mardi Gras

Event: Flower & Garden Festival
Time: Early March, running 75 days
Participation: Open to public
Location: Epcot
Impact: Possible extra crowds at Epcot. Additional live entertainment  at World Showcase

April

• Continuation of Flower & Garden Festival

Event: Easter
Time: Easter Sunday (March or April)
Participation: Open to public
Location: World-wide; some events at some resorts and Downtown Disney
Impact: Likely extreme crowds in all parks, especially MK. Longer park hours with more frequent scheduling of fireworks, parades and some shows.

Event: Grad Nights
Time: Last two weekends in April
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; World Drive between Buena Vista Drive and Osceola Parkway closed to all traffic during late fireworks.

May

• Continuation of Flower & Garden Festival

Event: Star Wars Weekends
Time: Four consecutive weekends mid-May to mid-June.
Participation: Open to public
Location: Disney Hollywood Studios (MGM)
Possible Impact: Extreme crowds at Disney's Hollywood Studios

June

Event: Gay Days
Time: First week in June.
Participation: Unofficial public and private events at Disney & other Orlando locations.
Location: World-wide
Impact: Possible extra crowds in specific parks, one each day. Possible early closings of some theme parks, water parks for private parties.
Additional Information: Scheduled events and times can be found at GayDays.com and OneMightyWeekend.com.

Event: Summer School Recess
Time: Second week in June until Mid-August
Participation: Families with school age children
Location: World-wide
Possible Impact: Heavy bookings at resorts and longer lines in parks and restaurants.

July

• Continuation of Summer School Recess

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.

August

• Continuation of Summer School Recess

Event: Free Dining
Time: Mid-August through September
Participation: Special Disney vacation package promotion available to the public
Location: World-wide
Impact: Possible crowds in all parks. Heavy restaurant bookings and lines at counter service. Click here for more information.

September

• Continuation of Free Dining

Event: Night of Joy
Time: First or Second weekend in September
Participation: Ticketed event open to public
Location: Disney's Hollywood Studios; 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. (To be held in Magic Kingdom in 2010)
Impact: Possible early closings at Studios on Fri/Sat.

Event: Halloween Events
Time: Select Dates September - Early November.
Participation: Public & extended ticketed events
Location: Magic Kingdom, 7 p.m. - 12 a.m; World-wide Halloween
Impact: Early closings at MK for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party; crowds and special events on Halloween night at Downtown Disney

Event: Food & Wine Festival
Time: Late September - Early November
Participation: Open to public; some ticketed events
Location: Epcot
Impact: Possible extra crowds at Epcot, especially the World Showcase, mostly on weekends.

October

• Continuation of Food & Wine Festival

• Continuation of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

November

• Continuation of Food & Wine Festival 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. Possible extra crowds at all parks.

Event: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Time: Select Dates in November and December.
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: 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.

December

• Continuation of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

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.

Event: Pop Warner Sports Tournaments
Time: First weekend in December.
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
Time: Christmas Week
Participation: Public
Location: World-wide
Impact: Heavy booking at resorts for end of December. Extreme crowds on Christmas week and between Christmas and New Year's Day. Resort prices at their most expensive.

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. Cirque du Soleil restricted for ticketed event. Extended Park hours and special fireworks.

MouseForLess members share their favorite month to visit Walt Disney World:

Note: The popularity of Free Dining has increased crowd levels in late August through September in recent years.

Last week in August happens to be one of our favorite times to go. Water rides average about 40+ min wait without fast passes and most other rides range from 10 to 30. Water parks are PACKED.

I was down there one year Labor Day Weekend. Aug 29 - Sept 3. Crowds were ok- better than they were during President's Day week in February. Of course, I didn't think they were too bad then, either. I never waited in line more than 20 minutes, though there were a few posted with longer waits, I just skipped them and came back later.

Columbus Day Week a few years ago - I was there the Sunday before until the Wednesday just after. It was crowded. Got MORE crowded as the week went on actually.

A lot of Floridians try to get in last minute trips at the end of Aug. and it is really crowded still. I went the 3rd week of Aug last year and it was bad during the day.

I would say Aug 20-27 will have less crowds, we went at that time and it was great (no crowds)!

I will be going AGAIN this year during the Third week in May, partially because I really have enjoyed my time then. For the many times I've gone, I have found May and November to be two very good months to go. May provides that break between Spring Break & Summer vacationers, the weather is still not OVERLY hot, and therefore the crowds seem to be less.

I now have 2; last week of April 1st week of May. The weather is beautiful and the parks aren't busy. But, I also like the last week of November 1st week of December since the decorations are up and the parks aren't busy.

Our favorite time to go is the week before, the week of, and the week after Thanksgiving. The week before gives us time to get in all the rides before the crowds come. Then, when Thanksgiving week roles around along with the crowds, we slow down and just enjoy the sights and festivities. Finally, the week after Thanksgiving the crowds begin to thin out again but now all the Christmas decorations are up and the holiday spirit really drives it home for us.

I do love the parks in May, the parks are not really crowded and EPCOT is all dressed up for the Flower and Garden show.... there are some good values to be had on the resorts too! But December by far is my favorite! The parks are all dressed up for Christmas, the special events (MVMCP). The parks are not really crowded until Christmas day and after. The weather is nice and the people, both the CMs and the guests seem to be extra friendly.

May & early December are my 2 must visit times of the year, and I've been squeezing in late Sept trips too the last few years, but the first two are the best times to go in my opinion.

I say the end of August because, less crowds and we love the heat

Well, my answer is easy. August. The crowds were not bad at all, but the hours were pretty short.

December, before Christmas... all the decorations were up and the crowds were low.

We went Aug and Sept last year, September was much quieter and that was much better!

Our family loves to head to WDW the first full week of February. The weather is great--not hot, not cold, so pool time is possible. Virtually no lines at the parks with major attractions being walk-ons during EMH.

I'll have to say January... specifically mid-late January. It's always great as far as crowds!

The week before (not the week OF) Thanksgiving. Runner up: Early May