Find a holiday in Walt Disney World - Orlando, Florida
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Many would say there’s never a wrong time to go to Walt Disney World. For the best experience, it’s generally recommended to go at the least busy times of the year, so it doesn’t get too overcrowded for you and your family. That being said, there are also special events that may play a part in when you want to visit.
In spring, be aware that the students will be taking their Spring Break between semesters, which can affect how busy the resort gets. Whilst the dates aren’t exactly the same for all universities, it tends to reach the peak in mid-March to mid-April. To avoid the crowds, opt for going early on in March or in late April. Like all seasons, there are pros and cons to going, but one huge perk is catching the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, which is a stunning springtime celebration of blooms.
Summer is a very busy time for Walt Disney World, as the holidays run from June to August. To enjoy the hot weather in the enchanting resort, it’s best to head off later on in the month of August to avoid the main bulk of the crowds and the rainiest month of July. This is a great time to catch some fantastic events, like the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which starts during this season.
Autumn can be a wonderful time to visit as many children have gone back to school and it’s much quieter, especially during September. In October and November, there are a few holidays that can make things a lot busier such as Colombus Day (celebrated on the second Monday of the month), Halloween and Thanksgiving. If you can avoid these times, perhaps choosing to go on weekdays, you may have a less stressful visit. The weather is also comfortably cool and much drier, especially in November.
If you’re looking to visit in winter, it’s often recommended to go on the weekdays during December, as the weekends are often packed. After Christmas and New Year until about mid-February is also a more relaxed time to go. If you’re happy to brace the crowds during peak times, there are countless events that bring a touch of wintry magic to the parks.
The resort has four different parks:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- EPCOT
There’s no shortage of rollercoasters and rides to enjoy, including Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise. On top of the classics, Avatar Flight Of Passage, found in Disney's Animal Kingdom, is an unmissable experience which offers visitors a thrilling immersive experience into the beautiful world of Avatar. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to fly on a Banshee (a dragon-like creature from the film), then this 3D simulation ride is for you!
If you’re more of a Star Wars fan then Rise of the Resistance is a must. It’s more of an experience than a simple theme park attraction as you’re recruited into joining the Resistance. You’re thrown into a story with AT-AT walkers, trackless vehicles and amazing animatronics. Not to mention that as you’re exploring the rides in each park, there will be Disney characters that you can meet at set locations in each of the four areas.
The resort itself is enormous, so there are loads of places to grab a bite to eat. A favourite snack of many Disney-goers is the Dole Whip, which is a refreshing, dairy-free dessert made with pineapple juice, with a texture like that of soft-serve ice cream. There are also lots of waffles, beignets, pizza, churros and cakes for you to choose from as a pick-me-up during a tiring day of meeting princesses and stormtroopers.
For a high-end sit-down meal, nothing beats Victoria & Albert’s. You can indulge in a choice of two set tasting menus, made from seasonal produce and truly dress up for the occasion in formal attire. Or for a more classically 'Disney' experience, you could go to the Beauty and the Beast restaurant called Be Our Guest. You'll genuinely feel as though you’re stepping into the Beast’s enchanted castle, as you’re wined and dined with delicious American-French cuisine in an elegant dining area.
Even after a long day of non-stop fun and entertainment, you'll see that the nightlife is absolutely stunning. Disney Enchantment is a perfect example of how the night comes alive. Cinderella’s castle is lit up whilst music plays and a breathtaking fireworks extravaganza is set off around it, creating the most spellbinding, fairytale atmosphere. You can usually catch one of the fireworks displays every night, but it’s always worth checking the schedule online, just in case.
The park is over 40 square miles, meaning it’s about the same size as San Francisco, so there’s no way you’ll be able to do everything in one trip. Prioritise what you’re desperate to see and use the rest as an excuse to come back again in the future.
There’s a transit system that is found all throughout the resort, making it a lot easier to travel around. You don’t have to pay extra for the buses, monorails, boats or the Disney Skyliner.
Restaurants can get booked up very quickly, so if you missed out on a reservation, you can get alerts when they become available again through a Mousedining account.
As part of Disney Genie+, you can use the Lightning Lane entrance at select attractions and experiences at the Walt Disney World theme parks. They say that on average, guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using the Lightning Lane entrance if the first selection is made early in the day. You'll be able to purchase this service on the day you go to a park at the entrance, as long as it's still available as numbers are limited.