Walt Disney World 2012 Price Seasons
2012 RESORT PRICE SEASONS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
The material below shows the different resort prices at Walt Disney World at different times of the year in 2012.
(If you are looking for current deals and discounts, click here. For 2013 prices, click here)
Ticket prices don’t vary over the course of the year–although they typically have an annual increase in the summer. See this for more on ticket prices.
Resort prices, however, are almost twice as high during some periods as they are at others. The details are below.
2012 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS
Below are actual Walt Disney World 2012 resort price seasons. “X% Higher” means compared to the lowest prices of the year.
In addition to the below, Disney ups prices an additional $10-50 per night during certain weekends and holidays.
To see actual 2012 prices including these weekend/holiday effects, click on the first thumbnail for Pop Century prices (the other values follow this pattern), the second for the Polynesian (the other deluxes follow the Poly’s pattern) or the third for the moderates.
2012 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: VALUE RESORTS
- Lowest of year–the value season–begins: 1/2/12
- 60% higher–the peak season–begins: 2/16/12
- 30% higher–the regular season-begins 2/26/12
- 60% higher–the peak season–begins: 3/9/12
- 85% higher–the Easter season–begins: 4/1/12
- 30% higher–the regular season–begins: 4/15/12
- 55% higher–the summer season–begins: 6/1/12
- 5% higher–near lowest of year–the value season 2– begins: 8/5/12
- 13% higher–the fall season, with low prices, begins: 9/28/12
- 90% higher begins: 12/21/12
2012 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: DELUXE RESORTS (Polynesian example)
- Lowest of year–the value season– begins: 1/2/12
- 35% higher–the peak season–begins: 2/16/12
- 15% higher–the regular season–begins 2/26/12
- 35% higher–the peak season–begins: 3/9/12
- 45% higher–the Easter season–begins 4/1/12
- 15% higher–the regular season–begins: 4/15/12
- 3% higher–near-lowest of year–the value season 2– begins: 7/15/12
- Lowest of year–the value season– begins: 8/19/12
- 16% higher–the regular season 2–begins 9/28/12
- 8% higher–the fall season, with low prices, begins 10/21/12
- 60% higher–the holiday season–begins: 12/21/12
2012 DISNEY WORLD PRICE SEASONS: MODERATE RESORTS (Caribbean Beach example)
- Lowest of year–the value season–begins: 1/2/12
- 30% higher–the peak season–begins: 2/16/12
- 15% higher–the regular season-begins 2/26/12
- 30% higher–the peak season–begins: 3/9/12
- 45% higher–the Easter season–begins: 4/1/12
- 15% higher–the regular season–begins: 4/15/12
- 20% higher–the summer season–begins: 6/1/12
- 3% higher–near lowest of year–the value season 2–begins: 8/5/12
- 6% higher–The fall season, with low prices, begins: 9/28/12
- 50% higher begins: 12/21/12
MORE ON WHEN TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD
- For when to go to Walt Disney World, see this
- For the next best dates, see this
- For the best and worst times to visit, see this
- For 2012 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For the 2012 Week Picker, see this
- For 2013 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For the 2013 Week Picker, click here
- For 2014 weeks to visit, ranked in order, see this
- For forecasting crowds at Walt Disney World, see this
- For the 2012 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For the 2013 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For the 2014 Crowd Calendar, click here
- For seasonal pricing at Walt Disney World, see this
- For 2012 price seasons, see this
- For 2013 price seasons, click here
- For projected 2014 price seasons, see this
- For weather at Walt Disney World, see this
 |
65 comments
i just wanna thank you for sharing your this information and your site or blog this is simple but nice article I?ve ever seen i like it i learn something new today?
Sent via Blackberry
When will the actual 2012 rates be released by Disney? I will be running the 1/2 marathon in January and it is a wonderful excuse to take the family to WDW!
Hi Natalie, based on past patterns they’ll be out in August 2011. However, you can book your hotel now and fix the prices later–see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/02/21/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-walt-disney-world-vacation/
as pattern shows from the past couple of years wdw has generally offered free dining plan from aug to oct do you think this might be a trend and continue to happen for 2012
Hi Heidi!
There’s no way to know for sure, but if I had to bet, I’d bet on free dining in 2012!
Hi Dave,
I’ve heard that Disney sends offers in the mail, in the form of a letter or postcard, with special deals.. not to everyone, but to some people, offering things like resort discounts & free meal plans. Any thoughts on what to do to improve my chances of getting on such a list? I’ve registered for everything imaginable related to Disney World, ordered the free planning DVD , etc.. Any input will assist greatly.. Thanks!
Hi Marina!
I don’t have the secret to this–I wish I did.
I saw something somewhere–I’d credit it if I could remember where I saw it–that suggests using one email/street address for heavy interatctions with Disney, and another email/street address (e.g. a work address) for just a preliminary inquiry–i.e.. ordering the planning DVD.
The theory of this is that if you interact heavily you won’t get the special codes, as they’ll figure you will be going anyway. The light interaction contact info is the one that will get you the codes.
Dunno if this is true, but it makes some sense, and can’t hurt to try!
We are planning to go at the end of April 2012. I see you mentioned that maybe they could be offering the free dining plan. Do you think that will be offered for the value hotels like Pop Century too? I’m trying to get an idea how much money to put away each month so that we have enough saved for when we go. That special would definitely help. Where do I go to find out about these promotions, disney site?
Hi Lori!
We won’t know if there are any discounts for late April 2012 probably for at least 6 months. I wouldn’t count on any–that way you are safe.
I’ll report on discounts here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/ The key Disney Wolrd page is here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/
My family and I are hopefully going to be planning a vacation to WDW in 2012. Prices seem to go up a little bit each year. Is there any discounts around July 2012?
Hi Kristen!
There’s no July 2012 discounts out now except maybe for military families. It’s unusual for Disney to discount July because it can count on high crowds anyway. Discounts, if they emerge, could come out anytime from 9 months or more ahead to a month or two. While anything is possible, it depends on the economy and its effect on Disney bookings…
Thank you Dave very much!
Hi! We are planning on a WDW trip for the beginning of February 2012. I know we can never truly know what special offers there may be . . . but do you have any predictions? We went the same week last year and had free dining and are hoping for it again. Any guesses on what you think they may offer this year??
Hi Shellie! OK, you asked for a guess, and my guess is that unless the economy tanks again, if there is an offer, it will be room discounts, not free dining.
Hi. I am looking at a 3 night/4 day at Wilderness Lodge to check-in Dec.31. Should I push this off 1 day as your price planner shows Jan.1 as a forecasted deal time?
Scott the odds are quite high that prices will be a lot lower on Jan 1 than on December 31. Won’t know for sure until the 2012 prices come out, likely in early August. Crowds will also be better!!
Am i reading the Disney website wrong or are Polynesian’s Fall Weekend 2012 rates for Thu/Fri? while fall weekday rates are Sat-Wed???
Hi Mike–yes, nice catch, but.
The accomodations section of the Poly’s website indeed is returning Thursdays and Fridays as the “weekend” dates eg http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/polynesian-resort/rates-rooms/?showYear=2012+Regular+Season+2+-+Weekend …but if you try to book a room, Disney’s system correctly prices weekends as Fridays and Saturdays, and prices Thursdays as weekdays eg http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/_framework/components/processEngine?startOver=true&gatewayID=landing
In other words, you are reading it correctly, but I’m 99% certain it’s a typo!!
Mike–an update–the Disney site is now correct!
You do such a nice job! Thanks!
Do you think it wise to book now for January, or wait until October?
Looking for a week, say 1/8 through 1/12.
Best deals are always what we miss!
Hi Tim!
if you are worried about a discount, you can book now but take advantage of any discounts showing up later. The easiest way to do this is via a travel agent (explaining to them that that’s your goal.) See the form on the lower right–if you book with them starting with that form, they share a bit of their commission with me which helps compensate the time I put into the site!
That siad, since the dates you are thinking about are already low priced, and between the marathon and MLK weekends, I’d guess there won’t be a dscount announced for them…but nobody knows!
Can I take advantage of today’s special offers if I book now and arrive at Disney sometime in april?
Melvin, if you mean the price seasons on this page, the answer is yes.
If you mean the various deals that Disney is running now like on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/ those all have “stay by” dates that end in the early fall of this year.
Are the value rooms close to the moderate rooms?
0o==
In the top message
I am asking about cleaniness and etc.
Hi Lynn!
They are equally clean.
Just regarding the standard rooms, key differences are as follows:
Moderates are much larger, many–but not all–have queen beds, there’s plenty of storage, and a minifridge comes for free.
Values are about as small as a hotel room can get, have full beds, are at best adequate on storage, and for a minifridge you have to request and pay for it–around $10 bucks a nite.
For more, see the links on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/04/10/more-on-where-to-stay-at-walt-disney-world/
Hi,
We are plannnig on going to wdw in dec 2-11 2011 or jan 3-12 2012, which is better if we are only going once? Do you think there will be free dining? What about Pop Warner week does that interfere with staying on site in wdw moderate resort? What other advice can u offer us (2 adults, 10 year old & 12 year old canadians), thanks,
Hi Tracy!
If you believe you can come back again if you choose to, I’d pick the January dates. Other than the weekend, they’ll be less crowded and less expensive. The negative of these dates is ride closures–which is why I raise the point of coming back. For more on ride closures see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/12/winter-ride-closures-at-walt-disney-world/
If there’s free dining, it’s less likely to cover your December dates.
Pop Warner is typically not a big deal at the moderates.
For my other advice, see the home page
http://yourfirstvisit.net/
Hi Dave,
We are planning a trip for June 23 – 30 2012. Is there any value in booking now ? when the rates have not been confirmed as yet ? and is the Park Hopper ticket the same as the Magic your way pass ?
Hi, the prices on this page are confirmed. It can’t hurt to book now, but helps only if you are going after a hotel that might be sold out… Re the tickets, “Park Hopper” is one of the things you can add using the Magic Your Way approach…
When booking a the week of dec 8 2012, is there a certain time of year I should wait until I book the trip for the best prices?
Hi Carrie, the short answer is no.
The long answer is that the longer you wait the better your chance of fitting any special dela they may offer. However, you can convert a deal you book now to a special deal so long as your hotl;e and dates fit the deal eligibility.
You can do this yourself, but booking through a travel agent is the easiest way to do this, as they can steer you to dates and hotels that are more likely to have a dela, and set your package up so that it is more easily converted.
See the form on the lower right for the travel agents I work with!
Thanks!
[...] make your own trip as cheap as you can, travel during the low “season” with Disney. Yourfirstvisit.net has charts showing Disney’s calendar and how the prices [...]
how much are the walt diney world park tickets for 3 adults and 1 child 3 years old march 13 2012 and how mcuh for 4 adults and 1 child 3 years old for 1 day for march 13 2012
Hi! Ticket prices don’t change by date. You can see the costs per person per day on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/12/disney-world-2011-2012-admission-ticket-prices/
Hi Dave i am planing to go to wdw at the end of Nov 2012 is there any dicounts or sugestions on how to make the trip cheeper would like to stay at the all star movie resort kid are 7 and 2
Hi Sacha! That’s a good, and inexpensive, time to go, and often gets discounted. (No discounts are out now–it’s too early.) For more money-saving ideas, see the material that begins here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/03/introduction-to-the-tightwads-guide-to-walt-disney-world/
I am stressing more and more each day about my honeymoon. I am getting married July 3rd and I know Disney in the summer is hot, crowded and rainy
I wish my wedding date was different just for my honeymoon haha anyway knowing the above I really want to go or 3 weeks. My future wife thinks I am nuts but she said if I find a good deal we ccan do it. Been researching and July and discounts don’t go well together 
I am so frustrated. I would love a pin code just this once for our special trip, but that probably will never happen. I have gotten outrageous prices so far an the 10 day ticket is killing us…. Nothing is going in our favor 
I am finally calling Disney tonight, but I am so worried tha my dream may not come true 
Just a thought–prices go down a lot at the deluxe hotels in mid-July, and at the other resorts in early August–can you delay?
Hi, first timer here, first timer planning on going to Disney with my family!!! All excited! I’m a member of the Canadian Forces, supported and participated in the mission in Afghanistan ’07. I would like information for military discounted tickets for hoppers, prices, where to purchase, etc. We have accommodations booked for last week of Apr, first week of May. According to the chart, it’s the 8th and 9th best week to travel to Disney…right on!!! Skimmed through this site, looks great, I’ll try and read as much as possible. Whatever suggestions, recommendations you give, I’ll appreciate. Thanks in advance. Mike
Hi Mike, all the basics are linked to from the home page. You can also use the search box at the top right.
I’m not aware of any discounts available to non-US forces members–the closest I know about is at the US force resort hotel Shades of Green, which has these words on its eligibility page: “Military personnel of foreign nations and their family members when assigned or attached to a U.S. military unit or installation or on U.S. Travel Orders.” See http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm
You might want to check with Steve at MilitaryDisneyTips.com, or the Canadian section of Disboards.com.
Sorry to be so little help but at least you did pick some great weeks!!
[...] 2012 Price Seasons [...]
Well we are planning to attend to go either in the middle of june or the first week of july. I really don’t how long to stay in disney world. I really thought it was a one or two day thing and then you do other attractions in FLorida. I am really lost and I don’t know what to do. I am looking for a travel agent at this time, but anything of your input would help. Thank you
Hi Crystal! It’s easy to get lost…that’s why I worte this site. What you want to do is just start on the home page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/ PS the middle of June is much better than the first week of July…
I am looking for a hotel in and around the parks for wife and myself for 4 nights and balance on beach , from 23rd December 2012 to 2nd Jan 2013 , fly dive cant seem to get any idea from any web site I have looked at ref cost . also I have not been to Florida for 16 years what new atractions have bee opened since that time
Pete, rates for WDW resort hotels at that time of year–which is the most expensive and most crowded, and not recommended–range from around $200 to over $800 a night. You can find specifics by clicking on the hotels and scanning down to your dates here: http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2012.html
SInce you’ve been, an entire new theme park–the Animal Kingdom–has opened, and a dozen or more major attractions at the other theme parks have been developed…
We are planning a 6-7 day stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge beginning June 23, 2012. At this time there are no special Disney pricing programs ( current deals expire June 14). Do you believe Disney will add summer specials for this time period? We have stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge during June in past few years, current pricing is substantially higher than 2 years ago.
Hi Michelle, it’s possible…it all depends on how the economy is going, and how as a result Disney’s hotel bookings are going…
Hi Dave! We’re planning on going Dec 9-13 (ch/in 9, ch/out 13). I noticed that you mentioned that in the past this has been a possible “free dining plan” week. IF it will become part of that deal offered, when can I expect that the offer period will start? as in, when should it show up so that we can book it for that time period? We’re thinking of doing 4 nights/5 days at WDW w/ free dining and then staying 3 nights in a condo b/c we would like to do universal as well. We have 6 kids, so it would be cheaper to stay in the condo for those 3 nights rather than pay for 2 value rooms at WDW for those 3 extra nights.
Hi Jen! Free dining, if made available, may not be announced til late fall. My advice is to book with a travel agent, and tell them your hopes, so that they can set up your booking so that its most likely you can convert it to the offer if it comes out wihtout a penalty. See the form on the right side of the page… Your lodging approach makes sense to me!
Hi Dave,
I am a travel agent for Travel Dreams, an authorized Disney Vacation Planner with a store front agency in Greenville, TX. I work from my home in Abington, MA. Any way that I can get my name out to some of the people looking for a travel agent on your site? In particular, I noticed Crystal on this thread. There are no fees for my services and I just guide people who are overwhelmed. I’ll do as much or as little for them as they’d like when it comes to planning. Your site is great. I really like it and it’s a great spot to send people who want to do alot on their own but just want the agent attached to confirm or do the actual booking etc. I look forward to hearing from you. I don’t expect you to post this but don’t have a problem if you do. lol
Kim
Hi Kim! See the email I just sent you…
Got it Dave. Thanks!
In response to the free dining announcements, you never really know when Disney will announce them. Typically they have announced free dining for Aug-Oct stays in late March or early April and then it gets extended later in the year. I think it really all depends on how the resorts are booking up and if they need to fill rooms.
Thanks, Kim!
We are going in August and I wanted to know about any free meal plan deals for that time? Thank you for the information.
Hi Julie! None have been announced. If free dining for then does come out–and my guess is that it will–it likely will be announced in April or May.
Someone said that they are offering free meals 8/25 – 9/27….. that will not help me. DO you think they will offer in between that?
Julie do you mean before then? My guess is no…they didn’t last year…
[...] WDW novice the best time to go to Disney World based on their preferences, WDW crowd levels, and price seasons for the various WDW resort [...]
Hi! I have been to Disneyworld in November 2nd week, (perfect), and beginning of January…not crowded but too cool. I want to go this year, and will go alone for the first time. When typically will the Christmas decorations be up, and when will Mickey’s Christmas party begin? I want to see the park decked out for the holidays. When would be best to go…the Monday after Thanksgiving, or maybe about a week later? Thanks for any thoughts you may have about this.
Hi Susan!
I’m forecasting the first Christmas party to be November 9–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/04/18/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-2012-at-walt-disney-world/
By then, MK will be fully decorated. Things are a little slower at the other parks, with the full Christmas program not in place til the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Of your two choices, I like both, but like the Monday after Thanksgiving just a little better-see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
Hi Dave,
We are planning a trip December 28, 2012 through January 6, 2013. When do you think annual pass discounts will be available? We have annual pass vouchers, and will activate them then. We plan to get the Tables in Wonderland card. I would like to stay at Port Orleans Riverside, because it accommodates 5 people (we have 3 teens). My husband wants to save money and rent a condo off disney property (well it has more room). I would like to compare, cause I love the Disney resorts….feels more disney! Free dining is not an interest (annual passes), disney transportation is not an interest (we prefer to drive ourselves). Extra magic hour, it’s usually pretty crowded in that park after it opens to general public…or at least it used to be. What do you think?? Thanks, Lisa
HI Lisa!
Since your arrival date is during the single busiest week of the year, it’s very unlikely that there will be any deals–passholder or anything else–available then. You may be able to get a deal for the later part of your January stay. If so, you’d do two reservations, on for the deal dates and a second for the prior dates.
The last few years, passholder deals covering December came out in August and September–but did not cover Christmas on–see this: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#2011
You will be crowded in POR–the fifth sleeping spot may be too short…Families of 5 are the hardest to find good prices for…with likely no luck on the discounts, and POR rooms at $244 plus tax that week (the highest rate of the year, thanks to the crowds) you may well be better off off-site…
Agree completely with you on EMH, but since your passes let you hop, being at a morning EMH park in the am, and then hopping in the afternoon/evening to another park, is a good strategy too…
Leave a Comment | Ask a Question | Note a Problem