2013 Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World, Ranked in Order
OVERVIEW: 2013 WEEKS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD
(First draft, to be revised in summer 2012)
This site recommends arriving at Walt Disney World one of the first three Saturdays after Thanksgiving.
If you can’t go then, presented below are the weeks of 2013 in order of best to worst.
The week rankings are based on the current drafts of my 2013 Disney World Crowd Calendar and my projections for 2013 Walt Disney World price seasons, as well as other factors.
As information becomes available on actual 2013 price seasons and school year calendars (typically in the summer), I’ll update these week rankings.
There are two pages of 2013 Disney World week rankings. The page you are on has recommended weeks. The second page has the rest of the weeks of the year, and is here.
The ranking is designed for first time visitors who do not know whether or not they will return.
For visitors on a return trip, less concerned about ride closures, the January and early February weeks would be ranked much higher–with the Marathon and Martin Luther King Day weeks being the worst of these.
WHEN CAN YOU BOOK A 2013 VISIT TO WALT DISNEY WORLD?
Disney won’t let you book a 2013 trip unless it’s within 500 days of the date you book. See this.
(For 2012 weeks, see this.)
RECOMMENDED 2013 WEEKS, RANKED IN ORDER
The recommended weeks that follow are wonderful weeks to visit Walt Disney World in 2013.
The first three are almost interchangeable: low prices, low crowds, and wonderful Christmas programs and decorations.
- 1: 12/7/13. Lowest crowds and prices of these three weeks.
- 2: 11/30/13. Tail end of Thanksgiving week makes the first Saturday and Sunday of this week more crowded than week #1. The rest of this week is terrific. This is a week that, because of Pop Warner football demand for resort rooms, is rarely discounted beyond its already low prices. Those intending to stay at Pop Century or other value resorts should consider avoiding this week, as Pop Warner may make the value resorts crowded and boisterous this week
- 3: 12/14/13. A great week, but crowds may build towards its end
The next four share great weather, low crowds, and low prices. They are nearly identical, and are sorted on the basis of weather.
- 4: 10/19/13. Peak of hurricane season just over; perfect otherwise. Low crowds and low prices.
- 5: 10/26/13. A wonderful week. Great weather, low crowds and low prices.
- 6: 11/9/13. Weather starts to become cooler and more variable.
- 7: 11/16/13. Weather cooler and more variable than weeks 4-6.
Weeks 8-10 share great late spring weather, have low crowds, but are more expensive than any of the weeks so far. They are near-tied, but are in calendar order as the best weather is earlier.
- 8: 4/20/13
- 9: 4/27/13
- 10: 5/4/13
The next week has high prices, but low crowds, and is your best Spring Break bet.
- 11: 2/23/13
Week 12 is similar to weeks 8-10, but risks slightly higher crowds.
- 12: 4/13/13
Week 13 risks the first day or two hitting the tail of Easter crowds. The rest of the week is similar to week 12.
- 13: 4/6/13
Week 14 is similar to week 10, except a little hotter, a little more crowded, and more at risk of hitting the beginning of the rainy season.
- 14: 4/14/13.
This completes the weeks in 2013 that are recommended.
CLICK HERE FOR THE RANKING OF THE REST OF THE WEEKS OF 2013
For the rest of the weeks of 2013, click here.
For a calendar view of the entire year, click the image.
(After you click it, the image will open.
When it opens, click it again to enlarge it.)
59 comments
First let me say that this is the best site I have found so far (and heavens know there are a lot of them).
I am just getting started viewing your site so maybe I will find the answer myself but I will ask you anyway. We want to stay at the Contemporary Resort, I would like to find a floor plan for the Resort. I have found things that talk about different rooms but never show what they are like or where they are located.
We are taking our childern and grandchildren and this is going to be a once in a lifetime trip so we want to do it right. We are looking at the 12th or 14th floor with a Magic Kingdom view. This trip will be in 2013 so I do have time. thanks for your help and this site.
Michael Ryan
Hi Michael, and thanks!
For 12th floor room floor plans, my review, and resort maps, see the material that begins on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/06/review-disneys-contemporary-resort/
For floor plans of some of the 14th floor suites (and the garden suites), see lower on this page: http://www.kingdom-travel.com/Walt_Disney_World_Resorts/Disney_Contemporary_Resort.shtml
You should also consider a Magic Kingdom view Grand Villa at Bay Lake Tower–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/09/13/review-bay-lake-tower-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/
If you are looking for whole-floor floor plans, I found one long ago on the internet for the 14th floor–it did not show furnishings or label rooms, but rather just showed the massing of the bays in the various suites….I don’t have the url for this anymore.
Hope this helps!
Dave
Hi Dave! This is by far the best site!! I like to plan my trip dates far in advance, and I have been coming every year. I was thinking of arriving on December 30, 2013 and staying for a week (Monday-Monday). I have never been there for New Years and would like to give it a try… The kids will be a 17 yr old girl, 13 yr old girl, and 11 yr old boy at the time of travel. How busy will it be that week? Would we even be able to ride anything?? What do you recommend? Thank you so much for your help!
Hi Bailee and thanks!!
You did mean 2013, right?
If so, I’d expect it to be a busy week. With New Years midweek, mnay kids will have the whole week off–I’ve rated it a 9 on my crowd scale of 1-11… It will be an 11 through the first, and then better later in the week…
You’ll be able to ride in the morning if you arrive early, and then use FASTPASSES. Afternoons will be tougher, as FASTPASSES run out…
Ok, thanks… I did mean 2013, but do you think New Years next year will be any better?? I would arrive on Sunday, December 30, 2012 and leave on Friday, January 4, 2013 (5 nights). I am really wanting to come for New Years but would like to come during a somewhat less busy year. Also, which park other than Animal Kingdom is the least busy on New Years Eve? I don’t want to go to Animal Kingdom then because I definitely want to see fireworks… What about New Years day?
Hey Baillee, I’m seeing 2012 busy as heck through Jan 1 and ok the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. All three parks with celebrations are mobbed. MK is the worst, Epcot may be slightly better than HS
Ok, thank you. I was thinking of doing the Backstage Magic tour one day so I will at least be able to do something. What all does it include? Do they have it on New Years day??
Hi Baille, I don’t really track the tours. Details on the backstage magic tour are here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tours-and-experiences/backstage-magic/ From what I can see here, it’s not on offer: http://www.disneynow.com/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x48204f09a
Hey Dave,
Great information! We were there this year, 2011, Dec 3 – 10, and were told after we arrived that they had moved the Pop Warner to that week. We had been that same week a few years earlier and it was great! It still wasn’t as busy as spring break or peak but it was a lot busier than I expected and they were filming the Disney Christmas Day Parade on Dec 3. Nothing can beat the Disney Christmas Decorations though!
Hi Angela, and thanks for the feedback. I was there that week too, and found it a little more crowded than I expected, but manageable…
I was there 12/4- 12/11 as well and it started out light but got heavier crowds as the week went on. Now i am looking to book in 2013.. i was thinking 10/26 OR 11/02 is there much difference in crowds between those 2 weeks.. i adore the xmas decorations but i was thinking maybe come a little earlier this time for more pool weather. any advice will help. I just got back and i want to go back allready .. Need some time to save up.
Hi Jodi I like 10/26 much better. 11/2 is Jersey week– see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/02/jersey-week-at-walt-disney-world/ –and the odds are 10/26 will be a little warmer…
I am so glad you told me that. Well that changes everything. Maybe ill go November 9 th. Jersey week is only a week like its name right?
Yup, just a week…
ty for the info Dave. We are now thinking to just go oct 26 th. I will miss the xmas decorations. Do the parks and resorts decorate for halloween
Hi Jodi, yes they do!
oh boy we want to go back in 2012. Its all about the money we are gonna try to save it. I wonder what tonights announcement is. I am 48 my husband is 50 and the only vacations we ever took was to disney. we are so silly lol could be november 9 th 2012 if the economy picks up
thats boring i was hoping maybe book 7 nights get 1 free at any resort lol too much to ask i guess
I posted you a question on nov 2012 page. we bumped our trip up a year lol
i am cofused. On the link you sent me it says jersey week is Nov 2 but it also says the jersey week convention is Nov 9.. I cant seem to find out the exact start and end date. I have been googling it. I booked for Nov 10 2012 but i dont want to be in jersey week. Please let me know so i can let the resort know if i have to change the date. ty
Got it!
The convention is the Thursday and Friday at the end of Jersey week. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/02/jersey-week-at-walt-disney-world/
thanks Dave your sites been alot of help
You bet, Jodi!
Hi Dave,
Your site is awesome! I have one question about Pop Warner week 2013 – do you have inside knowledge that the dates will be the week of 11/30-12/7? I am only asking because this was the week we plan on going and in doing research (because I wanted to plan on a week where we’d still be able to hope for a discount or possibly free dining) I looked at historical dates for Pop Warner, because I hadn’t found anything listing dates for 2013 yet in my research. What I found was that in 2002, when the dates exactly match the 2013 calendar, Pop Warner week was actually the week after (Dec. 8-14). That is why I picked the week I did…do you think we should consider switching or hold off? Do you know when the official dates for Pop Warner are usually released? I know we have some time…I am just a planner!
Thanks again! Mariah
Hi Mariah, great question!
My dates are not official, but rather are based on inference from this statement on the Pop Warner website at http://www.popwarner.com/superbowl/pop.asp
“For the past eleven years, the event has taken place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex ™ in Lake Buena Vista, FL during the first full week of December.” (emphasis added)
My weeks start on Saturdays because I suggest a Saturday-Sunday stay. Everybody else starts weeks on Sundays, and hence the first full week of December in 2013 begins Sunday 12/1/13
Finding these dates–even for 2012!!–is much harder than it should be, and I may be wrong!
That said, Pop Warner really isn’t that big a deal. See this:http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/05/30/pop-warner-week-at-walt-disney-world/
Thanks Dave! I agree Pop Warner isn’t a big deal crowd-wise – we were there in 2010 during that week. But, there are rarely discounts available for those weeks it sounds like, so I’d much rather plan to be there a week when they’ll be offering discounts. Thankfully I do have a while to make that decision…I guess I will just wait it out! Here’s to hoping (for me) they make it the following week due to the Thanksgiving holiday, since that week would work out better for us
Thank you again for all the information and answering everyone’s questions – it’s so helpful to have this website as a tool in planning, even if it isn’t your first visit
!
Thanks Mariah–and I get you about the discounts!
We are looking into holding a wedding ceremony only at one of Disney’s locations. Now with that in mind do you know if prices are affected by season? We are very open to dates however only thing we want is to be able to swim & not in pants. Lol we did that one year in March it was so cold. We are renting a home for our trip but my Fiancé parents & sister will be staying at Disney & this is their first trip.
I was thinking for pictures it would look nice around Halloween or Christmas time. Can you recommend a good month.
Thanks
Meria
Hi Meria, I’m sorry, but I don’t know much about weddings at Disney World. I do know that the price varies by party size and day of the week (e.g. Weds vs Sat) but so I don’t know if varies by time of year too. If it does, your dates should be OK so long as your xmas date is at least a week before Christmas Day.
Just on the basis of weather, I’d vote for later October, but the Xmas decorations and celebrations are hard to beat…
I am planning my first trip to Disney world and I am planning on going in January of 2014 ( yes it is a long ways out, but I am waiting for my children to be a little older). I am curious how the crowds will be . I know that there is a marathon that goes on every year in January so what days would you suggest?
Hi Miranda! I haven’t thought much about 2014 yet. I expect that the parks will be quite busy thru the 4th, that the Marathon will be either the weekend of the 4th (most likely) or possibly the weekend of the 11th, and that the three day weekend of Martin Luth King Day the 18th through 20th will also be busy. Thus the most certain times for low crowds will be arrival dates the 21st and later
We are planning to go Thanksgiving week in 2013, well really we arrive the week before on Wednesday night. How crowded can I expect this time to be? I know the first part of our trip is suppose to be low crowds but as the week progresses it goes to a high level. Am I crazy to try for this time? I have a 7,11,13 year old plus a 2 year old nephew. We leave the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I was hoping that the days before would not be as crowded. What do you think?
Hi Tracy, the crowds will start building the Saturday before Thanksgiving and will be horrible by Sunday. So you’d have two good days, one bad day, and the rest lousy. I would change dates if I could…if you can’t, I can give you some thoughts on how to make the best of it…
Dave,
I’m planning a trip to Disneyland for the first time. I’d like to go Jan 21, 2013 to January 24. We’re celebrating my daughters 5th birthday. On the available calendar it shows many ride closers. Are they normally the “big kid” rides? Also with two adults and one child for our trip how many days would you suggest for us to see and do all we want to see and do? Thanks!
Hi Megan, I’m sorry but my expertise is on Disney World, and I’m not so strong on Disneyland…
We are thinking of a trip 1/1 or 1/2/13 for the week: because of the way the week falls will there be a larger amount of school vacation kids/families?
Similar to Tracy, we are looking at Thanksgiving week 2013 since our kids will be out of school 3 of the 5 days that week. We’d arrive the Saturday afternoon before Thanksgiving and stay until the Sunday morning after Thanksgiving. By arriving the weekend before – will we have better luck with crowds? This will be our second time going (we last went in May 2008). We plan on staying at Pop Century while there. We also plan on going to non-Disney parks such as Sea World and Universal – do you recommend visiting those parks on the Friday and Saturday after T’giving to avoid the Disney crowds, or will those parks be just as crowded as the Disney parks?
Your site is awesome and a great source of info! Thanks for all you do!
We are thinking of going to Disney for the first time. There will be 2 adults and 3 kids. Ages 17, 14, & 6. Trying to figure out the best time to go with low crowds and low cost. Was thinking of the end of February. What is your advice?
Jess, I’ll have better data later this year when more school districts publish their 2012/2013 calendars, but I think a lot of kids will have all, and most some, of that week off, so it’s not one I’d recommend.
Hi Jaynee, and thanks! The crowds Saturday will be better than Sunday, and Sunday better than the rest of the week, but it will still be very crowded…you can’t really escape the crowds, but your plans on Friday and Saturday will help…
Hi Denise! That’s an excellent week, but more expensive, and a little more crowded, than late January and early February. Some rides will be closed in this late Jan/early Feb period for maintenance that will be open at the end of Feb–typically just a few, but some of the major ones.
When do you recommend going price wise that time of year?
Hi Denise, Disney’s 2013 price seasons won’t be out til the summer, but for my forecasts see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/04/walt-disney-world-2013-price-seasons/
Hi There….trying to plan our first family vacation to Disney in 2013. Of course waiting very impatiently to see when and if they may offer free dining. I am hoping in March just like they did this year. Am I crazy to be thinking of going around March 7th to the 15th? Looking at your guide scares me….but I would like to go before it really starts getting too hot down their….Help!!! Definitely need some expert advice
Hi Terri! I guess it kinda depends on what you consider “too hot.” Personally, in 2013, I’d aim at April except the first week and would avoid your March dates like the plague.
For temps, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/
…and for April, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/23/the-most-comfortable-time-to-go-to-walt-disney-world/
I just found your site and it is really helpful and enjoyable to read! I am thinking about a 2013 visit to WDW with my husband and 6 year old daughter but I am a teacher so unfortunately, I am limited to those holidays and school vacations that are always so busy. Considering crowds and weather, which school break would be best, February or April? Thanks for your thoughts on this!
Hi Dana, it depends on you exact dates, as they vary among districts–let me know. Also early June and late August can be great choices for teachers–when does your school year end and then restart in the summer?
Thanks for your response… For February of 2013 it is the week of the 18th (President’s week). I’m not sure about the April vacation because it is ausually attached to Easter which for next year is early- maybe like the last weekend in March. So I will have to find out for sure on that one. According to your charts, the Feb week looks a little less crowded but I worry about the weather not being warm enough for swimming in the pools at the resort. Is it the whole week of President’s week that is so crowded or just the long weekend?
I’m from upstate NY so we are out of school in late June and go back right after Labor Day. If August is really, really, hot, we don’t want to go then. It is hot enough up here at that time of year!!
FYI.. I am hearing that in our area we are going to be eliminating the Feb break after 2013… and some districts in the Southern Tier of our state already have! I wonder if other states are doing this too and if that may make a difference in the attendance trends?
Thanks so much for your time and thoughts!
Dana I’d pick late August over either of the other options in a heartbeat.
All of President’s week is busy, and if your spring break is the week before or after Easter it will be a zoo too. Between these two I’d pick Feb. Yes, there’s less chance of good pool weather than in April–but the crowds will be so high that it may not matter…and later Feb does represent the upswing of potentially good pool days–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/pool-days-november-through-february/
But the impact of the crowds is hard to imagine unless you’ve been there. I don’t like heat or humidity either, but would pick late August over either of these without a moment’s thought, even tho late August is also in the peak of the hurricane season–see this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/ but also this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/chance-of-cyclonic-storm-affecting-florida/
The way to handle the heat is to spend the mornings and evenings in the parks, and the afternoons napping in your room or at the pool…
I know these choice aren’t perfect, but I’d take weather risks over massive crowds anytime.
Interesting to hear you guys (and others) are dropping the Feb break…
Thank you very much for your insights… I may have a few more questions later as I am going to begin the planning process soon. I will continue to read your website as I plan, for sure! It and you have been very helpful!!!
Hi Dana, thanks, and ask away as questions emerge!
hey Dave,
I’m bringing family and friends over from across the pond on the 23/2/2013 for two and a half weeks and I was wondering what to expect in terms of crowds, weather and possible park/ride closes (other than the unexpected i.e. breakdowns).
Weather isn’t too much of a factor as anything above 10 degree’s C is warm over here in the uk but a little less rain would be most welcome.
I’ve been trying to look for your national holidays, school/college holidays to try and judge how busy it will be but I’ve failed miserably.
I’m just trying to get a better idea so we can plan what to do i.e. sorting tickets for whichever parks and to see whether fast pass tickets would be a good idea.
Thanks
Hi Nath!
Re crowds, the first week will be great, I’m worried about the second, and the half will be a crowd. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/12/disney-world-crowds-in-2013/ Because of this, I’d push your theme park visits into the first week as much as you can. Then you can come back in the early mornings (beating the crowds) and late evenings of the following week and a half to fill in the gaps.
FASTPASS comes free with your WDW tickets, but you have to buy its equivalent at Universal (or stay at one of the three Universal hotels). Let me know how old your kids are and I’ll give you some thoughts on Universal.
On ride closures, your dates are after the traditional period, so with one possible exception you should be fine. The exception is Splash Mountain. It missed its normal rehab this winter, and badly needs not only routine maintenance but also some mechanical clean-up. Since new capacity will be coming to the Magic Kingdom this year, it’s to me a reasonable bet that Splash will have a multi-month closure in 2013, e.g. from January to May.
You are coming in the “dry season.” It can rain anytime, but typically less so until mid-May. See this and its links: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/
Hope this helps! Dave
Hello! I am new to your site. My husband, our 7 year old daughter, & myself went to Walt Disney World for the first time Nov. 1 – 7, 2011. We had an absolutely wonderful time! It wasn’t really crowded and the weather was beautiful. We would really like to go back sometime, I thought I would get some information if we could work out a trip in 2013. I was thinking the end of January or beginning of February, we would like to go when crowds should be lower and weather should be decent. I was wondering what your opinion was on this. Thanks!
Hi Valorie and welcome! See the first half of this for my reply to Katie’s almost identical question: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/best-and-worst-times-to-visit/#comment-33216
Hi Dave. Thinking of targeting the 1st week of Feb for prior trips but a bit concerned on how much the national dance and cheerleading (UCA/UDA) competitions that usually flank this week on either weekend will affect crowds. Any insight on how these effect crowds and discounts for this week. It appears disney blacked out the end of this week on their prior bounceback offer which makes me a little wary.
Thanks in advance and great site.
Hi Mike! They affect how booked the hotels are, but not crowds–you’ll be fine! Assume Disney sells an extra 5,000 hotel rooms because of this–that’s 15,000-20,000 extra people, spread out each day over their own events, the Disney parks, Universal…just not that big a deal. Disney likely will black it out, but because thanks to it it can sell enough hotel rooms, not because of crowding in the parks…
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