Category — n. Approaching Dates at Disney World

(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

DISNEY’S 2011 INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL AT EPCOT

Every year from October through mid-November, Walt Disney World presents the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival.

In 2011, the dates are Friday September 30 through  Sunday November 13.

There are two components to the festival, one available to all Epcot visitors, and another made up of a bunch of events which have limited capacity and require reservations.

Neither has an extra ticket admission cost–you get to participate by virtue of your theme park ticket–but there are cash costs for the food, wine, and for entry to some special shows and events. [Read more →]

OVERVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2011 AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

This page reviews September 2011 Walt Disney World crowds, prices, deals and discounts, weather, and operating hours, and ends with week by week summaries.

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For the first page of this material on 2012 at Disney World, click here.

BEST WEEKS TO VISIT DISNEY WORLD IN 2012

I’ve provided my view of the best times to visit Disney World in 2012 in 2012 weeks to visit Walt Disney World, ranked in order.

For personalizing your dates, see the 2012 Disney World week picker.

CROWDS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2012

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2012 AT DISNEY WORLD

Below, I comment on the main topics for Walt Disney World in 2012.

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MULTIPLE UPCOMING 8A MAGIC KINGDOM OPENING TIMES

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Calendar is showing multiple 8a openings in later February 2011 and all of March, and more may be added.

Moreover, depending on crowds, other parks—most likely the Animal Kingdom—may have 8a openings added as well.

Most typically the 8a openings at the Magic Kingdom are Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, although the park’s calendar currently also shows 8a openings the entire week of March 12th—which I expect to be the busiest Disney Spring Break week other than those surrounding Easter itself.

Since most itineraries suggest arriving at the parks before they open, this is a big deal, as you may need to get up an hour earlier!

If you will be at Disney World this period, check the opening hours frequently—either at your resort, on Disney World’s online calendars, or here.

Disney’s April Magic Kingdom operating hours currently show 8a opening the first Friday and Saturday, and the weeks before and after Easter. I expect the April calendar to be updated, and to perhaps show more 8a openings as well.

OVERVIEW: SUMMER AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

Summer at Walt Disney World—loosely defined as Memorial Day in late May through Labor Day in early September–is an often difficult season.

The weather is hot and humid, and in mid-August shifts to hot, humid, and also the peak of the  hurricane season.

Crowds are very high most of the summer–lightest in the latter part of August, and also a little lighter in early June. They peak over the Fourth of July holiday.

Prices begin fairly high, peak over the Fourth of July weekend, and drop to their lowest level of the year at the deluxe resorts in mid-July, and at the moderate resorts and value resorts in mid August.

Deals and discounts are available for parts of this period.

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