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Current Walt Disney World Hours of Operation
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Resources
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Dateline Disney -- January-February 2010
Disney closes Epcot ride for upgrade
Florida Travel Calendar for August
Disney Planner Fall 2009: Ambience of a Long-Ago Time, Tastes of a Faraway
Place are Here and Now for Disney Guests
Understanding Extra Magic Hours
Beth, our travel agent, writes about Walt Disney World closings and refurbishments: "If you're like me, you check the "closings and refurbishments" list maybe a few weeks before your scheduled trip just so you can mentally start planning your attack on the parks in advance... and also give your kids a heads-up so they aren't disappointed. You should, however, get in the habit of checking out that list when you FIRST START PLANNING your trip, and then continue checking it every so often since Disney has a tendency to change schedules frequently. I bring this up because there are a number of things going on in the next six months or so that planners need to consider. For instance, * There will only be one water park open from Sept 28 to March 21. This fact may have an effect on your decision to add Water Park Fun n' More to your tickets. * Animal Kingdom Lodge's Sunset Savanna will not have any animals on it 1/15/09 - 4/15/09. Given that specific room locations are never guaranteed, I'd hesitate to book a savanna view during that time. (What's the point if there are no animals??) * The coolest pool on Disney property, Stormalong Bay, will be closed 1/5/09-4/15/09. This is the themed pool used by both the Beach Club and Yacht Club well as the Beach Club Villas. The resorts are still great and in a wonderful location, and the regular pools will be open, but you might want to think twice about booking there if your kids will be devastated by not having a waterslide pool open. This list is by no means all-inclusive, and it's representative of the kinds of things that go on all the time. My point: Even those of us that book Disney all day long can't stay on top of ALL the changes, so be sure that you take a look at the list frequently in the months leading up to your trip so that you have a decent chance of being able to make changes if necessary."
Disney Reservation Center is now open until 10 PM.
Lyn writes: "Is there any way to tell far enough in advance if it's going to be Pop Warner week in Disney World? We recently went December 3-11 and the crowds were insane! You couldn't move in the parks - or the stores in Downtown Disney. It was like going in July only the weather was better. We definitely do not want to repeat that. We like going during the holidays because the crowds are usually lighter and the decorations are fabulous! Thanks so much for all your work." Looks like the championship games take place around December 11. So you would have to stay clear of WDW that week to avoid the largest crowds. Here's their calendar. Glad to be of service.
Melissa writes: "I’m really anxious to make the dining reservations because each year that we go to Disney my daughter misses out on dining at Cinderella’s Castle for breakfast. I am determined to make sure that I get her there for our upcoming trip; but I don’t want to make reservations without knowing the schedule. We’re not utilizing the hopper tickets so my plan is to visit theme parks on the days that they’ll be open up to three hours after closing. So my question is, do you know if Disney will be releasing their schedule for May anytime soon? Thanks!" For Disney's extra magic hours schedule click here.
EXTRA MAGIC HOURS WDW Resort guests, including those staying at the Swan and Dolphin hotel and the Hilton at Downtown Disney can spend an hour in the morning or hours in the evening at the theme parks during Extra Magic Hours. Guests will need to show their Key to the World card. Here's the schedule, which is subject to change:
Sunday - Disney-MGM Studios (evening)
Magic Kingdom:
Epcot:
Disney-MGM Studios:
Animal Kingdom:
ATTRACTIONS AVAILABLE FOR EVENING EXTRA MAGIC HOURS
Magic Kingdom:
Epcot:
Disney-MGM Studios:
Animal Kingdom:
Patrick writes: "John, I am a recent subscriber to your Affordable Guide, and I have found it very helpful in my early planning process. The one thing I cannot seem to find anywhere on the net (including your info) are precise attendance figures for the theme parks per day. I have found numerous sites that talk about the busier months, but no indication of what crowd sizes are for specific days. Have you ever come across such information?" Disney keeps those figures private. The best we can do is avoid the busier seasons and the days marked for Extra Magic Hour. Mondays are the busiest at the Magic Kingdom. Water parks are filled quickly on hot humid days. The water parks and Downtown Disney are busiest during weekends. Weekends are busiest for golfers. All bets are off when Disney runs deals and special events.
Anne writes: "My family and I are planning a week long trip to Disney in August. Could you tell us when and where we can see the fireworks and parades during that time? If you have any other planning tips for visiting in August, we'd sure appreciate them." The Magic Kingdom and MGM have a parade every afternoon. Magic Kingdom has the Mainstreet Electrical Parade twice nightly and a nightly fireworks display. Epcot has a nightly performance of its Illuminations fireworks show: Reflections of Earth. MGM provides plenty of fireworks at its nightly Fantasmic Show. When you arrive, Disney will give you a schedule of all these events. As for tips, keep cool. August is extremely hot. The heat index is often over 100 degrees! Go into the parks early. Leave around noon. Return during the evening when the sun is not directly overhead.
Ruth writes: "We will be there from November 8 - 13. Do you have any particular hints for this time of year? Also, do you recommend A) Hitting the early entry parks at the early opening time and staying all day or leaving around noon... OR B) Hitting the parks the day AFTER its early opening time for resort guests?" Crowds should be highly manageable. Relax and take your time. We never go to the park that opens early. We like to sleep in and hit the parks after 10 AM and stay all day, taking time off to eat dinner. Avoid the park that is offering early entrance or leave as soon as the park opens to the general public.
Patti writes: "John, thanks for all your hard work keeping us "Disney Freaks" satisfied with news and tips from Disney! How did you get started with this? Second: do you or Beth know when the Food and Wine festival is this year? If I haven't moved to FL by then, I am planning another Disney vacation for the end of Oct the beginning of Nov. Thanks for your help!" For our story :), click here.
Shellie writes: "John, I was wondering if Disney (and the other Orlando area parks) has the Gay and Lesbian days the same time every year. I mean around the beginning of June." Gay week is usually the first week in June. This year: June 2-7. Beth, our travel agent, writes: "As I've told many of my clients, it isn't my job to pass judgment on anyone's lifestyle, but it IS my job to make note of any activity out of the ordinary - whatever that may be - that could effect the ability of my client and their family to enjoy their vacation. Gay Days is one of those things I feel obligated to tell people about, but I've admittedly NOT started mentioning it until today because I totally forgot about it... It's not like Disney sanctions it, or brings it to our attention or anything. A cast member mentioned it to me, so I did some investigating and discovered that this year's festivities begin with a short cruise on May 30 and then there are events going on at various locations around Orlando for the entire first week of June. There are "official" hotels of the event, but they are Downtown Disney hotels. Many of the events and activities take place in Pleasure Island. The one thing that people should be aware of is that there is a designated day for each of the theme parks. On those days there will be an unusually large number of people who are clearly identified ( by their t-shirts if nothing else) as being homosexual. I was, in fact, in the Magic Kingdom one year on the designated Magic Kingdom "gay" day and I can honestly say that I didn't really notice anything at all that I felt was inappropriate - although there were an awful lot of people wearing the same shirt (a detail my 4-year-old picked up on) and the attendees are perhaps a bit more relaxed in their behavior with each other than they might normally be in public. Again, nothing inappropriate, but rather actions that you'd expect to see between couples having a great time on vacation together. And that's the thing - they are just people there to enjoy themselves and relax, just like everyone else. The major difference is that they are also there as part of a group that is not hiding who they are. In short, if you're planning to attend Disney the first week of June then you might want to take a look at the calendar. If two guys holding hands as they stroll down Main Street is something that you're not comfortable with or don't want to explain to your kids then avoid the park that the group has designated for each day, or change the dates that you're going to Disney. And if you're borderline about it, then remember that if your young child is anything like mine, he/she will not even notice that there are other people in the parks, let alone what they're doing. If your child is older, this might be a great opportunity for you to have an important talk with your son or daughter."
Chris writes: "As always, enjoy your updates. I just happened to stumble upon a web-site devoted to providing construction updates, etc. for (looks like) every amusement park in the US and then some. Some of the information is rumors, but other information, such as ride closing dates (for maintenance, etc.) would be very beneficial for someone planning a trip."
Jay writes: "You were a big help to me last year when I was making plans to propose at WDW. I wound up going to dinner @ Narcoosee's & then sitting on the beach at the Polynesian. It was Grad nite & the fireworks for that were scheduled to go off @ 12:30 am. As soon as they began @ 12:30 I got down on one knee and proposed, with the fireworks right behind me. It was great. We're leaving in 2 weeks for our honeymoon at the GF... We'd like to relive last year's proposal, but I'm not sure what time the fireworks are scheduled for. WDW could only tell me it will be 11:30 pm, 12 midnight, or 12:30a m but they couldn't confirm which. Do you have any suggestions on how I could attain this info?" Disney presents its fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom during the busier times when crowds are heavy and the park stays open later. You can find Disney's park hours here. You can also call 407/939-4636.
Sandy writes: "Is early entry for "all" or only for Disney site guests and can you tell me the times for the specific parks?" Early entry or "Extra Magic Hour" is for resort guests only.
Sarah writes: "Are there certain days that are less crowded in certain parks?"
Extra Magic Hour days permit guests staying on Disney
property, at the Swan and Dolphin resorts, and the Hilton at Lake Buena Vista
to enter a designated park one hour early according to the following
schedule:
Consequently, the parks are the most crowded on their Extra Magic Hour days. Avoiding those parks on those days will help you avoid the biggest crowds. Attractions open during the Extra magic Hour: Magic Kingdom: Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, Space Mountain, Snow White's Scary Adventures, Peter Pan's Flight, Main Street Vehicles, Mad Tea Party, It's a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
Epcot: Spaceship Earth, Test Track and Universe of Energy Disney-MGM Studios: Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Kevin and Amy write: "My husband has a conference at Swan and Dolphin next year from June 1-4. I know that in the past the gay community meets in Disney around that time. Do you know... when that will be? I'm concerned about explaining alternate lifestyles to a 6 and 8 year old. Our son is high-functioning autistic and can't always keep those questions and comments to himself; I'm concerned that he might hurt someone's feelings without even trying. Thanks for the help." The first week in June is traditionally Gay Week.
Mary writes: "We were thinking about going to Disney the last week in August and first week in September. How crowded can we expect the parks to be?" The parks will not be very crowded since the children will have returned to school by then. Disney's value rates kick in the last week in August.
Send FREE (I)nternet Post (Cards) From Walt Disney World! You can send free Internet post cards ("i-Cards") from our site, complete with graphics, text and music. You can choose from 18 languages and can send i-Cards to 10 people at the same time! You can even add your own photos and music! We've uploaded pictures of a theme park/beach motif that makes the service ideal for sending greetings from the parks or the beach to your family and friends! Or you may just want to use our cards to say hi to someone special while you're at home or the office. To send a free i-Card now, click here.
WDW Entertainment Schedule: To access Walt Disney World's entertainment schedule, click here.
Teresa is the guide for the "travel with kids" section at About.com and she writes: "So, first a question: unfortunately we're limited to school vacations as my kids can't miss any more school days except at the end of June. What would you recommend: last week of June, plus early July? or last week of August, early September? I'd really appreciate your advice! I'm planning a 10 or 11 day trip -- do you think that's adequate time?" The end of June/early July will be much more crowded than the end of August. However, August is an oven in Florida and we try to get there no later than mid-July because of the heat. As with all things Disney, there's a trade off involved. It is so hot in August, you have to be out of the parks by noon and come back when the sun begins to set. On the plus side, you can enjoy the time out of the parks at the pool, shopping or eating. Yes, 10-11 days is enough time. Teresa sends us many visitors from her site at About.com. We appreciate her recommendation. To visit Teresa's site, click here.
Claudia writes: "Can you tell me if it is really crowded the first week of April and if so what is the best time go." The third week of March through the third week of April is WDW's most crowded time! The best time to go is the second week of January through the first week of February, the week after Labor Day until Thanksgiving, or the week after Thanksgiving through the week before Xmas.
A reader writes: "I am trying to decide when is the best time to go to Disney.... my choices are anytime in July or August of next year. I have to switch our "timeshare" a year in advance so that I can have a place to stay but I just don't know when the best time would be." That's an easy one. Go in July before the 15th. Starts to really heat up after the second week in July. Avoid July 4 unless you like crowds and want to enjoy the fireworks. We've been there in August and it was like an oven with high humidity! Hard to describe such heat!
Duane and Dot write: "are there any little known facts i should know about wdw in dec.? ... enjoy your newsletter look forward to your book." December is wonderful. Christmas decorations are everywhere. Christmas tree lighting ceremonies take place at each park until Christmas eve. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is held on certain evenings at the Magic Kingdom. Epcot has the beautiful candlelight processional and the dazzling Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is a sight to behold at MGM. Crowds are sparse until the week of Christmas. The Magic Kingdom and MGM close early except for Christmas week.
David writes: "We are finally taking the plunge and going to WDW in November of this year, and we have an ongoing discussion - are the water parks all closed down in November, or do any of them operate all year 'round?" Typhoon Lagoon is usually closed in November and December for refurbishing. Blizzard Beach is usually closed in January and February. For schedules, call 407/939-4636.
Ruth writes: "Thank you for all your helpful information and tips. We are going back to WDW in November, 2000 and are really looking forward to our trip. Do you have any particular tips for that time of year?" We love WDW at Thanksgiving. All the Christmas decorations are up and the crowds are very manageable. If you go before Thanksgiving, you won't see the Christmas decorations, the parks close very early, and the parade in the Magic Kingdom only runs on weekends.
Glenna writes: "Are there certain days of the week or weeks of the month which are less busy/crowded in the summer?"
Walt Disney World is most crowded from June through Labor Day. Extra Magic
Hour days are the most crowded:
Of course, July 4th week is packed. We were among 50,000 in the Magic Kingdom on one July 4th!
Gina writes: "I recently purchased your affordable Disney book. I'm loving what I've read so far. Thanks for the tips. However, I have a question that maybe you can answer or suggest to me. One of our vacation days at Disneyworld (5 days at the parks total), is a Saturday (April 8). Since you've been there many times, which park would be the best to cover overall on a weekend day? The least crowded on a weekend, you know of? Where we could cover the majority or all of it in one day? Excluding Magic Kingdom that is. I know you could only suggest since crowds are not always predictable. But I'd like to know your opinion of what to do. Thanks" Visit Epcot on Saturday or Sunday; MGM on Saturday. Glad you like the book!
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