The Best Dates to Visit Walt Disney World in 2019
As we head into the last quarter of 2019, a lot of families are setting their sights on vacation plans for next year. Whether its a chance to escape the winter weather, celebrate Spring or plot out a Summer getaway, Walt Disney World is the perfect family destination. With packages currently available to book through until the end of 2019 and with discounts currently on offer from January – April we thought we’d help you get a jumpstart on your travel plans. Check out our list of the best (and worst) dates to visit Walt Disney World in 2019 and let’s get planning!
Best Dates to Visit in 2019:
We here at MickeyBlog want to preface this by saying that there are no bad times to visit Walt Disney World. You can go any time of year and with the right amount of planning have a truly magical time. However, if your dates are flexible and you’re looking to beat the crowds here are some options you may want to consider:
February – The first two weeks of the month have historically been a quieter time to pay a visit to the Mouse! It is also a time when both the Play, Stay and Dine and Gift of Magic Discount offers are available.
April – Though Spring can be tricky when it comes to beating the crowds the week of the 8th of April is a nice option and falls under the current Gift of Magic Discount Offer.
May – If you can take time away from work/school this is a fantastic alternative to visiting during the Summer months. Crowds are still low and the temperatures are fantastic.
August – If you have to visit during the Summer, the last two weeks in August are a great option as crowds have already started to dwindle during this time.
September – Anytime after Labor Day makes for a nice Disney World visit due to kids being back at school.
October – The first half of the month can be a fun, low-key time to pay a visit to Mickey and friends.
November – Enjoy the cooler temperatures and smaller crowds during the first two weeks of the month.
December – Early December is a great time to celebrate the Christmas Season at Disney but without the heaving holiday crowds.
Guests going with any of the options outlined above should find the parks to be quite manageable during these times. There may be the odd conference or cheer competition but the dates outlined above can serve as a great diving in point for those starting to make vacation plans for next year!
Best Dates for Those Looking to Experience Galaxy’s Edge:
If you’re a Star Wars fan then no doubt you are counting down the date for the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge expansion to open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you are looking to plan your visit around the opening of Galaxy’s Edge you may want to think about the last two months of the year. As of going to print, Disney World has not released an official opening date and are simply saying late Fall of 2019. However, guests should always be mindful that big projects like this can often experience delays so be prepared to keep your late 2019 dates flexible. Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for the latest Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge news and updates.
Busy Times to Visit Disney World in 2019:
Sometimes vacationing during Spring Break, Summer holidays and during Public Holidays is essential for families that have work and school commitments. Don’t worry! You can still go and have a wonderfully magical time. However, if your travel dates are flexible here are some times during 2019 that you may want to avoid as they have been known to have higher crowd levels:
January 9 – 12, 2019- Walt Disney Marathon Weekend – During this weekend in January, runners and their families flock to the parks to take advantage of a full weekend of fabulous racing events. However, for non-participants, it can mean higher crowds, traffic disruptions and closures.
January 18 – 22, 2019 – Martin Luther King Jr. Long Weekend – This is a very popular time for families looking to schedule in a Winter getaway which will mean larger crowds.
February 14 – 23, 2019 – Valentine’s Day/President’s Day Weekend – This is another holiday weekend that can really pack a punch in terms of crowds. Lots of families like to take advantage of the long weekend seeing it as an alternative to the busier Spring Break period but in our opinion, the crowds can be just as hefty!
February 21 – 24, 2019 – Princess Half Marathon Weekend – Similarly to the marathon weekend in January, this is another extremely popular runDisney event which means larger than normal crowds and possible disruptions. Mardi Gras also falls around this time making it a popular time for Southerners who have off from school as a result of the holiday weekend.
March 10 – 31, 2019 – Spring Break – The entire month of March is an extremely busy time to visit Walt Disney World with the last three weeks of the month proving particularly popular. This is definitely one of the busiest times during the year to visit!
April 4 – 7, 2019 – Star Wars Rival Run Weekend – Another marathon weekend this is popular with Star Wars fans. You can expect larger-than-normal crowds.
April 18 – 23, 2019 – Easter – In 2019, Easter falls on April 21st. This is a very popular time for families looking to take advantage of the long Easter weekend.
May 25 – 31, 2019 – Memorial Day Weekend – Though May is typically a fantastic time to visit the parks, this long weekend is best avoided. It marks the start of Summer at Disney World and brings in the crowds as a result!
July 1 – 7, 2019 – Fourth of July Week- Though crowd levels are consistently high throughout the Summer, with Independence Day falling on a Thursday, the entire week will definitely be pretty packed.
August 20 – September 3, 2019 – Labor Day Weekend – Though school may be back in session for some, this weekend is a popular time for those in the area to visit Disney World one last time before the Summer is through. For this reason, you can expect large crowds.
October 11 – 15, 2019- Columbus Day Weekend – Though early October is a great time to visit the parks, they fill up during Columbus Day as again it’s another Public Holiday and therefore a popular time to travel. Crowds also start to pick up in late October for Halloween and for people planning to visit the Food and Wine Festival before it closes in November.
November 1 – 4, 2019 – Wine and Dine Half Marathon– Since this year’s marathon has yet to take place dates haven’t been announced for 2019. However, we are basing it on this year’s event which is slated to take place in Early November. Like the other races listed above, it can bring in larger crowds!
November 24 – 30, 2019 – Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving happens on November 28th in 2019 and visitors can expect to see a spike in crowd levels this week.
December 22 -29, 2019 -Christmas – Many people have the misconception that Christmas serves as a quieter alternative to visiting during the Summer months. Think again! The holiday season is actually one of the busiest times of year to visit the theme parks. Capacity closures are not uncommon during Christmas week so plan accordingly.
Visiting Disney World During the Summer Months:
For many people planning a Disney getaway, the Summer is an absolute necessity and that is fine. You’ll still have an incredible time- we promise. However, June, July and August do bring in the crowds! Therefore, its good to do a bit of forward planning and strategize how you’ll make the most out of your theme park days! We recommend enlisting the service of an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner like MickeyTravels! Read below to find out more.
Thinking about a 2019 Walt Disney World getaway? Discounts are currently available from January – April 2019 and packages can be booked through until the end of next year. Get a jump-start on your travel plans by getting your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels. Simply fill out our form below.
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from finding your perfect Walt Disney World package to helping you nab those hard to get dining and Fastpass reservations. I also love sharing tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your visit. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE! Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email a mroden@mickeytravels.com or by following along on Facebook. I look forward to the possibility of helping you plan your magical getaway!
Image credit: Disney.
