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Know Before You Go!
Long before you go to Walt Disney World on vacation, there is some general information you should know before you go. For example, some things you will definitely want to know are the park hours, ticket prices, the weather, which parks are open for Early Entry mornings, and will E–Ride be available when you’re there.
Below you will find information that should answer all your basic questions.
Park Hours | Crowds and Weather | Ticket Prices | Extra Magic Hour Mornings | E–Ride Nights | Walt Disney World Tours | Rental Car Information | Airport Links
Park Hours
Even Disney will tell you that they change the park operating hours on a whim. Truly, if a particular park is projected to have an unusually high turnout, that park may decide to stay open later than announced. However, as a general rule of thumb, when kids are on vacation from school, the parks will all be open later with more activities and shows going on. The down side is that the lines and crowds will be greater. During off season, the parks don’t stay open nearly as late, but the crowds are smaller and lines are significantly shorter.
Crowds and Weather
Supposedly there are “off seasons” in Walt Disney World…. About 15 or 20 years ago there used to be, but not so anymore. Basically, whenever you go, just expect long lines and lots of people. If you happen to go and find yourself whizzing onto the rides, and feeling lonely, consider yourself lucky. This chart may offer some help for your decision of when is an appropriate time of year for you to go.
The Pros and Cons of the Crowds
I know what you’re thinking… is there ever really a “pro” to having large crowds and long lines? Well, the answer for some may be, “Yes”. My sister, for one, feels like she’s getting “ripped off ” if she can just jump onto a ride without some sort of wait. For her, she enjoys the throngs of people and the excitement it brings.
Generally, when there are more crowds, it is usually because of the particular season (Spring Break, for example). While this may cause many people to be visiting the park on the same day, there are some advantages.
- Parks stay open later
- There are more shows
- Many times, you may see more characters milling about
- There are often fireworks shows and nighttime parades
| Month | Hi/Lo Temp |
Light Crowds
|
Average Crowds
|
Heavier Crowds
|
Lots of People
|
Tons of People
|
Large Crowds, Long Lines*
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| January |
71ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| February | 75ºF 50ºF |
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| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
| March | 78ºF 56ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| April | 84ºF 60ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
| May | 88ºF 65ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
| June | 90ºF 71ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | XXXXXXX | |||||||
| July | 92ºF 73ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| August | 92ºF 73ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
| September | 90ºF 72ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| October | 85ºF 64ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| November | 77ºF 57ºF |
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
| December | 73ºF 51ºF |
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| XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||||
*There is a possibility that when a park (or parks) in Walt Disney World reach this point of attendance, the park(s) may close to general admittance, only admitting resort guests staying on Disney property. In times like these, you may be required to take Disney transportation to the park(s) versus your own/rental vehicle. For guests staying in a Disney resort, check with Guest Services in your resort for up–to–the–minute information; for guests staying elsewhere, call 407-396-4009.
Ticket Prices
One thing that changes faster than weather in New England is Disney ticket prices. Not only do the prices fluctuate constantly (in an upward direction, of course), but the “perks” of the ticket media change as quickly, as well.
Before we actually talk about ticket prices, let’s first compare what you get with each ticket media:
Extra Magic Hour Mornings
Walt Disney World has a great program for Disney Resort Guests (including guests of the Swan/Dolphin and the Hilton at Lake Buena Vista) called the “Extra Magic Hour”. Just like the former Surprise Morning Program, a different theme park will open one hour early each day for Resort Guests. And, even better! Not only will there will be extra characters at the theme parks on the designated morning, but Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open early on selected days, as well! Oh, boy!
Schedule
| Day | Park |
| Sunday | Magic Kingdom |
| Monday | Disney’s Animal Kingdom |
| Tuesday | Disney–MGM Studios |
| Wednesday | Epcot |
| Thursday | Magic Kingdom |
| Friday | Disney’s Animal Kingdom |
| Saturday | Disney–MGM Studios |
Open Attractions During the Extra Magic Hour
| Park | Attractions |
Magic Kingdom |
|
Epcot |
Spaceship Earth |
Disney–MGM Studios |
Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3-D |
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Walt Disney World Tours
In case you have ever wish to see what goes on behind the scenes at Walt Disney World, now is your chance. Several informative tours are offered throughout the park, with topics such as Disney horticulture, yuletide splendor of the Theme Parks, details of Epcot World Showcase and more. We’ve listed two popular tours here, Backstage Magic and The Keys to the Kingdom. Keep checking back as we will be adding information about all the other tours, as well. Note that all these tours are for adults age 16 or over and positive, picture, ID is required at check in. Please also note that this information is accurate as of June 27, 2001. Tour particulars often change, where one element is added, removed, or replaced with another. Please verify your tour particulars when booking your tour.
| Keys to the Kingdom | |
| Tour Length | 4 ½ hours |
| Days Offered | Sunday through Saturday |
| Tour Times | 8:30, 9:30, 10:00, 1:30 |
| Park(s) | The Magic Kingdom Park |
| Admission to Park(s) Required? | Yes |
| Cost | $58 pp |
| Tour Details | Tour the Magic Kingdom tunnel system with stops at Wardrobe, Cosmetology, and the Parade Production Center. Lunch is included at the Columbia Harbor House. |