21 Reasons the Holidays Are the Best Time to Visit Disney World

The Most Magical Place on Earth really comes alive during the holidays. The weather is amazing, there are festivals abound and everyone is in the holiday mood. Here are several reasons why you should consider planning your next Walt Disney World trip during this time of year.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs from August 16th through November 1st. And although you are required to purchase an additional ticket to the event, it is worth it. This is a great event for adults and kids alike, with special food options, merchandise, trick or treating throughout the Magic Kingdom, parades, and shows. There are also special meet and greets - like Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. But the best part may just be the greatly reduced crowds. This means you can ride most rides with little to no wait! Be sure to check out Space Mountain which turns out all its lights and plays rock music for the event.

Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival, which runs August 29th through November 23rd, may just be there best festival of the whole year. Of course, the park has all its normal standbys - country pavilions, favorite rides like Frozen Ever After and tons of character meet and greets - but it also has extra food 'stalls' just for this occasion. And like everything Disney does, these are not just little kiosks, no they're fully decorated miniature buildings with friendly staff and a plethora of food and drink options. Be prepared to eat - and drink - your way around the world.

The Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival also features the Eat to the Beat Concert series. Check out the lineup to find when some of your favorite musicians and bands are playing. And although the bigger name stars normally play on the weekends, there are some truly great musicians also playing throughout the week as well.

One of my all-time favorite parades at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is the Boo-to-You Parade during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. You'll want to check the times for the parade on the My Disney Experience app and then make sure to grab a seat well ahead of time as it seems to be a huge crowd favorite. You'll get to see characters otherwise rarely seen in the parks and a special dance number by the Graveyard Diggers. There's also a special Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular and Castle show that's a can't-miss for the event.

Most schools start back between mid-August and Labor Day in the US, meaning that the crowds are drastically reduced from what you would experience during the summer. And although there are Fall and Winter Breaks where the parks will see an uptick in attendance, most of the time there are just fewer people walking around.
*But be warned - if you choose to go the week of Christmas, go at your own risk as the parks have been known to reach capacity by mid-day.

Normally there is a strict rule preventing this for guests over the age of 14, but for Mickey's-Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, adults get to get in on the fun too. You may even opt to skip some of the character meet and greets for photos with other guests instead because of the elaborate costumes. Not sure how to do Disney hair and makeup? Check out Disney's Character Couture packages.

On top of all the specialty shows, parades and characters at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, many of the restaurants replace their traditional menu offerings in exchange for themed Halloween goodies. Some treats can be found throughout the Magic Kingdom during the whole Halloween season, but some are only offered during the special event - like the Jack and Sally push cake pops.

Starting in mid-August, the main drag of Main Street USA and the rest of Magic Kingdom are transformed into a fall festival until early November. From Mickey pumpkin wreaths hanging on every light post to pumpkin sculptures waiting to greet you when you first enter the park.

Last year, Walt Disney World announced that Epcot's beloved nighttime show would soon be ending. Its last show was held on September 30th of this year, but those visiting the parks this holiday season, don't despair! Because there's a whole new show 'Epcot Forever' nighttime spectacular that began on October 1st. The updated show is sure to wow all park-goers.

Florida is hot and humid and spending the day waiting around in the summer heat to go on rides can be really draining on you and your family. But if you wait until closer to Halloween, the weather has normally cooled off by this time, and you're less likely to be caught in an afternoon thunderstorm like during the summer months. Just know that hurricane season for this area is June 1st to November 30th, and although Walt Disney World does a great job monitoring storms, you'll want to check the weather before going.

There are normally two weekends a year - one in the Spring and one in the Fall - that are Dapper Dan Days. Although these events are done directly by Walt Disney World, they are hugely celebrated at Disneyland, Walt Disney World and even Disneyland Paris. For 2019, the Dapper Dan Days weekend at Walt Disney World will be held November 15-17th and guests are encouraged to show up in their best outfits from yesteryear. Think of the Barber Shop Quartet, petticoats, and vintage looks. And dress uniforms are encouraged from all active and retired military members.

Just after Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival ends on November 23 for 2019, Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays will return on November 29th - giving the park just a six-day reprieve. At Epcot's International Festival of the Holidays, guests get to enjoy Yuletide celebrations from the eleven represented countries around the World Showcase and feast on special seasonal recipes until the festival ends on December 30th.

Walt Disney World goes all out for Christmas. Guests who plan their visit around the first week in November will get the full experience of Halloween and then see the transformations into the Christmas season. Although all decorations are not fully in place until mid-November, this overnight transformation is remarkable. Walt Disney World has a year-round, full-time staff solely dedicated to the planning and maintenance of decorations for how the parks, resorts, cruise ships and even Disney's private island will be decorated for the holidays. Guests can even take Disney's Yuletide Fantasy tour during the off-season to get a look at all the behind-the-scenes excitement.

Much like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, guests will need to purchase an additional ticket for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. But once again the additional cost is worth the magical specialty shows, parades and reduced crowds. Receive free treats from around the park, access to exclusive merchandise and some rides even receive a special Christmas makeover like the Jingle Cruise. This extra holiday merriment occurs on select nights November 8th through December 22nd.

Throughout the parks at Walt Disney World - especially at Epcot and the Magic Kingdom - there are specialty food options just for the yuletide season. The Holiday Kitchens at Epcot during the International Festival of the Holidays are renowned for their unique and delicious offerings, and of course, there are holiday-themed treats exclusive to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. But the Magic Kingdom also offers an array of Christmas sweets and themed treats throughout the park even when the party is not going on.

Cinderella's Castle lit up with the famous icicle lights is really a sight to behold. Queen Elsa transforms the castle at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party to a frozen wonderland.

Ready to really feel the Christmas Magic? Head over to Epcot for the Candlelight Processional, a nightly event from November 29th through December 30th. A 50-piece orchestra and choir entertain guests with a moving retelling of the Christmas Story with celebrity narrators. This year Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg and Pat Sajak are just some of the big names set to tell the story.

At Disney's Hollywood Studios, enjoy Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! - a nightly show starting on November 8th and ending on January 5th that is filled with some of Disney's classic Christmas scenes. Comprised of projections, lasers, music and fireworks this is a great addition to any holiday season. Plus we can't wait to hear if and how the park plans to celebrate the season at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Real snow is a rare occurrence for those living or visiting Orlando, Florida. Unless of course, you're at the Magic Kingdom or Disney's Hollywood Studios. 'Snow' falls nightly on Sunset Boulevard for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! and falls on Main Street U.S.A. during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

The festivities don't end for Walt Disney World after Christmas Day though. They go right up until New Year's with specialty celebrations for adults and kids throughout the resort. From reveling atop Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort, which was recently updated to celebrating with your family at the Fantasia Ballroom at the Contemporary Resort, New Year's Eve is a time for partying across Walt Disney World.

Wondering how to make a Walt Disney World vacation work for you and your family during the holidays? Walt Disney World puts out numerous holiday vacation packages throughout the year for guests to receive special VIP treatment, free dining plans or even just great deals to the parks. So it's always good to work with a travel agent who knows about these offers to help get you the best deal.