It’s no secret that our absolute favourite week of the yr to go to Walt Disney World is through the vacation season. It’s good in each regard, from manageable crowds to reliably comfy climate (knock on wooden) to the parks decked out for Christmas. There are lots of different weeks we like rather a lot, however there’s one other with which we have now extra of a love-hate relationship.
This one additionally has rather a lot going for it, which is why we go to steadily throughout this week. It’s close to the beginning of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, however not on the very starting. This implies the bottom costs for occasion tickets, normally barely higher climate (though nothing even approaching costume-level comfy for us), and generally events that aren’t completely bought out (not related in the previous few years, but it surely was as soon as…and possibly once more?).
It’s additionally the standard begin of the EPCOT Worldwide Meals & Wine Pageant. Though dates have but to be launched for 2025, the foodie fest returned to its regular cadence this yr, which meant kicking off simply earlier than Labor Day weekend. In all probability, the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant will comply with that very same sample.
Then there are crowd ranges. We spend numerous time overlaying the late summer season and early fall low season, so I don’t need to belabor the purpose. You most likely already know that crowd ranges drop significantly (they usually weren’t even that top to start with this summer season) as soon as college goes again in session, they usually don’t actually get well till fall breaks start.
Suffice to say, the final week of August was the slowest at Walt Disney World because the final week of September 2021. Though the final week of August 2024 was the slowest week in a number of years, it wasn’t even all that outstanding. The identical week final yr was barely busier, with a 25 minute common and 1/10 crowd stage versus a 23 minute common and 1/10 crowd stage this yr. Two minutes can add up over the course of a day, however each weeks have been extremely gradual–the 2 least busy weeks since October 2021!
Given the general trajectory of crowd ranges and the final week of August being reliably gradual year-in and year-out, this shouldn’t be an enormous shock. I’m pretty assured in predicting the final week of August 2025 may even be gradual. Whether or not it’s kind of busy than this yr most likely is dependent upon the broader financial system, Epic Universe, and the Disney Starlight Night time Parade in addition to a possible summer season occasion.
For individuals who are questioning, crowd ranges don’t actually spike for Labor Day, both. This additionally shouldn’t be in the least stunning for readers of this weblog, because it’s a degree that we harp on steadily–Labor Day is the least busy vacation weekend of your complete yr, and is much less busy than Jersey Week, Ski Week, and different random holidays you would possibly suppose I’m making up. We defined the ‘why’ of that and supplied historic stats again in Labor Day Weekend Isn’t Busy at Disney.
As mentioned in our record of the 10 Finest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 to 2025, mid-August to late September is one of the best stretch of your complete yr and if these lists have been purely data-driven, over half of the ‘finest’ aspect of the ledger can be weeks in August and September. With solely a few exceptions, your complete two month stretch sees beneath common attendance.
All of this could sound nice…so what’s the hate a part of the love-hate relationship? Climate. Oppressively scorching and humid temperatures are the explanation that just one week throughout that timeframe makes the record, and it’s not even the one with the objectively lowest crowds.
As a substitute, it’s a tad later than we’d like, with the concept of compromising on crowds to enhance the chances of higher climate. In fact, there aren’t any ensures–Florida has 42 weeks of summer season and it is hurricane season!
The actual fact is that warmth, humidity, and hurricanes are of venture anytime from early August by way of late October. Once more, we don’t need to belabor the purpose, so should you’re on the fence about this tradeoff, see Is It Nonetheless Price Visiting In the course of the Early Fall Offseason at Walt Disney World? for a better dialogue of climate vs. crowds.
The excellent news is which you could nonetheless have the upside of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering and the 2025 EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant even should you choose to push previous the objectively-best weeks of the yr in late August and early September for one thing subjectively superior (probably!) in mid-to-late September.
Nonetheless, there’s one new cause to go to then that you simply’ll miss should you go later throughout Fall 2025…
The newest addition to this already stacked schedule is that D23 is returning to Walt Disney World for the largest fan occasion of 2025–now at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, from August 29 – 31, 2025!
D23 Gold Members will likely be among the many first to listen to thrilling bulletins and see sneak peeks from the numerous worlds of Disney—and relive favourite reminiscences with behind-the-scenes tales, particular company, and a lot extra at this epic occasion.
Greater than doubling in dimension in 2025, followers can sit up for a weekend full of unique displays from Walt Disney Archives and the Walt Disney Studios; spectacular leisure; and peeks into all of the worlds of Disney, together with a wide range of distinctive interactive and buying experiences.
As a part of the occasion, D23 has organized a particular room block at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World Resort. You’ll be able to benefit from this supply for a seamless keep. You’ll be able to reserve your room by clicking right here or by calling 407.939.4686. (If what I’m seeing is appropriate, it’s a flat-rate of $200 per evening whatever the dates you e book, and whether or not you select an ordinary or most well-liked room–nothing for Gran Destino Tower, sadly.)
From the outline, it appears like Vacation spot D23 is changing into the D23 Expo: Walt Disney World Version. Properly, besides they don’t even name the Anaheim Version the D23 Expo anymore, however just about each fan nonetheless does. It’s like Child Yoda vs. Grogu or Magic Kingdom vs. Magic Kingdom Park.
Anyway, Vacation spot D23 began out as a history-oriented occasion (and was known as D23’s Vacation spot D) that was completely superior for geeks like us. Vacation spot D/23 had possibly 1-2 newsy objects per yr, and was largely listening to gritty outdated dudes speak concerning the creation of the Trip Kingdom of the World, the challenges they overcame to attain success, and the way they only bought stuff accomplished. I’m positive present administration didn’t like this for plenty of causes (particularly the “getting stuff accomplished” half).
It wasn’t till 2018 that Vacation spot D23 actually grew to become the off-year Expo, and even then, the largest information was the names of the sights in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. All the pieces else was updates, opening seasons, or returning/restricted time leisure. That’s actually it. Final yr was when Vacation spot D23 actually went mainstream, with what I’d argue was an even bigger slate of bulletins than through the prior D23 Expo.
There’s no means on earth that the 2025 Vacation spot D23 could have extra huge information than the 2024 D23 Expo. That simply isn’t doable. However we’d count on a ton of venture updates, new idea artwork, and mid-tier bulletins (new eating places, trip reimaginings, celebrations, resort enlargement–that type of factor).
It could be an ideal venue to disclose, for instance, that the Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights and Nation Bear Christmas are returning in 2025. (Truly…that will be a tad late to incentivize individuals to e book journeys…however you get the concept.)
I’d additionally count on a combination of history-focused and synergistic panels. The final Vacation spot D23 was a reasonably large departure from the primary one we attended again in 2011 for Walt Disney World’s fortieth Anniversary, however fan preferences have modified. Sadly, the ‘present-day’ panels are extra in style.
One other unhappy level is that most of the Disney Legends who introduced Walt Disney World to life have handed away within the final decade-plus or can now not do displays. (To not go down a morbid highway, however when you have the possibility to listen to any of those Imagineers and others speak, don’t move it up. The clock is ticking.) However I digress.
The underside line is that I like Vacation spot D23 and plan on attending once more in 2025. I’m actually comfortable that it strains up with (what I assume will likely be) the beginning of EPCOT’s Meals & Wine Pageant and (most likely) the second week of MNSSHP.
I’ve been to nearly all the Vacation spot D/23s, and have cherished nearly each panel I’ve attended–some even unexpectedly, like a NatGeo one which I went in considering didn’t belong at Vacation spot D23 (it didn’t, however was nonetheless good).
And for these frightened that Vacation spot D23 will trigger worse crowds, it received’t. The few thousand attendees (at most) are a drop within the bucket, and that’s even when they have been visiting the parks. They aren’t. This can be a conference, so days are largely spent at Coronado Springs. Until you’re staying there or centered on the dorkiest rides at Walt Disney World, you most likely received’t even discover there’s a D23 occasion occurring.
This additionally type of touches on why Vacation spot D23 positively isn’t for everybody. I wouldn’t have this be my once-every-two-years go to to Walt Disney World, however should you’re an out of state Annual Passholder or take pleasure in conventions and are tremendous with far much less park time, it truly is numerous enjoyable. A distinct approach to do WDW, make buddies with widespread pursuits, and achieve a better appreciation for Walt Disney World.
Lastly, one thing I need to contact on briefly as an X-factor is that this would possibly be the optimum time to expertise Disney Starlight Night time Parade, Check Monitor 3.0, and no matter else Walt Disney World has on deck for Summer season 2025. Whereas we totally count on the brand new parade to debut round Memorial Day, that’s not a positive factor. And there’s much more uncertainty relating to Check Monitor 3.0 or the rest that has but to be introduced.
Walt Disney World has been fairly unhealthy at assembly deadlines these days. Tiana’s Bayou Journey is the lone exception to this as one thing that opened forward of schedule…and I believe we will all agree that it most likely shouldn’t have. Nearly all the things else has been delayed. CommuniCore Corridor and the reimagined Little Mermaid present are two prime examples. (A bit irrelevant, but when Disney can’t ship these initiatives, of all issues, in a well timed method, it doesn’t make me overly optimistic for the bold parts of the 5-year plan.)
The opposite wrinkle is crowds. We actually don’t know what’s going to occur with Epic Universe–each that park itself and its impression on Walt Disney World. Publicly, the place of Bob Iger and co. is {that a} rising tide lifts all ships. Possibly they’re proper, through which case it might be a busier summer season, particularly on the parade route in Magic Kingdom. No matter how issues play out in June and July, we’d nonetheless totally count on late August and early September to be slower. Identical to all the time. And that extends to Epic Universe, too.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the things you want to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
For those who’ve accomplished Walt Disney World in late August or early September, what was your expertise? Was it price hitting the cheaper MNSSHP dates and early-on throughout EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant, or was the climate too scorching and humid? For those who’ve accomplished Vacation spot D23, would you suggest that occasion to different WDW diehards? Ideas about the rest coated right here? For those who’re a frequent customer throughout this timeframe, what’s your tackle crowds, wait instances, seasonal choices, climate, and many others? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
