Are you planning to visit Walt Disney World in 2020? Something you will have probably considered already is when should you visit Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, school holidays and annual leave will dictate when many of us can attend, but if we have more freedom, there are dates when you may find quieter parks. However, crowds are not all you will want to think about when visiting Walt Disney World. Both unique festivals and new attractions could also play a role in deciding your perfect vacation dates. Plus, you might want to think about the weather and the availability of special offers when booking your vacation.
Walt Disney World Crowds During 2020
Walt Disney World seems to be getting busier. Events such as the Food & Wine Festival now drag people to the parks during traditionally quiet periods. However, this change in vacation patterns has resulted in slightly lower crowds during the summer period.
Although Walt Disney World will be busy during most periods of the year, it is busiest in Summer Months, Spring Break, Easter, Thanksgiving, New Year, Independence Day & Christmas. However, in busy periods park hours are often extended to give you more chances to complete attractions.
Unsurprisingly, American School Holidays mean larger crowds throughout Walt Disney World. You can learn more about School Holiday dates by clicking this link.
The least busy period at Walt Disney World is from Labor Day to the beginning of October and the middle of January. However, don’t expect the parks to be empty.
We think you can have a great time at Walt Disney World even when it is crowded. We have created a Guide to Managing Crowds at Walt Disney World which has tips and tricks to cope with even the busiest days.
Should you visit parks on set days?
There are lots of websites telling you the best days to visit each park, but our experience is they often tell you different answers. We have tried all these crowd calendars, and we have rarely found them to be reliable. Even when they publish data after the event, it is often not a reflection of our own experience.
We certainly do not recommend paying for the crowd calendars. We have paid for all the most popular sites and have found their recommendations unreliable.
Our best advice is to create a good plan and ensure you book in advance your Fastpass+ Selections and Advanced Dining Reservations. Review some of the free crowd calendars and attempt to see if you can see a pattern of recommendations, but don’t put too much reliance on the accuracy.
Special Events at Walt Disney World in 2020
We all like a good party and Walt Disney World is a great place to have a party. Several special events that occur at Walt Disney World during the year, and they can make your vacation extra special.
Epcot Festivals
There are four annual festivals at Epcot. These festivals have great entertainment, special events, music, and unique food kitchens. You can learn more about these festivals in our Guide to Epcot.
Parties at The Magic Kingdom
Over in the Magic Kingdom, there are 2 annual parties:
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Both these parties have an extra admission cost but are a great opportunity to experiences rides with little wait, meet rare characters, and see unique entertainment. You can learn more about these parties in our Guide to The Magic Kingdom.
There will also be a collection of special events scheduled throughout the year at Walt Disney World. This handy calendar has all the key dates for 2020.
Walt Disney World Weather
What the weather will be like is something we all think about early on when planning a Walt Disney World Vacation.
While it is highly unlikely you can visit Orlando and not encounter a fair measure of sunshine, it can undoubtedly be offset with plenty of rain and the occasional storm. However, a hurricane is unlikely to ruin your vacation.
We have created a Guide to Orlando Weather which has further information.
Special Offers at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World has special offers throughout the year. Many of these offers can save you a serious sum of cash. The most sought after offer is free Disney Dining. Offers do vary by country, and dates are not usually advertised in advance. However, by researching forums online, you can generally predict when an offer is likely to become available.
Strictly speaking, offers are directed at specific markets. However, if you can bypass the regional Walt Disney World website for your country, there is nothing stopping you from booking an alternative offer.
New Attractions at Walt Disney World in 2020
If you have not visited Walt Disney World in recent years, there are already several new areas you will want to visit. The most significant new additions are:
- New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom which opened between 2012-2014
- Pandora – The World of Avatar opened during 2017 at the Animal Kingdom.
- Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios opened in 2018
- Star Wars – Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 at Hollywood Studios
In addition, there will be 2 further big new attractions opening in 2020 which might make you want to delay your vacation:
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Taking the place of The Great Movie Ride in the Chinese Theatre at Hollywood Studios will be the first attraction to star Mickey Mouse in any Disney Park, and guests will become part of a Mickey Mouse short.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a new Ratatouille Attraction opening in the France Pavilion at Epcot. Guests will wear 3D glasses, and the attraction will use a trackless ride system. During the ride, you will shrink to the size of a rat and cause mayhem in Gustav’s kitchen.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is scheduled to open on March 4, 2020. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is expected to open during summer 2020; we expect Bastille Day might be the date.
Read our guide to New Attractions at Walt Disney World in 2020 for further information.
What date should you choose?
We think you will have a fantastic time whenever you visit Walt Disney World in 2020. In fact, we believe 2020 is possibly the best year ever to visit Walt Disney World. Read our blog to read our reasons why.
Wish I was going in 2020 😥