Do the winter blues have you down? Cheer up with a Disney vacation! Winter is a great time to plan a family trip to one of the Disney Parks or hop aboard a Disney Cruise. Whether you choose a Christmas getaway or kick off the new year with a dose of Mouse, here are 10 reasons to visit Disney in the winter.
1) Christmastime
Christmas at Disney is one of my favorite experiences anywhere. The parks and the ships are decorated beautifully, there are seasonal treats everywhere you look, the air is filled with gingerbread and holiday music, and everyone just seems a little bit happier (yes, even for Disney). If you time it right, you might even see snow on Main Street! I can’t possibly describe all the wonder of a Disney Christmas in this article, so be sure to check out some of my previous posts about the joys of adding Disney magic to your holidays:
- 10 Reasons a Disney Vacation is the Perfect Christmas Gift
- The Ultimate Disney Christmas: 2017 Edition
- My 10 Favorite Memories of a Disneyland Christmas
2) Lower Prices
If you’re traveling after New Year’s Day, you’ll find some of the lowest prices of the year at the Disney Parks. It’s a great opportunity to stretch your budget and experience a Deluxe Disney Resort Hotel that you’ve always wanted to visit. Historically we’ve even seen some additional discounts during the first few months of the year; be sure to work with a vacation planner who specializes in Disney Destinations to get the best deal on your trip!
3) Lower Crowds
Once the holidays are over and the kids are back in school, the crowds are considerably lower during the beginning months of the year. The exceptions are the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend (more on that in a moment), and any of the three day weekends (Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day).
4) Cooler Weather
Don’t like the Florida heat and humidity? Enjoy a more temperate climate in December, January, or February. You’ll want to bring a jacket, but you won’t have to worry about excessive heat. The average rainfall in Orlando is also lower in the winter months.
5) Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend & Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
runDisney hosts two of the most popular races at Walt Disney World Resort during the wintertime. The year kicks off with the Walt Disney World Marathon, a long-running event that began in 1994. The Disney Princess Half Marathon is hosted in late February, and boasts some of the best runners’ costumes. These events are a fun way to add a unique twist to your Disney vacation, and stick to those New Year’s resolutions in the process.
6) Epcot International Festival of the Arts
Now in its second year, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts celebrates visual arts, performance arts, and culinary arts with a touch of Disney flair. My favorite part of this festival is the Disney on Broadway Concert Series, hosted in Epcot’s World Showcase. You can catch performers from the most popular Broadway shows and its included in your park admission.
7) Star Wars Day at Sea & Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line
Do you have a Star Wars or Marvel fan in your group? You might want to consider sailing with Disney Cruise Line during one of their specially themed cruises! Select Bahamian and Caribbean sailings feature either a Star Wars Day at Sea or a Marvel Day at Sea in early 2018 and 2019. Where else can you party with Darth Vader on the open ocean or sail with The Avengers?
8) Lunar New Year at Disneyland Resort
Celebrate Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park with a tribute to Asian cultures. You’ll enjoy special parades, character appearances, themed cuisine, and more. The day culminates with Hurry Home, a spectacular nighttime water show that joins World of Color at Paradise Bay.
9) Valentine’s Day & Seasonal Treats
Speaking of themed cuisine, Disney loves to create special treats for the holidays. And for Valentine’s Day, that means plenty of hearts and chocolate! Look for seasonal menus throughout the parks and aboard Disney Cruise Line.
10) Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
I talk all the time about the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, but did you know that Disneyland Resort offers one of its own? Beginning in early March you can savor California cuisine at Disney California Adventure Park. Much like in its Epcot counterpart, you’ll find festival marketplaces, seminars, hands-on activities, and themed menus.
Does a winter Disney vacation sound great to you? I’d love to help you make it incredible! I am a concierge vacation planner specializing in Disney Destinations. My goal is to help families design Disney vacations focused on family and fun, not the stress. When you book with me you get all of my planning services completely free!
Request your free quote and consultation here to get started planning your trip today!
“The cold never bothered me anyway…” – Elsa
Such great Winter Disney ideas. It’s on my goal list to visit with my Grandson. Found your site through SBB
That’s awesome! It’s so nice when multiple generations can visit together. We’re taking our boys on their first trip with a set of their grandparents later this year.
Whenever you’re ready to start making your trip happen, feel free to reach out!