Posts Tagged ‘special events’

Beautiful June!  With the sunshine and showers, the grounds around the parks and resorts are lush and lovely.  The remaining Star Wars Weekends are on the calendar for June, joined in 2011 by the USA Gymnastics Open Championships scheduled to take place at the  ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

For nearly twenty years, June has also been the month chosen for the annual non-Disney-affiliated get-together known as Orlando Gay Days.  Participants typically stay at a designated off-site hotel and enjoy  a roster of both family- and adult-oriented activities there, which include parties, literary and film festivals, religious services, and seminars, as well as time in the Walt Disney World parks.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Star Wars Weekends; USA Gymnastics Open Championships

Attendance levels: School’s out and the summer crowds begin to arrive.   Generally speaking, events held at ESPN Wide World of Sports have little effect on park numbers, although participants may be housed at a specific resort,  typically one of the Value Resorts, which may impact the experience of other guests staying there.  The Gay Days schedule calls for a visit to a designated park each day, so those wishing to avoid the additional crowds can choose to visit a different park.

Weather: Although not quite the  rainiest month of the year,  on average, guests can expect rain during 14 of June’s 30 days.  With high and low temperatures ranging from the lower seventies to the low nineties, and the humidity up 5% over May, it’s getting hot and humid and will remain so until October.

Packing: Pack for summer but let your own habits be your guide – some guests like to bring a small hand-held fan or mister, and a day pack large enough to hold a water bottle; others prefer a light-weight, long-sleeved garment to wear in chilly, air conditioned areas.

May storms in with Star Wars weekends, an annual event that attracts thousands to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for meetings, motorcades, and lots of fun activities featuring the heroes and villains of Star Wars fame.  Typically scheduled during the last weeks of May and the first part of June, the weekends begin just as EPCOT’s International Flower and Garden Festival is winding down.

Although Disney’s Hollywood Studios is packed for the special weekend events, overall, May crowds are moderate until the Memorial Day weekend when the numbers ramp up for the summer and remain high through August.  While not yet at summer levels, both the temperature and humidity begin to climb.  The average rainfall, although nearly double April’s precipitation at almost 4”, is far lower than that of June and July, the rainiest months of the year.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Star Wars Weekends

Attendance levels: With the exception of Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Star Wars Weekends, crowds are moderate until the Memorial Day weekend

Weather: It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer; the Florida sun is hot bringing temperatures ranging from the high eighties to low nineties dropping to mid- and upper-sixties, with more humidity and rainfall

Packing: Warmer weather invariably means more rain, so be prepared for showers and hot weather

Walt Disney World is blooming by the beginning of April.  EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing with the floral displays and topiaries at their most beautiful and a full roster of Flower Power Concerts, gardening presentations, and special events.

Each year, the Magic Kingdom is closed to the general public on several evenings for Disney Grad Nite celebrations.  On these Friday and Saturday nights, high school seniors take over the park to mark their graduation with special parties and performances.

Historically the most popular time for annual spring breaks at schools around the country, April ushers in some of the heaviest crowds of the year, particularly around Easter.  Happily, the high attendance is accompanied by beautiful weather, making wait times much less stressful.  April is an exceptionally dry month with rainfall dropping back to a bit more than 2 inches.  Take advantage of the balmy temperatures and low humidity while managing the crowds by following our fav5 tips!

Fast Facts

Special Events: EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival; Disney Grad Nites

Attendance Levels: Expect very high crowd levels throughout the month as school vacations and spring breaks free up families to vacation with their children.  Since Easter typically falls in April rather than March, numbers will soar during at least one week of the month, reaching near  annual peaks for park attendance

Weather: Beautiful central Florida weather with highs in the low eighties and lows generally dropping to the low sixties.  April is a drier month and boasts the lowest humidity of the year, making it a great time for some serious park-hopping

Packing: Bring your summer favorites for strolling the parks and swimming in the pools.  Something with long sleeves is handy for cooler evenings

In March, we begin to see the glimmers of great water-park weather and real crowds.  This month heralds the start of spring break season around the country and ushers in a period of heavy attendance beginning mid-March and continuing until late April.

It’s important to keep track of Easter from year to year as the crowd levels around this holiday are second only to the week between Christmas and New Year.  March also features the opening of EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival which began very early in 2010, on March 3^rd.  This annual event draws thousands of visitors to Walt Disney World during its 2½-month run and although it takes place in EPCOT, it boosts the numbers represented by families traveling during school vacations with the additional demographic of gardening enthusiasts.

In both 2009 and 2010, Walt Disney World hosted the Princess Half-Marathon Weekend early in the month.  This will no doubt become an annual event.

The weather during March is more temperate with highs climbing to the high seventies and even low eighties towards to the end of the month, but typically only dropping about ten degrees lower during the evening, making packing a bit less challenging.  There is an increase in rainfall, however, so don’t forget to arrive prepared for showers.

Fast Facts

Special Events: EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, Princess Half-Marathon Weekend

Attendance Levels: Moderate at the beginning of the month, becoming very heavy as spring breaks begin; extremely high attendance over the Easter holiday whether it falls in March or April

Weather: Warm and pleasant with average temperatures only fluctuating about ten degrees, from the low sixties to low seventies up to high seventies low eighties; March falls between two drier months with expected rainfall of more than three inches

Packing: Plan for brief showers and warm weather with a light jacket for slightly cooler evenings

February is a relatively quiet month at Walt Disney World.  While there are schools around the country that have a break at this time of the year, with the exception of Presidents’ Weekend, most days feature low crowds.

The annual event, ESPN the Weekend, generally scheduled at the end of the month, draws a large contingent of sports fans to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.

As with January, those visiting in February will find a number of refurbishments in progress.  One of the two water parks will be closed and work on attractions, dining venues, etc., lasting more than a few days, is generally planned for this time of the year.

Valentine’s Day is a favorite for couples and there are special menus, themed dinners, and even heart-shaped treats available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

The weather is beginning to get a bit warmer with average temperatures in the mid seventies during the day and low- to mid-fifties in the evening.  A “transitional” month like January, February calls for layers of clothing that can be worn and removed throughout the day as the temperatures rise during the afternoon and fall back at night.  While there may be slightly more rain than during the preceding five months, average precipitation is still less than half of the rainfall expected over the summer.  So, pack an umbrella and a smile, and head off for a fabulous February visit!

Fast Facts

Special Events: ESPN the Weekend

Attendance Levels: Generally low with a major increase over Presidents’ weekend

Weather: A bit warmer than January with expected low- to mid-seventies for highs, and lows in the fifties; average precipitation about 2.8 inches

Packing: Layers with an eye on the forecast to add more warm- or cool-weather items; an umbrella or poncho for occasional showers

Most of the holiday guests depart on the 1^st or 2^nd, making January one of the favorites for veteran visitors who enjoy the cooler weather and some of the lowest crowds of the year.  There’s a surge in attendance over the Martin Luther King Day holiday, and the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, typically scheduled at the beginning of the month, attracts thousands of runners who participate in the events.

Generally speaking, days average in the low seventies and evenings a cool, but pleasant, fifty degrees.  Of course, there are exceptions – January has also seen low twenties and high eighties!  There is virtually no humidity at this time of year making it the perfect park-hopping season.  Pack a variety of clothing that can easily be layered.  Often, brisk morning temperatures give way to warmer afternoons, then chilly evenings after the sun sets.  It can get particularly nippy on the water after dark, so be sure to bring a jacket if you’ll be using boat transportation after leaving the parks.  Check the ten-day forecast at weather.com before you leave and review the contents of your suitcase accordingly, tossing in some extra shorts, or gloves and a warm sweater.

Since pools are heated, there will always those who brave even the coolest weather for a quick dip, and the poolside spas are particularly inviting; just bring a warm cover-up for the walk back to the room!

We’ve also found that there seems to be a bit more magic in the air during these quieter periods.  Cast members aren’t as stressed by the demands of huge crowds and can often take the time to make your visit even more special.  It’s a great time to enjoy popular attractions which have long wait times during busier months, and you’ll be able to see and do a lot more.  Dining reservations are less difficult to secure, and it’s easier to slow down and enjoy your surroundings, take photos, appreciate the details.  Guests arriving right after New Year’s Day can still enjoy the Christmas decorations before they’re removed; usually around January 3^rd.

Remember, periods of lower attendance are also the times when park hours are shorter and more rehab work is scheduled.  Those hoping to catch parades and shows should check days and times before making their plans.  Your Whimsical World Travel Concierge will include information about park hours and rehab closures with your final document package so you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy January at Walt Disney World.

Fast Facts

Special Events: Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

Attendance Levels: Generally low with a spike over the Martin Luther King Day weekend.   The marathon activities do impact traffic along the course

Weather: Coolest month of the year; highs in the low seventies; lows in high forties to low fifties; average precipitation slightly more than 2 inches

Packing: Layers with an eye on the forecast to add more warm- or cool-weather items

#3  concept^tm Itinerary

Expect White Glove treatment as you experience the Walt Disney World Resort in a unique new way with a customized itinerary from Whimsical World Travel’s concept^tm program.

Each themed vacation includes a comprehensive package of arrangements, events, recreation, and entertainment designed to appeal to guests who are looking for an innovative and immersive experience.

Choose from some of our most popular offerings:

Boo to You! Halloween is a month-long celebration at Walt Disney World® and we’ve arranged a frightfully good time!

Over the River and Through the Woods Share the joys of the holiday season with family and friends at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge; dressed to impress in its Christmas finery.

Honeymoon Dreams Celebrate a marriage or vow renewal in unforgettable Disney style with romantic activities and memorable surprises.

Grand Indulgence Relaxing, rejuvenating, restorative – sybaritic spa treatments and sumptuous accommodations make this vacation special.

Other current themes include golf, birdwatching, theater, engineering, hot-air balloons, horses, architecture, history, animals, and transportation.  Or, let us craft a one-of-a-kind stay especially for you.  From autographs to zebras, we have creative ideas for your next significant splurge!

As the 14th annual EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival draws near, guests are reviewing the schedule and making plans.   One event with a loyal following is the Party for the Senses.  Despite hefty price increases over the years, this program continues to draw enormous crowds.  The Party is held every Saturday night during the Festival in the World ShowPlace venue and offers an embarrassment of gastronomic riches.  Attendees are presented with a wine glass and plate at check-in and set loose to wander, cocktail-party style, throughout the massive space.

It’s a grazer’s paradise and an opportunity to sample many imaginative creations, savory and sweet, at dozens of tasting stations.  There are also more than 50 wines and beers on offer, representing both famous and less well-known wineries from around the world.

A central stage features entertainment though, sadly, it is no longer provided by members of the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.

Changes for 2010 include the debut of the Wine View Lounge.  For an additional fee, guests can enjoy a private area with reserved tables and some extra amenities and menu items.  The Party will also feature different themes each weekend:

• September 26    Spanish Cuisine, Chef Douglas Rodriguez
• October 3    Comfort Foods with a Twist
• October 10    South American Cuisine, Chef Jeff Tunks
• October 17   Classical Cuisine
• October 24   Asian Cuisine, Chef Alan Wong
• October 31   The Fall Harvest, Chefs Cat Cora and Tory McPhail
• November 7   Italian Cuisine

While a number of the other special events held during the Festival sell out quickly, this large-capacity extravaganza offers many more guests the opportunity to participate in a truly unique wine-and-dine experience.

If I have made it sound like a must-do affair, let me say that, despite its popularity, I heartily dislike this event.  Tickets include preferred seating at the early performance of that night’s Eat to the Beat concert.  The suggestion is for guests to enjoy the music and then make their leisurely way around to the World ShowPlace to attend the Party.  In fact, regular attendees know full well to avoid the concert and head straight for the Party to line up early for entrance.  Many will be waiting an hour or more before the doors open, for one reason – to get a seat.  When guests are allowed to enter, there is a mad dash to grab a table; a somewhat unfortunate contradiction to the sophisticated ambiance that the elegant food is meant to evoke.

Amazingly, a good number of the guests, who have paid $135 each to attend, will never find a place to sit.  They will be reduced to roaming around on tired feet, trying to juggle a wine glass, a plate, a napkin, the little dish holding the food sample of the moment, and any personal items they’ve carried in, while attempting to “enjoy” the food.  It’s not unusual for arguments to break out throughout the evening as people vie for precious table space, or a place to rest a park-weary body.

The last time I attended, there was a large area just inside the entrance devoted to a display of table settings.  I found this very interesting and spent at least ten minutes walking around, but did not see one other person stop to look during the entire time I was there.  I can’t help but think that guests would have been better-served if this space had been used for additional tables and chairs.  I have been told that some steps were taken this past year to address the issue.  That the “solution” for 2010 is to offer a guaranteed chair for an additional $75.00, boggles the mind.

I was ready to leave after a half-hour of wandering around looking for any flat surface and finding none, and I won’t be attending again until Disney rethinks their approach to seating.  Happily, there truly is something for everyone at Walt Disney World, and the Party for the Senses seems to be the “something” for quite a few visitors.

Party for the Senses

World ShowPlace, EPCOT

Every Saturday during the Festival 9/26 to 11/7, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

$135.00 per person

Wine View Lounge additional $75.00 per person

Reserved seating at 5:45 performance of Eat to the Beat Concert included

Park admission required

The schedule for the 2009 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival was recently released, and reservations for the special events open on August 11, 2009.  From September 25 to November 8 this year, it’s a great time to visit Walt Disney World.

Nonetheless, it remains a challenge for anyone hoping to do some advanced planning.  Fourteen years after its inception, it continues to be a seat-of-the-pants endeavor.  There’s always an aura of disorganization surrounding this event despite so many years of practice.  The announcement of the schedule barely six weeks before the opening date, as usual, leaves guests little time or flexibility to make their arrangements.  With hotel bookings strong due to numerous special offers and reduced rates, anyone hoping to see the schedule before making reservations risks disappointment.  Reduced air capacity often translates to high ticket costs for those making last-minute bookings.  There are also frequent issues with cancellations and changes after the schedule is published, upsetting many a well-laid plan.

Consequently, savvy Festival veterans have learned to decide on their dates first and make their arrangements well in advance, then choose from the available events offered during their trip.

This season features a number of interesting additions to the Festival line-up including offerings from Rio de Janeiro, Thailand, and Puglia.  Everyone will enjoy the Edy’s Ice Cream Experience, and those guests who embrace the tradition of “drinking around the world” will appreciate the tequila tastings Friday through Sunday at Cava del Tequila, and the new champagne and dessert kiosk at the entrance to the World Showcase.

While the previously complimentary tasting seminars at the Festival Welcome Center will now cost $8.00 per person, visitors will still discover a great many events and presentations each day that are included in the regular park admission.

Returning visitors will find many old favorites on the roster including the Party for the Senses, Eat to the Beat Concerts, Wine Schools, Signature Dining, and the Food and Wine Pairings. There are dozens of demonstrations, book and bottle signings, seminars, and, of course, the wonderful kiosks showcasing the foods and beverages from countries around the globe.

A special Disney Gift Card has been designed for the Festival to make purchases fast and convenient and is available at a number of locations throughout the park.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT

September 25 to November 8, 2009

Park admission required

Reserved events available at additional cost

I’ve unexpectedly decided on an extra visit to Walt Disney World this fall, and I’m excited because I’ll get the chance to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party; one of my favorite special events.

Halloween is such a great time of year because we have all the fun without any of the stress associated with other holidays.  Not only has it become a much bigger occasion at home, but Walt Disney World has been expanding the celebration yearly with additional party dates and increasingly elaborate decorations in the Magic Kingdom.

The party starts at 7:00 p.m. and requires a separately-purchased admission ticket rather than the standard park admission.  However, party-ticket holders can generally gain admittance to the Magic Kingdom around 4:00 p.m.  There’s lots to see and do after 7:00 so plan to have an early dinner in the park or at a nearby resort.

While costumes are absolutely optional, many guests wear them, and some are incredibly elaborate, with many “themed” family groups, lots of princes and princesses both big and little, and an enormous range of amazing, and sometimes questionable, choices in between.  Visitors from other countries who may not celebrate the holiday in our uniquely American way, with costumes and trick-or-treating, are especially enthusiastic and a source of much merriment for all the guests.    Trick-or-treat bags are handed out to  each party-goer and all guests, even adults, are encouraged to visit the candy stations located throughout the park.

There’s a special fireworks extravaganza, Happy HalloWishes, and the wonderful Mickey’s Boo to You Parade which follows the highly-anticipated ride of the Headless Horseman.  With spooky lighting and special fog effects, lots of new character costumes, dance parties, face painting, mixing and mingling with the Villains, and numerous opportunities for character meet-and-greets, it’s a not-to-be-missed occasion.

At Whimsical World Travel, we think it’s one of the very best times of the year to visit Walt Disney World, and we’ve developed a special itinerary, Boo to You!, which includes lots of special surprises for an unforgettable Halloween visit.

Tickets are available on the day of the party and for pre-purchase at a reduced price.  Weekends and dates closer to October 31^st do sell out, so pick up your tickets early if you know your plans and expect to pay a premium for Halloween night.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Magic Kingdom

7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on select nights 9/4 to 11/1/09

Adults  $55.38 to $68.16

Children ages 3-9  $48.99 to $61.77

Park admission not required