When to go to Walt Disney World is a typical query, with many followers questioning whether or not it’s a good suggestion to delay a trip because of development, cutbacks, pent-up demand, costs, and extra. Among different issues, this addresses whether or not it is best to go to in 2023 for the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration, or wait till 2024?
This has been a giant query in recent times, as main enlargement hit Hollywood Studios after which EPCOT, with the middle of the latter park nonetheless a large filth pit. Walt Disney World is an costly trip vacation spot, so it’s comprehensible that many households–together with rare or once-in-a-lifetime guests–would need to see the parks at their finest, with the whole lot open and many shiny new rides.
On prime of development, the final couple of years have been tough. Reduced stage exhibits, nighttime spectaculars, different leisure, scaled-back menus, restricted hours, lacking perks, staffing shortages, upkeep woes, dramatically elevated prices because of provide constraints and pent-up demand–the record goes on and on. Then there was Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, which was extremely underwhelming and didn’t ship on a lot of its promised additions.
In typical instances, we oppose suspending experiences for one thing theoretically higher down the highway. In life and with Disney theme parks, there’s this fantasy of an ideal tomorrow and imperfect at this time. Something higher, newer, or larger on the horizon that it is best to wait to see. That overlooks the prices of ready, and in addition the downsides.
The final couple years have actually pushed this level house. Americans have reweighed their priorities and positioned renewed emphasis on experiences. Even past that, ready on a Walt Disney World journey is just not a lot of an choice for a lot of households; youngsters develop up shortly, and taking them sooner reasonably than later is the perfect plan of action.
Then there’s the character of nostalgia and alter. To borrow a line from Andy Bernard (who went to Cornell, so you already know he’s sensible), “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” This assertion is profoundly easy, but merely profound. And it’s very true in terms of Walt Disney World.
Looking again, there are a variety of instances that I’d take into account to be the “Golden Age” at Walt Disney World. Most lately, September via early December 2019. Before that, November and December 2016. Prior to that, Summer 2014. Even what’s routinely considered as an period of stagnation, 2007 via 2011, holds a variety of nostalgia for us. (That’s us under in Summer 2008, sporting Mickey ears we received whereas lining up for Journey into Imagination–one in every of a number of successes throughout the Year of a Million Dreams! If I may commerce the whole lot added to Walt Disney World since to revisit then, I might do it instantly.)
With the advantage of hindsight, I may give examples of why every of these years have been particular (Dream Lights’ debut, Year of a Million Dreams, SpectroMagic’s farewell, Summer Nightastic, Extra Magic Hours till 3 am, and so on).
The drawback is that, excluding late 2019 and Summer 2014, I don’t suppose I may determine these as particular eras whereas dwelling via them. There are a number of causes for this, all of that are past the scope of this put up. Regardless, the purpose is that it’s exhausting to say how 2023 or 2024 may be perceived with the advantage of hindsight. Maybe one or each will probably be considered as a brand new “Golden Age” when wanting again from 2030.
But sufficient with the ‘deep thoughts’ about revisiting the previous. Let’s check out the professionals & cons of visiting Walt Disney World in 2023. As in comparison with the final couple of years, the large factor is that the parks won’t be working in ‘phased reopening’ mode. By and enormous, visitors won’t need to accept a compromised Walt Disney World expertise.
To ensure, there are going to be modifications you don’t like that persist. Disney Park Pass reservations nonetheless exist–however we wouldn’t be shocked if that system is retired for everybody however Annual Passholders someday in 2023. Park Hopping remains to be restricted–however that’s more likely to be rolled again to some extent. Shows like Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Jedi Training Academy, and Enchanted Tales with Belle are on hiatus–however no less than 2 of these are doubtless gone for good. If the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights are ever going to return, that’ll doubtless occur in 2023.
It’s doubtless that main complaints you may need with Walt Disney World in 2023 are more likely to exist in 2024 and past. So much has modified in the previous few years, and most of it isn’t supposed as momentary. Sure, some issues would possibly change. It’s sensible to count on the Disney Dining Plan to return or Genie+ and Lightning Lanes to enhance as extra tweaks are made.
It’s additionally cheap to count on tensions, for lack of a greater time period, between visitors and Cast Members to enhance. It’s been a tough couple of years, with individuals stressed, overworked, and reaching their breaking level. In brief, there are little ways in which “more of the magic” will slowly be rebuilt. Morale has already gotten quite a bit higher simply within the final week!
However, Disney doubtless won’t deliver again Disney’s Magical Express, free QuickPass, free resort parking, or different on-site perks you may be lacking. That’s what’s going to not occur regardless of whether or not you go to in 2023, 2024, 2025, and so on.
With that mentioned, it’s essential to “never say never” in terms of all of this. If this put up have been written two weeks in the past, we might not have included this caveat, and would have known as it a certainty that DME, free FP, and so on., won’t ever be again. However, the return of CEO Bob Iger places quite a bit again into play and means just about something–inside purpose–is on the desk. (More on that very quickly!)
In the final 12 months plus, there has additionally been the fact that Walt Disney World hasn’t been capable of function at full capability because of staffing shortages and different operational woes. This has necessitated capping attendance ranges within the parks, utilizing park reservations to redistribute attendance, and scale back occupancy ranges on the resorts in order to not overwhelm staffing ranges and accessible assets.
It additionally means demand has outstripped provide/capability, and that imbalance has resulted in larger costs–considerably so. The backside line for individuals planning holidays is paying extra whereas getting much less. An analogous situation has been taking part in out with different theme parks and throughout the journey phase, however it’s been significantly pronounced with Walt Disney World. You would possibly expertise “skimpflation” at inns, airways, and different theme parks, however we’ve felt this disproportionately with Disney.
There is a few purpose to consider this may differ between 2023 and 2024. My honest hope is that pent-up demand has already began to exhaust itself, with this vacation season being the final hurrah of types. We’ve already seen 4 new reductions via Spring 2023 launched lately, which got here early by historic requirements and surpassed current precedent when it comes to high quality.
It’s too early to name this a turning level, however we suspect it’s precisely that. Our expectation is that bookings have dropped off in the direction of the top of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary (all of those reductions are being promoted as a “last chance” to expertise the World’s Most Magical Celebration), and issues will normalize round that point.
Let’s use that as a leaping off level for what’ll in all probability differ between the subsequent two years.
First up is costs, which is what we began to the touch upon above. One manner or one other, it’s nearly sure that Walt Disney World costs received’t be the identical in 2023 as they’re in 2024. It’s exceedingly uncommon for room charges, ticket costs, and meals prices staying constant year-over-year. Of course, there are two instructions they will go, up or down.
We lately revisited What Does Walt Disney World Do During A Recession? because it’s been a scorching matter on the minds of Wall Street traders and analysts. While Disney leaders declare one factor will occur, we’ve a special reply primarily based on historic precedent post-9/11 and throughout the Global Financial Crisis (2007-2008). The brief reply is aggressive discounting, however the form that retains spending excessive (e.g. Free Dining).
Perhaps probably the most salient level from that put up is that economists have predicted 9 of the final 5 recessions, and Disney’s costs might not drop in any respect. To ensure, we’ve virtually salivated concerning the prospect of a “correction” in Walt Disney World’s costs for the final a number of years–even pre-closure. If I had a greenback for each time my wishful fascinated about Disney pricing has been improper…properly…I nonetheless couldn’t use that cash to ebook a keep on the Grand Floridian, as a result of each time I’d get nearer, its worth would get additional out of attain!
Typically, menu costs improve in late January or February and probably once more in September or October. Tickets and parking observe a well-known sample; the final a number of years, these have gone up in February and never October (however each are doable). Vacation packages and resort charges for the next 12 months are often launched in mid-summer, and nearly at all times present larger charges year-over-year. Each of those will increase is, on common, 5-10% per 12 months. This additionally doesn’t bear in mind elevated nickel & diming or cuts, which additionally happen with regularity and improve efficient costs even additional.
The actuality is that Walt Disney World is sort of at all times cheaper to go to sooner reasonably than later. If you’re debating between 2023 and 2024, there’s a robust probability subsequent 12 months will probably be cheaper. If you’re ready for costs to drop, historical past is just not in your aspect.
It’s true that the whole lot is cyclical and that an financial correction is inevitable in some unspecified time in the future, however let’s say it occurs in 2 years and leads to an efficient 10-15% lower in costs (by way of higher discounting–not outright decreases). In the meantime, costs can have elevated no less than twice, by 5-9% every year. It’s nonetheless doable that you just’ll come out behind by ready.
I’m holding out hope that Walt Disney World sees a slowdown sooner reasonably than later, as it could be higher for the long-term well being of the parks & resorts if they’re pressured to compete for purchasers, handle points with visitor satisfaction, and return to their very own excessive requirements. The longer the present run of unmitigated monetary success continues, the harder the underlying systemic issues will probably be to deal with. But I’ve realized higher than to ‘predict’ higher discounting or decrease costs sooner or later, as that’s positively the exception reasonably than the rule.
It can also be protected to foretell that an identical quantity and high quality of recent points of interest won’t debut in each 2023 and 2024.
Walt Disney World’s subsequent large attraction to debut is the TRON Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster in Magic Kingdom. Disney introduced that TRON Lightcycle Run will open in Spring 2023, which implies it won’t debut this 12 months as anticipated. We have just a few potential predicted opening dates for TRON Lightcycle Run, all of that are in April 2023 or earlier.
The different somewhat-significant 2023 opening date is Moana’s Journey of Water, which can debut by late 2023. That’s additionally when the EPCOT overhaul will probably be completed in keeping with Walt Disney World, which implies no extra Giant Dirt Pit on the entrance of the park. Play Pavilion may also open round then, however who is aware of. That one is a thriller.
New nighttime spectaculars are additionally debuting in 2023, with a alternative for Harmonious coming late within the 12 months (EPCOT Forever is anticipated to run throughout the spring and summer time whereas work occurs on the lagoon) and the return of Happily Ever After (probably reimagined or enhanced) earlier on.
As for 2024, the one main challenge on the horizon is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is the overhaul of Splash Mountain. Imagineering has indicated that this may debut in late 2024 at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, with a current allow scheduled to run via June 30, 2024. While it’s doable that the reimagined journey opens by then, that’s inconclusive as to its precise completion date.
Quite a lot of the set items could be fabricated off-site and put in as soon as Splash Mountain closes, however I might not put a lot credence in that “late 2024” date this far upfront–and earlier than development has even began in earnest. Imagineering has had issue with delays in recent times, and there’s potential for extra of that with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure–particularly given the unknowns. If I needed to guess on an earlier or later date, my cash can be on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure slipping into 2025.
That’s it. That’s actually the one main addition presently scheduled to debut in 2024…and even that may not open till the next 12 months. Given challenge timelines and Disney’s torpid tempo of development, it’s actually inconceivable for the corporate to announce some other main points of interest that might conceivably debut by 2024. (Even 2025 might be out the window at this level.)
Of course, this doesn’t preclude the opportunity of thrilling additions. The turnaround time for leisure is far tighter, that means that new parades (day or night time), fireworks, stage exhibits–or perhaps a celebratory ‘event’ combining a number of of these issues a la Summer Nightastic–is a risk.
There have been persistent, credible rumors during the last 12 months that Paint the Night will lastly make its solution to Walt Disney World. We don’t count on that anytime quickly now that Fantasmic is again, however it’s a card up Disney’s sleeve that might assist “fix” a few of the present issues. That’s doubly true if an financial downturn drags on Disney’s numbers. But as with worth decreases, I definitely wouldn’t financial institution on any of that.
All issues thought of, it doesn’t appear to us like there are various compelling causes to attend till 2024 to go to Walt Disney World. For the primary time in a couple of decade, there is no such thing as a main all-new attraction coming that’s assured in 2024. (Honestly, I’m hoping that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure doesn’t debut till 2025. The earlier it opens, the much less doubtless it’s to be spectacular.)
From the attitude of pricing, normalcy, new choices, and extra…all of it looks like it’s just about a wash between the 2 years (no less than primarily based on what’s presently identified), with the probability that there isn’t a lot distinction between October 2023 and the identical month in 2024. This is a far cry from the final a number of years, when new lands like Pandora, Toy Story Land, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge–or a large number of different new points of interest from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind–have been compelling causes to attend.
Unfortunately, Walt Disney World now seems to be largely between development cycles, which in all probability explains the choice to carry again TRON Lightcycle Run till 2023, regardless that it may open subsequent month if Disney so desired. Here’s hoping the Moana, Zootopia, Encanto, Coco, Villains, and so on. proposed initiatives in Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom get greenlit to kick off the subsequent large growth growth.
Rather than posing a query within the put up title and never answering it, listed here are 4 instances we’d goal for visits subsequent 12 months: late March 2023, late May 2023, September 2023, or early December 2023. These will not be the solely instances we’d suggest visiting (on the contrary, we ourselves will make numerous visits between these instances), however these home windows make sense and every will doubtless supply greater than the go to earlier than them.
Let’s briefly focus on the professionals and cons of every timeframe…
First, late March 2023.
Central Florida faculties have their spring breaks mid-month (so arrive after March 19, 2023), and Easter falls on April 9, 2023. Going between the 2 ought to decrease crowd points, and the probability that TRON Lightcycle Run is open. If you’re a gambler, take into account reserving the primary week of March 2023. There’s an honest probability TRON Lightcycle Run will probably be open by then (or no less than in previews) and crowds will nearly definitely be smaller.
If you aren’t a gambler and need to hedge your bets, there’s a superb probability Walt Disney World pronounces the official opening date for TRON Lightcycle Run by or earlier than ABC’s Christmas Day “Parade.”
Next, late May 2023.
Even with Memorial Day weekend factored into the combo, crowds are sometimes under common in May. On prime of that, the top of May 2023 would be the kickoff to summer time season, which hopefully means the return of a (reimagined?) Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever fireworks, plus different new leisure able to roll. This additionally primarily ensures that TRON Lightcycle Run will probably be open.
September 2023 is a protected guess for being a superb time to plan a visit.
While crowd ranges throughout different low season instances have fluctuated, September has remained reliably sluggish during the last a number of years. That’s unlikely to alter. On prime of that, no matter returns in time for summer time will nonetheless be round and the probability for reductions is highest within the fall. (We will chorus from recommending a selected week right here, as our ‘ideal week’ for this 12 months ended up being when Hurricane Ian hit. Oof.)
Mid-November or early December 2023 is our last advice. These weeks are at all times good instances to go to, as long as you keep away from the weeks main as much as Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The complete vacation season is busier in absolute attendance numbers than September–and by a big margin–however the addition of Christmas and nicer climate makes it a qualitatively superior time to go to.
It’s additionally doubtless that the whole lot in EPCOT will probably be completed at this level, that means you’ll be capable to expertise Moana’s Journey of Water and regular walkways all through the entrance of the park. We don’t view any of this as thrilling sufficient to ebook a visit round (whilst ardent sidewalk supporters), however maybe you’re main Moana followers.
Ultimately, which a kind of time frames is best for you is essentially circumstantial. If you’re a first-timer, we’re inclined to suggest the March or vacation season time frames when taking the whole lot into consideration. Florida’s climate begins getting scorching and humid by May and continues that manner via September, with the latter being hurricane season on prime of that. So even when the crowds are higher, you’re getting a special type of “unpleasantness.” (And we’d argue that these larger “feels like” temperatures can greater than offset decrease crowd ranges, making the general consolation degree of your go to decrease.)
One factor we’re fairly assured about is that there’s no compelling substantive purpose to postpone your go to till 2024. Walt Disney World is just not debuting any sport altering additions in no less than the primary half of 2024 (and probably not till 2025) that justify delay. Of course, there are at all times wildcards with leisure, particular occasions, and different choices that might roll out post-2023 as a cease hole.
There’s additionally the chance that administration is pressured to undertake a course-correction or chooses to take action with Bob Iger again on the helm. This would imply bettering the visitor expertise and satisfaction after just a few years of burning via goodwill, however that is additionally simply as more likely to occur subsequent 12 months as 2024–it’s inconceivable to foretell proper now. If you’re sitting on the sidelines ready for Walt Disney World to revive a few of the magic that’s been misplaced, it is best to wait to see what occurs. Everyone else in all probability has all the data they should determine when to ebook a visit subsequent 12 months!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about inns on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips put up takes a singular take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for the whole lot it’s essential to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our suggestions for visiting Walt Disney World in 2023 v. 2024? Do you have got a visit deliberate for late March 2023, late May 2023, September 2023, or non-holiday weeks throughout the Christmas season? Are you wanting ahead to visiting as soon as TRON Lightcycle Run opens? Any ideas or predictions of your personal so as to add? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!