Plan your BEST DAY EVER at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
As we continue to plan our magical vacations to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, we are often overwhelmed with all of the amazing and wonderful things the Disney Parks & Resorts have to offer. There is just so much. So how does a family decide to narrow down what will get included on the itinerary?
I’m here to help.
Welcome to the continued blog series called “Best Day Ever”. This new series will help you plan for long and short-term adventures at the parks. Each article throughout the year will provide you with a 3-6 month outlook on what’s coming to the parks – both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. I’ll highlight some of the well known events such as the EPCOT Festivals and Holidays festivities, but also include one or two options found off the beaten path that may not be on your radar. Adding something new and unique to your plans each time you visit keeps things fresh and exciting! I may add a few posts throughout the year that highlight very specifically one of those events and share the do’s and don’ts, must do’s, tips and tricks.
Piggybacking from my friend Gina’s “Love of the Magic Inspiring Itineraries” articles so thoroughly and thoughtfully crafted for destinations worldwide, I will share something similar for our “happy place”.
Welcome to the second edition of Inspiring Itineraries – Disney style!
Let’s get started.
Best Day Ever at Walt Disney World
Table of Contents
If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World in July, August or September 2023, be sure to include one or more of the following activities on your “must do” list and create your BEST DAY EVER.
July
Traveling in July
- The weather is HOT! The temperatures soar into the upper 90s with heat indexes sometimes over 100.
- July has been quiet this year! If you are planning a trip, the time is now. The crowd levels have been unusually low.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- May 20 – September 2, 2023: Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
- June 1- August 24, 2023: EPCOT After Hours Select Nights
- July 1- August 13, 2023: Flavors of Florida Event at Disney Springs
- July 27 – November 18, 2023: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
It’s time!! The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is returning starting July 27 and runs through November 18, 2023!
I have been enjoying the delights of the Food & Wine Festival since the early 2000s. This is one of my absolute favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World. Over the years I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the Food & Wine Festival get better and better, and I’m certain it will live up to all expectations once again this year.
This festival in particular, out of all four offered throughout the year, has grown immensely in popularity over the years. While this is a GREAT thing for Disney, Epcot and the festival itself, it can be quite busy and chaotic at times – especially on evenings and weekends. This can be challenging if you don’t know what to expect and don’t have a plan. If you plan to attend the festival, be sure to check out Walt Disney World’s festival page for all the details.
After Hours Events
Disney After Hours is a special ticketed event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT Anyone can purchase tickets for an After Hours event, it is not restricted to only Walt Disney World Resort (on-property) Guests.
For those unfamiliar with Disney After Hours events, they debuted in 2016 as a very limited capacity, separate ticketed event taking place three hours after park closing, with access to select attractions — which automatically meant much shorter wait times (if any at all!) to all of your favorite rides! The event debuted in Magic Kingdom and was eventually offered in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
The events often sell out, but with limited tickets sold, you essentially feel like you have the entire park to yourself. Disney After Hours events often also include complimentary popcorn, ice cream treats and beverages.
The special EPCOT After Hours events are running on select nights now through August 24th. Purchase tickets here!
August
Traveling in August
- Hot Tamales! The heat is stifling. Be prepared for breaks during the day to escape the intense heat this time of year.
- Crowds are usually on the higher side. Crowds tend to me higher this time of year, but this year we are seeing lower crowds in the summer.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- July 27 – November 18, 2023: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
- May 20 – September 2, 2023: Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
- June 1- August 24, 2023: EPCOT After Hours Select Nights
- August 11 – November 1, 2023: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
It’s time!! The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is returning starting July 27 and runs through November 18, 2023!
I have been enjoying the delights of the Food & Wine Festival since the early 2000s. This is one of my absolute favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World. Over the years I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the Food & Wine Festival get better and better, and I’m certain it will live up to all expectations once again this year.
This festival in particular, out of all four offered throughout the year, has grown immensely in popularity over the years. While this is a GREAT thing for Disney, Epcot and the festival itself, it can be quite busy and chaotic at times – especially on evenings and weekends. This can be challenging if you don’t know what to expect and don’t have a plan. If you plan to attend the festival, be sure to check out Walt Disney World’s festival page for all the details.
After Hours Events
Disney After Hours is a special ticketed event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT Anyone can purchase tickets for an After Hours event, it is not restricted to only Walt Disney World Resort (on-property) Guests.
For those unfamiliar with Disney After Hours events, they debuted in 2016 as a very limited capacity, separate ticketed event taking place three hours after park closing, with access to select attractions — which automatically meant much shorter wait times (if any at all!) to all of your favorite rides! The event debuted in Magic Kingdom and was eventually offered in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
The events often sell out, but with limited tickets sold, you essentially feel like you have the entire park to yourself. Disney After Hours events often also include complimentary popcorn, ice cream treats and beverages.
The special EPCOT After Hours events are running on select nights now through August 24th. Purchase tickets here!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back and better than ever! This is by far my very favorite time of year to visit. The weather is perfect, the crowds are a bit lighter (especially in September and early October), the holidays are just around the corner, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is in full gear, and the ghouls and goblins are out at the Magic Kingdom! Just kidding! It’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! There is nothing scary about it. Trust me, I’m the biggest scaredy cat to roam the earth – if there was a ghoul or goblin around, I would not be attending! But because it’s NOT SCARY, I have attended MNSSHP every year for over 15 years! I highly recommend everyone attend at least once if your budget and time permits. I guarantee you, you will be back for more!
For the full details and party dates, visit here!
September
Traveling in September
- It’s still hot! September is a bit less suffocating, but still hot. Temps will get into the upper 80s and low 90s.
- Crowds are moderate. The Fall season as Walt Disney World attracts crowds with so many activities happening during this time of year.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- May 20 – September 2, 2023: Disney H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon Select Nights
- July 27 – November 18, 2023: Epcot International Food and Wine Festival
- August 11 – November 1, 2023: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
- September 8-10, 2023: Destination D23 at Walt Disney World (SOLD OUT)
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
It’s time!! The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is returning starting July 27 and runs through November 18, 2023!
I have been enjoying the delights of the Food & Wine Festival since the early 2000s. This is one of my absolute favorite times of year to visit Walt Disney World. Over the years I’ve had the great pleasure of seeing the Food & Wine Festival get better and better, and I’m certain it will live up to all expectations once again this year.
This festival in particular, out of all four offered throughout the year, has grown immensely in popularity over the years. While this is a GREAT thing for Disney, Epcot and the festival itself, it can be quite busy and chaotic at times – especially on evenings and weekends. This can be challenging if you don’t know what to expect and don’t have a plan. If you plan to attend the festival, be sure to check out Walt Disney World’s festival page for all the details.
After Hours Events
Disney After Hours is a special ticketed event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT Anyone can purchase tickets for an After Hours event, it is not restricted to only Walt Disney World Resort (on-property) Guests.
For those unfamiliar with Disney After Hours events, they debuted in 2016 as a very limited capacity, separate ticketed event taking place three hours after park closing, with access to select attractions — which automatically meant much shorter wait times (if any at all!) to all of your favorite rides! The event debuted in Magic Kingdom and was eventually offered in Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
The events often sell out, but with limited tickets sold, you essentially feel like you have the entire park to yourself. Disney After Hours events often also include complimentary popcorn, ice cream treats and beverages.
The special EPCOT After Hours events are running on select nights now through August 24th. Purchase tickets here!
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is back and better than ever! This is by far my very favorite time of year to visit. The weather is perfect, the crowds are a bit lighter (especially in September and early October), the holidays are just around the corner, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival is in full gear, and the ghouls and goblins are out at the Magic Kingdom! Just kidding! It’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! There is nothing scary about it. Trust me, I’m the biggest scaredy cat to roam the earth – if there was a ghoul or goblin around, I would not be attending! But because it’s NOT SCARY, I have attended MNSSHP every year for over 15 years! I highly recommend everyone attend at least once if your budget and time permits. I guarantee you, you will be back for more!
For the full details and party dates, visit here!
Best Day Ever at Disneyland
If you are planning a trip to Disneyland in April, May or June 2023, be sure to include one or more of the following activities on your “must do” list and create your BEST DAY EVER.
July
Traveling in July
- Temperatures heat up! The temps and humidity rise in July but the days are longer to enjoy more of the park! Generally the temps do not rise above the mid 80s.
- Crowd levels are high! You will find that Disneyland is more crowded in the summer, so be prepared for crowds.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- June 30- August 31, 2023: Rogers: The Musical at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Limited Time!
- July 17, 2023: Disneyland Birthday Celebrations
- July- August: San Fransokyo Square Opens
August
Traveling in August
- Temperatures heat up! The temps and humidity rise in July but the days are longer to enjoy more of the park! Generally the temps do not rise above the mid 80s.
- Crowd levels are high! You will find that Disneyland is more crowded in the summer, so be prepared for crowds.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- June 30- August 31, 2023: Rogers: The Musical at Disney’s California Adventure Park. Limited Time!
September
Traveling in September
- Crowds levels are GREAT. After the heavy crowds in the summer, September sees less visitors with kids back to school. September is an amazing time to visit.
- Weather is AWESOME! Reaching close to 80 during the day, humidity is low and the sun shines bright! The weather is near-perfect. It will drop lower at night, you may want a sweatshirt on hand once the sun goes down. You won’t need to worry too much about rain this time of year either.
Best Day Ever Overview of Events
- September 1 – October 31, 2023: Halloween Time at Disneyland
- September 1, 2023: Haunted Mansion Holiday
- September 1- November 3, 2023: Plaza de la Familia
- September 5 – October 31, 2023: Oogie Boogie Bash ( select nights)
- September 8- October 31, 2023: Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit in Downtown Disney
Disneyland at Halloween
Disneyland is the mecca of Halloween celebrations. Running from September 1 through October 31, it truly is a spellbinding, eery, ghoulish time of year! If you are visiting in the months of September and during the Halloween festivities, I highly recommend you take one or two in. Oogie Boogie Bash is unlike any Halloween party on either coast. It is not to be missed. It’s California Adventure’s version of an After Hours event. The unique character presence and incredible detail and color is next level. It does draw crowds, so it can be quite busy, but it’s very worth it. Haunted Mansion Holiday is so much fun and is beloved by so many. The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square transforms into a spectacular seasonal overlay featuring our favorite characters from Nightmare Before Christmas. If you love Haunted Mansion, you will love this spooktacular version. Disneyland knows how to do Halloween right.
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