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 lately, as main enlargement hit Hollywood Studios after which EPCOT, with the middle of the latter park nonetheless a large grime 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 wish to see the parks at their greatest, with every part open and plenty of shiny new rides.
On high 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 listing 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 right this moment. Something higher, newer, or larger on the horizon that it is best to wait to see. That overlooks the prices of ready, and likewise 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 possibility for a lot of households; youngsters develop up shortly, and taking them sooner relatively 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 good), “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 relating to 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 by 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 by 2011, holds loads of nostalgia for us. (That’s us beneath in Summer 2008, sporting Mickey ears we gained whereas lining up for Journey into Imagination–one in every of a number of successes throughout the Year of a Million Dreams! If I might commerce every part added to Walt Disney World since to revisit then, I might do it immediately.)
With the advantage of hindsight, I might give examples of why every of these years had 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 downside is that, except late 2019 and Summer 2014, I don’t assume I might establish these as particular eras whereas residing by them. There are a number of causes for this, all of that are past the scope of this publish. Regardless, the purpose is that it’s laborious to say how 2023 or 2024 is likely to be perceived with the advantage of hindsight. Maybe one or each shall be considered as a brand new “Golden Age” when trying 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 massive factor is that the parks is not going to be working in ‘phased reopening’ mode. By and enormous, company is not going to should accept a compromised Walt Disney World expertise.
To make sure, 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 continues 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 a minimum of 2 of these are possible gone for good. If the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights are ever going to return, that’ll possible occur in 2023.
It’s possible that main complaints you might need with Walt Disney World in 2023 are more likely to exist in 2024 and past. Loads has modified in the previous couple of years, and most of it isn’t meant as short-term. Sure, some issues would possibly change. It’s lifelike to anticipate the Disney Dining Plan to return or Genie+ and Lightning Lanes to enhance as extra tweaks are made.
It’s additionally affordable to anticipate tensions, for lack of a greater time period, between company 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 so much higher simply within the final week!
However, Disney possible is not going to carry again Disney’s Magical Express, free QuickPass, free resort parking, or different on-site perks you is likely to be lacking. That’s what is going to not occur irrespective of whether or not you go to in 2023, 2024, 2025, and so on.
With that stated, it’s essential to “never say never” relating to all of this. If this publish had been written two weeks in the past, we might not have included this caveat, and would have referred to as it a certainty that DME, free FP, and so on., won’t ever be again. However, the return of CEO Bob Iger places so much again into play and means just about something–inside cause–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 in a position to 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 out there assets.
It additionally means demand has outstripped provide/capability, and that imbalance has resulted in increased costs–considerably so. The backside line for individuals planning holidays is paying extra whereas getting much less. The same situation has been enjoying 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 resorts, airways, and different theme parks, however we’ve felt this disproportionately with Disney.
There is a few cause to consider it will 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 by 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 direction of the tip 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 gained’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’ll go, up or down.
We lately revisited What Does Walt Disney World Do During A Recession? because it’s been a sizzling subject on the minds of Wall Street buyers and analysts. While Disney leaders declare one factor will occur, now we have a unique reply based mostly on historic precedent post-9/11 and throughout the Global Financial Crisis (2007-2008). The brief reply is aggressive discounting, however the variety that retains spending excessive (e.g. Free Dining).
Perhaps probably the most salient level from that publish is that economists have predicted 9 of the final 5 recessions, and Disney’s costs might not drop in any respect. To make sure, now we have virtually salivated in regards to 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 occupied with Disney pricing has been flawed…nicely…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 value would get additional out of attain!
Typically, menu costs improve in late January or February and doubtlessly once more in September or October. Tickets and parking comply with a well-known sample; the final a number of years, these have gone up in February and never October (however each are attainable). Vacation packages and resort charges for the next 12 months are normally launched in mid-summer, and nearly all the time present increased charges year-over-year. Each of those will increase is, on common, 5-10% per 12 months. This additionally doesn’t keep 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 nearly all the time cheaper to go to sooner relatively than later. If you’re debating between 2023 and 2024, there’s a powerful probability subsequent 12 months shall be cheaper. If you’re ready for costs to drop, historical past is just not in your aspect.
It’s true that every part 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 ends in an efficient 10-15% lower in costs (by way of higher discounting–not outright decreases). In the meantime, costs could have elevated a minimum of twice, by 5-9% annually. It’s nonetheless attainable that you just’ll come out behind by ready.
I’m holding out hope that Walt Disney World sees a slowdown sooner relatively than later, as it could be higher for the long-term well being of the parks & resorts if they’re compelled to compete for purchasers, deal with points with visitor satisfaction, and return to their very own excessive requirements. The longer the present run of unmitigated monetary success continues, the tougher the underlying systemic issues shall be to handle. But I’ve realized higher than to ‘predict’ higher discounting or decrease costs sooner or later, as that’s positively the exception relatively than the rule.
It can also be protected to foretell that the same amount and high quality of recent sights is not going to debut in each 2023 and 2024.
Walt Disney World’s subsequent massive 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 is not going to debut this 12 months as anticipated. We have a number of 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 is able to debut by late 2023. That’s additionally when the EPCOT overhaul shall be completed in response to Walt Disney World, which implies no extra Giant Dirt Pit on the entrance of the park. Play Pavilion may additionally 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 predicted to run throughout the spring and summer season 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 undertaking on the horizon is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is the overhaul of Splash Mountain. Imagineering has indicated that it will debut in late 2024 at each Walt Disney World and Disneyland, with a current allow scheduled to run by June 30, 2024. While it’s attainable that the reimagined journey opens by then, that’s inconclusive as to its precise completion date.
A number of the set items will 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 prematurely–and earlier than development has even began in earnest. Imagineering has had issue with delays lately, and there’s potential for extra of that with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure–particularly given the unknowns. If I needed to wager 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 at the moment scheduled to debut in 2024…and even which may not open till the next 12 months. Given undertaking timelines and Disney’s torpid tempo of development, it’s actually not possible for the corporate to announce every other main sights that might conceivably debut by 2024. (Even 2025 might be out the window at this level.)
Of course, this doesn’t preclude the potential for thrilling additions. The turnaround time for leisure is way 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 chance.
There have been persistent, credible rumors over the past 12 months that Paint the Night will lastly make its strategy to Walt Disney World. We don’t anticipate that anytime quickly now that Fantasmic is again, however it’s a card up Disney’s sleeve that might assist “fix” a number of the present issues. That’s doubly true if an financial downturn drags on Disney’s numbers. But as with value decreases, I definitely wouldn’t financial institution on any of that.
All issues thought-about, 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 isn’t any 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 possible it’s to be spectacular.)
From the attitude of pricing, normalcy, new choices, and extra…all of it looks as if it’s just about a wash between the 2 years (a minimum of based mostly on what’s presently recognized), with the chance 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 sights from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind–had 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, although it might 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 massive improvement increase.
Rather than posing a query within the publish title and never answering it, listed below 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 possible provide greater than the go to earlier than them.
Let’s briefly talk about the professionals and cons of every timeframe…
First, late March 2023.
Central Florida colleges 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 chance 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 shall be open by then (or a minimum of in previews) and crowds will nearly definitely be smaller.
If you aren’t a gambler and wish to hedge your bets, there’s an excellent 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 beneath common in May. On high of that, the tip of May 2023 would be the kickoff to summer season 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 shall be open.
September 2023 is a protected wager for being an excellent time to plan a visit.
While crowd ranges throughout different low season instances have fluctuated, September has remained reliably sluggish over the past a number of years. That’s unlikely to vary. On high of that, no matter returns in time for summer season will nonetheless be round and the chance 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 ultimate advice. These weeks are all the time good instances to go to, as long as you keep away from the weeks main as much as Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The whole vacation season is busier in absolute attendance numbers than September–and by a major margin–however the addition of Christmas and nicer climate makes it a qualitatively superior time to go to.
It’s additionally possible that every part in EPCOT shall be achieved at this level, that means you’ll be capable of 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 (at the same time as ardent sidewalk supporters), however maybe you’re main Moana followers.
Ultimately, which a type of time frames is best for you is basically circumstantial. If you’re a first-timer, we’re inclined to suggest the March or vacation season time frames when taking every part into consideration. Florida’s climate begins getting sizzling and humid by May and continues that manner by September, with the latter being hurricane season on high of that. So even when the crowds are higher, you’re getting a unique type of “unpleasantness.” (And we’d argue that these increased “feels like” temperatures can greater than offset decrease crowd ranges, making the general consolation stage of your go to decrease.)
One factor we’re fairly assured about is that there’s no compelling substantive cause to postpone your go to till 2024. Walt Disney World is just not debuting any recreation altering additions in a minimum of the primary half of 2024 (and probably not till 2025) that justify delay. Of course, there are all the time 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 compelled to undertake a course-correction or chooses to take action with Bob Iger again on the helm. This would imply enhancing the visitor expertise and satisfaction after a number of years of burning by goodwill, however that is additionally simply as more likely to occur subsequent 12 months as 2024–it’s not possible to foretell proper now. If you’re sitting on the sidelines ready for Walt Disney World to revive a number 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 resolve when to ebook a visit subsequent 12 months!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts 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 publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets 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 begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part it’s good to know!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our suggestions for visiting Walt Disney World in 2023 v. 2024? Do you might have a visit deliberate for late March 2023, late May 2023, September 2023, or non-holiday weeks throughout the Christmas season? Are you trying ahead to visiting as soon as TRON Lightcycle Run opens? Any ideas or predictions of your personal so as to add? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing suggestions about your experiences is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!