Dates to consider when booking your Disney World 2023 vacations
Starting tomorrow, June 8, you can start booking your Walt Disney World 2023 vacation and while you can get assistance by working with a travel agent (see below) you still will need to decide when to go.
Booking early is always good, if prices go down you can work with your agent to get the price lowered. But again, the big question is when to go on vacation?
For most people a decision is made around when school is out or when you can schedule a vacation. Even taking all of that into account, it’s a good idea to know what the Disney Calendar is normally like each year.
There are festivals and special dates that normally take place every year, and these dates should help in narrowing down when to go. Here’s a look:
Disney Calendar 2023
JANUARY
New Year’s Day – Jan. 1, 2023 – The start of the new year starts begins with the cleanup of the Christmas decorations. Normally if you come the first few days of the year, you will still be able to see the holiday decorations up, which are phenomenal.
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend — Jan. 4-8, 2023 – Runners from around the globe descend on Disney World. The parks a bit more crowded this time of year, but it’s a great vibe.
Epcot International Festival of the Arts — Mid January through mid February, 2023– This festival offers the opportunity to meet Disney artists, eat special foods and has the Disney on Broadway concert series. And yes, there are special food booths.
FEBRUARY
Black History Month – The resort celebrates throughout the entire month with special displays at Disney Springs, storytellers and artists.
Super Bowl Parade – Feb. 13, 2023 – Normally the day after the Super Bowl the Super Bowl champs parade down Main Street, U.S.A. at the Magic Kingdom. Now, since the Super Bowl is taking place in Arizona it is likely that the champs will head to Disneyland.
Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14, 2023 – The resort normally offers special meals usually a couple of special events.
President’s Weekend – Feb. 18-20, 2023 – The weekend normally has some larger crowds. This also usually brings longer park hours.
Mardi Gras – Feb. 21, 2023 – Restaurants at Disney Springs normally offer some special menus and there is a mini-float parade at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (on Fat Tuesday).
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend — Feb. 23-26, 2023 – Runners again descend on the resort.
MARCH
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival — Early March to Early July – The festival features dozens of Disney character topiaries, Outdoor Kitchens and performances during the Garden Rocks Concert Series.
Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival – March 17, 2023 – Raglan Road at Disney Springs throws an annual celebration with live entertainment, dancing and face painting.
Spring Break 2023 – Mid-March through April – During this crowded time of the year, Disney employs several strategies to disperse crowds, including offering additional entertainment at alternative parks other than the Magic Kingdom and opening or offering seasonal restaurants or dining options.
Easter Eggs on Display – End of March 2023 – Since Easter is in early April, by mid-March we should see the special Easter egg displays at the Grand Floridian and the Beach and Yacht Clubs.
APRIL
Dapper Days – An unofficial weekend in which participants are encouraged to “step out in style,” a retro look, at Disney World. No specific spring date has been announced yet. Information can be found at dapperday.com.
Easter – April 9, 2023 – There will be a number of special dinners and food offered. Epcot will have its annual Easter Egg Hunt and the Grand Floridian normally has a display of specially designed Easter Eggs
Springtime Surprise Race – April 13-16, 2023 – The second year of this new race is already on the schedule.
Earth Day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Anniversary – April 22, 2023 – Animal Kingdom celebrates its 25th anniversary on Earth Day. There should be some major celebrations planned around this time.
MAY
H20 Glow Nights – Late May-Late August – The Typhoon Lagoon water park parties at night with this specially-ticketed event. There is dancing on the beach, party games, special food and of course, all of the water activities.
Memorial Day Weekend – May 27-29 2023 – Disney normally uses this time to open new rides and introduce new attractions for the summer season. In the past Disney has had summers themes and also introduced limited-time events and shows.
JUNE
Gay Days – This is an unofficial gathering of LGBTQ+ people from around the world. Next year’s event in Orlando is set for May 31-June 5, 2023. Information can be found at gaydays.com
JULY
Independence Day – July 4, 2023 – Walt Disney World celebrates the Fourth of July with special fireworks at the Magic Kingdom on July 3 and July4, and special shows at the various theme parks.
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival — Mid July – Mid November, 2023– In the past the foot festival kicked off in August, but since it is starting in mid-July this year, we can take a fairly educated guess that it will start again in mid-July next year. The festival has dozens of food kiosks, food and wine seminars, and the Eat to the Beat Concert Series.
AUGUST
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party — Select nights from mid-August to October 31, 2020 – Halloween comes early to the Magic Kingdom. The special ticketed event takes place on select nights and includes a special parade, special shows, foods and special merchandise.
SEPTEMBER
Labor Day Weekend – Sept. 2-4, 2023 – The last big weekend as school restarts in most of the U.S. The first few weeks of September in the past have called off as summer special events end.
OCTOBER
Magic Kingdom, Epcot Anniversaries -October 1, 2023 – Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971 and will turn 52. EPCOT opened on Oct 1, 1982 and will turn 41.
November
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend — Nov. 2-6, 2023. The last of the marathon weekends for 2023 takes place.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party — Select nights from November to December 2023 – The special ticketed event has special has special fireworks, stage show and “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” as well as snow falling on Main Street.
Holiday Celebrations at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs – November to December 2023 – Disney rolls out special events, shows and projections and decorations at Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs.
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays — November to December 2023 – Yuletide traditions from across the globe are at the heart of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. The theme is immersed in a vast world of holiday decorations and entertainment, themed merchandise, festive cuisine and costumed storytellers in many of the 11 World Showcase nations. The Candlelight Processional features the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir.
Thanksgiving – Nov. 23, 2023 – Special dinners and menus are available for Thanksgiving Day at the parks and the resorts.
December
Christmas Day – Dec. 25, 2023 – This has previously been the busiest day of the year at Magic Kingdom. Many people come Christmas week to spend it with their families in the park. On Christmas Day, Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade is normally broadcast.
Christmas Parade – Dec. 26-31, 2023 – Normally, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade is only seen at the special Mickey’s Very Special Christmas Party, but the last few days of the year the parade takes the spot of the normal afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom.
New Year’s Eve – Dec. 31, 2023 – Special fireworks at Magic Kingdom end the year. Normally the New Year’s fireworks are shown on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31.
