Why You Should Visit Disney World NOW!
If you can visit Walt Disney World between now and the beginning of November 2019, you absolutely should jump on the opportunity. Last minute trips are not easy to pull off, but in this post, we’ll cover the why and how of doing a quick getaway to experience low crowds, sunrise in the parks, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and more.
The single biggest reason we are recommending a visit right now is to take advantage of Extra, Extra Magic Hours (ExEMH) at Walt Disney World for the opening months of Star Wars Land. In case you haven’t read our recent posts, we’ve done ExEMH a few times already, and have had a blast. (Read our Empty Magic Kingdom Morning: Extra, Extra Magic Hours Report & Tips and Extra, Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios: DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS! for specifics on our experiences.)
Prior to the summer starting and Disneyland’s version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge debuting, Walt Disney World scheduled Extra, Extra Magic Hours between the land’s opening and November 2, 2019 as a way of spreading demand throughout the day and reducing midday crowds. At the time, it seemed possible that Walt Disney World would extended Extra, Extra Magic Hours if necessary. We now strongly believe that will not happen…
To understand our speculative thinking here and also address some questions we’ve received from readers in our ExEMH posts, let’s start with a rambling, scattershot preface (fueled by excitement and too much coffee). When it comes to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge crowds, we got it totally wrong for California.
We predicted a huge turnout just in time for the summer opening, which didn’t happen. This has been an interesting and unexpected phenomenon, and we cover it in our Why Are Star Wars Land Crowds So Low? post. (You’ve probably already read that, as we’ve linked to it in like 758 other blog posts, but it’s nonetheless worth mentioning yet again.)
However, we’ve always predicted low crowds for September 2019 at Walt Disney World. As you can see in our 2019 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar Update: When to Visit & Avoid, we chose September as our best remaining month of the year to visit. This is always the least busy month of the year at Walt Disney World, and as you can read in that post, that’s due to factors a new land’s opening cannot really overcome.
Even though it has gotten worse in recent years, we also ranked October fairly highly on that list. This month used to be one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World, but that hasn’t been the case for at least 5 years, probably longer. We do expect October to be better this year, and that’s doubly true if you’re willing to take advantage of Extra, Extra Magic Hours.
In announcing Extra, Extra Magic Hours for Walt Disney World back in early May before either version of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened, Disney was essentially expressing a high level of confidence in the new land and the likelihood that it would draw colossal crowds. Obviously, we now know how that went.
If you’ll recall, this was during the same time that Disney had regular blog posts and “Know Before You Go” videos. These were meant to educate guests as to the logistics of everything from parking to merchandise to virtual queues in order to minimize the level of chaos out west. At the time, all of this seemed like the responsible, proactive thing to do. None of it ever proved necessary.
I’m fairly confident that if Disney had waited to announce Extra, Extra Magic Hours until the beginning of July, the offering wouldn’t have been announced at all. This would’ve given Disney the chance to observe over a month of demand for the new land in California, with & without reservations, with & without AP blockouts, and with & without the virtual queue. None of it made any difference. As such, Disney would’ve reduced expectations for crowds in Florida, and done something more conservative.
In theory, ExEMH was a great idea. If the parks are anticipating particularly heavy attendance, the best way to spread that throughout the day and minimize the crush at park opening is to simply open earlier. Fewer people will arrive super early than will stay super late, making it possible to ease into operations.
This is a lesson Walt Disney World learned with Pandora and its huge crowds for evening Extra Magic Hours. When it comes to late nights, crowds don’t really die down until 2 am. (As a reminder, Magic Kingdom used to close at midnight in the summer and those same nights the park had Extra Magic Hours until 3 am–back when evening Extra Magic Hours were 3 hours long.)
In an era of hard ticket events and regular 9 or 10 pm park closures, staying open until 2 am would mean an additional 4-5 operating hours, which isn’t going to happen. It’s arguably the better idea and something more guests will take advantage of, but it’s simply a non-starter. The realistic options are early hours with lower crowds or midnight closings that are packed until the end. But I digress.
The reality of early morning openings coupled with normal fall crowds is that Extra, Extra Magic Hours have been pure bliss. Some speculated that this was due to Hurricane Dorian, but that would no longer be impacting attendance. Lines are still pretty much nonexistent during ExEMH, as are crowds.
The reality is that most families with small children cannot make it out the door this early, and most other guests who could simply don’t want to get up so early on what’s supposed to be a vacation. For those who do drag themselves out of bed early, the result is a sea of walk-on attractions, seeing sunrise in the parks, and virtually no crowds. I absolutely love Extra, Extra Magic Hours, and have become one of its biggest cheerleaders. (Hence this post!)
As we’ve noted countless times, we anticipate crowds getting progressively busier in November and December. Both Toy Story Land and Pandora were actually busier in December of their opening years than the summer months in which they debuted. Expect the same with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a likelihood that’ll only be exacerbated by the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Logically, it would make more sense for Extra, Extra Magic Hours to be offered in December and November than during this month and October. Nevertheless, we do not expect ExEMH to be extended. The “lesson” Disney will learn from the incredibly low crowds during this round of ExEMH is that the early hours are overkill. Even if internal projections show heavier crowds (and they undoubtedly do), a more conservative path is likely to be followed.
Think unannounced early openings or park hours extended at the last minute. Not longer hours or special offerings announced months in advance that cost a lot to operate and cannot be cancelled without backlash. Beyond the possibility of special hours December 5-8, 2019 (the opening weekend for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance), we’d expect park hours to be pretty “normal” for November and December.
Bringing this long-winded explanation back to the point of this post, all of that is why you should visit now. Since we’ve rambled a bit, the selling points are: current low crowds during ExEMH, the likelihood of those crowds staying low even during the busier month of October, and the strong probability that Extra, Extra Magic Hours will not be extended, even though November and December will be significantly busier.
Of course, this “pitch” only works if you’re an early-riser. If you aren’t going to take advantage of Extra, Extra Magic Hours, there is definitely less (or no) urgency. You’re better off waiting out the holiday season, and visiting next January or February. Those months have gotten busier in the last two years, but they’re still better than the holidays crowd-wise, have nicer weather than September/October, and also feature Epcot’s superlative Festival of the Arts.
As for September, regular crowds aren’t too bad right now, either. The surprise exception to this is actually Epcot, which has seen a spike that’s likely attributable to Food & Wine Festival plus the end of IllumiNations. (It’s not just weekends–weeknights have become really crowded–with long lines just to park.) Presumably, this will continue next month as Epcot Forever debuts and locals want to see that for the first time.
Around Walt Disney World, expect crowds to pick up by mid-October, if not slightly sooner. That has become the “new normal” of crowd trends. A slow September followed by a surge in October that gets progressively worse for the remainder of the year, with only a couple of mild reprieves in early November and early December.
Obviously, last minute trips are a non-starter for some people. If you can’t take off work or school, that’s a dealbreaker irrespective of crowds. Airfare and hotel prices can also be prohibitive. Thankfully, it’s the off-season for travel in general, not just Walt Disney World.
In quickly looking at Southwest’s low fare September calendar for Indianapolis and Chicago, I see both cities with numerous dates that have roundtrip flights under $200. (Chicago has some one-way flights for $50!) This is without even consulting ITA Software for the options that are truly cheapest. (I’m sure Spirit or Frontier have cheaper fares if you don’t mind being treated like human cargo.)
For hotels, the best option at this point is checking out our Priceline Express Deals for Walt Disney World Hotels. I haven’t updated that recently with the latest deals, but I know the All Stars were recently available for ~$77/night, and it looks like there are currently a couple of Disney Springs hotels available. Remember, those are eligible for Extra, Extra Magic Hours!
Our preferred options that are often available with last-minute deals are the Swan & Dolphin, which are both within walking distance of Epcot & Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Failing all else, our tight budget/last-minute fallback option in this area is the Best Western Lake Buena Vista Hotel (read our review). It’s not the greatest, but it’s usually $60-70/night and is perfectly serviceable.
Then there’s food. As you might know, we’re in the heart of Free Dining season. Unless you leave like today and are somehow lucky enough to score an elusive reservation, that won’t be an option. However, it’s also Magical Dining Month (which has been extended!), and several exceptional on-site Walt Disney World restaurants at Disney Springs, Swan & Dolphin, and Four Seasons are participating. (Personally, I’d take the Priceline Express Deal plus Magical Dining Month over Free Dining.)
Ultimately, if you’re able to swing a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World this month or October and will take advantage of Extra, Extra Magic Hours, we highly recommend doing it. I’ve gushed about sunrise in the parks being the unique and special experience during ExEMH, but so too are low crowds and looping popular rides without paying for an upcharge event. Barring an economic slowdown or mass boycott of Disney if they do something crazy like kill off national treasure Olaf in Frozen 2, I don’t see there being a better way to experience Walt Disney World anytime soon. We already have more hotel reservations booked, and highly recommend you likewise take advantage if at all possible!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Will you try to take a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World for Extra, Extra Magic Hours? Are you looking forward to ExEMH, or is it too early for you? Envious of the low crowds right now…and hoping they somehow continue for the holiday season? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Regarding Priceline strategy….If you already have a Disney room only booked with FP and ADR reservations, can you book Disney through Priceline and transfer these over to the new reservation, and then cancel previously made Disney booking?
Thanks for the info Tom! After 30 years of traveling to Walt Disney World over Christmas week, we have officially decided we are done with the crowds and this year are attending the first week in Sept 29-Oct 6. I don’t have to tell you how much I’m looking forward to lower crowds and deals. If it all works out this may be our time every year. I called Disney about what deals I could get and saved $265 off our lodging.
Nice! I LOVE a good deal–especially at Disney! We’re going to Disney on October 10th, then driving to the port the next day for a 3-day Disney Cruise! Managed to snag a very good deal for Contemporary that night so we’re all excited as we’ve not stayed at that one before–and we’re going to the Halloween party for the first time ever–it will be great to just walk over! This is my kids fall break–if crowds look good we may do this every year instead of the heat (and crowds) of summer.
Lassie, Sorry but we go this same week for fall break every year, and it’s just as crowded as any spring break week in March. Not sure about now, but 2nd week in October is CRAZY busy
I did not say three month old I said newborn. I have been a critical care RN for 30 years I know the difference
We arrived 9/6 and are leaving WDW 9/14. Crowds have been pleasant everywhere including EPCOT. Every food and wine booth has been walkup. We took advantage of DHS early hours. Do it! Got there at 5:45 am went to toy story land rode everything 3x then did star wats land and road MF 2x all before 9! Thanks Tom for the advice
Tom,
Thanks for the update, we are arriving Sunday morning, so looking forward to low crowds. Have you been to more MNSSHP nights, and how have those crowds been? Thanks!
We didn’t do the last MNSSHP, but we did the one before that. Crowds have definitely picked up (still lower than last year), while wait times remain low.
We always go on Fall break from school the 2nd week of October and last couple of years, it’s been just as busy as Spring Break in mid March. We can only go at this time because of kids in school, but it’s almost not enjoyable because of huge crowds.
If you really wanna experience big crowds you should go when i do … Christmas week. Then you may not mind a Spring break crowd.
Can anyone briefly clarify for me the differences in perks between Disney hotels, Swolphin, DS hotels and even Shades of Green, if you know it. I get super confused, and was surprised when Tom mentioned above that the DS hotels DO have access to ExEMH. Stuff like MagicBands, ADRs, FP, EMHs, transportation, etc. Thanks!
Dolphin and Swan feel more like convention center hotels and although they are great And have many of the same perks and transportation as other Disney properties, they don’t have the same “in the thick of things“ as the other hotels.
Any chance you could post your thoughts on touring HS after the end of EEMH, but before Rise of the Resistance?
We picked one of your favorite weeks in November, and can’t change to take advantage of the current hours…I’m curious how to best navigate HS when you can’t leverage the bonus hours.
Maybe others are too…
I’ll post some new DHS strategy soon!
Tom, per your references to Disneyland, do you have any intel on how crowds have been there during the later part of the summer? Have the folks who waited out the first month or so of Galaxy’s Edge (based on AP blockouts or just being wary/cautious) started to inundate the park again? Just curious.
They whole way they’ve launched these lands on both coasts is unprecedented and unpredictable. Imagine if Pandora had a staggered launch in two parks, but opened without Flight of Passage available yet (yet a promise for a game-changing FOP ride “coming soon”). It’s not an exact parallel but it would have been a similarly wacky situation. In a year or so we’ll likely have a regularly-packed GE in both DL and DHS, look back to 2019 and say “well, that was nuts.”
Crowds remained low for the entirety of summer at Disneyland, and have been low (save for weekends) even since the SoCal Select AP blockout lifted. Now that Halloween Time has started, it’s likely/possible things will pick up a bit. All dates for Oogie Boogie Bash have now sold out, so there’s that.
“In a year or so we’ll likely have a regularly-packed GE in both DL and DHS, look back to 2019 and say ‘well, that was nuts.'”
I think there’s a good chance of exactly that happening.
I was in Disneyland last Sunday and wait times were low. We did almost all rides in both parks! GE was a little busier than last summer but the longest wait I saw all day was 55 minutes!
Thanks for this post, especially since my family is going in 2 weeks! But I hope you didn’t just ruin the lower crowds for us by telling people to go now.
Just finished a Tues/Wed nite stay at Best Western DS ( great; hats off to Denisha E). Local/passholder but wanted eemh for the temperatures! The “crowds” were extremely low early but were higher in the evening (coolish but so humid). Morning bus services were excellent everywhere. We’ll make a few more day trips (sometimes hour trips due to heat) before a 3 nite BWDS stay in mid-Dec. Just hoping temps are <90 by then!
We’ll be there 2 weeks from today (booked in January before they announced the SW:GE opening date)! I really hope the crowds are similar to how they’ve been the last 2 weeks…and that no hurricanes creep up! Our first time going this time of year, but I chose it expecting low crowds, so we took the hurricane/heat gamble. Fingers crossed!
To be real honest, Disney is a very well done attraction. But their people skills are lacking. I believe they have reached maximum pain levels. Excruciatingly long waits, food that, be honest, is not all that good, crushing crowds, and at the end of the day feeling like you been beaten by with a baseball bat. AND on top of all that, you have paid top dollar for all that punishment.
Lol yeah kind of my expectations for Disney World. I expect to really miss Disneyland. Planning several trips to Europe and trip to Universal for the next couple of years and not going back to DW until everything announced is open and not brand new or the next recession hits and cried levels dramatically drop and discounts go up.
Disney world could change any time by decreasing its “maximum capacity“. But they don’t, because it’s all about the almighty dollar.
Instead they try things like changing pricing so that at peak times people pay a lot more or magic hours or extra extra extra magic hours. This just leads to dissatisfaction.
Oh I absolutely agree. If they cared about guest experience they would just limit the capacity like they do for the parties. They definitely don’t and they would love a 10 hour line for GE like Universal is getting for Hagrids new ride.
Leaving on Monday! Looking forward to the extra extra hours and sunrises. Hoping my family is too but our son is 10 and always ready to go.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF FREE DINING FOR JANUARY 2020?
Wondering the same thing! Tom?
Buehler….buehler……Anything….???
We just scored a great hotel deal on Priceline Express Deals for next week! Got Caribbean Beach Resort for for $115 a night! Plus taxes and parking, of course. Thanks for all your tips, Tom and Sarah. I’m not a morning person but will definitely be dragging myself to Star Wars, pre-dawn!
Hi Debby! I understand that the Priceline deals don’t show the hotels until after you book but is there any indication on the site that will get you a better chance of getting an on property hotel? I didn’t realize you could book Disney property on there.
Tom did an article about scoring Priceline deals a couple months ago.
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/tips-priceline-express-deals-disney-world-hotels/
Thanks for the report, Debby! I hadn’t seen CBR on there recently, but in all honesty, I haven’t been paying super-close attention lately.
Come on don’t try to make it more crowded Tom. Let those of us that had planned for pre Galaxys Edge trips that got things messed up with the early opening have decent crowd levels.
This. There may be a small silver lining for folks like me who tried to get in before galaxy edge and the craziness and the new lousy HWS fast pass tiers.
Exactly. With the stress alone we have all experienced since the opening was announced we deserve decent crowds lol. We almost cancelled several times. I’m feeling optimistic right now since the crowds just aren’t coming so far but hoping influencers don’t bring in the crowds and ruin that.
Do you think by March they’d do an event like early morning magic for Star Wars Land?
I would never bet against Disney’s desire to add upcharge events and make more money.
I envy your ability to take advantage of these opportunities. As college professors, my husband and I have the best jobs in the world, after yours and the Thirsty Traveler’s, but the one downside is despite ample time to travel, we are limited to times when school is out. We have been excitedly planning our next trip for the second week of March 2020, particularly because of everything new at DHS, but also because our university had Spring Break a week earlier last year causing us to miss Flower and Garden by a day. Unfortunately, park hours currently showing on the app indicate that on Wednesday, March the 11th, MK’s magic hour is one measly morning hour instead of the at least 2 hours at night that Disney has had for the past few years we’ve been going. The previous week the Wednesday magic hours are the night time hours. Oh the irony. Tom, what is the likelihood in your opinion that these hours will not change? If they don’t change, can you please direct me to a post to help me understand how to appreciate the morning magic hour? We generally skip them. Not bc we can’t get up, but because it doesn’t make sense to me to get to bus stop early to beat the crowd, then be at the park much earlier than the hour starts. If magic hours are to avoid waiting in lines, don’t morning magic hours just shift the waiting around from the ride lines to the bus lines and park entrance. And all for only one hour? Of course, the extra, extra hours won’t be happening then. Anyway, sorry for the long comment, but I ‘d greatly appreciate any insight you can offer.
“If magic hours are to avoid waiting in lines, don’t morning magic hours just shift the waiting around from the ride lines to the bus lines and park entrance. And all for only one hour?”
Riding the bus, getting through security, and the turnstiles always takes time–if anything, these lines/waits are worse from 9-11 am than they are from 7-9 am.
The only difference in waits is, potentially, arriving before rope drop and waiting for that. We typically only arrive 15-30 minutes before rope drop time, so that’s pretty negligible. (Plus, it means shorter lines at security, etc.) You’re still coming out way ahead in terms of waiting.
This far in advance, it’s certainly possible that WDW will change park hours for March 2020.
Tom: Totaly unrelated question, any idea is WDW will be offering the “Magic Your Way” deals during Jan 2020 through April 2020?
Thanks
Wondering the same thing…we’re headed to Disney in early Feb. and staying at Boardwalk. Just waiting for a discount…
I am here now and while I have not made rope drop I still got in around 8a. It fast picks up from there. I just cannot believe this is low crowds when I came here frequently this would be the busiest it ever got I would never want to see it busier. So while all the school age kids are in school, the 0-5 year olds have taken their place. What do you do with a new born in Disney?They haven’t even built their immune system yet and they’re exposed to thousands of people! The older ones are having serious melt downs kicking dad in the mouth punching dad in the face. Pulling moms hair. Honestly I wonder if they’re just going for themselves . It’s hot not much the little ones can really do but they drag around till 10pm. It’s baby carriage hell!
Do you expect early morning magic for Toy Story Land to come back after the first of the year?
I took my 3 year old 4 year old, and infant to Disneyland almost every week as an AP. Never had a meltdown or any issues. It was easier and way more enjoyable than going to the park. I think it depends on the kids and parents. I think a big part of it anyways is the approach the parents take to their day in the park. If you’re doing ride after ride all day (ie standing in lines all day) it’s not going to go very well. With kids it just works better (at least in my experience) taking breaks, going to shows, letting kids play and run in the splash pads and places like Tom Sawyer Island and such throughout the day mixed in with doing the rides. Kids can’t spend a day standing in lines.
They’ve had their first set of vaccines by 3 months. Also strangers don’t grab your baby at Disney World, that’s something germy family members and church friends tend to do.
Babies love tiki birds, meet & greets, and just looking around at all the sights. They can go on a surprising number of rides (all the boat rides and doom buggy style rides). Plus there’s rider swap for parents.
AP typically don’t do full days with kids and it’s nice for parents to get out of the house and do food & wine for a few hours and ride Frozen.
Also babies are free until they are 3 so why not take advantage? It costs locals nothing to bring kids.
Yeah I was surprised with how many rides my infant could go on. Most rides really. We always had plenty to do.