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Dates To Consider As You Plan Your 2022 Walt Disney World Vacation

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There is a lot to consider when planning a Walt Disney World vacation. Figuring out which Walt Disney World Resort to stay at, where to eat and how long to stay are all important factors. Another big decision that you need to figure out is when you want to visit Walt Disney World.

We have some dates you need to be aware of when you are booking your Walt Disney World vacation. We hope that knowing about these important dates will help you make an informed decision when it comes to when you should visit Walt Disney World. If you are wanting to visit during the holidays or make sure you get to experience a festival at EPCOT, these dates will help you with all that information.

Holidays

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Holidays in Walt Disney World are even more magical than what it is normally. Guests can experience special treats, parades, merchandise, and more during the holidays in Walt Disney World. Something to keep in mind when looking at traveling to Walt Disney World during a holiday is that these typically align with school breaks.  Because of this, you might see more crowds in the Parks so keep that in mind as you plan.

So what are these holidays that are celebrated in Walt Disney World? Walt Disney World starts by bringing in the new year with fun New Year’s Day celebrations.  If you want to be a part of the celebration, make sure you have Park tickets and Park Pass Reservations as the Parks typically reach capacity.

Although there are some smaller holidays such as Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Easter that Guests will see some special treats for, the 4th of July is the next major holiday celebrated in Walt Disney World. At both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Guests can enjoy a special patriotic celebration with Independence Day fireworks. This is an extremely popular celebration so be aware that it can be extremely busy.

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Halloween is the next major holiday that is celebrated in Walt Disney World starting at the end of August. This is a fun time to visit the Theme Parks as decorations are in full force and Guests will have the option to attend the new after-hours event Boo Bash. Boo Bash was new in 2021 and we look to see what it will be like in the upcoming new year.

Many dining locations in Walt Disney World celebrate Thanksgiving with exclusive one-day menu items for the whole family to enjoy. If you are wanting to enjoy a special meal, make sure you snag those dining reservations at the 60-day mark as places like Liberty Tree Tavern go quickly.

credit: Disney

Credit: Disney

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year in Walt Disney World, but it is also one of the most magical times to visit as well. You can start celebrating the Christmas season in November as decorations go up and the new Very Merriest After Hours Event all started the first week of the month.

The Christmas celebration expands beyond just the four Theme Parks as the Resorts and Disney Springs all get on board as well. This is truly a magical time to visit, but be aware it is also extremely popular so plan ahead by booking early.

Key Walt Disney World Dates: runDisney

Credit: Disney

Those are the National holidays that are celebrated in Walt Disney World, but Disney has its own important dates that can draw large crowds and you should be aware of them as you are planning your vacation. Starting in January, Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend will bring large crowds as runners flock to the Parks.

Princess Half Marathon Weekend takes place in February each year and also brings a lot of princes and princesses to the Parks as they run together. The new runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend is coming in 2022 starting March 31st. This new running experience sold out quickly showing us that an increase in crowds could be possible during this spring stretch.

Key Walt Disney World Dates:  EPCOT Festivals

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EPCOT festivals are other Walt Disney World dates that Guests should be made aware of when planning their Walt Disney World vacation. This might be because you want to experience the amazing festivals at EPCOT or because you want to avoid the festival crowds.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will be back in EPCOT starting January 14th through February 21st. This festival is a fan favorite as artists come and show off their amazing abilities when it comes to culinary, visual, and performing arts. In early March, we will see the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival.  In 2021 this festival ran from March 3rd to July 5th giving Guests a lot of time to enjoy the goodies and beauty of EPCOT.

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is one of the most popular festivals as locals love to experience the selection of food and drinks around the World Showcase. Finally, the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays wraps up the festival season in EPCOT as it brings the holiday celebrations at EPCOT with food, drinks, and more.

The festivals are a wonderful time to experience EPCOT as they provide delicious food options, great entertainment, and unique experiences.  They do however also bring crowds so keep that in mind as you plan your vacation.

Key Walt Disney World Dates: Openings

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The other big dates that Guests need to be aware of when booking their Walt Disney World vacation are opening dates for rides and experiences. March 1st, 2022 will bring the opening of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.  Although this will only be a select group that can go on board for a voyage, we anticipate the crowds in Batuu to increase.

The second major opening we know about in 2022 is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT. If you want to be the first to ride this highly anticipated ride, you will want to book your trip early and make sure you have your Park Pass Reservation ready to go. On the other hand, if you want to avoid large crowds, consider avoiding EPCOT during the first few days the ride is open.

We hope looking at some of these key dates will help you be better prepared for your Walt Disney World vacation no matter if you want to go during a special time or if you want to avoid specific times. No matter when you go to Walt Disney World, we hope you have a wonderful vacation.

About Jennifer Retzlaff

My name is Jennifer Retzlaff and I became a lifelong Disney fan during my first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of my life. I live in Iowa with my husband and two kids who are growing up too quickly for my liking. I started introducing my love for Disney early to my family with a Disney honeymoon and then trips when our youngest of 18 months. Since then, our family has been to Walt Disney World over five times and we continue to plan and dream for the next trip. I love the magic that Disney brings to people through the theme parks, cruises, adventures and movies they create. As a teacher, I try to bring that magic into my classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” I recently reached a dream of mine as I joined Magic Vacation Planner as a personal travel advisor. With this team, I can now help others plan magical vacations. As a passionate writer, I also have my own blog at magicalvacationsbyjen which is also where you can follow me on instagram for trip reviews along with tips and tricks for your next magical vacation.