Minnie and Mickey Celebrate Disney 100; Epcot
  • On Dec 25, 2023
    Julie from ON Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    If we were to show up at Disney in a week with no prior planning, how much fun could we get in?

    Why hi there Julie, I'm happy to wish you a very warm Canadian welcome to planDisney!

    With the winter weather getting colder with the start of the new year up in Ontario, I bet you'd be thrilled to spend some warmer days down at Walt Disney World Resort instead! (We're actually expecting a bit of cooler spell in Orlando just before your visit with temperatures under 20 degrees, but while a bit of a chill might scare away many Floridians this could mean some alleviated crowds for fellow Canadians for whom the cold never bothered them anyway.)

    Now my husband and I are huge planners ourselves, but ever since we became Annual Passholders we've been able to test out and experience what it's like to head to the theme parks without putting too much thought into it beyond ensuring that we had the appropriate Theme Park Reservations for the day whenever required. Depending on your definition of fun, you'll be happy to hear that I personally love heading to the theme parks in January to not only avoid the soaring summer heat but also enjoy generally lower waits for rides and attractions and more availability for Dining Reservations and Enchanting Extras alike - at least compared to more popular times of the year when American children are on school breaks.

    The only drawbacks you'd want to be sure to plan around are the possibility of closures due to cold or inclement weather, so it's always a good idea to review the Hours and Events Calendar to make the most of the time you have available each day. Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend also brings in thousands of additional guests in early January every year which in our experience vastly pumped up the volume of folks and families at EPCOT and Magic Kingdom Park, and could affect transportation on each mornings when the marathon routes induce road closures across the Walt Disney World Resort property. 

    Your best resource while you're here in Orlando is the My Disney Experience app which will be very useful to anyone looking to head to Walt Disney World Resort without any plans; my biggest advice to anyone looking to "wing it" nowadays is to make sure you temper your expectations and be willing to enjoy whatever amount of fun that you're able to have during your visit. (I've personally observed that fellow Canucks tend to be some of the most skilled overall in planning ahead, especially with the how much they invest in theme park admission converted back into Canadian dollars!) I highly encourage you to come back to planDisney again Julie, so that you can take advantage of just how much more magical your experience can be with even just a little bit of extra planning.

    Here's to kicking off 2024 at the Most Magical Place on Earth!
    Prince
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Meet the Panelist: Prince, Ontario

Hello, Bonjour, Aloha and Ahoy there! As a performer and world explorer who's been to all of the Disney theme parks around the globe, I'm always happy to provide my best adventuring advice and knowledge to navigate your way to all of the greatest snacks, attractions and entertainment on land and at sea. Find me featured on the planDisney Podcast and on the Disney Parks Blog, discussing Disney Eats at festivals and beyond, holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort and planning my Disney Fairy Tale Wedding! Learn More About Prince

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