For much of this year, Disney World was closed due to the global health crisis. While we were happy to know that Disney is looking out for everyone’s safety, this news put quite a damper on several families’ vacation plans.

Not to fear, DFB is here and today we’re helping you figure out the best time to schedule your next Disney trip!

When should I plan my 2020 trip?

A bunch of new things have opened at Disney World that were likely on your to-do list for your next Disney trip! Rise of the Resistance opened in December, Regal Eagle Smokehouse opened on February 19th, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway just opened March 4th!

Checkout our full review of Regal Eagle Smokehouse here!

And, there were even more exciting plans scheduled for 2020 like the opening of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure later in the summer.

So, you have a couple exciting options if you are still wanting to go to Disney World this year! Let’s take a closer look at your options.

Late Summer or Early Fall

In the past, early fall has been a great time to plan a Disney trip because crowds are normally lighter as kids head back to school. Now crowds are way, WAY lighter due to demand and Disney’s limited capacity.

Of course, you’ll have to contend with limited entertainment options and stringent health measures as well. If you’re wondering if a trip to Disney World is right for you right now, take a look at our experience back in the parks.

Check out what we think you can expect from Disney crowds once the parks reopen HERE!

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

You’ll also get to head to the new modified Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival which opened with the reopening of EPCOT and you know we are itching for our festival fix after losing much of the Flower and Garden Festival due to the closures.

Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival is pared down this year, but you can still enjoy the MAIN features — the delicious World Showcase Marketplace Food Booths.

Plus, some of the Flower & Garden merch and topiaries have stuck around!

Click here to learn more about this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival

New Experiences!

Although construction was halted during the closures, we are hopeful that some of the scheduled projects like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Space 220 that were nearing completion prior to the closure, should still open later in the year.

We’ve been keeping a close eye on both of these projects, but no word on an opening yet!

We will be sure to keep you posted once opening dates ARE announced, but whether you make it into the new out-of-this-world restaurant or get a chance to take a spin with a food-loving rat, we’re sure they’ll be memorable experiences!

Click here to see everything you need to know before Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opens!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Typically, a trip to Disney World in the late summer/early fall also means a chance to attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom. Unfortunately, Mickey’s Not So Scary has officially been canceled this year.

In lieu of the parties, we may see low crowds in the parks this Halloween. Keep in mind, though, this is also prime time for hurricanes. With this year forecasted to be extra-active for hurricanes, you may want to consider travel insurance — just to be safe! 🙂

Click here to see more about this year’s hurricane forecast

Winter 2020

If you are looking to wait until later in the year, you may have an even higher chance of catching the early days of Epcot’s upcoming nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, or the debut of Space 220.

Check out some of the cocktails that could be coming to Space 220 here!

Winter also lets us say goodbye (hopefully) to some of that scorching Florida heat and hello to the holidays at Disney! Holidays at Disney World can usually mean big crowds, but we could also see more families postponing their trips until later and leaving crowds lighter than usual. We’re taking it one day at a time!

Holidays at Disney World also mean new themed activities to help you get in the spirit!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party filled with shows, The Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, oh yeah, and COMPLIMENTARY COOKIES AND COCOA (well yes, you have to pay for a ticket to the event, but still — unlimited cookies and cocoa!!).

As it stands, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party may still happen this year, but tickets have yet to go on sale and cancellation is a possibility.

Click here to see last year’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Holiday Offerings in Other Parks

Head over to Animal Kingdom to check out all their fun, new holiday decor! This park jumped headfirst into the holidays last year, so we’re expecting to see their decor return again this year!

Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, regular park admission can get you in to see the Flurry of Fun’s special projection shows and holiday treats for sale throughout the park!

If you take a quick trip on the Disney Skyliner over to Epcot, you can tour around the World Showcase’s food booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays!

This a fun (and filling!) way to experience holidays around the world! We’ll be sure to keep you updated if any of these experiences are canceled or modified due to health concerns.

Click here to check out last year’s Best of the Fest Holiday eats that we hope return this year!

Should I just wait until 2021?

2021 is the 50th Anniversary of Disney World, so we know they will have a LOT of treats and fun experiences in store to celebrate. If you’re looking to wait until next year to schedule your Disney trip, you will likely see some pretty hefty crowds throughout the year, but you’ll also get to take advantage of the new projects that will be unveiled for the big anniversary!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot and TRON Lightcycle Run in Magic Kingdom are both scheduled to open in 2021 which means two new epic thrill rides are coming to Disney World in the same year — and the opening of TRON means we’ll likely see the return of the Walt Disney World Railroad!

Plus, as we enter 2021, we may be in a better place with the global health crisis. As restrictions and worries ease, your Disney vacation might feel a lot more like it did before the closures. 

Even though the official 50th anniversary isn’t until October 1st, 2021, we’re expecting all sorts of fun surprises throughout the year in Disney World! Let’s take a closer look!

Click here to see another BIG change we’re expecting for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

Early 2021

Early in the year can be a great time to avoid crowds and take advantage of Disney hotel discounts. In Disney World, the weather is cooler and you can catch one of Epcot’s shorter festivals: the Festival of the Arts! Filled with more festival-exclusive eats, concerts, and interactive art exhibits, this can be great for all ages to enjoy!

Bonus — this time of year is TYPICALLY less crowded for Disney World, so you may be able to get more out of your trip during this time!

Check out our best of the 2020 Festival of the Arts foods here!

Spring 2021

Spring brings along warmer weather and can be a great time to visit Disney parks. The crowds will build as the season continues and Spring Breaks start, but if you beat the rush, you can enjoy lighter crowds and Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival!

It’s packed with even more special food booths, entertainment, and some of the cutest merch (we’re talking about you, Orange Bird and Spike the Bee)!

Where do I start planning (or rebooking!)?

We are always staying updated with the latest construction and refurbishment closures, but you can always check the Disney calendars to see if there will be any closures during your planned visit.

With so many things in flux, we understand why planning a Disney trip may be the last thing on peoples’ minds right now. But if you are still pursuing the idea of a Disney trip, we think now is the perfect time to be getting your ideas together!

Times may seem confusing and uncertain, but we are hopeful that our days at Disney will return to normal in due time. So keep planning, keep booking Advance Dining Reservations, and keep dreaming of the Disney magic in your future! We will get through this and we are happy to help you plan in any way we can!

Check out why NOW could be the best time to plan your Disney trip here!