A Whole New YEAR! Planning your DVC Adventures at Walt Disney World for 2025!

Posted:  Events Parks Resorts

2025 is here, and it’s time to fill in some Disney vacation plans on a fresh new calendar! Let’s take a month-by-month look at all the excitement you can expect at Walt Disney World this year!

Cinderella Castle under a bright, blue sky at Magic Kingdom. The castle is rose gold with grey stone bricks and royal blue on the roofing.

 

JANUARY:

The first month of the year has a reputation for being the “off-season” of WDW travel, but that’s not really the case. Disney doesn’t really have a traditionally slower season anymore, and January has a lot to offer! Of course, we start the year off with a bang for those celebrating the New Year’s holiday. Still, later in the month, there’s also the runDisney Marathon Weekend (January 8-12, 2025) and the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, which begins January 17, 2025. 

A multicolored art piece depicting characters from Inside Out is seen on a pathway at EPCOT during the International Festival of the Arts in 2024.

January 2025 is also important to note for any fans of Disney’s Beach Club Villas, as Stormalong Bay and the Shipwreck pool at the resort will be closed through June 2025 for maintenance! Additionally, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom will have an extended (but temporary!) closure beginning in January as work begins on the new park expansions.

January resort recommendation: Disney’s Old Key West Resort – knock out the winter blahs with a little spot that gives summery vibes all year long!

The Sandcastle Pool at Disney’s Old Key West Resort is seen on a sunny day. There is a large beige structure made to look like a giant sandcastle that holds the waterslide, and the opening is shaped like Mickey Mouse’s head.

 

FEBRUARY:

With Valentine’s Day, President’s Day holiday, and the runDisney Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February 20-24, 2025), February also has a lot of magic up its sleeves!

A blue banner reads “Welcome runDisney Runners and Race Fans” in black lettering. Behind the banner there are white, numbered tents, race participants, and the sun is just starting to rise in the darkened sky.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts also continues, ending February 24, 2025.

February resort recommendation: The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – this one is for all the romantics celebrating Valentine’s Day at WDW! It definitely has a dreamy and elegant atmosphere that is perfect for a magical stay with your special someone!

A red-roofed white building of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa sits next to the water of the Seven Seas Lagoon as the sun sets. A white sand beach and lit lamppost are seen in front of the resort building.

 

MARCH:

We all know the big one here! Say it with me everyone: SPRING BREAK! As school kids across North America take a week off, this is a popular time for families to make their way to Florida and descend on Disney World for vacation. 

This may be a time of year that is typically a little busier, but it’s also one of my personal favorites! The heat isn’t quite up to summer levels yet, and the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is set to begin March 5th! 

Topiary figures of Beast and Belle are on display at the France pavilion during the 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. There are also pink and red flowers planted in front of the topiaries and the French-inspired buildings of the area are visible behind them.

March resort recommendation: Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa – This resort is pretty big and has a nice laid-back atmosphere, so it never feels too crowded! When the parks get busy with spring breakers, this resort is the PERFECT change of pace!

A fountain is seen in the water at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. On the left side of the water the pastel pink and green resort buildings are seen, with sunshine shining on the trees around them.

 

APRIL:

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival continues, and so do the school break travelers, as different regions take their turns for spring breaks. April also brings with it another runDisney event – Springtime Surprise Weekend!

Along with the tourists, you’ll find the Easter Bunny at Walt Disney World! Good Friday falls on April 18, 2025, with Easter Sunday to follow, and the parks and resorts usually have some sweet activities around the holiday to celebrate. 

A shimmery beige Easter bunny made of chocolate holding a small orange carrot is on display at EPCOT.

April resort recommendation: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – With seasonal events happening at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, having a walking path and monorail access right outside your villa door is great!

The beige building exterior of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is seen under a sunny sky. There are red flowers planted in front of the entry way and the Skyway Bridge leads to the Contemporary on the right.

 

MAY:

Justin Timberlake voice incoming because…“It’s gonna be MAY!” Here we’ve got Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day for those in the USA as the first waves of summer begin!

Mulitcolored flowers, and foliage topiaries of characters Asha, Valentino, and Star from the Disney movie Wish are seen in front of the Spaceship Earth ball. There is also a white sign reading “EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival” in green lettering.

This is usually when temperatures start to increase weather-wise. As the end of May sees American kids finishing up school, WDW is often a top spot for families to choose to start their summer vacation. It’s also the last full month for the Flower & Garden Festival, which will wrap up June 2nd.

May resort recommendation: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Check out the animals on the Savanna before the weather gets too hot, and they all hide in the shade! 

2 giraffes are seen amidst the trees on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village. The brown resort buildings with green, blue, and orange balcony railings are seen in the background.

 

JUNE: 

Kids are on summer vacay, it’s time for Father’s Day, and the sun fully shines its rays on WDW! Yes, it’s hot, but that means it’s the perfect season for planning some pool days during your trip! The DVC resorts have some pretty awesome pools to offer, and it’s expected that Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Villas will be re-opening just in time for summer! 

June is also Pride Month, so you’ll typically spot colorful rainbows, specialty snacks, and adorable merchandise to celebrate at the parks and resorts across the property! 

A sign reading the word “LOVE” in black and white lettering is displayed at Disney Springs. There is a rainbow-colored silhouette of Mickey Mouse poking through the center of the letter “O” in the sign to celebrate Pride.

June resort recommendation: The Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – You’ll feel like you’re at the most magical summer camp EVER!

The green and brown exterior of a Cascade Cabin at the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The cabin is surrounded by green foliage with a brown stone pathway leading up to it.

 

JULY:

Olaf’s favorite season, summer, continues! Crowds will increase around the Fourth of July, of course, but trust me, the fireworks display at Magic Kingdom is incredible and well worth waiting for a great spot (and I say that as a Canadian!)

A sign for The American Adventure attraction at World Showcase in EPCOT displays the Statue of Liberty and a bald eagle in the sunset, as well as information about the historical figures included in the show hosted by Ben Franklin and Mark Twain.

If you’re traveling to WDW around America’s Independence Day, it’s also a great time to check out the Voices of Liberty and the American Adventure at World Showcase in EPCOT. Not only are these some of the most patriotic activities on property, but they’re also blissfully air-conditioned!

July resort recommendation: Disney’s Beach Club Villas – After a lengthy refurbishment, Stormalong Bay and the Shipwreck Pool should be open, and let’s be honest, it’s the pool that EVERYONE at WDW wants to be cooling off in through the summer!

The Stormalong Bay pool area at Disney’s Beach Club Villas is seen under a sunny sky. The blue and grey resort buildings are seen in the background along with two lifeguards on either side of the pool.

 

AUGUST:

Summer is wrapping up, American kids are heading back to school, and while no official 2025 dates have been announced, odds are the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will likely have begun! 

2 pink and orange beverages in glasses reading “EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival” in black and green writing are seen on a black table. Each drink has a red and white striped straw in it.

As most of you probably know, there are also a LOT of changes coming to the parks in 2025, and it just so happens that many of those are looking at “summer” 2025 openings. Though Disney hasn’t shared any specific information at the time of publication, it’s projected that Test Track will re-open in late summer, along with the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom and Disney Villains show at Hollywood Studios! Not to mention the reimagined version of The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure at Hollywood Studios, which I CANNOT WAIT to see!

August resort recommendation: Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows – With a tropical theme, amazing feature pool, and close proximity to Magic Kingdom, this resort has great vacay vibes and would make for an amazing end-of-summer getaway!

The Lava Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Water falls from the large brown stone structure made to resemble a volcano, as the brown and orange resort buildings are seen in the background.

 

SEPTEMBER:

After Labor Day weekend, with North American kids back in school, crowds aren’t typically too crazy (there are no guarantees there, though, unfortunately!) Not only is the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT in full swing to fill your belly, but so are the Halloween parties! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween party dates haven’t yet been announced for 2025, but they typically start in August and continue through September and October. 

The Headless Horseman rides past Cinderella Castle during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom at night. The castle is illuminated blue with red light shining on the Headless Horseman and crowd.

September 2025 is also when work is expected to be complete on the year-long refurbishment projects happening at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

September resort recommendation: Disney’s BoardWalk Villas – You’re within walking distance to EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival. Need I say more?! 

The green armrest of a wooden bench reading “Disney’s BoardWalk” is in the foreground while the pastel pink, yellow, and blue buildings and wooden planks of the boardwalk are seen in the background under a blue sky.

 

OCTOBER:

It’s officially spooky season! Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween parties will be THE place to be this month, especially if you are planning to attend on Halloween night! Foodies will still be able to snack and sip around EPCOT, and our team members love the Eat to the Beat concert series, too! Once it’s announced for the year, make sure you check out the lineup to see if one of your favorites will be performing!

A white sign reading “Eat to the Beat Standby Entrance” in blue, green, orange, and red lettering is displayed at EPCOT during the International Food & Wine Festival.

Another runDisney marathon event will also happen in October! The 2025 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon weekend is set for October 23-26.

October resort recommendation: The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground – This resort has so many activities, and many guests will decorate their sites (and golf carts) for Halloween! 

The bedroom of a One Bedroom Cabin at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground decorated in earthy tones. There is one king bed and bunk beds, with wooden artwork featuring Chip ‘N” Dale. Through the doorway, a chair in the living area and an open storage cabinet are also visible.

 

NOVEMBER:

Gobble, gobble! As American Thanksgiving approaches, so does the start of the holiday season at WDW! The temperatures can be unpredictable but usually start to dip down as the seasonal garlands and trees are going up. Again, no dates are yet announced, but we’ll likely see the start of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios. Both events are a TON of festive fun!

Garlands, wreaths, and a tall Christmas tree with multicolored lights and decorations line Main Street U.S.A. as pretend snow falls from the sky during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom at night.

The new Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern is expected to open in late 2025 at Magic Kingdom, and the new Zootopia show at the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom is also expected to open in “winter 2025,” so I’m hopeful we might see these in November!

November resort recommendation: Disney’s Riviera Resort – Having Skyliner transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios when there are exciting events happening is fantastic! 

The Disney Skyliner is visible in the distance leading away from the station at Disney’s Riviera Resort. The grey and beige resort building sits next to water under a sunny, blue, sky.

 

DECEMBER:

Another magical year in the books! With the holiday season fully underway, you won’t want to miss the parties in the parks or my very favorite Christmas activity at WDW – Candlelight Processional at EPCOT during the International Festival of the Holidays. I can’t wait to see who the narrators might be this year! 

A choir dressed in green robes sings behind a live orchestra during Candlelight Processional at EPCOT. The stage is decorated with blue, red, green, and gold Christmas décor.

This is a BUSY time of year at WDW, but also one of the most magical! The DVC resort gingerbread displays are not to be missed, and you also have the chance to see Santa as he visits different spots around the property ahead of the big day! 

A hand holds a Mickey-shaped gingerbread cookie in front of the large Cinderella Castle gingerbread display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

December resort recommendation: The Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – How can you go wrong with a cozy stay in a resort inspired by luxurious log cabins from the Pacific Northwest?! Also, the holiday décor here is absolutely beautiful!

A green Christmas tree with red, gold, and wooden ornaments and white lights along with matching garlands decorate the log cabin-style lobby space of the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

This is, of course, just a taste of all that Disney World will have in store for the new year, and I’m sure many more details, announcements, and magic are on the way as we make our way through the calendar in 2025! 

A bronze statue of Walt Disney sits on a stone bench at EPCOT. The Spaceship Earth ball is visible in the background along with a blue sky and green foliage.

Happy New Year!

 

~Stacy 

 

  

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