Walt Disney World in August 2012 - Crowd warnings, special events, ride closures and refurbishments

1.) Summer Vacation means lines and crowds. Sure, people are worried about the economy but Disney responded by offering some great promotions. Families will still be flocking to Walt Disney and the first two weeks of August will see peak crowds (an 8- 10 on a crowd scale of 1-to-10). A good touring plan will keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

2.) Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - Great news - this wonderful show is once again being presented every night in July and August. This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it - arrive at least 60 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package. Warning: This theme park will be especially busy on days when there is either a morning or evening "Extra Magic Hour" at the park - there is a good chance that Fantasmic! could fill to capacity on those days so you may need to arrive even earlier to get a seat. Warning: This show is excellent but it does feature villains for a good 8-10 minutes. The scene is fairly intense and can be frightening to small children. TIP: If Disney offers two Fantasmic! performances on the same night, the second performance is always less crowded than the first.

3.) Main Street Electric Parade(Magic Kingdom) - The Main Street Electric Parade is offered every night through August 27th and on August 29th,2011. The following dates do not have a nighttime parade: August 28, 30, & 31. If Disney offers two Main Street Electrical Parades on the same night, the second parade is always less crowded than the first.

4.) Extra Magic Hours - (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guest) ! We recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day during the peak summer travel season. Disney has 33,000 hotel rooms and no one goes to Disney alone - that means too many people are pointed in the same direction at the same time. You'll have a much nicer time by going to a less busy park. This is doubly important if you are not staying at a Disney resort - you don't want to get to the theme park and find a bunch of Disney guests in line in front of you.

5.) Free Dining Promotion - this promotion is offered to keep guests coming during hurricane season and after school is back in session. The crowds in the parks are moderate but this promotion really impacts the availability of dining reservations. Book your dining reservations right away.

6.) Avoid Character Breakfasts during August! - The theme parks will be at their least crowded and coolest when the parks first open for the day. It is far better to book a lunch or dinner reservation that gets you out of the direct sun and out of the crowds a little later in the day. If you're really looking forward to a character breakfast, try a resort character breakfast before going to the water parks or on your departure day. Another option is to book the latest possible reservation and treat it like brunch, rather than breakfast. For example, if you want to go to Donald's Breakfast Safari (Animal Kingdom); try to get a 10:15AM seating, then ride Expedition Everest as soon as the park opens and tour Dinoland USA before breakfast. You can get your Kilimanjaro Safari FASTPASS right before breakfast.

7.) A good touring plan is absolutely essential during this busy travel season. There will be lines that are well over an hour long but you don't have to stand in them to see and do all of the things that are important to you. We provide three choices for custom touring plans - the most recent edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (book), a subscription to TouringPlans.com, or a subscription to Tour Guide Mike (online service) - at no charge to you when you book your trip through Build A Better Mouse Trip. For more information, see: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com/freetouringplans.php

Here's one great thing about summer crowds - Disney tries to keep ride closures and refurbishments to an absolute minimum so that there are lots of attractions for people to enjoy. Here is the current list of Disney ride closed in August 2012.

Magic Kingdom: Mickey's Toontown Fair, Pooh's Playful Spot & Ariel's Grotto have closed for the Fantasyland Expansion. The Disney Princess, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse Meet-and-Greets are now offered at the new Town Square Theater. FASTPASS tickets available. TinkerBell & Friends are currently meeting guests at "Tinker Bell's Magical Nook" at the Adventureland Verandah in the Magic Kingdom.

Epcot - Test Track will be closed April 2012 - Fall 2012

Disney's Beach Club Resort - Cape May Cafe closed July 9 - August 4, 2012.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Yachtsman Steakhouse (restaurant) Closed August 27 - September 14, 2012.

Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Yachtsman Steakhouse restaurant closed August 27 - September 14, 2012.

Epcot: "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" 3-D movie has been replaced by Captain EO, featuring Michael Jackson

Disney's Magical Express (Airport Shuttle Service) - New luggage procedure for late night arrivals. Luggage service will no longer be available for arrivals to Orlando International Airport after 10:00PM. Collect your luggage at baggage claim and take with you to the Disney's Magical Express check-in desk.

Disney World Discounts for August:

Disney World Summer Savings Offer - Save 5% - 25% For Most Arrivals June 15 - August 14, 2012 - Must book by June 14, 2012.

Free Dining Promotion ~ August 25 - September 29, 2012 : Offered when you book a Walt Disney World Vacation Package of at least 3 nights. Click Here For More Information

Disney has once again offered reduced room rates for active duty United States military members & their families.

Contact us today to book your Disney World Summer Vacation!

Build A Better Mouse Trip - A Disney-focused Travel Agency
Toll free: 877-815-6515

If you find this report helpful, please consider using Build A Better Mouse Trip to book your vacation reservations or for custom theme park touring plans. We are authorized Walt Disney World Vacation Planners and book directly with Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the reservation yourself. Then we provide lots of help and advice designed to take the stress out of vacation planning.

1) Help with building a Best Days Itinerary - a daily schedule that puts you in the best park for each day of your trip

2) Help with dining reservations (subject to availability)

3) Theme park touring plans that keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines. We will provide a subscription to Tour Guide Mike, a subscription to touringplans.com or the newest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (guidebook) at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip.

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans. During busy times, a good plan will absolutely keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the lines - our clients typically wait less than 20 minutes for rides, even thrill rides and headliners. During less crowded times, a good plan factors in shorter park hours and fewer performance times. But the most important benefit of a good plan is that everyone gets to ride and see the things that they are looking forward to because everyone's priorities are included in a plan that tours the parks efficiently and effectively. We book directly through Disney so you never pay more than if you booked the trip yourself - you just receive more expert help to make your vacation the best it can be.

Build A Better Mouse Trip
Toll free: 877-815-6515