Walt Disney World Theme Parks in January, February, and March 2012

January 1 - 3: Walt Disney World Marathon - The parks will still be at peak levels with families and visitors on Christmas Break. You definitely need a good touring plan to minimize your time spent in lines.

Most of January is pretty slow and quiet. Lower crowds mean shorter park hours so plan accordingly. This month also tends to have a lot of resort pool refurbishments so be sure to ask before making your reservations. We'll be updating this page as that information is released.

January 6th- 8th: The parks and the resort will have thousands of runners and family members on property. Avoid the Magic Kingdom over the weekend - visit on a week day instead.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 16, 2012. A 3-Day weekend always brings a bit of an increase in crowds though this holiday - due to its proximity to Christmas break - doesn't affect crowds as much as other holiday weekends.

Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - This great show is no longer be presented every night - in fact, there is a huge break in Fantasmic! performances January 9 - February 12, 2012. It will only be offered on January 1, 2,3, 4 & February 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29. This is a very popular show and we do recommend it. Because of the limited performances, you know Disney's Hollywood Studios is going to be busier the days the show is offered. Because of the limited number of performances, Fantasmic! Dinner Package reservations are very hard to get. Afternoons will be especially busy as those with Park Hopper tickets come over to see the show. We recommend lining up about 80 minutes prior to the show, if you do not have a Fantasmic dinner package. You'll have to decide whether a 25 minute show is worth such a long wait. TIP: We recommend that one person goes to get dinner from a counter-service restaurant while the others hold the place in line; eating dinner while you wait will make good use of the time. 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.

Disney's Main Street Electric Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night and the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring Disney's Main Street Electric Parade. Disney's Main Street Electric Parade will be presented on January 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, and February 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27. If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier. Some good news: the Main Street Electric parade is offered more frequently than Fantasmic! so it doesn't have quite the same affect on the Magic Kingdom crowds that Fantasmic! has on the crowd levels over at Disney's Hollywood Studios. However, there is no Main Street Electric Parade February 7 - 12 which is a sizable gap between parades so February 13 may be a fairly busy day at the Magic Kingdom. Use a good touring plan and you'll be fine.

Presidents' Day Week - Saturday February 17 - 26, 2012. Expect this to be very busy.

Crowds will get heavy around mid-March as people enjoy their Spring break at Walt Disney World. The early part of the month will have low to moderate crowds. Low crowds mean shorter hours and fewer shows so plan accordingly.

Fantasmic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) -Great news! Fantasmic! is being offered almost every night in March - the only night without a performance is March 21st. This is a very popular show and we highly recommend it - arrive 60-90 minutes early, if you do not have a Fantasmic! Dinner package. Disney may add a second, later performance on certain evenings as we get to the peak Spring Break crowds - if they do, the later showing of Fantasmic! will always be less crowded than the earlier one Warning: Any day with both an Extra Magic Hour(s) and Fantasmic! will be especially busy. 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.

Main Street Electric Parade (Magic Kingdom) - This wonderful nighttime parade is not offered every night in early March so the Magic Kingdom will be more crowded on days featuring a Main Street Electric Parade - this isn't really a factor as we get closer to Spring Break, when the parade is offered nightly. The Main Street Electric Parade is scheduled for March 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 ,19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. If Disney offers a second evening parade, the later parade will be less crowded than the earlier - there are two parades scheduled for March 18 & 20 and we expect to see more parades added into the schedule.

Extra Magic Hours - (Special hours only available to Disney resort hotel guests) - We strongly recommend that everyone avoid the Extra Magic Hour park of the day during Spring Break. 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.

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival - March 7 - May 20, 2012. This event is included in the price of admission and is beautiful. Even non-gardeners will enjoy the topiaries and gorgeous flower beds in Epcot during the festival. Weekends at Epcot will be busier as locals come to enjoy this event. Try to visit Epcot on a week day - Mondays are always a great day to visit Epcot.

January 1 - 3, 2012: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Millions of lights decorate the Streets of America backlot area.

January 1 - 2, 2012: Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade (Animal Kingdom)

January 6-8, 2012: Walt Disney World Marathon

Super Bowl Sunday is February 5th, 2012. Give your sport's fan permission to stay in the room and watch the big game. Expect the ESPN Club restaurant (at Disney's Boardwalk Resort) to be VERY full.

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival - March 7 - May 20, 2012. No extra ticket needed - included with your park admission. Expect Epcot to be in full bloom with flowers, topiaries, gardening demonstrations, and special activities. The Flower Power concerts are a very popular part of the Flower and Garden festival. Here's a tentative list of this year's performers:

March 9 - 11: Jose Feliciano
March 16 - 18: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
March 30 - April 1: The Spinners
April 6 - 8: Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
April 13 - 15: Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 20 - 23: The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27 - 29: Chuck Negron, formerly of Three Dog Night
May 4 - 6: The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO
May 11 - 13: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
May 18 - 20: Mickey Dolenz
Dates & performers are subject to change.

The Following HGTV celebrities will make presentations during the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival:

March 9 - 11: John Gidding, from "Curb Appeal: The Block"
March 16 - 18: Sabrina Soto, from " The High/Low Project"
March 23 - 25: Jason Cameron: "Desperate Lanscapes" and "Man Caves"
Mar 30 - Apr 1: Camille Styles, HGTV.com
April 6 - 8: Dan Faires, Season 6 of "HGTV Design Star" and HGTV.com's "DanMade"
April 13 - 15: Brandon Johnson, "My Yard Goes Disney"
April 20 - 22: Meg Caswell, "Meg's Great Rooms"
April 27 - 29: Monica Pedersen, "HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012" and "Designed to Sell"
May 4 - 6: Antonio Ballatore, "The Antonio Treatment"
May 11 - 14: Carter Oosterhouse, "Million Dollar Rooms"
May 18 - 20: Genevieve Gorder, "Dear Genevieve" and "HGTV Design Star"

All dates and performers are subject to change.

2012 Disney's Princess Half Marathon. February 24 - 26, 2012. This popular event doesn't really affect your time in the park but you will notice participants and their families in the resorts. Be sure to book your accomodations early if you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World that includes these dates.

Atlanta Braves Spring Training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (Formerly known as Disney's Wilde World of Sports).

2012 SPRING TRAINING HOME SCHEDULE:
March 3 - vs. Detroit
March 6 - vs. Washington
March 9 - vs. N.Y. Mets
March 10 - vs. N.Y. Yankees
March 11 - vs. Toronto
March 14 - vs. Washington
March 16 - vs. Houston
March 17 - vs. Toronto
March 18 - vs. Baltimore
March 19 - vs. St. Louis
March 22 - vs. Miami
March 23 - vs. N.Y. Mets
March 25 - vs. Houston
March 28 - vs. NY Yankees
March 31 - vs. Detroit
April 1 - vs. Philedelphia
April 2 - vs. Houston

At Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel, we are convinced that everyone can benefit with good touring plans - this is even more important during holiday travel seasons. 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 offer three great options for touring plans at no extra cost to you when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip:

1. The Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World is an excellent guide book with great standardized plans. A great resource.

2. Tour Guide Mike Subscription - this fantastic website is a great option for anyone who loves travel planning.

3. TouringPlans.com - the perfect choice for busy people who need a quick and easy option!

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515

* Ariel's Grotto & Pooh's Playful Spot have closed to make room for the big Fantasyland expansion project. (Magic Kingdom)

* Mickey's Toontown Fair (Magic Kingdom) closed on February 11, 2011. A new area is being constructed in this space. The Walt Disney Railroad will continue to run but the Toontown station will be closed during construction. The Disney Princesses, 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.

* Magic Kingdom - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed Janurary 9 - May 27, 2012.

* Magic Kingdom - Dumbo closed January 9 - March 31, 2012.

* Magic Kingdom - Main Street Electrical Parade - No parade from January 20 - February 16, 2012.

* Magic Kingdom - Plaza Ice Cream Parlor closed from January 4 - March 27, 2012.

* Honey, I Shrunk The Audience 3D (Epcot) has been replaced by "Captain EO", starring Michael Jackson.

* Tutto Italia Ristorante (Restaurant - Epcot's Italy Pavilion) will be closed for renovations from January 7 - April 27, 2012.

* Innoventions: House of Innoventions Exhibit (Epcot's) will be closed for renovations from December 4, 2011 - May 2012.

* Fantamic! (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - No performances from January 9 - February 12, 2012.

* Studio Backlot Tour (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - will be closed from February 13 - March 09, 2012.

* Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground (Disney's Hollywood Studios) - will be closed from February 13 - March 11, 2012.

* Kali River Rapids (Disney's Animal Kingdom) - January 24 - February 9, 2012

* Disney's Typhoon Lagoon (water park) - will be closed December 4, 2011 - March 17, 2012 for its annual refurbishment.

* Disney's All-Star Music Resort - Piano Pool closed from Feb 6 - March 16, 2012. The Calypso Pool will remain open.

* Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village: Pool slide at Samawati Springs Pool will be closed from January 9 - February 3, 2012. The pool itself will remain open and guests may also use the pool slide at the Jambo House pool.

* Disney's Boardwalk Inn - The Inn Leisure Pool will be closed from March 19 - 22, 21012. The Luna Park Feature Pool and the Villas leisure pool will both remain open.

* Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort/ Fuentes del Morro Feature Pool will be closed January 23 at 7:00PM - 25, 2012. The Pirate Ship Water Play Area will remain closed through January 26, 2012.

* Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort - Pool Slide at Bay Cove Pool will be closed February 20 - March16, 2012. The pool itself will remain open.

* Disney's Contemporary Resort/ Feature Pool Slide will be closed January 5 - February 17, 2012. The pool itself will remain open.

* Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground / Meadow Feature Pool Slide will be closed February 6 - March 2, 2012. The pool itself will remain open.

* Disney's Grand Floridian Resort/ Beach Pool Slide will be closed February 6 - March 2,, 2012. The pool itself will remain open.

* Disney's Polynesian Resort - Nanea Volcano Pool Slide will be closed from February 6 - March 16th, 2012. The pool itself will remain open.

* Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter Resort - The Doubloon Lagoon feature pool will be closed January 17 - 18, 2012. Guests may use the pools at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

* Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort - The Alligator Bayou leisure pool near buildings 16, 17, & 18 will be closed March 12 - 15, 2012. The Alligator Bayou leisure pool near buildings 36 & 39 will be closed March 19 - 22, 2012. The Ol' Man Island feature pool and other resort leisure pools will remain open.

* Cirque Du Soleil - La Nouba will not have any performances January 17 - 21 or March 20, 2012.

Disney World Spring Discount ~Must Book By January 22, 2012
* Save up to 30% on the room portion of your Disney World Resort Hotel Vacation for arrivals in February - March 8th. Limited Availability & Black-out Dates Apply.

One More Day and Night of Disney Magic, Free!* ~Must Book By January 31, 2012
* Your can enjoy one more day and night of Disney magic FREE* when they buy a 3-night, 3-day non-discounted Walt Disney Travel Co. room and ticket package at select Walt Disney World® Resort or Disneyland® Resort hotels before Jan. 31, 2012 (for arrivals most nights Feb. 26 - March 10, 2012). Subject to availability.

Dining Reservations - Dining can be booked up to 180 days prior to your arrival. Book your dining reservations as soon as you are eligible for best availability. Remember that we book dining reservations on your behalf (subject to availability) when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel

In addition to these discount promotions, you can receive vacation planning help at no additional cost when you book your Disney vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip. We help with establishing a "Best Days" itinerary, help with dining reservations, and theme park touring plans designed to keep you ahead of the crowds and out of the long lines.

Contact us today to start planning your Disney Vacation:
Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel
Toll free: 877-815-6515