2013--The Year of "Limited Time Magic"

Walt Disney World and Disneyland announced the theme for 2013—“Limited Time Magic” in New York’s Time Square complete with giant ice castles of park icons.  The idea is that there will be week-long celebrations throughout the year rather than a year long (or longer in the case of the Year of a Million Dreams) celebration with the overarching theme of “Limited Time Magic”.

Here are some of the week-long celebrations:

True Love:  Romance and enchantment will be on the menu along with prix fixe menus at select restaurants throughout Valentine’s Week—most likely to coincide with Valentine’s Day.  Disney Princes will join their Princesses for special meet and greets along with entertainment geared towards lovebirds.

Independence Week:  Planned to coincide with the 4^th of July, this week will feature patriotic lighting on Disney castles at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  Expect to find Disney characters dressed in patriotic costumes along with limited-edition souvenirs.

Long Lost Friends Week will feature not-so-well known Disney characters finding the spotlight and meeting guests.  Characters could include Flik, Clarabelle Cow, Remy, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.  Disney guests will have the chance to vote online for the characters they want to see.  No word on when Long Lost Friends Week might occur.

Pirate Week:  The best guess as to when Pirate Week might be scheduled is mid-September to coincide with National Talk Like a Pirate day.  A bicoastal buccaneer bash is promised and will include pirate bands and pirate meet and greets.

Dapper Dans Sing Boy Bands:  Okay, The Dapper Dans are the male “Barber Shop” group performing on Main Street U.S.A. and will, for this celebration, add a special finale to their show with a medley of hits from One Direction, NSYNC, and the Backstreet Boys, declaring that they are the “Original Boy Band.”

Unleash the Villains is scheduled for Friday, September 13, 2013, and both Disneyland Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be staying open until 1:00 am, the 13^th hour.  Disney Villains will be on hand to host a dance party.

Golden Horseshoe Review will return to Disneyland park for one month and treat guests to corny jokes and songs from the original Frontierland.

Okay, the special week-long celebrations will be new, unique, and fun, but without knowing when the “Limited Time Magic” celebrations will occur, beyond the obvious ones, this theme may need to be titled Last Minute Magic. 

Disney Parks Official Blog indicates that more information will be posted in January regarding timing and other events.  Since most guests plan their trips in advance, I imagine that more guests will discover these themed weeks by surprise rather than on purpose unless.  Annual Passholders and guests within driving distance may have a better shot at timing their visit right for one or more of the special themed weeks.

I would anticipate that many of the “weeks” will be during non-peak travel periods to the parks other than the patriotic 4^th of July “Independence Week.”  With the opening of the newly expanded Fantasyland expected at the end of 2012 and into 2013, guest attendance may get a boost, especially at the Magic Kingdom.  Therefore, the mini, week-long themes, could increase guest attendance at other times, especially non-peak travel periods, such as late August, September, and October.

The Williams Family would be interested in the Long Lost Friends Week and the week featuring Disney Villains, but alas, work and school schedules would prohibit a mid-September visit.

And, the short celebrations may give Disney the information they need to make decisions about future themes.  While Disney Villains wouldn’t be viable for a year-long theme, Disney may gather enough data through guest feedback during the week-long theme to come up with something more substantial. 

“Limited Time Magic” also has a ring of home shopping network with the feel that the clock is ticking away so you better grab this experience while you can that can also create guest stir.  Add limited edition collectibles and limited edition souvenirs to the mix and you’ve got some “I’d better get it now” mentality—a marketing technique to be sure.

I’m sure we will be hearing more about “Limited Time Magic” throughout the coming months, so we will have to wait and see what happens. 

What “Limited Time Magic” week-long theme would you and your family enjoy?