Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World During Peak Times

Although Walt Disney World commercials can make you believe that crowds, lines, and not-so-magical people are non-existent, they are a reality of visiting Disney during “peak seasons.” Don’t fear though, it is possible to still enjoy the parks during popular vacations times with these tips.

1. Patience 
This is probably the most important thing to bring (besides clothing) when visiting the parks. Lines will be plenty, and attractions that may usually not have a line could surprise you.

2. Arrive early, or stay late 
For events like Christmas, New Year’s and the Fourth of July where specialty nighttime fireworks are the main draw, you should plan to arrive early (think park opening) and stay until the end of the day. On days like New Year’s, plan to arrive shortly at the Magic Kingdom early (think 7 am) that way you can hopefully be able to experience quite a few attractions before crowds are noticeably heavier at around 10 am. On other crowded days, typically crowds can thin out towards the end of the day, especially after the first parade and fireworks (if the nighttime parade runs twice).

3. Have (somewhat) of a plan 
This can be something as simple as scheduling FastPass+ selections ahead of time, or as complex as a step-by-step plan that maps out your entire day. It doesn’t take much for walkways to become congested, and you don’t want to be that party stopped in the middle of the sidewalk wondering “what now?”

4. Manage Your Expectations 
Going in, know that the parks are going to be a little…cozy.  Remember that pretty much every attraction is going to have a considerable line, and people will be everywhere.  Enjoy the day for what it is – eg: spending New Year’s Eve at the Magic Kingdom. And even though you will spend that day with tens of thousands of your “closest” friends, there was still plenty of “Disney Magic” to be found in the park.

5. HAVE FUN!
It's not uncommon for parks like the Magic Kingdom to reach some stages of crowd closure during peak time. Your day is what you make of it – even though the crowds may be big, knowing you may not experience everything will keep smiles on your faces.

6. Stay On Property 
There are many benefits for staying at a Walt Disney World resort. Not only do you get to stay at a uniquely themed hotel, but you are also eligible for several great Disney perks. Free transportation is provided to nearly anywhere you would want to go on Disney property. As a Walt Disney World hotel guests, you can also take advantage of extra time in the parks through Extra Magic Hours.

7. Eat At Off-Hours 
The lines at quick service restaurants around Walt Disney World can get quite long at common dining times. To avoid these long lines and get the most out of your time at Disney, I recommend eating at unusual times. This trick also works great if you’re having trouble getting the ADR you want. Since most people will eat at the normal times, you may have more luck requesting an ADR at an off-hour. If you do get hungry prior to lunch or dinner, just grab a snack to tide you over until meal time.

8. Find Your Parade Viewing Location Early 
The parades at Walt Disney World are popular. In order to get a great viewing location, you will need to arrive early (about an hour to 1/2 hour ahead of time).

9. Character Dining 
The lines to meet characters in the parks can get quite long, especially for characters from newer films. Waiting in these lines can take up a good bit of time which could be spent visiting attractions. A great way to avoid these long lines but still get to meet your favorite characters is to make ADRs for character dining.

10. Go To Popular Attractions First 
When you arrive at the parks in the morning, be sure to visit some of the more popular attractions first. For the first hour or two the parks are open, many of the popular attractions will have a much shorter wait than they will later in the day.

11. Take advantage of FastPass+
Disney World's FastPass+ service lets you pre-book attractions up to 60 days or 30 days in advance, depending on whether you are staying onsite or not. You only get a certain number of ride or entertainment selections per day from any one park. If you will be visiting Disney World during spring break, you definitely want to book those rides as soon as you can! And make sure to buy your tickets far enough in advance so that you can book your FastPass+ selections when your reservation window opens.

12. Think about Renting a Car
While Disney World offers complimentary transportation, wait times can be long during peak times. Buses (or boats, or monorail cars) can fill quickly, and you may find yourself waiting for a second or third bus before you can board. Having a rental or driving your own car gives you the convenience of going anywhere at any time.

13. Watch Fireworks from Outside the Parks
Magic Kingdom fireworks shows are viewable from the Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the beaches at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Ticket and Transportation Center, and on the boat ride between Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness. Epcot fireworks can be seen from the bridge that connects Disney’s BoardWalk Entertainment District and Disney's Yacht & Beach Club. You don't have to be staying at the hotels to watch the fireworks from them.

14. Be flexible
While I love when a great plan comes together, I know when it’s OK to alter that plan and change course. Take occasional “temperature” checks of everyone’s energy levels and attitudes. If you have to cut something short or go to a different park than you planned, don’t sweat it. It’s about quality not quantity.