Crowds are always worth braving when it comes to going to Walt Disney World. It’s such an exceptional place, and honestly, the crowds are usually very manageable. The only really terrible thing about a crowded day is that it limits how much you are able to do in a park on that day, but it’s still fun and there are lots of places outside the parks to get away from the crowds. Even so, after you’ve paid your ticket, you want the value, and even though more people doesn’t mean more value, that doesn’t stop Disney from raising the price. With that in mind, It’s perfectly reasonable to want to squeeze a little bit more magic out of your day, crowds or no. So, here are five helpful tips for surviving Walt Disney World crowds.
Arrive Early
The obvious way to beat Disney World crowds is to arrive at the parks early. Some say avoiding extra Magic hours is wise because that is the park more people will go to. I understand the logic, but it’s also true that most guests find it harder to get to the parks earlier in the morning, so go to the park that opens first and get there early. You can plan your first couple of hours to really take advantage of lower wait times. Just save your Fastpasses for late-morning once the crowds catch up to you.
Leave in the Middle
When you get a huge head start there is even more unconventional wisdom to follow. You know the Tortoise and the Hare, right? Be the hare! You are on vacation, not running a race. During the peak hours when the crowds are highest, that is when you want to duck out for a break. You can have a quiet table service meal in an indoor, air conditioned space. You can even leave the park entirely for a signature restaurant at a nearby deluxe resort. Yachtsman Steakhouse or Narcoosees, for example,e are an excellent choice. If you are in the Epcot/Hollywood Studios area, don’t rule out the Swan and Dolphin.
Stay Late
You got your head start and nailed it in the morning and rested up during the hottest and busiest time of day. Now that people are starting to leave the park, it’s your chance to finish strong. Stay late for the nighttime entertainment and to finish the remaining attractions on your must-do list. Stay all the way until the Kiss Goodnight. The official send off to Disney guests as the park closes and mood lighting changes.
Work the Fastpass+ System
You can leverage Fastpasses to do the most good for you by pre selecting your first three attractions as close to your 60 day mark as possible. That is when you will have the most options. Set your Fastpasses for late-morning (10:00-12:00) so you can take advantage of no lines at park opening, then transition into Fastpass+. After lunch, select Fastpasses as they become available and grab as many as you can. Be sure to bare time and location in mind as you go, so you can optimize your list.
Carry Snacks
Be prepared, especially if you don’t have dining reservations. The biggest problem with busy days is not the attraction wait times, but the quick service dining. Use Mobile order to save time, but you may struggle to find a place with room to sit. in that case, it’s smart to bring back up so you don’t have to search for a table while hungry. Just a little snack to keep you going can make all the difference in keeping your day from going south.
What are some things you do to handle the Disney World crowds?
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