8 Tips For Dealing With the Holiday Crowds at Walt Disney World
With Disney preparing itself for the heavy influx of Thanksgiving Day visitors, there are a few helpful things that you can do to ensure that higher attendance doesn’t put a damper on your Disney World visit. So whether you’ll be there this week or a planning a destination Christmas, keep this list handy!
1. Plan on Arriving at the Parks Early Every Day– If you’re visiting on a day with heavy crowds (Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas etc.) its a wise idea to get to the parks as early as possible. Arriving first thing in the day not only means that you might be able to squeeze in a few rides with minimal wait times before the crowds start to swell, but it also lessons your chances of being turned away if the park reaches capacity. With most visitors arriving at the parks sometime between 10:00 and 12:00, putting yourself slightly ahead of the crowd can make for a kinder, gentler theme park visit.
2. If Taking Disney Transportation Get One of the First Morning Buses – There’s nothing worse than resort bus gridlock as families rush to get to the theme parks at the same time. This can lead to buses being full or delayed which can put a damper on your morning. Most families will go to hop the bus from 8-8:30. Similar to tip 1, try to anticipate the holiday crowds by getting the first bus that leaves your resort in the morning. The first bus should depart from your resort somewhere between 7:00 am – 7:20 am. If you’re lucky enough to get the first few buses leaving from your resort they are usually a bit quieter. Though this means getting to the theme park early and waiting around a bit, it’s preferable to missing FastPasses, dining reservations etc. because you’re caught in the gridlock.
3. Have a Rough Itinerary of How You’d Like to Spend Your Day – You don’t have to plan out your day with military-like precision but having a basic blueprint when heading into a crowded park will go a long way! Do some research of key attractions you’d like to experience. Pick up a few maps at the front desk of your resort and collaborate with your family on coming up with a basic schedule and route through the theme parks. When confronted with heavy crowds it can be easy to lose your way. A bit of preparation can keep you on track!
4. Siesta In the Afternoon – If you arrive at the theme parks early in the morning then take some time out in the afternoon to lounge by your resort pool or take a nap! Getting to the parks early mean you should be able to squeeze in a handful of attractions while guests are still arriving at the parks. The theme parks usually reach peak attendance just before lunch time. This is the time of day when lines are at their longest making it the perfect time to take a rest. As crowds start to taper off around dinner time, you can still make it back to the theme parks for a few fun-filled hours! The only time I WOULD NOT recommend this is if you hear that the parks is going to turn away visitors because it has reached capacity. If you leave during this period you do run the risk of not being let back in.
5. Avoid The Busiest Parks On Holidays – When it comes to visiting Disney World on Thanksgiving or Christmas, everyone wants to be at Magic Kingdom. If you’re schedule is flexible you may want to opt to go against the crowds and choose another park to visit instead. Crowds may be gentler at Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot making for a more relaxing visit. You can then opt to go to Magic Kingdom during one of the other days during your stay when you can expect things to not be quite as hectic!
7. Come Up with Strategies to Stay Busy in Line – With larger crowds come longer wait times. Anticipate this and come up with creative ways to keep your little ones busy while you wait. Download the Play Disney Parks App which is filled with fun games designed to be enjoyed at the theme parks. Some even unlock special elements and surprises at certain attractions. Download a charades game to your smart phone which can be hours of family fun. Pack little games, treats, flashcards etc. in your theme park bag. It also helps to have some emergency treats for hungry tummies like fruit, granola bars, raisins, Goldfish etc.
8. Stay Late – For most families visiting with small children, kids start to tire in the hours after lunch and the crowds really start to thin out around this time. This means that you should see wait times start to dwindle later in the day. That’s what makes the siesta option so great! If you opt to return to your resort for a bit, by the time you hit the theme parks for round two, crowds should be a bit more manageable. Also, for those planning on staying for the evening fireworks, don’t leave with the heaving masses the minute they finish. This only means a slow and crowded walk out of the theme parks. Instead take 45 minutes- 1 hour and buy some last-minute souvenirs. If you’re at the Magic Kingdom, you also have a chance to catch the magical Kiss Goodnight at Cinderella Castle. Shops stay open later to accommodate guests. Hang back for a bit and you may find resort buses and turnstiles much easier to conquer on your way out!
These are just a few of the crowd strategies you may want to employ when heading to Walt Disney World on Thanksgiving or Christmas! And remember, Disney is a magical place no matter how busy it is. With a little bit of forward planning you are sure to have a magical time!
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