President's Day weekend is upon us, and Disney World is about to get incredibly crowded. If you’re planning a last-minute visit, think twice—wait times will be excruciating. February has already been busier than usual due to cheerleader competitions at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which have drawn thousands of athletes and families to the parks. With another runDisney race weekend later this month, it’s clear February is no longer an off-season sweet spot for visiting Disney World.
Monday's Disney Wait Times Were Already a Disaster
On Monday, February 10, wait times at the parks were already high. Magic Kingdom saw Tiana's Bayou Adventure hit 105 minutes, while TRON Lightcycle Run stayed around 80 minutes. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train fluctuated between 60 and 85 minutes.
At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened at 90 minutes and varied between 55 and 95 minutes throughout the day. Test Track peaked at 90 minutes, which is unusual.
Hollywood Studios experienced the longest waits, with Rise of the Resistance hovering between 60 and 85 minutes and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run hitting 95 minutes. Tower of Terror also reached 90 minutes.
Animal Kingdom was relatively quieter, with Avatar Flight of Passage topping at 65 minutes. With a holiday weekend approaching, these wait times are expected to increase significantly.
Why This Weekend at Disney Is Going to Be Terrible
President's Day weekend is one of the busiest times at Disney, as schools give students a three-day weekend and many adults have the federal holiday off. This encourages family trips, especially for those who can't afford traditional spring breaks.
Additionally, cheerleader competitions throughout the month have filled the parks, with groups booking entire Disney resort hotels and adding to the usual tourist crowds.
What You Can Do If You're Stuck Going to Disney
If you have non-refundable reservations this weekend, here are some tips to help you survive the crowds. Arrive when the parks open, or even earlier, to enjoy shorter wait times for major attractions. Lines tend to ease during meal times, parades, or fireworks as families disperse. Late evenings can also see reduced waits as crowds thin out.
If you're at a Disney resort, take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry for access 30 minutes before the official opening, and Deluxe resorts offer Extended Evening Hours for extra time in the parks. Consider using Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass to skip standby queues at popular attractions, especially during busy times like Presidents' Day weekend, as they may be your best chance to enjoy the parks without spending your vacation in line.
February Keeps Getting Worse at Disney
After President's Day crowds clear out, another wave arrives with the runDisney race weekend later this month. These events fill up resort hotels with thousands of runners and their families, who often add park days around their races.
RunDisney weekends create odd crowd patterns: early mornings may be lighter due to races, but afternoons and evenings get packed as everyone heads to the parks to celebrate.
As a result, February 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest in years, losing its former status as a quieter month between the holiday and spring break rushes. Disney's strategy of adding more special events during these slower periods is filling hotel rooms and altering crowd dynamics.
Should You Just Cancel?
If you’re thinking about booking last-minute President's Day weekend reservations for Disney World, don’t do it. Expect brutal wait times, packed restaurants, and crowded transportation. The experience will likely fall far short of the magic Disney advertises.
Disney World is expensive and requires careful planning, so it’s better to wait for a less busy time to really enjoy the parks without endless lines in the Florida heat. If you already have reservations, manage your expectations. You’ll spend a lot of time waiting, so be patient and flexible. Using strategies like Early Entry, Lightning Lanes, and timing meals wisely can help you find some good moments amidst the chaos.
Crowds are guaranteed this weekend, so either prepare with all the tools available or consider rescheduling for a less hectic time.
