It was a massive weekend at Walt Disney World Resort, and EPCOT felt the full force of the crowds. Guests visiting the Central Florida theme park quickly realized they were in for a packed day, with overwhelming foot traffic, long lines, and an influx of festivalgoers making it nearly impossible to navigate certain areas.
EPCOT Guests Stunned by Overwhelming Crowds
Walt Disney World Resort is no stranger to large crowds, but this weekend’s EPCOT attendance levels left many guests scrambling for space. Between the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, high school cheerleading competition, and a surge of local visitors, the Disney park felt far more congested than it usually does this time of year.
Reddit user u/Vast-Badger-6912 asked fellow Disney Parks fans, “What’s going on in EPCOT today? Seems like there is a larger than normal crowd for today. Is it just Saturday, or is there something else going on today at EPCOT that I’m missing?”
Other EPCOT guests were quick to chime in, confirming that the Disney park was packed.
“It really was crazy,” u/Rockabye_Felicia said. “We went back last night and it was better than the day hours.”
“It was really crowded!” u/vrmvrmhotwheels wrote. “We got there first thing but after 12 it definitely got more crowded. We had a good time though.”
What’s Causing EPCOT’s Massive Crowd Surge?
While Walt Disney World Resort fans are used to seeing high attendance during EPCOT festivals, some guests speculated that other factors were at play.
Redditor u/LibrarianExciting244 pointed to Annual Passholder blockout dates, writing, “[Festival of the Arts] and lots of Florida Residents are blocked out next weekend, so they are getting it in while they can.”
Others suggested that the sudden shift in Florida weather played a role, drawing in guests who avoided the parks during the recent cold snap.
“It’s Saturday and the weather is nice,” u/KnockKnock-Nevermind commented.
But perhaps the biggest culprit? A high school cheerleading competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which reportedly sent waves of teenagers into all four Disney theme parks.
Crowds of Teenagers Swarm Walt Disney World
According to some guests, the influx of competition attendees dramatically impacted the crowd levels at EPCOT, Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
“Of course kids in Disney are always gonna be there, but there were literal hoards of them everywhere,” Reddit user u/devou5 shared. “So annoying.”
The presence of these large groups may have contributed to longer wait times, difficulty navigating the parks, and overall guest frustration.
How Guests Can Avoid Overwhelming Disney World Crowds
While Walt Disney World Resort is known for magical and unforgettable experiences, it’s also notorious for its intense peak crowd levels. Guests hoping to avoid situations like this weekend’s EPCOT congestion might consider visiting on weekdays or during historically slower months like September and early November.
Which month of the year is busiest at Walt Disney World Resort? Share your experience with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
