How to Enjoy Walt Disney World Parks When They're Most Crowded

4.  Attend special events

Hard-ticketed events are certainly pricey add-ons to a trip, but they also offer opportunities to enjoy the parks with much smaller crowds.  If you’re travelling during Spring Break or Christmas weeks, I’d argue that the special events are a greater value than during lower crowd weeks in January or August, because they afford you that chance to enjoy some short wait times during very crowded periods.  Some favorite special events include Early Morning Magic, various dessert party options, Disney After Hours, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

5.  Use meals as breaks

Many families gravitate toward sit-down dinner reservations, but a nice lunch reservation doubles as a great meal and a chance to have a midday break in the air conditioning!  Attraction queues start to really reach their peak mid-day, so it’s a great time to avoid those lines and enjoy a meal. No reservation? No problem. Look for an available one on your My Disney Experience app when you’re hungry, or utilize Mobile Ordering at one of the many Quick Service options.  Either way, you’ll escape the lines and crowds for a bit! You might even want to consider dining at a resort or at Disney Springs for a more substantial escape. There are many fantastic restaurants at all of Disney’s resorts!

6.  Enjoy less in-demand activities in the parks

There are many things to enjoy in the parks that don’t involve waiting in line much, if at all.  Enjoying Epcot? Take time to really explore the cultural exhibits in the World Showcase or one of the air conditioned films!  Battling crowds in Animal Kingdom? Take a slow stroll through one of the animal discovery trails instead of waiting in a lengthy queue in Pandora.  Looking to avoid the Magic Kingdom crowds? Consider getting a deck of (free) Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom cards and defeating villains at the magic portals throughout the park.  We don’t visit the Hall of Presidents or Country Bear Jamboree on every trip, but we certainly make time for them when we’re looking to escape the crush of the crowds!