How To Survive The Crowds At Disney Parks

Let's Recap!

5. Take Advantage of Big Shows

While experiencing parades or one of the night-time illuminations will offer you a welcome break from the moving crowds, they won’t see you escape them altogether. Typically, major events are crowd-magnets – understandably so, too. And though you’ll want to experience them yourself, at the same time it pays to be “Disney-smart”.

Enjoying these shows at a distance - the farthest point away that is - isn’t the worst idea. For starters, you’ll be on the edge of the crowds so you’ll have the advantage of making a “dash” for the exit or an attraction without being caught in a stampede (sorry, Mufasa). And an even smarter move is seizing the opportunity to hit the most popular rides while the crowds are distracted.

4. Enjoy Extra Magic Hours

Being a guest at a Disney Resort Hotel certainly has its perks. Not only will you receive complimentary transportation to the Disney Parks (no, not via magic carpet), you’ll be able to enjoy Extra Magic Hours (at select resorts). You’ll have access to one of the four parks each day before they’re open or after they close, where you can experience select attractions crowd-free.

Meanwhile, Extra, Extra Magic Hours runs on select mornings from April 29 through June 30 for Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. It also runs daily throughout July and August for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. These are the best ways to dodge the crowds without missing out on all the extra, extra fun. Just be sure to check the official website for schedules and attraction availability.

3. Experience Disney After Hours

You’ll no doubt want to experience all the Disney Parks crowd-free, but getting to do just one can sometimes make up for the rest. Disney After Hours is a three-hour Magic Kingdom Park opening (10pm until 1am) with more than 25 beloved attractions and Character Greetings available. And thanks to limited tickets, crowds and waiting times are minimal.

The event takes place on select nights from June 2018 through September 2018, but there’s also nothing to stop you from enjoying the parks after dark yourself (during park hours, of course – so make sure you check the official website for closing times). But if you want to enjoy your favorite Magic Kingdom Park rides crowd-free, then purchase your tickets to Disney After Hours now!

2. Split Your Days in Half

With four theme parks and more to explore, Walt Disney World Resort can be utterly exhausting (no wonder Princess Aurora is always out for the count). So splitting your days in half – in other words, heading back to your Disney Resort Hotel for some much-needed timeouts - makes a lot of sense. Just don’t outstay your bed’s welcome and become a “sleeping beauty” yourself.

Take this time to refresh and recharge those batteries ready for round two. Beyond that, though, it’s a great break from the crowds. You’ll probably be able to do more after your break, too, like staying out in the parks later than you would otherwise. And while the crowds won’t be much thinner when the sun goes down, at least you’ll “be prepared”!

1. Use the My Disney Experience app

In order to survive the crowds, or be able to weave your way through them like Randall from Monsters, Inc. and not have them impact on your experience too much, you’ll need to be as strategic as possible. To do this, download the My Disney Experience app. Its features go “to infinity and beyond” but you’ll only really need a couple of them to get by.

One of the app’s main features is a GPS-enabled interactive map which will stop you from winding up lost in the crowds longer than you’d like. You can also check wait times for attractions, so if there’s a particular ride that’s readily available then make the most out of the peace and quiet. And then there are the FastPass+ bookings, so you can even dodge those in-queue crowds.

There are of course quieter periods at Walt Disney World Resort, but even the smallest crowds will test you emotionally and physically. Just follow these five tips and you’ll be “eternally grateful”!