The holiday rush is in full swing at Walt Disney World Resort, and Magic Kingdom Park is feeling the heat. Christmas crowds have descended, pushing attraction wait times higher and leaving guests scrambling to navigate The Most Magical Place on Earth’s original theme park.
The week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve is traditionally one of the busiest at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Many Annual Passholder tiers are blocked out during this time, and Disney Park Pass reservations have sold out for several dates. Magic Kingdom Park, in particular, is known for hitting capacity on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, often turning away guests whose tickets don’t require Park Pass reservations.
Last week, Redditor u/Fally11204 shared a snapshot of the chaos via the My Disney Experience app. Wait times at Magic Kingdom peaked at 95 minutes for TRON Lightcycle / Run, 75 minutes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Jingle Cruise, and 60 minutes for Space Mountain and Peter Pan’s Flight. Even character meet-and-greets weren’t immune to the crowd crush, with a 50-minute wait to meet Tiana and another Disney Princess at Fantasyland’s Princess Fairytale Hall.
MK tonight- Good Luck
Adding to the crowding at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney Jollywood Nights took over Disney’s Hollywood Studios, barring non-event-ticketed guests from entering the theme park. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park closed early due to winter hours, leaving only Magic Kingdom and EPCOT as evening options for parkgoers.
Guests eager to bypass the long lines are shelling out for premium services. As previously reported by Disney Fanatic, the Lightning Lane Premier Pass has sold out every day from December 25 to December 31, except December 26. This high-demand service, exclusive to Disney Resort hotel guests, costs up to $449 per day and must be booked up to 21 days in advance.
For those braving the Christmas crowds, staying updated on wait times and park capacity is essential. Guests can use the My Disney Experience app to monitor real-time attraction availability and plan accordingly.
Would you visit Walt Disney World Resort this week? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments.
