As any seasoned Disney Parks fan knows, certain times of the year bring much larger crowds than others. If you’re planning a trip to Central Florida, understanding when the parks will be at their busiest can help you make the most of your visit. Here are the most crowded events at Walt Disney World Resort and tips on navigating them.
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is one of Disney’s most popular annual events, running from late summer through mid-November.
Guests flock to EPCOT to sample delicious dishes from over 30 Global Marketplace booths, enjoy live entertainment, and attend culinary demonstrations.
Why Disney World Is So Crowded:
- Food lovers and Disney Parks fans travel from all over to experience this festival.
- Weekends are jam-packed as locals take advantage of the festival offerings.
- Special events and celebrity chef appearances attract even more visitors.
Tips for Navigating the Crowds:
- Visit on weekdays for a less hectic experience.
- Arrive early in the day to explore popular booths before peak crowds.
- Use Disney gift cards for easier and quicker transactions at food booths. EPCOT sells mini gift cards attached to wristbands for easy payment!
2025 Update:
- The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is expected to return in late August 2025 and run through mid-November.
- Official dates and menus will be announced later this year.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
This hard-ticket event at Magic Kingdom transforms the park into a Halloween wonderland. It features rare character meet-and-greets, a festive parade, and unlimited trick-or-treating.
It typically runs from August through early November, drawing large crowds eager to experience Walt Disney World Resort’s version of spooky fun.
Why Disney World Is So Crowded:
- Special entertainment like Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade and themed fireworks.
- Exclusive character interactions that you won’t find during regular park hours.
- Trick-or-treating and themed overlays on select attractions like Space Mountain and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor.
Tips for Navigating the Crowds:
- Arrive as early as possible (guests with event tickets can enter Magic Kingdom before the official party starts).
- Prioritize character meet-and-greets early in the evening before lines get too long.
- Stay until the end—crowds often thin out later at night.
- Check out the 11:00 p.m. parade instead of watching it earlier in the evening.
- Watch the midnight showing of The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular before leaving Magic Kingdom Park!
2025 Update:
- This event is expected to return in August 2025.
- Exact dates will be confirmed by Walt Disney World Resort closer to the summer.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Running from early November through December, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the ultimate holiday celebration at Magic Kingdom Park.
It’s one of Disney’s most magical seasonal events, featuring snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A., festive parades, and complimentary holiday treats.
Why Disney World Is So Crowded:
- Seasonal exclusives, such as Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
- Free cookies and hot beverages.
- Popular holiday overlays, like the Jingle Cruise (a Christmas twist on Jungle Cruise).
Tips for Navigating the Crowds:
- Attend on a weekday rather than a weekend for lower attendance.
- Skip the first parade—the second parade is usually less crowded.
- Take advantage of shorter ride wait times while others watch the shows.
2025 Update:
- This event is scheduled to return in November 2025.
- Exact dates will be released later in the year.
runDisney Marathons
Disney hosts several running events throughout the year, including the Walt Disney World Marathon in January and the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February.
These marathons attract thousands of runners and spectators, significantly impacting crowd levels.
Why Disney World Is So Crowded:
- Marathon weekends bring an influx of runners and their families.
- Increased Disney Resort hotel occupancy leads to longer wait times for transportation.
Tips for Navigating the Crowds:
- If you’re not participating, avoid these weekends altogether.
- Expect delays when using Disney’s transportation system and plan extra time for travel.
- Visit the parks in the afternoons and evenings when most runners are headed home.
2025 Update:
- The 2025 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend is scheduled for October 23 – 26, 2025.
- The next Walt Disney World Marathon is scheduled for January 2026.
- The Disney Princess Half Marathon will follow in February 2026.
Star Wars-Themed Celebrations
Though Walt Disney World Resort no longer hosts the official Star Wars Weekends event, Disney’s Hollywood Studios still celebrates Star Wars Day (May the 4th).
This includes themed entertainment, exclusive merchandise, and rare character appearances.
Why Disney World Is So Crowded:
- Limited-time merchandise draws in collectors.
- Fans flock to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, making the Disney’s Hollywood Studios area even more packed.
- Themed entertainment and character appearances drive high demand.
Tips for Navigating the Crowds:
- Arrive before park opening to secure early access to popular attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
- Use Mobile Order for food and drink purchases to avoid long lines.
- Consider a mid-week visit rather than a weekend for lower crowds.
Best Strategies for Visiting Walt Disney World During Crowded Events
Even if you can’t avoid these crowded events, with some thoughtful planning, you can still have a fantastic Walt Disney World Resort trip.
General Crowd-Busting Tips:
- Book Lightning Lane selections early for high-demand rides.
- Visit early in the morning when crowds are lowest.
- Use the My Disney Experience app to monitor wait times and plan your day accordingly.
- Stay at a Disney Resort for early entry privileges and easier transportation access.
- Plan dining reservations 60 days in advance to avoid long waits for Table Service meals.
While these events bring some of the highest attendance levels to Walt Disney World Resort, they also offer some of the most unique and memorable experiences. With careful planning, you can navigate the crowded Disney parks and make the most of your visit.
Whether you’re indulging at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, celebrating the holidays at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or racing in a runDisney event, a little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring a magical Disney Parks vacation.
When is the best time to visit Walt Disney World Resort? Share your tips with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
FWIW, I’ve been to Disneyworld 3 times with my other half. Each time we went the day after Thanksgiving and were there when it opened.
All three times, we had the park to ourselves. No lines anywhere until 10:30ish, and even then they were minimal.
We got to go on every ride we wanted, and met some great employees.
After the third trip, we were tired of the ridiculous prices and started checking out other venues instead.