We’re approaching the Holiday Season and one of Walt Disney World’s busiest times of year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Visiting during Walt Disney World’s most crowded times of year presents challenges, but it’s not impossible. Here are a few itinerary tips for managing high crowds so that you make the most of your time during your visit.
1. Arrive early, arrive early, arrive early. Try to get to the park entrance an hour before park opening to give yourself the best chance to experience some rides in the morning before the crowds build up. Getting there well before the park actually opens will put you at the front of the crowds trying to enter once the park opens.
2. Have a plan for your time in the parks. In order to take advantage of that first hour of shorter lines, know which rides you want to visit, and which of these will be your first stop after the park opens. Since guests can now make their FastPass selections in advance, you should already have your FastPasses set for rides to visit later in the morning, when lines are growing longer.
3. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going. If the parks are crowded, the roads and Disney’s transportation system will also be crowded. Plan an hour of transportation time for most Disney transportation, and give yourself an hour and a half if you need to transfer.
4. Take regular breaks from the parks. Touring Walt Disney World already takes a lot of walking, and having to navigate large crowds can drain everyone’s energy. After your early morning visit, retreat from the crowded parks for the afternoon. Go back to your resort to relax, or maybe visit some nearby resorts and check out the holiday decorations.
5. Plan your itinerary realistically. At its busiest, some of Walt Disney World’s most popular rides will have multi-hour waits, and there will be lines for nearly everything. You won’t be able to do everything in the parks, and you don’t need to in order to have a great vacation. Discuss which rides and shows you really want to see, and focus on visiting your must-do attractions first thing in the morning or by using a FastPass.
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I’m Elizabeth, and I’m a planner, a vacation enthusiast, and quite the nerd. Even better, I’m dedicated to helping you plan an unforgettable vacation without all the stress. I like to say that I specialize in nerd travel – to me, being a nerd has always meant being unashamedly passionate about the stories I love. This is why I love planning for my favorite destinations – these are places that can take you right into the world of your imagination and make it real. If you’re just a grown-up kid like me, you’ll love these destinations, too. Whether you’re imagining fairytale castles or adventures with wizards and dragons, I can help you make it happen! I’m putting all that I’ve learned about vacation planning and my nerdy love of fantasy to work for you, so that you can write your amazing vacation story. Visit my blogNerdTravelPro.com to learn more about how you can get help planning your next adventure, and come visit me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for even more vacation fun and tips. Contact me at elizabeth@theaffordablemouse.com to start planning.
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