Disney Parks are universally amazing. It follows, then, they are also popular. Disneyland, Epcot, Magic Kingdom; they all attract crowds, and are often, by definition, crowded. It’s how it goes when you are dealing with something so well-conceived and delivered. There is not a resort-wide conspiracy that every time you visit, every ride you want to go on, every show you want to see, everywhere you would choose to eat, is so thoroughly bristling with congealing humanity you cannot enjoy or even approach it. It just feels like it sometimes.
Do not lament the unavoidable circumstance that millions of people share your love and appreciation for the world’s most dedicated entertainment company. Also, don’t be surprised if about a thousand of them got to Space Mountain ahead of you. You are not relegated to long lines and disappointment all day, however. Even on the busiest of days, during the least advisable time of year, you can conquer what would be the unavoidable crush of fellow visitors. Here’s how:
1. Arrive before the park opens
This is not a closely guarded secret, though it’s astounding how few guests manage to do it, relatively. Yes, rather a sizeable and dedicated mob is commonplace every morning, in every park, for the rope drop. The a.m. rush, though, has nothing on the masses that will be cluttering every attraction, churro cart and gift shop later in even an average day.
Sacrifice whatever sleep you have to. Enjoy shorter lines and far less jostling for sometimes an hour or more. Get on rides you won’t get anywhere near later. Collect a coveted Soarin’ or Radiator Springs FastPass (at Disneyland Resort, at least) before they run out. Then as the park fills up, sit back and reflect upon all the fun you’ve already had. Recharge then try to replay these tactics in reverse later in the day (see Trick #2, below).
2. Stay late
Another poorly kept secret, of which all too few take advantage. Everyone has a job, significant drive or impatient cat waiting for them back in the real world. But, if you are intentionally visiting a Disney Resort on a given day, do your best to take full advantage of it. As you make your way down Main Street, at the end of the night, if you are not completely worn out, even on the point of tears, you have done yourself a disservice.
Regardless of what is waiting for you back home, or at work, or school the next day, stay in the park until the lights come on and they’re ushering you out with brooms. Typically, you will get on as many rides in the final 90-minutes of operation as you would in the eight or nine preceding hours. Plus, pretty much nothing competes with the feeling of having the park to yourself. It’s rare, but if you are in the right part of the park when it’s closing, it’s like you own the place.
3. Dress appropriately
What does this have to do with making proper use of your time, you ask? Plenty. Especially if you’ve ever huddled ‘neath the Crystal Palace gables waiting out a rain flurry or rehabbed away precious hours on a Boardwalk bench because you wore the wrong type of shoes. Know the weather patterns of the resort you are attending for the time of year you will be there, and dress accordingly. The family wearing the rain slickers, walking proudly through Showcase Plaza, will ride the Test Track twice while you scramble for shelter in your silk tank top. Similarly, as you pour mocha latte on your feet, having misjudged how cold it gets at night in California, listen for the sounds of joy coming from the Matterhorn courtesy of the kids in closed toe shoes and sweatshirts.
4. People watch when the park is busiest
Every minute spent within a Disney Resort is time well spent. Exceptions: Waiting in any 100+ minute line, texting anything non-Disney related to anyone not with you, or debating with your children how it’s your turn to sit in front on Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Astro Orbiter, etc. While this last is a worthwhile argument to have, you need to settle it before you get to the head of the queue. You are making the people behind you, and the poor Cast Member who just wants to know how many are in your party, uncomfortable.
Sitting on a park bench in the new Main Street Plaza Gardens or at a quaint table along the World Showcase promenade is an extraordinary means of whiling away the hectic midday hours. It would be blasphemy at any other time, but when the parks are packed, hanging out, even with a sinfully expensive bottle of Dasani, and observing at your fellow man is rejuvenating. Marvel at how the family with six children all under the age of eight manages to stay together. Empathize with the octogenarians who get stuck with the stroller and souvenirs while their thankless party heads for the Haunted Mansion. Cringe as yet another toddler begins screaming having let go of their eight-dollar Mickey Mouse balloon. It’s more fun than you realize, and certainly better than sweltering in line for Autopia.
5. Embrace FastPass+ at Walt Disney World
Innovations pertaining to the FastPass program at Walt Disney World, have stirred emotions and not entirely charitable reviews. FastPass+ puts an onus on prearranging at least portions of your park itinerary, at which spontaneous Disney guests have, understandably, bristled. The thought of setting and having to keep an appointment to enjoy an attraction strikes traditionalists as a bit overly structured. If it’s important to you to get on the more popular rides, and you’d rather not spend a whole bunch of extra time in line, you’d better just get on board, as they say.
If your family is having a blast at Epcot, and you have a FastPass coming due at the Animal Kingdom, then, sure, skip it. But when all the parks are swamped, and it’s 2 PM and you haven’t been on one ride, you’ll be more than happy to keep your 3 o’clock date with Splash Mountain. When you fail to bring extra socks and underwear for your children (see Trick #3, above), who are now soaked, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
6. Eat at off times
Now this is obvious. Painfully so. Then why is every restaurant, café, counter and kiosk overwhelmed at noon? Because, as with every other truly helpful “insider tip,” most people tend overlook the obvious and prefer to go along with the herd. Avoid this to the betterment of your vacation, and your dubious standing with your family.
Kids suffer low blood sugar easily and without warning, especially when faced with Disney-fashioned sensory overload. If you can get your peeps to eat, preferably before reaching the park, it will free up, and indeed salvage your whole morning. Ply them with popcorn, snack mix and smoothies throughout the day. If you can simultaneously avoid lunch and any emotional meltdown, you will truly be breathing rarified air, and you may even get on Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on the same day.
Souvenir shop during the regular lunch hour, if at all. Go on rides during the parade, also while others are competing for dinner tables. Following our advice means you have essentially skipped every meal. Getting your family out of the park will be more painful, and will involve more screaming than several trips to the orthodontist. Then there’s what will be a dreadful ride home. It’s all worth it. One day your children will appreciate the sacrifice you made them make for that extra ride on Big Thunder Mountain.
