Top 3 Ways to Avoid a Crowd at Disney World
There are many ways to avoid the crowds at the World. I am going to give you my top 3 in a countdown.
#3. Don't Go! Of course this is not even an option! So my real #3 way to avoid crowds is to use the FastPass system. FastPass is Disney's way of jumping to the head of the line. Insert your admission ticket into one of the FastPass machines at any of the rides that have them and you will receive a FastPass with a time window on it. Come back during that time window and go straight to the FastPass line. The FastPass riders are given priority for getting on the ride. The wait time for returning FastPass riders is usually 5-10 minutes.
There are a few restrictions when using a FastPass. They must be used within the time frame printed on the ticket and on the same day you received the FastPass. You are only allowed to hold a limited number of FastPass tickets at one time. For example, if you get a FastPass for Mission:Space, you must wait until the time printed on the Mission:Space FastPass ticket before you can get your FastPass for Test Track.
#2. Visit the theme parks on their "off" days. Certain parks are historically busier on certain days of the week. The Magic Kingdom is busiest on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Epcot's busy days are Wednesday and Friday. For MGM Studios, avoid Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. And Animal Kingdom is most crowded on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. I have always planned my visits accordingly and never run into huge crowds.
#1. The very best way to avoid crowds at Disney World is to go in what Disney refers to as Value Season. The absolute least crowded times at Disney are September and January. Although the park hours are shortened somewhat at these times, the lack of crowds mean you are able to see just about everything you want without any wait times. The next best times to go are the first of October up til the week before Thanksgiving and the first couple of weeks in December. December is a really great time to go since all the Christmas decorations are up and of course on selected dates the Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!
The most crowded time at Disney World is the week between Christmas and New Year's. So if you love being in a crowd, by all means go then! It is a very festive time and a great Christmas present!
Great tips. It was surprising and interesting to see some of the parks' busiest days are in the middle of the week. For example, one of Epcot's busiest days is on Wednesday. Would you happen to know what makes Wednesdays busy?
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Great question, Sheila. My best guess would be that most out of town guests arrive at Disney World on Friday or Saturday. And most want to see the Magic Kingdom first. That would explain the crowds there on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Then guests probably visit Animal Kingdom next, then Epcot. Thanks for stopping by! ~Winnetta
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LOL, I really liked #3. Disney is mad expensive, and as you get older, the novelty wears off unless you have kids. Try to get those FastPass tickets if you go so you can go back to the ride or attraction at a specific time.
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Great advice about the fast passes. We also found that, especially at Animal Kingdom, the adults can use the little one's tickets for extra fast passes first thing in the morning. We managed this by oing to the first showing of Festival of the Lion King - doubly great as it's also much quieter than the later showings (if you've got kids they've got a better chance of getting picked - we went twice and the kids got picked both times!) By the time the show was finished the adults got 2 goes on Expedition Everest and the tickets were all good for more fast passes. Just an idea
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That is a great idea Addie! I don't have small children so I never thought to use their tickets to get fastpasses for the adults. Thanks for stopping by!
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