Even pros at planning Walt Disney World vacations can get it wrong sometimes, especially when it comes to what days are going to be the most crowded. The so-called peak season and off-season have much less disparity between them in recent years as Disney has become masterful at manipulating the crowds. Usually, this works to everyone’s advantage because the crowds are as equally dispersed as possible. Then there are those days, even during off-season times when everybody shows up at the Magic Kingdom. When that happens, try to keep your cool and follow these Magic Kingdom crowd tips to maintain your productivity and keep a positive mindset.
Magic Kingdom Crowd Tips: What to Do When the Park Fills Up
Pace Yourself
It’s always the foundation of a good park strategy to remember to pace yourself. But it’s most important (and most easily forgotten) when the park overcrowds. You no doubt have a million things you want to do, but slow down. If you don’t take one thing at a time at a deliberate pace, you will lose to the crowd and become overwhelmed. Don’t hesitate to take everybody aside in one of the Magic Kingdoms secluded pockets and decide on a bold calculated strategy that is easy to follow with as little effort as possible.
Get Ahead of It
You can ride the crowd like a wave and get ahead of the problem. Part of effective planning is assessing where the highest demand is going to be. When you know what the crowds will be doing, you can do it first and keep ahead of the other guests. You can prepare for this by regularly checking wait times in the parks and looking for patterns throughout the day. It’s easy to find real-time information on the My Disney Experience app. If you need to, you can always stay later into the night to make up for lost time, but it’s also always a good idea to get to the park at or before opening, even if you think it is going to be a light day.
Take a Break
that might seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes it’s best to stop completely. You can take a break while the crowds are at their peak levels and then resume when other guests start to leave. During the middle of the day when most guests are inside the Magic Kingdom is an excellent time to have lunch in a comfortable table service restaurant. You can plan for this in advance and make reservations for a late lunch during these peak hours. from about 2-4. If you don’t have reservations, you might get lucky on the second level of Columbia Harbor House, or at one of the resort restaurants just a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom.
Park Hop
If the crowds prove too difficult to manage and you are out of luck with dining availability, it may be time to leave the Magic Kingdom and try another park. Situations like these are when the Park Hopper Option on your tickets comes in handy. Epcot is a convenient park to exercise this option on when leaving the Magic Kingdom.
There you have it with 4 sure-fire ways to handle the crowds at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park.
Seana Turner says
Great tips as always, Janine. I like the idea of just taking a break. Sometimes you feel like you should just keep going since you spent all the time and money to be there, but it is good to remember that the goal is to have fun!
Janine says
I couldn’t agree more and perfectly said, Seana π
William D Holland says
I just assumed it was always crowded. Shows you what I know about it. Me and crowds is a bad combination. I do not do well at all, and that’s an understatement. π
Happy Friday my friend! We made it through another work week!
Janine says
Aw, Happy Friday, Bill and wishing you a wonderful weekend ahead now, as well π
Dara says
I really like to avoid going to the parks in the peak seasons! The best time I ever went was the week of MLK day in January!
Janine says
Dara, never been there in January or February. But did hear great things from those who have. So, will keep it in mind for the future π
Tamara says
Great tips! We usually, by design, go when it’s not crowded. That backfires, though! We love the Minnie Van so much! And next time we go, we’re going to do it even more!
Janine says
Tamara, someday we will have to go at the same time and use the Minnie Van together, as well π
Meredith Spidel says
This makes me even more excited for our trip! Thanks for the smart tips, Janine!!
Janine says
Yay and so excited for your trip, too π
Marilyn says
Thank you for these great tips. Janine, your daughters are adorable.
Marilyn
Janine says
Aw, thanks, as always, Marilyn π
Gloria Spagnoli says
Good advice! I know you will all have a wonderful time at Disney, as always! Can’t wait to hear all about it when I see you for Thanksgiving. Love to all and have a great trip! xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks, Aunt Gloria and will definitely catch up on Thanksgiving for sure!! Love right back at you xoxo <3
Kristi Campbell says
Crowds so suck, and Disney always seems crowded but we beat the Harry Potter lines by going there on our early admission day and it was ok. The Fast Pass helped too – as do breaks and such, as you said. I want to go to Disney!
Janine says
Aw, I agree crowds can most definitely suck and make even the best day at Disney not so much fun. That said, I also agree FastPasses do help. But having a plan just in case also helps. Hugs and hope you get to go to Disney soon, too π