Photo by Making Magic Vibes

The upcoming President’s Day weekend marks the beginning of warmer temperatures and Spring Break. It’s also when the Happiest Place on Earth can becomes the busiest place on earth! Everywhere you go it will feel busy from your hotel and the parks, to transportation, restaurants, parking lots…you name it. Dealing with a busy peak week at Disney World can be challenging but there are some ways to make your Disney visit go smoothly.

We have been to Disney World several times during long holiday weekends, Spring Break season and during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. These are very busy weeks where you can expect higher ticket prices and longer lines. If you are unsure about whether or not your upcoming Disney World trip is during a busy period, check third party crowd calendars.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Where you stay is important: Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel can be pricey. However, the perks of early entry and being close to all the magic is worth it when it’s busy! Try to book in advance, or choose a weekday trip (say Monday to Thursday) versus a weekend getaway. This can help you save some money on your Disney World Resort room. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are often slower days in the parks. Less people means less waiting in line.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Staying at a Disney Resort also means you get Early Entry. This option gives you an extra 30 minute head start at any of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. There are also certain nights that Deluxe Disney Resorts have extended hours just for their guests. You can check the Disney.com website for those dates.

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Staying at a Disney Resort also means free transportation via Monorail, Skyliner, bus or boat. This makes life a lot easier when you don’t have to wait in a crowded parking lot. Staying nearby at a Disney Resort also means you can easily go back to your hotel for a midday break. All these things will help you enjoy your vacation because you are inside magic of the Disney bubble.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Next tip, arrive prepared. Prioritize which parks and attractions are most important. Get to know the ins and outs of Genie and Genie+ as this app can be your best friend. It’s a helpful guide which can build an itinerary for the day, allows you to check wait times, mobile order food and purchasing lightening lanes and book advanced dining reservations. We like to check and see which parks have lower wait times when we want to park hop and to mobile order are food in advance so that quick service meals are a breeze.

Speaking of lightning lanes….. If you can budget some money to buy lightening lanes for rides and attractions that usually have very long wait times like Rise of the Resistance and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, do it! We also like the utilizing the Rope Drop Strategy as it does get you the most bang for your buck when it’s busy. It’s a great way to hit a bunch of attractions at their lowest wait times of the day (typically morning). We like to do one sleep in day and then follow with a Rope Drop day so we are well rested and ready to go.

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Ride Share is another way to maneuver around Disney World in fast fashion. While Disney does offer guests free transportation, when it’s busy you might want to get from point A to point B just a little bit faster. Both Uber and Lyft are great alternatives and available throughout Disney World. If you want the white glove treatment, The Minnie Van Service through Lyft is a real treat. All the Minnie Van Service Lyft drivers are Disney cast members, they only work for Disney and they get special access for pick up and drop off points that other Ride Share companies do not. For example, they are the only Ride Share service that is allowed to drop off at the front of the Magic Kingdom. All others have to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center. We have found all the Ride Share companies really efficient in getting us too early entry, when we were running late to dinner reservations at Disney Springs and those hot hays where you need to get your kids back to your resort before an afternoon meltdown ensues.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

While on vacation at Disney World you will need to eat. Sit down meals are a lovely way to start and finish your day and gather with your family. However, the most popular Disney Restaurants both in the theme parks and at the Disney resorts are often tough to get reservations. Now we have had luck by continually checking the My Disney Experience app for cancellations but if you are at Disney World when it’s busy, those are often hard to come by. By using mobile ordering and finding great quick service dining options, you can save a lot of time, energy and money.

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We also try to eat meals a little earlier or later than everyone else. as we’ve seen a dip in ride times during meal times. If you can eat between 10-12am, 2-4pm or 7-9pm you might be able to snag some shorter than normal wait times.

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Despite all your pre-planning and utilizing rope drop, early entry, staying late and buying lightening lanes – you may still have to wait in the crowd. Use this time to grab a snack to enjoy and don’t forget the My Disney App has lots of interactive games to play.

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The Tangled-themed restrooms pictured above can be found between “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom. Look for the Rapunzel Tower and the lanterns above for one of the best restrooms and secret stools with charging stations for your iphone and other devices.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Another tip: if you don’t mind skipping parades or fireworks, these are also times when wait times go down at rides. You can also head to the other side of a park when fireworks or parades are underway just to experience the atmosphere with less people.

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Remember to Recharge Every Disney park has a variety of entertaining shows throughout the day and evening. Seeing a show is a great way to cool off on a hot day, rest your weary feet and let everyone relax for a little bit.

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Quiet Spots: If a crowded park day gets overwhelming, there are also secret spots to steal away for some shade and when you need a little peace and quiet. Inside Morocco at Epcot you’ll find this oasis which is also an amazing backdrop for photos!

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Because Disney World parks seems busiest between the hours of 12-5pm, sometimes leaving the parks during those time periods can work in your favors. If you rope drop or get in to the park as soon as it opens, take a break at lunch by either going back to your Disney Resort for a swim or maybe just escaping on the Monorail to have lunch at the Polynesian Resort or chill in the beautiful air conditioned lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

Nighttime at the Parks: If you have the luxury of leaving the park midday or want to come later in the day when the temperatures drop – heading to the parks for nighttime fun is always a great idea. Not only will the temperatures be cooler, it will be less crowded and wait times are typically shorter. If you show up an hour before the parks close, ride time waits are dramatically low!

Ride All The Rides: While attractions like Rise of the Resistance and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are popular and often packed with people, there are rides that typically have low wait times, no matter how busy it is. At the Magic Kingdom: People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Enchanted Tiki Room & the Disney World Railroad are my personal favorites for a quick ride with a low wait.

Photo by Making Magic Vibes

If you are visiting Disney World during a peak week or busy season, crowds will be present. So when the throngs of people are rushing by you, take a breath, relax and remember that Mickey Shaped ice cream and Dole Whip is always within reach.