As Christmas and the new year are creeping just around the corner, with premium Lightning Lane selling out multiple days, it’s the busiest time of year at the most magical place on earth. If you’re planning on spending time at the parks this holiday season, here are some quick tips to navigate crowds more efficiently and enjoy all of the holiday magic.
Arrive Early & Stay Late
For your park days, the tale is as old as time: stay all day. With Florida’s weather being much easier to manage this time of year, a full day in the parks isn’t a bad idea. Be sure to double check current park hours; Disney recently extended hours for Magic Kingdom in January!
- Rope Drop: Arrive at the park before opening to experience the most popular attractions with shorter wait times.
- Extended Hours: If possible, stay late. After dinner, crowds tend to thin out, especially when the parks offer extended evening hours for resort guests.
But Still, Take Breaks!
The busy holiday crowds can be overwhelming. And even though there’s no sweltering heat, keep you and your party nice and hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Plan time for relaxing breaks within quiet spots at the parks to recharge, especially during midday when the parks are at their busiest. This can be as simple as a finding a free park bench, boarding the PeopleMover or monorail for a loop, or discovering a quiet corner within a land. (Here are some of my favorite spots to take breaks at Magic Kingdom!)
Maximize Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
To maximize your time, purchasing Disney’s Lightning Lane service to skip most standby lines is unavoidable this time of year. You’ll certainly want to prioritize the more popular rides first (like Slinky Dog Dash or Space Mountain) for the best availability.
And for the extremely popular rides (like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance), consider purchasing individual Lightning Lanes to avoid spending hours in long queues.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind still work off Virtual Queues, so set those 7AM alarms (or 1PM once you’re in the park)!
Leverage Mobile Ordering & Snacks
If you missed out on your prized, super-rare table service dining reservation, have no fear. Firstly, keep checking the My Disney Experience app for availability; especially within that 24-hour window where more tables are likely to free-up. Don’t be too heartbroken if it doesn’t happen, you can always find other ways to play in the parks with this additional time.
When it comes to eating efficiently, don’t forget about Mobile Ordering: Use the My Disney Experience app to mobile order meals, minimizing time spent in food lines and giving you more flexibility in your schedule.
And of course, there are countless limited-time Holiday Treats sprinkled all around the parks and resorts. Don’t miss out on the unique holiday-themed snacks and treats available only during this time of year. They’re a fun way to indulge without taking up too much time.
Or You Can Leave… Sort Of
Sometimes the parks just feel too overwhelmingly busy, especially if you have one full park day stacked after another. You’ll rarely catch me at Disney Springs this time of year, I can’t honestly recommend it. So, consider this: exploring a Disney resort hotel or two… or seven. Each of Disney’s resort hotels are decked out for the holidays with accompanying decor to match the themes. From the Grand Floridian’s massive lobby tree and Gingerbread House, to the ink & paint themed decor of Art of Animation, lobby gift shops, and new dining locales to try (most featuring specialty holiday items!), there’s always something special to savor. Have you ever played WDW Bus Roulette?
[Avoid a] Merry Crisis
Above all, pack your patience. The Disney World parks have so much to offer during the holiday season, be mindful and present during your trip. You’re in a truly special place with your loved ones, take it all in!
