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The SECRET to Avoiding Disney World CROWDS

by FrogBlog on April 23, 2013

By guest blogger Carl Trent of Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World

This is going to be fun.

If you’re like me, you hate Disney World Crowds. In fact, you’ll do just about anything to miss the throngs that show up at the Walt Disney World Resort all year round. Have I got something just for you.

A couple of months ago, I talked about the best time to visit Walt Disney World. Choosing a slow time of the year using the Frog Family crowd calendar is probably the best way to avoid Disney World crowds. I’m sure there are some of you out there who are screaming, “Dad, we can only go during (insert busy time here). What are we supposed to do?” (Yes, I can hear you. I have amazing hearing.)

“Hang on, help is on its way …” (I like singing, too.)

Yep, help is on its way. In fact, I’m going to reveal the “Big Secret” about avoiding crowds at WDW. This secret could save you hours and hours when it comes to standing in lines. It could even make sure you complete the Nine By Noon Challenge even in the busiest times. Yep, I only reveal this Big Secret to my closest friends. Are you ready?

First, let’s talk about a few of my 10 tips to beat the crowds at Disney World. Trust me, these work …

Learn how to use FASTPASS – What is FASTPASS? Glad you asked. Disney’s FASTPASS® Service is the primary program Disney uses to help you avoid the long lines at the busiest rides. It basically takes you right to the front of the line. (What is FASTPASS and how do you use it? Check this post.)
Extra Magic Hours – If you are staying in a Disney Resort, Disney has a really nice special for you. Are you ready for this? You get the park all to yourself just for staying in a Disney Hotel. Yep, just you and the thousands of other Disney Hotel guests. On select days, you can enter one of the parks up an hour before and up to two hours after the park opens/closes to the public. This really can be a great perk and will definitely help you avoid Disney World crowds. (When should you not use Extra Magic Hours? Check this post.)
Have a plan – Yes, it’s important to have a plan or at least an idea of what you want to do in what order. If you don’t, you might end up on Main Street, U.S.A.® in the Magic Kingdom® Park looking for that new Everest ride (which is in Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park). I’ve seen it happen. Don’t be that group that has to spend 20 minutes looking over the map to see what you’re going to ride next.
Download the Frog Family wait-time apps -- The wait-time apps can tell you what the wait is for any of the park's attractions. It also lists parade times and restaurant locations to help you better plan your day.

I can tell you from long experience that these tips really work when you want to avoid Disney World Crowds. But there is that one Big Secret left. You have to promise me you won’t tell anyone because the more people that use this secret the less effective it will be. Promise? This really is amazing stuff. OK, here we go …

The super, amazing, Big Secret to avoiding Disney World Crowds is … (drum roll please)

Get to the parks early. Yep, that’s it. Get to the parks early. In fact be at the parks before they open. Yes, it works. The smallest crowds of the day are between the time the park opens and about noon. You can actually ride rides like Toy Story Mania!® Attraction, Space Mountain® Attraction, Soarin’™ Attraction, and Expedition Everest® Attraction without a wait during the first 30 minutes of the day. These rides typically have two-hour lines by mid-afternoon.

So, get out of bed you sleepyheads. Get up, get ready and get to the parks. You won’t be sorry.

Frog Family’s Strategy: Skip the lines with Tips, Apps and Real tickets

Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation is a big task. There are hundreds of things to think about. That’s where I come in. Hi, my name is Carl Trent, but I’m better known as Dad. The Disney Dad. I run a little website called DadsGuidetoWDW.com. At Dad’s Guide we want to help you plan a “Perfect” Vacation. Dad is a self-proclaimed (rarely challenged) Disney World “expert” who focuses on how to develop a plan that will allow you to have the best vacation possible.

Tags: FastPass & FastPass+, Extra Magic Hours

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May 6, 2017 at 10:51 p.m.

Kevin Says...

I already knew all of these tips and went to the park on a day that said medium crowds... It was packed. Most rides where anywhere from 45-130 min and other than Space Mountain I would not wait for anything else.

May 19, 2016 at 2:17 a.m.

David jensen Says...

Go in the summer. I found the best way is to stay at a Disney resort. Go to the park in the morning then go back to the resort and take a swim then return to the park in the evening. You avoid the crowds and the blistering heat of the summer

May 26, 2014 at 12:05 p.m.

montanna Says...

The best month is September HOT but its less crowded becuz its the first month of school and to anyone else don't go to Disneyland in California go to the one in Orlando Florida ( Walt Disney world WDW) that is my advice and oh also don't go in February I went and a lot was closed cuz it was winter

Dec 8, 2013 at 2:29 p.m.

Kay Says...

We have also discovered Disneyland. Almost all of the same rides,

2 parks instead of 4 and a lot less walking and humidity!

Jul 18, 2013 at 6:44 p.m.

Doreen Says...

You can't take the Disney transportation from Downtown Disney to the PARKS !! But you can take them to a resort (Contemporary, for example) ...then bus to the park....or Beach Club and walk to Epcot. No longer taking you to the PARKS....only the resorts

May 23, 2013 at 9:29 p.m.

nana Says...

those tips are fine if you are staying on Disney grounds. Most of us take advantage of staying off grounds and would like advise to get around the crowds faster and how to avoid the parking fee if we are not staying at a place that provides transportation. If we stay at a place that provides transportation to the parks we are at their mercy, therefore we will need some tips on how to get around the parks from the hours of 9am to 6pm with the fast pass.

Jun 17, 2013 at 6:58 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Hi Nana,

We have a post here that outlines how to use Fastpass. This can be a good time strategy for saving time in the park (especially if you use it with our wait times app).

http://blog.undercovertourist.com/2012/01/what-is-a-fastpass-how-do-i-use-it/

The only viable way to avoid the parking fee is if you park at Downtown Disney and then take Disney transportation to the parks. You would save the fee, but there can be considerable wait times (especially during the crowded months).

Best,

-- Mommy Frog

Apr 25, 2013 at 3:20 p.m.

Stephanie Says...

Another big advantage is park hoping. If you stay in an onsite resort, you can save lots of time not standing in long lines. For example, we like the resorts around Magic Kingdom

We can start out at MK or Epcot and take the monorail to the other. You can cover a lot more territory that way. However, be prepared to WALK a bunch. Love Disneyworld, I can't wait to go back!!!!

Apr 23, 2013 at 4:02 p.m.

Linda Bazil Says...

Also, use the single rider line when available! For many popular lines, there is a single rider line that is much, much shorter and moves fast. Note, you will NOT-NOT-NOT be seated with your party, but really...when you are on a ride that is going 90 mph, are you going to look over at your companion lovingly and smile? NO. We always take advantage of this, and a stand by line can be 90 minutes for Expedition Everest, while the single rider line is only 10. NOT KIDDING.

Apr 23, 2013 at 6:31 p.m.

FrogBlog Says...

Linda,

You're right! This is a great tip. Unfortunately, there are only three attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort with single ride lines. They are: Expedition Everest, Test Track and Rock 'n' Roll Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

--Leap