WARNING: This Weekend Could Be ROUGH in Disney World

Holidays tend to draw larger crowds to Disney World and with Presidents’ Day right around the corner, the parks can get BUSY.

It can be frustrating to deal with crowds and long wait times at Disney World, but add a holiday weekend on top of it and it can make lines even longer. But you’re in luck because we have a few tips and tricks to help deal with wait times and crowds!

With any holiday at Disney World, it is important to be prepared for the crowds before you even leave home. Let’s get into it!

Booking Park Pass Reservations

While the rules for Park Pass Reservations have recently changed, it is important to check if you will need one to enter the park.

If you will be using a date-based ticket, you will no longer need a Park Pass. Annual Passholders will still need to follow the Park Pass Reservation rules unless it is a “Good-to-Go” day. Non-date-based tickets will still require a reservation.

The earlier you check on reservations, the more likely you are to get a reservation for the park that you would like to start in.

Dealing with High Wait Times

Waiting in lines at Disney World is expected, but holidays can make the wait times for attractions soar. It can also make dining times longer as well. There are a few ways to try and beat those lines.

Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours

Early Theme Park Entry allows guests staying at certain Disney World hotels to enter the theme parks 30 minutes before opening. This is a great way to get in some extra park time while avoiding some crowds.

Early Entry is different than Extended Evening Hours, which allows guests at Deluxe Resorts and other select hotels to stay in the park after hours. The only park offering this during the holiday weekend is EPCOT on Monday, February 19th. The park will stay open for an additional two hours from 9PM to 11PM. 

Genie and Genie+

Utilizing Genie and Genie+ is a great way to help manage wait times.

Genie is a free tool for guests that helps them create an itinerary for the day. This service can also help predict wait times so you can figure out when it is best to ride an attraction.

Learn how to use both Genie and Genie+ here

Genie+ on the other hand is a service that is paid for. According to Disney, this service allows guests to skip 2-3 lines a day, but in our experience, you can grab many more Lightning Lanes in one day. The price fluctuates and can be bought for a single park or multi-park.

Guests can also utilize Individual Lighting Lanes. This is a pay-per-ride service to help skip the lines at more popular attractions. This is a great way to get in more popular attractions that have higher wait times such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Dining during Holiday Weekends

Now that you have some tips on park wait times, let us dive into dining during the holidays. Preparation for your dining plans can also start before you even leave home.

Advance Dining Reservations

You can make Advance Dining Reservations up to 60 days before the start of your trip. If you have not gotten a chance to do this, fear not. Reservations tend to pop up on the My Disney Experience app. While it is not guaranteed you will dine at your first choice of restaurant, we recommend checking and refreshing the app throughout the day.

Mobile Order

Mobile Ordering is a solid way to get ahead of the crowds. We suggest placing a Mobile Order before you are ready for your meal. This will help make sure you get a Mobile Order window that works for you and beat the crowds who are waiting in line to order.

Transportation

Transportation to and from the parks can draw high wait times, especially at park open and close. It is important to give yourself plenty of time to travel to your destination and be prepared to wait.

Remember, there are many different transportation options, including the Monorail, Skyliner, boats, and buses. If you are looking to avoid the chaos and have your own private transportation to the parks there is also the option of using a Minnie Van.

Minnie Vans are paid-for services that run through Lyft. This service allows you to have a Cast Member drive you directly to your destination while also avoiding any lines or crowds.

Disney World is bound to be busy during the holiday weekends like Presidents’ Day, these tips and tricks can help you get ahead of the crowds.

Click here to find out our Genie+ Tips!

Will you be visiting Disney World during Presidents’ Day? Let us know in the comments!

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