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We’ve all heard the “horror stories” of Disney vacations where the Guests waited hours for every attraction, had long lines for food, and even waited in lines for the restroom!
There are certain times of year that the crowds are very heavy (think Spring Break and Christmas), but your vacation doesn’t have to include the stuff nightmares are made of.
There are lots of ways to avoid the lines for your favorite rides, characters, and shows. We share our favorite ways on how to avoid the lines at Disney World.
How to Avoid Lines at Disney World
#6 Take Advantage of Disney Genie+
Our favorite way to save time at the Disney Parks is with the new Disney Genie+. There is an extra cost to Disney Genie+, but it is worth it. You can save time waiting in lines with advance reservations.
An extra extra cost is Lightning Lanes. You can buy reservations for select rides like Rise of the Resistance or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. These popular rides are an extra cost. Plan on these extra costs when planning your Disney World vacation. They are worth it.
Learn more about Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes in the video below.
#5 Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours
If you stay at a Disney World Resort, you can take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry. On designated days, a Disney World Park will be open earlier, only for these guests staying at a Disney World Resort. This is an amazing way to get a jump on the crowds at the Disney Parks.
Even better is the Extended Evening Hours. Disney offers the Extended Evening Hours during super popular times of the year. You can get an extra two hours to play at the parks on select days and parks. This is a HUGE timesaver if you have older kids or teens that can stay awake until super late. This is also a great way to beat the Florida heat.
#4 Arrive Early
One of the biggest tips we have is to arrive early. It may be tough to get up really early on vacation, but it’s definitely worth it!
When you arrive at the park entrance at least 30 mins prior to opening, you will be through security and through the “gates” early! You will most likely get on a few rides while the wait times are very low, as they are shortly after park opening. Remember to leave enough travel time whether you are driving and parking or coming via Disney Transportation.
#3 Stay Late
If your family can stay up late, staying late at the parks is a great way to avoid the lines. Many families with little kids will go back to their hotel early or immediately after nighttime spectaculars.
If the park is open later in the evening, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the shorter wait times. Usually, the later it gets, the shorter the lines are. And don’t forget, you can get in line right up until closing time.
For example, if a park is closing at 10 PM, you can get in line at 9:59 PM and you’ll still be allowed to ride regardless of the wait time. This helps you get another attraction in your day!
#2 Ride During Parades, Shows and Fireworks
When many park goers are distracted by the afternoon parade, nighttime spectacular or fireworks, the wait times dip down on most, if not all, of the attractions.
This is the perfect time to hop in line and enjoy some of the more popular attractions with less wait! Oftentimes, the waits will start dropping about 30 mins before these shows as Guests start lining up to hold their viewing spot. Keep an eye on the wait times and make your move when they start dropping!
#1 Special Ticketed Events
Special events require you to purchase an additional, separate ticket, but they come with great perks. Not only is there special entertainment and experiences you can’t otherwise get, but there’s also a limit to the amount of people let in, which means attraction lines are shorter.
If you can spare some time during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party, Galactic Nights or any other “hard ticket” event, you can take advantage of shorter than usual wait times.
These are just a few ways to save time and avoid the lines at Disney World. Do you have a favorite tip? Share it in the comments below.
