How to Beat the Crowds and Save Money At Disney

How to Beat the Crowds at Disney World

When is the best time to visit Disney World?  That’s a loaded question because it can mean a lot of things to a travel agent….Some times it means when can I go and save the most money?; or when can I go when it’s not too crowded?; or when can I go for the best weather?  Often, it means all 3 of these questions.

​

It’s no secret that a Disney Vacation can be expensive.  But I can help you to save money while maximizing your memories.  I have a lot of tips on ways you can save and still have a magical vacation.  My advice comes from knowing which special offers are available, which ticket options are better and even if you should sign up for the Disney Dining Plan or not.

​

Disney parks are never entirely uncrowded.  There are certain times of year that are less crowded than others....Certain weeks in January, February, late August, September and October, mid-November and after Thanksgiving, and December before the week of Christmas.  Keep in mind that there are reasons for these times being less popular, including hurricane season and schools being in-session. 

​

Which brings me to weather.  That is hard to predict.  It’s probably the best reason to purchase travel insurance in advance too. 

​

My recommendation for the “trifecta” of best time x best weather x least crowded is in late April/early May and early November. But it really depends on what time of year works for you and your family. For example, if you can only visit during school vacations, no problem!  Advanced planning will help you have a smooth vacation.  This is where I can help you with your day planning.  Nothing makes me sadder than to hear that I family didn’t have time to ride many of the rides at Disney because of long lines (which happen a lot during the busiest times such as Spring & Christmas breaks and mid-summer).   I can assure you that you do not have to spend all day waiting in long lines.  I can help you have a magical vacation any time of year.

Here are some of my favorite tips I offer to my clients:

​

* Plan early – Book in advance to get in on the special money saving offers

* Have an itinerary planned in advance so you know which park you're going to visit each day (helps resolve family disagreements too).

* Use FastPass+ !!! This allows your family to experience the rides, shows, and character experiences they love most with minimal wait times.  It's a no-brainer.  Used in combination with arriving early, your FastPasses are best used mid-day or late morning at the earliest, after you have ridden some other popular attractions in the earliest hours.  Once you have used your first 3 FastPasses, you can reserve more one at a time.

* Resist the urge to just experience attractions in the order you come to them. Prioritize the most popular rides first as their lines only grow during the day.  Alternatively, if you want to ride them again, jump in line at the end of the day right before the park closes. The lines tend to move a little faster then.

 * Take advantage of Extra Magic Hours(EMH). These are blocks of time that the parks are open early or late to on-property resort guests.  (This is usually an hour before park opening and up to 3 hours after park closing during the busiest travel times.  If you plan to visit a park that has Extra Magic Hours, make sure you arrive in time to actually take advantage of them.  The park offering Extra Magic Hours often becomes more crowded than other parks because of the perk- so you'll want to take advantage of the early or late time, but consider spending the main portion of the day at another park if it gets too busy.)

* Arrive at Park Opening or Stay Late – even if you are planning to use EMH.  Disney's parades and nighttime entertainment are all spectacular and fully worth watching.  That being said, it's also a great time to go on rides with shorter wait times. 

* Don’t Stay in The Park During the Heat of the Day.  Nothing ruins a vacation then getting worn out on a long day.  Take a break from the Parks and crowds. Go back to your resort for a nap or swim. Go shopping, or take a relaxing long lunch.  If at the Magic Kingdom, take the monorail or resort launch to visit one of the nearby resorts…their theming will amaze you and you can grab a snack or beverage there while you explore. (Maybe plan your next Disney vacation stay).

* Part of your plan should also involve knowing how you'll get to your destination. Familiarize yourself with the Disney transportation system and alternatives.

*Make Dining reservations in advance (easier to cancel than to get at the last minute). Some of the more popular restaurants you can reserve (and should)180 days in advance.

*Travel Light (in the Parks) – Before you enter each Park, you are required to go thru “Bag Check”.  This can be a long line. While Disney security does their best to make the lines move quickly, you can cut the line entirely by not bringing a purse, backpack or fanny pack. If you have a phone and water bottle, there are 'no bag' lines, which have immensely shorter lines. (Most families sick together through Bag Check even if one person has a bag/backpack).  If you do have to go thru Bag Check there are two tips: Avoid getting lines where there are strollers.  Carry a bag that has no more than 1 or 2 zippered sections. Disney Security will make you open all compartments to check.

What if you don’t want to plan and just “go with the flow”?  That’s fine too.  I’m happy to work with you to put a combination of these strategies to help you outwit and outlast the crowds surrounding you at Walt Disney World.  Let me do the planning for you so you can focus on maximizing your memories for a magical vacation.

Want a FREE no obligation quote or book, just reach out to me.  I'll take care of you.