Crowded Day at the Parks? No Problem!
So, spring break is here and you are headed to the happiest place on Earth. The thing is, so is everybody else. What do you do when you get to the parks and the shortest wait time for a ride is 70 minutes? Well, I was in Disney World for spring break and, while it was more crowded than I have ever seen the parks, it was just as magical as always. Here are some tips for navigating a packed Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.
First, everybody should take advantage of the FastPass+ system. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can book these up to 60 days in advance of your trip, or if you have purchased park tickets, up to 30 days in advance, with no additional charge. With FastPass+, you may select three attractions in one theme park per day, and, once you redeem your initial three selections or the time to redeem them has passed, you can visit a kiosk in the park and select more. It is important to remember that, even if you have purchased a Park Hopper, you can only choose one park per day to select FastPass+ for. When selecting you fast passes, you will be given a window of time, usually 60 minutes, when you can go to the selected attraction and enter through the FastPass+ entrance, and skip the standby entrance. Using FastPass+ does not mean you will not have to wait at all, but the wait time is significantly shorter than the standby wait time.
In addition to the convenience of the FastPass+ system, I recommend checking out some of the shows in the parks. You can select fast passes for most of the live shows, but, if you do not, the theatres fit a lot of people. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, my personal favorite is the live Beauty and the Beast performance at the Theater of the Stars. I have never had a fast pass for this show, but I have also never had a problem getting in to the theater or getting a great seat. Exact times of the show may occasionally change, but it tends to run five times a day between 11:00 a.m and 5:00 p.m. Similarly, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid is available in Hollywood Studios. FastPass+ is available for this show, but, as with Beauty and the Beast, it is not necessary. One difference between the two shows is that The Little Mermaid is a smaller indoor theatre, so a fast pass may be more beneficial for getting a better seat. But, regardless of which option you choose, you will be able to enjoy the show without having to wait in the long lines that form around the rides.
In Disney’s Magic Kingdom, arguably the busiest of the four parks, there are also some options when the crowds are extreme. My first recommendation is to try Mickey’s Philharmagic, a 3D-show located across from the carousel in Fantasyland. The show is about 15 minutes long and features multiple classic Disney movies, including Aladdin, Peter Pan, and The Little Mermaid. While you may need to stand in line through one or two showings of the movie, I have found that the wait is never longer than 30 minutes, which is great compared to a two, or even three, hour wait on one of the more popular attractions in Magic Kingdom. (Yes, during my spring break the wait time for Space Mountain hit 180 minutes!)
If you’re not interested in seeing too many shows, one of the best things to do in Magic Kingdom when the lines are backed up is to just enjoy the beautiful view around you and journey through Main Street USA. Filled with shops, you’re sure to find something to your liking, whether that be the food items at the Main Street Bakery or the Main Street Confectionary, or the ample souvenir and clothing options at The Emporium. Also, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire is held at Cinderella’s Castle frequently throughout the day, and Festival of Fantasy is held at 3 p.m. every day on Main Street USA; I recommend getting there early to get a good viewing spot, but anybody is able to watch both of these incredible performances. Festival of Fantasy viewing spots continue all the way down Main Street and start towards Adventureland, so space is not limited.
So, those are some of my tips that have come in handy when navigating busy days in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. The options are seemingly endless when you consider all that these Disney parks have to offer, but I have highlighted some of my personal favorites. I hope you have enjoyed reading, and feel free to ask me any questions through my social media accounts. Have a magical day!
Lyndsey Burns (@disney_lyndsey)
Lyndsey is a WDWKingdom.com contributor and you can find her on Instagram @disney_lyndsey. If you want to become a WDW Kingdom contributor please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always looking for passionate Disney fans.
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