How to handle the busy season in Walt Disney World

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be stressful, but there are many tricks you can use to make it as magical as possible.

Have a plan and don’t panic!

Look, Walt Disney World is busy almost all the time, there really isn’t a “slow” time anymore.

Knowing this, and preparing for the crowds will definitely help.

While it might be tempting to just “wing it” that’s not really a thing anymore in WDW. Having a plan will help you see and do everything you want!

Download the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is probable the most important tool for planning and managing your vacation. With easy access on your phone, you can take care of all your planning and trip needs in real time.

With features like checking wait times, ordering food or making dining reservations, accessing photos and more, it’s like have the desktop in the palm of your hand.

Get Park Hopper

While park hopping can be great for a short Disney World vacation, it’s often unnecessary for most visitors. We suggest maximizing your time at each park and its neighboring resorts. Spend one whole day at a park, doing all of the activities you desire. Rather than rushing to another park, use any extra time to explore nearby resorts where you can grab dinner, unwind and truly feel on vacation. As a budget-friendly tip, making the most of your time at each park and resort can heighten your Disney experience!

Use mobile ordering and make dining reservations

Make the most of your time in the parks and order your meals ahead of time. It’s easy to pick your favourite quick service restaurant, order your meal and even pick the time you want to eat!

This is a great way to beat the long lines at lunch or dinner time!

While mobile ordering is great for your on the go meals, if you are looking to rest and relax for a bit, make a dining reservation ahead of time!

Same reservations will need to be made 60 days in advance, you can often make some excellent dining reservations on the go.

Sitting down for meal is the perfect way to recharge your batteries for the rest of the day!

Make, modify and check in for your reservation right from the app!

Use merchandise mobile checkout

while in Walt Disney World, there is no shortage of shopping opportunities!

No need to stand in line to pay for your souvenirs, just use the merchandise mobile checkout on the My Disney Experience app to make your shopping even more enjoyable!

Simply follow the simple steps and you are off to your next ride, with your new items secured!

Get lightning lane multi pass or single pass

By purchasing your lightning lane multi pass or single pass, you can greatly minimize the amount of time you spead in line!

Guests staying at a Walt Disney World resort with a package, can make advanced selections 7 days in advance, allowing you to plan your days with ease!

You can even make parade and firework seating selections, making sure you get that perfect spot!

Arrive early or stay late

Arriving early (rope drop) or staying until the park closes means missing the busiest time of the day.

This can allow you to check many things off your list. Want to take some amazing photos? You can do so with much lower crowds in your shot! Want to hit that super popular ride? Head straight there and have the wait be so much lower!

The parks are night literally go with magic. Seeing the icons and highlights all lit up is truly just magically. Ride times also dramatically drop right before the parks close, this is a great time to get get in one or two more rides.

Stay on property

When you stay on the Walt Disney World property, you have some great perks!

Get into the parks 30 minutes before the gates open and get that must-do ride in! Take advantage of the lower crowds to do rides, take photos or just enjoy the parks.

When you stay on property all the transportation is included, so none of that waiting in a parking line and walking in from the lot.

Enjoying that extra time, means getting more fun in!

Use a travel agent

Using a travel agent that specializes in Walt Disney World can save you so much time and effort so you can just enjoy your vacations!

Using a TA costs you nothing and means you have someone on your side who knows how to navigate the parks so you can sit back and enjoy the magic!

See the post on Travel Agent Myths.