I think we can all agree, Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth. So, of course, it would be the perfect place to spend the most magical time of the year, right? Many people are nervous to travel to Walt Disney World during the holidays. Yes, there are large crowds. But you already knew that. So, if you go in with the right mindset, your vacation will be one you’ll never forget. There are countless reasons why you should visit at least once in your life during the holidays. It is practically bursting at the seams with holiday magic. Who wouldn’t want to see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights in
Disney’s Hollywood Studios? How about Cinderella’s Castle being frozen by none other than Elsa during A Frozen Holiday Wish? Where else can you celebrate the holidays around the world other than Epcot? I could go on and on about the many reasons why visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays should be on your must do list. So to help you get over your hesitation, here are some helpful tips to survive Walt Disney World during the holidays!
Crowds…Yes we all know there are huge crowds in Walt Disney World during the holidays. When you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you have access to Extra Magic Hours. Make sure you take advantage of this! Parks will reach capacity during peak times, so make sure you get to the park when it opens. You may also want to consider purchasing Park Hoppers. If a park has reached capacity and you would like to go elsewhere, you can simply “hop” to another park.
Choose which rides are a must for your family! There is the Fast Pass+ if you have the Magic Bands or the paper Fast Passes in the park. Choose the rides for that day that are a must for your family and get the Fast Pass if available, and while waiting for your return time you can enjoy a nearby ride. Make sure to get the My Disney Experience Mobile App to secure Fast Passes or make changes on the fly!
Make your Fast Pass selections and dining reservations in advance. Dining will book up very quickly around the holidays so make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible. You are able to book dining reservations up to 180 days in advance! If you’ve missed out on a specific character dining or restaurant you were really hoping to get, be sure to check back as your trip approaches. People do cancel all of the time and you just may get lucky!
Speaking of dining, during the busy season it is always a good idea to eat during off times. Plan to have lunch around 11:00am as opposed to 12:00pm, and dinner at 4:00pm or after 8:00pm. This is a great way to avoid crowds and have a better chance at dining at the restaurant or quick service location of your choice.
Make sure you get to the parade routes early so you can secure your spot! This is a great time to grab a quick snack and take a moment to relax! The parade routes and viewing for the fireworks fill up quickly so secure your spot early and take a moment to prop your feet up and get ready for the show!
Make sure you have downtime. If things get hectic why not shoot over to Downtown Disney for some shopping or a bite to eat? Or go check out some of the nearby hotels you’ve been wanting to tour! The options are endless! Remember, you are creating magical memories with your family that will last a lifetime. It really is the most magical time of the year.
Happy Holidays!
Laura Pankow is a travel agent with MMP Travel who lives and travels with Celiac disease. She specializes in helping travelers with food restrictions enjoy safe and stress-free vacations. Contact Laura at laurapankow@mmptravel.com to plan your next trip and remember what it’s like to enjoy traveling again!
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