Blue waterfront building with a large water wheel beside a river and wooden bridge at Port Orleans Riverside.
  • On Jun 22, 2026
    Melissa from Mexico Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi! We’re a family of 5 staying at Port Orleans Riverside. We plan to visit Animal Kingdom on Aug 25, Hollywood Studios on Aug 26, Magic Kingdom on Aug 27, and EPCOT on Aug 28. Are these the best park choices for those dates based on crowds and park hours?

    Hi Melissa!

    Thanks for bringing this question to planDisney!

    First things first, while I can never fully predict what the crowds at the parks will look like, the end of August tends to be a great time to visit! Kids are starting to head back to school after summer break right around that time, so those dates often see a slight decrease in crowds overall. 

    As far as park hours go, the Hours & Events Calendar updates about 2 months in advance, so you should be able to see your dates very soon! With that being said, I always recommend checking back as your trip gets closer, as park hours can change at any time. 

    One thing we know for sure, though, is the dates for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. On dates that the Magic Kingdom hosts this party, the park will close early to regular park guests. During the dates you’ll be visiting, there will be a Halloween party at Magic Kingdom on August 25th and 28th. So, if you keep your current plan to visit Magic Kingdom on August 27th, you’ll get to enjoy a full park day. 

    It’s good to note that crowds are usually a bit higher at Magic Kingdom whenever there’s not a party. If seeing Happily Ever After fireworks and the Starlight parade are priorities for you, then it makes the increase in crowds worth it! If you don’t plan to be at the park that late, you may want to consider changing your Magic Kingdom day to a day when there’s a Halloween Party. Although you wouldn’t get a full park day and the nighttime shows, you’d likely experience lighter crowds during the day. 

    It all comes down to what you want out of your Magic Kingdom day! Otherwise, I think that’s a great lineup as is!

    I hope that gives you some guidance. If you have any other questions as you plan, feel free to come back and visit us. We’re always happy to help!

    Jenn J. 

thumbnail image for Jenn

Meet the Panelist: Jenn, Ohio

Hello from Ohio! I’m Jenn–a physical therapist, wife, and mom of 3 boys…who look just like Huey, Dewey, and Louie if you squint! I grew up visiting “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” and now I consider Walt Disney World my home away from home. I have a healthy mix of Joy and Nostalgia when I’m at the Disney Parks, and I’m so excited to help you make lifelong memories on your next Disney vacation. Learn More About Jenn

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