Hiya, Beth! Welcome to planDisney!
It looks like you’ll be at
Walt Disney World Resort in just a few days. That’s so exciting! You’re just in time to catch the last few days of the
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Plus, if your stay takes you through May 26, there are so
many great offerings opening on that day!
To answer your question, Beth, yes. Typically, holiday weekends do tend to draw larger crowds. Guests tend to make travel plans around long weekends or take advantage of having to take less time off of work or school to make it a longer visit.
Having said that, in my experience, it is not as busy as some other holidays during the year, such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. There are a few ways to maximize your time in the park even on busier park days. First, I highly recommend arriving early, whether or not you qualify for
Early Theme Park Entry. Crowds will only start to build as the morning wears on, so taking advantage of those early hours is a solid strategy. If it’s in your budget,
Lightning Lane Passes can also be a great option. Taking advantage of Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or even Lightning Lane Premier Pass will save you time. Time not spent waiting in line means you can take advantage of some of the other offerings in the parks, like the
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom, or the Outdoor Kitchens at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival.
I also recommend dining at off-peak times. If you can eat an early or late lunch, or an early or late dinner, you can take advantage of some lower wait times when many Guests are stopping for mealtime. And if you can, stay until park close! Many Guests who arrived early or who are traveling with younger kids will depart the parks after dinnertime. Wait times do tend to go down in the later evening hours. Of course, these tips are based on my experiences, and your experience could differ. But I have found success using these strategies in the past.
I hope you’ve found this information helpful, Beth! If you have any other questions as you prepare for your arrival, please don’t hesitate to come back and see us here at
planDisney. We’re always happy to help!
See you real soon!
Olivier