Mom And Daughter; Magic Kingdom; Cinderella's Castle; AA; Mickey Balloon
  • On Jan 23, 2010
    Melody from SC Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We are planning to come to WDW in late May and I was wandering what is the best time of day for riding the rides? We always go early and come back to the room in time to change for dinner.Would lines be less in AM or PM? I hate the AM rush for the rides.

    Hi Melody!

    I recommend getting to the parks early!  In fact, I suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before their posted opening times. 

    A lot of guests, including my wife if I would let her, love to sleep in.  Not everybody can get to the parks when they first open.  Thus crowds build during the morning hours; slowly at first but then speeding up as morning progresses.  By lunch time, the parks will be busy.  Sure there will be people coming and going throughout the day, but the parks really won't begin to empty out until the evening.

    I have generally found this all to mean that I can experience more attractions with less stress in the morning.  Four headliner attractions that I can do in the first hour might take several hours in the afternoon.  I think it makes the most sense to get up early, tour a park, and then head back to the hotel around lunch time for a break, swim in the pool, nap, etc.  Then you will be refreshed and ready to go back to the parks in the evening.  The parks are absolutely beautiful at night.

    The only exception to this "get there early" rule might be the Animal Kingdom.  Please click here to see an answer I wrote earlier about possibly touring that park in the afternoon.  However, if you want to see as much of that park as possible then I suggest getting there before it opens as well!

    Have a magical vacation.
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Meet the Panelist: Bernie, Maryland

I am an engineer with NASA with prior Air Force service. My wife and I have two boys, ages 13 and 8. At home, I'm known as the "Disney Guy" and I've enjoyed helping guests plan their Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland vacations. Learn More About Bernie

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