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  • On Jan 8, 2026
    Kinsey from VA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am trying to plan a trip in the end of February or beginning of March. Is there a chance that parks would be less busy the 3 days before the Princess marathon or less busy the 3 days after the Princess marathon? Thanks!

    Well, hello there, Kinsey. Thanks for reaching out to us at planDisney with your question.

    So, I’m not a runner. Don't get me wrong. I have the utmost respect for runners, but you’ll really only see me running if there’s an emergency. And if that’s the case, you should run too! But I have always wanted to experience at least cheering on some of my friends who compete in these races, like my friend Kaitlin P. And in her honor, I’ll be snacking while she runs by. All that being said, as a big Disney Princess fan, if there’s ever a race for me to run (or jog, as the case would probably be), it would be the runDisney Princess Half Marathon. Never say never, I guess!

    While predicting crowd levels is not an exact science, checking out the theme park ticket prices is a good way to gauge which days Disney itself feels will be more crowded. Typically, days projected to be more crowded are more expensive, while those perceived as less crowded tend to be cheaper. So take a peek at the calendar on the theme park tickets page, and you’ll get an idea of what Disney is projecting the crowds to be like on the days you’re considering.

    Also, as the dates get closer, you can look at the prices of Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass, which are released a few weeks ahead of time. Similar to theme park tickets, these prices fluctuate based on projected demand and can give you a hint of what Disney is expecting the crowd levels to be.

    It’s also worth noting that on March 4, 2026, the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival begins, and the beginnings of festivals typically drive up the crowds in EPCOT specifically. But even if the crowds are heavier on those days, if you love a good festival, this one is my favorite. As you can see, there’s no easy answer to this, but I’m pretty sure you’ll have a wonderful visit no matter the choice you make.

    Kinsey, best wishes with planning, and please reach out if you have any other questions.

    If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there,
    Matt
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Meet the Panelist: Matt, New Jersey

Well, hello there! I'm Matt, and I'm a Disney-loving husband, teacher, and uncle from New Jersey. You can often find me tasting my way around an EPCOT festival, checking off another hotel on my Disney Resorts Collection Hotel bucket list, or conquering all of the Disney Mountains. I can't wait to help you discover the moments that become part of your symphony of memories on your next Disney vacation. Learn More About Matt

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