If you’re a UK or Irish family visiting Walt Disney World during Easter, school holidays or any peak time, these expert tips and tricks will help you have a stress-free and magical Disney holiday, even when the parks are crowded.
- Manage your expectations and prioritise your must-do Walt Disney World attractions. Choose 3 or 4 top rides or experiences your family doesn’t want to miss. Don’t overlook the Disney shows—these usually have shorter wait times and are a great way to relax and recharge during a busy Disney day!
Walt Disney World Tips for UK and Ireland Families
- One of the best Walt Disney World tips for busy days is to arrive early—ideally 45–60 minutes before either Early Entry (for Disney Resort Guests) or official rope drop (the time the park officially opens to all guests). You’ll be able to experience popular rides before the big crowds arrive. Save even more time by eating breakfast before you leave or bringing it with you. So you don’t waste valuable Disney park time in food queues!
Disney World Tips for First Timers
- Use Disney’s Mobile Order service early in the day. Don’t wait until lunchtime when everyone else is ordering. Either eat an early lunch once menus open (usually from 11:00 am), or secure your preferred lunchtime slot as soon as you arrive at the Park. This will save you from long waits at lunchtime!
- Alternatively, book a table service restaurant for an early lunch. That way, you get to have a rest and enjoy a relaxed lunch, when the Parks are often at their busiest.
- Recharge! UK and Ireland families often have Park Hopper tickets included, so head back to your accommodation for a rest and then hop to another Disney Park in the evening for more fun when crowds have thinned out.
Disney World Tips with Teens
- Alternatively, mix up your Disney World schedule: enjoy a relaxing morning and head into the Parks around 3–4 pm. Experience low-wait attractions, catch Disney shows, grab an early dinner, and take advantage of lighter crowds as the evening progresses. Ride the most popular attractions during the last hour the park is open or during fireworks and parades for shorter wait times.
- If you are staying late, don’t forget the rides don’t close when the Park does! So you can jump in line for a headliner attraction (ignore the wait time; these are usually inflated to discourage people from doing just that), and you can often experience a short wait. We did this on Rise of the Resistance and Avatar, and the wait was only the time it took us to walk through the queue, despite the wait time stating 90 minutes! Plus, when you come out, it’s great to see the Parks as they empty!
Do you need to buy Lightning Lane Passes for every Park?
- Use Disney’s Lightning Lane Multi Passes strategically—these are especially valuable at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. If you’re unable to arrive early or stay late, Lightning Lane Multi Passes/Single Passes are your best bet to experience top attractions. When using Multi Passes, book your first pass early in the day, ideally as soon as you arrive at the Park (they aren’t available during Early Entry). Keep refreshing the app throughout the day for new availability. Check out our blog post on Lightning Lanes for more tips.
- Character Meet and Greets – if these are important to your family, plan to do them early in the day. They often don’t open until 60-90 minutes after the Park opens, meaning you can ride a couple of rides before jumping in line to see your favourite character.
How to watch the Starlight Parade at Magic Kingdom
- At Magic Kingdom, if you are staying late to watch the fireworks and parade, wherever possible, watch the second showing. The first parade/fireworks display, if there are two, is always really busy, as families with young children will want to see these before heading home. Instead, as they get into position, you can ride attractions or grab some snacks away from the parade route. If you have to attend the first parade and want to avoid the crowds on Main Street and the hub in front of the Castle, watch from Liberty Square or Frontierland. This gives you the added bonus of being able to hot foot it to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (if you wanted to ride either before you leave). Or if you want to make a swift exit, watch the parade from the outer perimeter of the Town Square on Main Street. This will give you a great view of the start of the parade and easy access to the exit! Note that on evenings with two parades, the second parade’s route is reversed: it starts in Frontierland and ends in Town Square.
- Want an alternative viewing place for Happily Ever After (though no projections)? Head to Fantasyland and watch from behind the Castle. You are also in a good spot to head to Seven Dwarfs, but be sure to head there immediately after they finish, as lots of other people will have the same idea!
Best day to visit Magic Kingdom
- Avoid Magic Kingdom on a Saturday or a Monday! These are its busiest days, when you will catch the weekend crowds or those arriving for the first day of their holiday. Instead, head in midweek.
- Here’s a bonus tip for you! When it’s busy in the Parks, if you see a restroom with a short queue – use it!
For even more handy hints and tips, plus touring plans ideal for all the family, check out our Walt Disney World Planning Guides for UK and Ireland families, all designed to help you save time and money and have the most magical Disney Holiday ever!
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