Sometimes you can’t help but visit Walt Disney World on crowded days. There’s holidays, summer break, runDisney events – the list is pretty long. Then there are days that are crowded just because. So, what do you do when the crowds are crazy? Here’s 11 things to do at Magic Kingdom when it’s crowded that don’t involve FastPasses or wait times!
I love planning for my family’s Walt Disney World vacations. And, while I love to visit during off-season, there are times when even the crowd calendars don’t predict high attendance in Magic Kingdom. It’s then I love to have a back-up plan because, honestly, I’m not a huge fan of waiting in lengthy standby queues. So, what are the fun things to do in Magic Kingdom when it’s crowded and you don’t want to wait in line (and the FastPasses have all run out?)? Here are my top suggestions.
1. Cool Off
Even in the cooler months, this Northern Midwest gal gets hot and needs to cool off. And, I have no problem heading to Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak in Fantasyland to do it. It’s a fun (and quite sizeable!) place with plenty of water fun and both kids and adults enjoy the downtime.
Need the scoop on where to cool off when you’re visiting? Here are my 10 favorite ways to cool off when visiting Walt Disney World.
2. Take a Train Ride
If you’re not familiar Magic Kingdom, sometimes a trip on the Walt Disney World Railroad is all you need to get your bearings! With three stops (Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, and the New Fantasyland), you’ll have 7, 920 feet of train ride if you make the entire loop. The best part? You can literally stay on it as long as you like and it averages roughly 20 minutes a round trip!
3. Talk to the Citizens of Main Street U.S.A.
Oh man, do I love the Citizens of Main Street U.S.A.! Not only does each have its own unique character, but interacting with them is an absolute pleasure. They love taking photos and we have such a great time chatting with them. Keep an eye out for Hildegard, Dapper Dans, and more.
4. Catch a Parade or Show
When I’m ready to give my legs and feet a rest, a great place to do it is in the Hub area around Cinderella Castle. Another place is on the curb along Main Street U.S.A. Both of these places are ideal for catching parades and shows, too.
When you’re in the park (or before you visit), take a look at the Times Guide for the exact times of Magic Kingdom parades and shows. Festival of Fantasy parade at 2pm is undoubtedly the most popular of the parades, so grab a spot early if you can.
5. Play Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is a card game that can be played in all of the areas of the park except for Tomorrowland. All you have to do is sign up at the Fire Dept. in Town Square, start collecting cards (they’ll give you a free packet with each daily visit), and hunt Disney villains. The game can be played as quickly or slowly as you’d like and gets harder as you progress. We love to play it in the afternoons as a fun addition to our park visit.
6. Hunt for Hidden Mickeys
Hunting for Hidden Mickeys is fun even on low crowd days! They’re all over so look up, down, on rides, in the queues – everywhere! My favorite Hidden Mickey is definitely one that takes some practice to see.
7. Take a Break in the Hub
The newly redesigned area around the front of Cinderella Castle has plenty of grassy spots to sit and take a break. They’re sizable enough for lots of folks to rest but small enough that you won’t be chasing the littles across a football field. If you do decide to rest in the hub area, check out the mini statues. They’re filled with fun Disney details!
8. Take a Photo by The Purple Wall
With each visit to Magic Kingdom, The Purple Wall gets more popular. Once a plain decoration on the way to Tomorrowland from Main Street, it’s now a fun spot to grab a photo with the family. There’s even a hashtag if you’d like to post on social media. #PurpleWall
9. Salute America
Politics aside, there’s something to be felt about watching the Flag Retreat in Town Square. Everyday at 5pm, a 15-minute salute to America’s veterans takes place that includes the Pledge and patriotic tunes are sung and played. The flag is then folded and given to a guest U.S. Veteran as tribute.
10. Catch a Parade in a Less Crowded Spot
Folks that want to get a great view of a Magic Kingdom parade head to two areas first: in front of Cinderella Castle and down Main Street U.S.A. (did you know about the secrets on Main Street U.S.A.?) Many times, however there are less crowds in Frontierland and Liberty Square. True, you’ll catch a side view of the parade and not a straight on shot. But, it is nice to not be shoulder to shoulder.
11. Just Be…You’re at Walt Disney World, After All!
We’ve been caught off guard with high crowd levels and it throws our touring plan into a spin. It’s these times where I simply step back and think, “I’m at Disney World!” and all of the high crowd frustration goes away. After all, it is the most magical place on earth. We’ll head into a quick service restaurant and grab a drink or just walk around and people watch.
Disneyland on a Crowded Day?
Special thanks to Trips with Tykes for the inspiration to write this post! If you’re looking for ways to beat them, here’s 10 things to do at Disneyland on a crowded day.
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