Thursday's Tip

Perhaps my number one tip to those planning their first Walt Disney World vacation is to go during an off-peak season--which can usually be defined by the times of year when school is in session. But that is not always possible for those with children in school or, perhaps, are teachers or school employees themselves. Which leads to my number two tip--today's "Thursday's Tip"--and one that applies most significantly to those traveling during Disney's busiest, or peak, seasons: have a plan in place.

Now, I know that's a pretty vague and lame tip in and of itself, so I'll elaborate. When you aren't able to visit WDW in the off-season, it's essential that you plan your days in the Parks according to several factors. First, look at the schedule for Extra Magic Hours. My rule of thumb is to always visit the Park with early EMH, then hop to another park around mid-morning or lunchtime, when things start to get crowded. For late EMH, I typically avoid that Park until at least after dinner time, then hop over in time to enjoy the EMH. This, of course, only applies to those with a Park Hopper ticket and those that are staying on Disney property.

Another key factor into which Park to visit on which day is special entertainment. Mostly, I'm talking about Fantasmic!, but there may be other shows or parades that this applies to also. (In the slower months, Disney sometimes drops a parade here or there, or offersFantasmic! only a couple of times per week.) Here's where it gets tricky: if you want to view these special shows, you'll need to visit that Park (I recommend hopping over about 1-2 hours prior to show time). But if, like us, you've seen them all a few times, you might want to avoid the Park on nights with parades/entertainment, as they'll likely be more crowded. Better yet, if you visit those Parks, take the opportunity to visit a few attractions while everyone else is enjoying the show. Lines will be considerably shorter on most attractions.

The final, vital component into the "which Park which day" decision is the scheduled regular Park hours (not just EMH). This really comes into play when there are special events (such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party) that close one of the Parks early. Obviously, if you don't have a Park Hopper, you'll want to avoid the early-closing Park, so that you can get a full day of fun at another Park. (It's all about getting your money's worth!) But if you can Park Hop, the early-closing Park will tend to have the lightest crowds; start your day there, then simply hop to another Park when it closes.

Pair these tips with the usual tips for touring--always arrive at rope drop, use Fastpass to your advantage, visit the busiest attractions/areas early in the day--and you're well on your way to "beating the crowds" during peak season.