If you’re planning a trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth and wondering what is the busiest day at Disney World, the answer is typically Monday (though Sunday is a close second).
Though, we’ll discuss why these days are the busiest at Disney World below, knowing what is considered to be the busiest day at Disney World can help you save money, as high attendance days tend to see the highest price hikes in terms of resort stays and park tickets.
Keep reading for some helpful tips on how to make the most of the busiest day at Disney World, so you have nothing short of the most magical vacation ever!
How Many People Visit Disney World Each Day?
Before we dive into why the busiest day at Disney World is Monday, let’s go over some surprising Disney stats!
On average, Disney World sees over 55 million visitors per year. Magic Kingdom sees the highest number of tourists per day at a little over 50,000, while Animal Kingdom has over 37,000, Hollywood Studios at a little over 34,000, and EPCOT at about 30,000 visitors.
This ranking makes sense, considering Magic Kingdom has the most for all ages to do. Plus, the addition of Pandora – The World of Avatar has given Animal Kingdom a little boost compared to other years.
Read more: What to Expect at Animal Kingdom’s Pandora The World of Avatar
What is the Busiest Day at Disney?
As briefly mentioned above, the busiest day to visit Disney World is typically Monday. This is because the majority of guests will visit the parks on the first day of their vacation, usually arriving on Disney property on Sunday.
In most cases, guests will tend to visit either Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios on their first park day. Though every Disney park has its subset of fans, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios tend to be the most popular among guests, especially since the introduction of Galaxy’s Edge.
If you want to make the most of your time at the parks on Monday, instead opt for either Animal Kingdom or EPCOT. Both of these parks tend to be busiest on the weekends, especially if there is a festival happening at EPCOT. Likewise, scheduling your first park days at these parks and Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom for later in the week (Wednesday and Thursday) could help you see and do more rides and attractions.
What Day of the Week is Disney the Least Crowded?
Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a day of the week that is least crowded. As mentioned above, it’s more like certain parks see fewer crowds on certain days of the week.
The least crowded day at Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios is Tuesday, while the least crowded days at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom are any weekday, excluding Saturday and Sunday.
Tuesday, in general, seems to be a better day to do the parks because guests may opt for a resort day due to feeling tired from jumping from a travel day to a park day. However, this general rule of thumb can vary depending on the time of year you visit.
Which Holidays See the Highest Number of Disney Guests?
Christmas Day and the overall holiday season generally see the highest number of guests at Disney World. In fact, Magic Kingdom has closed its gates to new guests on Christmas Day due to the park hitting capacity.
Read more: 5 Reasons Why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a Toddler Must
I’ve seen crowd levels so high on Christmas Day that my family and I were literally at a standstill in Fantasyland for over an hour. Though the idea of Disney World at Christmas sounds magical (and it certainly is), I would strongly advise against going to the parks on the actual day, and instead opt for a resort day. Or, go later in the evening for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Read more: 5 Reasons Why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a Toddler Must
Other popular holidays, including long weekends, that see a high number of guests include:
- President’s Day Weekend
- New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
- Easter
- Spring Break (mid-March through mid-April)
- Halloween
- 4th of July weekend
- Labor Day/Memorial Day weekend
- Thanksgiving
You’ll also want to consider avoiding the Disney parks during RunDisney marathon weekends, which take place in mid-to-late April and early November. Likewise, you may also want to avoid cheerleading competitions, which take place during Spring Break time, as well as New Jersey week, which takes place around the same time as the Wine and Dine marathon in the first and second week of November.
What About Special Anniversary Days in the Parks?
Though Disney World has never shied away from year-long celebrations, lately it seems like the parks are always celebrating. As influencer culture continues to rise, many Disney-inspired content creators will flock to the parks on special anniversary dates, such as October 1st when Magic Kingdom and EPCOT celebrate their birthday.
If you can avoid going to the parks on these days, do so. However, I do understand how magical it is to be at the parks on those days, too. There’s just something so special about being in the parks, knowing that on this day, X amount of years ago it was brand new to a whole generation of people.
How to Avoid Crowds at Disney
It’s not possible to avoid crowds completely, but you can use several things to your advantage to maximize your time in the parks, even if crowds are at an all-time high. Here are a few tips on how to avoid crowds at Disney:
Stay on Property
Remember earlier when I mentioned how packed it gets on Christmas Day and how Magic Kingdom closed off entry to guests? Well, what I didn’t mention is that they closed the gates to locals or those who were not staying on Disney property.
Regardless of whether this is right or wrong, it makes sense. Disney is going to want to cater to guests who are spending the extra money to stay on property. And this is just one of the many perks and benefits of doing so.
When you stay at a Disney World resort hotel, you’ll have early access to all four theme parks. This early entry allows you into the parks before non-resort guests, and as such, you’ll be dealing with way fewer crowds. These times will be available on your My Disney Experience app.
I take advantage of this benefit every chance I get, and in doing so on my last trip, was able to ride Splash Mountain (RIP), Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Mountain within the first hour of Magic Kingdom opening.
Rides like that would typically have an hour wait in the afternoon, so knocking them out early on allowed me to beat the crowds and take advantage of those slower rides like it’s a small world and the Carousel of Progress when everyone else was trying to do the opposite.
Plan Ahead With a Crowd Calendar
Crowd calendars use park data from the previous year to make predictions for the following. As such, these calendars include incredibly useful information on the busiest and least crowded park days, cheapest and most expensive ticket prices, and more.
If you’re planning on visiting Disney World in the coming year, take advantage of these free tools. We have a whole guide on the Best Disney World Crowd Calendars free for you to use. Doing so can help you determine the best and worst times to plan your vacation.
Use That Poor Weather to Your Advantage
If there’s one thing you can plan on during your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s that it’s going to rain. While you may not want to be out and about in the rain (especially on vacation), doing so can actually work to your advantage.
Crowds tend to scatter when rain showers hit. If you’re in the parks already, try to use this time to hit up attractions that have the highest wait times, including Peter Pan’s Flight, Frozen Ever After, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Haunted Mansion, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Keep in mind that depending on the severity of the showers, outdoor rides may be shut down, such as rollercoasters. Though it’s unlikely there will be no line for these rides, chances are the wait times will be shorter.
Read more: Singing in the Rain! How To Do Disney World in the Rain
Visiting Disney World During the Off Season Can Make All the Difference in Your Trip Experience!
When you’re considering the best days to go to Disney World, just remember that the parks are going to be the most crowded when everyone is off. Weekends and holidays will see the most crowds and have the most expensive tickets.
If you can, try to schedule your Disney World vacation during the off-season and strategically plan to visit certain parks during the week, scheduling your resort days for the weekend. Doing so will not only save you money but will help you make the most of your vacation.
Though every Disney World vacation will include a lot of standing and waiting around, sticking to these tips can help minimize it so you get to enjoy everything the parks have to offer.
As a self-proclaimed Mouseketeer, Courtney Dercqu is a fan of all things Disney. Between decorating her desk with souvenirs from the park, to making unique mouse ears and having a dedicated Disney Instagram, Courtney is a true believer in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation. Having had more than 200 articles published on various content, Courtney’s excited to share her knowledge and experience with everyone! Be sure to follow her on Instagram for all the Disney magic.
