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One of the most stressful parts of planning your Disney trip, is anticipating the lines of the rides and attractions. This is our Guide on How to Avoid Lines at Disney.
Table of Contents
- Tips to Maximize Fun and Minimize Waiting!
- Get to the Parks Early (Like, Really Early)
- Use Lighting lanes Wisely
- Consider Individual Lightning Lanes for Top Rides:
- Ride During Off-Peak Hours:
- Have a Plan — But Stay Flexible:
- Mobile Order Meals in Advance:
- Use Rider Switch for Bigger Rides:
- Hit the Low-Wait Rides Midday:
- Visit on Less Busy Days:
- Know When to Skip It (For Now):
- Final Thought: More Planning = Less Waiting
- Check out some of our other posts for Tips for your Disney trip:
Tips to Maximize Fun and Minimize Waiting!
Let’s be real – nobody wants to spend half their Disney day standing in a line. And with some smart planning, you don’t have to! Whether you’re visiting Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios, these tried-and-true tips will help you avoid the worst of the crowds and get more out of your magical day.
Get to the Parks Early (Like, Really Early)
Rope Drop is Disney-speak for being at the park before it officially opens.
- Plan to arrive 45–60 minutes before park open
- You’ll be ahead of the crowds and can usually walk onto 1–3 headliners
- This is hands-down the BEST way to ride popular attractions without a long wait
Staying at a Disney Resort? Take advantage of Early Entry, which lets you enter the parks 30 minutes before everyone else.
Use Lighting lanes Wisely
Lighting lanes are Disney’s paid system for skipping standby lines via Lightning Lane entrances.
- Buy in the app (can be added starting at midnight the day of your visit)
- Make your first selection right at 7:00 AM
- Book new ones throughout the day using stacking or the 2-hour rule
- Use it for high-wait rides like:
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Tower of Terror
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Don’t waste your Lightning Lane choices on rides with low wait times (like PeopleMover or Carousel of Progress).
Consider Individual Lightning Lanes for Top Rides:
Some of Disney’s most in-demand rides aren’t included with the regular Lightning Lane — you’ll need to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane (pay-per-ride).
This includes:
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Avatar Flight of Passage
Buy these as early as 7:00 AM if you’re staying onsite (or at park open for non-resort guests). Times sell out fast!
Ride During Off-Peak Hours:
Lines tend to dip during:
- Lunchtime (12:30–2:00 PM)
- Parade and fireworks times
- Late evening (last hour of the day)
Take advantage of this! Ride popular attractions while others are eating or watching shows.
Have a Plan — But Stay Flexible:
Even if you’re not using Lightning Lane, knowing your must-dos ahead of time can save a ton of time. Focus on these things for your plans.
- What rides are top priority for your group?
- What lands to hit first (ex: head straight to Fantasyland with kids)?
- What to skip if the wait is too long?
Use the My Disney Experience app to check live wait times throughout the day.
Mobile Order Meals in Advance:
Dining lines can get as long as ride lines!
Use Mobile Order in the app to skip the counter wait — especially during peak times.
Order meals on the app ahead of time for:
- Lunch around 11:00 AM
- Dinner around 4:00–5:00 PM
Use Rider Switch for Bigger Rides:
If you’re traveling with young kids who aren’t tall enough (or too scared) to ride, use Rider Switch so one adult can ride while the other stays with the child — then switch without waiting again.
Hit the Low-Wait Rides Midday:
When the crowds get heavy between 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM, head for rides with shorter standby times like:
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Living with the Land
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Carousel of Progress
Use this time to cool off, recharge, and get off your feet — without waiting in line.
Visit on Less Busy Days:
Crowd levels vary by season. Lower crowd times usually include:
- Late January – early February.
- Mid-to-late August.
- First two weeks of September.
- Early November (before Thanksgiving).
Avoid major holidays and weekends if possible!
Know When to Skip It (For Now):
Some rides just aren’t worth a 2-hour wait — especially if it’s hot and your kids are melting. Use that time to:
- Enjoy a snack in the shade
- Explore a quiet pavilion
- Watch a show or parade
- Mobile order a treat and rest your feet!
There’s plenty of magic beyond the wait times.
Final Thought: More Planning = Less Waiting
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to avoiding lines at Disney. With a few smart strategies, you can ride more, wait less, and create magical memories with your family — instead of spending your day stuck in standby.
Check out some of our other posts for Tips for your Disney trip:
The Best Disney World Character Dining Guide – Here is our full list of The Best Disney World Character Dining. All the character dining experiences available in the Disney World area in one post!
The Best Rides at Magic Kingdom – Everyone asks what the Best Rides in Magic Kingdom are, so here is our list! This is our Top Ten of the Best Rides in Magic Kingdom!
Animal Kingdom Top Tips and Secrets – Here is our list of Animal Kingdom’s Top 10 Tips and Secrets. Use this to help plan out your perfect day at Animal Kingdom! Even if you don’t follow our recommendations exactly, have a great trip!
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Also, our Facebook Group Disney World Insider Info and Tips is a great place to meet and chat with other Disney World fans like us!
