Other things to do when crowded

[newmannsmomtoo]

Hi! Looking to the experts here for some suggestions. We’ve been to Disney world several times and have done a bunch of stuff. We’re thinking of going for a couple of days after Christmas. I know it will be packed and we’ll fast pass all of our favorite rides. I was wondering if there are maybe some other, not so well known things to do in the parks that we may have missed. Looking to enjoy ourselves without running around crazy! Thanks!

 

[yorkieteacher]

The Pirates Adventure game in MK Adventureland and Sorcerer's of the Kingdom game all across MK are both fun for all ages-so is Wilderness Explorers in Animal Kingdom for about 3-10 years old. Agent P's adventure game in Epcot is fun for about age 6-adult.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I don't know if it's in your budget, but we did Wild Africa Trek about two days after Christmas a few years ago and it was one of the best decisions we made for that week. While AK was packed, we were on the safari, during the tour, with a smaller group having a great, immersive experience. Other than walking through the park after the tour (we did one fairly early in the morning), we never would have known the park was packed to the gills. They don't hold many tours during that week (due to crowds, I assume), so, if a tour interests you, you may want to check the schedule to see what is available that week.

Unfortunately, even the less popular attractions are crowded during that week and getting around the parks can be difficult. My only other advice would be to avoid, particularly, the mid-section of EP WS during Candlelight Processional times. We found CP show times were the best times to tour Future World for less crowds.

If things get really bad and you want to leave the parks, you could always do a monorail tour, tour the Boardwalk resorts (we like to do this at night so we can see the entertainment on the Boardwalk as well) or take a boat to Ft. W from MK. Not in a park and it did cost extra, but we spent an entire afternoon at Ft. W on a Christmas trip - we went to the first HDDR and then did a private sleigh ride. Super enjoyable and no crowds!

 

[BrianL]

Normally I suggest the shows like Carousel of Progress and Hall of Presidents, but during the week of Christmas I understand even those get a line. I do like the idea of a tour if you have that in your budgets. Otherwise, soak up some atmosphere, do what you can, and just relax. It'll still be fun!

 

[saving our pennies]

We enjoyed taking the boat transportation from the MK and from Disney Springs and checking out other resorts on the water. We were there while Christmas decorations were up so we spent a day hunting for all the giant Christmas trees. Last time we were there we finally did the walk from HS to Epcot. It's such a nice stroll, and I would never have toured the boardwalk area otherwise. We also love to pop into Carousel of Progress or Hall of Presidents and getting out the foot traffic even if just for a little break.

I have also done a Keys to the Kingdom tour, and would love to eventually take advantage of some of the resort offerings like cookie decorating or anything else that pops up at resorts.

 

[MiketheGrate]

It's been a long time since I've done it (probably 20+ years) but the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot left a big impression on my as a kid. Relatively inexpensive and an interesting look at agriculture.

 

[Daisy7425]

Don't overlook the shows! We loved the Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress.

You could do a food challenge (try 10 different kinds of cupcakes, drink around the world in Epcot, eat only mickey shaped food, etc). Disney Food Blog on youtube has a lot of info on that.

 

[100acrewoodsfan]

If you are willing to consider out of the parks we really enjoy the activity centers at the deluxe resorts. You don't have to be staying there to use the centers. We can easily spend a few hours and I usually have to drag my kids out. They will have a movie playing, games, puzzles, Disney video games, crafts (free and reasonably priced), ect. I have always found the cast members there to be very welcoming.

 

[shocker]

1) MAKE A PLAN
This is the single most important thing you can do. A plan, any plan, one tailored to your group & what you hope to accomplish. Use the TP app to help you build your own plan. Even if its 'walk around & take in the sites from 2-4pm' or 'sit on a bench (I know harder to find) from 1-2pm' or 'let little Johnny pick our 4th ride of the day' at least its A PLAN. This will help you understand must-do's vs. would like to-do's. This will help show the group you may not do their pick first thing but it is on the plan.

My kids & I hit EP RD one morning. We arrived early & waited 30 min to enter. We speed walked in & at the crossroads point to chose right to Soarin' or left to TT a family was stopped dead, fighting over which direction, in a split decision. Really? You didn't spend the last half hour playing rock, paper, scissors to decide which way to turn?? See ya suckers, we'll be off our first ride before they know which way to go.

Plan the first 4 moves you'll make, then you can loosen up & go with the flow a bit more as crowds build. Have all the debates as to the order before you arrive.

2) Make a list of 'eats gobs of people' rides & shows to fall back on during peak time of day. Think 'I wouldn't normally get a FP for...'

3) play Sorcerers of the Kingdom, Agent P, etc during peak attendance

4) use first & last hour of park opening for only must do rides you don't have FP for (no shows, games, or eating during this time, even bathroom breaks if you can manage).

5) Make ADR's (no PPO ADRs that leave you rushed but mid-day highest park volume kind of guaranteed table time to kick back & relax)

5) leave parks & do a resort tour to see all the decorations

Be careful deciding to leave a park, if it's at capacity you may have trouble getting back in...depending on the level of closure its at.

Happy planning!

 

[Nvrgrowup]

We usually leave the parks to get away from the crowds.Take a sleighride at Fort Wilderness to see all the decorated campsites. They are awsome. Do a Hidden Mickey hunt at a resort. They are fun and free. Take a boat or monorail and tour the resorts all decked out.Its a nice way to chill away from the crowds. Grab a quick service at one of them. We have also done the Agent P adventure in Epcot. It was a lot of fun. It all depends what you and your family are interested in. There is so much to choose from. Have fun!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We usually leave the parks to get away from the crowds.Take a sleighride at Fort Wilderness to see all the decorated campsites. They are awsome. Do a Hidden Mickey hunt at a resort. They are fun and free. Take a boat or monorail and tour the resorts all decked out.Its a nice way to chill away from the crowds. Grab a quick service at one of them. We have also done the Agent P adventure in Epcot. It was a lot of fun. It all depends what you and your family are interested in. There is so much to choose from. Have fun!!!

Just to add on to these great suggestions - at WL, you can stop at the front desk and they will give you a handout which describes the architecture, totems and artifacts in the lobby. From WL, you can also walk over to Boulder Ridge Villas and, if you go into the sitting room, you can see some of Walt Disney's original train cars that he ran in his backyard.

 

[dreynolds1982]

Like some others have said, take a break from the parks during midday, which tends to be the busiest time of day. I like to leave and grab lunch out of the parks somewhere. If you're in the parks and the crowds are getting overwhelming, here are some of my go-to's (though at it's busiest I still think it's best to just step out of the parks).

• MK - (Disclaimer: I know that these can get lines sometimes when it's busy too) - Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (getting up above the crowds is a nice break), Frontierland shops/shooting gallery, Hall of Pres. I used to hop on the train and ride it full circle, but obviously can't do that right now.
• Epcot - (Bit more difficult with all the construction going on). - Ride the Epcot monorail (I love the epcot loop b/c it goes inside the park). Explore the Living Seas. Go deeper into some of the countries (namely Morocco and Canada, tho I understand the Canada paths are closed right now). WS gift shops.
• DHS - See some of the shows (e.g. Indy Stunt Show). Walk the waterside path from the park down to the Boardwalk area.
• AK - Walking trails like the Forest Exploration Trail. Pop over to AKL and explore it (LOVE this resort).

With so much construction going on at many of the parks now, it's a bit harder to just casually explore and take it easy, but it's still doable. #1, just be sure to have the right mind set. Be prepared for the crowds and don't let it get under your skin. If it starts too, that's when you take a break from the parks and go resort hopping or hit up Disney Springs or something. Even just take a drive down Hwy 192 and look at all the ridiculous, gaudy gift shops and cheap attractions ha.

 

[kiford]

We like to spend our time during the Christmas season touring the resorts and going to Disney Springs to look at the decorations. We usually go the first week in December (which we will be doing this year) so last year was our first time over Christmas itself. I didn't entirely expect to enjoy myself and thought we'd do it once just to say we did but I'm thinking we may do it again next year. I actually really enjoyed myself even though we got up at 4 am to get to MK by 6 am on Christmas Day. I just felt so relaxed during the whole trip I think because we kept our expectations in check about what was possible to do. I think we just kept in mind that it would be horribly crowded, didn't let it get to us, spent our time leisurely and not necessarily worrying about getting on rides, and did stuff outside of the parks and also some pool time at the resort.

DS has the Christmas tree walk which we missed last year so are hoping to do it this time. We started Sorceror's of the Kingdom but didn't get very far because we got distracted. We also do like to spend time relaxing in various lounges, trying out new drinks and snacks - that will depend on the ages of your party obviously. We're in the process of trying out all places with charcuterie boards to see which ones we like. I'm not entirely sure exactly what we did last year but it seemed to take all day every day!