What is your favorite thing to do during peak crowds?

[misse320]

We are heading down for spring break. We have been fortunate to take our prior trips during non-peak times. I am trying to come up with other thing to do during those horrible afternoon crowds. Other than going back to your resort to swim or nap, what is your favorite (not so popular) thing to do?

 

[mdsouth]

At Hollywood Studios try the beauty and Beast show

In MK the carrousel of progress or just take a ride on the monorail.

 

[GovieMom]

Tour other resorts; AKL is a good one for kids because of the animals. OP - I was born and raised in Akron.

 

[loislane]

I agree on visiting other resorts - always fun. And if you visit Fort Wilderness, you can see the horses down at the stables or you can sign up in the morning to take a trail ride. We really enjoyed that.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We like to go to DTD during the day. Its so much nicer during the day, not so many people.

 

[misse320]

Tour other resorts; AKL is a good one for kids because of the animals. OP - I was born and raised in Akron.

That's a good idea. I've always wanted to check out AKL.

born and raised in Akron and lucky enough to live in Southern California? I dislike you a little right now as I stare out at my frozen backyard and gear up for a few more inches expected tonight.

 

[GovieMom]

born and raised in Akron and lucky enough to live in Southern California? I dislike you a little right now as I stare out at my frozen backyard and gear up for a few more inches expected tonight.

LOL, actually South Carolina, though I would definitely prefer Southern Cal. Except for the fact it's a LOT closer to WDW from where we live (7.5 hour drive).

 

[W.E.D.]

Rent a boat for a couple hours, or go to DTD.

 

[FLchick415]

Ride the PeopleMover in MK to sit and get out of the sun for a little bit. It doesn't really take a lot of time, but it's a nice little break. Other than that, definitely visit the resorts, even if it's just the ones on the Monorail route.

 

[omurice]

I visit at off-peak times, but even then the parks can fill up quite a bit from Thursday to Monday. If the park fills up...

MK - TTA, Carousel of Progress, Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, find a quick service to sit outside and people watch. If not crowded, take the boat to Poly or Grand Flo across 7 Seas Lagoon and have lunch or dinner, lots of restaurants to choose, from gourmet dinners to character meals. Visit the monorail resorts by monorail, dine at the Contemporary. Or take the boat launch to Ft. Wilderness or Wilderness lodge and walk around there to decompress. See deer and squirrels walking around Ft. Wilderness, ride the carriage, have dinner at Hoop de Doo review. At Wilderness Lodge there's a geyser that erupts at the top of every hour, kids of all ages (including me) love this little show, some nice restaurants at WL too

Epcot - Energy 45 mins of air-conditioning; sit under the monorail and people watch; ride the monorail to TTC and back again, or just walk around the World Showcase. Some shops are fairly empty when the park is full. Wander back to International Gateway, to the BoardWalk area and walk around the lake there. Visit the 5 Epcot resorts, eat lunch at a restaurant there (huge assortment). There's a 40 minute round trip boat ride to Studios which can be packed on a busy day, but certain times of day is not bad. If boat too crowded I just walk around the BoardWalk area instead.

HS - This is a park to avoid when it's full, lines for anything even Great Movie Ride and Mermaid on a busy day, but there are places to stroll like Streets of America, and the Muppets shop area can be quiet even on a busy day. Take Boat ride to Epcot if you're using Disney transport, or can walk to BoardWalk / Epcot.

AK - Even when this park is full and the attractions are crowded, there are plenty of places to walk and take in the beauty. Discovery Island Trails, little trail by Dinosaur, and the forest trails in Asia and Africa are great places to visit. Flame Tree once you get thru that busy food line, you can sit and relax in the outdoor seating it feels unrushed, just don't feed the birds! Take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge and see the lobby, walk around the outdoor savannahs; try the buffet at Boma for dinner or breakfast (get an ADR!). You may want to stay at AKL after just walking around the lobby.

 

[themcive4]

Last year when we went it was our 1st family trip and it was during busy time but the first couple days we just toughed it out because we wanted to get every second of Disney time in we could but by the 3rd and 4th days we were spent so we would take a lunch break during the peak times and head back to the resort for a swim and have lunch by the pool.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

Go to the beach.

 

[JillyBean1899]

Grab an adult beverage (where you can ... otherwise an ice cream) and people watch. Make up stories about the people you see and what they're doing. My mom and I used to do this with her boss and his wife ... some of those stories got pretty interesting

 

[misse320]

These are all great ideas and several things that I had never considered. Thank you. Keep them coming!

All that said, this one might be my favorite so far!

Grab an adult beverage (where you can ... otherwise an ice cream) and people watch. Make up stories about the people you see and what they're doing. My mom and I used to do this with her boss and his wife ... some of those stories got pretty interesting

 

[Minnie222]

I visit at off-peak times, but even then the parks can fill up quite a bit from Thursday to Monday. If the park fills up...

MK - TTA, Carousel of Progress, Tiki Room, Hall of Presidents, Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, find a quick service to sit outside and people watch. If not crowded, take the boat to Poly or Grand Flo across 7 Seas Lagoon and have lunch or dinner, lots of restaurants to choose, from gourmet dinners to character meals. Visit the monorail resorts by monorail, dine at the Contemporary. Or take the boat launch to Ft. Wilderness or Wilderness lodge and walk around there to decompress. See deer and squirrels walking around Ft. Wilderness, ride the carriage, have dinner at Hoop de Doo review. At Wilderness Lodge there's a geyser that erupts at the top of every hour, kids of all ages (including me) love this little show, some nice restaurants at WL too

Epcot - Energy 45 mins of air-conditioning; sit under the monorail and people watch; ride the monorail to TTC and back again, or just walk around the World Showcase. Some shops are fairly empty when the park is full. Wander back to International Gateway, to the BoardWalk area and walk around the lake there. Visit the 5 Epcot resorts, eat lunch at a restaurant there (huge assortment). There's a 40 minute round trip boat ride to Studios which can be packed on a busy day, but certain times of day is not bad. If boat too crowded I just walk around the BoardWalk area instead.

HS - This is a park to avoid when it's full, lines for anything even Great Movie Ride and Mermaid on a busy day, but there are places to stroll like Streets of America, and the Muppets shop area can be quiet even on a busy day. Take Boat ride to Epcot if you're using Disney transport, or can walk to BoardWalk / Epcot.

AK - Even when this park is full and the attractions are crowded, there are plenty of places to walk and take in the beauty. Discovery Island Trails, little trail by Dinosaur, and the forest trails in Asia and Africa are great places to visit. Flame Tree once you get thru that busy food line, you can sit and relax in the outdoor seating it feels unrushed, just don't feed the birds!

Thanks for the suggestions. We needed that.

 

[summerskye]

Try heading over to the BoardWalk. The mornings can be very peaceful. The evening entertainment is also enjoyable. (adult bevs also help)

 

[summerskye]

Grab an adult beverage (where you can ... otherwise an ice cream) and people watch. Make up stories about the people you see and what they're doing. My mom and I used to do this with her boss and his wife ... some of those stories got pretty interesting

This reminded me of an episode of 2-1/2 men. Rose was "analyzing" people. Add in the adult beverages and the stories could get out of hand...

 

[GrtWtNorth]

I like checking out the shows -- the best ones are at Animal Kingdom.

And while it wasn't on your game-plan, don't underestimate the power of a good nap. This was my routine during Christmas 2012 at Disneyland:
6:00 am - get up and eat breakfast
7:00 am - at the park, lined up for 8:00 am rope drop. Plan to head directly to the areas of the park not already open for on-site guests (Adventureland).
11:00 am - Leave the park, grab lunch. Crowds are bad: Adventureland walkway is one-way, single rider lines closed, strollers cannot navigate New Orleans Square, lines for food and bathrooms stretch down the walkways.
12:00 pm - nap time
5:00 pm - wake up, go out for dinner
6:00 pm - return to park. Watch the parade of shell-shocked families leaving the parks.
Focus on high-capacity rides like the riverboat, train, shows.
8:00 pm - A few headliner attractions have waits times under an hour. Pick an outdoor option, just so you can watch fireworks while riding Big Thunder Mountain or Splash Mountain. Best seat in the house!
Keep going on the headliner attractions right up to park close. Late-night CMs are unusually cheerful and will often go out of the way to ensure you have a great "last ride".
12:00 am Closing time -- last rides are done, time to do some shopping at the Emporium.
12:30 am Time to catch the shuttle or tram back to my car.
1:00 am Back in bed, alarm set for 6:00 am to do it all again.

 

[GovieMom]

1:00 am Back in bed, alarm set for 6:00 am to do it all again.

 

[GQDisneyFan]

What we normally do when a park gets crowded is retreat back to Epcot and walk around world show case. Or go walk around the boardwalk.