We are only a few days away from 2026 — and there are plenty of people heading to Disney World to celebrate the holidays and ring in the new year! 

It is one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World, and the wait times are proving that! We always warn about the higher crowds you will see around Christmas and the New Year, and it looks like there are plenty of guests at the parks right now. There are long wait times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an enjoyable time. We are taking a look at the waits and sharing some of our tips to beat the crowds. 

At 11:45 AM on December 29th, 11 (!!) rides at Disney World have MORE than a 100-minute wait! Here is a look at the wait times:

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 105 minutes
• Na’vi River Journey: 105 minutes
• Test Track: 110 minutes
• Expedition Everest: 115 minutes
• Kilimanjaro Safaris: 115 minutes
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: 115 minutes
• Slinky Dog Dash: 120 minutes
• TRON Lightcycle / Run: 130 minutes
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 135 minutes
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: 145 minutes
• Avatar Flight of Passage: 160 minutes

We know how overwhelming and daunting all those wait times can look, and if you are already in Disney World or headed there soon, you might feel worried about your trip. But as long as you go in with the right expectations, we think you will still have a magical trip! We do have a few tips to beat the crowds so you can feel like a Disney World expert.

Take Advantage of the Morning and Evening

We know, we know, getting up early on vacation can be a no-go for some families, but arriving at the park early and staying late can help you beat some of the crowds. If you can, plan to get to the park 45-60 minutes before it opens for the day (and take advantage of Early Entry if you are staying at a Disney World hotel). That will leave you time to get through security, get to the entrance, and either scan into the park or be ready to scan into the park. Plan to knock out some of your must-do, popular attractions first thing.

Crowds will increase as the day goes on, but as you get closer to park closing, the crowds will start to thin out a bit. The evenings are another great time to take advantage of lower wait times. When the parks are open for longer hours, we definitely recommend taking a break mid-day to relax for a bit. If you are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa hotel, also make sure to take advantage of Extended Evening Hours. Also, make sure you do what is best for your family! Don’t go too overboard for the sake of getting on one more attraction. Remember, you are still on vacation after all!

Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time

Lines to get food can also get crazy during busy times, but we have a few tips! Planning your meals ahead of time can be a big time-saver: either making reservations at sit-down restaurants or placing your Mobile Order in the morning for lunch or dinner. If you don’t have a plan ahead of time, try heading to a snack stand or restaurant that DOESN’T offer Mobile Order. You might be able to get your food quicker!

Also, try eating outside of the main dining times. Not only will lines to order be shorter, but it will also be easier to find a seat. The most popular times for lunch are usually between 11 AM until 1 PM, and the most popular dinner time is usually around 5 PM until 7 PM. No guarantees it won’t be crowded outside of those hours, but we have usually seen restaurants less busy.

Use the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app will be a massive time-saver while you are at Disney World! For starters, you can check the current wait times to plan your day best. No need to walk over to a ride to find out how long the wait is; you can just check the app! It will save you lots of time walking and waiting. The app will also be where you can place Mobile Orders. With Mobile Orders, you can choose a time in advance and skip the line to order. You will just push that you have arrived on the app, and you will be notified when your food is ready.

Also, at select stores, you can use merchandise checkout on your phone. Just scan the barcode for the items, pay, and then show the Cast Member the QR code as you exit. Super easy, and it saves a lot of time waiting in line to check out!

Have a Plan

We aren’t saying you need to plan your day out minute by minute, but we do recommend having a list of priorities. Which shows, rides, restaurants, etc. do you most want to do? Start with your must-dos, and anything you can accomplish beyond that is just icing on the cake! But knowing your goals will save time when deciding what’s next. Plus, it helps you set up expectations for the day. Everyone can add an item or two to the list, so everyone is getting to do what they want.

Consider Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, or Lightning Lane Premier Pass

While adding Lightning Lane might not be in every family’s budget, if you can afford it, these services can help you save time in line! There are three different options, each at a different price point. You can click on each service to learn more about it:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass
  • Hold up to three Lightning Lane reservations at once, most attractions included except for the most popular, must select a specific timeframe for each reservation
• Lightning Lane Single Pass
  • Enter the Lightning Lane for one of the most popular attractions once, must select a specific timeframe
• Lightning Lane Premier Pass
  • Ride each attraction included in the park once, ride whenever you want

We are in the Disney parks every single day and have dealt with heavy crowds a lot. While it can sound overwhelming, as long as you go in with the right expectations, we promise you can still have a fantastic trip even during the busiest of times. Make sure to stay tuned to DFB for more Disney World tips, tricks, and news!

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What is your favorite Disney World ride? Let us know in the comments!