Planning a trip to Orlando for the holidays? Florida is a popular destination year-round, but with the great weather and festive Christmas parties at the theme parks, it can get crowded fast. So, how can you travel during the holidays and still have a great trip? Here is our list of ways to beat the crowds at the Orlando theme parks during Christmas time.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Plan and know what time the park you are wanting to go to opens. If you are planning to go to Universal Orlando and know they open at 9:00 am, make sure you are in the parking lot parking your car at 8:00 am. All the theme park parking in Florida is quite a walk to the actual park. The first few hours after the parks open are the least crowded, take advantage and ride as many rides you can during this time, this way you are not stuck waiting in long lines later in the day.
Smith, Party of Four
Make dining reservations! Restaurant reservations can fill up quickly during the holiday season. Make sure you book your reservations before heading on vacation to ensure you will have reservations the day you are going to the park. You can book Disney dining reservations through the My Disney Experience app and Universal reservations through their website. One tip is to dine early, that way you can enjoy the park while most people are busy having dinner!
Monday. Nothing Disney Can’t Fix
Take advantage of the less popular weekdays! Weekends are always more crowded than weekdays at Orlando theme parks, but when you are in the holiday season, it can be packed! Plan to go to the parks on the weekdays and use the weekends to relax and enjoy your resort!
You Get What You Pay For
Go ahead and spend the extra money you saved booking with us on buying fast passes. Disney just came out with their new Genie app that lets you spend $15 a day and you can skip the long lines and use their Lightning Lane entrance on attractions. You make one selection at a time through the app for the attraction you are wanting to use it on, then when you get off the ride you can pick the next ride to use it on.
Universal Studios offers their Universal Express Pass, which lets you skip the regular lines one time per participating ride, or their Unlimited Express pass that lets you skip unlimited times per ride.
We hope using these tips will help you beat the crowds and enjoy your magical holiday Orlando vacation!
