10 Helpful Tips for Navigating Crowded Theme Parks

Over 74 million tourists visit Orlando every year, and if you visit the theme parks in the busy season, it can feel like they’re all here at once.  

Luckily, we’re used to navigating crowds and have picked up a thing or two about how to make the most of the theme parks even on the busiest days.  

Let us help you with our 10 Helpful Tips for Navigating Crowded Theme Parks.  

When Are the Busy Seasons?  

There are a few busy seasons for Orlando theme parks.  

The first is typically around spring break, meaning March through April. More moderate temps and time off from school make parks a popular destination.  

The summer months of June through August are also exceptionally busy times. Summer vacation makes it easier for families to travel from all over the world. Despite Florida’s heat and humidity, the summer remains an incredibly popular time for theme parks.  

With the introduction of more specialty holiday events and attractions, the holidays have also become an in-demand time for parks. This busy season begins as early as August with events like Halloween Horror Nights, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Howl-O-Scream, and lasts through the end of the year with a variety of holiday festivities.  

Three-day weekends like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day are also highly popular times for theme parks.  

So, when’s the best time to go? 

We highly recommend coming to visit in September after school starts; the weather is still warm, but the crowds tend to die down before the holiday rush. Plus, you’ll still get to experience the theme parks in all their autumnal glory.  

Get There Early 

Getting to the parks early is one of the best things you can do to manage crowds in the busier seasons. 

A lot of guests choose to take their time in the mornings or may start the day at a different park. Arriving as soon as the gates open is a great way to beat the midday rush. 

On really busy days, the parks will stop admitting guests once they reach capacity. There’s nothing worse than showing up for your long-awaited day in the parks only to be turned away due to crowds. Arriving early can help ensure you get into the parks before any cutoffs may be implemented. 

On the bright side, earlier hours typically mean cooler temps for a more manageable start to your day! 

Use the Single Rider Line 

If you’re okay with being separated from your party, the Single Rider Line at certain attractions can save you a lot of wait time.  

To fill every seat on a ride, some theme parks offer the option to ride solo, which typically yields shorter waits in line. If you don’t mind riding on your own, the Single Rider Line is a great choice to consider.  

Keep in mind that if you’re in the Single Rider Line, you will be riding without anyone from your group; they can’t make accommodations for children and parents to ride together. So be sure you’re okay going solo before committing to getting in line.  

Plan Ahead  

Orlando theme parks are bigger and better than ever before, making it a challenge to cross everything off your “must do/see/ride” list.  

Going in with a plan (or at least a general idea) can make tackling your day at the parks a lot smoother. Knowing which attractions are non-negotiables can help you prioritize how you spend your day rather than running from place to place trying to squeeze it all in.  

Once you have a list of the things you want to prioritize, you can start to plan strategically. How long are average wait times? Is that attraction busier at a certain time of day? Are there other rides or shows nearby that you can knock out while you’re in the area? 

You don’t need a minute-by-minute playbook, but a general idea of how you can most efficiently use your time can save you a lot of wait time.  

Use the Apps  

Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld all have apps that can make navigating the parks as easy as, well, checking your phone.  

While they’re all a little different, each one lets you access your passes, check wait times and upcoming showtimes, order food, and purchase upgrades.  

Bonus tip: take some time to acquaint yourself with the app before you arrive for your visit. That way you’ll know exactly where to look when you want info and access instead of stumbling through day-of.  

Splurge for Express Passes or Lighting Lane Entry 

Yes, express passes are a luxury.  

But if you can afford to splurge, it can be well worth the extra pennies. Whether you’re looking to skip the lines on one attraction or go big with an unlimited or multi-pass, sometimes it pays to pay to skip the lines.  

Visit the Older Attractions First  

Typically, the newer attractions and areas of the parks will draw a lot of attention earlier in the day. While everyone else is waiting in line for new attractions, take advantage of shorter lines elsewhere in the park.  

Chances are when you go to explore the new stuff later in the day there will still be some crazy lines, but at least you’ll have had the chance to ride/see other things you were looking forward to before committing to waiting in a longer line! 

Use the Midday Rush to Your Advantage 

By late morning to early afternoon, the parks can get full with park-hoppers and visitors who decided to take the morning slow.  

While everyone else is waiting in lines in the midday heat, take the opportunity to go see a show, sit at a dine-in restaurant and soak in the air conditioning, or check out some character meet-and-greets.   

This is a great time to refresh; chances are, if you’ve arrived at the parks early, you’ll be ready for a bit of a break, anyway.  

Bring Charging Devices  

If you’re taking photos and putting the theme park apps to good use, chances are your phone battery isn’t going to last through the day.  

Be sure to pack (and charge) a portable charging bank and a charger so you don’t have to worry about a dead battery as the day goes on.  

Bring Water and Snacks  

Refueling is critical on a day in the parks, especially when it comes to staying hydrated. The Central Florida heat is no joke, and it’s critical to make sure you’re drinking enough water, especially in the busy summer months.  

Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld allow you to bring water into the parks, either in plastic bottles or a refillable water bottle.  

Disney and Universal also allow guests to bring in small snacks, so be sure to stash a few extras in your bag. By all means, indulge in the delicious food and beverages you can find in the parks, but a granola bar or some trail mix can come in handy when you’re waiting for a parade to start or need a quick pick-me-up.  

Take a Picture of Your Parking Lot 

There’s nothing worse than leaving the parks after a long, busy day and realizing you’ve forgotten where you parked the car. 

A quick photo of the area and row you’ve parked in before you head into the parks can be a lifesaver hours later when the parking lots are full and all the cars are starting to look alike. 

Stay at a Rosen Inn to Make Your Theme Park Experience Even Easier  

At Rosen Inns, we’re here to make your stay as easy and comfortable as possible. With daily transportation to Universal, SeaWorld, and Walt Disney World theme parks, you have one less thing to worry about when it comes to navigating crowds.  

At the end of a long day of thrill rides, excitement, entertainment, and lots of walking, you can rest peacefully in comfortable accommodations that are easy on the budget.  

Let us help you make the most of your next theme park trip to Orlando.