Summer is almost here and that means more people will be headed to Disney World.

Big holiday weekends like Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, are popular at Disney World. If you are planning a visit during one of these weekends, you’ll want to be sure you come prepared. A lot has changed over the past few years between Genie+, Mobile Ordering and Park Reservations!

We are here to help you survive Disney World during the weekend that kicks off summer with some helpful tips and tricks!

Park Pass Reservations

On busy holiday weekends, you’ll want to make sure you grab a Park Pass reservation as soon as you make your plans. This reservation allows you to get into the park, and even though you have tickets, you currently have to have a Park Pass, too (unless you are an Annual Passholder in some situations). You will want to make these in advance because they can and do sell out.

Click here for more on Park Passes!

Weather

It is probably no surprise that it can get HOT in Florida in the summer. We have seen heat advisories in effect for Disney World before. Come prepared with fans, water bottles, and even a poncho. Rain and even severe thunderstorms could be in the forecast that weekend.

Be sure to make a packing list ahead of time and compare it to ours to make sure you don’t miss anything essential you could need to help you survive the weather.

If you need to get out of the rain or take a break from the heat, check out some indoor attractions and shows. The Hall of Presidents is a great attraction to visit for Memorial Day!

Click Here for Our 2023 Packing List

Crowds

In previous years, we have seen the crowds show up at the parks this weekend. But, we have to be honest, this year’s Spring Break week seemed to have more crowds than Memorial Day Weekend in 2022.

When you’re dealing with a holiday weekend, you should plan to pack your patience. It’s no secret that it will in fact be crowded — because a lot of people have off of work and school and take this weekend to visit the parks. If you need a break from the crowds, find a quick-service restaurant like Columbia Harbour House, which offers a lot of indoor seating. You can also take a ride on the Carousel of Progress for a nice break in the AC.

You can beat the crowds by taking advantage of Early Entry or Extended Evening Hours if you are staying in a Disney World hotel. We also see wait times for popular rides drop in the evenings around nighttime shows and the dinner rush — you might consider skipping the fireworks and eating early or late if rides are your priority.

Check Out Our Ultimate Guide to Disney World If You Hate People

Genie + and Virtual Queues

Buying Genie+ could be one way to skip the long lines for rides. During Spring Break, we not only saw a price jump to $35 per person, for the service but it also SOLD OUT. If you are planning on using this service, you’ll want to purchase it early. You can purchase Genie+ after midnight for the next day, but if you don’t want to wait up, we recommend purchasing it BEFORE 7 AM when you can make your first selections.

Be sure to set your alarms to make your first selection right at 7 AM, and then set reminders in your phone to book your next one as soon as you can. These will help you grab those must-do rides during the busy day. If you have decided to buy any Individual Lightning Lanes (we have lots more info on those here), you’ll want to book those as soon as you can, too. You can also buy Individual Lightning Lanes at 7 AM if you are staying at a Disney hotel, or at park open if you are not.

If you are wanting to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or TRON Lightcycle/Run without paying for an Individual Lightning Lane, you can join the virtual queue at 7 AM. However, these can get full in seconds. Be sure to read our Virtual Queue Guide to help you be able to grab one.

Using Genie+, Individual Lightning Lanes and Virtual Queues can help you cut down your wait times for rides, and will help you be able to ride more rides throughout the day.

Dining

Meal times can get crowded at Disney World. If you are looking to take an extended break inside, we recommend grabbing a table service advanced dining reservation for one of your favorite restaurants. You can even do a character dining experience and get to meet some of your favorite pals without waiting in lines. These reservations open 60 days in advance and are already open for the holiday weekend, but openings can still pop up, especially as you get closer and people cancel or change their plans. We recommend checking back regularly to see if reservations open up for you to snag!

If you are planning to do a quick service restaurant, make sure to use mobile order if the restaurant has that option. You can place your order in advance to be ready during a certain time window — then you head to the restaurant and check in without having to wait in line to even place your order.

Learn How to Use Mobile Ordering Here!

We also suggest watching the Flag Retreat Ceremony daily at Magic Kingdom. During the ceremony an active-duty military member or veteran is selected from among that park’s daily visitors to lower the flag and carry it in a processional down Main Street, U.S.A. If you are active military, be sure to check out any military discounts for Disney in advance.

Of course there are ways to make the most of you trip even when its busy. That’s why you follow us for all the tricks and tips. For more, subscribe to the DFB newsletter!

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Are you planning to come to Disney World on Memorial Day weekend this year? Let us know in the comments.