food IS a theme park
There’s no denying the appeal of visiting Disney World during a special time of the year.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
However, reality is that there are certain days that will likely be better spent in the comfort of a Disney World hotel.
Easter has arrived at Disney World, and there are so many new sweet treats to celebrate!
Painted Egg Whoopie Pie
We stopped by Disney’s Yacht Club resort to try their new Easter egg whoopie pie. It’s Easter in a dessert!
Halloween is on the horizon! Now, we know what you’re thinking — “But it’s not even Easter yet!!!” — and we agree. But Disney is already teasing some Halloween content that we’re so excited for!
Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle as the Sanderson Sisters! 2024
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a seasonal after-hours event that typically runs from late August until the last day of October 31st for Halloween. The main event is the Boo To You Parade with some spooky characters and ghoulish delights. Disney just dropped a sneaky hint that they’re already getting ready for this parade!
While Walt Disney World’s theme parks — including EPCOT — are never truly empty, that doesn’t mean that some days aren’t busier than others.
EPCOT
For example, when it comes to Disney World’s second gate, the best days to avoid (if scheduling allows) are spread throughout the year, timed with holidays, school vacations, and even the park’s own annual events.
We’ve been going to Disney World for YEARS, so trust us, when we say it’s busy in Disney World, we mean it. We’ve seen three hour waits for attractions we normally don’t wait 20 minutes for, and lines for snacks that make us question if we’re even that hungry.
Toy Story Land
We’re used to families taking long weekends to head to Disney World, and when a holiday is around the corner, we see the crowds get busier and busier. For Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 16th, 2026, we headed to our beloved Hollywood Studios to see how busy it was, and well, let’s just say it surprised us!
The beads are flying, the music is loud, and the smell of beignets is in the air — Mardi Gras has officially taken over Universal Orlando.
Prince Gator
Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval is back to turn Universal Orlando into one giant celebration. From colorful parade floats and high-energy concerts to a global food fest packed with New Orleans–inspired favorites, there’s something for everyone to love! We were lucky enough to attend a media preview of this year’s festivities, and we’re breaking down all the must-see, must-eat, and must-do highlights to help you plan your visit.
While there’s no doubt that Walt Disney World is “always busy”, not every day is created equal. Thanks to holidays, school breaks, and Disney events, certain days on the calendar are going to be more packed than others, including these 10 dates in 2026.
Fourth of July
Over my 30+ years visiting Walt Disney World, I’ve popped by the “Most Magical Place on Earth” during every season and can definitely attest to some being busier than others.
You might not expect these places to have lines at Disney World…but they will!
Monorail
During the busiest week of the year, it’s not just attractions that rack up long waits, it’s everyday things you usually breeze right past without a second thought. From transportation to snacks to spots you’d never think twice about on a normal park day, these hidden lines can quietly eat up your time if you’re not prepared.
As we count down the days until 2026, we know lots of people are getting excited to celebrate the New Year at Disney World! We are currently in one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World, and each year around this time, mentions of park capacity often come up. Disney World parks can reach capacity, but what does that mean for you? It is important to note that it is rare for the Disney World parks to reach capacity, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
Magic Kingdom
The parks usually reach capacity only around holidays like Christmas or New Year’s Eve, or on the days immediately surrounding them. While the parks didn’t reach capacity on Christmas this year, there is a slight chance they could reach capacity on New Year’s Eve. However, we did want to note that last year, there were no phased closures due to capacity around Christmas or New Year. But we want to make sure you are prepared just in case. Here is what that means for your Disney World vacation!
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are right around the corner, and these are two of the BUSIEST days of the entire year in the Disney World parks.
Magic Kingdom Crowds on New Year’s Day 2024
Not only does that mean you may be shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of people you don’t know (and will likely never see again), but it’s possible on BOTH of these days that the parks will reach capacity (especially Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios since they all have their own special New Year’s Eve shows, and some even have special snacks). Even if you have a ticket or park pass reservation, you may not be able to enter a park if it’s at capacity. You don’t need to wait to find out at the gate, though — there’s one number you can call to see if the parks are full BEFORE you arrive!
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