It’s been a little while since all 4 parks in Disney World have reached capacity!
Cinderella Castle Moat
We checked the ticket calendar this morning, and noticed that there was no availability for Park Pass Reservations of any kind. Luckily, we already had our tickets booked, but we knew it was going to be a busy day in Disney World! So we’re taking you with us to check out what the crowds look like when the parks are at capacity!
Capacity in Disney World is said to be 35% currently, so this is at that capped capacity. Today we visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom, so let’s go!
Magic Kingdom
When we entered the park, it wasn’t noticeably crowded…until we reached Liberty Square.
Liberty Square Crowds
This land has some points that are tighter, and some that are wide, but it looked pretty full as we walked through. We aren’t sure if everyone was passing through or trying to get on The Haunted Mansion, but it was busy in this area.
Liberty Square Crowds
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is known for having long lines. It has remained the champ of longest wait time in Disney World for a few weeks now, but when we passed it mid-afternoon, it was at a solid 90-minute wait. This isn’t the worst we’ve seen, but certainly not the shortest!
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Back by the Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, crowds were there, but a bit more spread out.
Fantasyland Crowds
And, onto our least favorite spot in the park when it’s crowded — the choke point between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. This is notoriously a busy spot, and today is was especially crowded.
Tomorrowland Crowds
Overall, these at capacity crowds aren’t awful, but you can totally tell it is a busy day. Let’s hop over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
As you enter the park, you can walk straight down Hollywood Boulevard. The crowds weren’t too crazy up in this area when we arrived in the afternoon.
Hollywood Boulevard Crowds
However, when we took a turn onto Sunset Boulevard, it looked pretty packed. It looks like a sea of people when you look down the street leading to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.
Sunset Boulevard Crowds
When we made it down to the other end, we noticed a very long line for the Hollywood Scoops. The people need their ice cream and cocktails!
Hollywood Scoops Line
Slinky Dog Dash is one of the most popular rides in the park and all of Disney World, and while we passed, the line was at a 70 minute wait. We can’t blame everyone for loving this ride, because Slinky is just too cute!
Slinky Dog Dash Line
Over by Baseline Tap House, the road looked empty, but the line to get into the restaurant was pretty lengthy!
Baseline Tap House Line
Crowds really depends on where you are in the park. If you’re near a popular attraction, be prepared for a busy area, but some areas allowed people to spread out plenty.
Skyliner
As a bonus, we also visited the Disney Skyliner this evening! While some lines at the Caribbean Beach Resort station were totally empty like the Hollywood Studios line…
Hollywood Studios Skyliner Line
…the line to EPCOT has quite the wait!
EPCOT Skyliner Line
The queue wrapped back and forth several times, but we only ended up waiting about 15-20 minutes.
EPCOT Skyliner Line
Luckily a Cast Member had an End of Line sign so it was easier for guests to get in line.
EPCOT Skyliner Line
Ever since Valentine’s Day weekend, we’ve seen a good amount of crowds in the parks. We hope this gave you a look at what the parks (and Skyliner lines) look like on a super busy day. Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney news and updates!
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It’s kinda weird, but I don’t feel like 100% capacity feels a lot heavier than in those photos? I mean – even at peak times in summer or the holidays, aside from the fireworks/shows – you aren’t bumping into people? I guess as parks are open longer and it is easier to come and go, it is just spread out more?
Was in the park over the weekend and Epcot World Showcase was the only place that made me a little anxious.
35%?
Hello, what day of the week was this?
What was the day/date?
I am so glad we went last August. These pictures give me more than just a bit of pause.
I will so miss this “busy” look at WDW when things go back to normal and real crowds start to appear lol this is fantastic and we’re getting so spoiled.
Thank you for this. Planning my next trip for Aug 2021 and all the information you give has always been helpful.
The crowd pics do not look too bad. Many times I’ve been to Disney world when they’ve not allowed entry due to capacity (went through July 4th in the years 1999 to 2010 ). Now those were some crowds!
Thank you again and I look forward to many more informative articles and videos.
Thanks, Adam! I’ve shared your comment with the team. 🙂
Tim, it was Saturday, February 20.
Katie, it was Saturday, February 20.
Just an FYI to everyone, if you can Hop to Hollywood Studios, it’s not at capacity. So the DHS pics are not at 35%.
Parks at max capacity do not allow anyone to Park Hop to them.
Social Distancing at its best…
It looks so crowded at 35% capacity, I wonder how in the world I was ok with 100% capacity, ever! lol
Thank you DFB Team! I’m coming in the middle of March, and have been incredibly nervous about the Spring Break crowds. But this has given me hope in a good stay.
We were there this past Saturday the 20th and it was totally packed. I don’t remember the last time I had been at Magic Kingdom with crowds like that and no Fastpass to help. Everything had lines. All food ordering had to be done by mobile ordering. All walk up snack carts had lines. Most stores had lines to get in. All rides had reduced capacity of some sort, which made more people out milling around. Not having any nighttime entertainment to cap off the day was a letdown as well. I hadn’t been to the parks in about 2 years. I don’t know what can be done to help.
When parks are at capacity like this, overall are rise times pretty long (understand it depends on the ride, time of day, etc). I am thinking about a trip in the next couple of months but without Fast Pass I worry about the lines and the patience of my kids. Thanks!!!!
We’ve been at Disney since the 14th and leaving tomorrow (23rd). I have to say that the 20th was the busiest of all of the days we were at Epcot that day). The other days were not as bad but to be honest many lines had MUCH LONGER waits than. Usual. It took a full 30 mins to get into the three cabeleros and I don’t remember any day I. The last decade that it wasn’t a walk on ride with practically no wait. In fact most rides all week seemed quite normal ever since the day we arrived- if not longer than normal. We had heard how great the waits had been but we did NOT experience that, dispute lower attendance.
My husband and I are Seniors in our seventies and we were at Walt Disney World December 21-December 26 and were amazed at the care the Disney Family has given to The Parks during their reopening. We felt as though Disney Properties were not only still a most MAGICAL Place but also a very SAFE Place to be. Yes, there were lines for our favorite “ENTERTAINMENT” but we had been at Disney World years ago when lines were longggggg… Fast Pass definitely spoiled us but with planning all can still MAGICAL. We returned to Disney World January 9-January 14… we truly enjoyed the 35% crowds and are hoping -the Disney Family continues to limit capacities even as the Fiftieth Anniversary approaches.
Really miss seeing Herman’s Hermits at the Annual Epcot Flower & Garden Show. This will make the 2nd year in a row with the pandemic. We managed to see them in 2020 at the Clermont Performing Arts Center. We are so lucky to live in Clermont, FL. Do they have any special Passholder magnets this year at Flower & Garden? Really miss the DVC Moonlite Magic events, also.