Summer in Disney World this year is going to be a LOT different than previous summers.

You see, this summer, a lot of NEW things are coming to Disney World, and we think we could see some serious summer crowds!

So why do we think the crowds are coming to Disney World this summer? Well, we have three reasons that we think will bring a lot of folks to the parks.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be opening this summer in Magic Kingdom, and this is one highly-anticipated ride. The hype is REAL now that Disney has revealed details about some of the ride’s characters and shown off the ride’s incredible animatronics. There are going to be LOADS of people wanting to be the first to ride this attraction, plus possible early previews could bring Annual Passholders, D23 Members, DVC Members, and more people to the park ahead of its opening (though we haven’t seen any announcement about previews yet).

We remember the crazy crowds and lines on the last day of Splash Mountain, and we expect Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to have similar crowds at least during its first month after opening.

NEW QUEUE DETAILS Revealed for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World

Country Bear Jamboree

We never thought we’d see the day when the Country Bears created crowds in Magic Kingdom, but here we are. We still can’t get over how long the lines were the day Country Bear Jamboree closed down for a refurbishment to get a whole new act. Yes, the Country Bears are learning some new songs, and they’re set to premiere a new show this summer.

Between Country Bear Jamboree and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Magic Kingdom is going to be BUSY this summer. So if you’re headed to Disney World, prepare for crowds!

What’s REALLY Changing at Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom

EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Yes, the festival isn’t even starting until late August this year (for the first time since 2019). The past few years, the festival has started earlier in the summer — and it brings more people into the parks. However, we think Disney feels so confident about summer crowds this year that it felt it didn’t need a festival to bring people to Disney World.

As it stands, there is no festival happening during most of the summer, but Disney seems to think that it’s not needed. If Disney thinks the people are going to be visiting this summer, then we know that the summer could be very scary in Disney World this year, and not JUST because of the heat and humidity.

One HUGE Change Is Coming to the 2024 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival!

So if you’re headed to Disney World this summer, you might want to pack some extra patience with your cooling towels, neck fans, and water bottles. Things could get a little busy! Here are some strategies we use to deal with the most crowded days at Disney World.

Know WHEN to ride. Most people know the rope-drop strategy — get to the parks BEFORE they open and rush to the most popular ride (or the most popular one on your priority list) first thing for the shortest lines of the day. BUT, let’s say you value sleeping in on vacation or you just didn’t make it this morning. All hope is not lost. Wait times tend to drop during the following:

1. 1. Mid-afternoon, when many families head out of the parks for nap time or some hotel pool relaxation.
   2. The few minutes before parades and fireworks.
   3. Later into the evening near park close.

So check back throughout the day to see if you can minimize the wait for your “must-do” rides.

Speaking of Must-Dos, set your priorities. It is impossible to do EVERYTHING in Disney World during the few days we usually spend there. To avoid disappointment, have everyone in your travel group decide on a couple of things they REALLY want to do. Strategize to get to those rides, attractions, meals, shows, etc., and then everything else you will get to do is the cherry on top!

Make use of the skip-the-line add-ons. Even if you don’t like the thought of spending extra money to “buy” shorter waits by using Lightning Lanes, if you find yourself at Disney World during a very busy time, you might want to re-evaluate your position. Using Disney Genie+ during a day or two of your trip — especially at ride-heavy parks Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios — could actually feel very worth it if your other option is getting to do very little on those days. And don’t forget that you can also purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for the MOST popular rides in Disney World. Those let you choose a certain window to go to the ride and wait in a shorter line.

Here’s Everything You Need to Know about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes

Plan your meals. Lines around lunch and dinner times in Disney World parks can stretch to 30-minute or more waits during the busiest days. That fast food will not feel fast at all, especially if you’re already hungry! Your best bet is to decide where you’re going to eat in advance (even if it’s at a place where you don’t need reservations), and use Mobile Order in the Disney World app to go ahead and order that meal. Lots of folks will order their lunch, while they are waiting for rope drop, for example. You can choose a return time later in the day to go get your meal, and avoid a lot of stress! Just remember to go back and press “I’m here — Prepare My Food” in the app when it’s time to eat.

Here’s Our Step-By-Step Guide to Mobile Order!

Don’t be afraid to call it. Sometimes, the magic just isn’t magic-ing as hard as you want it to. Maybe the crowds are getting to you. Maybe you’ve been fighting them for too many days in a row. Your feet hurt. Someone in your travel group just isn’t feeling their best today. It’s OK to decide to leave the park. Really. Hop to another park if your tickets allow it — Animal Kingdom and EPCOT are more spread out and can feel less crowded. Go back to your resort for some pool time. Hop on the Monorail or Skyliner and check out the snacks available at some other resorts. You can find a quieter spot to still enjoy Disney’s theming and have a great time. Head back into the parks later that evening when the sun is down and the crowds are thinning. Or go to bed early and wake up the next morning refreshed.

The real lesson here is that the most crowded times in Disney World require the greatest flexibility. You can still have a GREAT vacation, we promise!

We’ve got a video on 50 (!!) ways to avoid Disney World crowds that you can watch right here:

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

5 Disney World ESSENTIALS You’ll Need for Your Summer Trip

Will you be visiting Disney World this summer? Do you anticipate bigger crowds than normal? Let us know in the comments!