Want shorter waits at Disney World? Here’s what our family does first at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom to save time and ride more attractions.
If there’s one Disney World strategy that’s made a bigger difference for our family than almost anything else, it’s deciding what we’ll do first before we even walk through the gates.
Every Disney World park has attractions that draw huge crowds throughout the day. By arriving early and heading straight to the right place, we’ve been able to ride more attractions, spend less time waiting in line, and have a much more relaxed vacation overall.
While every family’s priorities are different, here’s what we typically do first at each Disney World park – and why.
Magic Kingdom: Head Straight to Fantasyland
Photo by WDW Magazine
Magic Kingdom has more attractions than any other Disney World park, but it also attracts some of the biggest crowds.
For our family, Fantasyland is usually our first stop. Attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid are all popular with younger kids and tend to build wait times quickly.
If Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a must-do for your family, that’s an even better rope drop choice. Wait times can easily climb above an hour later in the day, but guests who arrive before park opening often experience a much shorter wait.
One of the biggest advantages of starting in Fantasyland is that you’re surrounded by several family-friendly attractions. After your first ride, you can usually knock out multiple favorites before the majority of guests make their way into the park.
Alternative Strategy
Families with older kids or thrill-seekers may prefer to start with TRON Lightcycle / Run or Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. The best first attraction is always the one that matters most to your group.
EPCOT: Ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Photo Courtesy of Disney
EPCOT has become increasingly popular in recent years, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the France Pavilion.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is usually our first stop when entering through the International Gateway entrance. The attraction is one of EPCOT’s most popular rides and often posts some of the longest waits in the park.
If you’re entering through the front entrance, you may find Frozen Ever After to be a better rope drop choice. Like Remy, it attracts families all day long and rarely sees short waits after the morning rush.
The key at EPCOT is tackling one of these headliners before crowds spread throughout World Showcase.
Alternative Strategy
If your family prefers thrill rides, heading straight to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (if you’re using the standby queue) can be a smart move. Test Track is another attraction that often sees long waits once the park fills up.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Start with a Headliner
Photo by WDW Magazine Photography Team
Hollywood Studios has some of the highest-demand attractions in all of Walt Disney World. Because of that, our first move depends on what our family is most excited about that day.
If we’re traveling with younger kids, we’ll often head directly to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The attraction is fun for all ages and tends to build a steady line throughout the morning.
If we’re focused on thrill rides, we’re heading to either Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash.
Both attractions regularly attract some of the longest waits in Disney World. Experiencing them early can save an incredible amount of time later in the day.
One thing we’ve learned over multiple visits is that Hollywood Studios rewards early arrivals more than almost any other park. The difference between arriving before opening and arriving even 30 minutes later can be significant.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Go Straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris
Photo by Danny Shuster
Animal Kingdom has a unique rope drop strategy because the animals themselves play a role in the experience.
The animals are generally most active in the cooler morning hours, making Kilimanjaro Safaris our first stop almost every visit.
Not only can you often enjoy shorter waits, but you’ll also have a better chance of seeing animals moving around, feeding, and interacting with one another. The experience can feel completely different from a safari later in the afternoon.
After the safari, we usually head toward Expedition Everest, Na’vi River Journey, or Avatar Flight of Passage depending on our priorities for the day.
Alternative Strategy
If Avatar Flight of Passage is your family’s top attraction, heading there first is still a great strategy. It remains one of Disney World’s most popular rides and can develop lengthy waits shortly after park opening.
