6. Be like water (aka vary your speed)
Image: Disney
Seasoned parkgoers have a particular way of walking which makes cutting through crowds a snap. It works best if you are light of feet and on the lithe side, but the general theory can work for anyone. When moving through crowds at Disney, don’t pick a single pace you never deviate from. Instead, be like water and learn how to spot gaps in the crowd that you can move through briskly.
This trick goes hand in hand with the one about not walking abreast. By travelling in a flexible line instead of a stiff row, you can follow the rhythm of a crowd, slowing when you have to. When you spot a gap, turn your body sideways to weave through gaps in crowds ahead and bypass slow families. By staying alert and moving from gap to gap in the crowd, you can move far more quickly than you would if you just follow the group in front of you.
As with all things, be polite. This strategy is not an invitation to cut off other parkgoers (particularly those with strollers who may not be able to stop) or shoulder-shove your way to the front of a queue. Rather, the essence of this trick is staying alert and extra cognizant of your fellow guests, then using a little burst of speed to pass through gaps and get around slow groups without being rude.
You can also eek a little extra speed out of your walking using a few hacks. Swinging your arms slightly helps signal your feet to move at the same speed. Widen your stride beyond your normal step, particularly if you’re on the shorter side. You can also move slightly faster by pushing off from the balls of your feet, adding a slight spring to your step with each stride.
7. Know when to stop and burn some time
Image: Disney
There are times where even the sharpest Disney traveler will not be able to avoid crowds. The best solution for these moments is the wise philosophy of Timon and Pumbaa: Hakuna Matata.
If all other routes and hacks fail you, know when to wave the white flag and take a break.
Instead of getting stressed out trying to press through an endless crowd, (which may not even be moving if a road is closed due to a lifted drawbridge or a passing parade float) take a breath and look around. See if there’s a shop, café, or even a garden you haven’t experienced. Short films in Epcot and Hollywood Studios are a wonderful way to pass some time and let crowds disperse. Get yourself a Dole Whip or Cinnamon Roll and have a moment just enjoying the company of your family and kids. Step aside and take some pictures of cool details for social media. Get in touch with family back home. Burn some time and enjoy the moment instead of fighting it.
The goal is, when you truly can’t bypass the crowds, the best choice is often to find a comfortable place to retreat and catch your breath. An opportunity to press on will present itself, and when everyone else is feeling drained from fighting the Mouse-Ear horde, you’ll have redeemed that time with energy to spare.
What’s your favorite hack for dealing with Disney crowds?
Comments
Eat in-park meals at off times. While other families are crowding into restaurants during the noon hour and dinner hours, enjoys the less crowded streets and queues. When those families finish eating and head to the attractions, you can then grab a bit at the lesser crowded restaurants.