Are you dreaming of a magical Disney World vacation, but worried that it’s all going to be too much to handle? Do you get a little uncomfortable just thinking about all the lines and the crowds? If so, you’re not alone. Even the biggest of Disney fans can sometimes find themselves on “people overload”.
There’s no denying that Disney World can be overwhelming at times. But with a bit of planning, you can create a trip that brings the fun without the chaos. Here are my top 12 Disney World tips for introverts.
Know your triggers
Every one of us is different, and you know yourself best. Take some time to think about what you are most worried about for your Disney trip. Is it crowds in general? Is it waiting in long lines near a lot of people? Is it lots of noise? Or maybe you are someone who gets very stressed out about being on a strict itinerary.
Knowing your triggers is half the battle. Once you have an idea of specifically what you want your vacation to look and feel like, and what you want to avoid, you can start to plan accordingly.
Do your research
If you’re anything like me then going blindly into unfamiliar territory can be really overwhelming. Doing a bit of research ahead of time can put your mind at ease. For help with planning your Disney vacation check out this post. Some things you may want to know ahead of time:
- Important dates for planning your trip
- When are payments due
- When can you book your dining reservations
- Where is your resort in relation to the parks
- What are your transportation options
- Operating hours and security and entry procedures for the parks
- A general layout of the parks, and where your top priority attractions are located
If doing research is something that is overwhelming for you then try to find a way to make it fun. There are some really entertaining YouTube channels that can help you get familiar with the parks and the important details you need to know. My favorites are All Ears.net- YouTube and DFB Guide- YouTube.
Visit during slower times of the year if possible
If you are an introvert, I think it’s pretty safe to assume you would rather plan your trip for a time with lower crowds. The days of having an off-season at Disney World are pretty much over, but that doesn’t mean you can plan to visit during a LESS busy time.
In general, it’s best to avoid holiday weeks and school vacations. You can check out a yearly crowd calendar to plan your perfect time here: WDW Prep School Crowd Calendar
Choose your resort wisely
If you are staying on Disney property, choose a resort that is going to fit your needs best. If you are someone who will dread taking the bus to the parks each day, choose a resort that is on the monorail, Skyliner route, or within walking distance to the parks to limit your bus rides.
If you are someone who does not enjoy eating in a crowded cafeteria you may want to opt for a Moderate or Deluxe resort that offers sit-down dining options. If you know you are going to want to spend a lot of time relaxing at the resort, it may be worth choosing a Deluxe resort with more space and a more adult vibe.
If you are trying to decide whether or not to stay at a Disney resort, check out this post: Is Staying at a Disney Resort Really Better?
Zig when others zag
Going along with the crowd is not always the best plan. This is particularly true when it comes to your Disney World vacation. In general, it’s best to have a different strategy than the majority of park-goers.
For example, the parks typically get busiest during the mid-day. Lines are long, it’s hot, and people are scrambling to find lunch. This is a key time of day to go in another direction. Head to some of the attractions with lower wait times, or to an air-conditioned theater to see a show.
Another option would be to go back to your resort for a nap or a swim. This will help to keep you out of the heaviest crowds, and you can get more done during the less busy hours of the day.
Set reasonable expectations
Before your trip begins take some time to consider what your top priorities are. I like to break mine down by park. For each park, make a short list of your must-do attractions and activities. Take an honest look at your list and evaluate whether you need to scale it back.
This can help you strategize the best time of day to get your most important things done. It can also help to keep you from getting overwhelmed and overstimulated when you get to the park for the day.
Sometimes the FOMO is real, and you feel like you need to do EVERYTHING. If you have a list in advance it can keep you calm and focused so you can enjoy the moment.
Use table service meals as a chance to relax
Taking a break from the hustle of the parks can be a great way to keep calm and relaxed.
Table service meals tend to be less busy and crowded. They typically offer more space and have a more relaxed pace than quick-service restaurants. One of my favorite ways to avoid the mid-day rush of the park is to book a table service meal to take a break.
On a Magic Kingdom day, I recommend heading to one of the monorail resorts for lunch. Grand Floridian Cafe at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Steakhouse 71 at Disney’s Contemporary are both great choices.
Eat during non-peak times
Another key to beating the crowds is to plan your meals during off-peak times. In general, it’s best to avoid 12:00-1:30 for lunch and 6:00-7:00 for dinner. If you’re booking a table service meal it also may help you to snag a reservation at a hard-to-get dining spot.
If you are dining at a quick service location I highly recommend using mobile ordering. As a bonus, it cuts down on your human interaction.
Pro tip: Do NOT wait till you are hungry to place your mobile order. Try to place your lunch order sometime in the morning and choose your preferred return time. That way you won’t run into an issue with their not being a quick enough return time. Again, choosing an 11 am or 2-3 pm lunch is going to help you to avoid some of the heavier crowds.
Build breaks into your day
Don’t fill your itinerary up so much that you don’t leave time for breaks. As magical and fun as Disney can be, it can also be exhausting. Some of my favorite times on a Disney vacation are sitting in a quiet area with a drink and a treat and people-watching. You can also take a break while enjoying some of the more relaxing attractions in the parks. Here are some great options:
Magic Kingdom
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Liberty Belle Riverboat
- Hall of Presidents
- People Mover
EPCOT
- Gardens of Canada Pavilion
- United Kingdom Gardens
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
- Living with the Land
Hollywood Studios
- Star Wars Launch Bay
- Walt Disney Presents
- Animation Gallery
Animal Kingdom
- Discovery Island Trails
- Na’vi River Journey
Use rope drop and evenings for touring
Some of the least busy, and most pleasant time in the parks is right at park opening (or preferably during early entry if you are an onsite guest) and at the end of the evening. You are avoiding the throngs of the midday crowds, and you are able to tour the parks at a much more leisurely and relaxed pace.
This is an area where you need to know yourself. If you are not an early riser, it may not be worth it to force yourself up early enough to be at the parks before they open. In that case, maybe the end of the night strategy will work best for you. Sleep in, enjoy your resort and head to the parks later in the day.
If you are not a night owl then it might make sense hit the parks in the early morning and be back to your resort to relax by dinner. If you are planning your first trip don’t plan on being in the parks from open to close each day. This is setting yourself up for a potentially miserable and exhausting day.
Utilize Genie +
If it’s in your budget I recommend purchasing Genie +. Yes, it’s annoying that you have to pay for something that used to be free. But as they say, time is money. For me, it is worth it to pay to skip the long lines at popular attractions. I’m able to get more things done and spare myself the anxiety of standing in the queues for hours with strangers. It just makes for a much more enjoyable experience in my opinion.
View fireworks from less crowded areas
I absolutely love fireworks. And Disney fireworks are a cut above all the rest. But I hate standing shoulder to shoulder in a huge group of people to watch them. Even worse is the fighting my way through that whole crowd of people to exit the parks.
Ok, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. But really, I just want to be able to enjoy the fireworks without all that hassle. I love to find less crowded areas to view the show in peace. There are plenty of options for some amazing fireworks experiences. Here are a few:
- Spring for a resort room with a theme park view
- Have a late dinner at a nearby resort and then watch the fireworks from there. My favorite place to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks is from the beach of the Polynesian resort after dinner at the Kona Cafe
- Transportation- Try to time it right to watch Harmonious from the Skyliner or Enchantment from the ferryboats.
- Take a Ferrytale Fireworks Cruise
- Try a fireworks Dessert party inside Magic Kingdom
- Book a fireworks dining package in EPCOT
There are plenty of ways for introverts to reduce the stress of a Disney World vacation. It takes a bit of planning and preparation, but you can craft a vacation that feels like a dream come true.
I hope you enjoyed these tips. Leave me a comment and let me know which one was your favorite.
