It’s February, and in years past, that’s meant a slower time in Disney World.
Magic Kingdom Entrance
However, in recent years (especially since the 2020 park closures), we’ve noticed that some of those “slow seasons” that happened periodically in Disney World aren’t really happening anymore, and it feels like crowds descend on the parks 24/7. If you’ve been on TikTok recently, you may be seeing videos from guests highlighting how busy the parks really are. But, is that just a false lens through social media, or is that what’s actually happening?
First, what videos are we talking about? Well, we’ve seen videos from multiple creators over the last few weeks showing the crowds they’re finding in Disney World. Creator @walruscarp posted a video from Magic Kingdom on February 21st, a Wednesday, showing the massive crowds near Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
@walruscarp Insane Crowds at Disney World Today! ? Pack your Patient Pants ? and pray you have Genie+ already bc Magic Kingdom and the rest of Walt Disney World has lines and crowds everywhere. If you have Genie+ you should be good otherwise prepare for 60+ minute waits everywhere. #disneyworldcrowds #disneycrowds #disneyworldlines #disneylines #disneycrowded #disneycrowdcalendar #disneyworld #disneyap #disneycastmember #dvcmember #walruscarp
Another video, posted by @itsandieflores on February 7th shows the large crowds walking into Tomorrowland. It’s unclear if the video was posted at rope drop, or early entry, but regardless, the crowds are large.
@itsandieflores Theres no sch things as fewer people at Disney #disney #disneycrowds #crowded #wdw #casttle
But these are only snapshots of two days — a MINUTE of two days — in the parks. So, do things really look like this?
Tomorrowland Crowds
Well friends, we’re sad to say that the answer, in our research, is yes, the parks really are that crowded now on most days. How can we tell? Other than the physical amount of people we see in the parks, we can also look at the price of Genie+, which changes depending on how busy the parks are expected to be that day.
©Disney
In the beginning (October 2021), Genie+ was a set $15 per person, per day in Disney World. However, in October 2022, surge pricing hit the service, and it changed to be somewhere between $15 and $22 per person, per day, depending on how busy the parks were expected to be (by looking at park pass reservations). Things changed AGAIN in June 2023 when park-specific pricing hit the Genie+ system, meaning that you would select a single park or multi-park option, and the prices would vary based on how crowded EACH PARK would be. We’ve seen these prices start at $15 and go all the way up to $39. While part of this decision is just Disney wanting to make more money, they can do it BECAUSE the parks are so busy and people need Genie+ in order to do everything they’d like.
Genie+
Not to mention that we do still see park passes selling out for days in Disney World, when most guests don’t need park passes anymore because they have date-based tickets. It is also completely possible for regular Disney World tickets to sell out during peak times, so be sure to grab tickets as soon as you know when you’re going to be on the safe side. Genie+ can also sell out too!
©Disney
Okay, so there’s more people in the parks, but who’s actually waiting in those lines? Uh, a LOT of people, unfortunately. We keep an eye on Disney World wait times frequently, so we stay in the know. Just this week, a typically calmer week in February, two rides easily hit triple-digit wait times. Using Genie+ means that you can skip these lines, which can save you tons of time, but you’ll be dropping a ton of cash for your whole family to experience more of the parks. If you budget for this ahead of time, you won’t be caught off guard, which is why we recommend that if there’s even the SLIGHTEST thought in your mind that you may use Genie+, budget for it ahead of time! Then, if you don’t use it, you can use that money towards snacks, souvenirs, or whatever else you’d like.
Tower of Terror line at over 100 minutes
So overall, yes, the Disney World parks are really as crowded as they look online, but there are ways to still have an amazing day in Disney World with crowds surrounding you. As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney World news and planning tips!
Here are our best Genie+ tips for crowded days in Disney World!
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What’s your #1 tip for dealing with crowded days in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
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We were at Disneyworld jan31st through Febbb 7th. Most days. Said expect crowd levels of 2 to 4. Crowds were insane. All rides at least an hour. On the sixth. Even small world had a 50 min wait. If these were level 2-4 crowds, I would hat to. See. 7-8.
My husband and I are in Florida for 2 months. Our frequent trips to WDW various parks have been cut short because of crowds and long lines for everything. Even lightening lanes have long waits due to the over crowded parks. If you don’t have done your research, rope drop and or pay for lightening lane your days in the park are stressful with fewer time for attractions because of the lines. Disney has become greedy for money . They over populate the parks on purpose.
Came home 2 weeks ago today !! 8 days of crowds !! We picked the 5th-12th because the Disney calendar was green( we booked the trip a year ago b) – the closer we got it stayed green until … it was crazy busy – genie + was $20 a day ( can’t remember all costs as daughter booked daily ) &20 per lightning lane – but it seemed they didn’t realize how crowded it would be –
It was shoulder to shoulder at times
If we had not paid for rides we would have been in lines for HOURS and HOURS – 180 minutes posted for Rise – same for 7 dwarves and even small world had 20-25 minutes lines –
We had a lot of fun because we had a monorail resort and sit down meals ( away from crowds with wonderful food &cast members )
And talking to cast members there is so much verbal abuse by visitors ( don’t deserve the name guest ) it made us feel so bad !
Was glad that we could head back to the Polynesian to hang out and regroup – then head back out !
I am sorry to hear about all the crowds you 2 people have run into. We come mostly on the weekends once a month and have run into crowds at bottle neck in the park but for the most part not a lot of people to have to maneuver through. I know that when the sport events and running people come that will increase all the parks. We stay away from rope drop so we walk right in. If you stay for fireworks stay put enjoy people watching then when things thin out head back to the transportation to go home. As long as people use the LL and G+ the standby line will be held up and get long. Try doing the more popular ride late afternoon or early evening. Hope this help you get away from the “crowd”.
We took our first family trip to Disney World from Vancouver Canada. We were on property from Feb 17-25th. If it wasn’t for our careful attention to DFB tips, careful planning, ILL and G+, I don’t think we would have been able to tick off the boxes of things we wanted to see or do because of the big crowds. I noticed the parking lots were not full so I can’t imagine what busy means there. Overall we found it stressful to constantly be on our phones and outwit others to do what we wanted. Ride breakdowns were constant which conflicted with our dinner reservations and ILL. Don’t get me wrong, the property is one of a kind with so many great things to do, I just felt the massive crowds made it difficult to appreciate the parks for what they really are. Plus we all came home with COVID. Thank you DFB for your excellent advice, we couldn’t have enjoyed it without you.
Thank you so much for the kind words, David. Our team truly appreciates it! We hope your next trip is so much more magical though!