Tips on Avoiding the Crowds of Orlando, Florida

Perhaps nothing can ruin a vacation in Orlando more than spending a week fighting the crowds. Fortunately, there are some tried and true traveling tips for beating the crowds in Orlando. Visitors to Orlando who follow tips to beat the crowds will have the chance to enjoy the many attractions and restaurants that have made Orlando popular.

Crowds in Orlando increase at certain times during the year, especially holidays and school breaks. Since Orlando is a popular travel destination for families with school age children, peak times will often be when children are off on school breaks. Christmas, Easter, and Spring breaks will have increased crowds in Orlando, and summer travel is popular for international visitors and tour groups. Despite busier times in Orlando for crowds, there are a number of ways to avoid the consequences of crowds in Orlando.

1. Have a Travel Itinerary

Planning a vacation to Orlando ahead of time includes more than getting flights and accommodations set up. Careful planning can help visitors to Orlando design a vacation plan which will make dealing with Orlando crowds easier. A travel itinerary will provide an outline of the main attractions and things to do during a visit to Orlando. A travel itinerary can provide a general structure to deciding which attractions, restaurants, or activities are important to include in a visit to Orlando. A travel itinerary should be designed with flexibility, and serve as a basic guide for vacation plans, rather than as a must-follow to the minute agenda. Crowds in Orlando may affect some travel plans, but a travel itinerary is a great way to provide a general agenda for daily must-see attractions.

2. Do Some Travel Research

Research for travel has never been easier since the internet became a way for people to gain valuable travel information without waiting for brochures to arrive in the mail. Today, travel information is readily available at many websites on the internet for planning a vacation in Orlando. Message boards and trip reports on Orlando websites can inform future travelers to Orlando on everything from when to visit to which restaurants are the best to try. Specific theme park websites such as www.wdwinfo.com or www.allearsnet.com can provide information about Disney World. Other sites, such as www.tourguidemike.com, can detail a theme park agenda individually for each family, for a small fee.

3. Go Early to Popular Attractions

During times of high crowds it is especially important to get an early start on the day. Many guests try to arrive at popular Orlando attractions just before opening to avoid the mass influx of crowds than often begins in the later morning. Arriving at a Disney World or Universal Orlando theme park at noon will almost guarantee greater crowds during busier times of the year.

Guests who stay at one of the Disney World resorts also have the added benefit of Extra Magic Hours, a program created to allow Disney Resort guests the chance to arrive one hour early to the Disney theme parks on specific days of the week, as well as stay for three hours later for Extra Magic Hours in the evenings at specific parks.

Another key point for beating long lines at popular attractions, is to go to the most important attractions early in the day, before crowds begin to line up. Do not wait until midday to venture over to an attraction that is a must-see on your travel agenda. Instead, save the less important attractions for later in the day, and hit the most important attractions first.

4. Stay On-Site

If Disney World is the main reason for visiting Orlando, consider staying at one of the many Disney Resorts on Disney property. Disney's Magical Express service allows guests free pick up at the Orlando Airport and transfer to their Disney Resort, free of charge. This service also includes transfer back to the airport for departures home. Staying at a Disney World Resort will also give guests free bus, boat, and monorail options for getting around, as well as the Extra Magic Hours perk. Universal Orlando also offers guests some perks for staying onsite, including a special front of the line pass good for length of stay.

5. Eat Meals During Less Crowded Times

Guests who plan meals earlier or later than the typical times when most guests will be eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner will not have to deal with the mealtime rush. Orlando offers many dining options for travelers, from fast food to gourmet restaurants, and visitors will have many dining options to consider when planning a trip to Orlando. Guests can call ahead at many Orlando restaurants to reserve a reservation, and at crowded times, reservations are a necessity.

Guests who want an early start in the morning may want to purchase a few easy to eat breakfast items to eat in their hotel room. A late lunch can sometimes serve as an early dinner, and avoid the heavier dinnertime crowds. Orlando visitors who want to enjoy dinner without the heavier crowds might consider making reservations for the earliest or latest times for dinner.

Make important dining reservations before you go. Disney World restaurants will accept dining reservations months ahead of time, and many of the popular Disney World restaurants will fill up quickly during busy times of the year. Local Orlando restaurants sometimes offer early bird specials for early diners, allowing guests to save some money and avoid the dinnertime traffic.

6. Travel Off Season

Orlando has become such a popular travel destination, that it may seem impossible to find a time of the year when crowds will be light. There are, however, still a few times of the year when the chance of dealing with heavy Orlando crowds will be slim. Generally, September and January are months with lighter Orlando crowds, as well as the first two weeks in December. October and early May offer lower crowds, often very manageable for most guests.

Off season travel to Orlando often offers lower rates on accomodations, in addition to lower crowds. Guests who want to avoid crowds may want to consider the benefits of planning a vacation during a time of the year when high crowds are not typical in Orlando.