If You’re Planning Disney World This Weekend, Cancel Your Trip Now
Disney World is about to get hit with one of its biggest crowd surges of the year, and anyone planning a visit this President’s Day weekend should brace themselves for some seriously long wait times. The three-day holiday weekend starting Friday will pack all four theme parks, as families take advantage of time off from work and school. If you’re debating whether to go, the honest answer might be to wait until next week when things calm down.
February has already been busier than usual at Disney World. Cheerleader competitions have been happening every weekend at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, bringing thousands of athletes and their families who stay at Disney hotels and visit the parks between events. Later this month, a runDisney race weekend will add even more crowds. The pattern is raising a legitimate question: Is February no longer a good time to visit Disney World?
What Monday’s Disney World Wait Times Show
Looking at wait times from Monday, February 10 gives a preview of what’s coming, and it’s not pretty. At Magic Kingdom, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure hit 105 minutes at 4 p.m., the longest wait in the entire park. TRON Lightcycle Run stayed around 80 minutes for most of the day. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ranged between 60 and 85 minutes throughout operating hours.
EPCOT saw Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind start at 90 minutes in the morning and stay between 55 and 95 minutes all day. Test Track peaked at 90 minutes during the afternoon.
Hollywood Studios had some of the worst waits. Rise of the Resistance opened at 85 minutes and stayed in the 60 to 85-minute range. Millennium Falcon hit 95 minutes at 1 p.m. Tower of Terror reached 90 minutes multiple times during the afternoon.
Animal Kingdom stayed relatively calmer with Avatar Flight of Passage topping out at 65 minutes, but that’s still substantial for what’s supposed to be a regular Monday in February.
Those are weekday numbers. President’s Day weekend will almost certainly push wait times even higher across all parks.
Why This Weekend Gets So Crowded
President’s Day weekend drives massive attendance due to schools giving students Monday off, creating a three-day weekend for family trips. Many adults also have the federal holiday off, increasing the number of travelers. Disney sees a spike in visitors during this time, as families use it for winter vacations when they can’t travel during traditional spring break weeks.
Additionally, cheerleader competitions fill Disney resort hotels, bringing in groups that add to overall park attendance, even if they’re primarily there for the events.
If You’re Already Committed to Visiting Disney World
To manage non-refundable reservations, arrive early when parks open to enjoy shorter wait times for major attractions. Consider getting in line during meal times, parades, or fireworks, as crowds disperse for these activities. Late evenings may also see reduced waits as people leave.
Disney resort hotel guests should take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry for a 30-minute head start, while Deluxe resort guests can enjoy Extended Evening Hours at select parks. Lightning Lane services allow guests to bypass standby lines for a fee, which is especially helpful during busy times like Presidents’ Day weekend.
The Bigger Disney World February Issue
Just when President’s Day crowds clear out, another wave arrives with the upcoming runDisney race weekend later this month. These events fill resort hotels with thousands of runners and their families who typically add park days before and after races.
Between President’s Day weekend and runDisney, February 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest Februaries in Disney World history. The month traditionally sits between peak Christmas/New Year crowds and spring break chaos, offering some breathing room. This year, that breathing room has disappeared.
February now hosts regular cheerleading competitions, runDisney weekends, and benefits from President’s Day drawing families who might otherwise visit during more expensive peak seasons. For locals with annual passes or Florida residents who can visit anytime, avoiding February increasingly makes sense.
The Bottom Line
If you’re debating last-minute President’s Day weekend reservations, don’t do it. Wait times will be brutal, restaurants packed, transportation crowded, and the overall experience far from magical. Disney World costs too much to settle for a mediocre experience during one of the year’s busiest weekends.
For anyone already locked into reservations, set realistic expectations. You won’t experience everything. You’ll spend significant time in lines. But with smart planning using Early Entry, Lightning Lanes, and strategic timing, you can still salvage decent days amid the chaos.
The crowds are coming this weekend. Plan accordingly or wait until next week when things settle down.
