Walt Disney World experienced significant crowd levels today, with wait times for popular attractions extending up to three hours. This surge in visitors comes as Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras holidays overlap, bringing a large number of families to all four theme parks simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
- More than 10 attractions recorded wait times over 100 minutes.
- Space Mountain and Avatar Flight of Passage saw waits of 185 and 180 minutes, respectively.
- The overlap of Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras holidays is driving the increased attendance.
- Mid-February events like gymnastics competitions also contribute to the crowds.
- Crowd levels are expected to remain high through the weekend.
Peak Wait Times Across Parks
Between 10 AM and 1 PM today, wait times at Walt Disney World soared. Several attractions across all parks saw queues exceeding the 100-minute mark. Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom led with a peak wait of 185 minutes.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom, Avatar Flight of Passage reached 180 minutes. TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT both hit 125 minutes. Other popular rides like Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance also exceeded 100 minutes.
Key Attraction Wait Times
- Space Mountain: 185 minutes
- Avatar Flight of Passage: 180 minutes
- TRON Lightcycle / Run: 125 minutes
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: 125 minutes
- Slinky Dog Dash: 120 minutes
- Tower of Terror: 150 minutes
The Holiday Overlap Effect
The unusual calendar alignment of Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras is a primary factor in the current crowd levels. Presidents' Day, observed yesterday, created a three-day weekend for many, with guests extending their trips into the current week. Mardi Gras, celebrated today, brings an additional influx of visitors, particularly from Southern states.
Regions like Louisiana, Alabama, parts of Mississippi, and some Florida districts often have school breaks or extended weekends around Fat Tuesday. Families from these areas frequently travel to Orlando, contributing to a significant regional bump in attendance. When these two holiday periods coincide, as they have this year, the effect on park crowds is amplified.
"This calendar collision pushes crowd levels to 8/10 or higher across all parks," explained one park observer. "When Presidents' Day and Mardi Gras fall in separate weeks, crowds split across two travel windows. When they overlap, both school-break markets arrive simultaneously."
Historical Context
Historical data indicates that such overlaps significantly increase park attendance. February 13-22, 2026, is already projected as one of the busiest winter weeks due to a similar calendar alignment. This pattern suggests that mid-February, despite not being a traditional 'peak' summer or spring break period, can become exceptionally crowded under specific conditions.
Additional Factors Driving Attendance
Beyond the holiday overlap, other events contribute to the elevated crowds. Mid-February often hosts various youth sports competitions, including gymnastics, soccer tournaments, and cheerleading events. Hotels near ESPN Wide World of Sports typically fill with families who combine their competition schedules with visits to the theme parks.
The appeal of mid-February travel also stems from favorable weather conditions. The absence of summer heat and hurricane risks makes it an attractive time for many families to visit. This leads some who might typically wait for Spring Break to travel earlier in the year.
Furthermore, the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is currently running through February 23. This popular festival draws additional visitors to EPCOT, adding to the overall park traffic during an already busy period.
Park Specifics and Averages
Disney's Hollywood Studios recorded the highest average wait times today, reaching 72 minutes. Within this park, Slinky Dog Dash hit 120 minutes, and Tower of Terror saw queues of 150 minutes.
Disney's Animal Kingdom averaged 49 minutes for its attractions. Expedition Everest had a wait time of 80 minutes, in addition to Avatar Flight of Passage's 180-minute peak.
EPCOT's average wait time was 47 minutes. Test Track reached 105 minutes, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind hit 125 minutes, and Frozen Ever After topped 75 minutes.
Magic Kingdom, despite Space Mountain's peak, maintained an average of 42 minutes. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also saw significant waits, reaching 95 minutes.
Navigating the Crowds
With crowd levels expected to remain high through the weekend, visitors should plan their park days carefully. Arriving at the park before opening, known as "rope drop," remains one of the most effective strategies to experience popular attractions with shorter waits.
Utilizing services like Lightning Lane, when available, can also help bypass long queues. During the busiest afternoon hours, targeting attractions with historically lower wait times or exploring entertainment and dining options can provide a more relaxed experience.
Crowds are anticipated to ease after February 23, when both the holiday travel windows close and the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts concludes. Until then, guests should prepare for elevated attendance and plan accordingly.
