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Planning Guides

Historical waits and real weather, translated into a smarter next move.

Explore the evidence Get app launch updates

In the parks today

See what is happening now.

Current posted waits and recent changes, separate from the planning patterns below.

See live waits

Choose a park on the Live Waits page to see its latest readings.

What are you deciding?

This overview shows selected answers. Open a complete guide page above to see every analysis.

Jump to trip timing

Park strategy

Make the park-day decisions first.

See where Early Entry helps, when waits historically run lower, and what changes on busier days.

How much shorter are waits during Early Entry?

Typical posted waits for 2 headliners · minutes
Plan these headliners separately
  • Big Thunder Mountain RailroadRegular park opening · not part of Early Entry.
  • Haunted MansionRegular park opening · not part of Early Entry.
  • Jungle CruiseRegular park opening · not part of Early Entry.
  • Pirates of the CaribbeanRegular park opening · not part of Early Entry.
  • TRON Lightcycle / RunRegular park opening · not part of Early Entry.

Early Entry participation can change. Check Disney’s current list.

Planning notes & data
For your plan

Space Mountain: about 18 minutes during Early Entry versus 26 minutes later in the morning.

For Space Mountain, the later wait was at least 10 minutes longer on about 5 in 10 comparable days. Choose among your must-do rides using the actual waits; this is not a guaranteed time saving.

How we worked this out

Over the last 30 complete days, we compare each headliner’s median of daily average posted waits during the actual Early Entry interval before regular opening with the wait two to four hours after opening on the same dates. Opening-hour readings are excluded. At least eight matched dates with repeated readings in both windows are required. Every participating headliner with support is included, even when its early wait is similar or longer; the percentage shows how often the later wait was at least 10 minutes longer.

Historical period: Aug 10, 2026–Sep 8, 2026. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 8, 2026

Which rides are worth prioritizing before waits build?

Typical posted waits for 7 headliners · minutes
Planning notes & data
For your plan

Pirates of the Caribbean: about 5 minutes in the opening hour, compared with 27 minutes two hours after opening.

Start with rides you want to do. A large increase and a long later wait can make an early visit worthwhile; this list alone is not a touring order.

How we worked this out

For each attraction we use dates with both the opening hour and the hourly window two hours after open. We show every headliner with matched readings, sorted by the increase. A rise of 10 minutes or more and a later wait of at least 30 minutes can make an early visit worth considering; small or negative changes are still shown.

Historical period: Jan 1, 2025–Sep 8, 2026. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 8, 2026

How do headliner waits rise and fall through the day?

Average across 7 headliners15-minute intervals · Last 30 complete days · Orlando time
7:45 PM40 min
9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM10:45 PM

Recent history, not live waits. Early and late points reflect park hours.

Rides & exact values

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad · Haunted Mansion · Jungle Cruise · Pirates of the Caribbean · Seven Dwarfs Mine Train · Space Mountain · TRON Lightcycle / Run

TimeAverage waitDays per ride
9:00 AM21 min13–262026-08-10–2026-09-08
9:15 AM23 min23–252026-08-10–2026-09-08
9:30 AM22 min24–262026-08-10–2026-09-08
9:45 AM23 min24–262026-08-10–2026-09-08
10:00 AM24 min25–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
10:15 AM26 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
10:30 AM28 min25–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
10:45 AM30 min24–262026-08-10–2026-09-08
11:00 AM31 min26–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
11:15 AM32 min25–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
11:30 AM33 min26–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
11:45 AM34 min24–262026-08-10–2026-09-08
12:00 PM34 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
12:15 PM34 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
12:30 PM33 min25–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
12:45 PM32 min26–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
1:00 PM33 min26–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
1:15 PM33 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
1:30 PM32 min25–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
1:45 PM31 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
2:00 PM28 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
2:15 PM27 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
2:30 PM29 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
2:45 PM31 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
3:00 PM31 min24–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
3:15 PM31 min25–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
3:30 PM30 min26–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
3:45 PM29 min22–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
4:00 PM29 min20–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
4:15 PM30 min17–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
4:30 PM30 min19–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
4:45 PM31 min20–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
5:00 PM32 min23–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
5:15 PM32 min20–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
5:30 PM32 min21–282026-08-10–2026-09-08
5:45 PM33 min18–272026-08-10–2026-09-08
6:00 PM35 min11–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
6:15 PM34 min10–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
6:30 PM35 min13–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
6:45 PM36 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
7:00 PM36 min15–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
7:15 PM38 min15–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
7:30 PM39 min15–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
7:45 PM40 min15–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
8:00 PM39 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
8:15 PM38 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
8:30 PM35 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
8:45 PM33 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
9:00 PM30 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
9:15 PM28 min14–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
9:30 PM27 min15–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
9:45 PM23 min16–172026-08-10–2026-09-07
10:00 PM25 min8–102026-08-10–2026-09-05
10:15 PM24 min8–102026-08-10–2026-09-05
10:30 PM27 min8–102026-08-10–2026-09-05
10:45 PM27 min8–102026-08-10–2026-09-05
Planning notes & data
For your plan

The headliner average reaches about 40 minutes around 7:45 PM. Explore the full curve for the quieter stretches on either side.

Use the shape to think about ride time, meal breaks and returning later. This recent average is a planning reference, not today's live waits or a forecast for your trip. Early and late points reflect dates when the park was open at those times.

How we worked this out

Source: the same direct Disney posted-wait snapshots used by Ride Radar. We use the last 30 complete Orlando dates during regular park hours. At each 15-minute time point, we average a ride's readings within each date, then average those daily values for that ride. We then average the ride results, giving every headliner equal weight. Each headliner needs at least eight observed dates at that time; the rides do not have to report on the same dates. Every plotted point includes the same headliners. Days per ride shows the smallest and largest date counts behind that point. Down rides and missing readings never become zero-minute waits; gaps are left open. The clock labels mark the start of each 15-minute interval. Headliners: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and TRON Lightcycle / Run.

Historical period: Aug 10, 2026–Sep 8, 2026. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 8, 2026

How long should I allow for must-do rides on a busy morning?

Typical posted waits for 7 headliners · minutes
Planning notes & data
For your plan

TRON Lightcycle / Run typically posted about 76 minutes on busier mornings, versus 46 minutes on quieter mornings. That is about 30 minutes more to allow for this ride.

Use the busier-morning wait to leave room in your plans. If your park dates are flexible, the comparison shows how much a quieter day could matter for these rides. These figures cover the first two hours after opening; they are not a touring order or whole-day waits.

How we worked this out

for each attraction, we compare its median posted wait in the first two hours after official opening on quiet and busy matched park days. Quieter and busier mornings are the lowest and highest quarter of morning waits at the other supported rides in the same park, excluding the ride being compared. We include every catalog headliner with repeated observations in both groups, ordered by the difference in minutes; there is no top-three cutoff. Each ride uses its available operating history, so the date range can differ by ride.

Historical period: Jan 1, 2025–Sep 8, 2026. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 8, 2026

Trip timing

Choose when to go.

Compare lower-wait travel windows with the weather and park-specific tradeoffs that can change the recommendation. See the complete trip-timing analysis →

Which weeks balance shorter waits and weather in 2027?

Ranked by waits + weather · bars show typical wait minutes
Planning notes & data
For your plan

Sep 20–26, 2027 ranks first for this mix of waits and weather. Similar weeks had typical waits of about 26 minutes.

Use these weeks as a starting point. The ranking favors shorter waits, then less rain and heat; your priorities may differ. Historical seasonal patterns are not a forecast for your dates.

How we worked this out

We score every week in the next calendar year using 60% historical waits, 25% typical rainfall, and 15% number of days at or above 90°F. These weights express our planning preference. Each input is normalized across the same 52 weeks before the weighted score is calculated.

Historical period: Feb 16, 2019–Sep 6, 2026. NOAA weather records can arrive a few days after observations; these comparisons use only dates with complete weather records. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 6, 2026

How does the full year compare week by week?

Combined wait-and-weather rank by week; #1 is strongest.
Ranks 1-13, best balanceRanks 14-26, some tradeoffsRanks 27-39, more tradeoffsRanks 40-52, most tradeoffs
January
Jan 4–10, 2027#5248 min
Jan 11–17, 2027#5145 min
Jan 18–24, 2027#3041 min
Jan 25–31, 2027#1337 min
February
Feb 1–7, 2027#1237 min
Feb 8–14, 2027#1837 min
Feb 15–21, 2027#2739 min
Feb 22–28, 2027#3943 min
March
Mar 1–7, 2027#3742 min
Mar 8–14, 2027#2839 min
Mar 15–21, 2027#2438 min
Mar 22–28, 2027#2339 min
Mar 29–Apr 4, 2027#4341 min
April
Apr 5–11, 2027#5042 min
Apr 12–18, 2027#4542 min
Apr 19–25, 2027#3441 min
Apr 26–May 2, 2027#1034 min
May
May 3–9, 2027#933 min
May 10–16, 2027#2033 min
May 17–23, 2027#3532 min
May 24–30, 2027#1932 min
May 31–Jun 6, 2027#2533 min
June
Jun 7–13, 2027#3634 min
Jun 14–20, 2027#2233 min
Jun 21–27, 2027#4835 min
Jun 28–Jul 4, 2027#4935 min
July
Jul 5–11, 2027#3834 min
Jul 12–18, 2027#3132 min
Jul 19–25, 2027#3332 min
Jul 26–Aug 1, 2027#2934 min
August
Aug 2–8, 2027#4434 min
Aug 9–15, 2027#4233 min
Aug 16–22, 2027#4034 min
Aug 23–29, 2027#4634 min
Aug 30–Sep 5, 2027#4731 min
September
Sep 6–12, 2027#1129 min
Sep 13–19, 2027#626 min
Sep 20–26, 2027#126 min
Sep 27–Oct 3, 2027#427 min
October
Oct 4–10, 2027#230 min
Oct 11–17, 2027#534 min
Oct 18–24, 2027#2637 min
Oct 25–31, 2027#3238 min
November
Nov 1–7, 2027#834 min
Nov 8–14, 2027#733 min
Nov 15–21, 2027#1434 min
Nov 22–28, 2027#1738 min
Nov 29–Dec 5, 2027#1638 min
December
Dec 6–12, 2027#2138 min
Dec 13–19, 2027#331 min
Dec 20–26, 2027#1536 min
Dec 27, 2027–Jan 2, 2028#4141 min
Planning notes & data
For your plan

The annual view keeps all 52 weeks visible, including the tradeoffs hidden by a Top 10 list.

Mint marks the strongest wait-and-weather balance; peach, pink and berry mark increasing tradeoffs. The colors use the app’s Crowd Calendar palette, but rank this mix of waits and weather rather than crowd size.

How we worked this out

Every week uses the same weighted score as the Best overall weeks ranking and is placed in calendar order.

Historical period: Feb 16, 2019–Sep 6, 2026. NOAA weather records can arrive a few days after observations; these comparisons use only dates with complete weather records. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 6, 2026

Which months had shorter ride waits in the past year?

Typical posted waits · minutes
Planning notes & data
For your plan

These months had the shortest typical ride waits in the past year of our records. Use them as a starting point when comparing travel dates.

One year can differ from the long-term seasonal pattern. Compare your specific travel weeks above before booking; a low park-wide wait does not mean short queues at every popular ride.

How we worked this out

We use the most recent year of well-covered dates shared by all four parks. We average each ride’s posted waits for the day, take the middle value across rides, then the middle day in each month. Shows, character meets and walking trails are excluded. The ride mix and number of recorded days can vary. Months rounded to the same minute share a rank. These figures describe posted ride waits, not attendance or a long-term seasonal average.

Historical period: Sep 8, 2025–Sep 8, 2026. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Historical data through Sep 8, 2026

Do hot or rainy days actually have shorter ride waits?

The typical waits in these comparisons differ by no more than 3 minutes. In these records, hot or rainy weather offers little reason on its own to rearrange a park day.

See the weather comparisons
Typical full-day posted ride waits · minutes
Hot days (90°F+)

Compared with days below 90°F.

Animal Kingdom3 min longer
Below 90°F37 min
Hot days40 min
EPCOT1 min shorter
Below 90°F19 min
Hot days18 min
Hollywood Studios1 min longer
Below 90°F39 min
Hot days40 min
Magic KingdomAbout the same
Below 90°F19 min
Hot days19 min
Rainy days

At least 0.10 inch of rain that day; it may not rain all day.

Animal Kingdom2 min shorter
Drier days41 min
Rainy days39 min
EPCOTAbout the same
Drier days19 min
Rainy days19 min
Hollywood Studios1 min shorter
Drier days41 min
Rainy days40 min
Magic Kingdom1 min shorter
Drier days19 min
Rainy days18 min
Planning notes & data
For your plan

The typical waits in these comparisons differ by no more than 3 minutes. In these records, hot or rainy weather offers little reason on its own to rearrange a park day.

Use the size of the difference to weigh whether changing plans is worthwhile. These are full-day ride-wait patterns; a rainy day does not mean it rained all day. Check the forecast and ride status before changing your plans.

How we worked this out

We pair dates one-to-one within the same calendar month, year and weekday. Rain comparisons also match the heat band; heat comparisons also match the rain band. Rainy means at least 0.10 inch that day; hot means a high of 90°F or more. Each pair includes the same rides on both dates, excluding severe weather and poorly covered days. At least 20 date pairs are required. These are associations in posted waits, not proof that weather caused the difference or that a ride remained open. For each pair we take the middle wait across the same rides, then the middle value across paired dates. At least 70% of the expected rides must appear on both dates.

Historical period: Jan 1, 2025–Aug 31, 2026. NOAA weather records can arrive a few days after observations; these comparisons use only dates with complete weather records. Posted waits describe displayed queue estimates, not measured personal waiting time.

Comparison dates through Aug 31, 2026 · Weather records through Sep 6, 2026

The useful part is not knowing that waits change. It is knowing which patterns can change your plan.

Compare typical waits, see how much they vary, and use the differences to choose your dates and ride priorities.

These are historical planning guides. Live suggestions about what to ride next are planned and are not available here yet.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad beside the Rivers of America

Choose your park.

Each field guide organizes the evidence around the decisions you need to make.

Keep the magic.
Let the plan change.

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