If last year’s passenger volume trends from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) carry into 2025, travelers must prepare for an extra busy Memorial Day Weekend. May 24, 2024 — the Friday before Memorial Day — brought 2,951,859 passengers through TSA checkpoints, more than any day the week before and after Christmas last year. Only Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July holidays saw heavier airport crowds in 2024.
As the unofficial start to summer, families look to Memorial Day Weekend as their first opportunity of the season to travel. Closed schools and businesses, partnered with warmer temperatures, inspire many to visit their favorite destinations this time of year. However, that means increased crowds not just at airports and roadways but at final destinations too.
Ahead of a reliably busy holiday weekend, travel experts share their top tips for navigating and surviving Memorial Day. Making plans early and thinking outside the box helps to ensure a smoother, less stressful vacation experience.
Plan Early And Strategically
A successful Memorial Day Weekend vacation begins weeks, if not months, before the trip. Booking all reservations as early as possible increases the odds of scoring preferred flights, hotels, and experiences like dining.
Alexandra Caspero, travel writer and owner of Delish Knowledge, notes that the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, first-choice reservations. “Booking early often secures better pricing and availability,” she says. Caspero recommends booking mid-week flights leading up to and following Memorial Day for better prices and a less crowded travel experience.
Booking advanced reservations matters no matter where a family chooses to travel, but popular destinations like Walt Disney World all but necessitate early planning. Caspero urges travelers to book restaurants when a reservation window opens — 60 days out for most Disney World restaurants.
“You can use the My Disney Experience app to browse menus and easily make reservations,” Caspero shares. “Make your dining reservations up to two months in advance, especially for popular restaurants.”
Busy travel seasons like Memorial Day Weekend require additional planning to circumvent the crowds. Kimberly Fidler, Vice President of Marketing of Get Away Today, suggests, “If you are doing a Disney vacation, we highly recommend adding Lightning Lane so that you are not spending as much time waiting in lines and can spend more time relaxing at leisurely meals or indoor attractions. This way you’ll beat the Disney crowds.” Guests who purchase Disney World’s Lightning Lane Pass bypass the regular standby line by booking return times for rides’ expedited queues.
Think Outside Of The Box
Mastering holiday weekend travel involves creativity and thinking of alternative plans to avoid crowds. For travel experts, this includes traveling on less popular days or at less popular times. While no one looks forward to that early morning flight, experts agree it removes a lot of the holiday-related travel stress.
Caspero sees a two-fold benefit to flying early. She shares, “Less popular times often mean good deals. For weekend trips, look into late-night or early-morning flights that can often be half the price of the same flight a few hours earlier or later.” Booking nonstop flights also reduces the chance of encountering issues while bringing a family to their destination sooner.
Getting an early start to travel applies to driving, too. “Roads are usually less crowded in the early morning,” says Caspero.
Megan duBois, Senior Theme Park Editor at Family Vacationist, loves a good road trip. “You are in your own space, so you can stop and enjoy a roadside attraction or a meal out whenever you’d like,” she notes. “It also gives you more flexibility to extend or shorten your trip as needed, without dealing with airlines.”
Once at the destination, consider alternative plans to ensure everyone stays well-rested and relaxed. While experts often recommend maximizing time in popular places like Walt Disney World, travelers will better enjoy the parks when taking the time to slow down to a leisurely pace.
Marjolein Dilven, founder of Spark Nomad, shares about visiting Walt Disney World, “If you’re staying close to the parks, take a midday break at your hotel to recharge. Returning in the evening when temps drop and crowds go home can be a game-changer.” Fidler agrees, adding, “Having an afternoon by the pool or back in the hotel room for a rest can make all the difference in your vacation.”
Dilven also recommends checking off the most essential rides from a family’s to-do list first thing in the morning. Tackling rides begins earlier than many families realize. “In my experience, gates often open before posted times, and you’ll beat the worst crowds and heat,” Dilven notes. Hedging expectations during busy holidays helps manage everyone’s emotions when encountering those long lines.