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7 Things Insiders Do At Walt Disney World

TOMORROWLAND-PEOPLEMOVER
Credit: Disney Tips

Every guest dreams of a Walt Disney World vacation and spends months looking forward to the amazing experiences they will have. With four theme parks, dozens of resorts, Disney Springs, and two water parks, guests are sure to have fun from the moment the vacation begins to the last glimpse of Cinderella Castle. With so many experiences to enjoy, guests should be sure to make the most of every moment on vacation, and Disney insiders know how to do just that by following some tips and tricks. By following a few simple tips and tricks, Disney insiders save time and frustration, allowing them to see more and fully enjoy all that the parks have to offer. Here are seven things that Disney insiders do at Walt Disney World.

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7. Stay On Property

There is no better way to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation than by staying on property at a Walt Disney World Resort. With over twenty resorts to choose from, guests can pick the perfect one based upon their budget by selecting either a Value, Moderate, or Deluxe Resort. No matter what Disney Resort a guest chooses, they are treated to amazing themes, beautiful landscapes, amazing pools, unique dining options, access to Disney’s Magical Express, complimentary Disney transportation, and lots of wonderful amenities. With so many great resorts to choose from, Disney insiders know how important it is to stay on property and be close to the magic at all times!

6. Use Extra Magic Hours

Disney insiders who stay at a Disney Resort can also take advantage of Extra Magic Hours which allow them exclusive time in all four of the Walt Disney World theme parks. Each day Extra Magic Hours comprise of one park opening an hour early for resort guests and another park staying open up to three hours later than closing for the general public. These additional hours in the parks are wonderful times to visit, and Disney insiders know that taking advantage of them leads to fewer crowds, lower wait times, and cooler temperatures.

5. Rope Drop

One of the best ways to save time at Walt Disney World is to arrive for rope drop each morning at any of the four theme parks. Arriving for rope drop involves arriving to the main entrance of any park at least a half hour before it opens for the day. By arriving early, guests are treated to either a show or welcome speech to get them excited for the great experiences to come. Once the gates open, Disney insiders who arrived early for rope drop are some of the first to enter the park and are rewarded with low wait times and few crowds.

4. Book FastPasses Early

Any guest visiting Walt Disney World is entitled to use the FastPass+ system which allows them to book up to three FastPasses each day to experience popular attractions at specific times with little to no wait times. Disney insiders who stay on property at a Walt Disney World Resort can book their FastPasses up to sixty days in advance, allowing them the best opportunity to score the most coveted FastPasses. Those who stay off property also can book FastPasses but only thirty days in advance. Disney insiders know how important it is to book FastPasses as far in advance as possible to ensure that they can easily experience popular attractions like Slinky Dog Dash, Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Frozen Ever After, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Soarin’.

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3. Make Dining Reservations

Walt Disney World is full of amazing full service restaurants to enjoy and Disney insiders know how important it is to book their reservations as far in advance as possible. Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) can be made up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and are absolutely necessary for popular restaurants like Le Cellier Steakhouse, California Grill, and ‘Ohana. Guests who do not make reservations can often find themselves either turned away from a fully booked restaurant or losing lots of time waiting to be seated as a walk in party.

2. Go Left

Disney insiders know a simple way to save a few minutes while enjoying attractions in the four Walt Disney World theme parks. Several attractions throughout the parks have queues which split at one point between the entrance and the loading area. Disney insiders know to always head left at a split as that side of the queue is generally shorter since most guests tend to head right unconsciously. By going left, Disney insiders save a few minutes at a time which might not seem like much but can add up to experiencing another attraction or show each day!

1. See The Underrated

Sometimes guests who visit Walt Disney World make visiting only the thrilling and popular attractions a propriety. Unfortunately this means that many amazing attractions become considered underrated as they are missed by a lot of guests. Disney insiders know how amazing underrated attractions can be and always make it a priority to visit them on a Disney vacation. Some underrated attractions that shouldn’t be missed are the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, Muppet Vision 3D, the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane first started visiting Walt Disney World when she was two years old, and despite spending most of that trip quarantined with the chicken pox she managed to fall in love with the place. Visiting WDW every year since, she especially loves learning all about the history and small details of the parks and eating/drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall. When she's not in Disney, Caitlin lives in New York and spends her time counting down the days to her next trip.