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7 Ways Planning Pays Off Big Time At Walt Disney World

A vacation is generally all about kicking back and relaxing while taking a break from everyday life. A Walt Disney World vacation is no different, as guests get to explore four parks and enjoy relaxing resorts throughout their stay. In order to make a Disney vacation as enjoyable as possible, planning certain things out ahead of time is imperative. By doing some research and planning at home, guests ensure that once on vacation they can avoid any situations that will waste time or money or just cause general aggravation. Following a few crucial planning tips is all it takes to make a Disney vacation enjoyable and guests should definitely do the work to prepare. Here are seven ways that planning pays off big time at Walt Disney World.

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7. FastPass –

One of the best ways to save time and experience more on a Walt Disney World vacation is to take advantage of the FastPass system which allows guests to make reservations for attractions and visit them at a designated time to experience little to no wait. Guests who are staying on property at a Disney Resort can book their FastPasses sixty days before arrival and guests who are staying off property can book theirs up to thirty days before arrival. Doing some research before leaving home and knowing which attractions are the best options for FastPasses is the best way to avoid losing a lot of time spent waiting on long lines once in the parks. Some excellent FastPass options are the Slinky Dog Dash, Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Frozen Ever After, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Soarin’.

6. Dining Reservations –

Like FastPasses, booking dining reservations in advance is one of the best ways to avoid wasting time once on vacation. Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) can be booked up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and are absolutely necessary for many of the more popular restaurants in Walt Disney World. By making dining reservations, guests ensure that they are guaranteed a table at their restaurants of choice and can avoid having to wait for long periods of time to be seated as a walk up party.

5. Save Time –

One of the biggest downers on a Disney vacation is wasting time each morning trying to figure out what the day’s plan should be. Before leaving home, guests should spend some time looking up park hours and planning a tentative schedule for each day they will be in the parks. By knowing which park is scheduled for each day, guests can plan accordingly and head straight to the park once ready to go instead of wasting time trying to make a plan on the spot.

4. Save Money –

By doing some research before booking a Walt Disney World vacation, guests can end up saving tons of money. Often times, Disney has several decent promotions running including free dining and room discounts. By doing the work and researching all current options, guests can save a ton when finally booking their vacation leaving them with more pocket money to spend enjoying the parks!

3. Avoid Wandering –

Before leaving home guests should also do some research to familiarize themselves with the layouts of their resort and the parks. By knowing where the food court, bus stop, pool, and amenities like laundry are located, guests will feel more comfortable at their resort and won’t lose time wandering around. Similarly, in the parks guests can save a ton of time by knowing what attractions they want to experience and where they are located. By having a general knowledge of the location of things, guests will avoid tons of time wasted wandering around and also feel more comfortable with their surroundings.

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2. Avoid Stress –

No one likes feeling stressed out on a vacation, and a Walt Disney World one is no different. One of the biggest things for guests to accept before leaving home is that it is impossible to see everything in one trip alone. Disney is so huge and features so many amazing experiences that one trip isn’t enough to do it all. Guests have to set some realistic expectations for their vacations before leaving home and one of the best ways to do so and avoid stressing out while on vacation is to research and know which experiences are must dos. By knowing exactly what attractions and dining they absolutely must experience, guests can make sure that they are able to squeeze in all of the necessities while avoiding the stress of trying to do it all.

1. Be Prepared –

One of the most important things for guests to plan and prepare at home to avoid stress is their baggage! By planning out what exactly needs to be packed and spending time ensuring that nothing has been forgotten, guests can be sure that they will be comfortable and prepared for everything on their trip. Certain items like phone chargers, extra clothes, and Band-Aids can easily be overlooked or accidentally left behind, so taking the time to prepare and pack is crucial in ensuring an awesome Walt Disney World vacation!

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.