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Game Changing Tips For An Excellent Walt Disney World Vacation

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Credit: Disney Tips

A Walt Disney World vacation is a big deal! Guests spend tons of time planning and looking forward to each trip and all of the amazing memories that they will make. From classic and thrilling attractions to unique dining and shopping locations, there are endless experiences for guests to enjoy while on a Disney vacation. With so much to see and do, guests want to make the most of each moment and get the most possible out of their vacations. In order to do so, there are a few simple tips and tricks that guests can follow to ensure that their vacation will be amazing. From saving time and frustration to having some general knowledge, these tips make all the difference while visiting Walt Disney World! Here are game changing tips for an excellent Disney vacation.

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8. Pick The Right Disney Resort

The first step to having a perfect Disney vacation is choosing the right Disney Resort. Guests should begin by knowing what their budget for accommodations is and choosing a resort category based on those numbers. Disney Resorts are broken down into three categories with Deluxe being the most expensive, Value having the best deals, and Moderate falling somewhere in the middle. Once guests know which category to choose from, they can decide between several Disney Resorts and choose which one is right for them based on theme, amenities, pools, location, size, and transportation.

7. Book FastPasses

Guests who are looking to save lots of time in Walt Disney World definitely need to book FastPasses! FastPasses allow guests to make a reservation of sorts for an attraction and visit at a designated time to enjoy the experience with little to no wait time. Guests can book up to three FastPasses in advance, followed by a fourth FastPass when the initial three are used. After the fourth FastPass, you can grab a fifth FastPass and so on until the park closes. Disney Resort guests can book their FastPasses up to sixty days in advance and those who are staying off property can book thirty days ahead of time. Booking FastPasses for popular attractions which tend to have long wait times is the best way to save time on a Disney vacation. Some great attractions to choose from are Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Avatar Flight of Passage, Frozen Ever After, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Soarin’, Test Track Presented by Chevrolet and The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

6. Book Advanced Dining Reservations

Walt Disney World is home to some amazing dining experiences ranging from quick service counter meals to full service signature experiences. Those who are looking to enjoy full service meals on their Disney vacation need to definitely book Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) as far in advance as possible. Walt Disney World restaurants begin accepting ADRs up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and they are absolutely necessary for popular locations which book quickly. Guests who have dining reservations can save frustration from being turned away by a fully booked location and save time waiting to be seated as a walk up reservation. Some of the Disney restaurants which tend to book the most quickly are Oga’s Cantina, Be Our Guest, California Grill, Le Cellier Steakhouse, and ‘Ohana.

5. Know Where & What Things Are

Before guests leave home, they are very smart to do some research that will save them lots of time and frustration once on vacation. Guests should begin by learning the location of things around their Disney Resort including the front desk, concierge, pools, dining locations, transportation, and shopping locations. Guests should then learn the general location of attractions, restaurants, and shopping locations in the parks. By having a general idea of where things are located, guests can save time spent wandering around or stopping to consult a map. Guests should also be familiar with what things are and should have an idea of what each attraction, experience, and show entails before experiencing it. This saves frustration that might come with unwanted surprises like families learning too late that their children don’t meet the height requirement for certain attractions or accidentally boarding a thrilling attraction like The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

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4. Have A Tentative Schedule

One of the best ways to save time in Walt Disney World is making a tentative schedule for each day in the parks before leaving home. By doing so, guests can more easily book their FastPasses and Advanced Dining Reservations and also save time each morning by simply heading out to their park of choice and not stopping to formulate a plan for the day.

3. Know How To Get Around

Disney transportation is complimentary for guests who stay on property at a Disney Resort and depending on the location can include monorails, skyliners, buses, boats, and ferries. Guests can get anywhere they need to go in Walt Disney World on Disney transportation and the system is always convenient, efficient, and easy. In order to save time on vacation, guests should know the easiest way to get from one location to another and also how much time to build in so as to not be late for reservations and FastPasses.

2. Leave Time To Relax

Between hot temperatures and lots of walking in the parks, a Disney vacation can be exhausting! One of the smartest things for guests to do to make sure that their vacation is amazing is to make sure to take time each day to relax! Hanging out by the pool, taking a nap in an air conditioned resort room, or stopping to sit and enjoy a full service meal can instantly boost guests’ energy and recharge them for the parks.

1. Rope Drop

A simple tip that guests should follow while enjoying the four Disney theme parks is to arrive for rope drop each morning. Arriving for rope drop involves getting to the park before it opens to the general public and enjoying either a welcome speech or show. By arriving early, guests can ensure that they are some of the first guests inside the parks once the gates open, allowing them to enjoy few crowds, low wait times, and quiet walkways.

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.