DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
8. Do your research
There is so much to do at Walt Disney World and the best way to make sure you have a great experience is to do your research ahead of time. You’re already off to a great start by reading Disney Tips! Check out a guidebook (most libraries will have recent editions), explore Disney’s website, and read some blogs. If you have a special interest (e.g. you’re a foodie or love thrill rides), search for information specifically on that topic. If you have kids, are travelling with a person with a disability, or have a food allergy, make sure to research that topic to learn from the experiences of others.
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7. Make sure you arrive well rested
While Disney vacations are tons of fun, they also take a lot of energy! You’ll probably be on your feet and walking a lot more than you are used to and staying out later than you would at home. And don’t forget about the sun! All of this is doable, but it’s really important to arrive well rested. Make sure you (and the kids if you have them) get good sleep in the week before the trip. Start packing well ahead of time so you’re not stressed and staying up late the day or two before you leave. Schedule a plane flight (or driving time) that allows you to spend time settling in at your resort so you’re not rushing right from the airport to the parks. This preparation before and at the start of the trip will pay off when you’re still feeling good at the end!
6. Get outside the main theme parks
There is so much at Disney World that is missed if you stick just to the four main theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom). While those are definitely the main attraction, there is a lot more to Disney World than the rides! The water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) offer a great change of pace, as do the two miniature golf courses (Winter Summer land and Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Mini Golf). Disney Springs offers shopping, dining, and entertainment. Play a round of golf, rent a boat or canoe, or schedule a spa day.
5. Pace yourself
It is best to accept that you can’t do everything Disney has to offer in one trip, and that your trip will be more enjoyable if you don’t try. Identify the things that are most important to you and your family or travel companions and then create a schedule that allows for down time. Plan in afternoon breaks most or all days. This allow you to get out of the sun and have enough energy to enjoy the magical nighttime entertainment that the parks offer. You can head back to your resort for a nap or head to another Disney resort for lunch. Choose a day to sleep in or to spend the majority of the day hanging out at the resort pool. These things will allow you to enjoy your time in the parks and help avoid the meltdowns that can come from trying to push too hard!
4. Use Fastpass+
The Fastpass+ system allows Disney Resort guests to make reservations for popular rides and attractions up to 60 days in advance and all other guests to make reservations up to 30 days in advance. You are allowed to choose three Fastpasses per day and can get a fourth once you’ve used all three, followed by a fifth and so on until the park closes. The prior planning that Fastpass+ encourages is helpful on its own, but the real benefit is that Fastpass+ ensures that you have little to no wait for the attractions you choose. This means more time spent enjoying attractions, and less time spent waiting in line!
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3. Make dining reservations
Many of us are used to deciding where we want to eat at the last minute while on vacation, but at Disney World this is a huge mistake! Almost all of Disney’s table service restaurants require advance reservations in order to get a table. If you want to eat at a a prime time (e.g. 5-8:30 for dinner), you’ll need to be especially proactive about planning ahead. On a recent trip to Disney I tried to get dinner reservations for San Angel Inn at the Mexican Pavilion in Epcot a month in advance, and the only times available were 4:45 and 9:00 pm – and this was during one of the least busy times of year. If you try to walk up to these restaurants to get a table, it is almost guaranteed that you’ll be turned down. This is especially hard news to take when you are hungry and tired! The good news is that you can make dining reservations up to 180 days in advance and, as long as you are proactive about planning early, you should be able to eat at your chosen restaurants. Disney restaurants offer great service, delicious food, and often have fun themes, so I definitely recommend making a few reservations!
2. Identify the top five things you want to do in each park
This tip is especially helpful if you have a short trip planned and will only have one day for each of the theme parks. Each of the park has dozens of attractions and shows and it is generally impossible to see them all in one day. Identify the things that are most important to you, which may include rides, character greetings, shows, or dining experiences. This way you can focus you day on hitting those attractions and everything else you fit in will feel like an extra bonus.
1. Stay at a Disney Resort
The #1 way to get the most out of your Disney vacation is to stay on property at a Disney Resort. Many people think this is out of their budget, but Disney World has everything from value to deluxe resorts, so there really is something for everyone. Disney offers great transportation between the resorts and all of the theme parks, so by staying on property you can avoid other costs like a rental car and parking at the theme parks. You can also take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express transportation to and from the airport at no cost. The location of many of the resorts also helps you maximize your time. The Magic Kingdom and Epcot area resorts are within 5-10 minutes (via walking path, ferry, monorail, or skyliner) from at least one of those parks, which means more time for fun! In addition to offering a variety in pricing and being super convenient, Disney Resorts help you get the most out of your vacation because you never have to leave the magic! This Disney magic is something that you cannot find at other area resorts, no matter how nice they are. The resorts are elaborately themed and the resort staff ensure that your time there is just as “Disney” as your time in the parks.
