It may be the most magical place on earth but without Disney World travel tips to help it can also become a source of confusion and stress while trying to plan the perfect trip.
More than 56,000 people visit the Magic Kingdom every single day. If you don’t go with a plan you could be left feeling lost in the crowd on your visit.
Don’t worry we’ve got the 10 essential Disney World travel tips to make your vacation truly magical.
Always Have a Plan
Part of the fun of a vacation to Disney is in the planning. This isn’t a trip most families take at the last minute and the more time you give yourself to plan your trip the better.
This will give you an opportunity to make a list of the top things each member of the family wants to do and see while there so you can keep an eye out for deals, see options available, get the right tickets and make the necessary arrangements.
Meal Plans
There are meal plans that you can get as a part of your travel package. Many believe this is probably the best way to go when it comes to eating in any of the parks.
Theme meals and special events fill up quickly so set up your Disney account to avoid disappointment because you waited too long. Peak days and times may need to be booked several months in advance.
You can change your reservation times until 24 hours before so as your agenda evolves you can look to see if the new time you’d prefer is available.
A Plan for Rides and Attractions
One good thing to keep in mind when planning your day at a park is that everyone usually walks in the gates and starts taking it all in. You will find less competition for getting on rides or seeing attractions if you head to the back of the park and work your way forward.
This isn’t the only thing to think about though as some attractions and rides are much busier than others and you’ll want to find out the best times for the shortest waits at each of your chosen stops and figure out a schedule from that.
Fast Passes
Many of the tickets or packages come with Fast Passes which are a great thing to take advantage of. These will give you a fast track to by-pass the line and reserve your seat for the most popular rides.
There’s an App for That
One of the first things you want to do is get the Disney Experience app to help plan your trip and your day. This app lets you find your way around easier, gives you current wait times for attractions and rides as well as gives you access to your agenda, reservations, and other account information.
Dress for Disney Success
There are certain things you’ll want to take into account when packing for your trip. Florida is known to have some weather that is predictably unpredictable so be sure to pack an umbrella or two and make sure everyone has layers of clothes they can add or take off as it changes.
You’ll want to have sunscreen and to dress for comfort especially when it comes to footwear. There’s a lot of walking and standing at Disney World no matter which park you’re visiting and you’ll be much less annoyed by them if you’re feet are comfortable.
Disney Clothing and Souvenirs
Most vacations end up costing more than was expected but this is particularly true of trips to the Magic Kingdom so find ways to cut costs such as buying Disney shirts and other items before you even get there.
This way you can celebrate your trip, dress for Disney, have gifts and paraphernalia for the kids and not break the bank doing so.
Pack some Disney items you bought at home for half the price you’d pay in the park and bring them out during the day as needed. You’ll be a hero to the kids and not be in the poor house as a result.
Get Freebies Where You Can
Small things like water or other drinks to cool off can really begin to add up and become an extra expense you weren’t counting on so it’s good to get freebies where possible.
It’s hard to have a budget-friendly vacation at Disney so every little bit helps.
If you’re celebrating a milestone or visiting for the first time ask a cast member where you can get a button to let others know. You can end up getting preferential treatment and a few freebies as a result.
And it is possible if you know where to go.
Beverages
Certain places, like the Be Our Guest Restaurant and Tortuga Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, have self-serve refill beverage stations.
All counter service restaurants will give you a free glass of water if you ask. It might be wise to invest in a few collapsible cups or water bottles before heading on vacation.
Sweet Samples
You can get some sweet samples of cotton candy, cookies, candy and chocolate if you stop into places like the Confectionary on Main Street or Ghiradelli’s at Disney Springs.
Entertainment
There are several entertainment choices at Disney Resorts that you can enjoy without paying extra. You can also take in things like the fireworks or character sightings from various locations and easily get to many of them through the monorail or bus system.
Each resort is unique and the monorail and bus system offers a great sightseeing aspect to your day as you get a break from the heat and business of the actual park.
Each resort and many of the parks have penny pressing machines that can give you a “scavenger-hunt type” adventure for the kids and a fairly economical way of getting souvenirs.
Take It or Leave It
It’s good to know what you can take into the park and what you should leave at home. Things like selfie sticks, bulky tripods, lawn chairs, and coolers are not allowed. Children can wear costumes but anyone over the age of 14 will have to wait for another day to be a Disney character.
You can take some outside foods in with you but be careful how much you bring with you because there are restrictions on the size of bags, strollers and there are no glass containers allowed.
Hair Confetti, Band-Aids and Eager Cast Members
While you’re strolling down Main Street stop into the Harmony Barber Shop to get your kid’s hair sprinkled with pixie dust and hair confetti.
If you find someone has blisters from walking or is in need of an aspirin for a headache there are friendly first-aid services available.
There are cast members around the park that are eager to make your vacation magical so if you are wondering about something don’t be afraid to ask.
Disney World Travel Tips Are Just The Beginning
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