Have you ever taken a trip to Disney World?
A place of fun, magic, and plenty of adventure, when you leave Disney World you leave the real world behind! Once you enter the park, you’re swept up in a colorful, fairytale land that feels like no other place on Earth. You can see why it’s so popular!
If you’re planning your first Disney World vacation, or maybe you just want to make this one better than ever, there are plenty of tips you can learn from seasoned visitors. With these, you can save money, have more fun, and make the most of your time away from home.
Discover 7 great Disney World tips in this guide!
1. Book for January or September
If you’re flexible on dates, visiting Disney World in either January or September are your best choices. The weather is still warm but not as hot as summer times, and the crowds are a lot smaller! Peak times are excessively busy, and by visiting out of season you’ll get on rides quicker, have more space to look around, and have more of a chance to book sought-after activities.
Even if you do book in January or September, expect crowds! Disney World is busy all year long, so don’t skip on Fast Passes or reservations because you think you’ll be okay; you won’t.
2. Stay in a Disney Resort
You might be put off staying in a Disney Resort because of the prices, but it’s well worth it. While they are expensive, you’ll be able to make much more of the time you have, arriving at the park earlier and leaving later if you want to. Disney World is huge, too, so after a day walking from ride to ride, you’re going to be so grateful that you’re staying near the park!
The resorts also let you stay within the magic. If you have little ones, the hotel experience is going to be such a huge part of their memory when you stay in a resort, making the prices undoubtedly worth it. If you’re still hesitant, you’ll just have to trust us on this one; you won’t regret it!
Unfortunately, when it comes to Disney World parking, overnight guests do now have to pay too. If you visit frequently, it’s well worth getting a DVC membership so that you can skip the fees (find out more parking information to stay prepared).
3. Book Your Dining Reservations in Advance
Disney restaurants book up fast. While you will be able to find somewhere in the park with a free table on the day, it’s so much easier to book in advance and know where you’re going. Most restaurants take reservations 180 days in advance and, while that might sound excessive, places really do book up that early.
Cinderella’s Royal Table, for example, which is an amazing experience for kids, is usually booked as soon as reservations appear. So, be quick to snag the best tables!
Once you’ve booked, keep an eye out for dining discounts and coupons, too. Food at the park isn’t cheap, but with some savvy preparations, you might be able to knock a few dollars off your meals.
4. Always Arrive Early
You might be hesitant to set an alarm on your vacation, but the morning is the best time to hit the park. The crowds at the opening time are nothing compared to those at midday, so get there as early as possible for a quicker entry. This also gives you more time in the park with fewer crowds, so you can grab a relaxed breakfast and head to some of the rides that are usually packed.
5. Create a Game Plan With Fast Pass
Fast Passes are an amazing way to make the most of your trip, and everyone attending Disney World should definitely take advantage of them! They come free with normal tickets, too, so you don’t have to worry about any extra expenses.
With a Fast Pass, you book your rides in advance with certain time slots. When you arrive, you’ll only have to wait for maybe 15 minutes rather than an hour to jump on, which gives you so much more time for other activities. But, you will have to make a game plan.
Grab a map of Disney World as soon as you book and look at the rides you really want to go on. Then, plan which days you’ll go on which rides, keeping the rides on the same day as close together as possible. You can then plan where you’re eating too, helping you cut down hours of walking and making sure you experience as much as you can.
6. Always Bring Water Bottles
Whether you’re visiting Disney World with kids, as a couple, or on your own, always bring water bottles – for everyone! Walking around the park in the Florida heat gets tiring and is definitely thirsty work. If you have to keep stopping to buy water, you’re wasting time and money, not to mention all that excess plastic waste which is awful for the planet.
If you bring a bottle, a lot of the restaurants and food stations will fill it up for free, too, without having to buy anything. It’s a great hack that not many people are aware of, and is going to save you plenty of dollars throughout your trip!
7. Don’t Skip Free Activities
There are tons of free activities around the park that are super fun. From a campfire sing-along with Chip ‘n’ Dale after dark, to Disney Movies at Fort Wilderness, there’s always something going on. If you’re ever at a loss for what to do, just ask a member of staff where the nearest activity is and they’ll be sure to point you towards something.
Start Planning Your Trip to Disney World
A trip to Disney World should be on everyone’s bucket list, whether you have kids or not! It’s a place like no other that’s going to leave you feeling happy and full of magic. Just make sure you plan your trip to make the most of it and remember these tips!
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