Top 14 Tips For Visiting Disney World

I’ve been to Disney World a handful of times and here are some things I recommend to make the best out of your trip !

1.Download the My Disney Experience app. It has everything you need like maps of the parks, show times, character spots, etc. You can also book your fast passes and check the wait times of the rides. If you’re not sure where to eat or need to make a reservation you can do that on the app as well. There’s lists of every restaurant in the parks to check out.

2. Stay on Disney property. Although it might be more expensive, you’ll wind up saving time, stress and money. By staying at a hotel on Disney property, it gives you access to the parks much easier and free of charge. Buses run from the hotels to the parks every 15 minutes so you’re not left waiting too long. 

 

3. Take advantage of the Magical Express. Disney offers a free transfer from the airport and it will bring you straight to your hotel ! Make sure to book it ahead of time.

4. If you plan on taking a lot of pictures, invest in the photo pass. You can have cast members take pictures wherever they are throughout the parks and on rides. They’ll scan it to your magic band and you can access them on the My Disney Experience app.  Although if you don’t want to spend the extra money, just ask the cast members to take a picture using your camera instead.  (I decided to bring my Polaroid last time we went and had the characters sign the picture instead.)

Another cool idea I’ve done in the past is getting white mat frames from the craft store and have characters sign them. It looks really neat when you put the picture inside.

5.  Wake up early. Put on a good pair of walking shoes because there’s too much to see and not enough time in the day. The parks usually open around 9 with extra magic hours depending on the parks schedule.

6.  Bring a reusable water bottle or buy the souvenir mug . Depending on what time of year you’re going it gets really hot so it’s important to stay hydrated.If you get the souvenir mug you can fill it up at any of the quick service places in the park.

7. Make a full day at each park. Although I cannot spend a whole day in Hollywood Studios necessarily I would spend the entire day at all of the other parks because there’s more to do. If you plan on going to more than one park a day make sure to order the park hopper pass. 

8. Grab a pin at your hotel or park for whatever you are celebrating. They have various different pins for birthdays and weddings, etc. You can write on it or have one of the cast members do it for you. For birthday pins, you’d be surprised at how many people will wish you a happy birthday or how many free food items you will be offered by cast members (My sister and I got a couple desserts from the different places we ate at).

9. Book your fast passes. Each person is allowed a certain amount of fast passes to get on the ride without having to wait in line. By going on the My Disney Experience app you can choose which rides you want to do this for and what time.

10. Get a meal plan. There are 3 different kinds of meal plans to choose depending on how many meals you usually eat.

• Quick Service Dining includes: 2 quick service meals, 2 snacks and a refillable mug per person per day.
• Regular Dining includes: 1 table service meal, 1 quick service meal, 2 snacks and a refillable mug.
• Deluxe Dining includes: 3 meals either quick or table service, 2 snacks and a refillable mug.

11. Visit other hotels. You can take a bus to any hotel from any of the parks. If you get a chance to visit other hotels, I would definitely check out The Boardwalk, The Grand Floridian and The Contemporary Resorts. They have things to do and restaurants in the hotels.

The Boardwalk Hotel

The Polynesian Hotel

12. Disney Spring. If you have a day you’re not sure what to do, take a bus to Disney Springs. This is the shopping hub for Disney goers. There’s also great places to eat like Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant. You can also go see a movie or go bowling at Splitsville.

13. Eat everything Mickey shaped. This includes the ice cream, pretzels, and desserts. See if you can find some hidden Mickeys throughout the park as well. Everything tastes better when its in the shape of a famous mouse, just saying !

14. Do a character breakfast/dinner. Some restaurants offer an option to dine with some Disney characters where they come around to your table while you’re eating and take pictures with you. Although this can be a little pricey, it is worth not having to wait in line in the parks.

Some places that offer these are:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary
• 1900 Park Fare
• Wonderland Tea Party
• Crystal Palace (a personal fav)
• Perfectly Princess Tea Party
• Ohana’s Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch

 

What is your favorite ride/park to go to  ? Let me know !

Enjoy the magic !!