Disney World Tips

Planning the best Walt Disney World vacation can be daunting. Still, with careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create a magical experience for your family or group.

My husband and I plan over 20 visits to Disney World every year, so our friends and families turn to us when they being planning their own trips. We found ourselves repeating ourselves constantly so we have created a complete list of Disney World trips and tips to help you plan your dream vacation.

Before we dive into the tips, consider these things.

• When will you be going to Disney World, and are you flexible with the schedule?
• What type of budget are you working with?

Here are 125 tips to help you plan your dream Disney vacation:

Before You Go

1. Research: Familiarize yourself with the parks, attractions, dining options, and entertainment.
2. Set a Budget: Determine how much you will spend on your trip.
3. Choose the Right Time: Consider crowd levels, weather, and special events when choosing travel dates.
4. Book Early: Disney resorts and dining reservations fill up fast, so book as soon as possible.
5. Use a Disney Travel Agent: They can help you find the best deals and navigate the planning process.
6. Make a Packing List: Don’t forget essentials like sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and ponchos.
7. Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel insurance for unexpected circumstances.
8. Set Expectations: Manage your group’s expectations, especially if you have young children.
9. Create a Countdown: Build anticipation by creating a countdown calendar or app.
10. Download the My Disney Experience App: This app is your lifeline for reservations, mobile ordering, and park info.

Booking Your Disney Trip Tips

11. Reserve Dining Early: Popular restaurants book up quickly, so make reservations as soon as possible.
12. Lightning Lane+ (if available): Use Lightning Lane+ to skip lines for select attractions.
13. Memory Maker: Consider purchasing Memory Maker to capture all your photos.
14. Park Hopper Option: Decide if you want to hop between parks in one day or stick to one park per day.
15. Magic Bands: Customize your Magic Bands for convenience and style.
16. Transportation: Decide on transportation to and from the parks (rental car, Disney transportation, etc.).
17. Extra Magic Hours: Check if your stay includes Extra Magic Hours.
18. Review Maps: Familiarize yourself with park maps and layouts.
19. Character Dining: Enjoy character dining experiences for a special meet and greet.
20. Special Events: Check if any special events are happening during your visit.

Planning Your Park Days Tips

21. Rope Drop: Arrive early to take advantage of lower crowds.
22. Use a Park Plan: Plan which attractions to visit and when to maximize your time.
23. Rest Days: Plan rest days to relax or explore resorts and Disney Springs.
24. Take Breaks: Don’t forget to rest, hydrate, and refuel throughout the day.
25. Child Swap: Use Rider Switch for attractions with height restrictions.
26. Single Rider Lines: Consider using single-rider lines for shorter wait times.
27. Mobile Ordering: Use the mobile ordering feature on the app for quick dining.
28. Stay Hydrated: Bring refillable water bottles or ask for free cups of water at quick-service restaurants.
29. Sun Protection: Apply sunscreen and wear hats and sunglasses.
30. Entertainment Schedules: Check showtimes for parades, fireworks, and performances.

Navigating the Parks Tips

31. Use Rider’s Guide: Check height requirements and any health advisories for attractions.
32. Child ID: Use child identification wristbands or take a photo of your child each day.
33. Stay Connected: Establish a meeting point in case your group gets separated.
34. Lost and Found: Know where to go if you lose something.
35. Use Lockers: Rent lockers for storing bags or souvenirs during the day.
36. Baby Care Centers: Utilize Baby Care Centers for baby care essentials.
37. Know Restroom Locations: Familiarize yourself with restroom locations.
38. Stay on Disney Property: Enjoy Extra Magic Hours and convenient transportation.
39. Visit During Off-Peak Hours: Ride popular attractions during meal times or parades.
40. Be Polite and Patient: Remember to be courteous to fellow guests and Cast Members.

Dining and Snacks Tips

41. Try a Dole Whip: This iconic treat is a must-try.
42. Character Breakfast: Enjoy character breakfasts for memorable interactions.
43. Try New Foods: Experiment with different cuisines at Epcot’s World Showcase.
44. Dining Plans: Decide if a dining plan is right for your family.
45. Save Room for Snacks: Disney offers a wide variety of unique snacks.
46. Share Meals: Portions can be large; consider sharing meals to save money.
47. Mobile Ordering: Use the mobile app for quick-service dining.
48. Make Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs): Book dining reservations early for the best options.
49. Dining Reviews: Read reviews and recommendations for dining choices.
50. Special Occasions: Let Disney know if you’re celebrating a special event.

Attractions and Entertainment Tips

51. Character Meet and Greets: Plan to meet your favorite characters.
52. Parade Viewing: Arrive early for the best parade viewing spots.
53. Fireworks: Find a great spot for nighttime fireworks.
54. Shows and Entertainment: Check out live shows, street performers, and stage productions.
55. Hidden Mickeys: Hunt for Hidden Mickeys throughout the parks.
56. Attraction Photos: Smile for the cameras on select attractions.
57. Attraction Must-Dos: Research must-do attractions for your group.
58. Single Rider Lines: Use single rider lines to skip longer wait times.
59. Height Requirements: Be aware of height restrictions for certain rides.
60. Rider Swap: Take advantage of Rider Swap for attractions with height restrictions.

Shopping and Souvenirs Tips

61. Shop Strategically: Buy souvenirs toward the end of your trip to avoid carrying them all day.
62. Pin Trading: Get involved in pin trading with Cast Members.
63. Annual Passholder Discounts: Annual Passholders receive merchandise discounts.
64. Epcot’s World Showcase: Explore unique shops and artisanal goods.
65. Outlet Stores: Check out Disney outlet stores for discounted merchandise.
66. Personalization: Personalize items with names or special messages.
67. Budget Souvenirs: Find budget-friendly souvenirs like pressed pennies.

Disney Resorts

68. Extra Magic Hours: Take advantage of early park access for resort guests.
69. Resort Activities: Enjoy poolside games, movies under the stars, and more.
70. Resort Dining: Explore dining options at your resort.
71. Transportation: Use Disney transportation to and from the parks.
72. Magic Bands: Use your Magic Band for room access, park tickets, and more.
73. Resort Hopping: Visit other Disney resorts to explore their themes and dining.
74. Room Requests: Make specific room requests in advance if desired.
75. Resort Amenities: Take advantage of resort amenities like spas and fitness centers.

Safety and Health

76. First Aid: Know the location of First Aid stations in each park.
77. Hand Sanitizer: Carry hand sanitizer or use the provided stations.
78. Allergies and Dietary Restrictions: Inform dining locations of any allergies or dietary needs.
79. Safety Reminders: Follow safety instructions and keep an eye on your belongings.
80. Sun Protection: Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and hats.

Character Experiences

81. Character Meals: Reserve character dining experiences in advance.
82. Autograph Books: Bring autograph books and pens for character interactions.
83. Character Meet Times: Check times and locations for character meet and greets.
84. Be Prepared: Kids might be shy; have questions ready to ask characters.
85. Memory Maker: Consider purchasing Memory Maker for professional character photos.

Special Occasions

86. Celebration Buttons: Get free celebration buttons for birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
87. Special Desserts: Order special celebration desserts at table-service restaurants.
88. VIP Tours: Consider VIP tours for a special experience.
89. Special Occasion Packages: Explore special packages for celebrations.
90. Photopass Photographers: Ask Photopass photographers for celebration photos.

Photography

91. Photopass Photographers: Use Disney’s Photopass service for professional photos.
92. Capture Memories: Take photos of your group and the surroundings.
93. Use a Good Camera: If you have one, bring a good-quality camera. Most phones today take stunning photos, too!
94. Magic Shots: Ask for magic shots from Photopass photographers.
95. Capture Fireworks: Set up your camera for nighttime fireworks photos.

Miscellaneous Tips

96. Learn Rider Swap: Understand how Rider Swap works for attractions with height restrictions.
97. Lightning Lane + Strategies: Prioritize your Lightning Lane+ selections.
98. Take a Stroller: Consider renting a stroller if you have young children.
99. Visit Disney Springs: Explore Disney Springs for shopping and dining.
100. Experience New Attractions: Check out new rides and shows.
101. Explore Resorts: Visit other Disney resorts to explore their themes and dining.
102. Learn the Lingo: Familiarize yourself with Disney lingo and abbreviations.
103. Create a Daily Schedule: Plan a daily schedule but remain flexible.
104. Stay Hydrated: Florida can be hot; drink water regularly.
105. Use Rider Switch: Use Rider Switch for attractions with height restrictions.
106. Utilize Baby Care Centers: Baby Care Centers have essentials for parents.
107. Use Genie+ (if available): Utilize Genie+ for select attractions.
108. Take Advantage of Single Rider Lines: Save time on certain attractions.
109. Check for Height Requirements: Be aware of height restrictions for certain rides.
110. Character Greetings: Visit your favorite characters for photos and autographs.
111. Watch Parades: Arrive early for the best parade viewing spots.
112. Enjoy the Nighttime Spectaculars: Find a good spot for nighttime fireworks.
113. Take Breaks: Rest, hydrate, and refuel throughout the day.
114. Collect Souvenirs: Consider pin trading and collecting souvenirs.
115. Make Dining Reservations: Book dining reservations early for the best options.
116. Visit Epcot’s World Showcase: Try different cuisines and explore unique shops.
117. Explore Disney Springs: Enjoy shopping and dining at Disney Springs.
118. Stay on Disney Property: Benefit from Extra Magic Hours and transportation.
119. Consider a Dining Plan: Decide if a dining plan is right for your group.
120. Personalize Your Experience: Personalize items with names or special messages.
121. Prepare for the Sun: Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and hats.
122. Be Safe: Follow safety instructions and watch your belongings.
123. Consider a VIP Tour: Enhance your experience with a VIP tour.
124. Take Advantage of Magic Bands: Use Magic Bands for convenience.
125. Create Magical Memories: Enjoy your trip, make memories, and have fun!

Remember, planning a Walt Disney World vacation can be overwhelming, but taking the time to plan and prepare will ensure you make the most of your magical experience.