Disney World Tips

Planning the best Walt Disney World vacation can be a daunting task. Still, with careful preparation and attention to detail, you can create a magical experience for your family or group. 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. FastPass+ (if available): Use FastPass+ 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. FastPass+ Strategies: Prioritize your FastPass+ 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.