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Disney Tips

Disney World Tips and Tricks

Best Times

  • Crowds are typically lower when kids are in school. Holiday weeks (especially holiday weekends), spring break, and the summer months are usually the most crowded times at Disney World.
  • You can Arrive at the park before it opens, regardless of the time of year. We suggest arriving 30-45 minutes before scheduled opening times. Midday sees the highest crowds, so we suggest taking any lunch break or rest period at this point. Crowds normally diminish later in the afternoon.
  • You will often find the longest lines (to enter parks and attractions) towards the middle.
  • If you don’t mind splitting up your group, single-rider lines tend to have much shorter wait times. These rides include Test Track, Expedition Everest, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
  • If you’ve seen the parade before, skip it. Lines at attractions are often shorter during parade times.
  • FastPass+ reservations are a valuable commodity, so use them wisely. If you arrive at your reservation and the standby line is short, get in the standby line and try to change your FastPass+ reservation (with your phone) to another attraction.
  • When it starts to rain, Disney vacationers often run for cover. Put your poncho on and wait it out. Orlando rain showers are often brief. By the time the skies clear, you will breeze through the lines.
  • Lines close at official park closing time. However, the park stays open for at least one more hour. Therefore, plan to get in line before the park “closes” and you will be safe to ride an attraction past the official park closing time.
  • Many stores remain open after rides close, so you can do your souvenir shopping before leaving the park.
  • Magic Kingdom is usually less crowded midweek.
  • The Kiss Goodnight performance at Magic Kingdom usually starts 30 minutes after the park closes, so staying around for this is a good opportunity to avoid the crowds leaving at official park closing times.
  • If you are leaving Main Street USA (Magic Kingdom) after the fireworks show, walk through the souvenir shops. They are all interconnected and not many people use this route (less crowded). There are also walkways behind the shops that are usually opened up around park closing time. They can also be a quicker path to the exits. 

Disney World Tips and Tricks

Money

There are also endless ways to spend money! Here are a few Disney World tips and tricks that can save you some cash.

  • Joining AAA is inexpensive, so you may end up saving more in discounts than it costs you to join, AAA has always had some of the best Disney Theme ticket prices.
  • Airline prices vary from airport to airport. Check prices at nearby airports (Try pricinga flight into Jacksonville) and consider driving a little further if the savings is worth your extra effort. You’ll find picking up a rental in Jacksonville and dropping off at Orlando airport gets a cheaper price.
  • Purchasing items like ponchos, reusable water bottles, glow sticks, Disney luggage, and souvenirs before you head to Disney World will save you money and time. Items are often not cheap at Disney, so arriving prepared can save you cash.
  • The Free Disney Dining Plan is not exactly “free.” Some dining plans are better suited to certain guests. Paying for your meals with a room-only discount may end up being less expensive, depending on your situation. Save money and stay longer by taking snacks into the park, and staying at Bahama Bay resort.
  • For restaurants with free drink refill stations, head to Be Our Guest Restaurant and Tortuga Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, Electric Umbrella, and Sunshine Seasons at Epcot, Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios, and Restaurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom.
  • All Disney parks allow you to get free water at counter service restaurants.
  • Strollers are more expensive to rent inside Disney parks than at local Orlando companies. Local companies also offer better quality strollers, plus you can use them on the way back to your car or the monorail.
  • Adults, don’t be afraid to order from the kid’s menu. It’s perfectly acceptable and it will save you money.
  • Disney World Annual Passes are potentially cost-effective for no blackout date annual passes they are beneficial if you visit WDW roughly 11-12 or more days per year. It may be 2-3 days per year if you buy the weekday only pass.
  • Check your receipts for coupons. For example, Magic Kingdom Quick Service restaurant receipts often include a 10% off coupon for Disney Springs merchandise.
  • Uber is cheaper than using a local taxi service.
  • Minimize costs by sharing Quick Service meals.
  • Consider purchasing your theme park tickets well in advance of your trip. Since Disney raises admission prices once or twice each year, purchasing your tickets months in advance can lock in the current admission prices.

Disney World Tips and Tricks

Dining

Disney offers amazing dining options. Here are a few Disney World tips and tricks for dining to help you capture that Disney dining magic.

  • Advanced Disney Dining reservations begin 180 days in advance for all Disney Guests. Online booking begins at 6 am EST, while phone reservations start at 7 am EST. If you are booking online, we recommend setting up your My Disney Experience prior to the 6 am start time (to speed up the process).
  • Most dining reservations may be canceled (without penalty) by midnight the night prior to your reservation.
  • Large groups may have difficulty making dining reservations for their entire party. Try making separate dining reservations and ask to be seated together when you check-in. There are no guarantees your entire group will be seated together, but Disney restaurants do their best to accommodate Guests.
  • If you have trouble finding availability for Disney Springs restaurants, check OpenTable for additional reservation times, or call the restaurant directly.
  • An 8:00 am or earlier breakfast reservation at Hollywood and Vine (in Hollywood Studios) can help you secure a good spot in line for Jedi Training Academy registration.
  • For wonderful food and amazing views of marine life, book a reservation at Coral Reef in Epcot, and request to be seated near the aquarium tanks. To increase your chances of nabbing these prime seats, choose the earliest possible lunch or dinner reservation time, and show up early to make your request. 

More Disney Tips

Here are some addition Disney World tips and tricks that you can implement on your trip.

  • Book your FastPass+ reservations up to 30 days in advance. You can start booking at 7 am EST. Slots for popular attractions go fast, so make your FastPass+ reservations ASAP!
  • Book all three of your FastPass+ selections for morning slots. If additional FastPasses slots are available, you can reserve more selections for the afternoon and evening. After your third FastPass+ check-in, open the “My Disney Experience” app to get your fourth.
  • If you are traveling to Disney with other people, consider connecting as friends in My Disney Experience. This will allow you to make reservations at the same time (like FastPass+).
  • We suggest you use a FastPass+ for Peter Pan’s Flight, or head to this ride as soon as Magic Kingdom’s gates open in the morning. Lines form quickly and move slowly.
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is also a very popular ride with long lines in the same area as Peter Pan’s Flight. Booking an early FastPass+ for either and then getting in line at the other at park opening is a good combination.
  • Purchasing a Park Hopper Ticket allows you to visit any and all of the four Disney theme parks on the same day. Its pretty hard to see everything you will want to see at one park per day, So I personally would not spend the money on a park hopper.
  • Walt Disney World offers free wi-fi internet in its theme parks.
  • One of the most important yet often overlooked Disney World tips and tricks. Wear comfortable shoes. Between walking to attractions and waiting in lines, you will be on your feet for most of the day. The average person walks 7-10 miles a day at Disney World.
  • When you park your car, make note of the location. It may be helpful to snap a photo of this location with your phone, or write a note with the location.
  • Order bottled water, snacks, toiletries, etc. on Amazon.com, then have them shipped directly to Bahama Bay Resort. This can save you money and time spent shopping during your Disney vacation. Plus, you won’t have to pack these items in your luggage.
  • Instead of standing in lines to meet characters inside the park, consider meeting them at character meals.
  • If your child isn’t tall enough to go on a particular ride, use the “Child Swap/Rider Switch” program.
  • If you are using a stroller, tie a ribbon (or another identification marker) to the handle. This way you can easily identify your stroller.
  • Ask a PhotoPass Cast Member to take photos of you with your own camera. It’s free and they are happy to oblige.
  • Arriving before the check-in time? No problem. Bahama Bay Resort will store your luggage until it is time to check in later that day or evening. That means you can head off to enjoy the many amenities that we have to offer and your luggage is kept safe.
  • Flip flops and sandals aren’t ideal for walking long distances, but they are great for rainy weather. Consider packing a pair in your daypack in case it rains.
  • Ziploc bags come in handy for many different reasons. They keep your items separated and organized. Place snacks, toiletries, and wet/dirty clothes in Ziploc bags so they don’t ruin your other items.
  • Keep an external phone charger in your daypack. You will likely use your cell phone throughout the day, so having a charger handy will prevent cell phone frustrations later in the afternoon.
  • Orlando gets very warm at certain times of the year. If you aren’t accustomed to the heat, be sure you pack accordingly. Misting fans and Frozen water bottles can provide some relief.
  • Looking for a good place to watch the fireworks? Stand near people with cameras on tripods. They usually have a good view scouted out.
  • The Ticket & Transportation Center (to the right of the ferry launch) is a great spot to watch Magic Kingdom’s fireworks from outside of the park. Also, consider going to the Beaches at the Polynesian (easily accessible by monorail).
  • We think some rides are more fun at night, including Expedition Everest and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
  • Head to the second-story balcony at Pinocchio Village Haus for relaxation and fabulous views of Fantasyland.
  • If motion sickness is a concern, look straight ahead on Mission: Space at Epcot. Also, the Green line is much less intense. If you have any concerns with motion sickness it’s best to avoid the Orange line.
  • Everyone is required to show their own MagicBand/park ticket to enter a Disney park. However, you can use someone else’s MagicBand/park ticket to use their FastPass+ reservation.
  • Head to the Castle Couture shops (behind Cinderella Castle) for staged princess pictures. Although most visitors are entering from the Bibibidi Bobbidi Boutique, anyone can walk in Castle Couture and have their princess pictures taken. A PhotoPass photographer is on-hand.
  • Some shows – like The Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom – are best viewed sitting up-front. However, other shows often have better views from the back of the room. The Nemo show generally has better views from the middle.
  • Epcot’s Club Cool offers free samples of eight flavored Coca Cola products from around the globe.
  • If you like chewing gum, bring your own. Disney does not sell gum at any of its properties.
  • Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade is best viewed from Main Street USA. Expect to see “snow” fall during the parade. This makes for a truly spectacular and festive scene!
  • If you want to see Turtle Talk with Crush without going on the Nemo & Friends dark ride, enter The Seas pavilion via the gift shop.
  • For a low-key attraction with minimal lines, head to The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.