I am frequently asked to help friends plan Disney trips of their own. This I LOVE so please NEVER STOP DOING IT!! However I have found that many times I am racking my brain to make sure I don’t forget anything so I decided it would be prudent to create a list of my most important tips. Now, there are a million books and resources for planning Disney vacations and I do not wish to imply that you can not find my tips in those comprehensive guides, however unless you are like me and you actually enjoy reading those cover to cover (which I doubt) then this list can give you a good way to start the planning process more quickly.
Do be reminded that personal preferences come into play when planning a Disney vacation. Your own family’s needs and values might be different from mine so additional research somewhere like allears.net or the Disney Website itself can ensure you don’t miss something you might enjoy. For example some little ones might take pleasure in the quiet paths and play areas of Tom Sawyer’s Island, whereas I believe it to be less exciting than waiting in line for Peter Pan. Additionally, I don’t like things that spin, so keep that in mind!
• First choice to make is a resort. All of the Disney resorts have the things that make staying on Disney property totally worth it. First of all there is free transportation to and from the airport. It is called Disney's Magical Express and you make the arrangements when you book your vacation. It is fabulous. Easy and fabulous, and ensures you get the Disney treatment from the moment you step off of the plane! Also, there will be free and convenient transportation all around the Disney Property, which is why you won’t really need a car rental unless you plan to leave Disney property. There is really no need to leave; it is called Disney WORLD for a reason! The only reason I can think of is to buy gum (they don’t sell it, so bring it with you if you are a gum addict or have stinky breath,) or to go to another Theme Park like Universal but why in Walt’s name you would you do that? Seriously, why? Also, in staying on Disney Property you benefit from Extra Magic Hours which means that people staying in a Disney resort get into one of the parks early or can stay late each day. My favorite benefit is never having to leave Disneyness and remaining submerged in the magic and that famous customer service the entire time you are vacationing. You will go to bed and wake up with a smile on your face! I absolutely love hanging by a themed pool riddled with detail and character while having a drink at the pool bar. Talking to people from other places and goofing around with those bar tenders with the sun beating on my back has provided me with some truly priceless memories. The newest and perhaps most significant benefit to staying on property is utilizing the Magic Bands. Magic Bands have replaced room keys, so they open your room, act as your park ticket, allow you charging privileges with just a touch of the band, and lastly let you pre-plan your Fast Passes (more about the Magic Bands and new Fastpass+ to follow.)
• Disney breaks down the resorts by price: Value Resort - I like All Star Music but by far the most magical Value Resort is the new Art of Animation Resort. It consists of mostly suites but has some regular rooms as well. The theming here is above and beyond while the food in the Quick Service Restaurant is inventive and tasty. Moderate Resort - I have trouble deciding between my favorites in this category!! All are gorgeous, however we did find this time that Coronado Springs (being a convention hotel) offers more for adults while still being extremely kid friendly. Fewer kids meant it was quieter and ultimately for us, less crowded. Moderate resorts have a few more amenities like Table Service restaurants and pool slides. Additionally the themeing is just a little more immersive; you feel like you are in another place! The Deluxe Resorts are the best of the best. Each has quite a few restaurants and the themeing is beyond amazing. Even if you don’t stay at a Deluxe resort do try to visit one or eat there at some point because they are breathtaking. (From your resort you can take a bus to any theme park and then get a bus to the other resorts.) Of the Deluxe my favorites are Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian and the Boardwalk. If you have a large group, there are Family Suites in the All Star Music and Art of Animation or there are cabins at Ft Wilderness which tend to be nice for larger parties and those with kids who need to be able to nap separately.
• Budgeting - everyone has their own approach to budgets. Personally I utilize a spreadsheet beforehand to organize my upcoming expenses. One of our favorite ways to control spending is to purchase Disney Gift Cards for our spending money. This way, every time we purchase something we receive a receipt which gives us our remaining balance on the gift card. That allows for a realistic look at our purchases for the trip.
• If you decide to drive to The World, parking will be free at your resort and then you can utilize all the Disney Transportation after you arrive. “Just sit back, relax, and let us do the driving.” That’s what they really say on the buses…it’s sad that I know that, Anyway…
• Although you can get anything you need at Disney World you might not necessarily want to pay the Disney Prices! I always bring breakfast bars, bottled waters, soda, beer, trail mix, snacks, apples (an apple costs like $3,) etc. This minimizes expenses and helps you not feel like you have to eat huge meals three times a day. It also can save you time allowing you to snack in line for a ride rather than wait in a line at a quick service restaurant, or to eat a bar on the bus ride over rather than fighting with the crowds in your resort Quick Service Restaurant. Disney has a dining plan you can purchase but I don’t usually like to do this because I feel like you end up with too much food. However some big families can definitely save by taking this option. I usually plan on one big meal, one small meal and a snack each day. If you are driving down then by all means bring some alcoholic beverages of your choice. These quickly add up! I figure I save $15 per day on bottled water alone by refilling my water bottles at water fountains. Contrary to popular belief you can bring any food or drink items (other than alcohol) with you into the parks so pack small coolers and ice packs accordingly.
• Dining reservations (ADRs or Advance Dining Reservations) - definitely make these if you want to have a couple of sit down meals (which I highly suggest.) I always book a Character Meal. This way you are sure to get those priceless pictures with the characters without having to wait in the lines to see them at the parks (Characters don’t just wander around the theme parks, they would get mobbed.) Depending on which characters your family likes: Crystal Palace has Pooh, O’hana has Lilo and Stitch, 1900 Park Fare has Alice, Belle, Mary Poppins, Chef Mickey’s has the classic Disney characters, Akerhaus has a Princess buffet and the Royal Table in Cinderella’s castle has all the princesses but you usually have to book that one 180 days in advance because it is so popular. My favorite Restaurant at Disney is a buffet (not with characters, though) called Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge. AMAZING food. I also like the Sci-Fi Dine in Restaurant at Hollywood Studios, and there is some superb food to be had from around the world in the World Showcase section at Epcot. Allears.net has the Menus of EVERY restaurant from Victoria and Alberts to the snack cart in Liberty Square so if you have picky eaters in your group this can be extremely helpful. Disney divides restaurants into Quick Service (basically fast food, counter service) and Table Service (sit down restaurants with a server, tip involved.)
• I always upgrade my Park Tickets to be "Park Hopper" which means you can jump around throughout the day from park to park. This comes in handy for a number of reasons, and really lets you customize your trip based on crowds, parades, nap times, ride preferences and Extra Magic Hours. Definitely take advantage of getting to the parks right when they open if you can, this way you have one to two hours of virtually no lines until it gets crowded. Then you can take a rest at your room or the pool during the busiest part of the day (noon to about 3 or 4.) Also, Magic Kingdom has an opening show that is NOT to be missed. (I may or may not cry every time.)
• Fast Passes - use them, love them! The Fast Pass system has undergone big changes due to the Magic Bands. The old fast pass system allowed you to retrieve a Fast Pass from a kiosk next to the ride and return at the designated time on that pass to walk right onto the ride. There was no limit but you could not have a new Fast Pass until the time frame on your current pass had expired. The new system is called Fast Pass+ which allows you to pre-plan up to 3 fast passes per day. They can only be in one park, so it makes sense if you plan to park hop to reserve those fast passes for the second park you will visit, as the first park you visit you should arrive in the morning before the crowds erupt and can pass through those lines relatively quickly. If you are NOT staying on property it is extremely important to get to the park when it opens as you have to reserve your time slots at a kiosk in the park. The first kiosk you see will likely be the most crowded with the longest line, so it would be prudent to ask a Cast Member (Disney World Employee) where the other ones are located and head there. You will wait in line there to have a Cast Member assist you adding those fast passes to your park ticket to be used later in the day. If you ARE staying on property, good news. You can choose your Fast Passes far ahead of time through the My Disney Experience App, or have a Cast Member at the Concierge in your hotel reserve them for you, saving yourself valuable park time. Now, I have heard quite a bit of criticism of this new process, however the only one I find to be valid is that the kinks in the process as well as the glitches in the app are still prevalent this early on. But I have no doubt that Disney is addressing these and additionally Cast Members were extremely willing to help us with a few issues we encountered in a timely matter. The new system is going to be great for those folks who, unlike myself, haven't studied and mastered the various ways to avoid lines, and thus will be able to plan their Must-Dos ahead of time. Also the new system prevents one from having to go to a ride, retrieve the Fast Pass, and return back to the same spot later on. With the Fast Pass+ the guest only need visit that ride/area once. I am happy with it and excited about Disney's commitment to advancing guest experiences through technology.
• Waterparks and More Ticket Option - I usually do not add this. There is simply so much to do other than the theme parks (visiting other resorts, Downtown Disney, Pool, etc) that you don’t need to have the waterparks unless someone in your family is a HUGE waterpark fan.
• Water Bottles/Mugs - buy water bottles once or bring them with you and then fill them up in the water fountains. I have seen families with a water bottle for each person with their name and a Disney Character on them, to make them seem more exciting! Additionally at your resort you can get a refillable mug (cost depends on the length of stay, maxing out at about $17) for Soda and Coffee which is useful for members of your family who will drink a lot of those items. I don’t buy one because I don’t drink Coffee or Soda, and keep in mind that you can only fill them for free at your resort, not the parks!
• Take Ponchos, rain can pop up and umbrellas are too hard to navigate in the crowds. They can also be used to cover up a stroller that is left outside at one of the stroller parking areas while you ride so your stroller doesn’t get drenched!
• I absolutely can NOT wear any shoes other than gym shoes for walking around The World and I highly recommend extremely comfortable shoes. That being said you might benefit from a lesson I learned my last visit. Bring TWO pairs of gym shoes. My first pair got absolutely soaked during a torrential down pour and they were not even close to dry the next day. Two consecutive days of walking in wet shoes inflicted blisters which I shouldn’t describe but the pain is etched in my memory. It felt like I was wearing needle shoes.
• Attire - I usually wear shorts or jeans and a tee shirt, sometimes a sun dress or something a little more dressy at night; however you really don't need ANYTHING dressy unless you plan to eat at Victoria and Albert's or another fancy restaurant. Most spots are very casual as this is a family resort complex with an emphasis on fun rather than formality. However keep in mind this is Disney World, not Kings Island. At the risk of sounding snobby, it costs quite a bit of money to vacation here so you are unlikely to see many bare midriffs or muscle shirts if you know what I mean. Lets call it Classy Casual.
• Fireworks - the Wishes show at the Magic Kingdom (along with a new show projected on the castle right before hand) are not to be missed!! Fantasmic is a technically fantastic and moving show but crowds are difficult and you have to get there very early. If you have little ones you might want to skip this. Illuminations at Epcot is touching and a must-do for me.
• Shows - I tend to shy away from dinner shows and anything that costs extra like Cirque du Soleil, simply because I am usually so busy taking in all the Disney detail that I don't want to pay extra for something when I could be having just as much fun at a park or playing Disney trivia activities offered at the hotel pool. However I have read that the Hoop de Doo Review is an amazing family experience. Something that I do highly recommend is YeHaa Bob at the River's Roost at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside. This show is completely free. Yes, you read that right, FREE! You do have the option of buying drinks and appetizers in the River's Roost Lounge however there is no charge to sit at the tables and watch Bob put on a magical show which will have children and even the grumpiest adults doing the hokey pokey within an hour. Check Bob's facebook or his website to find the nights he will be performing. You will be very happy that you did!
• Downtown Disney – least busy during the day, very crowded at night, but the World Of Disney store has everything you could ever need Disney related and has to be seen to be believed. There are also many excellent restaurants and specialty shops here (including a vegan bakery) and this area is a great way to spend an evening! No theme park tickets required!!
NOTE: If you become overwhelmed with the size, noise and crowds of the Downtown Disney area the Boardwalk Hotel is a wonderful nightime alternative. This smaller version of the Atlantic City walk of the same name is high on charm and low on crowds. They have restaurants, a piano bar, dance club, bakery, carnival style games, shops and a wide array of family activities like carts or boats for rent.
• These are the rides that I DO NOT MISS:
- Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Carousel of Progress, Peter Pan, Small World, Little Mermaid, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Wishes Nighttime Spectacular, Buzz Lightyear SpaceRanger Spin
- Epcot: Spaceship Earth, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush, Test Track, Soarin, The American Adventure. I love to stroll through World Showcase (“The Countries” as we used to call it) to eat, have drinks, shop and soak in all of the detail. Illuminations – One of my FAVORITE things to do.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Mania, Studio Backlot Tour, Tower of Terror, Rockin Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast show, Great Movie Ride, Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show, Muppet Vision 3D
NOTE: if you plan to ride Toy Story Mania (which you must, fun for ALL ages) then be certain to reserve a Fast Pass or head there first thing when the park opens as it is notorious for lines up to 2 hours long.
- Animal Kingdom: Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo the Musical, Kilimanjaro Safari, Tough to be a Bug, Expedition Everest, Kali River Rapids ( you will get DRENCHED,) Dinosaur, Either the Maharajah Jungle Trek or the Pangani Forest Trails
• Tip for Epcot’s Illuminations: I always arrive at my seating location at least an hour before the show. I prefer the Beer Gardens in the United Kingdom Pavilion. I grab a table by the water or wait for one of those to open and snag it. Camp out here to people watch, send members of the party off to shop and walk around, eat, drink beer or beverage of your choice, pop into the pub to see what kind of entertainment they have in there, and just enjoy the views over the lake. Then take your time heading out of the park afterwards, it isn’t worth it to run when you are that tired at the end of the day. Buses will continue to come for a long time after the park closes
• Hidden Mickeys - Cristy's favorite thing to do is search for Hidden Mickeys. They are everywhere, in the rides, resorts, stores, landscape and restaurants and while you can buy a book which leads you to them, we have found it is much more fun to keep track of them as we find them on every trip in a special notebook. They can be large or small, obvious or conspicuous, so keep your eyes peeled as you go!
• Last but not least, RELAX! This is a vacation; don’t feel like you have to do everything because you will only be disappointed. There isn’t enough time in a month to do everything at Walt Disney World so take time to enjoy your family, drink in the sights and sounds, and notice the detail Disney has injected into every square inch of that place. There are little treasures and treats to be found if you take the time to look!
Have a MAGICAL day!!
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