Travel Guides Family Friendly Disney
Carolyn Menyes and John Bills
Traveling to Walt Disney World in Orlando can be intimidating. If you haven’t been to the Florida theme parks in years or have never been, it’s easy to feel lost in a sea of magic, dark rides, and Mickey-shaped foods. It can be even more difficult to feel like you have this whole “vacation” thing down when everyone around you knows exactly how to cut through the crowds to get to Space Mountain before you’ve even gotten your bearings. Even if you’ve been to Disneyland before and feel like you know that California resort like the back of your hand, well, there are a lot of ways Walt Disney World and Disneyland are entirely different places. Luckily, there are plenty of hacks, tips, tricks, and secrets that only Walt Disney World super fans and insiders know.
1. Travel during the off-season
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The concept of a traditional “off-season” doesn’t really exist at Walt Disney World, but there are still better times of year to visit for a less chaotic visit. Holiday weekends (like Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Memorial Day, and Labor Day) are best avoided, as are bustling times like spring break and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. On average, September is the least crowded time of year for a Walt Disney World adventure, although it is important to remember that “least crowded” doesn’t necessarily mean quiet. This is Disney, after all.
2. Budget with Disney gift cards
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Budgeting for a vacation is no joke. However, theme park pros know that the best way to budget at Disney is by purchasing Disney gift cards, which are available online and from major retailers. When you’re on property, they’re as good as cash and can be spent on food, merchandise, extra recreation, hotel rooms, park tickets, and more. If you know you don’t want to spend more than $100 on merchandise on your trip, load a gift card for that amount. When you hit your limit, you hit it.
3. Check for deals before you book
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The best ways to save on any vacation also apply to Walt Disney World. So, keep your (Mickey) ears to the ground for flash deals, discounted rooms, and even free food, and don’t forget to pay attention to your credit card or Disney+ account. Every year, Walt Disney World releases free dining plans so that resort hotel guests can fill their rooms during times they expect to be slow. During this time, Disney will also offer room-only discounts for folks less interested in the free food, typically tied to a full-price hotel room. Paying attention to these deals and other bundles advertised before you book can save a ton on your trip.
4. Annual passes can save you lots of money
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It may seem counterintuitive to become an annual passholder member because the up-front costs are significant. As of this writing, an annual pass to Walt Disney World for non-Florida residents (called the Disney Incredi-Pass) costs $1,449. This is no small chunk of change, but if you and your family plan to go to the theme parks two or more times in a year, an annual pass is one of the best ways to save money at Disney World. Passholders get discounts on dining, merchandise, special events, and other select resort activities. An annual pass also comes with parking at the theme parks and other discounts on food, goodies, and more.
5. If you missed that dinner reservation, check and check again
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It’s not easy to land a meal at some of the best restaurants at the Magic Kingdom and beyond. Restaurant reservations at Walt Disney World open 60 days in advance, meaning popular spots such as Be Our Guest, California Grill, and ‘Ohana can be totally booked before you even think about eating there. However, the name of the game is to keep checking Walt Disney World’s dining website and the My Disney Experience app. While every restaurant has its own reservation and cancelation policy, many will charge guests $10 per person if they drop their reservation two hours or less before the time slot. That means a slew of popular spots open up as other people’s plans shift and they drop their reservations. Keep in mind that same-day booking is available from 6 a.m., so early birds can often get lucky.
6. Use the Disney Genie Service (but don’t rely on it)
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In late 2021, the popular Fastpass system was replaced by the Disney Genie Service, and the jury is still out. Available through the My Disney Experience application, the new system helps visitors plan their days in the park, complete with personalized itinerary suggestions and more. The Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane services allow guests to skip standby lanes, but parkgoers on Reddit have lamented the need for constant mobile checking for the next available times, not to mention the draining effect it has on your phone’s battery. However, other voices in the thread suggested that Genie was a much more convenient system, allowing for a more streamlined experience. These services are useful, but don’t be constrained by them.
8. After Hours parties are worth the extra cost
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On select nights at Walt Disney World between early January and late June, the theme park hosts Disney After Hours events. This is a separately ticketed, upcharged event in which a limited number of guests can access most attractions for three hours. And when we say “limited number of guests,” we mean it. The parks basically feel empty during these parties. And while that period may sound short, you can get so much done when you can just walk onto the best rides at Magic Kingdom with little to no wait. A small selection of snacks is also included in the price, and free snacks are always a good idea.
9. Think hard about whether Extra Magic Hours is right for you
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Extra Magic Hours divides opinion among Disney veterans. For some, gaining access to a theme park 30 minutes before (or after) it opens allows them to enjoy a couple of rides without needing to queue up, saving time for other adventures later in the day. For others, it feels a little pointless, and there really isn’t enough time for it to be worth the effort. Of course, you’re not the only guest with this idea, so the dream scenario of a Disney park all to yourself rarely comes to fruition. Think long and hard about whether Extra Magic Hours suits your trip.
10. Go to the parks early, stay late
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If you’re up for it, entering the parks before they open and waiting around for rope drop is a great way to get a lot of big rides done early in the day. Heavy hitters like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Frozen Ever After will have significantly shorter lines first thing in the morning before most of the crowds enter the parks. Similarly, after the fireworks, people leave en masse. If the park is still open after a nighttime spectacle, sticking around for the final hour or two of the night will allow you to hop from attraction to attraction. Going early, staying late, and heading back to your hotel for a nap when those midday crowds spike is one of the best ways to have a stress-free Disney vacation.
11. Eat when people ride, ride when people eat
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One of the biggest rookie mistakes people make at Disney is trying to book meals for normal meal times. Not only should you get to the parks early and stay late, but the secret to having a quick and easy day is to eat when people ride and ride when people eat. First of all, you’re far more likely to score a reservation to Tiffins or Le Cellier at 4 p.m. than you are at 6:30 p.m. Plus, while all those peak-time diners are chowing down, wait times for popular rides like Expedition Everest or Soarin’ tend to drop.
12. Get free ice water from restaurants
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Among all the excitement and razzmatazz, parkgoers can be forgiven for forgetting to stay sufficiently hydrated. You’ll need energy for all the adventures, and a refreshing cup of ice water is the perfect pick-me-up, especially in the blazing Florida sun. Luckily for thirsty visitors, most quick-service restaurants at Walt Disney World parks provide free ice water for guests. It really is as simple as heading to a location and filling a cup.
13. Bring an extra pair of walking shoes
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If you are a person who pays attention to their daily step count, a trip to Walt Disney World might just see some new personal bests being achieved. Visitors cover plenty of ground during a day in the park, and particularly explorative explorers can easily walk 10 miles or more. Bringing an extra pair of walking shoes is always a good idea, especially if you aren’t a frequent stroller. Even well-worn-in shoes can need a breather after a hard day’s steppin’, and your feet will appreciate the change.
14. Don’t always trust the wait times
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The My Disney Experience app is fantastic for quickly and easily checking wait times. There’s no point in schlepping across Animal Kingdom to wait in line for Kilimanjaro Safaris if it has a 90-minute line, after all. While everyone loves convenience, you can’t always trust the wait times posted on your app or even at the front of the line. If you wander upon It’s a Small World and happen to see people queued till the very end of the show building, but the posted time is only 15 minutes, don’t hop in that line. Anecdotally, Disney World is known to inflate times to discourage guests from getting in line at 7:55 p.m. when the park closes at 8 p.m. Is Flight of Passage really at two hours right before closing? Maybe. But probably not.
15. Ride solo
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Unless you’re traveling with small children, take advantage of single-rider lines. At Walt Disney World, you’ll find them for some of the big thrill rides: Test Track, Expedition Everest, and Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. Wait times for these three attractions can easily exceed an hour, and single-rider eliminates a lot of that time. Sure, you don’t get to share the fun with anyone, but this can be your own private thrill.
16. Some seats are better than others
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Disney will claim that every seat is a good seat on every single one of its attractions. While that is true most of the time, some spots on some attractions are better than others. If you want to truly feel the dips and swerves of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, you want to be in the back. And the center seat on the top row of Soarin’ Around the World (ask for B1) has the best views of the screen without any dangling feet in your periphery.
17. Buy merch from the Disney Character Warehouse instead of at the park
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There is no shortage of merchandise available at Walt Disney World, but visitors can expect to pay a pretty penny for purchases made at the parks. To save some money for extra excitement on vacation, frequent parkgoers recommend buying merchandise from Disney’s Character Warehouse rather than at the park itself. One Reddit user spoke of finding a Haunted Mansion jacket for $24 before seeing the same jacket on sale for $80 at the park, a 30% increase.
18. Freebies do exist
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The famous celebration buttons marking first visits, birthdays, anniversaries, and other celebrations are complimentary, but the freebies at Disney World don’t end there. If you keep your eyes peeled, you can also stumble upon free stickers, food samples, mementos, and ride maps, as well as passports, trading cards, and even a pilot’s license, although not one that will see you piloting a plane any time soon. Knowing what to do for free is one of the best ways to save money at Disney World.
19. Mobile ordering is key
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You don’t just wait in line for the rides and character meet-and-greets, as you might also find yourself waiting in line for the food at Disney parks. However, the wonders of modern technology mean you don’t necessarily have to spend too much time in queues. The My Disney Experience app is your one-stop-shop for ordering eats ahead of time, whether you are heading to the restaurant in question or even mid-ride. Simply choose your food and select an available mobile pick-up location and arrival time. When you make it to your location, follow the instructions on the app, collect it from the arranged location, and get ready to feast.
20. First aid isn’t just for emergencies
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While a first aid kit is one of the things you should never travel without, you can get basic services taken care of at the first aid centers at Disney theme parks. Seriously, these spots aren’t just for fainting spells and serious scrapes. The smallest things are available (for free) for guests, including band-aids, over-the-counter medicines, ice packs for sprained ankles, and other small remedies. First Aid also has a refrigerator for medications that need to be kept chilled and is a much-needed air-conditioned space for people who are tired of the heat
21. There are hidden details everywhere
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Anyone who has been to a Disney theme park knows about Hidden Mickeys, but those little symbols are only the beginning of the hidden details and secrets of Disney parks. Walt Disney World is a theme park, of course, but it is also a magical treasure hunt for the biggest fans, from Easter eggs on barcodes to fountains that change depending on your perspective and more.
22. Some of the best activities are outside the theme parks
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It’s hard to think of spending a day at Walt Disney World without setting foot in at least one of the theme parks, but in fact, every proper Disney vacation should have one day with no park visit planned. Outside the theme parks, you will find stunning resorts you should explore, shopping at Disney Springs, and numerous magical activities such as character meals, spas, and shows. Consider bar hopping along the Boardwalk, going horseback riding, or any of the best things you can do at Disney World without a park ticket.
23. The No. 1 way to ruin the magic is over-planning
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While it’s great to know which theme park snacks are worth your money and which park will be the least crowded on any given day, you need to be flexible when you’re at Disney World. There’s no need to have a binder full of spreadsheets breaking down every dollar and minute of your trip. Disney vacations do take a lot of planning but remember: It’s a vacation. You can relax a bit. Trust us, we’re pros — and it’s one of the Disney World hacks everyone needs to know
