There’s nothing more exciting than planning a magical trip to Disney World. However, busy crowds, bad weather, and poor planning can certainly ruin all the fun.
Make your experience one to remember and discover the best way to experience Disney World and what it has to offer.
Check out below for some of my best tips on avoiding crowds, saving money, and ultimately making the most out of your Disney vacation.
Check It Out! My Top 15 Must-Know Disney World Tips & Hacks
1. Want a crowd-free experience on Main street?
Book an early breakfast reservation before opening time, and you will get the chance to stroll Main street crowd-free before the general public. Perfect for that insta-worthy shot!
2. Find less crowded bathrooms with the My Disney App
The line at the women’s toilets is notorious for being super long. Check out the My Disney App for less crowded bathrooms near you. I’ve done this many times, and it has worked a treat.
3. Always plan ahead!
That goes for fast passes, dining reservations, and character meet & greets. Avoid disappointment and book well in advance.
Fast passes can be booked 30 days in advance before your trip or 60 days if you are staying at a Disney resort.
Popular dining reservations usually go quickly, so make sure you book your ideal restaurant asap. For more details on dining reservations, check out the Disney website below.
Purchase your Disney World tickets here!
4. Use your fast passes on the most popular rides & attractions
We did this the last time, and it was well worth it.
Popular rides such as Peter Pan’s Flight & Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train tend to have the longest lines, using your fast pass on these will speed up your wait time so you can enjoy more of the ride.
Hot Tip: If a ride wait time says 25mins, this usually means there is no wait, so you can jump straight on the ride.
5. BYO refillable water bottle
Don’t waste your money on buying multiple water bottles. It’s best to bring your own, as Disney has many refillable water stations around the park.
Disney’s counter service restaurants also give out free cups of water, which are ice cold and truly refreshing.
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6. Order food ahead of time on the My Disney App
Why not order your food while waiting in line for a ride. This saves you so much time rather than waiting forever in the food line. We did this on our last visit and only waited 10 minutes. Win!
7. All the shops on Main street are connected
This is such a great hangout spot if you need a break from the crowds or hot weather.
You can literally walk all the way down Main Street through the Emporium without being outside. This is especially great if you need a quick exit out of the park or it starts to pour with rain.
8. Best Dole Whip Locations!
When I first came to Disney, I thought you could only get dole whip at Magic Kingdom, to my surprise, there are multiple locations that serve the famous dole whip treat.
The most popular, of course, is Aloha Isle which is located next to the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
You can also find it in Animal Kingdom at the Tamu Tamu Refreshments Hut, Disney’s Market Place Snacks in Disney Springs, Pineapple Lanai & Sam’s Grog Grotto in Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
9. Disney’s “Magic Hours”
Magic Hours are for guests staying at select Disney resorts that can enjoy the parks before and after they close.
Now, this really depends if you’re staying onsite at the resort, then I say take full advantage of the “Magic Hours”. If not, it really just makes the park a lot more crowded.
Disney’s “Magic hours” are always subject to change, so make sure you research and plan ahead.
10. Jump on your favorite rides during the parade
If you’re not too fussed about seeing the parade, then this is the perfect time to hit up your favorite rides, as the lines are a lot less busy.
Hot Tip: Disney generally has 2 parades a day. The first is always the most crowded, I highly recommend checking out the second one if it isn’t high on your to-do list.
11. Celebrate with a button!
Are you celebrating a birthday? Honeymoon? or it’s your first time visiting Disney? Then head on over to guest services for a free celebration button souvenir to wear during your visit.
12. Use online crowd calendars to track busy days and peak times of the park
Undercover Tourist has a great crowd calendar that shows you the best times to visit each park according to how busy or quiet the crowds are.
I highly recommend checking this out when planning out your day.
13. Save money & buy your Disney souvenirs at the outlet stores
On a budget? You can buy official Disney merchandise at much cheaper prices at Disney’s Character Warehouse at the Orlando Premium Outlets or at the International Drive Outlets.
Just another rainy/hot day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
14. Always check the weather
Florida is famous for its unpredictable weather, be prepared for hot summer days with high chances of rain.
Don’t let the rainy weather ruin your family vacay by not planning ahead of time or checking for weather updates or cancellations.
15. Be flexible! and have fun
Just remember you don’t need to plan everything. Be flexible, relax, and enjoy the fun. You’re on vacation, after all.
I hope you found my Disney tips & hacks useful, as these are just some of the handy tricks I picked up when I visited the park. Let me know your top Disney tips below!
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