I’m just going to say it: I’m a pro at doing Walt Disney World. I’ve been visiting the parks since I was in the womb and 28-years later, I’m still going strong. There isn’t one secret about the parks I don’t know and to further prove my expertise, I bet I could walk the entire layout of Magic Kingdom blindfolded! Becoming an "expert" on Disney, took a lot of trial and error. Here are my best suggestions for a successful trip!
1. Stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
I’ve stayed off property a lot growing up, and it was always a fun experience. However, in today’s day and age, you aren’t really saving that much more money by staying off property than you are on. Staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel guarantees you free transportation to and from the parks, other resorts and Disney Springs.
Furthermore, if you stay off property and drive your personal vehicle to the parks, you’re going to have to pay for parking. Guests staying on Disney property have access to Extra Magic Hours which enable visitors to gain access to the parks before and after closing. While you may be saving some money by staying off property, you’re missing out on some great conveniences.
2. Don’t Waste Your FastPass
One of the biggest mistakes guests make when going to the parks– wasting FastPass on rides that don’t require them. This is not to say that there are only certain rides that have lines and the rest have no wait; that’s not true. However, there are certain rides that have higher popularity than others meaning that the wait time is going to be longer and more substantial.
Do your research on what rides are currently trending at Walt Disney World before your vacation. For example, when I visit in October, I know that the newly opened Toy Story Land is going to be insanely popular so I’m going to want to get a FastPass for rides like
Slinky Dog Dash rather than using it on the
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which during
Fantasmic! may only have a 25 minute wait time.
3. Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Regardless of the time of year you go, you’re still going to fall victim to the Florida heat and humidity. The best thing you can do in Walt Disney World is stay hydrated, but it can become quite costly to buy water bottles throughout your trip, especially if you’re buying for a family of three or more.
My recommendation is to bring your own reusable water bottle and fill it up throughout the day with the complimentary water offered at the various counters. It’s a cost-effective way to stay cool on your vacation. The same goes for snacks you can purchase ahead of time and bring with you.
