As you prepare for your Walt Disney World vacation, you might feel there is much to consider. We will break down the top tips to make your Walt Disney World trip much more manageable. By following these tips, you can enjoy your trip to Walt Disney World much more because you will be prepared.
8. Stay at a Disney Resort
We know the Walt Disney World Resorts are more expensive than staying off-property. However, staying at one of the Disney Resorts can improve your trip. You will have access to free transportation throughout your journey by staying at a Disney Resort.
Disney provides Guests transportation to and from all four Disney Parks, the Water Parks, and Disney Springs. This means that Guests can sit back and relax, and trained Cast Members get them to their final destination.
You can also take advantage of Early Entry by staying at a Disney Resort. This allows Guests staying at a Disney Resort to enter any of the four central Parks thirty minutes before posted opening. Although thirty minutes might seem like a bit of time, it can make a huge difference during those jam-packed days.
You will also have the ability to book your Individual Lightning Lanes starting at 7 a.m. when staying at a Disney Resort. For the most popular rides at Disney, this is a huge advantage.
The additional cost of staying at a Disney Resort is well worth it when you look at all that comes with it.
7. Make a Plan
Before heading to Walt Disney World, ensure you have an overall plan. This means knowing which Park you will visit each day and what you want to accomplish at that Park.
Think about your top must-do experiences daily and ensure everyone knows those goals. Having those communicated before your trip can help ensure everyone is on the same page when you arrive.
Read some blogs, watch a few videos, and learn about Walt Disney World before you arrive. It is a whole world, and studying it a little before you arrive can make a huge difference in your overall experience.
6. My Disney Experience is Key
Before heading to Walt Disney World, download and use the My Disney Experience app. This is the official app of Walt Disney World. Through this app, you will make dining reservations, and mobile orders, use Genie+, see wait times, and so much more.
The app has so much information; however, it can be overwhelming if you wait until you arrive at Disney to use it. Take time before your trip to look it over and see where you can find specific features. We have some great blogs on How to Disney that can help you learn more about My Disney Experience.
5. Understand Lightning Lanes
A considerable part of the My Disney Experience app is Disney Genie. It is through this feature that Guests can book Genie+ as well as Individual Lightning Lanes. Because this is a big part of a Walt Disney World vacation, ensure you understand these options and how they work.
Genie+ can be purchased daily, giving Guests over 40 Lightning Lanes throughout the four Disney Parks. This allows Guests to bypass the standby lines and enjoy the faster Lightning Lanes.
In each Park, some rides aren’t included with the purchase of Genie+. To use the Lightning Lane for these rides, Guests purchase them individually or al-a-carte. Guests can buy two Individual Lightning Lanes each day.
Lightning Lanes can save you a lot of time in line throughout your trip, but they are an additional cost. Before you arrive at Disney, read up on what Genie+ is and how it might help you during your trip.
4. Make Dining Reservations
If you want to eat at a table service restaurant during your vacation, you will want to make those reservations starting at 60 days before your trip. Many of the most popular restaurants throughout Disney book up two months ahead. Because of their popularity, you will want to book them early and not wait until you are in Disney.
Although there is always the possibility of a last-minute reservation opening up, you don’t want to change it. Be ready to book your full dining reservations starting sixty days before your arrival.
3. MagicBands Are Helpful
Disney is no longer providing Guests with MagicBands for their trip. Even though this would be an additional cost, we feel that MagicBands makes the trip much more accessible. With a MagicBand, you can quickly enter the Park, tap into Genie+ reservations, pay for items, and even get into your Disney Resort room.
If you don’t want to dig out your tickets constantly, we highly recommend having MagicBands for everyone. These make the overall experience in the Parks so much easier. You can order MagicBands through your My Disney Experience app or shopDisney.
2. Think Mobile Order
Another considerable tip to make your trip easier is knowing about mobile ordering. Guests can mobile order throughout Walt Disney World regarding quick service locations. Knowing how to do this can save time in line during meal time.
Once in the app, Guests can choose a specific quick service location, determine what time they want to eat and place their order. This ensures that you have a specific arrival time for getting food. By placing a mobile order, you can skip the lines that form during meal time at quick service locations.
1. Pack Like a Pro
Our final tip for helping make your Disney trip more manageable is to pack like a pro. Take time to dive into what items will be the most helpful for your trip. Plan for the weather by bringing rain gear, sunscreen, hats, and other things to keep everyone comfortable.
Think about what shoes everyone will wear to keep up with all the miles they will have to walk. We have these and a lot of other tips on How to Disney to help make sure you don’t forget anything. Use those to help you pack before your trip.
Those are the eight huge tips to help your Walt Disney World trip be more manageable. Disney is magical, but it can be stressful as well. By navigating these eight things ahead of time, you will be more prepared for a successful trip.
