PlanningThe ParksTips

Key Tips From Veteran Walt Disney World Visitors

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World can oftentimes feel like you have taken on another job.  From figuring out where you want to stay, what Disney Park to visit, where to eat, and how much to budget, the overall planning for a Walt Disney World vacation can be a lot.

To help make your planning process a little easier, we have some key tips from Walt Disney World veterans.  We hope that these tips will help you have an even better vacation experience around the Walt Disney World Resort.

MK Map

Do Some Research

We know that not everyone wants to spend hours like we do reading blogs, listening to podcasts and watching videos as they prepare for their Walt Disney World vacation; however, we do suggest some time learning.

Make sure that you do take time to research a little before heading down.  Get a basic understanding of the four Theme Parks and what they have to offer.  Knowing the general layout of the Parks can make a big difference.

Luckily Disney’s app My Disney Experience (more on this later) provides maps so you can study them at the basketball game, in the carpool line, at Target- wherever you are at.

By knowing the overall layout of a Disney Park like Magic Kingdom, you can save yourself some steps and backtracking between the lands.

Those that take time to have a general understanding of the Walt Disney World Resort Property have a much better and less stressful and overwhelmed experience while in a Disney Park.

My Disney Experience App

Have a Plan

Even Disney veterans have an overall plan when they enter a Walt Disney World Theme Park.  The plan might be to sit and drink at Starbucks; however, it is a plan.

We highly recommend that you take time before your trip to have a basic plan for each day.  Since you have to make Park Pass Reservations, you should know which Disney Parks you will be in each day.

From there, determine which must-do attractions are on the list.  A general idea of how you want to approach the Park will help you make the most of your time in the Parks.

Bus Stop

Travel Plan

Walt Disney World is huge and you need to have a plan on how you are getting around the Disney Resort Property.

If you are planning on driving your own car or renting one, make sure you spend time looking at maps so you feel a little bit more comfortable when you arrive.

Be aware that sometimes the navigation systems aren’t 100% accurate so use those signs that are up and around the property.

Walt Disney World does offer great transportation for Guests to use such as boats, buses, monorail and skyliner.  If you plan on using these modes of transportation, make sure you take time to know a little bit about them.

Knowing which modes are available from your Resort and throughout the Property will allow you to get around successfully.

Running Shoes
Photo Credit: Run Disney

You Will Be Walking A Lot

While researching and planning, you will probably learn and figure out that Walt Disney World is huge.  With the 4 Theme Parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs and 30+ Resorts, there is so much to see and do.

In order to see and do all of it (which you can’t so don’t try), you will walk a lot.  Veterans will skip the cute shoes for the comfortable ones that you can walk in.

Most Guests walk 8-12 miles PER DAY during their Walt Disney World vacation and this isn’t something most of us do normally at home.

Because of this, make sure that you take time to think about which shoes will allow you to walk comfortably around.  Don’t wear brand new shoes or shoes that will rub in the heat or if they get wet.

A trip around EPCOT’s World Showcase is almost a mile alone so you can process how much you will be walking in a Theme Park each day.

Leave those adorable shoes for home and bring the walking shoes, or two, with you to Walt Disney World.

My Disney Experience App

My Disney Experience is Key

Now more than ever before it has become clear that My Disney Experience is key to a successful Walt Disney World vacation.

My Disney Experience (MDE) is Disney’s official app that Guests will need to have during their vacation.

Through the app, Guests are able to get into their Resort rooms, see wait times at a Disney Park, order and pay for food, find bathrooms and use Disney Genie.

Veterans to Walt Disney World not only know about MDE before they arrive, they have played around with it so they are familiar with all it has to offer.

There are a lot of different features that go into the app which can be overwhelming at first.  Taking some time to look it over and figure out how to see wait times, where to get Disney Genie at etc can be a huge help when finally on vacation.

Even though it would be great to step away from our phones while on vacation, a trip to Walt Disney World is the vacation where that is going to happen.

Weather Does Happen

It would be fantastic if Walt Disney World was in a true bubble or that they were so magical they could control the weather, but that isn’t the case.

Veterans will tell you that weather does happen in Walt Disney World and you should be prepared for it.

When traveling in the winter months, be aware that it can get cold at Walt Disney World.  Packing layers, coats, hats, mittens and even scarfs can really save a trip.

The rainy season hits along with the heat during the summer months.  Be prepared for the rain with rain ponchos, coats or umbrellas.  Conquer the heat with fans and cooling towels.

Veterans arrive at the Parks ready for the weather so they can have a good time no matter what pops up.

These are tips that veteran Walt Disney World travelers would want you to know before you head down to Walt Disney World for your vacation.  We hope that they will help you have a wonderful time as you will be more prepared!

Jennifer Retzlaff

Jennifer became a lifelong Disney fan during her first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of her life. She quickly started to introduce her love of Disney to her family with a Disney honeymoon and then family trips when her youngest was 18 months old. She loves the magic that Disney brings to people through theme parks, cruises, and adventures. As a teacher, she tries to bring Disney magic into her classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” She is also part of the Magic Vacation Planner team as a personal travel advisor. With this team, she can now help others plan magical vacations. She loves bringing her love to Disney to readers with How to Disney.

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