The 10 Things We Always Do On Our Walt Disney World Vacation

Disney veterans often have vacation traditions that are a staple in their family. I am excited to share with you the ten things my family always does during a Walt Disney World vacation.

10. Reserve Fast Passes For Attractions Weeks Prior To The Vacation.

Our family reserves fast passes as soon as they are available for our vacation. We strategically plan past passes around dining and extra magic hours to see as many attractions as possible. Securing fast passes early ensures everyone in the group sees their top attraction choice.

9. Pack a Delicious Bag Of Food for Snacking In The Park.

Packing a Walt Disney World snack bag is a great way to save money at Walt Disney World. We pack breakfast and snack items for our group to enjoy in the park. Granola bars, fruit snacks, doughnuts, soft drinks and bottled water are some of our favorite items to bring in the park with us to save time and money. By bringing our own drinks we can eliminate the time it would take to stand in line for bottled water as well as the hefty price of staying hydrated during a hot day in the park.

8. Stay At A Walt Disney World Resort.

My family always stays at a Walt Disney World resort. During a longer stay during peak season at Christmas several years ago we stayed off the property to save money. We quickly learned that we did not save time sitting in the holiday Orlando traffic and we did not enjoy visiting the parks without the luxury of extra magic hours. My family stays at value, moderate or deluxe resorts depending on the season, pricing and park plan but we consistently stay at a Disney resort.

7. Enjoy An Afternoon or Evening at Disney Springs Shopping.

Enjoying an evening or afternoon at Disney Springs is one of my favorite ways to enjoy Disney without entering a park. Rainforest Café is a dining favorite for my family as is Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Shop. Buying personalized ornaments at the Christmas shop or browsing The World Of Disney store never gets old.

6. Watch The Disney Resort Channel In Our Hotel Room.

We do not spend much time in our resort room during our vacation but the times we are in our room are spent with the resort channel turned on. This park guide can be cheesy at times but is a part of the Disney magic for me. I love watching the resort channel to stay updated on renovations and new attractions. No matter how many times you have visited the resort, the sneak peaks of attractions on the resort channel just gets you pumped to visit the parks.

5. Book Dinner At A Favorite Disney Restaurant.

Disney dining is a huge part of the Disney magic for my family. We never plan a vacation without booking at least one meal at a Disney restaurant. Ohana, California Grill, Citricos and Chef Mickey are a few of our favorite Disney restaurants. Indulging in a great meal once a day at Walt Disney World is what really makes it a top vacation spot for me.

4. Enjoy Another Disney Resort.

Because so many of our favorite restaurants are at other Walt Disney World resorts my family loves to enjoy the evening at the resort before or after dinner. Watching the water parade at the Contemporary, enjoying fireworks at the Polynesian or playing in the arcade, shopping or grabbing a drink by the pool are all fun ways to enjoy a quiet evening outside the park while exploring another resort.

3. Relax At The Resort Pool.

Lounging at a Disney pool is a great way to unwind during a vacation. All Disney resorts have wonderful pools that rank far above pools at regular hotels. Fun water slides; hot tubs and poolside cabanas with frozen drinks make Disney pool time hard for me to pass up.

2. Enjoy Snacks In The Parks.

Disney has some really delicious snacks in the park. Cake pops, popcorn, candy and chocolate apples are a few of my many favorite Disney snacks in the park. Splurging on a sweet Disney themed treat always makes a day at Walt Disney World even more special. Cheshire cat striped chocolate apples and bright blue snowflake Frozen themed cake pops are too delicious to pass up.

1. Utilize Late Extra Magic Hours to See Attractions.

Extra magic hours keep my family returning to Walt Disney World again and again. We enjoy taking advantage of the opportunity to stay late and enjoy the park after non-resort guests have left for the evening. My family of night owls regularly plays in the park until the 2:00 or 3:00 a.m. closing time of extra magic hours. Resting during the afternoon and returning in the evening allows us to walk straight on rides all over the park and skip the busy day crowds in the park. The strategy is even more critical when visiting during the peak holiday or summer season.

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