If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World you might have discovered that everyone has an option or a tip to share. Although they mean well, these tips can feel overwhelming when all you want is a fun, magical trip.
When looking at all the tips people share regarding the best snacks, dining locations, and pools, we think there are some key tips that aren’t often shared about a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort.
We are going to change that today by sharing some tips that you might not have heard about in your planning.
Walt Disney World is HUGE
This might be something you have heard, but have you let it set in to truly understand what this means.
The Walt Disney World Resort includes the four main Disney Parks (Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT) as well as the two waterparks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon), Disney Springs, and all the Resorts.
So what does this mean for your vacation? It means that it will take some time to get to and from all your destinations. When traveling between Parks or between Resorts, you are going to need to schedule in some time.
Disney recommends 90 minutes between Disney Resorts and around 20 minutes from Resorts to a Disney Park.
This also means that once you are in the Theme Parks you are going to be walking – a lot. Most Guests walk around 10 miles a day when in Walt Disney World and since most of us don’t do this normally, it can take a lot out of you.
Take some time to prepare by walking at home and making sure that you have shoes that are comfortable and you are able to walk for long distances.
Having these plans in place ahead of time can help you be better prepared when in Walt Disney World. You will know how much time to plan when traveling as well as have feet that are prepared for walking.
You Can’t Do It All
Because Walt Disney World is so big, you can’t do it all. Go into your vacation knowing that there are some experiences that you just won’t get to and that’s okay.
Each of the four Theme Parks has so much to offer that it is impossible to see and do it all no matter how long your vacation is.
Go into your trip with an idea of what your must-do rides are in each of the Theme Parks so you have a plan of what your goals are. Doing this can help you navigate the Parks faster and get more in.
Also, if you are wanting to get more done, consider investing in Genie+ so you can access the Lightning Lanes and bypass the standby lines.
Allow yourself to be okay with not getting everything in during one trip. Trying to do so everything will make you tired and you will probably miss out on some of the magic.
Get those must-do experiences done in the Theme Parks and then enjoy all the extra magic that you can experience.
Plan Downtime
This might be hard to do when you have spent a lot of money on tickets to get into a Theme Park, but you will enjoy the Parks more if you allow yourself some downtime.
Having a plan is important, but allowing some downtime within the plan can make a huge difference in everyone’s attitude.
Take some time back at the Resort to enjoy the pool or enjoy the activities. Visit other Resorts to see if you might want to stay there during your next visit. Find a quiet place (there are out there) in the Theme Park to relax with a delicious treat.
These are all ways to have some downtime throughout the day which will make a big difference during your vacation.
What You Need Can Be Found
When packing for Walt Disney World, don’t think that you have to bring the whole kitchen sink. You aren’t flying to space, you are going to Walt Disney World and they have what you need.
Even though it will be cheaper to bring most items from home, if you can’t fit them in the luggage or you forget something, don’t panic. Walt Disney World has items throughout the Disney Parks at the Baby Care Centers as well as at the Resorts.
Here you can find over-the-counter medicine, diapers, and other items like sunscreen that you might forget or run out of. If that happens, don’t panic because Walt Disney World has your back.
Make Dining at 60 Days
This might seem silly, but if you are wanting some of the top dining options such as O’hana the Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, you are going to need to be up and ready to make dining reservations 60 days before you travel.
Even though this might seem like a long way ahead of time, some of these top dining locations do book up within the day with prime times being hit up within the hour of going live.
If you want those prime dining locations, set that alarm for 6:00 am EST and be ready to go!
Pack an Extra Bag
Make it easy on yourself when it comes to packing to head home by tossing in an extra duffle bag. It never fails that items don’t fit back as easily as they did on the way to vacation.
Having an extra bag will make it easy to repack as well as have room for all the extra souvenirs that are following you home.
These bags don’t take up much room, but can really make a huge difference when you are trying to make your way back home out of the magic.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is a lot of work. It is hard to keep track of everything that you should and shouldn’t do. We hope that this list of some tips that aren’t normally shared will help you feel more confident about the magical vacation that waits for you.
Want more tips and tricks? Check out our list HERE.
