Magical Tips For A Magical Vacation

Even if you’ve been to Walt Disney World 50 times, there are always new tricks to learn to make your trip more magical! Read on for a few of my favs!

• Always, always, ALWAYS arrive at least 30 minutes before a park’s scheduled opening. The parks are much less crowded first thing in the morning and you can get a lot done in those first few hours. When crowds begin to thicken, have lunch, shop or go back to your resort for a swim or nap. Late in the afternoon visit another park (or the same one) refreshed and with the notion things are going to be at a much slower pace. The evening is a great time to enjoy much of the entertainment at the parks.
• Bring Ziploc bags in a variety of sizes. Our favorite use is for our cell phones in case we get caught in a thunderstorm or as added protection on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids!
• You don’t have to have fries with that. If you just want the protein (and portion sizes are large so just the main entrée can be “just right!”) ask to omit the side dishes. The is a great way to shave off a couple bucks and not waste food.
• If you’re not interested in the parade, this is a great time to see/ride attractions with slightly shorter lines.
• Make good use of the My Disney Experience app. You can make dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations and view wait times for every attraction all from your phone. Familiarize yourself with the app before you leave and it will be your best friend once you arrive.
• For theater attractions like Festival of the Lion King or Muppets 3-D people tend to push and elbow their way to the front in an effort to snag a good seat. What they find is that because they’re the first ones in, they’re the first to sit at the edges of the theater or so close to the front they aren’t able to enjoy the full effects. Hang back, relax and try to mix with the middle of the crowd. You’ll tend to get a much better seat this way.
•  Riding Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the dark takes the ride to a whole other level!
• For an unobstructed view on Soarin’ (i.e. no wiggling feet) politely ask for row one.
• Rainstorms are your friend at Walt Disney World. People tend to run for cover in the shops or back to the resort once the rain starts to fall. Stay! It’s usually over quickly and most attractions will still be in operation. Pull out your poncho and you’re good to go. If it’s a huge downpour, take in a show: Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Festival of the Lion King, a movie at one of the country pavilions in EPCOT. The rain will be gone before you know it and the crowds will have evaporated.
•  Are there two lines for a ride? The left line is almost always shorter.
•  If you are leaving Magic Kingdom as a parade is going or the fireworks have just let out, cut through the stores on either side of the street. They are all connected and you’ll get through much faster.
•  Seeing everything at Walt Disney World is impossible. WDW does this for a reason. They want you to come back! So, stop. Savor. Enjoy each individual moment. Trying to fit it all in will make everyone crazy. Enjoy what you can and then on the way home you can plan your next visit!
• Did I mention you should always arrive 30 minutes before a theme park’s scheduled opening? ALWAYS!

What are some of your favorite magical tips?