Haven’t been to Disney yet? Or not in a long time? Go…now!
And these 12 tips will help you make the most of your Disney experience.
Trust us, we’re experts.
- Stay at Disney
Your room key is your ticket, free transportation, early admission and you can stay later at the parks. While many of Disney’s resorts can be a bit pricey, they do offer some cheaper options if you’re quick on the draw.
If your wallet doesn’t allow, snag a cheap hotel in Orlando – many of them are just a mile away and offer shuttles to Disney.
- Splurge for the Park Hopper
If you’re going to spend your money anywhere, this is where it counts. An extra $60 allows you to go back and forth between any of the parks as much as you want.
“Getting the park hopper was the best thing money can buy. We were able to hop from park to park whenever we pleased without paying for parking because of the buses
that Disney provides,” says Crayton Wells, senior psychology major at College of Charleston.
- Dress for comfort, not for style
If you really plan to get your money’s worth, then you’re going to be walking around these parks for a while. Tennis shoes are mandatory. It’s Disney; nobody cares what you look like. It’s always a good idea to bring a raincoat for the wet rides or if it starts sprinkling.
- Get there early
If you’re not a morning person, become one for your trip. This allows you the chance to ride the “popular” rides before the lines get long.
“I don’t wake up early…ever, but spending 12+ hours on my feet at Disney doesn’t bother me at all because it’s so much fun you don’t even realize how long you’ve been there or how far you’ve walked. Honestly, you wish you had more time at the end of the day,” says Carol Anne Henry, senior education major at College of Charleston
- Use the “Fast Pass” the right way
Grab a fast pass for a popular ride if the line is long, go do other stuff and come back later. If you’ve already gone on a ride and know you want to ride again, grab a fast pass. You can only have one fast pass at a time, so use it wisely. Don’t ever waste a fast pass on a lame ride.
- Don’t be afraid to rock a fanny pack
Self-explanatory. You’ll understand the magic when you use one.
“ALWAYS bring a fanny pack. You can store snacks, money, tickets, chapstick, etc., and it’s strapped to you…you can go on rides without having to take it off or
store it in a locker,” says Kaitlin Dickey, senior studio art major at the College of Charleston.
- Take your own food and drinks
Disney allows you to bring in your own stuff, so take advantage of this. The food and drinks in most of the parks are expensive and junky. The only exceptions: the delicious turkey legs and the authentic food/drinks at Epcot.
“Always bring a water bottle, they have water fountains all over the park where you can refill it all day,” says Wells.
- Don’t be a sucker for the daytime parades
While everyone and their moms are standing around watching the parades, YOU can be riding all of the rides around the park with very limited waiting time. Just think about it.
- Waiting Time App
The best thing to ever happen. To facilitate your game plan and get the best use of your fast passes, use this sweet little free app to check the waiting time for rides in all of Disney’s theme parks.
“No app has changed my life like [this] one. Instead of running all over the park checking wait times and potentially missing out on going on rides, you can stand in one place and check your phone and know the smartest move of where to go next,” says Henry.
- Stay for the Magic Kingdom shows
If you’re at Magic Kingdom at night, stop riding just a little bit early and get a good seat in front of the castle for the Electical Light Parade, fireworks and lightshow…you won’t regret it.
If you’re not at Magic Kingdom, get there (again, get the Park Hopper).
“The Disney firework and lightshow is one of the most breathtaking things I’ve ever seen…it blows any other firework display out of the water,” says Dickey.
- Don’t forget about Downtown Disney
Set aside a night to visit Downtown Disney. Pleasure Island has great restaurants, alcohol for those of age, and the biggest souvenir shop in Disney. This way you don’t have to carry what you bought around the parks all day.
“Paradisio 37 in Downtown Disney is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at. The menu has such a wide variety, so it caters to almost anyone, and everything is
delicious,” says Tristen Beckett, mother of two.
- Be a kid again
When you’re at Disney, no matter how old you are, it’s OK to be a kid again. It’s the “happiest place on earth.” So throw on a pair of ears, forget your troubles, and enjoy the magic.
“Disney makes childrens’ dreams come true. The long lines and crowds are always worth it at the end of the day because ‘the happiest place on earth’ does not disappoint,” says Beckett.
– by Tori Litton and Alexis Dorman
Related articles
- 16 Things No One Tells You About Disney World Vacations (buzzfeed.com)
- Disney’s latest experiment with technology: MagicBands (miamiherald.com)
CougarBuzz 