We all know Disney is the happiest place on earth. But we also know that Disney entitles long walks under a hot sun and long.. very long waiting lines. That’s why many go there because of their kids and many adults choose different destinations for their weekends’ escapes.
I am not a regular Disney visitor, neither an annual pass holder and I need my visits to be very effective. I love Disney because it really fills me with innocent joy and happiness and takes away all my worries bringing me balance. Some people meditate, I go to Disney
This guide was born as a result of me being a very practical person and always try to find shortcuts without giving away on the fun. So here are things I discovered that I could do to ease and improve my Disney experience, as well as saving you a lot of time so you can get to see more and enjoy more.
First thing’s first:
The best you can do is to download the Disney app. Those who visit the parks often know it and use it all the time, but if you go only once in a while you might even forget about it. No questions here, this app will be your best friend in the park.
-Check waiting times. If the time states less than 30 min there is probably no wait in line (insider tip: 20 min is what, in most of the rides, will take you to get from the entrance door to your seat and to begin the ride without any waits so they put it as default that makes those 40 min wait really nothing, so don’t let it scare you)
– Use the app to book a fast pass. If you plan your visit in advance try to book the hottest rides that you want to visit (to know which is the hot ride check waiting times) usually fast pass for those rides are not available for the same day. For example Avatar in Pandora, has to be booked up to 3 weeks in advance
-The hot rides, mostly if kids are allowed (like Avatar), will be packed in the morning and line might be up to +3 hours so go back to your app, check what is available with less wait time and come back to that hot ride later.
(insider tip: lines on those rides are much smaller by the afternoon around 6-7 pm and if it is during the weekday you will get lucky. It took me only 40 min to get to Avatar on Thursday at 6 pm
For the first time goers, 40 min or even an hour is not a big wait, mostly if you move through the mysterious caves with openings overlooking beautiful waterfalls, or walk into the darkness where shadows and ghosts talk to you and guide you through the way, setting up your mood and mind. You can read more about tips for the first timers here
-order your food through the app and pick up later. Choose the restaurant where you want to eat, order and when you are ready for your lunch just come and pick up. Even if there is a line. Trust me, the pickup line is much faster.
– check restaurant options and process in your app. most of the places from the same park will have similar foods except for Epcot, of course. So if you are looking for something special, the app is definitely your best option. This will save you so much of walking time. My suggestion: do it while you are drinking your morning coffee, this way you will know where to go and even can order it in advance, that is, if you know at what time you will have your lunch/dinner
-Talk to the Disney crew. Usually, they work on the same rides. Ask them when the line is smaller.
what to wear
– Dress properly. No, I am not talking about the certain dress code. I mean if you wanna dress like a pirate, do it, absolutely! But I am talking about smart dressing that will help you to get through the whole day of walking under the sun.
You need very comfortable shoes. You will be walking in the heat for extended hours. I personally need my shoes to be open (like sandals) and here are the best ones.
– I believe there is nothing better than a light linen shirt. It protects you from the UV rays and it is fresh enough.
Hats, any type of hats. I like straw hats because they allow for ventilation and don’t get sweat stains ( if you don’t have one there are plenty of options for purchase in parks).
– Wear sunblock, even if you are wearing long sleeve linen cover and a hat, you need to apply sunblock at least on your face and any uncovered part of your body. trust me, you don’t want to burn yourself.
It is Florida and you never know when the rain will come. bring or purchase a poncho. An umbrella might be the first what comes to mind but trust me it is not very comfortable to walk with it. It is not the same to walk in your city than to walk in Disney. During rainy days you can get poncho in any establishment inside Disney. they are not expensive and pretty comfortable.
what to wear
Transportation:
Ask if your hotel provides a shuttle service and once you get to a park you can move in between parks with Disney buses or mono riel. and then get back to your hotel on the shuttle
If you choose to drive and get into the parking lot you should know that that same receipt for parking will get you in all parks that day. Yes, you only pay to park once.
Remember where you park. Disney makes it really easy by naming parking areas with names related to the movies, industry or animals. However, I’ve seen and heard of cases where people will still forget where the car is. So come on, we all have cell phones so just tell your SIRI/ Alexa or Partner to remind you or send a text to yourself.
Usually, Magic Kingdom is the last to close and with the most people in it because of lights parade and fireworks.
The Magic Kingdom is the only park that you will need an extra transportation to get to the parking lot or to your shuttle bus. It is also connected through the mono rail with Epcot. If you have been to this before you already know how packed it gets to get to the parking lot. So a trick here: park at Epcot, use the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom and back. There will be almost no line to get to Epcot monorail at closing. So you will get to your car faster or to your shuttle on time. I didn’t know it the first time and we had to pay Uber to pick us up because we were too late for our shuttle. And those will cost you about the same as you paid for parking so if you are planning to stay late maybe driving can be a good option.
Where to stay
Book the hotel affiliated with Disney. they offer special shuttles to parks as well as If there are special hours (magic hours) ask if your hotel covers it. Those are hours that are reserved only with a special pass for outside regular hours visits. that can give you an extra couple of hours and less crowded rides. Along with special events reserved only for magic hours!
If your budget is flexible, maybe look into one of the resorts, they are located on Disney territory and have a monorail or ferry taking you directly there.
If you are a Florida resident:Lucky you! there are always special rate for tickets and special offers. Do you research. most of the times you can find special offers inside the app.
extra tips:
For adults who go to Epcot. If you are really a beer lover, stick to beer. There are so many different types to try. Don’t mix it with other drinks, my husband can attest to this from experience. Start with Canada and work your way towards Mexico and please eat in between. Trust me, if you break this rule it will just absolutely ruin your day. And also, how can you NOT eat at Epcot?
For lovers of margaritas just read “the best drinks and food in Disney” parks.
If it doesn’t say do not touch you can touch it and get on it and take a picture with it. Check my Instagram for all my Disney pictures.
Let me know in comments if this information was useful or if I missed something.
