A getaway to Walt Disney World involves countless decisions and plenty of opportunities to spend.
Of course, most travelers don't have infinite funds, and the visit itself is brief. So how can you stretch both your budget and your hours? This guide covers proven methods for saving time, money, or both, alongside an overview of the helpful services Disney provides.
Universal Trip-Organizing Approaches
We'll begin with techniques that benefit any travel group, whether children are along for the ride or not.
Schedule Your Arrival Day at Disney
Chances are, you won't land in the Orlando region at dawn on arrival day, and you'll want time to unpack and unwind at your resort. Visiting a park that day would burn one ticket entry for just a partial experience, so it's wiser to save park visits for full days.
Choose a different opening activity that will launch the trip on a high note! Consider options such as these:
- Take a refreshing swim at your resort pool.
- Kick off the Disney adventure with a character breakfast or evening show.
- Hop aboard the monorail for your inaugural journey.
- Explore Downtown Disney or the Boardwalk for an evening out.
Map Out Your Parks and Dining
Determining which park to visit on each day of your vacation is essential. Take into account which parks host Extra Magic Hours on specific days, along with how long you expect to spend at each location. Every park tends to draw bigger crowds on particular weekdays. Historically, the heaviest-traffic days fall like this:
- Magic Kingdom: Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
- Epcot: Fridays
- Hollywood Studios: Sundays and Wednesdays
- Animal Kingdom: Tuesdays
Once you've sketched a rough outline of which park corresponds to which day, you should start planning select meals. Book character breakfasts, dinner shows, and romantic evenings well in advance.
Additional Universal Approaches
- Reserve a refrigerator for your room. Do this well ahead of your stay. Some resorts include one by default; others offer one at no cost; and some charge a fee. Refrigerator inventory vanishes quickly during peak periods.
- If a grocery run is feasible, take advantage. Stock the room with beverages, snacks, and breakfast items.
- Unable to visit a grocery store? Ship a package of supplies to your room in advance.
- Since you're bringing a backpack into the park anyway, toss in snacks and drinks. Packing lunch is perfectly reasonable too. You can stash everything in a locker upon arrival.
Techniques for Families
Traveling with kids to Walt Disney World puts you in good company. That doesn't mean you're destined for endless queues and packed eateries, however.
The following sections outline methods for sidestepping crowds while amplifying the enjoyment.
Ahead of Departure
- Involve your children in the planning process. Let them pick the hotel from a shortlist you've prepared within budget. Allow them to choose some dining spots and decide which attractions to prioritize or skip.
- Print identification stickers displaying your name, home address, and mobile number. Affix them to belongings you're bringing, and keep extras handy for tagging new purchases during the trip.
- Engage in craft activities. Have them craft "lost child" badges or lanyards they can sport throughout the parks.
- Condition your kids for the extensive walking ahead by establishing a family stroll routine each evening for the two to three months before departure.
- Let your children design their own park itinerary. A handy tool on Disney's website allows you to build a personalized theme park map. Select "Plan" then choose "Maps." You can print them at home or order printed copies. Delivery takes a few weeks, making them an excellent countdown tool.
- Purchase an autograph album and a thick marker if your children are eager to meet their favorite characters. Confirm the book is sizable and opens smoothly; characters sporting oversized padded gloves and little ones benefit from user-friendly formats.
- Measure your child's height beforehand and identify which attractions will be off-limits.
After You Arrive
- Grab your resort's recreation schedule. It highlights complimentary movie evenings, ceremonial events, and other entertainment you might otherwise miss!
- Build in a pool break or afternoon rest for most days.
- Every theme park offers a complimentary Baby Care Center serving as a cool, quiet haven.
- Take advantage of Rider Switch at any ride with height requirements. Obtain a pass from the attendant stationed at the standby entrance. The first parent rides via the standby line. Afterward, the second parent redeems the Rider Switch pass through the FASTPASS line, regardless of the hour. This lets both grown-ups experience the coasters and thrill attractions.
- Choose an unmistakable meeting spot. This serves as a rendezvous point if anyone gets separated or a checkpoint to regroup at a set time.
- Look into children's activity centers or babysitting options to carve out adult-only moments while keeping the kids entertained.
- Sit up front on the monorail. For many children, it's a magical moment of the day.
- In-room babysitting exists through a service called Kid's Night Out. Caregivers can even escort children to attractions if you prefer. Standard rates hover around $14 per hour for the first child, with additional children costing only a few dollars more hourly. This program isn't operated by Disney itself but rather a well-regarded local Orlando provider beloved by repeat visitors.
Getaway Techniques for Grown-Ups
Florida's Disney World now ranks as the top honeymoon locale across the United States. Here are several suggestions to keep in mind when preparing for your visit.
- Think about reaching the parks a bit later in the morning, ensuring your energy peaks during the afternoon. Queues thin out as little ones head back to their hotels for swimming and downtime. Keep in mind that during busier seasons, FASTPASS vouchers for headline attractions may already be depleted, so this tactic may not always work.
- Certain rides feature single-rider or standby lanes that move much faster than the standard queues. Yes, you won't sit beside your companion, but that separation lasts only moments and can cut hours from your total wait time.
- Be among the last to leave! Lingering late means thinner crowds, shorter queues, and fewer children.
- Book the Richard Petty Driving Experience, a spa session, or a round of golf for an outing largely free of youngsters.
Countless time- and money-saving strategies exist for Disney World; these merely scratch the surface.
With thoughtful preparation and flexibility for the unexpected, you're guaranteed a magical experience!
