12 Tips: How to Not Hate Your Trip To Disney World

As frequent visitors to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland, we’re both pretty familiar with U.S. based parks.  We’re even off-and-on Annual Pass holders to Walt Disney World.  We were always baffled when people came back from their trip to Walt Disney World complaining.

It wasn’t until we visited Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea that we began to understand why people complained about their trip to Walt Disney World.  We visited Tokyo Disneyland after dark in the rain (in our defense, it was the only time we could fit it in), so it was even more difficult to navigate the park.  We got turned around a few times and couldn’t find covered seating for dinner.  While we were frustrated, a light bulb went off.  This.  This is people complain about their trip to a park we love so much.

If you’re planning your first trip to Walt Disney World, these tips will help reduce the stress that come from an overwhelming vacation destination.

1. Get in the right mindset BEFORE you go.

Seriously.  This is a big one.  Go ahead and wrap your head around the idea that you’ll be standing in long lines and that there’s no way you can hit everything Walt Disney World has to offer…unless you’re planning to stay for a month, that is.

So many people go to Walt Disney World not realizing just how huge this place it.  There are four parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.  And that’s not including the two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.  Plus, there’s Disney Springs, several resorts, and several restaurants.  And several of the restaurants are at the resorts…not in one of the parks.  With so much to do, this leads to our second tip…

2. Do your research BEFORE you go.

Go over the attractions and shows available before you leave.  Mark the “can’t miss” items and prioritize them.  You can make them a priority by either booking a FastPass (more on that later) or getting to the park at opening.

If your “can’t miss” item is a new ride, you’ll likely have to rely on getting to the park at opening because FastPasses will go quickly.  When arriving at park opening, understand that means arriving to the park 30-45 minutes BEFORE the park actually opens.  Otherwise, you’ll just be behind everyone else that planned to get an early start for that ride, too.  If you arrive early enough, you can be one of the first to get through security and the ticket stalls.  Once you’re in, rush straight to the ride because that’s where everyone else is going, too.

If you’re not interested in making a mad dash through the park, here’s one extra tip…Book a breakfast in the park where the ride is located.  If you have reservations at a restaurant in the park, then Disney will allow you in the park before official opening.  Plan to finish breakfast a few minutes before park opening so that you can leave just in time to beat the others coming in through the ticket stalls.

While you’re making note of what you “can’t miss,” also make note of the things you’re not all that interested in.  This way, you’re not in the park wasting time in line for a ride you have no interest in.

3. Dress for comfort.

This item right here is the one that can absolutely ruin your day.  Walt Disney World is in Florida.  Florida is hot, so bring loose clothing that can keep you cool.

Comfortable shoes are probably the most important.  I like to bring 2-3 pairs to switch out.  Go ahead and pack some Moleskin in case of blisters, too.  You’ll easily hit 20,000+ steps in one day.

4. Stay on property.

Stay on property to make use of the perks like Disney transportation and Extra Magic Hours.  The morning Extra Magic Hours are especially handy when you want to get to the park early enough to enjoy a new ride.

Using Disney transportation will also cut down on your stress.  You won’t have to find the park, then find a parking space, and then hop on transport to drive you from the parking lot to the gate.  After a long day in the park, it’s also nice to let someone else do the driving back to your hotel.

5. Download the My Disney Experience app.

This app helps you plan everything for your trip.  You can check to see what dining reservations are available, check what current wait times are for rides, and book your FastPasses.  You’re only allowed so many FastPasses at Walt Disney World in a day, so being able to check ride wait times is very helpful.  Don’t walk across the park to see a 90 minute wait at the ride.  Your feet will thank you.

Don’t wait until you leave on your trip to download this app.  You can begin reserving FastPasses and making dining reservations 180 days out.  You’ll want to book early to get FastPasses to popular rides and get dining reservations at sit down restaurants.  While you can book FastPasses and dining reservations during your trip, your options are usually limited…if available at all.

6. Take a break in the middle of the day.

If you’re in the park early in the morning, plan for a break in the early afternoon.  Mornings and evenings are when the parks are at their best for temperatures and crowds.  Taking a break in the afternoon is a double-win.  You get to relax your tired feet and stay out of the heat when the sun is at its worst.

7. Plan when you will leave the park.

No, I’m not kidding.  This can make or break how you end your day.  This is mostly an issue for Magic Kingdom.  If you plan to leave Magic Kingdom right after the fireworks show, then you’ll be shoulder to shoulder (and stroller to your heel) with everyone else inching their way to the exit.  Once you finally reach the exit, you’ll be waiting in massive lines for the bus back to your resort.  When you do finally get on a bus, there’s a good chance you’ll be standing on already tired feet during your bus ride.

Instead, head back into the park after the fireworks show.  Stay away from Main Street!  That’s where crowds will be insane.  Head into Adventureland or Tomorrowland depending on which side you’re closest to.  Or if you’ve already seen the fireworks this trip…

8. Skip the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

I only suggest this if you’ve already seen the show once on your trip.  No one does fireworks like Disney.  It will very likely be one of the highlights of your trip.

However, if you have seen the fireworks, then this is a great time to jump in ride lines.  This is the only time other than immediately at park opening where we’ve seen Peter Pan’s Flight have less than a 45 minute wait.

9. Entertain yourself during long waits for rides.

No matter how much you plan, you’ll likely end up waiting in a few lines that are 45-60 minutes long.  The best way to make this time fly by is to have entertainment.  We’ve seen people read their Kindles or play on their iPhones, but line games with the people you’re there with are the most fun.  Line games we’ve enjoyed have been the Head’s Up app and other trivia questions.  Just don’t be too annoying to the other guests around you and keep up with the moving line.

10. Plan meals at “off” times.

There’s nothing worse than grabbing your tray of food and then frantically searching for a place to sit and enjoy it.  The counter service restaurants at Disney can get quite full between people eating and people just stopping for an air conditioned break.

11. Stay hydrated!

It can get very hot at the parks.  Even in the non-summer months.  To keep your energy up, you’ll need to stay hydrated.  To stay hydrated, you have a few options: 1. Bring in your own reuseable water bottle and fill up in the park.  2. You can get a free cup of ice water at the counter service restaurants. 3. Pay an insane amount of money for a bottle of water.

12. Bring snacks.

In case you haven’t heard, Disney is expensive, and the meal costs add up quicly.  Save money by bringing snacks.  Meals are also generously sized, so you can split meals between an adult and child or even two adults if you also have snacks.

If you’ve made it this far, then I’m sure you’ve noticed a theme throughout these tips.  Plan and prepare.  You won’t regret it.  Now go and have a magical trip!