55 Things To Know Before You Visit Disney World
12 – Park hop
Park hopping is when you visit more than one Disney World theme park in the same day. This can be a good way to avoid crowds and break up a long day in the parks.
In order to have park-hopping privileges, you’ll need to add this option to your park tickets.
My post about choosing your Disney World tickets dives into pricing for Park Hopper. Read more here.
We like to park hop early in the afternoon. This is a time when crowd levels tend to peak, and our energy level starts to flag. A long, air-conditioned bus or monorail ride gives us a chance to recharge.
13 – Expect crowds
Yes, I know, super-obvious. But I’m putting “Expect Crowds” here to remind you to be realistic about your expectations. Even if you visit in the least-busy time of year, there will still be long lines for attractions like Peter Pan and Frozen.
Make a plan and know what to expect
The more you dislike crowds, the more strategic you need to be about your touring. Really study how to use Lightning Lanes, be extra-thoughtful about which parks you visit on which days, and build in lots of break time to get out of the rush.
One of my favorite resources for planning around crowds, and for predicting crowd levels, is TouringPlans.com. With the tools on this site, you can customize a plan that will help avoid a ton of wait and rabble. Pay for the subscription – it’s just $17.95 (even less if you own an Unofficial Guide) – and it will be well worth it.
14 – Get the apps (and know how to use them)
There are many helpful apps for touring at Disney World. A couple of them are absolutely essential for planning your trip and for touring the parks when you visit.
Disney’s official My Disney Experience app is free, and I recommend downloading it as soon as you even start thinking about planning a Disney trip. It’s your hub for almost anything you could possibly schedule at Disney World. On this app you can view park hours, buy tickets, reserve dining, mobile-order food, view your park photos, check ride wait times, plus lots more.
Be sure to open the app and get everything set up before your trip. You’ll want to get your Disney login saved and be sure there’s a credit card associated with your account.
The new Lightning Lane system works inside the My Disney Experience app. Learn more here.
The other app I find indispensable is the WDW Lines app from TouringPlans.com. This is also a free app, although there are some excellent additional features if you subscribe on the TouringPlans.com website (see tip #8, above). Not only does the WDW Lines app show expected crowd levels and ride waiting times, it can create a personalized touring plan on the fly, and you can see the menus for every dining option at Disney World.
15 – Wear your Magic Band
Imagine if you didn’t have to carry a park ticket, room key, fast pass, photo pass, or even a credit card into the parks. Disney’s Magic Band technology makes this a reality.
A Magic Band is a waterproof electronic wristband that keeps track of almost anything you need for your day at the parks. The Magic Band syncs up with Disney’s reservation system to keep track of your Lightning Lane times, park tickets, and even acts as your hotel room key.
You can purchase a Magic Band when you make your hotel reservation, buy one in the parks, or order one ahead of time from Disney.
16 – You might not need a car at Disney World
Particularly if you stay on-site, you probably don’t need a car at Disney World. Disney provides constant complimentary bus service between all the hotels and parks.
While drivers have to park in distant lots and walk or tram to the gate, Disney buses stop right in front of the parks. And some hotels are linked to the parks by other transportation too, like the monorail, skyliner gondola, and boats.
Learn about the Disney World transportation options
When you plan where to stay at Disney World take into account how you’d like to get around and where you think you’ll spend the most time. Some hotels have multiple bus stops which can slow down your trip to the parks. Others are just a monorail ride or even a walk away.
If you do rent a car, be aware that guests staying in an on-site Disney hotel will pay a daily parking fee, but this includes free standard parking at all the theme parks.
Find out which Disney World hotels are closest to which parks here.
17 – Use Uber, Lyft, or a Taxi
Even though Disney provides lots of free transportation, sometimes it’s really worth it to spend a few bucks for an Uber, Lyft, or taxi ride.
At all of the Disney World parks, you can jump in a cab or an Uber to whisk away from the crowds in minutes. We like to use a taxi, Lyft, or Uber at the end of the day, when crowds are lined up for buses and we’re ready for bed.
Disney World buses don’t travel between the hotels
Another good use for a cab/Uber is to travel between hotels. There are no Disney World buses that go between hotels; so if you have a dining reservation at a hotel other than where you’re staying, you’ll need alternate transportation. For less than $30 you can get door-to-door service pretty much anywhere on Disney World property.
And incidentally, if you’re staying at Disney World but spending a day at Universal, an Uber or Lyft is a great way to get there.
Lyft discount code
First-time Lyft users can use this promo code for a discount on your first trip: SUE23822. Be sure to download the Lyft app and set up your account before your trip, so you’re all set to request a ride in Orlando.
Uber discount code
First-time Uber users can use this promo code for a discount on your first trip: 5YJ9X. Be sure to download the Uber app and set up your account before your trip, so you’re all set to request a ride in Orlando.
18 – Prepare for the Orlando weather
Orlando weather can be unpredictable and extreme. Make sure you monitor the forecast when packing for your trip. The weather may affect your day but if you’re prepared you can minimize its effects and keep touring even when the rest of the crowd bails out.
Summer weather is generally the most challenging, and I’ve created a number of posts and podcast episodes to help you prepare:
- Top 5 Orlando Summer Weather Tips
- Orlando Summer Gear Guide
- Disney World Weather Tips and Why August is a Great Time to Visit Orlando
- Extreme Weather Tips
Also, be aware that Orlando can be cold in the winter. We’ve experienced morning frost in January and February. So if you travel during these months you may need to bring a hat, scarf, and gloves. Here’s what to expect if you visit Disney World during Christmastime.
19 – Get Memory Maker
Memory Maker is Disney’s photo package plan. A single purchase gives you every photo taken in the park by Disney’s PhotoPass photographers and also every ride photo, for your entire group and for your entire trip.
In my opinion, if you spend the time and money for a Disney World vacation you should get the pictures. Disney’s PhotoPass photographers are all around the parks and they can get some great shots of your group.
Disney World’s Memory Maker includes all ride photos
Plus having the ride photos pre-paid is awesome. These are some of my favorite Disney parks photos, and when you know you’re getting the picture it’s fun to try to pose for the cameras.
Save money by purchasing Memory Maker in advance
Memory Maker is cheaper if you buy it before your trip. Here is the Memory Maker page on Disney’s website.
Did you know you can pre-purchase a photo package at Universal Orlando, Disneyland, and Universal Hollywood too? Here’s a quick guide to all the details, plus links to the official Disney and Universal photos websites.
20 – Make dining reservations ASAP
Disney World guests can make dining reservations up to 60 days before their trip, so this will be one of the first items you can schedule into your plans. Dining reservations can be made online or on the My Disney Experience app. As soon as you have a plan about which park you’ll be in for the day, make your dining reservations.
Allow at least an hour to get between the Disney World parks
If you make Lightning Lane or dining reservations in two different parks, be sure to allow plenty of travel time in your plans. Our experience has been that it takes at least an hour to get from one park to another, sometimes longer.
Keep trying – Disney World dining reservations often open up at the last minute
And if your first choice isn’t available for the day or time you’d like, keep checking back. Reservations open up as guests change plans. You might just get lucky at the last minute and find exactly what you want.
The mobile walk-up list is another way to get into those must-do restaurants. Here’s how to use it in the Disney World app.
The TouringPlans.com dining reservation finder is an excellent tool for finding those hard-to-get Disney World restaurant spots. Click here to learn how it works.
21 – Make lunch reservations
Even if you don’t have a strong urge to dine at a particular restaurant, I advise you to make advance dining reservations (ADR in Disney-speak) for lunch, especially if you’re traveling during the hot part of the year.
Lunch reservations give you a guaranteed break in your Disney World day
The reason I specifically recommend lunch reservations is to give you a guaranteed place to take a mid-day break at a locked-in time. If you start early, you will definitely need a break at around noon, and that’s just when everyone else needs a break too. Having a reservation means not running around trying to figure out where to go, and you won’t have to worry about getting a table.
You still may have to wait even if you have a dining reservation
Although you have a specific time for your reservation, this does not necessarily mean a table will be open at that exact time. You may still have to wait awhile after you check in at the restaurant.
If you really need a break and it’s not quite your reservation time yet, go to the restaurant early. Once you’re checked in you’ll be in the queue and could be seated even before your reservation time. Plus usually the waiting areas at the restaurants are air-conditioned and have cold water to drink!
22 – Don’t overschedule your day
Planning is a huge part of a good Disney World touring strategy. But do be careful not to schedule every moment. Sometimes things will move faster than you expect, and sometimes there will just be something that throws everything off.
Leave room in your plan for the unexpected. This way you can still get back on track later. Plus it’s important to allow time just to explore and soak in the atmosphere.
It might turn out that you love parades and have to see them all, or maybe you decide once was enough. Allow room in your day for a little accidental magic.
