My Top 10 Favorite Tips for WDW

Christina SzewczukDecember 15, 2015Yay! You’re going to Disney World! But, where do you start? I’ll admit, navigating through all the information available for Walt Disney World can be overwhelming, especially for a first-timer or someone who has not experienced the magic in a while. I have compiled a simple list of my absolute favorite tips to help you get through the parks like a pro!

1. Use Disney Gift CardsDisney Gift Cards are a great thing to have for your trip and can be used in many ways. I ask for these cards for my birthday, holidays and any time someone asks, “What do you want for…?” By the time we travel, I have generally saved up a good deal and they pay for a nice chunk of our out of pocket spending while at the parks. They are not only valid at the Disney Store! You can use Disney gift cards at most locations in the parks for souvenirs, food, and even paying for your bill at the end of your stay! Simply link a credit card at check in to use for charging to your room via your Magic Band. Go down to the Concierge the night before check out (prior to 10:00 PM), and they will apply the cards to your bill. At that time, you can give cash to pay off the balance or they can charge the remainder to your credit card. You can also apply Disney gift cards to pay for your vacation prior to traveling.
2. Pressed Penny Hack: Quarters in an M&M’s mini container.It’s always great to find a low cost, collectible souvenir and these little 51¢ gems really fit the “bill”. (Pun intended!) We love searching for the machines throughout the parks and getting new ones to add to our collection every trip. However, scrambling for that perfect penny or searching for quarters is not fun. So this little trick is an awesome time saver. All you need to do is to get the M&M mini’s in the plastic container, save those incredibly shiny pennies and get a roll of quarters. Eat your M&M’s while counting out piles of two quarters and a penny (This part is optional, but delicious!) Stack the two quarters and a penny piles inside the container and viola! You have a pressed penny money dispenser!
3. Self-Filtering Water bottle and free water in the parks.There are these little strokes of genius in the world here and there that give me great joy. This little invention is one of them. It is a refillable water bottle with a filter in the lid. You can refill this bottle anywhere and you have fresh, filtered, water! All the quick serve places will give you a free cup of ice water. I usually get the ice water whenever I am running low and then pour the water into my bottle so I can drink it on the go! Although I use the Brita version, there are plenty of other companies that make them. You can find them at stores and online.
4. Arrive early and catch “Rope Drop” at the Magic Kingdom!Arriving early works well at all the parks, but there is an added benefit at Magic Kingdom called the “Rope Drop Ceremony”. Just before the park opens, the citizens of Main Street and several Disney characters put on a short opening ceremony. The train arrives with several Disney friends on board and they dance and sing. When this over, you are allowed to enter the park while being escorted down Main Street by cast members. It is a fun little benefit! The larger benefit, in my opinion, is the empty park! This is a great way to experience that impossible-to-get fast pass ride with minimal to no wait. For that first hour or two, depending on time of year, the parks are generally at very low capacity. At Hollywood Studios, this is a great time to go directly to sign up for Jedi Training.
5. Take breaks in the afternoon.Piggy-backing off my last tip, I suggest taking a break from the heat and crowds in the afternoon. Around 1:00 PM the crowd level is generally at its peak (As is the temperature!) and then dips a little bit in the evening. Going back gives you an opportunity to enjoy the amenities of your resort and to rest a little bit. Then you are ready for an evening in the parks!
6. Don’t try to do it all – have a list of “Must Do’s”.There is so much to do in Walt Disney World that even with an extended stay, you won’t be able to do it all in one trip. By prioritizing certain attractions and experiences, you will be much happier not having to rush around. Once you have your list, make a plan for accomplishing those “must do’s”.
7. Take advantage of the advance fastpass and dining reservations.Fastpass is available for reservations at 7:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) 60 days ahead if you are staying onsite and 30 days ahead if you are staying off-site. Dining Reservations are available beginning 180 days out. If you are planning character meals or table service dining, advance reservations are highly recommended. During busier times of year, this is crucial. You can always change them in your My Disney Experience account, but its best to have a plan so you do not get stuck without reservations or with limited options.
8. Child Safety Tips: Take pictures of your kids before you go to the parks so you have a picture of what they are wearing that day. A great DIY temporary tattoo hack is to write your information in pen or with a sharpie on their arm (or another place) and use liquid Band-Aid to seal it so it won’t wear off. There are places on the Internet that make actual temporary tattoos for you too. Disney is great at helping kids find their “lost parents”, but better to be safe than sorry.
9. Give yourself at least 90 minutes of travel time.Whether you are driving or taking Disney Transport; you need to allow plenty of time to get from point A to point B. Anything can happen and a missed dining reservation can end up costing you $10/per person.
10. Use a Travel Agent who specializes in DisneyThis is probably the most important tip, so I am saving it for last! Disney Specialists are available at no cost to you and are an invaluable resource. Travel Agents from an Earmarked Agency are trained extensively and will be able to seamlessly guide you through the process while looking out for you the whole way. They will book all of your reservations, including fastpass and dining, they will keep an eye out for discounts that can be applied to your reservation, they will provide you with great tips/recommendations and they will do everything they can to make sure you have a great, hassle-free experience. The agent will work with you and make your reservations, but you always have the option of making the reservations yourself. There really are no “cons” to using a travel agent! To get the best person for the job, make sure they are working with an Earmarked Agency who is trained, traveled and trusted, like Wishes Family Travel.

 I hope you find these tips and tricks helpful! Feel free to contact me and let me know how they worked out for you at Christina@wishesfamilytravel.com. Happy Travels!