I’ve had a fondness for Walt Disney World for many years. First, as a child when I experienced “the magic of Disney” with my parents. Then, as a student when I had the time of my life participating in Disney’s college program. And finally now, as a mom when I take my kids there and share the "magic" with them. Somehow, after each trip, I manage to forget about the massive crowds, greasy food, big expense and crazy scooter drivers long enough to plan another one. It’s a little like childbirth in that respect.
Since I’ve been to Disney more times than I’d care to mention, friends often ask me for advice with their trip planning. Here is my unofficial master list of tips for a good time at Walt Disney World.
Tip 1: Buy Autograph Books Before Your Adventure Begins
It doesn’t matter how old my kids get, one of their favorite parts of a Disney vacation is collecting character photos and autographs. It’s like a game to them. How many character signatures can they get before the trip ends? I take their picture with each character and develop the photos within a day of returning home so the kids can complete the books and take them to school. The books are sold at any Disney gift shop and make an inexpensive souvenir. You can get a listing of character “meet and greets” on your way into each Disney park so you know when and where to look for them. If you are a multi-tasker, you may prefer to book a character breakfast or lunch where the characters come around to visit with you during your meal. Character dinners are also available, but beware. We ate at the princess dinner in Norway (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall) and found the food to be inedible. We ended up splurging on room service afterward. The character meals we like best are Cinderella’s Royal Table (in the castle) and Crystal Palace (with Winnie the Pooh and Friends) at Magic Kingdom, and Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary.
It doesn’t matter how old my kids get, one of their favorite parts of a Disney vacation is collecting character photos and autographs. It’s like a game to them. How many character signatures can they get before the trip ends? I take their picture with each character and develop the photos within a day of returning home so the kids can complete the books and take them to school. The books are sold at any Disney gift shop and make an inexpensive souvenir. You can get a listing of character “meet and greets” on your way into each Disney park so you know when and where to look for them. If you are a multi-tasker, you may prefer to book a character breakfast or lunch where the characters come around to visit with you during your meal. Character dinners are also available, but beware. We ate at the princess dinner in Norway (Akershus Royal Banquet Hall) and found the food to be inedible. We ended up splurging on room service afterward. The character meals we like best are Cinderella’s Royal Table (in the castle) and Crystal Palace (with Winnie the Pooh and Friends) at Magic Kingdom, and Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary.
Tip 2: Go Early, Leave Early
My kids don't have the stamina to spend more than five hours at a park. For park days, my goal is to arrive 10 minutes before the gates open and leave after lunch. The first two hours of the morning are the golden hours at the parks. There aren’t long lines for the rides, it’s not too hot and you aren’t likely to encounter angry tourists. Most parks open with some kind of small show or parade. If staying at a Disney resort during peak season, the parks will alternate days when they open an hour early for resort guests. These are called Extra Magic Hours. During our recent Disney vacation over President’s weekend, the Extra Magic Hours dictated which park I took the kids to each day. We usually head back to the hotel for nap or pool time after lunch and then go out to an early dinner. If your kids can do early mornings and late evenings, all the parks have great firework shows and light parades. Park passes are good for the entire day allowing you to return after a refreshing break.
My kids don't have the stamina to spend more than five hours at a park. For park days, my goal is to arrive 10 minutes before the gates open and leave after lunch. The first two hours of the morning are the golden hours at the parks. There aren’t long lines for the rides, it’s not too hot and you aren’t likely to encounter angry tourists. Most parks open with some kind of small show or parade. If staying at a Disney resort during peak season, the parks will alternate days when they open an hour early for resort guests. These are called Extra Magic Hours. During our recent Disney vacation over President’s weekend, the Extra Magic Hours dictated which park I took the kids to each day. We usually head back to the hotel for nap or pool time after lunch and then go out to an early dinner. If your kids can do early mornings and late evenings, all the parks have great firework shows and light parades. Park passes are good for the entire day allowing you to return after a refreshing break.
Happy Children at 8 a.m.
Not-So-Happy Children at 1:00 p.m.
Tip 3: Assign a Dedicated Fast Passer
You can use your admission tickets in Fast Pass machines that are located in front of popular rides (park maps will indicate which ones). These passes allow you to "cut" the lines at busy attractions. The key is to start using your Fast Pass early because you can only get one fast pass per ticket every hour or two (the pass that prints out will tell you when you are eligible to get another one). Thus, you may only be able to get three to five Fast Passes at each park before tiring out. When I take the kids to a park, I collect everyone else’s admission tickets and make a beeline for our next Fast Pass attraction while my husband gets the kids a snack or takes them on a ride with no line. It’s more efficient to have one person managing the Fast Pass process.
You can use your admission tickets in Fast Pass machines that are located in front of popular rides (park maps will indicate which ones). These passes allow you to "cut" the lines at busy attractions. The key is to start using your Fast Pass early because you can only get one fast pass per ticket every hour or two (the pass that prints out will tell you when you are eligible to get another one). Thus, you may only be able to get three to five Fast Passes at each park before tiring out. When I take the kids to a park, I collect everyone else’s admission tickets and make a beeline for our next Fast Pass attraction while my husband gets the kids a snack or takes them on a ride with no line. It’s more efficient to have one person managing the Fast Pass process.
Tip 4: Know Your Park Strategy
If you want someone to do your park day planning there are Disney VIP Guides ($$$), Disney Guides ($$) and Unauthorized Disney Guides ($ - my friend described her unauthorized guide as "a kooky uncle"). I have never used a guide but many of my friends have. Instead, I plan my park strategy based on the rides that everyone in my family really wants to do.
At Magic Kingdom, we start in Fantasyland and knock out Dumbo, the Teacups and Racecars. None of these rides have Fast Passes and their lines build up quickly. Other favorites include: Splash Mountain (Fast Pass), Space Mountain (Fast Pass), Buzz Light Year (usually no need to Fast Pass if you do it early), Peter Pan (Fast Pass), and Pirates of the Carribean. The one ride we avoid is Stitch (it actually stinks). Our favorite place to grab a snack as we exit the park is the bakery on Main Street. It serves the most decadent chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. It’s next door to Edy’s Ice Cream Parlour which makes kids’ cones with cookie mouse ears.
There's not too much to do at Disney’s MGM/Hollywood Studios because of its small size. The two most popular rides are Toy Story and the Rock ‘n Roll Roller Coaster. The best strategy is to Fast Pass one of these rides upon entering the park and immediately get in line for the other. They tend to run out of Fast Passes when the park gets crowded. My kids also like the American Idol Show and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground. Don’t waste your time at the Narnia ride. There is nothing to that attraction. The Great Movie Ride is kind of cute but references a lot of movies my kids haven’t seen (Alien, Casablanca, and Western movies).
I like to eat and drink my way through Epcot Center. No matter what type of cuisine you crave, you are likely to find a restaurant that serves it in one of the 11 world showcase pavilions that represent countries like France, China, and Morocco. Regardless if you are there for lunch or dinner, consider eating at Mexico (if for dinner make a reservation inside by the Volcano, if for lunch eat outside at the quick grill). They serve up tasty Mexican fare and frozen margaritas. Plus, there's a fun ride for the kids in the pavilion. In terms of rides, my kids love spending time at the Living Seas on the Nemo Ride, listening to Turtle Talk with Crush, and watching the sharks in the live aquarium. They also like Test Track (Fast Pass) and Soarin (Fast Pass). My least favorite ride is Mission Space - a simulated rocket ride to outer space. My friend and I decided that it is bad for women who’ve had kids because it made us feel like our equilibrium was off the entire day. Our kids and husbands enjoyed it.
Animal Kingdom is another park that is smaller in size. I’ve only been there twice, but the attractions that I liked were Dinosaur (a little scary for young kids), the Lion King Show, and the bug show in the Tree of Life. We got stuck in the line for the safari for two hours because a giraffe crossed in front of the attraction vehicle and wouldn’t move out of the way. This caused us to miss out on the roller coaster, Expedition Everest.
If you want someone to do your park day planning there are Disney VIP Guides ($$$), Disney Guides ($$) and Unauthorized Disney Guides ($ - my friend described her unauthorized guide as "a kooky uncle"). I have never used a guide but many of my friends have. Instead, I plan my park strategy based on the rides that everyone in my family really wants to do.
At Magic Kingdom, we start in Fantasyland and knock out Dumbo, the Teacups and Racecars. None of these rides have Fast Passes and their lines build up quickly. Other favorites include: Splash Mountain (Fast Pass), Space Mountain (Fast Pass), Buzz Light Year (usually no need to Fast Pass if you do it early), Peter Pan (Fast Pass), and Pirates of the Carribean. The one ride we avoid is Stitch (it actually stinks). Our favorite place to grab a snack as we exit the park is the bakery on Main Street. It serves the most decadent chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches I’ve ever eaten. It’s next door to Edy’s Ice Cream Parlour which makes kids’ cones with cookie mouse ears.
There's not too much to do at Disney’s MGM/Hollywood Studios because of its small size. The two most popular rides are Toy Story and the Rock ‘n Roll Roller Coaster. The best strategy is to Fast Pass one of these rides upon entering the park and immediately get in line for the other. They tend to run out of Fast Passes when the park gets crowded. My kids also like the American Idol Show and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground. Don’t waste your time at the Narnia ride. There is nothing to that attraction. The Great Movie Ride is kind of cute but references a lot of movies my kids haven’t seen (Alien, Casablanca, and Western movies).
I like to eat and drink my way through Epcot Center. No matter what type of cuisine you crave, you are likely to find a restaurant that serves it in one of the 11 world showcase pavilions that represent countries like France, China, and Morocco. Regardless if you are there for lunch or dinner, consider eating at Mexico (if for dinner make a reservation inside by the Volcano, if for lunch eat outside at the quick grill). They serve up tasty Mexican fare and frozen margaritas. Plus, there's a fun ride for the kids in the pavilion. In terms of rides, my kids love spending time at the Living Seas on the Nemo Ride, listening to Turtle Talk with Crush, and watching the sharks in the live aquarium. They also like Test Track (Fast Pass) and Soarin (Fast Pass). My least favorite ride is Mission Space - a simulated rocket ride to outer space. My friend and I decided that it is bad for women who’ve had kids because it made us feel like our equilibrium was off the entire day. Our kids and husbands enjoyed it.
Animal Kingdom is another park that is smaller in size. I’ve only been there twice, but the attractions that I liked were Dinosaur (a little scary for young kids), the Lion King Show, and the bug show in the Tree of Life. We got stuck in the line for the safari for two hours because a giraffe crossed in front of the attraction vehicle and wouldn’t move out of the way. This caused us to miss out on the roller coaster, Expedition Everest.
If Only We'd Known a 2 Hour Line Awaited Us
Tip 5: Use Downtown Disney as a Time Filler
The day we arrive in Orlando is usually too busy to warrant spending the money on a park pass. We have to check into the hotel, unpack, and stock up on necessities such as autograph books. I like to fill the remaining time with a trip to Downtown Disney which gives the kids a glimpse of the fun we are going to have. You can take a bus or cab there from any resort. Downtown Disney is filled with fun stores, like Legoland. It has a carousel, a mini splash fountain for cooling off, an arcade, boat rides, and a variety of restaurants. Our new favorite restaurant is the TREX Café. Eating there is like taking a trip back in time. The décor includes giant sea creatures, moving dinosaurs and an ice cave that changes color. The cuisine is not bad if you like sandwiches and salads. This restaurant entertained both the kids and the adults in our party.
The day we arrive in Orlando is usually too busy to warrant spending the money on a park pass. We have to check into the hotel, unpack, and stock up on necessities such as autograph books. I like to fill the remaining time with a trip to Downtown Disney which gives the kids a glimpse of the fun we are going to have. You can take a bus or cab there from any resort. Downtown Disney is filled with fun stores, like Legoland. It has a carousel, a mini splash fountain for cooling off, an arcade, boat rides, and a variety of restaurants. Our new favorite restaurant is the TREX Café. Eating there is like taking a trip back in time. The décor includes giant sea creatures, moving dinosaurs and an ice cave that changes color. The cuisine is not bad if you like sandwiches and salads. This restaurant entertained both the kids and the adults in our party.
Tip 6: Let Your Daughter Be a Princess for the Day
From age two to age five, my daughters have gone through the princess phase. They have spent hours dressing up in ball gowns and listening to fairy tales about their friends Belle, Aurora and Cinderella. When my oldest daughter was about three, we stumbled upon the Bibidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney. This salon offers little girls the chance to pick out a princess hairdo and outfit and get made up by her very own fairy godmother. There is now a second location in the castle at Magic Kingdom. It is wise to make a reservation for the Bibidi Bobbidi Boutique well in advance of your trip.
From age two to age five, my daughters have gone through the princess phase. They have spent hours dressing up in ball gowns and listening to fairy tales about their friends Belle, Aurora and Cinderella. When my oldest daughter was about three, we stumbled upon the Bibidi Bobbidi Boutique in Downtown Disney. This salon offers little girls the chance to pick out a princess hairdo and outfit and get made up by her very own fairy godmother. There is now a second location in the castle at Magic Kingdom. It is wise to make a reservation for the Bibidi Bobbidi Boutique well in advance of your trip.
Princess Annabel
Tip 7: Take Advantage of Having Your Baby With You
If you have a baby or toddler who doesn’t meet the height requirement for a ride, here's a tip. Walk up to the ride entrance and ask a cast member for a parent swap pass. You'll be given a ticket for three to four people to use the Fast Pass line (which is much faster than the regular line). They do this so that each parent can take a turn riding with their friends or older children. I cannot say that I haven’t taken advantage of this situation and used my baby girl as a prop more than once for the same ride, going up to a different cast member each time.
If you have a baby or toddler who doesn’t meet the height requirement for a ride, here's a tip. Walk up to the ride entrance and ask a cast member for a parent swap pass. You'll be given a ticket for three to four people to use the Fast Pass line (which is much faster than the regular line). They do this so that each parent can take a turn riding with their friends or older children. I cannot say that I haven’t taken advantage of this situation and used my baby girl as a prop more than once for the same ride, going up to a different cast member each time.
My Husband with Our Prop
Tip 8: Enjoy An Evening At the Boardwalk
To escape the park madness in the evening, I like to head over to Disney’s Boardwalk. It has a handful of great restaurants, a candy shop, funnel cake stands, and outdoor entertainers. You can also rent a family bike (we’ve squeezed nine people on one) and ride around a lake passing by the Yacht & Beach Club, Epcot Center, and the Swan & Dolphin. It’s a good time as long as you have someone in your party who knows how to steer.
To escape the park madness in the evening, I like to head over to Disney’s Boardwalk. It has a handful of great restaurants, a candy shop, funnel cake stands, and outdoor entertainers. You can also rent a family bike (we’ve squeezed nine people on one) and ride around a lake passing by the Yacht & Beach Club, Epcot Center, and the Swan & Dolphin. It’s a good time as long as you have someone in your party who knows how to steer.
Tip 9: If Something Goes Wrong, Say Something
Disney prides itself on stellar service. If something happens (like several rides you wanted to go on aren't open), let Guest Services know. I received comped tickets when we got stuck in the safari line with two little toddlers and nothing to eat for two hours.
Tip 10: Travel with Friends
We like to do Disney with family friends. That way, my husband has a pal to golf with when he wants to play hookie from the park. My kids have ride buddies who don’t argue with them. And I have someone to sit by the pool and sip my favorite cocktail with after a long morning at the Magic Kingdom.
Disney prides itself on stellar service. If something happens (like several rides you wanted to go on aren't open), let Guest Services know. I received comped tickets when we got stuck in the safari line with two little toddlers and nothing to eat for two hours.
Tip 10: Travel with Friends
We like to do Disney with family friends. That way, my husband has a pal to golf with when he wants to play hookie from the park. My kids have ride buddies who don’t argue with them. And I have someone to sit by the pool and sip my favorite cocktail with after a long morning at the Magic Kingdom.
My Favorite Way to End a Disney Day (this is not a milkshake)
Like Mother, Like Daughter (this is a milkshake)
Ginger, this is great. Disney awaits us one of these days. Which brings up the question...what's the right age to go?
ReplyDeleteAwesome advice - we haven't done Disney (yet) but this is great info - demystifies it a bit.
ReplyDeleteThanks ladies!
ReplyDeleteJen - You can take kids at any age, but I think a good age to start is three (especially for little girls who will enjoy the princess activities). The kids aren't afraid of the characters at this age and can sit through a good number of the rides and shows. If you only plan on going once, you might want to postpone until age 5. Older kids enjoy Disney too (there aren't many roller coasters and thrill rides though). On the whole, I think kids ages 3 to 6 really buy into the Disney magic - it's a little like buying into Santa. When my daughter Annabel had just turned 5 we took her to the Magic Kingdom. As we were leaving the park, she turned to me and said, "Mom, at Disney dreams really do come true."