Planning a Disney World vacation for your family? These Disney World vacation tips and tricks will help you save time, spend less money and have more fun while visiting Mickey.
Make your stroller stand out
Hunting for your stroller in a sea of a hundreds of others while you’ve got a heavy toddler falling asleep in your arm is like a super-intense game of Where’s Waldo. Disney cast members will often move strollers around to make space for incoming strollers, making the quest to find yours that much harder. Save yourself the headache of the hunt by wrapping a colorful hair bow or ribbon around the handle of your stroller so it’s easier to spot.
Leave your selfie stick at home
Walt Disney World does not allow selfie sticks into the theme parks. They will check your selfie stick for you and you can pick it up at the end of the day using the ticket they give you, but you’ll save yourself time and disappointment by leaving it in the hotel room or car. But don’t worry: There are plenty of Disney photographers to snap the perfect shot for you, and they’ll even use your phone.
Assign diaper duty to Dad
Disney has lots of restrooms, but they can get crowded during the busy times of year. To avoid waiting in line for a changing table with your little one, consider letting Dad do diaper duty. Odds are good the changing table in the men’s room will have little to no wait.
Beat the popped-balloon blues
Plenty of parents buy their kids balloons at Hollywood Studios or the Magic Kingdom but don’t know how to get the balloons home at the end of the vacation without popping them. If you’re flying home from Orlando International Airport, there’s an option besides senseless balloon violence. Take your Disney balloon to the Disney store (called the EarPort) inside the airport, and they will deflate the balloon for you to pack and take home.
Flavor your water
With water prices at $2.75 or more per bottle, your family may decide to refill bottles at one of the numerous water fountains instead. But the Disney World water has a distinct flavor that some find unpleasant (the word “swampy” comes to mind). Packing a box of powered water flavoring packets or liquid flavor drops for your park bag can go a long way towards keeping everyone happily hydrated.
Free pixie dust
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, located inside Cinderella’s castle, does amazing princess makeovers, but scoring a reservation is so tough that you may require some help from Aladdin’s genie. If you can’t get in but your child still wants a touch of the royal treatment, head on over to the Castle Couture store, located right behind Cinderella’s place. If you ask nicely, the cast members will sprinkle your hair with glittery pixie dust while you make a wish. (But if only the official makeover will do, there’s a second Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique located at Disney Springs that is typically less busy than the one located inside Cinderella’s castle.)
Baby on board
If you’re planning on visiting Disney World with an infant and an older sibling, a baby carrier will help you keep the family together. As long as there is no ride height requirement, infants can ride while in a baby carrier, so nap times won’t slow you down or force you to split up. You can hop on It’s A Small World while baby snoozes instead of being stuck on a bench next to a stroller.
Consolidate your bags
Disney takes the safety of its guests very seriously, and as a result each and every compartment of each and every bag is opened and checked before you enter the park. This includes small zippered cases such as a camera pouch and the storage pockets on strollers. Consider consolidating any items your family may need into a single bag instead of having each person carry their own to make your park entry go a bit more smoothly. And yes, your bag is welcome on any ride with you!
Baby’s first haircut
You may have heard the crooning of the Magic Kingdom barbershop quartet, but not many people know that the Magic Kingdom also has an actual barbershop. The Harmony Barber Shop, located on Main Street, provides haircuts for folks both young and old, but the My First Haircut package is truly special. It includes a keepsake certificate, a little bag to hold Baby’s shorn locks and, of course, Baby’s very first pair of Mickey ears.
Watch your child become a Jedi
Star Wars fans between the ages of 4 and 12 can sign up for the free Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios. There they’ll learn how to use a light saber and even battle Darth Vader! This experience is extremely popular, so be sure to arrive right at the park’s opening for a better chance of scoring a spot.
Stress-free shopping
There’s no need to worry about a delicate souvenir getting broken or stolen while you’re in the parks. If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you can have your purchase shipped directly to your resort for pick-up. If you’re not staying at a Disney resort, ask to have your purchased sent to the front of the park to pick up when you leave for the day. Or use the Shop Disney Parks app to scan the item you want, purchase it from your phone and have it shipped right to your home.
The Fourth FastPass+
By now you probably know that you can book up to three FastPasses+ per person per day using the online My Disney Experience App. But what you may not know is that once your three FastPasses+ for the day have been used, you can get another one! Simply visit any FastPass+ kiosk and a cast member will help you review available options. Once that FastPass+ is used, you can repeat the process and keep getting additional FastPasses+ until there are no more available for the day.
Buffets and babies are the perfect match
Children under 3 eat for free at all buffets in Disney World, meaning you can enjoy your own food without thinking about how much the nuggets your toddler is refusing to eat are costing you. Since many buffets are also character meals, this is a great chance for you to enjoy a hot meal while your little one is happily distracted by Mickey Mouse.
Awesome autographs
Not all Disney characters sign autographs, but for those that do, a blank notebook from home is less expensive than buying an autograph book in the park to preserve these treasured signatures. A notebook is great to flip through once you get home, but characters will sign more than just paper. Ask them to sign a photo mat, pillowcase or T-shirt with a cardboard insert to create a truly special souvenir.
Extra time in the parks
If your children are early risers or night owls, there’s a benefit of staying on-property at a Walt Disney World Resort that may appeal to you: extra Magic Hours. Each day, one theme park opens an hour early or stays open later for resort guests only to enjoy select attractions with less wait time.
Score a free soft drink refill
All the walking from one attraction to another plus tropical Florida temperatures means your family will be extra thirsty. Help your budget stretch a little further by grabbing lunch in the Magic Kingdom at Be Our Guest or lunch or dinner at the Electric Umbrella in Epcot Center. These counter-service eateries have beverages stations where you can refill your cup for free.
Dance with the characters
If waiting in a long line to meet a character for just a few seconds and a quick photo with them sounds disappointing to you, consider checking out the Incredibles Super Dance Party in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom or the Adventure Happens Here Dance Party at Hollywood Studios. DJs play dance music and characters come out to mingle and dance with guests for a wait-free and totally photo-worthy experience.
Order a la carte
Disney food portions are huge, but so are the prices. While you won’t find it on the menu, most counter service eateries will let you order a meal without the sides for a discount of a couple dollars or so. If your family is happy to share, consider ordering a couple of your sandwiches or burgers sans fries.
Save on souvenirs
Thanks to generous licensing agreements, you can find Disney characters on clothes and toys from lots of local retailers, including at the dollar store! Rather than argue with your child over souvenirs or break the bank by giving in, consider grabbing a couple trinkets with their favorite characters to pack away before you leave. Light-up spinning toys and glow bracelets are especially popular with kids during the fireworks and nighttime shows, and you can save a ton by buying these beforehand.
Free water
If you’re parched but don’t want to purchase a bottle of water, most food windows or counter-service eateries will happily give you a free cup of ice water to quench your thirst.
Rider switch
If one of your kids gets cold feet about riding the Tower of Terror, that doesn’t mean you have to skip it too! Disney’s rider switch program will let parents ride popular thrill rides without having to wait in line twice. Just have your whole party present and speak to a cast member before the first parent gets in line for specific instructions.
Prepare for rain
Even the sunniest days in Orlando can fall victim to a pop-up shower. Rain gear is available for purchase in the parks, but it comes at a premium. Packing ponchos for everyone and having a stroller cover handy will help stop the rain from putting a damper on your day.
FastPass+ isn’t just for rides
FastPass+ is a great way to skip the long line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but your FastPass+ can be used for things besides rides. You can use it to secure special viewing areas for parades and firework displays or to meet your favorite characters, like Anna and Elsa, without a 270-minute wait (yes, really).
Food allergy-friendly options
Vacationing with someone who has a food allergy shouldn’t take away from your Disney magic. Guests with food allergies can ask for ingredient lists at any quick-service food station, so you can be sure what you eat is safe. If you’re dining at a sit-down restaurant, just tell your server that someone in your party has a food allergy and a chef will come speak with you about your dining options.
Use the Baby Care Centers
Whether you forgot the binkie, need to microwave some baby food or are looking for a quiet place to breastfeed, Disney’s Baby Care Centers have you covered. They’re located in each park and are a great place to change a diaper or give a little one some quiet time before heading back into the hustle and bustle of the parks.
Disney World tips and tricks
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