Tips for Making the Most of a Disney Day

Tips for Making the Most of a Disney Day
(ANY day!)

No matter if you're planning on staying for just a few days or for a week or longer, it's always good to do a little bit if planning in order to make the most of any day at Disney World.

There is so much to see and do that it can easily become overwhelming, and if you wait until you get INTO a particular park, it may be too late for you to do some of the things that your or your family really, REALLY want to do.  A little planning is key to having a successful Disney trip.  Here are a few of my suggestions for making everything work and avoiding waiting in long lines, missing out on great events or rides, and basically keeping everyone - including YOU - from having a meltdown at some point during the day.

Download the MyDisneyExperience app on your phone.

This can be a valuable tool not only in the planning before your trip, but also while you're in the parks or at your resort. 

Photo: floridareview.co.uk

Here's what you can do on the app:

• View the wait times for attractions at each of the parks
• Check on existing dining reservations and cancel, change or even make new reservations
• View and edit the FastPass+ reservations you already have, or make new ones
• Check character meet and greet times and availability, as well as any updated times for these and other events
• Check times for daily parades and fireworks
• Look up the locations of restrooms
• View a map of each of the parks

Know your "must do" attractions, shows and rides.

If you have a general idea of what everyone wants to do -  either separately or as a group - you'll be able to fit more into your day.  Maybe someone wants to play golf, while the others would rather go back to the resort for some pool time. If a couple of people in your party really want to ride Haunted Mansion for the fourteenth time while someone else would rather watch the Electric Light Parade (this is a personal experience), everyone can get what they want.

I don't know what everyone ELSE is doing, but...
Photo: dadsguidetowdw.com

Knowing what parks and attractions are open earlier and/or later, or if they are closed for refurbishment during your trip (which can and does happen on a regular basis) is a bonus, too.  Checking the Walt Disney World website in order to help you plan your days is always a good idea.  The website has park hours listed for six months in advance, so you should have plenty of time to determine what park may be opening earlier or staying open later on a particular date during your trip.  I use this tool in determining what park I want to end my days at more than anything; the Extra Magic Hours in the evening are perfect for my family, who would rather sleep in than get up for the rope drop first thing every morning.  

Use the "child switch" option if you have small kids or guests who can't ride.

Most rides in each of the parks have the "child switch" option. This allows families with children or other party members who cannot ride a ride, or families with younger children who do not WANT to ride a particular ride, to ride or experience the attraction without waiting in line twice.  All you need to do is let a Cast Member know when you enter the line that you'll need to use a "child switch", and they will instruct you on how to make sure everyone who wants to ride gets a chance to do so, without leaving children or other family members unattended.  

Photo: undercovertourist.com

Arrive early.

At every park, on every day of the year, there is a "rope drop" first thing in the morning, as each park officially opens for the day.  It might not be an actual rope, but it is the time when those who are in attendance are let into the park.  I've never attended one of these rope drops, but I'm hoping to do so during my October trip to see what the experience is like.  

Once the rope "drops", people make a mad dash for their favorite ride or attraction in order to avoid a long line.  Some people actually do this so that they can get back ON the same ride after they've experienced it at "rope drop".  I can see where this would be a bonus.

Hmmmm...maybe not...
Photo: mouseplanet.com

Also, getting to the parks earlier means you have more hours to enjoy while you're there.  The Extra Magic Hours I mentioned above could either be an extra hour in the morning, or a couple of extra hours at night, depending on the park, the day, and the time of year.  For instance, Animal Kingdom currently only uses the early morning Extra Magic Hours so that the animals can rest after 5 or 6 p.m.  The latest closing for this park is 6 p.m., so if you have a Park Hopper pass, you can leave Animal Kingdom and head to another park to spend the rest of your evening without paying for a full day ticket somewhere else.

Stay late!

Again with the Extra Magic Hours, Disney resort guests can stay later at a different theme park, water park, or at Downtown Disney every day of the week.  Check the Walt Disney World website for the dates of your trip to determine the operating hours for your favorite park or parks.  

Generally, Epcot, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are open two hours later on the same night(s) each week, so you can certainly do some planning in this respect.  

Fewer people, more photo ops...what's not to love?
Photo: blog.touringplans.com

Also, it has happened - and I have been there - when Magic Kingdom has decided to stay open even LATER THAN the posted Extra Magic Hours.  Say they are normally scheduled to close at 11 p.m. during summer hours.  During Extra Magic Hours, they stay open until 1 a.m.  On random nights they stay open until 3 a.m.  Now THAT'S a day in the park!  

During the winter months, the parks generally close at 9 p.m. but may stay open until 10 p.m. or later, or as late as midnight for the "hard ticket" special events such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (September-November) or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December).

Use FastPass+ for your "must do" rides and attractions.

If you are staying at a Disney World resort, you will have first access to the FastPass+ option for your family 60 days prior to your trip.  See my article on "Important Disney Planning Dates to Remember" for this and other time-related tips HERE.  

If you know that your family wants to ride Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios or the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, be sure to get a FastPass+ for these rides so your family won't have to spend 90 minutes OR MORE waiting in line at each ride.  Just remember that you can only book three FastPass+ options per day using this 60 day advance booking, and that all three of those options MUST be located in the same park.  

If you have Park Hopper passes, you can always go from park to park as you normally would, but you will have to wait in line somewhere.  Use FastPass+ plus at the park AND on the attractions that are the most popular and to maximize your time.

Photo: mickeyandminneytips.com

FastPass+ times are good for one hour, and the times for each of them are provided to you on the Walt Disney World website as well as the MyDisneyExperience app, so you know the hour window in which to check in for that ride or attraction at the entrance.  If you are a couple of minutes early or late that is usually okay, but if you are too far off of your FastPass+ time you will be asked to come back if you're early or be told that your time has expired if you're late.  

Remember that YOU are ultimately responsible for your FastPass+ options, and it is not the Cast Member's fault - or anyone else's fault, for that matter - if you took too long somewhere else and 'assumed' that your place in line would be held indefinitely, because it won't.

Plan your meals at off-peak times.

This may seem weird, but if you are really looking forward to eating at a popular restaurant or counter service location in one of the parks, consider eating earlier or later than the traditional breakfast, lunch or dinner times to ensure that you won't either have to wait in line forever or miss the experience altogether.  

Photo: wdpromedia.com

In the case of really popular new restaurants such as Be Our Guest in the Magic Kingdom, making a breakfast reservation instead of a dinner reservation as soon as you can should get you in the door.  Believe me when I say that there are people who are waiting for 12:00 a.m. on the 180th day before their trip so that they can make a dinner reservation for dinner at Be Our Guest in six months.  The restaurant can - and will - be sold out for dinner very quickly.  Lunch is another option that is counter service only at this location and there are currently NO reservations being accepted for this, but you will probably have to wait in line, because it is very popular at any time.  Another option is...

Bring your own food.

This may seem illogical, but it IS an option.  Disney parks DO allow you to bring in your own food, but no glass bottles or alcohol. You can pack sandwiches or just bring snacks if you're a family of light eaters, if someone has a dietary restriction, or even if you just don't want to pay high prices for theme park food.  Even though it can get expensive, there are Disney Dining Plans that can even be free and included in the price of your trip (depending on when you book and the length of your stay).  

Just remember, you will miss out on Mickey-shaped food if you bring your own!
Photo: blogs.disney.com

Also remember that Animal Kingdom does not allow straws because they are a danger to the animals.  Use common sense when you bring in food or snacks to any of the parks, and always respect that  the security guards at the park entrances have the right to search your bags at any time.

Stay in the park to eat your meals!

Believe it or not, some people think they should leave the park in order to get a good deal on a cheaper meal.  The money you MAY or MAY NOT save by dining outside the theme parks might not be realized because you will have to pay for gas for your car or for a taxi.  In addition, when you return to the park, there's no guarantee you'll be able to get back INTO the park, especially if your visit is during the peak months.  Capacity crowds are a distinct possibility, and just because you have a pass or a Park Hopper and were already IN a particular park does not mean you get to go back in again.  Unless you work there, there's no guarantee whatsoever.

Photo: bestoforlando.com

So use the tools you have, and enjoy your trip from beginning to end!

Important Disney Planning Dates to Remember

I'm not talking about a specific date or dates on the calendar, but instead the dates when you can start some serious planning (and not just planning in your head, like I do 24/7/365).

Once you have your resort booked, the DisneyWorld website (disneyworld.disney.go.com) keeps track of the days until your trip and will send you email reminders when these very important dates come up:

Photo: ThisGirlTravels.com

As soon as you book your trip - reserve Disney's Magical Express (no email specifically for this service, but an email letting you know that you can book if you haven't already done so)

If you're staying at a Disney resort, you'll be able to reserve your FREE and FUN transportation as soon as you book your room and your flight (you will need both pieces of information to book your Magical Express trip to and from your resort so they can make sure they get you where you need to be safely and with plenty of time to spare).  It will save you headaches and money on rental cars, worrying about where you're supposed to go, parking at the theme parks, and the countless toll roads between Orlando International Airport and your Disney resort.  

Disney's Magical Express will take care of your luggage from the moment you land in Orlando until the moment you leave, so that's a big relief for anyone, but especially if you have little ones.  I enjoy riding the bus to my resort and watching the Disney TV they have with all things new, fun, and different I may want to try.  Not having to handle my luggage is an added bonus.

Be aware when making your return trip that the Magical Express will depart from your resort approximately three hours before your flight is scheduled to leave in order to ensure that you get to the airport - which is almost 30 minutes away - without worrying about running late for anyone's flight.  So, if you have a 9:00 a.m. flight, they will probably get you on the bus and to the airport at 6:00 a.m.  The exact pick up times will be referenced in your Disney packet that you will receive about 30 days before your trip. Something to consider when planning.

180 days until your trip - time to make dining reservations!

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Photo: easywdw.com

This may seem absolutely crazy, but if you've been looking at character dining or a specific restaurant, such as the hugely popular and still really new Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, this date is extremely important.  It means that you can make a reservation for your whole family for breakfast, lunch or dinner (depending on where you're looking to reserve and what they offer) and not have to worry about getting to the resort or one of the parks and waiting - and hoping, and possibly praying - that you'll be able to find that "must-do" meal for your kids, or for your spouse, or just you.  When that email pops up, hopefully you will have done a little research on restaurants you'd like to try so that you can make a reservation...six months before your trip.  Sounds excessive, but restaurants like Be Our Guest will book full up the same day they become available.  Trying back closer to your vacation dates may get you a reservation if someone else cancels theirs, but that's a risky venture.

Also, if you use one of Disney's Dining Plans (check the website for pricing and options), you may be limited as to the number of meals each member of your party is allowed per day.  A higher-end restaurant may count as two sit-down meals.  Sometimes you can substitute snacks for full meals.  Be sure to check out the options and pricing for each dining plan before you select one.  We don't use them because we don't eat enough to justify the cost.  If we stayed longer (a week or more), they might make sense for us.

60 days until your trip - time to make your FastPass+ reservations!

Photo: vinylmationkingdom.com

If you will be staying on property and have already booked your room and park tickets, you will have the opportunity to make FastPass+ selections for each of your vacation days up to two months before you arrive.  Why does this seem important?  The extremely popular new ride at Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, has a 90-minute queue almost from park opening if you just walk up and get in line when you get to the park (unless you're one of those people who are at the park at "rope drop" when they officially open the park and you RUN to the ride).  Same goes for Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios; there is always a line, and it is never short.

However, if you get on the DisneyWorld site or on the MyDisney Experience app 60 days out, you will be able to select three FastPass+ rides and/or attractions and modify them to fit your family's tastes and "must do" lists.  There are limits to the FastPass+ service:  the selections must all be at the same park on the same day for everyone in your party (pick all four passes at Magic Kingdom on whatever day you'll be visiting, and make selections for Epcot for another day during your trip, but not two at each park in the same day, for example).  

Sign up - no fees!
Photo: thenextweb.com

You can book more FastPass+ passes after you have used all of the ones you have reserved when you are actually IN the park, but this will give you a leg up - and you will spend less time waiting - than if you were to show up at the park and then try to score even a single FastPass+.  Booking additional FastPass+ passes after using all of your previously booked passes is a bit risky, because the next selection you want to make may not be available if it is either extremely popular, or if it is later in the day.

There is a chance that any FastPass+ times will be unavailable once you get to the parks, or if you wait to book them closer to your trip dates.  If you wait, your only options would be to A) wait in a very long line with everyone else and waste a lot of time you could be spending doing something fun, or B) skip that ride or attraction altogether.  I am of the opinion that it is good to have some planning.  My family sometimes thinks I go too far (I really don't; I just like to know what my options are and make my decisions based on all the facts), but I make sure that we have things to do and we are prepared for any day without over-planning, but also without wasting precious park hours, especially during the shorter winter park months when parks may close 3-4 hours earlier than in the summer months.

*** The big FastPass+ options (in my opinion) for each of the four parks are...

Magic Kingdom:  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain

Epcot: Soarin' and Test Track

Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror, Toy Story Midway Mania! (almost as popular as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with long lines) and Rolling Stones Rockin' Roller Coaster

Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Kali River Rapids

If you are traveling alone or do not mind being split up from the rest of your family or traveling companions, there are three rides that offer a "single rider line" option: Expedition Everest, Rockin' Roller Coaster, and Test Track.  The wait times are far shorter than the regular lines, but again you probably won't be sitting with someone you know, and you may not even be riding at the same time.

Choose wisely.  Using the FastPass+ selection on the website will give you four combinations based on what is available and the "classes" of the rides and/or attractions.  They may even tell you that your "best option" is something you don't agree with at all.  On our last trip, the app tried to tell me that I wanted to book Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad each two hours apart.  Uh...no!  If I'm getting FastPass+, I want them closer together, so I can get on OTHER rides that don't have long queues, go to a restaurant, or even go to another park.  

Be sure to check all four of your options before you select.  You can always change them later if you'd like, including when you are in the park on the day you're visiting if you use the Disney Mobile App available on iTunes or Google Play.  Again, it will be based on availability.  There are only so many FastPass+ passes available per ride, per hour, and per day.  Once they are gone, they are gone.

60 days until your trip - check in at your resort

Check in online and skip to this line instead of waiting in queue
Photo: trb.com.au

This is not a HUGE deal, but it IS a timesaver of sorts.  Again, you'll get an email stating you can now check in 60 days prior to arrival, and you'll be able to put in room preferences (pool view, king beds, upper floor, etc.), credit card information, and verify all your personal information so that when you get to your resort, you just sign a document and head to your room - or to the parks.  If you've used Magical Express, you won't have to tote your luggage anywhere other than the airport in the city you left from, so you can go and have fun right away.

Booking special events and tours

You won't get an email for this one, but you can check the website to see what events are happening during your trip and buy advance tickets for big events such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  These tickets cost extra, and they are not cheap, but they are certainly worth it if you want to immerse yourself in Disney fun during your trip.

Who would NOT want to be a part of this???
Photo: lebeauleblog.com

Look at this photo - it's SNOWING in Florida.  They make it SNOW!
Photo: mrschristmasblog.com

These also can become unavailable on popular dates (think weekends and closer to the holidays), so planning as soon as you see the tickets available under "Special Events" on the Disney site is important if you really want to attend something special.  For the Halloween and Christmas parties, they are available for purchase more than 6 months before the parties start, so there is plenty of time to plan.

Hayley and I took the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot in January 2015.
We loved it!  Only $15 per person, too.

Other tours, such as the Behind the Seeds tour at Epcot, have limited availability but multiple tour times each day.  Once they get 15 or so people booked for a specific time, you'll have to pick another time, or another date.  You can call Disney toll-free at any time to book one of these other tours, but you could be waiting on hold for a long time; you are put in a queue with everyone who is booking ANYTHING for Disney World.  Try the website, or wait and book through your concierge or at the park if it's a smaller tour.

These are all great planning tools, so don't waste them!  A little planning goes a long way to having a great trip.