Posted by: Katie Chapman September 23, 2022

Are you craving a  Disney World  trip  survival guide from the pros? Wondering how you can make it through those long days in the Parks without crashing after day one? Lucky for you, we have the tips and tricks you need to make each Disney Park  day great and make your vacation memorable.

If you are in the planning stages of your Disney  theme Park vacation, this article is definitely for you!

Preplanning details of your trip with the group before leaving home will make things run smoothly on your vacation. Besides, getting there is half the fun. Plan with your family, or travel crew, long before setting out for central Florida! Use the Disney app to browse attractions, restaurants, maps, and more to ensure your  Disney experience  is exactly what you are hoping for.

Talk about theme park  plans with your crew to hear what attractions are on the must-do list for each person. Even having a loose Park plan will help pace your vacation and avoid hang-ups. Trust us, you’ll be so glad to have a plan when you hit  Main Street  U.S.A. in the  Magic Kingdom  on the first day of vacation! 

We know, we know this sounds silly, how hard could packing be? Let’s just say, you want to be sure that you are as prepared and comfortable as possible for a  Disney vacation . Do some research before packing to ensure you have the best shoes for trekking  Disney’s  Animal Kingdom. Pack rain gear, sun protection, and the comfiest Park clothes possible. You don’t want blisters from uncomfortable shoes or your lack of a rain poncho to ruin a Park day. 

Securing an advanced dining reservation for must-visit restaurants prior to the vacation is important.  If you even think you may be interested in trying out a Disney restaurant, go ahead and make a reservation in advance. There is no charge to cancel as long as you do so prior to the 24-window before your reservation. 

The few restaurants that do require upfront payment for booking like Cinderella’s Royal Table in Cinderella Castle and Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Polynesian Village Resort are nonrefundable.  However, Guests will be clearly notified of the terms and conditions of reservations and the refund policy upon booking, so there are no surprise charges for canceling.

Rarely, a reservation might be available if you walk up. However, we don’t recommend walk-ups for a restaurant that is a must-do for your party.

There is no need to be overwhelmed planning your  Disney vacation .  The Disney website, app, and even planning videos are available, so you can plan stress-free.  If you do have questions during the planning process, ask. Chat features on the website are a major help. You can send quick questions via chat without the need to disrupt your work day by sitting on the phone. When in doubt, hop on a chat with a Disney booking agent to ask questions. 

The website FAQs and Disney phone lines are available for Guests to get their questions answered efficiently. Do details about Lightning Lane, Park reservations, MagicB and ,  Park Hopper, Disney Genie, and  early  theme park  entry  make your head spin? Consider contacting a Disney travel planning expert that can let you in on the lingo if you want to learn, or handle the planning if you’d rather not be involved.

Be sure to download my Disney experience app to use the mobile dining, access maps, see PhotoPass pictures and monitor ride wait times. No doubt, this app will be your best friend while  visiting  Walt  Disney  World . 

Disney souvenirs have a reputation for being expensive. While you certainly will see your fair share of expensive items at  Disney Springs  and in shops in Hollywood Studios, EPCOT,  Animal Kingdom,  and  Magic Kingdom , there are practical and reasonably priced souvenirs for purchase in the Park s. Stationary, drinkware, reusable bags, Christmas ornaments, and small gourmet items like tea and coffees, are some of my favorite affordable Disney souvenirs that I actually enjoy using at home as I reflect on my magical Disney trip memories.

Similarly, Disney Resorts have a reputation for being the most expensive hotel option for Disney vacationers. Plenty of articles discuss the opportunity cost of staying off the property in regard to the lost Park time, parking fees, and stress. All those factors aside, take the time to price Disney lodging, you may be surprised at what you find and how the pricing stacks up to other nearby hotel options in the Orlando area. Even if the pricing at a Disney Value Resort and off-property Resort have you thinking off-property is the better choice price-wise — remember to factor in the daily cost of Disney Park parking, gas costs, and lost Park time. 

Being able to easily and quickly take a break from the Parks is one of the top reasons I love vacationing at a  Disney Resort  hotel.  Walt  Disney  World is the Most Magical Place on Earth, but after a few days in the central Florida heat running on less sleep, your kids may forget that fact. Taking a day to enjoy the pool, sleep late, go to bed early, do some slow-paced shopping or hang out in the cool resort rooms is an option worth considering for families staying an extended amount of time at Walt  Disney  World . You may find that the Parks feel extra magical after you’ve had a chance to take a break and recharge.

Speaking of  Disney World Resorts, there is a chance that your children may have just as much fun at your hotel as in the Parks.  With incredible themed pools, activity counselors that play with kids, game rooms, outdoor movies, bike rentals, and other recreation options available at spots like Port Orleans French Quarter, Pop Century Resort, or Fort Wilderness Resort, it should come as no surprise that kids will enjoy hanging out at your resort. The attention to detail at Disney Resorts ensures that time outside the Parks is just as magical for families.

Avoid the trap of overspending by budgeting before your trip.  Research the costs of food, activities, and souvenirs. This gives you a leg up, so your family can adjust spending expectations appropriately. You can absolutely plan and allocate enough money per day to enjoy  Walt  Disney  World  with no surprise costs. A trick I love is buying Disney gift cards in the months leading up to the trip. Gift cards are a great way to put money in your “Disney vacation  bank” in the planning stages of your vacay and can help pay for dining or souvenir costs when you make it to Orlando.

If the kids have earned cash to spend on souvenirs, help them budget their money to shop within the Parks. They’ll feel empowered and excited to spend their money (especially if it’s loaded onto a cool character-laden Disney gift card) and perhaps will be less likely to ask for items from each gift shop you pass.

Take advantage of the early Park entry if it’s available. During these hours, the Park is open exclusively to  Disney Resort Guests before the general Park  opening, or after the general Park closing.  Most of the year, there are early entry options and late closing options (also called extra magic hours) in two different Parks daily . Visiting attractions during  early  theme Park  entry  means cooler temperatures and shorter wait times. You will be surprised at just how much more ground you can cover during this time span versus during a busy Park  day.

Disney’s Chase Visa card has perks that extend beyond the cash-back points you receive.  Chase cardholders should keep an eye open during a  Disney World  vacation  to take advantage of any exclusive cardholder perks.  Air-conditioned phone charging stations in Epcot’s  World Showcase , a lounge at EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival, and a backstage line to meet  Star Wars  characters at Hollywood Studios are all Chase Visa cardholder experiences my family has taken advantage of over the years.

 Disney Chase Visa members also enjoy a discount at select  Walt  Disney  World restaurants when they pay using their card. If you have questions about discounts or promotions, feel free to ask a Cast Member. It’s never too early to start saving for your next Disney vacation with the credit card cash back you earn.

Walt  Disney  World  Resort is a fun vacation destination with plenty of Cast Members that are more than happy to help you.  If you need directions, advice, or assistance — just ask. The Disney team is committed to providing an excellent Guest experience and wants you to have a fun, relaxing, and magical Disney trip!

As always, drop by Disney Dining to learn about must-try restaurants, tips, hacks, and the latest Park news!

DisneyDining.com is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company. Official information can be found at DisneyParks.com