10 Disney World Tips And Secrets Straight From A Disney Insider

Chances are you’ll not have received the Tremendous Bowl, however you are going to Disney World! You have purchased your tickets, made your park reservations, and begun your official countdown to magic hour, a.ok.a. the second you first spot Cinderella Fortress. You have bought the large stuff checked off your to-do record, but when you have not been to the parks because you have been a child and even in simply the previous couple of years, it will possibly appear formidable to plan a trip that lives as much as your Disney fairytale goals.

With a lot to do and see (and eat) in every park, becoming in every part you and your theme park posse need to do in someday might be as demanding as attempting to depart the ball earlier than your carriage turns again right into a pumpkin.

Fortunately, Ladies’s Well being partnered with a fairy godmother who is aware of the Walt Disney World resort just like the again of her metaphorical wand. PlanDisney panelist Bryanna B. shared the within scoop on tips on how to put together on your journey to Disney World, tips on how to navigate the parks, and tips on how to keep wholesome and comfortable whereas hopping from trip to parade to indicate—and all of the pixie mud in between.

1. Nearly pre-visit the parks with the My Disney Expertise app.

A couple of weeks previous to your journey, obtain the My Disney Experience mobile app and double verify that your tickets are able to go and park reservations align together with your desired dates. „That’s like having all of Disney World in your hand,“ says Bryanna. „You’ll be able to see park maps, wait instances, every part.“

If it has been a minute since your final go to, take a while to scan the park maps so you do not waste time taking roundabout routes from, say, Frontierland to Adventureland in Magic Kingdom.

And, except you are going the week between Christmas and New Yr’s Eve (a notoriously high-traffic time at Walt Disney World), verify the trip and present wait instances on the app every week earlier than your journey. If you are going to Epcot on a Tuesday and actually need to trip Frozen Ever After, for instance, verify the wait instances every week previous to get an thought of the trip’s reputation at completely different instances of the day.

2. Make a magical must-do record.

„Everyone has their very own concepts of what they need out of a Disney journey,“ says Bryanna. „Some folks need to expertise the sights, the sounds, a snack or two, and simply get pleasure from it. Others need to hit each single trip, and even do some twice.“ However she cautions towards packing a lot into every day on the park that you simply utterly wipe your self out. To not point out, over-planning might create unrealistic expectations and, consequently, disappointment if you cannot accomplish every part—and what’s magical about that?

As an alternative, create a must-do record and a nice-to-do record, says Bryanna. „If I will Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I do know I need to trip The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as a result of it is one in all my favorites,“ she says. So, with that in thoughts as her number-one precedence, Bryanna builds the remainder of her day round it. Perhaps meaning beelining to Tower of Terror as quickly because the park opens to beat the strains, planning to see the Magnificence and The Beast Reside On Stage present (one other favourite) within the afternoon when there’s possible extra crowds, or taking a second to relaxation and recharge whereas attempting a brand new snack.

Having a transparent record of high-priority rides, reveals, and experiences is particularly useful if you wish to use buy Disney Genie+ service, Bryanna provides, which lets you make Lightning Lane entrance choices separately for various points of interest all through the day. So long as you accomplish the must-do’s in your park plan, every part else will really feel like icing on the Mickey Mouse-shaped cake.

3. Benefit from PlanDisney assets.

As soon as which points of interest you may’t Disney with out, Bryanna suggests trying out the Disney Parks Weblog for updates on particular occasions, seasonal treats, and different in-the-know happenings that you simply may miss in any other case. For instance, maybe there is a particular Halloween-themed dessert you may pencil in tasting between a must-do trip and a nice-to-see present.

She additionally recommends following the PlanDisney Instagram account for park updates and ideas straight to your feed from PlanDisney panelists like herself. „You’ll be able to see completely different movies of ideas and tips from every of the panelists as a result of all of us have completely different experiences,“ Bryanna explains. „I am a younger grownup and have a tendency to go to Disney with out youngsters, but when a mother is seeking to plan a visit with youthful youngsters and tips on how to navigate that, we have got you lined, too.“ If a visitor has a particular query, or on the flipside, does not even know the place to begin, Bryanna recommends reaching out on-line to a PlanDisney panelist with an identical way of life and pursuits (there are tons of panelists to select from).

PlanDisney additionally lately launched a podcast, so you may hearken to insider perception and acquire planning inspo whereas going about your day and even as you pack on your journey.

4. Pack the all-day necessities.

A day at Disney World requires the fitting equipment—and I am not speaking a few pair of Mickey ears that completely matches your ensemble (although that definitely does not harm). Some must-bring objects embrace:



„In any season, I am going to at all times pack a mini umbrella simply since you by no means know if it is going to rain,“ says Bryanna. „The final time I used to be at Disney World with my husband it torrentially down-poured for a lot of the day, however we did not let it cease us.“



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File this below „completely positively MUST“ for those who’re heading to Disney World in the summertime months when temperatures are sometimes within the nineties. „It is good to have the air circulating when you’re standing in line,“ says Bryanna.



Between checking the My Disney Expertise app for up to date wait instances, texting and calling different members of your group, and even enjoying video games in line, you may be draining your cellphone battery quick.



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„Particularly within the winter season, you may need to have a jacket or one thing you may layer like that,“ says Bryanna. In the event you’re bringing a bag, select one which compresses when rolled up, so it does not take up loads of area.



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Defending your pores and skin from dangerous rays must be prime of thoughts at any time when you are going to be outdoors for prolonged hours, however that is very true within the literal sunshine state. Plus, sunburn is just about the other of magical.



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Kudos to Disney princesses for rocking strappy sandals and excessive heels on their adventures, however that fancy footwear is finest left at dwelling if you’re about to spend hours traipsing across the parks.

5. Discover rest spots all through the day.


Shady spots are your finest good friend after spending hours below the Florida solar, says Bryanna, even when that simply means taking a second to take a seat on a bench or stand beneath a tree. These are nice spots to catch your breath, have some water, and regroup earlier than heading to your subsequent attraction. One in every of Bryanna’s go-to R & R spots is the Connections Cafe & Eatery in Epcot the place you may sit down, cost your cellphone, and eat a snack (you may even schedule cell meals ordering so it is ready for you if you get there).

For these staying at Disney Resorts Assortment accommodations, Bryanna additionally suggests friends return to their resort in the midst of the day to relaxation and recharge within the consolation and privateness of their very own room. „I am going to come again mid-afternoon on the warmth of the day, and I’d go to the pool or I’d simply take a nap,“ she says. „After which I am going to head again out afterward within the night for fireworks or simply to walk round.“

In her expertise, it is an under-the-radar technique as a result of so many friends are targeted on „hitting every part“ .

However don’t fret, if you cannot make it again to your room, these are the very best spots in every park to catch a couple of Zzz’s:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Discovering Nemo: The Large Blue… and Past! – This fabulous stage present will not put you to sleep, nevertheless it’s positively quieter than the Competition of the Lion King (and it is air conditioned!). In the event you’re merely exhausted and have ever fallen asleep for a couple of minutes on the films or throughout a Broadway present, then you definitely may nod off right here.
• Epcot: Impressions de France – This brief movie is proven in a darkish, air-conditioned theater with pretty snug seats, a.ok.a. a napper’s paradise. Plus, there’s often not a line to get in (it is not what one would name a „thrill“ trip), so it is easy to sneak in a fast cat nap between grazing at Epcot’s numerous food- and drink-based festivals.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Muppet*Imaginative and prescient 3D and Trip Enjoyable – An Authentic Animated Brief with Mickey & Minnie – Each of those reveals are louder than the Epcot suggestions (actually top-tier dozing spots), however they each happen in darkish and funky theaters with snug seats. So, even for those who’re solely in a position to shut your eyes for a couple of seconds, it is higher than nothing.
• Magic Kingdom Park: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress and The Corridor of Presidents – The Corridor of Presidents is the very best place to take a nap in Magic Kingdom—fingers down—as a result of it is darkish, cool, and fairly quiet within the theater. (Plus, attraction-wise, you are not lacking a lot.) The Carousel of Progress is a stable second selection, nevertheless it’s such a charmingly kitschy trip—with a catchy theme music—that first-timers might not need to miss it.

6. Plan strategic water breaks.

Staying hydrated is essential to having a wholesome and comfortable day at Disney World, however taking water breaks can typically be ignored in favor of sprinting to the following trip. Bringing a reusable water bottle will prevent tons of money and time since every park options hydration stations and water fountains, most of that are conveniently situated close to bogs.

Professional tip: If you wish to journey mild, pack a collapsible water bottle to retailer in a small bag and even your pocket after sipping.

Whereas it is fairly unattainable to hydrate on a thrill trip, Bryanna recommends benefiting from leisure moments, like watching a parade, to drink some water and calm down. „After I’m watching the Competition of Fantasy parade, I prefer to take somewhat little bit of a break over in Frontierland, which is the place the parade begins,“ she says. „I am going to sit over there, watch the parade, after which because it goes by, the gang goes with it. It is somewhat bit extra relaxed [after that], and I can benefit from the points of interest over there.“ This fashion, you are multitasking in essentially the most magical method doable.

7. Thrive within the strains.

Bear in mind your must-do record? That is when it issues. „Understanding which rides you need to hit on that particular day or throughout the time of your journey is an important a part of planning as a result of possibly the road is de facto lengthy right now. However tomorrow night time, you may plan to remain on the park later and go on the trip throughout that point as a substitute,“ says Bryanna. Many of the widespread rides are inclined to have the shortest strains round park opening and shutting, so for those who miss out on a high-priority expertise someday, it may very well be price your whereas to adapt your plan by waking up earlier or staying later the following.

That stated, generally, hour-plus strains are simply unavoidable, so that you may as nicely embrace them as a part of the expertise. „My husband and I like watching films in line… we pop in headphones, and the road goes like that,“ says Bryanna. „I’ve additionally seen loads of households play the Heads Up recreation in line, too.“ As an alternative of considering of these minutes (irrespective of what number of) as only a waste of time, take into consideration how one can flip it right into a enjoyable time.

8. Make celebrations further particular with candy surprises.

Do you know you may order specialty truffles to particular eating places at Disney World? Yep, whether or not you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, commencement, or only a actually superior Thursday. All you must do is head to the Walt Disney World web site, search „Specialty Muffins,“ and you will find an ordering page with a list of restaurants able to whip up a magical shock for you, says Bryanna.

If cake’s not your factor, there’s additionally the Disney Floral and Gifts team, which might make you particular celebratory baskets, floral preparations, and even balloon bouquets.

9. Bear in mind what you got here for: magic.

And that magic is not present in any specific trip or fireworks present, however within the reminiscences you make whereas experiencing all of them. So, strive to not stress the small stuff and hold a constructive, open-to-anything mindset, suggests Bryanna.

„I believe, oftentimes, folks can get actually slowed down once they assume, ‚I’ve to do that or else my trip is ruined,'“ she explains. „I completely perceive that some friends go in with particular issues they need to do, however simply benefit from the trip as a result of if you’re relaxed and you’ve got that mindset of ‚I am right here to have an awesome trip,‘ constructive issues occur.“

Even when your plans go awry, having an optimistic mentality will let you see new alternatives current themselves. Maybe not having the ability to do a trip you needed or lacking out on a favourite present will immediate you to find a brand new attraction that you find yourself loving much more. Who is aware of, however as Walt Disney himself stated, „All our goals can come true, if we have now the braveness to pursue them.“

Lindsay Geller is the Love & Life Editor at Ladies’s Well being, specializing in leisure information and tradition protection. With greater than 6 years {of professional} writing and enhancing expertise, she’s reported on every part from the most recent courting tendencies to the affect of affirmation bias on psychological well being.