Disney World is one the most magical places on Earth, but if you’re trying to plan a family vacation there, it can quickly become a bit hectic.
These Disney World hacks and tips will help you get the most out of your trip and save a few bucks, too. I think Mickey would give these ideas a big thumbs-up.
Make all your dining reservations in advance.
If you think you can just eat out on the fly, you’re wrong.
Restaurants book up months in advance and no one wants to have hangry kids at Disney World.
Make your reservations up to six months in advance with the My Disney Experience app and save yourself some stress.
Buy your souvenirs at Walmart.
There is a Walmart Supercenter close to Disney World that sells licensed merchandise for cheaper prices than you’ll find in the park. You can also stock up on food and snacks there for your hotel room.
Use the Disney Trip Dining Calculator.
Disney World offers a dining plan for visiting families, but it might not actually be worth it depending on how much you plan to eat in the park.
This handy site will do all the calculations for you and help you decide if it’s cost-effective for your family.
Try booking in September or May to avoid crowds.
The busiest times of the year are Christmas and during summer and spring breaks. If you don’t mind having your kids miss a bit of school, September and May are ideal.
Sign up for a wake-up call!
If you want to get to the park early (and trust me, you do), sign up for a wake-up call. It’ll come from one of the Disney characters! That’s sure to make getting up early a bit more fun, right?
Don’t waste your FastPass!
FastPasses allow you to bypass long lines but be sure to save them for rides that actually have a hefty wait.
Soarin’ and Splash Mountain are two rides that tend to have quite the queue.
Adults can order from the kid’s menu.
This is an easy way to save money on meals and still get a good-sized portion. If anything, I usually find adult meals are too big anyway so this way you don’t have to worry about wasting food (and money).
Wear a free celebration button.
Celebration buttons can be found at hotels and other guest service spots in the park. If you are marking a birthday or other special event and are wearing the button, it could lead to freebies and special attention from cast members.
Get up really, really early.
Especially if you’re traveling with kids, it’s worth it to get to the park as soon as it opens. This is when it’s the quietest and you can get on the rides with minimal waiting.
Then, take a nap and hotel break in the afternoon, and return in the evening for a few more rides or fireworks. Families swear by this schedule.
Use Rider Switch passes.
If you have to wait with a child who is not able to ride an attraction, you can request a rider switch pass.
This allows you to trade spots with another adult in your party after they’ve finished the attraction, so you can ride the ride without having to wait in the regular line again.
Try the Sorcerers of Magic Kingdom card game.
This game is free (one pack of cards per person per day) and is a great way to explore and interact with the park since the game takes you on a bit of a scavenger hunt. It makes a cool souvenir, too!
Book your FastPasses ahead of time.
If you’re staying at a Disney resort, you can book your FastPass rides up to 60 days in advance.
If you aren’t staying at a resort, you can do so 30 days in advance. Just don’t wait until the last minute!
Get free Coca-Cola products at Club Cool.
Located in Epcot, Club Cool has Coca-Cola products from around the world to sample. Who doesn’t love having free stuff at Disney World?
Try splitting meals.
Many of the adult-sized meals and portions and big enough for two people, so save some money by sharing with someone. Two meals for the price of one sounds like a good deal to me.
Buy pins off Ebay or Amazon before you go.
If you’re looking to trade or collect some Disney pins, you can find them in bulk on Ebay or Amazon for way less than what you’d pay elsewhere.
Stock up on cheap pins and then trade for the ones you really want when you’re there!
Use the single-rider line.
Even if you are in a group, use the single-rider line to save time and get on the ride faster. You might not all ride together, but if you’re okay with that then it’s definitely worth it.
