10 Disney World Tips And Secrets Straight From A Disney Insider

You might 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 obtained the large stuff checked off your to-do checklist, but when you have not been to the parks because you had 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 desires.

With a lot to do and see (and eat) in every park, becoming in all the pieces you and your theme park posse wish to do in in the future may be as irritating as making an attempt to depart the ball earlier than your carriage turns again right into a pumpkin.

Fortunately, Girls’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 put together in your journey to Disney World, navigate the parks, and keep wholesome and comfortable whereas hopping from trip to parade to point out—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 may see park maps, wait instances, all the pieces.”

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, until you are going the week between Christmas and New 12 months’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 wish to trip Frozen Ever After, for instance, verify the wait instances every week previous to get an concept of the trip’s recognition at totally different instances of the day.

2. Make a magical must-do checklist.

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

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

Having a transparent checklist 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 one after the other for various sights all through the day. So long as you accomplish the must-do’s in your park plan, all the pieces else will really feel like icing on the Mickey Mouse-shaped cake.

3. Make the most of PlanDisney assets.

As soon as which sights you possibly can’t Disney with out, Bryanna suggests testing the Disney Parks Weblog for updates on particular occasions, seasonal treats, and different in-the-know happenings that you just would possibly miss in any other case. For instance, maybe there is a particular Halloween-themed dessert you possibly can 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 suggestions straight to your feed from PlanDisney panelists like herself. “You may see totally different movies of suggestions and methods from every of the panelists as a result of all of us have totally 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 trying to plan a visit with youthful youngsters and navigate that, we have you coated, too.” If a visitor has a particular query, or on the flipside, would not even know the place to start out, Bryanna recommends reaching out on-line to a PlanDisney panelist with the same life-style and pursuits (there are tons of panelists to select from).

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

4. Pack the all-day necessities.

A day at Disney World requires the correct equipment—and I am not speaking a couple of pair of Mickey ears that completely matches your ensemble (although that actually would not damage). Some must-bring gadgets embody:



“In any season, I will all the time pack a mini umbrella simply since you by no means know if it may 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 underneath “completely positively MUST” in case you’re heading to Disney World in the summertime months when temperatures are sometimes within the nineties. “It is good to have the air circulating whilst 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 will be draining your cellphone battery quick.



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“Particularly within the winter season, you would possibly wish to have a jacket or one thing you possibly can layer like that,” says Bryanna. When you’re bringing a bag, select one which compresses when rolled up, so it would not take up loads of area.



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Defending your pores and skin from dangerous rays must be prime of thoughts each time 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 alternative 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 greatest left at house if you’re about to spend hours traipsing across the parks.

5. Discover rest spots all through the day.


Shady spots are your greatest good friend after spending hours underneath the Florida solar, says Bryanna, even when that simply means taking a second to sit down 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 among Bryanna’s go-to R & R spots is the Connections Cafe & Eatery in Epcot the place you possibly can sit down, cost your cellphone, and eat a snack (you possibly can even schedule cellular meals ordering so it is ready for you if you get there).

For these staying at Disney Resorts Assortment lodges, Bryanna additionally suggests friends return to their resort in the course of the day to relaxation and recharge within the consolation and privateness of their very own room. “I will come again mid-afternoon on the warmth of the day, and I would go to the pool or I would simply take a nap,” she says. “After which I will 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 centered on “hitting all the pieces” suddenly.

However don’t be concerned, 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, but it surely’s undoubtedly quieter than the Competition of the Lion King (and it is air conditioned!). When you’re merely exhausted and have ever fallen asleep for a couple of minutes on the films or throughout a Broadway present, you then would possibly nod off right here.
• Epcot: Impressions de France – This brief movie is proven in a darkish, air-conditioned theater with pretty comfy 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 comfy seats. So, even in case you’re solely capable of 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—arms 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 strong second alternative, but it surely’s such a charmingly kitschy trip—with a catchy theme music—that first-timers could not wish 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 neglected 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 loos.

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 profiting 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 just a little little bit of a break over in Frontierland, which is the place the parade begins,” she says. “I will sit over there, watch the parade, after which because it goes by, the gang goes with it. It is just a little bit extra relaxed [after that], and I can benefit from the sights over there.” This fashion, you are multitasking in probably the most magical means doable.

7. Thrive within the strains.

Keep in mind your must-do checklist? That is when it issues. “Understanding which rides you wish to hit on that particular day or inside the time of your journey is crucial a part of planning as a result of perhaps the road is admittedly lengthy right now. However tomorrow evening, you possibly can plan to remain on the park later and go on the trip throughout that point as a substitute,” says Bryanna. Many of the common rides are likely to have the shortest strains round park opening and shutting, so in case you miss out on a high-priority expertise in the future, it could possibly be price your whereas to adapt your plan by waking up earlier or staying later the following.

That stated, typically, hour-plus strains are simply unavoidable, so that you would possibly as effectively 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 sport in line, too.” As an alternative of considering of these minutes (regardless 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 possibly can order specialty desserts 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 need to 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 may make you particular celebratory baskets, floral preparations, and even balloon bouquets.

9. Keep 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 preserve a optimistic, open-to-anything mindset, suggests Bryanna.

“I believe, oftentimes, individuals 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 wish 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 amazing trip,’ optimistic issues occur.”

Even when your plans go awry, having an optimistic mentality will will let you see new alternatives current themselves. Maybe not with the ability to do a trip you wished 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 desires can come true, if we’ve the braveness to pursue them.”

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