Whether you are heading to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to witness Cinderella Castle lit up in all its glory, sailing the seas on a Disney Cruise Line ship with Captain Mickey, or prefer a cosmopolitan cafe-au-lait with Minnie in Disneyland Paris, you'll want to make the most of your magical trip – and we can help.
Click or scroll through for our top Disney theme park hacks, tricks and tips to make your next trip even more memorable...
There are more than 30 Walt Disney World hotels (including the Grand Floridian Resort, pictured) from low-budget to luxury. The price may be a little higher than in non-Disney accommodation, but there are lots of extras you can benefit from. Themed rooms, free transportation and dining plans are just some advantages, but the best bonus is the 'Extra Magic Hours,' which get you into the parks an hour or so earlier, with exclusive access to selected attractions that are open for longer. The parks are much less busy during this time, which means shorter queues. Just make sure you get up early.
Once you have your travel dates in mind, double check they don't coincide with any special holidays or events. It's not just Spring Break, Thanksgiving, Independence Day and Labor Day – the NFL Pro Bowl has been held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando several times over the last few years in February, and some Pro Bowl week sporting events are held on Disney property.
Guests staying in Disney resort hotels get free transportation to and from the parks, including fun overwater and monorail options. If you've rented a car, overnight hotel parking charges are now complimentary at all Disney Resort hotels, with guests also enjoying free standard parking at the theme parks. For non-hotel guests, onsite parking at the theme parks costs from $30, although this is per day rather than per park so you can move around. Don't forget parking lots are massive and it can take up to 40 minutes to get from a parking space to the turnstiles at Magic Kingdom. Another reason to get there early!
Queues are to be expected at theme parks. But if you purchase the Disney Genie+ service, you can book Lightning Lane entrances at selected attractions and experiences. Pick your favorite rides, or rides with the longest queues, choose a ride time window (usually an hour slot) and off you go at that time. This can be done through the Magic Band or My Disney Experience App (more on those later). The longest wait times are the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios (pictured), Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure at Epcot.
Disney offers lots of online tools. Your first point of call should be disneyworld.com and the My Disney Experience link where you can plan your vacation, make a wish list, book dining plans and get access to the Genie service. When you arrive, download the My Disney Experience mobile app for everything including interactive maps and ride reservations. It even shows which rides are nearest to you and those with the shortest queues. Also, the planDisney panel is a great resource for families pre-trip as selected Disney-obsessed parents can answer any questions you might have.
Mymagic+ is an extension of My Disney Experience and the platform holds your itinerary and any other information on a clever little wristband called a MagicBand. It then serves as park admission, access to Genie experiences and PhotoPass – all rolled into one. For Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, it even acts as a room key and payment option. You can customise them too. And if a child gets lost, a Cast Member can scan the band to retrieve your contact information. They're available for purchase at the parks and selected Disney Resort hotel stores.
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida is over 40 square miles. It is made up of Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, as well as the hotels. Magic Kingdom alone is 142 acres and split into six themed lands. So, use your common sense; take comfortable shoes (more than one pair), schedule downtime and allow for transport logistics. Have a loose plan of what you want to see and do so you are not constantly hopping from one park to the other.
...arguably, of course! It's the original resort built in 1971 and home to the iconic 18-tower Cinderella Castle. It's divided into six themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A. Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. So if you want to make the most of this Disney mecca you'll need to allocate more than just one day of your vacation to enjoying the likes of TRON Lightcycle Run (pictured), the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the all-new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Meeting a character is a monumental part of a child's Disney vacation. To avoid photo queues and to get a more personal experience, a Character Dining reservation can create a special memory. Favorite Disney characters will get up close for photos and autographs at special dining experiences in the theme parks and resorts. Meals generally are buffet, and breakfast seems to be the cheapest option. Pre-book as they are very popular.
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The theme parks have rows and rows of Disney strollers available to hire including double versions which take the weight of a child up to 100lbs (45kg), so even the older kids who have out-grown buggies back home can take advantage of this little vacation luxury. The only downside is you have to leave them on site, so if your little sleeping beauties have crashed when it's time to go you will probably have to carry them back to the hotel. Single rental strollers cost from $15 per day and work out cheaper for online multi-day rental. There are also outside companies you can rent from.
Due to the size of the parks and amount of stimulation, meltdowns are not uncommon at Disney World. Thankfully, these can be avoided with clever planning. Make the most of quiet mornings, then head back to your hotel for an afternoon nap. If you feel you are not getting your money's worth by doing this you could use this time for a booked meet-and-greet or character lunch. Then, once your batteries are recharged, head back to Magic Kingdom or Epcot for an evening parade or one of the fabulous firework displays. Disney after-dark can be even more enchanting.
If you do decide to stay late or head back in for the evening for a firework show, it's a good idea to assess whether your child will be OK with the high noise levels. As it’s Disney, everything is big, brash and loud. Fireworks are enhanced with music and effects so taking your own ear defenders might be handy, as the parks don’t rent them out.
There is a huge variety of food-and-beverage services including restaurants, 'grab and go' huts and coffee shops. But doing this every day can end up being expensive. Guests are welcome to bring food and drink into the theme parks, provided they are not in glass containers (small baby food jars are OK). Backpacks and cool bags cannot be larger than 61 x 38 x 46cm. Also, alcohol is prohibited and staff are not allowed to heat up food so stick to cold picnics. By always asking for free iced tap water and taking empty water bottles to refill, you can save a fortune.
What little girl or boy wouldn't love being turned into their favorite princess or one of Captain Jack Sparrow's pirate crew? The brilliantly named Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique turns children into their favorite characters with shimmering make-up, hairstyles, nails and costumes. Many people bring their costumes from home and just pay to get nails or hair done, to cut costs. Again this is very popular, so book in advance.
If you are taking your own costumes or don't want to pay extortionate gift store prices, then Disney’s Character Warehouses are great places. There are three located in Orlando – one in the Orlando Outlet Marketplace, one in the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, and one in Sawgrass Mills Mall. The stores are officially owned by Disney but are usually clearing surplus stock or out-of-season items. Pick up costumes, mugs and toys for at least 50% off in-park prices.
Walt Disney World is crawling with Photopass photographers waiting to capture your memories, so it can make sense to purchase the Disney Memory Maker. It costs $185 for your whole trip, or it is included if you purchase ultimate tickets. It allows you to download and share every photo, video and Magic shot (snaps with characters superimposed somewhere in the photo). Even if you don't purchase the Memory Maker, still have your photo taken at every opportunity as you can view them online without having to buy. Crew members will also happily take photos of you with your own cameras and smartphones if you ask.
As well as downtime during a park visit, also consider resort days to recharge and process the magic. There are plenty of other activities to keep you happy, such as heading to one of Disney's two waterparks, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (although these can be just as hectic); a game of Mini Golf at Fantasia Gardens; a meal or a spot of shopping at Disney Springs; or simply hanging out at your fabulous resort pool.
Whether you have purchased Genie+ or not, there are some extra tips to know about. Some rides offer a Rider Switch service where the whole family queues, but one parent stays behind to hold a baby/child at the front. Then, the adults swap places and older kids can ride again for the second time. If your little monsters decide they're not quite brave enough after all, there are 'chicken exits' to escape at the last minute. A top tip is to queue during mealtimes when everyone is eating, or find out when the popular shows are running as rides are generally quieter then too.
Even if you do have to wait in line for rides, they can actually be entertaining. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride has a very spooky wait experience; while the outside portion of the queue for Avatar Flight of Passage features beautiful waterfalls, rocks and vegetation native to Pandora; and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot (pictured) takes guests on an out-of-this-world experience.
Don't worry if your children are not quite ready for roller coasters just yet. Walt Disney World Resort is thought of as relatively tame compared to the thrill rides of Busch Gardens and Universal Studios. There is still plenty to see and do with family-friendly rides like Slinky Dog Dash (pictured), movies, awesome interactive shows, parades, firework displays and, of course, as many life-size Disney characters as they could dream of.
A great way to rest your legs during your packed Disney programme is to take a break at one of the amazing shows. Favorites include Fantasmic! (pictured) and Beauty and the Beast: Live On Stage, both at Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom’s Festival of the Lion King and Rivers of light: We Are One. They show throughout the day and night (check during quieter periods) and all have welcome air-conditioning.
If you are boarding one of Disney Cruise Line’s epic ships, then try to choose the earliest port arrival as you can. Almost all the amenities on board these fabulous floating theme parks are instantly accessible even before departure so you'll get to enjoy a few early hours of fun from the start. Remember to pack your swimsuit and sunscreen in your hand luggage plus anything else you might need, as suitcases are often not delivered to your cabin for a couple of hours.
There are adult exclusive dining restaurants on board Disney ships including Enchante by Chef Arnaud Lallement, Palo and Palo Steakhouse and Remy. So why not have a date night while children are at one of the many kids’ clubs or in the It's a Small World nursery? Book a reservation online before you set sail, but don't worry if you forget, as a set of tables are held back for you to book while on board.
Start the fun with a free Character Call from your Disney favorite. After you’ve booked your cruise, visit My Reservations under My Disney Cruise online and follow the instructions. Also, download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App – it works the same way as the My Disney Experience App and you can check out daily weather, onboard activities, character appearances and even stay in touch with family and friends through the chat feature.
As epic as Walt Disney World Resort is, its little sister Disneyland Paris (DLP) is just as enchanting. You can use many of the same hacks as at the American resorts, but with a few European extras. For example, it’s advisable to brush up on a little French, as you'll be surprised by the difference it makes. And DLP is much smaller than the US parks, but with everything reachable by foot you can comfortably complete it in just two or three days.
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