Disney World is one of those places that whether you have been 100 times or you are planning your very first trip, there is going to be new attractions, secret walking trails, and overall things to learn.
Okay I’ll be honest planning a trip to the most magical place on earth can be a huge headache. Disney is constantly changing and updating their procedures as well as available attractions, there is so many decisions to make, and everything has to fit into your specific budget. I get it – I have definitely been there. However, with a little patience and research, you’ll for sure be on the road to a successful vacation.
Let’s talk some do’s and don’ts for planning your trip and how to plan like a pro!
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Tip #1: DO Use a Disney Travel Agent
Okay so I might be a little biased since I am a Disney Travel Agent but there are so many reasons to utilize one lets go through it a bit!
First, Disney Travel Agents, such myself, are trained by The Walt Disney Company and hold degrees from the College of Disney Knowledge. This training provides us with everything we need to provide the best service to you and ensure you are going to have the experience you want at Disney. Regardless of it is your first trip or 50th trip there is always going to be new information and offerings that you may not know of that a Disney Travel Agent will already be trained on by Disney. They really add so much value to your trip. I will post a whole blog on this topic so be sure to follow and stay tuned for that!
Now, I know what you are thinking… “what’s the catch”? The honest answer: there isn’t one! The cost of a Disney Travel Agent is pre-built into the cost of your trip whether you book it yourself or book through a travel agent. Disney travel agent services, like provided at 407 & Beyond Vacations, are completely FREE! We are paid directly by Disney so you will pay nothing extra for working with us. It is an awesome way to support a small business and utilize a free service that is included in the price of your vacation.
Tip #2: DO NOT Wait until the Last Minute to Book
There are a few reasons behind this tip but I will start with the most obvious which is Disney is really hard to predict these days. Before the pandemic, it was pretty easy to predict when there would be off-peak months to visit the park and which hours during the day you could expect to be less crowds. Everyone in this industry will agree when I say this but off-peak does not exist anymore. With so much going on like COVID restrictions easing, the 50th anniversary, and much more the parks have been packed. Now, this doesn’t mean you should skip the trip and chalk it up to it will be too crowded to have a good time. This just means, a little more planning is needed to make sure your accomplishing what you want on your next trip.
Booking Your Resort
If you want to stay on property at a Walt Disney World resort try to book at least 6-8 months in advance. The deposit for WDW resorts is $200 and it is refundable. Placing that deposit secures your spot and ensures that the room at the hotel you want will be available. Hotels do book out especially when there is a special offer running. Once your spot is secure, even if Disney releases a special offer two months after you book, you can still retroactively apply that offer. So it is really important to plan ahead and place that deposit or else you may end up paying more for a higher-end resort or paying for a resort you maybe don’t want to stay at because it’s the only available option.
Park Pass Reservations
Disney already announced that park pass reservations will not be going anywhere in 2022. Not only do you need to look at the park pass availability BEFORE you purchase your park tickets. But it is so important that AFTER you purchase your tickets that you go into your My Disney Experience and make your park pass reservations. These reservations do fill up so map out which parks you want to go to each day and make that park pass as soon as possible. To enter the park you must have BOTH a valid theme park ticket and a valid park pass reservation.
Dining Reservations
If there is somewhere you are really hoping to dine at, it is crucial you are booking as soon as your reservation window opens up, which for guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, is 60 days in advance. To get those highly coveted reservations at restaurants like Space220, Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, or character dining like Garden Grill and Tusker House make sure you are online at 5:30am EST to make that reservation on the day your dining window opens.
Tip #3: DO Make a List of Priorities For your Trip
Disney is huge! There is so much to do both inside and out of the parks. When you are planning your trip it is a really good idea to think of what are your priorities. This can be a restaurant you want to visit or snack you want to try or a ride you feel like you must go on for your trip to be a success. Having a list of priorities will help you plan out your day to make sure those are getting checked off.
Tip #4: DO Prepare for Inclimate Weather
The weather in Florida can be extremely unpredictable. I’ve had trips that I saw no rain when the weather called for rain all week and I have had trip where it called for a beautiful sunny day and I had to buy a poncho. People also have this misconception that because Florida is generally hot that is does not get cold but this is far from the truth. I suggest always packing a sweater and raincoat or the iconic Disney wear – a poncho.
Don’t let the rain get you down either! A rainy day in the park can be just as exciting as a sunny one. If you are lucky you can catch the Rainy Day cavalcade in Magic Kingdom where you will see Mickey and the gang dressed in their rain gear. You can also enjoy one of the many indoor attractions at the parks some of my favorites are Spaceship Earth, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and honestly many more this could be a very long list.
So be ready with that poncho and a cozy sweater and make the most of your day in any weather!
Tip #5: DO Get Familiar with Genie+ and Ride Switch
If you have a long list of rides you are hoping to get to I would considering purchasing Genie+. Honestly, I think it is the most helpful for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios that have a ton of attractions whereas there are currently only 7 in Animal Kingdom while Everest is under refurbishment. Genie+ is a new system that essentially replaced the old Fastpass system. You reserve a time to come back to the attraction and use the “lightning lane” which is typically a shorter wait time. Genie+ is an additional $15 a ticket which is why I suggest only getting it for parks that I feel you can really get your money’s worth. If you do plan to purchase and use Genie+ I highly suggest getting familiar with it in the app before your trip so you know how to use it once you are there.
It is also important if you are travelling with kids to understand rider switch. This basically allows one adult to wait in line while the other waits with the child that can’t ride. After the parent in line completes the ride they will switch with the parent waiting. This means that both parents won’t have to wait in line and you will only have to wait once between the two of you. This can be really helpful and it’s important to let a Cast Member know at the ride queue if you want to use this service.
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These are all of the tips I have for you today. Thank you for stopping by and be sure to subscribe to the blog for more Disney travel tips and related content!
If you want to see pictures and videos from my Disney adventures be sure to follow my socials @meganinthemagic! If you are planning a Disney vacation – even if you already booked follow link www.linktree.com/meganinthemagic to get started using my free travel planning services.
