Top Ten Tips for the Ultimate Disney World Vacation

I have had more than a handful of Disney World vacations and frankly, they are all extraordinary. There are not many things that could make a Disney World vacation bad but there are some things that can make it extra enjoyable for everyone. After all of my experience planning, paying for, and enjoying Disney World, here are my top ten for the ultimate vacation:

1. Disney Mobile App

First things first, you need to download My Disney Experience mobile app. This app is the number one way to enhance your Walt Disney World experience. It is a great tool to help you when planning your trip and, in my opinion, an absolute essential for your days in the parks. Some of my favorite features on the app are finding Character Greeting spots and checking daily parade and firework schedules for each park.

2. Disney Resort Hotels

If you are planning your Disney World vacation on a tight budget you may consider staying at a hotel outside of Walt Disney World to save money. I’m going to come right out and tell you – don’t do it. At least, don’t do it for the sake of saving money. Staying at a Disney Resort hotel has so many perks and financial benefits. One of the best is the free shuttle buses to every theme park. No need to pay for an Uber, a rental car, gas, or parking! The convenience alone is well worth it. Other amazing amenities include Disney standard customer service, Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles, extra time in the parks, and a magical Disney experience that you never have to step away from. Honestly, your resort alone will deserve an entire day of exploring.

3. Dining Reservations

Something you need to consider from the beginning of vacation planning is your dining reservations. Some character dining experiences such as Cinderella’s Royal Table are available for reservations six months in advance and they book up fast! There are so many magical places to eat in Disney World and the only way to guarantee your experience is with a dining reservation. You can make reservations on the My Disney Experience mobile app!

4. Magical Express

Just another incredible convenience of staying at a Disney Resort hotel is the Magical Express bus that will pick you up from the Orlando airport and take you straight to your hotel lobby. Traveling with the Magical Express will save you so much money on a taxi or Uber ride to your hotel. What better way to start your vacation than with a little Disney magic the moment you step off the airplane?

5. Park Hopper*

Park Hopper (aka Game Changer) is a personal necessity when I book my Disney World vacation. When you are purchasing your park tickets you can choose from a standard theme park ticket or a Park Hopper. The Park Hopper ticket gives you access to all of the parks in one day so, for example, you could head to Magic Kingdom in the morning for their opening ceremony, check out the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, and end with a big Italian dinner in Epcot. If you are traveling to Disney World as an adult or with older kids, I highly recommend purchasing the Park Hopper tickets so that everyone is excited and entertained all day long. It’s also the perfect option for a Disney World vacation that is less than four days long.

6. MagicBand

It’s pretty rare that you would experience a Disney World vacation without a MagicBand, especially if you are taking my earlier advice and staying in a Disney Resort hotel. When you check-in you will be given a MagicBand as your room key! If you plan ahead, you can pick out the color of your MagicBand ahead of time. While it is a pretty cool room key, your MagicBand can do so much more and I would suggest taking advantage of all the bells and whistles. One of the most convenient features of your MagicBand is that you can link your credit card to it. That way, while you are in Disney World, you can just tap your Band to pay for food, drinks, and souvenirs. Your MagicBand can also be linked to your park tickets and FastPass. The MagicBand really makes your Disney World vacation a hassle-free experience.

7. Magic Hours*

By now I’m sure you’re planning to stay in a Disney Resort hotel and you are going to purchase Park Hopper tickets, right? Great! This is your chance to get your absolute money’s worth out of your Disney World vacation. Guests at the Disney Resorts have the chance to take advantage of Magic Hours, which are extra hours inside the Disney parks! Some parks open early and others stay open late. They change day to day and you can check the app to be sure and hop to the right park in time for extra hours.

8. FastPass*

Having a FastPass for a ride means you get to pass the long line and head right toward the front. This is especially helpful to parents traveling with impatient youngsters. For some of Disney World’s most popular rides, it is not uncommon to wait more than 2 hours for 55 seconds of fun. While I will say the rides are absolutely worth the wait, no one truly enjoys all that time standing in line. You can schedule your FastPasses daily on your My Disney Experience app.

9. Pack a Lunch

This is a must if you are planning your Disney World vacation on a budget. At Walt Disney World you can bring your own food and drinks into the park and save so much money by avoiding the expensive park meals for the day. If you and your family are anything like me and mine, hanger is something that you absolutely want to avoid in the happiest place on earth.

10. Day of Disney Without a Park Ticket

Before you brush this off, hear me out! There is SO much magic to explore outside of the Disney theme parks. Save money and spend a day without a theme park ticket to enjoy the beauty and relaxation of your resort, shop at Disney Springs, and enjoy the nightlife at Disney’s BoardWalk.

Now that you know the top ten tips for an ultimate Disney World vacation, it’s time to start planning! Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or just want some friendly assistance while planning your trip. Disney World is truly the happiest place on Earth and I would love to help you experience every bit of it.

*Disclaimer: I have not traveled to Disney World during the coronavirus pandemic. Some of these awesome Disney World vacation tips may not be applicable to a trip scheduled amid the pandemic. Please check Walt Disney World’s website for updated COVID-19 warnings.