Michele’s Top Ten Walt Disney World Tips!
Walt Disney World is a magical yet overwhelming place to visit for vacation. There is so much to do and see, it’s hard to stay on track sometimes. The following list has some of my Disney favorites and tips that may help you when planning your vacation. There were a lot of various ideas for this list, but I narrowed it down to ten.
Enjoy and thanks for being part of The Main Street Mouse!
- It’s vacation, try not to stress. There is plenty of time to get through all the parks and still get to see and do everything. Take it easy, don’t put a lot of pressure on yourself and just soak it all in!
- Let’s talk food! As of late, the Disney walk-up restaurants have gotten to be pretty pricey. Almost on par with sit-down restaurants. The food is ok at the walk-ups, but not fantastic. If you spend a pinch more, you can get better quality options plus give yourself time to rest or cool off for a while.
- Transportation! Disney offers a few methods of transportation like the monorail, Skyliner and boats. These options can make for some extra fun outside the parks. Get on the Disney Skyliner at Epcot and take the route as far as you can. You’ll be able to see some resorts, I love to check them out for ideas on future stays. The Monorail Loop is always fun, stopping at the three resorts. Take the boat from the Boardwalk to the Studios, it’s a nice, relaxing ride. There are other boat options as well, for example, at Disney Springs.
- This one is a little more controversial. Don’t be afraid of posted wait times on attractions. We have tested this personally, and nine times out of ten, those wait times are exaggerated. We have never had to wait in line for what the posted time is, it’s always much less.
- Hidden gem! At the Confectionery at Magic Kingdom, you can make your own layered popcorn bowl! Guests can choose various flavors of popcorn and toppings to suit their favorite flavors. The price is fantastic for what you get!
- Disney Springs. I find myself going to the Springs even more than the parks as a local. The restaurants alone are worth the trip over, not to mention the shopping. As for food, Splitsville is awesome if you have a larger group because the menu has such a variety of options. Earl of Sandwich is a great staple for Disney goers too. Be sure to check out the stores that aren’t Disney-themed also. I personally love Sugar Boo for home décor, they also have Zara and Lilly Pulitzer to name a few.
- Nighttime shows! If you’re looking to close the parks down, be sure to stick around for the nighttime shows. Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios, Luminous at Epcot (bring tissues) and of course Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom. Speaking of MK, it is a nightmare to get out of there after the fireworks. We never head out right away, we head to the back of the park and wander for a bit until things clear out. It’s a great time to ride some attractions since people are leaving. Less of a wait!
- Souvenirs! Shopping is my favorite pastime, so I’m always browsing the shops across Disney Property. Some of my favorite merch spots are World of Disney at Disney Springs, Star Traders at Magic Kingdom, Creations Shop at Epcot and Ziwani Traders at Animal Kingdom.
- Wear the most comfortable shoes that you have! There is so much ground to cover at Walt Disney World and your feet are going to get tired. I used to go for fashion with my Disney outfits, but I was mistaken there. You don’t want to cut your day short because of blisters or aching legs and back. Memory foam is your friend!
- PhotoPass! If your park tickets include Disney PhotoPass, make sure to use it as often as possible. If you don’t want to be on your phone all day taking family pictures, this is the best option. Plus, everyone in your group will be able to be in the photo, which is a wonderful way to have those magical memories!