Essential Tips for Your Trip to Disney World

There are a lot of tips and advice out there about taking a trip to Disney World. Most of it, as with this blog post, is purely opinion. I’m a member of many Facebook groups. I live in Florida, and we are pass holders, so we often go to the theme parks. I’ve collected the advice I often see from other families and put it here for you, hoping it helps!

However, my number one advice is to go with your gut and operate how you know your family works best. If packing everything you think you might need makes you feel secure and able to have a great time, go for it! If all that stuff makes you feel weighed down, pack the basics and move on with your life. Florida has stores, and Uber and Lyft, plus you can have almost anything delivered these days.

I’m the type that loves to prepare for everything the first time I go somewhere, and then I feel able to wing it more when I arrive. Also, after I’ve been somewhere a few times, I figure out how much I need to plan and pack, and I don’t do as much of either. True story: Once, I walked into Magic Kingdom with my son for the day and realized I had forgotten my wallet and had zero money. Guess what? We were fine.

I hope this info helps you, whatever type of planner you are.

Strollers

If you have a child that will physically fit into a stroller without breaking it, the overwhelming advice is to bring it. Even if your kid is very active and hasn’t used a stroller in years, they probably aren’t used to walking tens of thousands of steps per day. Also, they come with a lot of stuff, plus things you buy at the park itself, and it’s so lovely to have a place to rest your drink or your bag. I’ve often used mine as a rolling table, eating a quick lunch while walking between rides.

You can bring your own or rent one. All of the parks rent single and double strollers. The first time we went, I knew we would do an open-to-close day, so I rented the double for my bigger five-year-old, and it worked great. There was room for him to stretch out a bit, and if you rent a stroller in one park, you can check it at the gate and get a new one at the next park, which is super nice. The downside is that they don’t have any storage under or behind and tend to cost a little more. Kingdom strollers is a popular choice, as is Scooter Bug. They will deliver them to your hotel and pick them up afterward. Just be sure to book them ahead because you can’t request one the day of.

Park Bags

This is a personal preference, so gauge what you plan on bringing into the park and go with the most comfortable bag that will hold all of your stuff. I also like the idea of bringing a few different options, in case you wear one bag the first day and then decide you need something bigger or smaller. Disney does not do lockers (with the new exception of TRON), and you can bring your bag onto every other ride. If you have a stroller, I like to leave my bigger bag with snacks, jackets, etc., in the stroller and pull out a wristlet or wallet to carry on rides so I don’t worry about leaving my valuables in the stroller.

Dining

This is also a personal preference, but you should know your options. I go more into the different types of dining restaurants in this post, but if you want a table service or signature dining experience, you need to book your reservations 60 days out. If it’s a popular restaurant, set an alarm and log in, it’s competitive. I like to look up some quick service options in the parks ahead of time, so I am familiar with the menus and what my family will and won’t eat. I 100% recommend packing snacks and treats. Some people will pack sack lunches to save money, which is allowed. I think a mixture of all of the above is the best bet. You’re not spending a fortune or over-planning, but you still get some breaks and treats. I packed a baggie of leftover Halloween candy on our last trip, and it was such a nice treat (and a bit of a sugar pick-me-up) while we waited in long lines. Get creative with it!

Also, if you use Quick Service dining, I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the Mobile Ordering feature in the app. It allows you to view the menu, order your food, and pick it up from a special pick-up window when you arrive. Just be aware that you have to submit your order; they will give you a window of time when it will be ready for pick up, then you have to tell them that you are there via the app, and they will start preparing your food. I always forget that last step and wait longer than I should. It’s still better than waiting in line!

Free Stuff

If it’s your first time, or you’re celebrating anything at all, you can ask Guest Services (or the front desk of your resort) for a celebratory button. Cast members sometimes even throw extra magic your way if you’re wearing one.

If you go to Sir Mickey’s (the gift shop behind Cinderella’s castle) and ask for pixie dust, a cast member will wave their wand over you, say a spell, advise you to make a wish, and dust you with pixie dust free of charge.

Epcot has a program called Kidcot, where your child can do different activities in each country. It’s an excellent way for kids to learn a little bit about each country they visit and get a little passport stamp for each one completed.

At Animal Kingdom, there is the Wilderness Explorers program, which is similar. A cast member will initiate your child into the Wilderness Explorers club and give them a booklet with activities to complete at different stations. We’ve met a lot of cast members from other countries this way, too, who taught us about their home country.

At Magic Kingdom, they have a pirate scavenger hunt in Adventureland that is also free to complete, and at the end, you receive a card signed by Captain Jack Sparrow himself! You can pick up your card at The Crow’s Nest in Adventureland.

Early Arrival

If you arrive before check-in and still want to hit the parks or explore the resorts, you can leave your baggage with Guest Services, and they will keep it safe for you until it’s time for check-in.