5 Best Walt Disney World Insider Tips

5. Consider your form of payment.

There are some Disney credit cards that offers discounts on resort stays, Walt Disney World packages, discounts on merchandise while at the resort, and pays you a small percentage of the charges back in “Disney Dollars” that can be used at Disney, Disney stores, or get it put on a Disney Gift card. Whichever form of payment you want to use, make sure you contact your credit card/bank to let them know you are traveling so you won’t be confronted on your vacation with a “denied charge” because they did not expect you to be using your card out of town? Be prepared by looking on the official Disney World website at the different menus/prices to get an idea of what you will be paying. Budget wisely and stick to that, as much as possible.

4. Make your first three FastPass (FP+) early in the day.

Remember, once you use the first three FP+ you can get additional FP+ times all the way up until Park close. If you hold that last FP+ for the Fireworks show at the end of the evening, you will have no chance to get additional FP+ times. Don’t waste your FP+ for an attraction you intend to go to immediately after Park opening because you can just ride that in Stand By. Focus your FP+ between 11:30AM and 5PM when the Parks are the most crowded.

3. Make a plan, stick to it.

…BUT have a backup plan in case a ride is broken down. The best tip for Disney vacationers is to do research. Make the best plan that includes things that each person in your party names as their “must-do”, get the Fast Passes for as many as you can. Make dining reservations, you need to keep your strength up and the food is delicious.  Sometimes attractions go down due to technical difficulties, sometimes for weather, so be prepared to make a quick change to your plan. Make note of the weather forecast and come prepared with ponchos or umbrellas. Even if you are prepared for thunderstorms, if you come during the late spring/summer months you will experience a brief daily shower and if there is lightning the outside attractions will go down for that. It doesn’t last a long time, but if you can avoid the interruption in your plans you are better off. Make Fast Pass+ times for outdoor attractions earlier or later in the day.

2. Make early breakfast Dining Reservations at a Park.

If you get an early Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) before Park opening you will be admitted to the Park in plenty of time to walk to the restaurant. After completing your meal you will be able to enter some other sections of the park. If you failed to get a FastPass+ for a very popular ride you may be able to get in the front of the line for it. At the very least you get to walk in, get some photos on a street that is normally full of guests, but you get to enjoy it with very few.

1. Be nice!

If you are kind to Cast Member they will do anything they are permitted to do. If you are rude, you will get nowhere. They will still perform their jobs professionally, but don’t expect anything extra. They have been at this long enough to tell who is being “fake” nice and who is genuinely being nice. A little kindness, respect, and a smile will get you a long way with other Guests too.