9 Disney World Tricks to Make Your Vacation Even Better

by Brittany DiCologero

9. Plan ahead

Planning ahead for a Disney vacation means making advanced dining reservations, Fastpass+ selections, and having a general idea of what you’ll be doing each day of the trip. Even if you don’t want to plan every single hour of every single day, knowing things like, “on Monday we’ll be in Epcot,” will help you figure out what you want to do during the rest of your trip, and it will be helpful when planning around the shows you want to see.

8. Take advantage of the Fastpass+ system

Even if you’re not quite sure that you’ll need Fastpasses, having them just in case is a good idea. The Fastpass service is free, so it’s not like you’re really losing out if you make a Fastpass selection and don’t end up using it. It’s a good way to have peace of mind that you’ll be able to experience some of your favorite attractions with minimal to no wait, and with the ability to make the selections on your phone, planning them is easier than ever.

7. Don’t over-do it

A Disney vacation can be physically strenuous, and it will be much more stressful for you if you go non-stop without taking any breaks. If you’re starting to get tired, there’s no shame in heading back to your resort for a break. I would recommend either planning to spend one day at the pool at your resort, or taking midday breaks throughout the week to relax back at your resort. Taking breaks in the middle of the day will keep your energy up for when you go back out in the evening, and it will help prevent meltdowns if you’re vacationing with younger children.

6. Splurge at least once

You don’t need to go too crazy every day of your trip, but I’d recommend setting aside some extra money and splurging on something once per trip. Whether it be a spa package, dining at a signature restaurant, or maybe a behind the scenes tour, it’s nice to have something a little bit extra to look forward to during your trip, and you’ll be sure to make some awesome memories from your special experience.

5. Over-estimate your budget

It’s better to over-estimate how much money you’ll be spending on vacation than to under-estimate. If you under-estimate, the worst case scenario is that you’ll be using that credit card of yours way more than you originally planned. If you over-budget, the worst case scenario is that you come home with more money than you originally planned on. It will also be helpful to know that you have the extra money on hand if you should need it.

4. Meet some characters

Character meet and greets are not just for kids—they really are part of the Disney experience. If you’re worried about spending time at character meet and greets when you think you’d rather be doing something else, consider some of the character dining options. This way, you’ll still get to meet the characters, and you won’t be spending any extra time doing so.

3. Take lots of pictures

Pictures are the best way to look back on your vacation and remember it later. Don’t forgo photo ops because you don’t feel like posing, you’ll be thankful to have the pictures later. And don’t forget that Disney PhotoPass photographers will take your picture for free with your own camera—there’s no excuse for not having the entire family in the shot.

2. Get up early

It’s totally fine if you don’t want to wake up really early during every day of your vacation, however when you experience the parks first thing in the morning you’ll be really happy you did it at least once or twice. Getting up early means you can catch the welcome show at the Magic Kingdom, and you’ll be able to ride some of your favorite attractions before the lines get too busy later in the day. Getting up early also means that you’ll have plenty of time to go back to your resort and enjoy the pool in the middle of the day, and still have enough time to get ready to hit the parks again later that night.

1. Learn about the parks

Before you arrive for your vacation, you’ll want to have a basic idea of what each of the parks has to offer. You don’t need to become an expert, but having an idea of what attractions are available in each park will help you to narrow down what you really want to do so you don’t waste time on vacation trying to figure out what you’ll be doing.