Disney World Insider Tips: Make the Most of Your Orlando Vacation
For families with children, a trip to Disney World seems inevitable. For kids, an Orlando vacation to see their favorite characters is a dream come true. However for many parents, crowds, long lines, humidity and tired little ones can cause stress during what should be an exciting family vacation. To avoid stress and keep the family feeling their best, we rounded up some Disney World insider tips. Check them out.
6 Disney World Insider Tips: Avoid Stress, Keep the Family Happy
Stay Offsite in a Rental
Many Disney resorts offer onsite rooms, but most pay for location instead of accommodations. For example, a family of four may pay as much as $650 per night in June (Feb. 2018), however a vacation rental in an offsite resort only costs about $250 per night. Even better, rentals offer more space, privacy, security and home-like amenities.
Those who stay offsite also avoid Mickey or Goofy pop ups in the hotel lobby or restaurant at any minute. Both children and parents are able to disconnect to the theme-park energy and get much-needed rest after a day at the park. View affordable Orlando vacation rentals.
Don’t Try to Do Everything
One effective way to approach a Disney World vacation is to embrace the fact that you can’t do it all. Each of Disney World’s four theme parks is a vacation in itself, and it’s difficult to experience everything each park offers in a week.
Choose one or two parks to take the pressure off, allowing families to relax and try everything. Younger children may enjoy Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, while older children find Epcot and Hollywood Studios more their style. Research each park, plan around everyone’s must-sees and prepare to compromise. If staying a full week, visit each park twice to experience everything available.
Make Reservations
Disney World’s popular restaurants book up fast, so make reservations as soon as you schedule your vacation. Keep in mind that Disney World food prices can add up quickly because of ambiance and convenience. To save money, eat breakfast before going into the park. Catch a quick lunch at the park but return to the rental for dinner or explore some of Orlando’s many restaurants. Families will find several options on the way home and find smaller crowds and faster service.
Avoid Long Waits
To avoid long lines at premium rides, take advantage of the FastPass system. This option is included in the ticket price and allows guests to choose three attractions to skip the line. Once those three are done, guests can choose another. A FastPass offers the opportunity to see personal favorites without having to wait in line for long periods of time. Have questions? Read the FastPass FAQs.
Schedule Shows During Afternoon Highs
In the summer, Orlando can get a bit hot and humid. Water rides offer a way to cool off, but then you have to walk around trying to dry off. Another way to escape the heat is to schedule shows after lunch, so you have a comfortable place to cool off and recharge. Disney’s parks offer hundreds of shows for all ages, with several in the afternoon. Talk to the family, pick some favorites and add them to the itinerary.
Leave Early Most Nights
Pick one night to stay for the fireworks, and watch from a spot near the main gate to beat the traffic going home. On this day, arrive at the park a bit later to avoid park fatigue. On other nights, leave the park at least an hour before closing to avoid the mad dash for the exit. In most cases, the group will be ready to go home after an action-packed day.
Need more expert Disney World insider tips? Read these Orlando parks survival tips.