Walt Disney World Tips For Families
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Our Disney World podcast series continues with tips for families. Whether it’s your first Disney World vacation or you’re a seasoned pro, these tips will help you plan an enjoyable experience for your entire family.
Below are our favorite Walt Disney World tips for families.
Understand it’s probably going to be busy
Disney World remains a sought-after destination, particularly during peak times such as the summer months and significant holidays. Families visiting should expect dense crowds, long wait times, and a lively atmosphere. Being aware of these factors in advance will help set realistic expectations and ensure a more relaxed vacation experience.
Pack water and snacks
Disney provides guidelines on food items visitors may bring into the parks. Given Florida’s warm climate, water and snacks can be invaluable. It ensures everyone remains hydrated and invigorated while curbing costs on in-park dining.
Invest in a quality backpack cooler that keeps refreshments cool all day.
Arrive early
Arrive at the park early to enjoy shorter queues for your favorite rides. Aim to be there for the rope drop, when visitors first move toward the attractions. If you’re a guest at a Disney World Resort, utilize the 30-minute early entry benefit, granting you access to the park a half hour before other visitors.
Download the My Disney Experience App
The My Disney Experience mobile app is the ultimate digital guide to all things Disney World during your visit. Use it to manage your trip, order food, book Genie+ Lightning Lanes, chat with customer service, and view ride wait times.
Learn how to use Genie+
Genie+ is a paid service that replaces the old FastPass system and helps you make the most of your visit by skipping regular queues at select attractions. Learn how it works in advance for a smoother experience. A working knowledge of Genie +, Lightning Lanes, Individual Lightning Lanes, and Virtual Queues is indispensable.
Is Genie+ necessary? No, not necessarily. Its value often depends on crowds and your itinerary. If crowds are below average, you can still get on most, if not all, of your favorite rides without paying for them. Regardless, it’s helpful to understand Genie+ and how it works.
Have a plan
Don’t go into your Disney World blind. Consider making a daily itinerary. Decide in advance which rides are a must-see, which parades or shows you want to catch, and which characters you want to meet.
Remember to be flexible if you run into closures, delays, inclement weather, or your family decides to go off script.
Plan your park days strategically
When planning multi-day visits, consider the sequence of your park visits. Check each park’s operating hours and schedule your days accordingly. Incorporate rest days between intensive park visits for recuperation. If you plan to spend a late evening at Magic Kingdom, schedule a rest day afterward or choose a park with a later opening the following day to allow for extra sleep.
Book dining reservations as soon as possible
You can book dining reservations 60 days in advance of your arrival. Resort guests have an advantage because they can book reservations for their entire trip, up to 10 days total, at the 60-day mark. If you have a particular restaurant in mind, secure your reservation as early as possible.
Use OpenTable for Disney Springs dining
Many of the restaurants at Disney Springs are also listed on OpenTable. Finding reservations through OpenTable is sometimes easier than directly through Disney World.
Create family rules for safety
Disney often draws large crowds, increasing the likelihood of family members getting separated. For younger children, think about providing ID bracelets. Some parents also opt for AirTags as a precaution. Teach your children to approach a cast member if they are separated, and set a predetermined meeting spot for such instances.
Create a special code word for your family
This is my absolute favorite travel tip, not just for Disney World. It’s called the pickle. Half of our family are fast walkers. Navigating Disney World is always challenging with massive crowds (slow walkers), strollers, electric scooters, and large groups.
That’s why you need a code word. Ours is “pickle.” It started on a trip with my wife to NYC. It was challenging to walk side by side through the busy city without running into people or obstacles. We devised a code word to use when we needed to split up to avoid other people.
Don’t ask why our word is pickle, but it is. We’ve passed it on to our kids. When navigating the park to reach an attraction quickly, instead of getting frustrated or complaining about slow walkers, we say “pickle,” and everyone disperses, assembling back together (like the Avengers) once we’ve passed the “obstacle.” This tip works better with older kids and is somewhat fun.
Find your pickle.
Take mid-day breaks
Disney World can be overwhelming, particularly for younger children. Taking a midday break can be an effective way to escape the heat and recharge for the evening. Head back to your hotel or resort for a dip in the pool, a nap, or some downtime.
Use Disability Access Service (DAS) if needed
Disney World accommodates guests who may have difficulty navigating the standard queue system of park attractions. Utilize Disney World’s Disability Access Service to make the experience more enjoyable and comfortable for everyone.
Contact Disney before your trip to learn what services are available and how to qualify for DAS. You can pre-register for DAS up to 30 days before arrival and no later than 2 days before arrival.
Find quiet areas for a break from the magic
Disney World can be overwhelming, especially for guests with cognitive disabilities. Disney World has more than a dozen quieter break areas across the four parks that can provide relief from overstimulation. World’s complete planning guide for guests with cognitive disabilities. Another great way to get a quick break is to ride on the monorail or skyliner. Check out Disney World’s planning guide for guests with cognitive disabilities.
Check the calendar for special events at Disney World
Events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival can add extra magic to your trip. Some events affect the park’s regular operating hours and require a separate ticket to attend.
Disney’s special events are a great experience if you’ve always wanted to attend, but if you’re not interested, visiting during these times of year can be more crowded.
Drink free water
Save money and stay hydrated by taking advantage of complimentary iced water available at most food and beverage stands throughout the parks.
Order groceries
Order any food, snacks, or drinks for your trip from a local grocery store instead of buying them in the parks or resorts. Use Instacart, Walmart Delivery, or another delivery service, or do in-person grocery pickup. Local grocery stores or superstores are usually packed with tourists doing the same thing. We only take in-person trips to local stores if we’re souvenir shopping. Many of the Disney resorts accept grocery deliveries. You may need to pick it up at the hotel lobby or bell area. Check your resort policies before placing an order.
Use Rider Switch
If younger children can’t ride certain rides, the Rider Switch feature allows one parent to ride while the other stays with the child, then switch without waiting in line again.
Use the Baby Care Center
Each park has a Baby Care Center with changing tables, feeding areas, and even a shop for baby essentials. It’s a quiet, air-conditioned space ideal for families with infants.
Pack the essentials
Remember to pack the essential park items, such as sunscreen, water bottles, hats, and sunglasses, for sunny Florida days. It will likely rain at least once during your trip, so bring ponchos, compact umbrellas, or easy-to-carry rain jackets. Purchase travel essentials in advance to save money, rather than buying them in the parks.
Pack extra power banks and chargers
Between using the My Disney Experience app and taking photos, your phone’s battery will run out faster than you think. Keep it charged with extra power banks and chargers. Plan for your kids’ devices, too, if they have them, or they’ll hit you up to borrow your charger.
Use Disney Photographers for photos
The Disney Photo Pass gives you access to attraction photos and pictures taken by park photographers. It can be an expensive add-on. Go ahead and get your photo taken around the parks by photographers, even if you’re not buying the pass. You can purchase individual photos if you really like one.
Did you know park photographers will take photos using your phone, too? Hiring a park photographer helps you capture your entire family with a professional touch.
Get out from behind your camera
We love taking photos to capture family memories. One day, you and your children will look back at pictures from your adventures. Don’t miss out on being part of those memories by hiding behind the lens as your family’s designated photographer. Get in the photos.
Do your homework before you arrive
Research the park’s attractions before your visit so you know which ones your kids can ride and whether any are closed for refurbishment during your trip.
Wear comfortable shoes
You will walk a lot at Walt Disney World. You can easily walk 10 to 15 miles per day. Invest in comfortable shoes and break them in before your trip. Increase your physical activity, especially walking, in the lead-up to your trip to prepare.
Bonus Disney World Tips
Here are some extra Disney World tips we didn’t have time to include in the podcast episode. Enjoy!
Use Mobile Order
One of the most helpful features of the My Disney Experience Mobile App is mobile food and beverage ordering. We’ve found it super valuable for avoiding long lines. It’s also great for ordering meals while you’re still in line for a ride. Everyone pulls out their phones, chooses a quick-service restaurant, reviews the menu, and places their orders. Mobile dining lets you choose a pickup window so your food is fresh and ready when you arrive.
Use Merchandise Mobile Checkout
If you’ve ever been in the shops at Disney World, you know the lines can get long. Fighting the crowds in stores can be as challenging as navigating a busy park. Merchandise Mobile Checkout lets you skip the line and pay for items directly on your phone.
You’ll need a Disney account and the My Disney Experience App to use mobile checkout. Scan the item’s barcode with your phone to add it to your cart, check out and pay on your phone, and show the QR code confirmation to the Disney Cast Member near the exit before you leave. Cast Members have bags on hand if you need one. You’ll quickly receive a receipt for your purchase by email.
Pick up Celebration buttons
One of the most fantastic things Disney ever did was create celebration buttons. These free buttons are for park guests to celebrate milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, and first visits. There are also partially blank buttons, so you can write your own celebration if desired.
You can pick up complimentary buttons at Guest Relations at any park or indoor merchandise location. We’ve also received buttons during check-in at the front desk of Disney World Resorts.
Celebration buttons used to be a bigger deal, and sometimes wearing one could mean special treatment or bonus perks during your park visit. With crowd sizes and the number of guests wearing buttons, it would be impossible for park staff to offer special perks to everyone. Disney Cast Members still go out of their way to give a warm greeting or, if wearing a button, to wish someone a happy birthday. Many park guests join in the greetings as well, making it a unique experience for your family.
Shop after the park closes
One of the first things you’ll see when you walk into any Disney World park is stores filled with every Disney-related goodie you can think of. I’m a souvenir fiend, but I prefer to wait until the end of the park day to shop if we’re staying until close. First, it allows some of the crowd to exit the park before we proceed to the monorail. Also, who wants to carry extra bags filled with souvenirs all day?! Unless something specific is unavailable at a shop near the front of the park, I usually wait until the park closes to purchase it.
Buy Disney Pins on eBay
If you or your kids are into pin trading, do yourself a favor and look for Disney pins on eBay before you head to the parks. If you’re unfamiliar with pin trading, Disney sells collectible pins in all its stores. They’re super popular among Disney fans. One of the coolest things about Disney pins is that you can trade them with almost any Disney Cast Member. Cast Members wear pins on pin-trading lanyards. Many stores have special pin boards with more pins available for trading. Cast members wear pins at the parks, water parks, resorts, Disney Springs, and other select locations. You can ask to trade with them if they’re wearing one you like. They will always say “Yes.” Show them the pin you want and hand them one in return. You can even trade with other park guests. On my last trip, I saw a girl sitting at a table in Hollywood Studios with several pin books and a sign that said “Trades Welcome.”
Buying pins at Disney stores can be expensive, especially for larger or limited-edition pins. We saved money by purchasing many Disney pins on eBay. Make sure they are official Disney pins before buying them, not counterfeit. Amazon is another place to look for Disney pins. It doesn’t matter which pins you receive, as you can trade any you don’t want.
Disney sells starter kits with 4 pins and a lanyard. Starter kits are a great way to introduce your kids to pin trading. We found inexpensive Disney lanyards at Walmart several years ago. Our kids aren’t as interested these days, but we still bring them on each trip.
While buying them on eBay can save money, pin collecting can become expensive if your kids enjoy it and want to buy new pins at the park.
Use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are travel experts who can help tailor a Disney vacation to meet your family’s needs, often at no extra charge. They can handle everything from dining reservations and park tickets to hotel bookings and more.
Pack less and do laundry
If you’re staying at a vacation rental or other accommodations with access to a washer and dryer, do yourself a favor and cut the number of clothes you pack in half. You can wash a load or two during the trip and wear the same outfits twice. No one will notice, and you’ll save tons of space in your luggage.
Save character dining for non-park days
If you plan to make reservations for a character dining experience, consider scheduling it for a non-park day. This won’t work for character experiences in a park, but it works for places like Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Your family can enjoy a nice meal and see their favorite Disney characters without wasting precious park time.
