My family and I were just in Orlando, Florida and for the first time ever, we didn’t go to Disney World (unless you count a quick stop at Disney Springs for dinner one night). While it was exciting to be exploring other things (we did Universal this time!), it felt odd to be down there and not stop by the most magical place on Earth. Since I’ve been to Disney more times than I can count, I thought this would be the perfect time to reminisce and share some of my favorite ways to enjoy Disney (and to stay sane while you’re there!).
I’ve got a bit of a unique perspective because, while I don’t have kids, we’ve been going to Disney regularly since both of my sisters were born. I’ve experienced Disney with little ones, and now that they’re 13 and 19, it’s a completely different experience without kiddos. So, whether you’re a kid-at-heart grown up like me who wants to enjoy the magic yourself or you’re looking to make this the time of your life for your little ones, I’m confident at least some of these tricks will help you have a smoother vacation!
**This post may contain affiliate (which means I make a small commission when you shop from them) and sponsored products (gifted items are indicated with a [c/o] and sponsored items with a [sp]) because we all have to pay our bills, and I’d rather keep creating awesome content for you than get a real job. All opinions are our own and I only share products/brands I absolutely love!**
Slow Down
What’s the point of jam packing your days and putting pressure on your family to get as much as possible done if it’s just going to stress you guys out? I get it. There’s SO much and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, but starting right now, let go of the expectation to do it all. Giving your family permission not to see and do every experience and attraction will take a ton of pressure off how you plan your days. It’s better to do less without as much chaos than to rush and be frazzled and frantic – you are on vacation after all!
Go Through a Travel Agent
Speaking of all the things to do, while magical, Disney is insanely overwhelming. Once you come to terms with not having to do every single thing, it’s still maddening to make selections and prioritize. You need an outside person who can take into account everyone in your group (including their ages, interests, and tastes) and make recommendations accordingly. That’s where a travel agent comes in. What’s more worth it – character breakfast or an upgraded room? A rental car or utilizing Disney’s transportation? A reservation at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or a Fireworks Dessert Party? These are all calls too tough to make without an expert opinion. A travel agent will not only help you navigate through these decisions, but will also help you stay within and optimize your budget. They often have access to the best deals for various hotels and experiences and it doesn’t cost you anything extra to book through a travel agent!
[sp] I highly recommend Meghan Myers from Litterini Travel, LLC (meghan@litterinitravel.net). Not only is Litterini Travel an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, but I’ve literally never met someone who knows more about Disney. She’s been to Disney a ton of times and she’s always posting THE BEST tips on her Facebook page, like where to find hidden characters, where to get the best alcoholic beverages, and the best ways to use your snack credits if you’re on the dining plan (because that’s important). I just learned from her that every year Disney drops a free dining promo – who would’ve thought?! Again, there’s NO FEE for you when you book your vacation through her. Plus, you get access to all her Disney knowledge (including how to get the most for your money) and she responds to messages at lightning speed. WARNING: Liking her Facebook page will make you want to book a vacation immediately because you’ll find the dreamiest photos and the best Disney secrets!Have a Loose Plan
To make the most of your trip, you’re going to want to plan ahead at least somewhat. When staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can start securing your FastPasses up to 60 days before your trip (you can have 3 FastPasses per person per day). Dining reservations can start to be booked 180 days before you arrive. New attractions and popular dining spots definitely book up quick (my family is not the best at planning ahead and because of that, I have still yet to eat in Belle’s Castle!). Again, you don’t have to do everything and you want to leave room in your schedule for flexibility, so pick a few must-go places you don’t want to miss and book those things advance.
Don’t book up your entire day or you’re going to drive yourself crazy trying to stick to your schedule! A few of my must-do things every time I go are:
Animal Kingdom
- Festival of the Lion King (show)
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Expedition Everest
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
Epcot
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Mission: SPACE
- Test Track
- Turtle Talk With Crush (it’s a short show and just so stinkin’ cute!)
Hollywood Studios
- Toy Story Midway Mania
- Fantasmic (show)
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Magic Kingdom
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Happily Ever After (firework show)
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (I like things I can beat my family at)
Magic for Your Taste Buds
Something I didn’t realize until our trip last summer was that Disney has some incredible dining options. With kids, it’s hard to stargaze where and when to eat because you might not be sure what the day will bring. But if you’re going without littles, take advantage of the amazing food! We went to the Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant in Animal Kingdom, and the Crispy Honey Chicken was SO good. I also had the best breakfast of my entire life at ‘Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Of course it was fun to eat with Lilo and Stitch, but the food was incredible. They has this freshly made Pineapple-Coconut Breakfast Bread that I can’t even think about without my mouth watering – I would do anything to get my hands on some of it right now! Disney Springs also has a ton of great dining options, from something a little more upscale like seafood from The Boathouse to casual quick eats – I recommend Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza.
Live the Sweet Life
If you spell desserts backwards it says “stressed” because no matter how your day is going, a sweet treat (in moderation of course) will always help reverse your troubles. Disney has no shortage of magical confections! It might be tempting to satisfy your cravings with the first Mickey-shaped sweet you see, but if you’re not intentional with your choice, I promise you that you’ll walk by something that looks even better a few short minutes later. Some of my favorite Disney desserts are Dole Whip – a creamy, frozen pineapple indulgence found at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, inside the Polynesian Resort, Tamu Tamu in Animal Kingdom (here you can get it with rum!), and Marketplace Snacks in Disney Springs. Then there’s L’Artisan des Glaces – an artisanal stop in The France Pavilion at Epcot that serves scrumptious, handcrafted ice cream. Another sweet spot in Epcot is Karamell-Kuche in the Germany Pavilion, which has various tasty treats all made with Werther’s famous caramel (even if you don’t buy anything, at least walk in because it smells like heaven). I also love the peanut butter and jelly milkshakes from the 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios. I could probably write an entire blog post on Disney desserts, so if you want more recommendations, just ask me in the comments!
Be Rain Ready
It’s pretty normal in Orlando for there to be at least a short afternoon sprinkle. That’s no reason to head back to the hotel and call it a day! In fact, I have ran towards rides in the rain on multiple occasions instead of running for cover and have ended up waiting a significantly less amount of time than what the wait was earlier in the day. This strategy worked wonderfully last summer when we wanted to go on the rides in Pandora, Animal Kingdom’s new land inspired by Avatar. We waited a little less than an hour for The Avatar Flight of Passage ride (which you absolutely don’t want to miss – it’s one of their coolest attractions ever) even though when we were watching earlier in the day, wait times were clocking in as high as 210 minutes! So be sure to pack a poncho, and if I’m wearing shoes that I don’t want to get wet, I throw a pair of lightweight flip-flops in my backpack that I can slide on if it looks like rain is coming in so that I don’t have to walk around in wet sneakers!
Relax in the Morning
Timing is everything – most people with kids are at the parks as early as possible trying to get in what they can before nap time. I’ve noticed there’s a lag in the afternoon before it picks up again in the early evening. Take the morning to relax and have a nice breakfast and then head to the park in the afternoon when the nappers are leaving! Try to get important, popular rides and shows out of the way between around 11 am and 2 pm and save the stuff that consistently has lighter lines for later in the day.
Take Care of Yourself
If you’re not careful, it’s easy to leave Disney feeling like you need another vacation to recover! Even though the Disney fun might seem more important, making time and space to take care of yourself will ensure you have a more enjoyable trip overall and a smoother transition back to real life when you get home. That might mean fitting in some workouts (the resort properties are always so pretty and I love going for runs in the morning before we head to the park), paying attention to your diet (indulging in those delicious treats, of course, but also making sure you’re getting in some protein, fruits, and veggies), staying hydrated, taking an afternoon nap yourself, getting enough sleep, taking adequate breaks throughout the day, or booking an appointment at one of Disney’s luxurious spas.
And there you have it. Seven ways to make your Disney vacation a little more magical and a lot less stressful. Ready to book? Get in touch with Meghan at meghan@litterinitravel.net!
PS – Online orders often get here faster than vacations, so while you’re waiting for your Disney trip, grab yourself one of these I found on Etsy! So cute and so sparkly.
What are your favorite Disney finds, rides, and tips? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
