Tips and tricks for visiting a Disney park
We are going to look at how you can get the most out of your visit to a Disney park.
1. ResearchFirstly research is key when it comes to planning a trip. Make sure you plan your trip in advance and have a list of the experiences you and your group want to prioritise. It is a good idea to download the My Disney Experience App. This can then be used for a number of things such as booking lightning lanes, checking wait times and looking at the maps of the parks.
2. Extra Magic Hours
Secondly if you are staying in a Disney hotel you are likely to get some form of extra magic hours, (often referred to in different terms). This means you can either enter a park earlier than regular guests or leave the park later. During these times the parks are a lot quieter meaning you can get a lot more done, such as rides and meeting characters or getting your photos with less people in the background! You do need to do research before your trip as each resort is different and this isn't at every park every day. If you aren't entitled to Extra Magic Hours or can't make it try and rope drop or stay in the park until late to make the best use of your time.
3. Snacks
Thirdly it is a good idea to pack yourself some snacks for on the go. If you already have snacks in your bag then you won't need to waste time when you could be queuing for a ride (whilst eating your snack!) You will also save yourself some money as the snacks can be quite pricey, especially if there is a big group of you or you are staying for a couple of weeks.
4. Timings
Next you can save yourself a lot of time if you eat at different times. Instead of having lunch at the regular lunchtime that everyone else does, have lunch halfway through the afternoon such as three o'clock. If you are hungry whilst waiting for your meal at a later time, you could always eat a snack you have brought with you. If you eat at different times to the majority of the other guests then the lines are going to be shorter, and you have a much higher chance of getting a table. Also you can also save time if you mobile order your food that way you won't have to wait in line.
5. Water bottle
Next it can save you money if you bring a refillable water bottle. Water and other drinks can be quite expensive in the parks. However if you bring your own refillable water bottle, there are often free refill stations around the parks. Another way to save money on drinks is the resort refillable mugs. These are offered at set locations and can be used throughout your stay. You pay an initial fee or they are free on the Disney Dining Plan and then you can keep topping up your mug.
6. Off peak
The time of year that you visit can have a significant impact on how much you can achieve during your visit. If you can, it is better to visit the Disney Parks off peak as the ride wait times are likely to be a lot lower than peak times.
Another tip for your Disney holiday is to make sure you are booking your dining reservations in advance. For example with Walt Disney World you are able to book these a certain amount of days before your trip, so make sure you do your research and are ready to book a table as soon as it becomes available.
8. Single rider
To make the best use of your time single rider lines can be a great idea. If you are on a trip on your own then this is great. If you are with your family and friends you can still make use of the single rider lines, particularly if you have already experienced the ride and don't mind sitting with other people. You can save a lot of time, meaning you can fit in more rides or experiences during your trip.
9. Footwear
You need to ensure you are wearing comfortable footwear. It is important to wears shoes that are not going to rub and cause blisters. Please do not wear brand new shoes to the park because you are going to regret it. If you are wearing shoes that are uncomfortable, you are more than likely want to sit down quite often, which means you are wasting valuable time in the parks where you could be experiencing something magical.
10. Umbrella/poncho
Before you reach the parks you need to make sure you have either an umbrella or poncho or both! These items are expensive to buy in the parks and you don't want to end up soaked particularly at the beginning of the day.
11. Memory Maker
The Memory Makers are a great way to remember your trip. These can sometimes be free with your package holiday. You can take so many photos that you can keep and look back on. Around the parks you will find many Cast Members who are taking the Memory Maker photos for you (they are called Photo Pass Photographers), for example infront of the castle. They will also take Magic Shots for you, such as adding a character or another effect to your photo. You can also get photos from some of the rides.
12. Regular breaks
It is very important to take regular breaks, particularly in the parks that are in hot countries. By taking regular breaks you are not going to completely wear yourself, out to the point you can't continue. Taking regular breaks to relax and hydrate yourself is very important, especially if you are on a long holiday.
There you have 12 tips/tricks for visiting the Disney Parks. Which one is most useful for you?
Great information! I agree about the Disney Memory Maker. The professional pictures you can get from Disney are such a great way to remember your trip.
ReplyDelete