Even though Walt Disney World Resort is billed as the "Happiest Place on Earth," trying to plan a family outing by yourself can quickly become a nightmare. For first-time visitors, try to keep these tips in mind, and don't overestimate your family's capabilities. While it may be satisfying to say you got to see and do everything, trying to complete the task may cost you your sanity.
- Pack the right snacks.
Do not enter the park empty handed. Disney doesn’t allow alcohol or glass containers, unless they’re full of baby food, but there is no limit to how much food and drink you can bring with you. Soft-sided coolers work best for meals. There isn’t any way to heat food inside the park, so prepare cold lunches, like sandwiches and grapes. A cooler full of sandwiches and juice boxes will help you enjoy the expensive magic of Disney World on a smaller budget. Also, pack plenty of snacks. You can bring them through the gate and you’ll be so glad you did when you are standing in line for rides. It should be noted that coolers must be 24”x 15” x 18” or smaller. - Rent a locker.
Just do it. It’s not free, but you’ll be so glad you parted with that $10 deposit when you aren’t trying to squeeze your cooler and collection of backpacks into the shoe cubbies before you climb on each ride. Plus, you get $5 back once you return the key. Don’t forget to keep snacks on your person, too. You never know when hunger might strike, but chances are it’ll be while you’re standing in line at the other side of the park. - "Winging it" is not a good plan.
Vacations are meant to be relaxing times when you use as little brain power as necessary to recharge for your imminent return to the daily grind, but it is a huge mistake to enter the park without some sort of plan—especially if you have young kids. Without a tour plan, you could end up zig-zagging around the campus for hours, adding miles (yes, miles) of walking to your day. With an agreed upon plan, you can save lots of energy and hit the most desirable attractions for your Disney crew. Take advantage of the vast free blogger wisdom on the web to find touring plans that suit your needs. - Prep the kids.
If you’re planning to see the "Happiest Place on Earth" with kids, make sure they are ready for it. Don’t assume your child will embrace the characters, especially ones with large heads. They might be terrified. And how awful would you feel if you ended up forcing your child through a Disney World experience that felt more like a trip to Banksy’s Dismaland? Watch ride-through videos of dark rides on YouTube ahead of time and visit a local Chuck E. Cheese's. If they don’t do well, save yourself some money, and skip those character meals. - Get some sleep.
Be realistic. When the midday sun hangs high in the sky and the crowds are peaking, there is no shame is leaving the park for an afternoon nap. The kids will be happier and so will you—why fight it? However, if the park reaches capacity, you might become stuck on the outside until people start to leave. Baby Care Centers are another cool, clean option for a much-needed pit stop if you are determined to stay all day. - Make reservations far in advance.
Park restaurants take reservations up to six months in advance, and you can cancel 24 hours beforehand without repercussion. Why not go ahead and schedule that prime spot at lunch with Cinderella? If the princess you want isn’t available, book something else, and check back often because availability will fluctuate. The odds are good there is another mom planning her children’s dream adventure by doing the same thing. Do remember to cancel your reservations; skip fees can be up to $40 a person. - What they don’t know won’t hurt them.
You can bet your first trip to Disney World will be magical, but stay flexible. If you couldn’t get that brunch in Cinderella’s castle, don’t bring it up in front of the kids. It will save you a lot of grief. You might have to skip certain attractions, but there are plenty of others that can fill the void. Go with the flow. - What you don’t know might hurt you.
The Rider Switch feature will prevent you and your party from waiting in line twice if you have a child that either cannot or does not want to board an attraction. Rider Switch allows for mom to ride with the kids, while dad waits with the baby. Then dad can take up to two kids in tow to ride on the next round while mom waits with the baby. If you don’t ask a cast member at the front of the line to grant you the service, you won’t receive it, however. - Eat with a Disney Dining Plan.
If you are staying at a Disney World resort, you have the option to purchase a dining plan that will load your MagicBand with credits you can apply to meals at the many themed restaurants across the park. If you purchase the plan, use the credits where they count. These credits lower the barrier of entry to both character meals, which are great for young kids, and fancy steak dinners. If you want hot meals while at the park, it’s worth the investment. - Missing out on the FastPass fun
Understanding how to use FastPass correctly can change everything. This free park feature allows you to schedule windows in which you can arrive at a popular attraction with access to the shorter FastPass line. It will allow you to get the most out of your time in the park. You can even use your smartphone to reserve the best time slots while on the go. Scheduling time slots will help you better organize your tour plan, cutting down your time walking and waiting all while savaing you energy.
