5 Awesome Tips to Make Your Disney World Trip Extra Magical
Fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World - photo by Hannah Schwartz
So you’ve booked your trip to the most Magical Place On Earth. Now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty details of planning your adventure. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the massive amounts of tips and tricks out there. Here are a few things you should keep in mind to make the most of your visit. From wearing comfy shoes to using mobile ordering for food, here are some essential tips for a magical time at Disney World.
Take care of your feet
First and foremost, comfortable shoes are a MUST when visiting Disney World. With so much ground to cover and tons of attractions to see, you'll be doing a lot of walking throughout the days. Make sure to wear shoes that are broken in and comfortable for extended periods of time. Trust me, your feet will thank you later.
Since everyone’s feet are different, there’s no one size fits all solution for the best shoes to wear to Disney. I wore ON Cloud 5s, and my feet were very happy with that choice. They give great support, they’re breathable, and they’re cushiony for those Rope Drop to Fireworks days.
Another trick is to bring an extra pair of shoes in your park bag. Throwing a pair of good sandals can really be a lifesaver (or at least a foot saver). For me, I threw in a pair of Oofos slides. Oofos are the best recovery sandals EVER! They have actual support, unlike your cheap flip-flops from the dollar store. They’re amazingly cushiony and are literally built for recovery from exercise.
Switching up your footwear part of the way through the day gives your feet a chance to breathe. It also lets some of those hot spots and blisters get a little bit of a break from the rubbing.
Also - don’t forget good socks. I know it can feel weird to spend $15 on one pair of socks, but getting a good pair of Bombas, Feetures, or Balegas will make a GIANT difference.
Mobile ordering is your friend
Another great tip to save time and avoid long lines is to use mobile order for food. Many of the quick-service restaurants at Disney World offer mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app, allowing you to order and pay for your meal in advance.
Using mobile ordering at the parks can definitely help save some time for more rides and shows. You can just breeze by the lines which could take 10-20 minutes, grab your food, and be back to the fun before the other people even get their stuff.
The My Disney Experience App shows which restaurants offer mobile ordering. You can search by park, or just let it show you what is available near you. Simply pick your favorite Quick Service restaurant with the “mobile order” logo, choose your pick up time, and go. That’s right, you can even pick a different pick up time if you know what you’ll want later in the day!
Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes can save hours
Disney World now offers a new service called Genie+ that allows guests to book FastPass-style reservations for certain attractions. By purchasing Genie+, you can skip the regular lines at participating attractions and save time. You can also buy individual Lightning Lane selections for some of the rides and attractions for an additional fee. This can be a great way to maximize your time and make sure you get to experience your favorite rides.
I get it. These add extra costs on top of an already expensive vacation, but it’s worth it. You’ll be breezing past lines that could be 120 minutes or more! It takes more planning in your day, but you’ll have more time for the rides.
For Genie+, you buy it for the day and get to use it on multiple rides throughout the day, even if you are Park Hopping. You can only book one at a time (usually), but as soon as you use one, you can go ahead and book your next ride. This will save you literally hours throughout your trip.
An Individual Lightning Lane is a pass you buy for one particular ride. Each of the four parks has specific rides you can buy a pass for. If you buy an ILL, it guarantees you will get to ride some of the most popular rides like Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind in Epcot and Star Wars Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios.
By planning ahead and using these, you’ll be able to ride more rides, wait in fewer lines, and have an even more amazing trip!
Plan ahead but be flexible
While it's essential to have a plan when visiting Disney World, it's also important to be flexible. Create a rough itinerary for the day, but be prepared to change it up as needed. Unexpected crowds, ride closures, and weather can all impact your plans, so stay flexible and go with the flow. Also, be sure to plan your snacks and meals strategically to avoid long lines during peak times.
Keep an eye on the My Disney Experience App to make sure you know which rides are open and which are closed. That’s also where you’ll find the showtimes, wait times, and maps for everything you need. If you’re at the parks during peak times, it can also show which of the parks are at capacity.
It’s always important for you (and your kids, if they’re with you) to understand plans may change. It’s a little heartbreaking if the ride you’ve been waiting forever to ride is closed, but there are plenty of other things to do instead. Try not to let one change mess up your whole trip. Let the hiccups the plans create memories instead of tears.
Look around for magical moments!
Finally, keep an eye out for magical moments throughout the park. From character meet and greets to surprise performances, there are countless opportunities to make unforgettable memories at Disney World. Take time to soak in the atmosphere, appreciate the little details, and create your own magic.
Look around for Hidden Mickeys throughout the park. Maybe there’s a surprise character signing just around the next corner. Go into Sir Mickey’s shop behind Cinderella's castle and ask for some pixie dust (a glittery surprise - it’s free!).
A trip to Disney World can be an unforgettable experience with the right preparation and mindset. By wearing comfortable shoes, utilizing mobile order for food, purchasing Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes, planning strategically but remaining flexible, and looking for magical moments, you can make the most of your visit to the happiest place on earth!
