As much as I LOVE traveling to the theme parks, I completely understand how overwhelming it can be. Not knowing which parks to go to, should you get Park Hoppers, where to start, what time of year, etc etc etc…. it’s a lot. I get it.
However, Disney doesn’t HAVE to be stressful!
Here are a few tips to help cut down on the stress so you can sit back and enjoy all of the MAGIC that Disney has to offer!
Hire an Authorized Travel Agent
As an Authorized Travel Agent specializing in Disney vacations, I am able to combine my training (yep…we have all taken countless courses from the College of Disney Knowledge!) and personal experience to help make planning your trip as seamless and stress-free as possible.
A Travel Agent handles everything for you so you can focus on getting excited for you trip (and packing, of course! I can’t do that for you…). We are constantly learning and educating ourselves to ensure you have the most seamless and memorable vacation. By using my services, I help reserve your dining experiences and am always available to answer questions even while you are in the parks! It is so important to me that your trip is truly magical!
**If you choose to stay off property and not book a package but would still like my planning services, I have a planning fee that can be discussed by contacting me directly.
Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time!
I’m all for a last minute Disney trip, but there is definitely far less stress when you book in advance. You can book a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Vacation Package (room + tickets) and only put down a $200 deposit, with the remaining balance of your vacation due 30 days before your trip. Booking your vacation months to a year in advance gives you plenty of time to make payments along the way instead of all at once.
When you book your trip ahead of time, it gives you plenty of time to narrow down which dining locations you are most interested in and get a game plan for your trip. Booking dining reservations is a service I offer to my clients, and guests can start booking starting 60 days before your trip. Other magical offerings including reservations at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Droid Depot, Savi’s Workshop, VIP Tours, and fireworks dessert parties — all of which can be booked starting 60 days from your trip.
Overall, booking your trip in advance definitely cuts down on stress and gives you plenty of time to plan!
Stay on Disney Property
We have done it both ways – we have stayed off property and at Disney Resort Hotels. We will never stay off-property again! Traffic is a nightmare and parking is expensive ($25/day at the parks). The transportation alone throughout Disney is incredible! Disney offers complimentary transportation from your resort to the parks & Disney Springs. Certain resorts also utilize boats, the monorail, walking paths, or the Skyliner (Disney’s Riviera, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation, & Pop Century all have Skyliner access). The Skyliner is super convenient and can take you to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or to the World Showcase in EPCOT.
Another perk of staying on property is Early Theme Park Entry! Disney will be introducing this as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration which will allow guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort an additional 30 minutes of additional park time each morning at every park, every day (more time to ride your favorite rides before the crowds hit)! Additionally, guests staying at a Deluxe Resort or a Deluxe Villa will be able to enjoy extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.
Become Familiar with the Mobile App
This app is truly the holy grail of magic planning! I have my clients download the app shortly after booking so we can link your reservation to your account. This app shows all of your plans (resort, park tickets, park reservations) and more. Now, you can even use your app to unlock your door at your resort right in the app.
In the mobile app, you can mobile order food for easy pick-up, making dining reservations or join a walk-up list, join the virtual queue for certain rides, view wait times, make or change park reservations, check schedules for parades and shows, book your Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane attractions, and more! I highly recommend you play around, pin your favorites to your tip board in Genie, and become familiar with the app before your trip!
You can download the app My Disney Experience app here!
You can download the Disneyland app here!
Utilize the Lightning Lane!
With Disney’s launch of the Lightning Lane (replacement for the FastPass Lane), there are two ways to bypass the standby line: Genie+ & Individual Lightning Lane Selections.
Genie+
- At Walt Disney World, Disney Genie+ will vary in price based on the date a guest is visiting. Similar to theme park tickets, throughout the year, prices may be lower on less busy days and higher during peak periods like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pricing will fluctuate between $15 – $22 per person per day (plus tax; prices subject to change beyond October).
- At Disneyland, pricing will start at $25 per person per day, and may vary by date, based on demand.
Individual Lightning Lane Selections
- Pricing and availability will vary by date, attraction and park. Be sure to check the My Disney Experience or Disneyland mobile app on the day of your visit for current prices and attraction availability
Check out my blog post to learn more about the Lightning Lane & Genie+ here.
Purchase a Dining Plan (whenever Disney brings them back…)
Although Disney has temporarily discontinued the use of dining plans, when they come back (hopefully soon!), they are a must! Definitely the most bang for your buck. I’ve gone to Disney without dining plans and I have to say that it all adds up, and we spent far more money paying for meals and snacks individually than we did on a Disney Dining Plan. It seems like a lot up front – but it definitely saves you money in the long run! Fingers crossed they relaunch Dining Plans very soon! Info on dining plans can be found here.
In the mean time, while we patiently await Disney Dining Plan’s return, there are two things (food related, of course) that I highly suggest to cut down on stress during your park days.
1) Advanced Dining Reservations
I highly suggest booking dining reservations! For us, we enjoy having dinner reservations in the parks and doing Quick Service meals for lunch and breakfast (or breakfast in the room). Breakfast reservations, including character dining experiences, require a reservation in advance (we’re talking 60 days prior for high-demand locations!). Don’t you worry, though – as your Travel Agent, I handle all of your reservations!
2) Mobile Ordering
This is something we hadn’t utilized in the past and I so wish we had! In the My Disney Experience or Disneyland mobile app, you can view online menus for various Quick Service restaurants and place your order during a specified timeframe for easy pickup. They even have options to pick allergy friendly options (I am gluten free so this is a huge plus! I am used to having to order in-person and specify what I can and cannot have). Don’t wait until the “hanger” sets in – order your meal ahead of time to have it ready when you need a bite to eat!
I hope this information is helpful! Ready to book a trip? Get your free Disney vacation quote here.
