It’s a given after any trip that I write about my travels, and while they’ve been somewhat fewer and far between the last few years, a constant, no matter the circumstances are bi-annual trips to Walt Disney World. If you know me, you know that I grew up in Florida and would be the last one to ever want to return to the state, but I always see WDW as this magical bubble of happiness that is in stark contrast to its surrounds. A bubble in which I’m happy to stay enclosed.
People have asked me often over the years how three grown adults (usually me, Mom and my almost-40 year old brother) take so much joy in going down to Disney so often. I mean, we don’t have small children, so why??
If you know you know, and if you don’t have kids, you know exactly how much fun Disney can be without them.
Since I’ve been asked to share my WDW tips more than once over the years, I figured it was time to dish, having been again just so recently.
So here we are, for you, fellow Disney kids. May we never grow up.
The Second Star to the Right
In order to get from Orlando International (MCO) to Disney, you can either Uber/Lyft, or take this bus which is $16 each way. Depending on how many people in your party, it might be cheaper to do this than Uber since surge pricing is real. Unless you are planning to head to the parks right when you land, and otherwise had planned to spend the day at the hotel, pack your bathing suit in your carry on since it’s likely that your room won’t be ready until 4 pm and there is a lot of pool time to be had.
If you do end up wanting to rent a car, note that there is a car rental lot on Disney property and you can do a one-way rental, and the car car center will drop you off at your resort hotel free of charge.
The Bare Necessities
Download the My Disney Experience app and play around with it. It’s helpful because it shows you ride wait times at all four parks, allows you to make any dining reservations and mobile order food which can also be a huge time saver. It will also help you unlock your hotel room door, depending on the hotel (this is a newer feature which I admittedly haven’t tested yet, but my brother did with success) and give you hotel-specific information if you stay on site. It will also have your park tickets on them for easy access, list updated park hours, and point out any extra magic hours you may be able to use (more on that below).
Be Our Guest
While there are a lot of hotel options in Lake Buena Vista, I highly recommend trying to stay at a Disney resort if you can swing it (I am aware that it is certainly not cheap). Not only will it save you on having to rent a car and paying for parking at the park, there is a free bus system that will get you to and from any park or area that you want to go. Further, if you stay at certain hotels, you’ll get in early for some extra park hours in the morning which might help you cut down on some line wait times. My brother got on a popular ride in 20 minutes instead of waiting 55+ after the park opened to everyone else. Depending on the day, you’ll get extra magic hours at the end of the day as well (aka, extra magic hours).
Another bonus of staying on site is that if it’s hot (which it is in Florida 9 months of the year) and you need a park break, it’s nice to easily pop back to the hotel for a quick dip in the pool before heading back out to the parks. Perfect if you do have kiddos that need a cool off and a nap to make it until after dark.
Having been a day tripper to WDW for most of my life, I was blown away by how different an experience it was to stay on property. Magic from morning until night.
Be Prepared
Disney days are fun but they can be LONG. In order to avoid burning out:
- Pace yourself.
- Pack snacks if you don’t want to spend a fortune at the parks.
- Stay hydrated.
- Bring lots of sunscreen since much of the parks are on concrete and unshaded.
- Wear comfortable shoes- you will regret flip flops or some other nonsense footwear.
- Don’t pack too-heavy backpacks. Keep what you carry to a minimum.
A Whole New World
Let’s talk parks. As of now, each park requires a reservation to go along with the ticket you bought. Therefore, be sure to buy your ticket and make your reservation back to back. The sooner the better because all parks have been sold out of reservations recently and as you head into summer, it’ll just be worse. I have no thoughts on or experience with Genie + (which helps you get through lines faster) so sorry about that!
My mom’s word to the wise is that MK is always busiest on Monday because everyone who comes in for the week starting on Sunday hits up that park first in the week. She’s been the planner of Disney longer than I have so I have no reason to doubt this logic! Plus, anyone with littles will likely want to come here above any other park.
When watching any parade, watch somewhere in Frontierland near the Country Bear Jamboree because the parades start there and then roll down Main Street, so that means that area of the park will re-open first.
The fireworks here are definitely worth staying to watch. I get chills every time! The park will also empty out after since anyone with kids usually leaves after them.
There are certain lines that will always be long: Peter Pan’s Flight, The Jungle Cruise, Dumbo, The Haunted Mansion, The Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain.
Mickey’s Philharmagic is a super cute show (Fantasyland) and Carousel of Progress (Tomorrowland) are both perfect for when you’re hot and need an air conditioner break. As is the People Mover (Tomorrowland).
Dole Whip (Adventureland) = deliciousness
A lot of Epcot is under construction right now, but for me, the highlight is the World Showcase.
There are often seasonal festivals that have special food and drinks and festivities around the World Showcase that are fun: Flower and Garden Festival hits in the spring, Food and Wine Festival in the fall and Holidays Around the World in the winter.
There is NO SHADE at Epcot once in this area and that blacktop gets really hot.
A highlight for most adults at Epcot is to “drink around the world.” This is not for the faint of heart- come prepared and remember to hydrate!
Fun fact, the Moroccan showcase is the only one actually “owned” by the country. People come from Morocco every year to make sure it’s up to snuff!
To be honest, as a kid EPCOT was my least favorite place to go and I think that it still has the least amount of activities for littles out of the four parks.
I’d say there are less rides here, but I always love seeing the animals, so make sure you ride the safari.
Flight of Passage in Pandora is awesome (and likely one of the longest lines). It’s my mom’s favorite ride- we were on it and it ended and she let out a very loud, “Aww, it’s over?!”
Check out the showtimes because there are some great shows to catch here, notably Festival of the Lion King.
This is the hot ticket right now. When we went recently, almost every big ride had a 1 hour- 90 minute – 2 hour wait, at least. My only tips for this are 1) try and take advantage of extra hours if you stay at one of the hotels and 2) take advantage of the “single riders” – we shaved time off a few rides by being willing to split up.
If you’ve been to the parks or are without kids and less interested in riding all the rides, my family and I have started to do some of the special behind the scenes tours and we’ve loved them! We have done Keys to the Kingdom and Backstage Magic. Highly recommend if you want to see a different side of the World.
Finally, there are special events that happen throughout the year so check to see what’s available when you go. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has been my family’s favorite since 1987!
Under the Sea
Disney water parks are my favorite! If you have a day and want it to be an easy one, head to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach (they are open alternatively, never at the same time). They are fun and relaxing and not too crowded and just EASY. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, towel rental is complimentary. If you opt for this, I’d definitely invest in some cheap water shoes- your feet will definitely thank you.
Feed the Birds
You can easily order Instacart or the like for groceries if you don’t want to have to rely on dining/restaurants every meal.
If you do want to do some sit-down restaurants, look at them as soon as possible as the most popular restaurants book up as far as six months in advance. You can sometimes get a walk up reservation, but they all generally fill up fast. You do need a park ticket to eat at the restaurant in the parks, but you can hop around to the different resort restaurants without staying there.
Disney Springs is where a lot of the non-park restaurants are, and there are some good options for both casual and sit-down places. On that note, the Springs can get PACKED. If you have a free day, head there earlier in the day rather than later, especially on the weekends.
Our favorite restaurants in The World are below. Note that these are mostly sit-down, and definitely more for adult diners.
Sanaa: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village) and is just delicious and we never come down without eating here. It is a hike to get out to and from the hotel though on the bus, but if you have a free afternoon, it’s worth it. Plus, the hotel is beautiful and you can see animals roaming all around the hotel.
Paddlefish (Disney Springs)
Rose and Crown (EPCOT, the World Showcase)
Restaurant Marrakesh (Morocco, the World Showcase)
California Grill (The Contemporary Hotel)
Frontera Cocina (Disney Springs)
Toppolinos (Riviera Resort)
When You Wish Upon a Star
No matter which park you find yourself in at the end of the day, stay for the fireworks. They are all magical, will give you all the feels and are 100% worth staying up late to watch. Disney has the best fireworks in the world, expertly choreographed to your favorite songs and shows and any other one you’ll see will pale in comparison. My favorite part of any Disney Day.
Hakuna Matata
Remember you’re there to have fun. It’ll be hot (or really cold), there will be crying children (maybe not yours), rude people, long lines and your wallet will be crying by the end of the trip, but do your best to channel Timon and Pumba and you really will have the most magical time.
