Menu

The Perfect Walt Disney World Trip In 10 Easy Steps

Most guests spend months planning and looking forward to a Walt Disney World vacation. From picking out the perfect resort, booking FastPasses, and planning what to do once there, Disney vacations can be a lot of work but are always worth it. While planning can be stressful, sometimes guests also get stressed out once in the parks by trying to see and do everything possible on one vacation. With so much to look forward to and enjoy on a vacation, no one wants to spend half of it stressed out. To avoid this, there are some simple steps that every guest can take to be sure to have a magical time. Here are ten easy steps to ensure the perfect Walt Disney World vacation.

[google_ad]

10. Pick the Perfect Resort

Guests who opt to stay on property at a Walt Disney World vacation will find themselves with dozens of options to choose from. Picking the perfect resort for each vacation might seem daunting, but can be made easy by considering a few simple factors. Guests should figure out their budget and accordingly choose a resort from the Deluxe category (which are most expensive), the Value category (which feature the best deals), or the Moderate category (which fall somewhere in between). Once set on a particular category, guests then only need choose between a few different resorts and can base their decision on location, amenities, theme, and transportation. By picking the right resort, guests will be sure to enjoy their time on vacation.

9. Pick the Right Tickets

Guests who are looking to purchase tickets for Walt Disney World have several different options to choose from. They should first consider how many days’ worth of tickets are needed. For example, if a guest is going to arrive in Walt Disney World at eight o’clock at night, they probably don’t need to pay for park passes for that evening. Guests should then decide between a regular ticket which admits them to one park per day, a Park Hopper option which allows them entrance to multiple parks in one day, or the Park Hopper and Water Park Fun and more option which includes the ability to park hop, admission to the water parks, and admission to other venues like the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. By knowing which ticket is the perfect match, guests can save money in the long run.

8. Research the Parks

By doing a little research before leaving home, guests can save themselves a lot of time and confusion once on vacation. Guests should look into each park and have a general idea of what attractions they want to visit and where they are located. This will save tons of time trying to figure out what to do or where to go once in the parks. Guests with children should also look into height requirements ahead of time so that they know which attractions their children will be able to enjoy without any surprises once on vacation.

7. Have a Plan

A great thing to do before leaving for vacation is to make a tentative schedule for each day in Walt Disney World. By having an idea which park they are going to head to each day, guests save time in the morning trying to figure out exactly what to do that day.

[google_ad_btf]

6. Book FastPasses

FastPasses allow guests to make reservations for attractions which lets them show up at an assigned time and experience the attraction with little to no wait time. Guests who are staying at a Disney Resort can book their FastPasses up to sixty days in advance and guests who are staying off property can book thirty days in advance. FastPasses are huge time savers in the parks as popular attractions can easily reach wait times of over two hours on crowded days. Some great options to book FastPasses for are Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Slinky Dog Dash, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Soarin’.

5. Make Dining Reservations

One of the best things about Walt Disney World is the extensive dining options available. Guests can enjoy everything from quick service meals to fine dining experiences. Those looking to enjoy full service meals while on vacation should be sure to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) as early as possible. ADRs can be booked up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and are totally necessary to secure a meal at some of the more popular dining locations. Guests looking to dine at ‘Ohana, the California Grill, Be Our Guest, Le Cellier Steakhouse, and Cinderella’s Royal Table should definitely make reservations as early as possible. No dining reservations? Take advantage of Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering available on your My Disney Experience App at numerous Quick Service locations throughout Disney World property.

4. Plan for Packing

Sure packing for a Walt Disney World vacation might seem easy (light clothing, sneakers, hat), but who wants to get to the hotel and realize that they forgot something vital? Making a packing list ahead of time ensures that guests won’t forget any little items that just make life easier on vacation. Making sure that nothing gets left behind saves time spent trying to locate that item while on vacation.

3. Pick Up Extra Items

There are certain things that should be packed for a Walt Disney World vacation that many people don’t think of. Guests who are looking to be as comfortable and prepared as possible should pack items like Band-Aids, filtered water bottles, Body Glide, extra memory cards, and an external battery to charge phones on. Having these items might seem unnecessary, but they can be lifesavers in the parks!

2. Make Time To Relax

The biggest way that people end up cranky and irritable on a Walt Disney World vacation is by not taking time to relax. By going full speed from morning to night in that hot Florida sun, guests can end up exhausted and tired for the remainder of their trip. A great way to keep energy up and stress down is to schedule in time each day to relax. Be it an hour at the pool or nap in the air conditioned room, relaxation is key to a perfect Disney trip.

1. Don’t Stress!

Many guests get overwhelmed once in the parks because there is so much to experience. One of the biggest tips to ensure a perfect Walt Disney World vacation is to simply enjoy each moment and not stress. No guests can see it all in one vacation, so by taking a step back and just enjoying each moment they can avoid stress and make the most of a perfect Disney trip!

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane first started visiting Walt Disney World when she was two years old, and despite spending most of that trip quarantined with the chicken pox she managed to fall in love with the place. Visiting WDW every year since, she especially loves learning all about the history and small details of the parks and eating/drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival each fall. When she's not in Disney, Caitlin lives in New York and spends her time counting down the days to her next trip.