For a lot of people, going to Disney is the kind of affair you have to spend months planning. It's a real luxury vacation, that comes with advance reservations, itineraries, and lots of cute, matching family t-shirts. Disney is the happiest place on Earth, and everyone wants the chance to do it right.

For Floridians, however, Disney is the kind of thing we can do on a whim. You can suggest going to Disney over dinner Saturday night and be walking through the park gates Sunday morning. We are the fanatics, the veterans, the insiders. And here is everything you need to know from a certified Floridian Disney freak about getting the best out of your trip to my happy place.

1. Mickey Says Stay on Property

Yes, I know that you are so very tempted to book the much cheaper hotel only two miles away from the park that you scored on Hotels.com. But when you stay off property, you have to drive to the park, and that can be a disaster. The worst place to drive to is the Magic Kingdom, because once you get there, you have to pay a ridiculous fee, find a parking space, wait in line for the tram, take the tram to a ticket center, and wait in line at either the big boat or the monorail to get into the park, to then wait in another line to check baggage and tickets before entering the park. So not worth it. When you stay on property, you get to take the Disney buses. They leave rather frequently, and take you right to the front of the park. You’re welcome.

2. While You're At It, Get a Preferred Room

If you’re visiting Disney on a tight budget, you do not have to stay at the Contemporary for access to Disney transportation. The value resorts are comfy, come with food courts, and provide the untouchable quality of Disney service. Plus, they’re super affordable (compared to other Disney hotels, this is still Disney after all, everything is 100x more expensive than it should be), and are usually simple to book if you aren’t visiting during the holidays. Once you’ve made a reservation, however, upgrade to a “preferred room”. You’ll end up in a room closer to the buses and the food court.

P.S. My favorite value resort? The Art of Animation

3. Sundays Are Your Golden Ticket

The vast majority of people at the park are tourists, just like you. And just like you, they have jobs, and they have to get back to them on Monday. If you can spare the extra day, visit the parks on Sunday, especially Magic Kingdom. Most people are driving home or taking a day at the shops, which means you’re facing shorter lines and getting rammed by strollers manned by exhausted, angry parents a lot less frequently.

4. Don't Be Tempted by the Smell of Fajitas, Go Right

In the parks, there is always a wrong way and a right way to go. At Epcot, once you’ve passed the large sphere that serves as the centerpiece, go right for fewer lines. Once you’ve entered the wonderful area that is the World Showcase, go right again. Most people use their noses and go left, towards Mexico, so if you go right towards Canada, you end up going against traffic. Also, you wait a lot less time for the food kiosks at the Food and Wine festival, total score.

For the other parks, there’s also tricks. Magic Kingdom? Straight for Fronteirland. Animal Kingdom? Make a beeline for Dinosaur. Hollywood Studios? Sprint to Toy Story Mania.

I know it says Mickey’s Merry Christmas starts at 7pm, but ignore it. Get dressed in your cute gear and head to the park closer to about 4pm. If you’re there, dressed, and holding tickets, the staff will put an event bracelet on you and send you straight in. Special festivities don’t start until the posted time, but you can enjoy the rides and food in the meantime, and during the low time of park activity.

P.S. If you’re visiting during Halloween, Christmas, or the months dedicated to either Food and Wine or the Flower and Garden festivals, go to the special events. There’s nothing like Disney when they have something to decorate for, and there tend to be fewer guests willing to pay extra for special events, so you’re facing fewer crowds.

6. Your Kid Doesn't Need to Be A Princess to Dress Up

The Bippity Boppity Boutique is the perfect way to turn your little pocket of sunshine into a sparkling princess for the day, but for those who tend to walk a more adventurous line, there’s an option for them too. At Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s a “secret” league where children can get turned into pirates or mermaids. They get to swear in under their new identities and get pictures taken, all while under the pretense of being in on a great big secret. Plus, you get to be in the air conditioning for an hour or so.

7. But They Do Need to Be Tall Enough To Ride

Disney is the happiest place on Earth, but it also often aims to be the safest. Cast and crew are strict about height guidelines, and they will not care if the kid who has been dreaming of riding Splash Mountain all summer is only half an inch under, they aren’t letting them on. Check height requirements online before you get to the park, and steer kids away from the ones they have no shot at. Children have enough meltdowns under the hot sun in Disney, so try to avoid the ones that you can.

8. If You Don't Get Fast Pass to Soarin', You Aren't Riding

For some reason, even years after its debut, the entirety of the Epcot park seems to flock to Soarin’ the minute they can step through the gates. Try as hard as you can to get Fast Pass in advance, but if you don’t, I seriously advise to just skip the attraction. I’ve seen wait times jump to two hours twenty minutes after the park opens, and if you wait two hours to ride Soarin’, you are going to be supremely disappointed. Try again the next time you’re in Orlando (and trust me, once you’ve seen Disney, there will absolutely be a next time).

9. Please Don't Pay Double the Price for Mickey Gear

Listen, I’m eighteen and have been to Disney more times than I’ve been to the movies, and I still get a little wide-eyed when I see the ridiculous amount of stuff you can purchase in the parks. You are going to spend money once inside the gates, so try to minimize the damage. Buy your Minnie ears before you get there; you can get them custom-made and adorable from Etsy or Instagram vendors for less than you would pay for regular ears inside the park. Also, Disney shirts most certainly exist outside of Disney, so get them online before traveling.

10. And Don't You Dare Buy a Poncho Either

You are in Florida, and therefore I can promise with a good amount of certainty that on your Disney trip, it will rain. Go to your local Walmart or Target, purchase a basic poncho, and put it in your bag for the day. Do not pay for Disney ponchos. They are more than double the price, and are no better at keeping rain off of your body.