I've only been on Disney trips four times in my life, but I was lucky enough to be a cast member there for the Disney College Program in the Spring of 2015. I learned a lot about Disney vacations by interacting with guests and I realized just how many of them were having a hard time at Disney because they didn't have the correct information or any information at all. I experienced several times where I would do something for a guest and they would be so relieved that they would tell me I made their whole vacation. Those are such kind words, but I really wish I hadn't had to waste so much of their precious vacation time explaining things when they could have used the information earlier. Cast members experience Disney like no one else can, so I'd like to give you some advice for the next time you plan to visit the mouse.

The first piece of advice I have for anyone planning a Disney vacation is to download the My Disney Experience app if they have a smart phone. The app is free and can save you a world of trouble with your planning. For Disney World, guests can make Fast Pass reservations, dining reservations, see current wait times, character meet and greet times, and so much more. It would take more than two hands to count the number of times I helped a guest download the app while on their vacation. By downloading the app beforehand, you save yourself a ton of time. You can decide what rides you'd like to ride before you even get to the parks and make your fast passes. You can see the menus for every restaurant on property and make a reservation before you even arrive in Florida. I don't have as much experience with the Disneyland app because it's fairly new, but I know that you can do most of what the Disney World app can do, minus making Fast Pass reservations. Just remember that you can make dining reservations from 180 days before your trip and that the most popular places like Be Our Guest fill up fast.

I would advise anyone going to Disney to brush up on their terminology. There are many important things that guests don't even know about until they get to the parks and hear other people talking about them. You can always ask a cast member any question that arises, but it's best to do some studying beforehand. Fast Passes give you a set time to experience an attraction. The four parks of Disney World are Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. The two parks in California are Disneyland and California Adventure. Harry Potter World and Universal are separate entities from Disney and you'll have to take another form of transportation to get there. There is a lot of information to learn about before you even step foot in the park but if you take the time to do your research you'll be talking like a passholder by the time you arrive.

There is one thing I always keep in mind every time I go to Disney and it's that hydration is key. Whether you're in California or Florida, it's going to be hot and you'll get dehydrated if you aren't drinking enough water. I got dehydrated enough times while working to know how important it is. Don't assume you have to pay $2.50 every time you want a water though; you can bring your own water bottle to the parks and get a FREE cup of ice water at any walk up counter restaurant location in any park. Yes, free and Disney go hand in hand when it comes to your safety. Quick service locations are marked on the maps you can get at the front of the park or at any merchandise location. You'll thank me when you're walking around in 100 degree heat and humidity.

Something to keep in mind on your next trip is all of the smaller opportunities Disney holds. The parks aren't all about rides, characters, and shows; sometimes the best moments can be found sitting on the grass of the hub in Magic Kingdom or finding hidden Mickeys. Some personal favorites of mine are taking pictures at the casting door on Main Street U.S.A., people watching around the World Showcase Lagoon, finding the hidden Pascals in the Tangled bathroom area of Fantasyland, and talking to cast members about where they're from and how they came to work at Disney. I can go on the rides any time I go to Disney and I will obviously enjoy them, but I love making unique memories every chance I can get. If you're ever in the Chapeau on Main Street U.S.A. in Disney World, pick up the old timey phone on the wall and listen; it's one of my favorite little discoveries from my program. Sometimes the smallest memories are what stick with you when the pixie dust has washed out of your hair. Speaking of that, make sure you get some pixie dust at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

One thing I always recommend doing as a guest is wearing a celebration button. That free button can be your key to happiness if you wear it to the parks. I'm not saying this in relation to getting free things for it being your birthday, but because of the extra magic cast members create for people who are celebrating at Disney. One of my favorite things from my last trip was wearing my 21st birthday button and hearing "Happy Birthday!" every time I turned a new corner. Having cast members and even other guests acknowledge the button made me so happy even though it's such a simple gesture. Even if you aren't celebrating a birthday, happily ever after, or reunion, you can celebrate other things. If it's your first time visiting the parks it's pretty much a rite of passage to wear a first visit button. I always loved interacting with guests who were on their first visit by asking them what their favorite thing has been so far. You can also get an "I'm celebrating" button to celebrate anything you can imagine. I've seen unbirthdays, cancer-free, and the classic "being at Disney" button. There is always something to celebrate at Disney and cast members will make magic for you in many different ways when you wear a celebration button.

Usually when I give advice to people about to visit Disney, I'll tell them which rides to ride (Mine Train), which shows to see (Beauty and the Beast), and what food to eat (try the Grey Stuff, it's delicious). These are important things to know, but I think the most important piece of advice I can give is to go with the flow and allow yourself to have fun. The people who have a miserable time on a Disney vacation are usually trying to plan things so rigidly that they can't help but go wrong. There is no way to have a perfect time every time because there will always be something small that goes wrong, but you can counteract that by having a good attitude. You're in Disney, the place where dreams come true or the happiest place on earth and there are so many things to be happy about. I think that "Peter Pan" says it best: "think of all the joy you'll find, when you leave the world behind, and bid your cares goodbye, you can fly!" I hope this advice can help someone have an even more magical stay next time they're in Disney.

All images belong to the author of this piece.