You're never too old for Disney. The stories and feelings are timeless and allow you to escape the reality of the harsh world to transport to a land where everything your heart desires comes true. For me, I never went to Disney World as a kid but I was familiar with all of the stories and films. The first time I went to Disney was my freshman year of college spring break with a small group of my best friends and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I went again the following summer and had the whole trip mastered and down pat. If you're on a budget but want to maximize your time at this elaborate amusement park you have to know your way around some rules. Although is process may sound exhausting, it is absolutely worth it.
My Disney crew and I relive our trips time and time again and would do it over in a split second. Before you ditch Disney World as a vacation spot, listen to these tips and tricks and unknown secrets to this magical place.
1. It Is So Convenient to Know Someone Currently Working at Disney or Involved in the College Program
This is kind of a stretch but it is oh so helpful to have someone you know working in the parks. They get special perks for guests and family members and provide extra fast passes and discounts of all kinds. It also gives you a reason to visit Orlando and see the other side of the parks and how they all operate behind the scenes.
2. Don't Drive, Fly
Driving takes too much time and although the idea of it seems fun, it's a lot and sometimes ends up being more expensive than flying. When you fly, you can take an early flight straight to Orlando and hit the parks all day without losing any time. It is more exhausting but it's worth it.
3. Rope Drop
Go to the parks directly when they open to ride the most popular rides without wasting a FastPass. Yes, it seems a little irrational riding an aggressive ride at the crack of dawn but this saves time through the day and saves as FastPass for another popular attraction. Rope drop leads you directly to a certain ride depending on the location and the line is so short that you could maybe even ride it twice before people even get to the park.
4. Buy a Magic Band
These accessories hold your tickets into the park, fast passes, credit card info, and much more without carrying around unnecessary stuff. In my opinion, this is the most genius process Disney has ever come up with. These bad boys last for years and prevent people from losing important belongings which is something that would totally happen to me.
5. Get the Disney Parks App
This app shows you where characters are, the wait times, food nearby, and many more hidden gems in the parks. I used this app to make dinner reservations, change fastness times, and much more at the tip of my fingers. All of the changes transfer immediately to your magic bands and are much more convenient.
6. Reserve Fastpasses!
Turns out people don't know what fast passes are. Guests think that these line perks cost money but they don’t. If you don't know what fast passes are, they basically reserve a time on a ride where you can jump to the front of the line. You get three a day so space them out to maximize riding times and allow yourself more flexibility to change them if you are able to ride something earlier in the day.
7. Bring Your Own Food
Disney food is EXPENSIVE. We found that out real quick at Disney Springs which isn't even a Disney park. We found that the easiest way to maximize time and spend less money was to bring sandwiches, a couple granola bars, and munch on some carrots throughout the day. There were also moments where we ate on moving rides and that made some of the duller rides more enjoyable.
8. Ride Everything
If there's a ride with a 30-minute line, get in there. Doesn't matter what it is, everything at Disney World is enjoyable and if it wasn't it wouldn't be featured. Kill time between fast passes by going to all of the small shows throughout the day, hang around the castle and major hot spots for various shows, and ride everything available because regardless you'll make memories and may never get the opportunity again. For example, I ride The Carousel of Progress every time because it is a classic but not very popular anymore and I force everyone to ride it with me. Educational and memorable for everyone involved!
9. Go to the Disney Parks with Specific People
Your trip to Disney is what you make of it and a key element to this is who you go with. Go with all around happy and positive people because there's a lot of problem-solving when it comes to planning an elaborate trip like this. I compare a trip to Disney like the Amazing Race, you have to be able to understand one another and problem solve while pleasing everyone and it is not that easy.
The more easygoing the better and the more fun everyone has together. I can easily say that I have been to Disney with the BEST groups of people ever and it would not have been the same with anyone else. The more positive, Disney obsessed individuals the better.
