Disney Content // Don’t Just Survive, Thrive At Disney World This Summer*

Have you booked a trip to Disney World this summer? May I be the first person, or perhaps the hundredth to say that you are going to have a fantastic time and that’s true whether you’re heading off with the kids or taking a romantic trip. There’s something for everyone over in Disney World, and they are constantly adding new experiences for adults and kids alike. However, some people do find the trip a challenge for a variety of reasons. First, there’s the heat. While summer is the most popular time to go to Disney – for obvious reasons – the heat can be absolutely stifling. As well as this there’s the crowds. Though not as bad as the festive season, you can feel a little like a sardine if you hit one of the parks at the wrong time. On top of this, there are queues that can – and this is not a lie – last for up to five hours! On the plus side some queues are spectacular as you can see in this video:

The other good news is that there are methods and tricks to dealing with all these issues. If you’re going for two weeks to ‘the most magical place on earth’ you don’t want to ruin it with a few hours of stress each day. You can think of this guide as your backstage pass to Disney World. So let’s get started with our first hot tip.

Stay In A Disney Hotel
First, it’s important to make sure that you do stay in a Disney hotel. You might be tempted to book a villa, but Disney actually make it in your best interest to stay in one their accommodations on site. You’ll be able to use the free on-site transportation services, gain access to fantastic dining plans and benefit from extra hours in the park. As well as this, you’ll be granted access to fast pass bookings earlier, and as you are about to discover, that is a very important piece of the puzzle. There are hotels to choose from that match every price range too. If you’re travelling on a budget, opt for one of the All-Star Resorts. Do you have a little more money to burn? Then you might want to think about choosing somewhere like the Carribean Beach Resort.

The Caribbean Beach Resort is currently going through renovations. This has made bookings cheaper. If you book a room in one of the sections away from the main pool area, you won’t even notice the construction work. The only issue is that there isn’t a proper restaurant on site right now, but if you take our advice this won’t be an issue.

Book Your Fastpass Plus Selections ASAP
You need to book your fast pass selections 60 days in advance. This is the absolute earliest Disney will let you start planning your days to jump the queues. Be aware that there are currently several main attractions that desperately require a FastPass. These are the Seven Dwarfs Train, both rides in Pandora at the Animal Kingdom and the soon to be opened Toy Story Land attractions. Other rides such as Frozen Ever After can have large queues too. As such, you need to plan your fast passes around these selections. Bare in mind that these rides have been so popular once you get there you probably won’t be able to grab another FastPass for them so choose carefully. Some are well worth booking twice or even three times if you can like the Flight of Passage attraction.

Booking the Fast Pass rides does mean that you have to essentially plan a schedule for your Disney trip well in advance so here are a few extra tips.

First, leave the day of arrival free particular if you’re travelling from afar. You will walk miles around Disney every day, and on the first day, it’s best to head to Disney Springs instead. Here you can get a great meal in a world-class restaurant or explore some fantastic shops. You can learn about the full selection of shops on http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-springs/shopping.htm.

Next, try to plan your day in two sections. Visit one park in the morning and another in the late afternoon, heading back to your hotel during the heat of the day. As well as this, you should try and make sure you plan your visits around the extra magic hours in the opposite direction. So, for instance, the extra magic hours might be early morning at the Magic Kingdom. Unless, you’re planning to get there as soon as the park opens, head somewhere else on this day and that way you’ll avoid a massive crowd.

Choose Your Wardrobe Wisely
There are a few musts to have in your luggage for a Disney trip. As already mentioned, you’re going to be walking a lot so make sure that you have a pair of super comfy shoes. You might even consider getting extra padding for the soles to ensure you don’t get blisters. In the heat of the day, your clothes will stick to you like glue. So, pack some light, bright clothing made of thin fabric. The options on sites like https://www.anthonysfla.com/collections/dresses/sundresses could fit the bill perfectly and give you the freedom you need to stay comfortable even under a sweltering sun. The other thing you need is a very thin and light but completely waterproof jacket. This should be small enough to put in your bag and take out a moments notice. The skies can open up without warning in Disney, and you can be soaked to your bones in seconds.

An Extra Awesome Tip
If you want an extra tidbit for your trip, make sure you stop and chat to the Disney Vacation Club. You’ll see their stalls dotted around the parks. There’s usually one in Tomorrowland, and they are well worth chatting too. While they will try and sell you a Disney Vacation Club Package, they will also offer you a gift card with a certain amount of money on, and you’ll get VIP fast passes to three rides from whichever park you like! All you have to do is head over to a the Disney spa at a time of your choosing for a marketing presentation. There’s no commitment, and you even get a free ice cream sundae. Once you’re finished, they’ll drop you back in behind the scenes at a park of your choosing! You can learn more about the Vacation Club on https://www.mousesavers.com/other-disney-vacations/disney-vacation-club/.

We hope you use this advice to your advantage and have a fantastic vacation in Disney World. Remember, the new must-see attraction Toy Story Land opens at the end of June, so if you’ve booked a trip before this you might want to change the date!