Disney World Vacation Tips

Living near Disney World allows us to visit Orlando theme parks almost weekly. To make the best use of our time, we often choose which park to visit based on the day of the week and time of day. We have gathered here some of the same Disney vacation tips we share with family and friends.

Vacation Tip 1: Plan Ahead

Make your Disney World trip more affordable and enjoyable by planning ahead. Orlando Travel Guides are a great place to get started in planning.

Vacation Tip 2: Know When To Arrive

Knowing when to arrive at Walt Disney World makes the most of your vacation.

Time of Year

Avoid the crowds by planning your trip before or after any holiday – but not during. This is true any time of the year, but especially between Christmas and New Year’s. Our tip is to enjoy holiday decorations by visiting during the first three weeks of December or the first week of January.

Time of Day

Arrive as soon as the theme parks open. Late afternoon tends to be busy so use this time for a sit-down late lunch in the parks or at a fancy Disney hotel. Return to see the attractions you missed earlier in the day while everyone else is eating dinner.

Day of the Week

Weekends are busy in general, but each park also tends to have busy days. Our best Disney vacation tip is to avoid these busy days: Magic Kingdom - Saturdays; Epcot – Fridays; MGM Studios - Sundays; Animal Kingdom – Mondays.

Vacation Tip 3: Know Where To Stay

Traffic outside Disney can get bad, limiting precious vacation time. Our tip is to stay on property and take Disney’s internal transportation. (If you'll be off-property, consider a rental car in Orlando.) We’ve stayed at Disney hotels in every price range and like them all for different reasons. However, the Disney’s All-Star Resorts are actually a favorite (and the hotels we’ve stayed at most). Our vacation tip is to save the money you’d spend on a higher-priced hotel and spend it on a special character meal or show (see Tip 5 below). If luxury is more your style, learn about Disney's new plans for luxury rental homes.

Vacation Tip 4: Know When and Where To Eat

Another reason we enjoy Disney All-Star Resorts the best are their food courts. Meals are quick to grab (especially for breakfast) and can be a bit more affordable. Meal prices can be high at Disney hotels and parks, but portions tend to be large. Our tip is to split a meal and leave room for ice cream or another treat later on. Another tip is to plan your “big meal” at a sit-down restaurant for a late lunch. The restaurants are typically less crowded and you’ll often save money with “lunch prices”. Our vacation tip for dinner options is to read the park maps. If you look carefully, you’ll be surprised by the number of counter-service options that actually offer something more nutritious or appealing than burgers, hot dogs, chicken and fries. Plan ahead and you won’t be disappointed.

Vacation Tip 5: Enjoy a Character Meal

It doesn't matter if you're traveling alone or as a couple, Disney character meals are not just for kids. Character meals make wonderful vacation memories families for children and adults. Our favorite character meals include Cinderella's Gala Feast at the Grand Floridian and a meal with Winnie the Pooh and Friends at the Crystal Palace inside the Magic Kingdom. Why not make it an extra-special event and allow your little ones to dress up in Disney costumes. Many children dress up as a Disney Princess or other favorite character while dining at these special meals.