Disney Fanatic

An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

14. Skip bottled water One tip I always use when visiting Walt Disney World is to never purchase bottled water. At about $3 a bottle, the cost can quickly add up, especially when paying for multiple family members. Opt for cups of free tap water from quick service restaurants instead.  

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

13. Read up on guest services Disney has a number of services that some guests do not even know about. Know what kinds of services are available to make your trip more relaxed and convenient. For instance, if you’re traveling with an infant, know what the park’s Baby Care stations offer and where to find them. I also think it is helpful t

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

12. Look for deals outside of Disney Outside of Disney, you can sometimes find deals on Disney vacations at places like AAA, Undercover Tourist, and Orbitz. Even using airline miles from a credit card can make the cost of a Disney vacation a little less painful. Just make sure the deals you’re using are legitimate– I would not sugge

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

11. Plan for shopping with kids One of the most stressful parts of any vacation for adults is thinking about how to handle the situation when nearly every attraction ends in a gift shop and the kids want to buy everything they see. Each parent has a different way of handling this, from allowing the kids one souvenir each, to setting aside

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

10. Plan for gratuities In planning for your dining expenses, or a budget in general, putting aside some extra money for gratuities is always a good idea. Chances are you’re going to come across plenty of cast members who should be tipped, including housekeeping, bell services, Magical Express drivers (who handle luggage), wait staff, bar

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

9. Decide whether or not to purchase the dining plan The dining plan has the potential to save up to 35% off the cost of dining during your vacation. While this can easily be a great deal, it really depends on your own personal preferences, which dictate how much you would truly save. To see if the dining plan is worth it for you, browse

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

8. Make advanced dining reservations Some of the restaurants at Walt Disney World are actually so popular that you’ll want to make them 180 days before your trip. If you have your heart set on dining at certain popular locations, advanced reservations are a must.  

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

7. Make Fastpass selections before your trip I’m totally guilty of making Fastpasses on the fly, however when I’ve actually sat down and made them ahead of time I’m always pleasantly surprised at how much I’m able to visit during those days in the parks. If you know which park you’re going to be in on a certain day, plan on making some se

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

6. Go to the parks during Extra Magic Hours During Extra Magic Hours, certain parks will either open earlier or stay open later for Disney resort guests only. Going to the parks during this time allows you to get more time in for your favorite attractions, with less time dealing with crowds.  

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An Expert’s Guide to Walt Disney World: 20 Tips

5. Use Disney’s Magical Express If you are flying into the Orlando International Airport, and are staying at a Disney resort, you can take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express. This complimentary service allows guests to take a bus to their resort, while skipping baggage claim and letting their vacation start right away. Bags will be del

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