Walt Disney World Demystified - 20 Insider Tips for Planning a Great Disney Vacation

16. Take breaks.

Because the parks are open from morning till night—Magic Kingdom alone is often open sometimes for 13 to 15 hours in a day—you may find that the vacation of a lifetime is making you and your family members exhausted. Don’t let this happen to you since exhaustion never makes friendly faces and attitudes among most people. You know best when you and your loved ones need breaks, a quiet time, a nap, etc., so be sure to allow those things as needed. It’s simple—pick a shaded spot in the park where you and your family can take a few minutes to rest. Or perhaps head to the parks early in the morning and then take a break at your resort hotel early in the afternoon before heading back to the parks in the evening. This is your family and your vacation, so be sure to enjoy Disney with frequent breaks so that your time in the parks is the best part of your trip.

17. Pace yourselves.

There’s so much to see and do at Disney World, but you won’t be able to do everything in one trip, so tell yourself that from the beginning so that you don’t feel so pressured to “do it all.” Make togetherness as a family your goal instead of seeing how many things you can cross off of your bucket list. Some of the most beautiful and magical moments happen on their own. That’s why they’re so memorable.

18. Take advantage of Memory Maker and the PhotoPass Photographers.

You’re going to want to capture every magical moment of your trip on film so you can relive all the fun and magic. But doing so means you might miss out on the experiences themselves. But Disney has you covered. Memory Maker is a phenomenal digital kit that captures your on-board ride photos, as well as photos taken by Disney’s PhotoPass photographers. Your photos are kept safe in a digital format until you’re ready to view them, download them to your phone or computer, edit them and share them. Purchase Memory Maker before you get to the parks for around $170 and leave the picture-taking to the experts. This will give you more time to experience Disney World with your family instead of staying behind a camera lens for the whole trip.

19. Cherish every moment.

Well, you’re almost there. You’ve done your homework. You’ve made your reservations. Your bags are ready. You’ve made all the FastPass+ selections. You’ve really thought it through on this trip and now it’s time to enjoy. A trip to Disney World is a getaway unlike any other, and you will treasure this time with your family for years to come. So make the most of it—slow down, enjoy every little thing, every detail. You’ll never forget this time!

20. Get ready for the vacation experience of a lifetime!

All of your hard work in planning your trip is about to pay off in a big way! The better the planning, the more fun you’ll have! You’re about to embark on one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime—one full of magic and fun! Congratulations! Now, get out there and make some memories!