Welcome to Disney! You are ready to take on the (Disney) World during your vacation. Well, hold on… we have gathered together five tweaks that can help you enjoy your Disney trip even more!
Remember the Importance of Flex Time
It is tempting and very easy to overschedule yourself and your vacation. Between alerts about your 180-day ADR and 60-day FastPass+ windows opening and tips on maximizing your time and dining plan credits, before you know it you can have yourself on a tighter schedule than when you are at home.
Be sure to build in some flex time — the unexpected can, and usually does happen in Disney. The ride you have a FastPass+ for may be closed during your window, it may rain, you may want to sleep in, you may overindulge and need a night off… the list can go on and on. Remember, you’re on vacation, build in some flex time to accommodate rest, the unexpected, and more.
A Pool Day is Invaluable
If you are staying at a Disney resort you should be sure to have some pool time. The pools at Disney are generally all themed, have splash areas for the kids, and give parents a time to relax. Some of the pools in Disney are amazing — there’s the Finding Nemo Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation with music underwater, Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Clubs with its sand-bottom pool, and most pools include a fun water slide.
If you are looking for some quiet time, or even to spend some time catching up on emails in the sun, look for the quiet pool at your Disney resort. Most resorts offer a quiet pool without splash areas or slides and give you a more restful day in the sun.
Drink, Drink, Drink
No, we don’t mean that kind of drink. We mean stay hydrated with water. Especially if you are visiting Disney on a steamy day. Bring a water bottle from home to refill during the day, buy a bottle at Disney that you can refill, or take advantage of the free water available at quick service locations in all the parks to stay hydrated, healthy, and happy during your trip.
Eat, Eat, Eat
In the rush to get to your favorite or FastPass rides and attractions, or nab that ideal spot for the nighttime show, be sure you don’t forget to eat. It’s very easy to think because you had a Mickey waffle at breakfast, Mickey Ice Cream Bar at lunch, and followed these with a cookie and aren’t hungry that you are doing fine — but be sure to stay nourished (as well as watered — see above) so you have the stamina, strength, and health to make it through the day.
Don’t Overpack that Park Bag
We’ve all done this. We packed “this”, “that”, “this one in case we need it,” “don’t forget that,” “remember we needed this six years ago when we were in…”, and “we should take this because if we have to buy it it will be expensive” in our park bags. Guess what? We didn’t use any of it. Sure, we remember that time we had to buy “that” and it was expensive — but it is also heavy — and after five days of lugging it around the parks on our back we might have paid the extra dollar for “that” when we needed it.
In our adventures in the park we constantly see people suffering with overpacked, heavy, cumbersome bags. Really think about what you are packing in your park bag — is it vital, can you get it in the park if you need it, is it heavy… you get the drill. Be sure you aren’t carrying unnecessary items around “just in case.”
See our tips on what to pack for a day in the parks!
That’s our list — what are small tweaks that you have made to your Disney trips that have turned out for the best? Share your tips with us below!
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My personal corollary to “don’t overplan” is “don’t completely wing it, either.” Spontaneity is great, but you can miss a lot during those “What do you want to do next?” “Oh, I don’t know, what do YOU want to do next” conversations. And with no plan at all, it’s also easy to let one person run the whole show instead of everyone getting to do something they want.
Sounds like you have a power struggle in your Disney group. As I tell my group. “The one who’s paying for the trip does everything they want to do.So shut up and follow me.”
Haha Awesome
Definitely worth the $15 to purchase the Disney Mickey lanyard and bottle holder. The rubberized holder has a belt clip too. I’m using it from last July. Held my thirst quenching water bottles throughout our 7 day HOT July stay!!!
$15 must not mean what it used to.
He would have spent a lot more on bottles of water.
I have just one question: What is that sandwich and where can I get it, because it looks amazing!
I had to check to see which sandwich we used, Bob! It’s from Pepe, the new counter service spot attached to Jaleo at Disney Springs.
Yay! Thank you! That restaurant is on our Disney bucket list!
Funny. Reminding WDW visitors to remember to eat. From those I see, I think they need to be reminded to skip a meal once in awhile.
Flame Tree BBQ is still the best deal at Disney for a power lunch that should hold you over till dinner.