Tips about Disney Cruise Line, Planning and Souvenirs
As a DVC member we like to use our perks as efficiently as possible. We order all our drinks and snacks from the grocery service Water Butlers a week before we arrive. They are extremely efficient and our order is always perfect. Then when we go to the park we don't waste time standing in line for expensive water and snacks. We even buy the Mickey ice cream bars from them for waaaay cheaper than at the park. Sunscreen, batteries, and shampoo are also in every order. Play smart!
Early entry/rope drop for Frozen or Remy's is nice but be aware that the rest of World Showcase doesn't open until later morning. So plan that you will need to go to the front of the park for things to do until later morning. I had planned to tour the pavilions & gift shops but very few were open until later and by that time it was raining.
Don't sleep on the lounges at the MK resorts as a dinner alternative. We ate at both Steakhouse 71 lounge in the Contemporary and Tambu lounge in the Polynesian. No reservation required, and you can still get the most popular menu items with no crowds! We enjoyed both, practically had the place to ourselves and it was a great way to relax during the hottest and most crowded times of the day at MK around 5pm.
Whenever my family and I go to Disney, we have my little brother who is 6. But last time we went he was 4. So one thing that we did when he wasn't tall enough to go ride a ride, my grandmother and my mom, would go and take him on another ride while we were riding a ride that he was not tall enough to ride. - Jude
In every park, there is always that one ride that will have LONG wait times. Save it to the end. When in MK in May '21, we got in line for Splash Mtn just before the park closed. As we left, we were able to get amazing park pics at night. In Jan. '22, we did the same thing in AK where we walked on DINOSAUR an hour before park close and got in line for FOP. Knocked out two great rides and closed Animal Kingdom - something many people don't do. We ended up waiting 65 minutes for FOP. Super helpful
Disney, in general, is great with allergies! While my daughter only has a peanut allergy, for folks with traveling parties with more significant or less common allergies, you can contact a special division ahead of time to assist in keeping you and/ or your party safe. You can speak to the chef at any restaurant (sit down), and they can assist in providing offerings that are tasty and safe. Even special events, such as the after hours parties or previous Halloween/ Christmas parties have allergy-friendly offerings!
First things first, Florida is HOT. The hottest parts of the day? Around Lunchtime to early evening. Unless you are used to working outside 12-14 hours a day in the heat, do yourself a huge favor and take time for an afternoon nap. When my spouse and I go to Disney we generally get up and rope drop the park and hit it hard until lunch time. We take time for a sit down lunch then evaluate how we are feeling. If we are hot, tired, and/or cranky, we hop on a bus or call a Lyft to take us back to the resort for a nap (neither of us are big swimmers but this is also an option for those who are as its a good way to cool off) and to get away from the crowds for a couple hours. After we feel cool and rested (this could be an hour or two or 4) we grab a coffee or soda (and refill our waters) and head back to the parks and go until closing time. We have found that when we do this and take the time to rest, we feel much better and much more pleasant toward each other. We fought less, and we didn't wind up with the "Disney flu" that a lot of people talk about getting from running themselves ragged on their vacations. Remember you are on VACATION!! Enjoy it. If you aren't enjoying it because you are tired then what was the point?
How many of us get up at 5 a.m. to catch the flight to Disney and by midnight at the parks, we are wiped out?
We fly in the day before our reservations begin, and spend that day at Disney Springs and stay at a cheaper hotel. We go to bed early, wake up and catch the bus to our resort. It's a game changer!
