If you’ve ever mentioned to a friend or family that you’re planning a Disney World vacation, you’ve probably received some solicited (or unsolicited) advice. And, while your Aunt Susan has your best interest at heart, Disney World planning advice isn’t one-size-fits-all!

It can be a lot to sort through all of the tips, especially considering how complicated planning a Disney World vacation has become over the past few years. So, do you really need to head to the park at the crack of dawn to have a chance at riding the most popular rides? And, do you have to park hop to get the most out of your trip? As seasoned park goers, we’re letting you in on 15 tricks that we’ve learned from visiting Disney World all the time — let’s get to it!

Get In Line For Rides At the End of the Night

Many first-time or new Disney World guests often try to tackle the most popular rides by getting to the park right at park opening (or rope drop). But, this isn’t your only (or even the best) option necessarily. You can actually join the queue for any open attraction right up until park closing time and that’s actually when you might find the shortest lines of the day! For example, if the park closes at 9PM, then the queue will close at 9:01PM. And, whether the wait time says 5 minutes or 105 minutes, as long as you’re in line before the park closes, you’ll be able to ride.

This is one of our favorite tricks for getting to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Slinky Dog Dash without taking up too much park time during the day. And, at the end of the night, the wait times usually aren’t as long as what they’re posted on the signs!

Check Out All the Disney World Rides You Can Typically Get on WITHOUT a Wait HERE!

Choose Your Lines Wisely

There are lines all over the place in Disney World — in the gift shops, at the park entrances, at security, and everywhere else and you can end up wasting valuable park time if you don’t choose your line wisely. So, when you find yourself walking up to a location with multiple queues side-by-side we recommend heading towards the outside lines.

Usually, people say to “go left,” but that’s not always the best option if the left line is the closest to you (like when you get off the monorail at Magic Kingdom’s entrance.) Instead, go for the lines that are further away, as most guests will walk to the middle of the queue that’s directly in front of them. Yes, it adds up to a few extra steps for you, but using this strategy, you may shave a few valuable minutes off your wait time, which can be especially helpful when entering the park!

We’re Breaking Down the BEST and WORST Lines to Be Stuck in at Disney World HERE!

How to Find the BEST Fireworks Spots

Are all fireworks views created equally in Disney World? No, definitely not! So, how can you ensure that you’ll be able to see it all without risking your view being obstructed by a dad who hikes their kid up onto their shoulder at the last minute? Well, at Magic Kingdom, one of our favorite hacks is to stake out a spot on a curb so that when everyone stands up, you’ll have a couple inches of extra height above the guests in front of you. It also helps to stand next to a trash can so that you’ve got something to lean on while waiting and a little bit of extra personal space.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that Magic Kingdom’s new fireworks show — Disney Enchantment — features projections all the way down Main Street, U.S.A., so the best view is actually further away from Cinderella Castle if you’re hoping to get the full experience.

Over in EPCOT, Harmonious debuted recently with a new style of fireworks show that is unlike anything we’ve seen in the past. For this show, you’ll want to make sure you’re facing the giant barges in the middle of World Showcase Lagoon as directly as possible so that you can see the screens and water effects clearly. This is best done from the front of World Showcase or from the backside, close to the American Adventure pavilion (bonus points if you can find a bench to sit on or an elevated surface to stand on while you watch!).

Click HERE to See The BEST Restaurants for Fireworks Views In Disney World!

Last-Minute Dining Reservations Are Often Available

Right now, Disney World dining reservations can be made 60 days in advance of the first day of your vacation, but it hasn’t gotten any easier to get a spot. So, if you can’t snag that coveted dining reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant (or any other popular Table Service location), don’t fret…there’s still a chance you may find it in the future! We recommend that you continue checking for a reservation the week leading up to (or even the day of) your visit, as many guests cancel in the final days to avoid the 24-hour cancellation fee.

If that doesn’t work, many restaurants now offer Mobile Dine Walk-Up Waitlist on the day of your visit so you have a chance at dining without a reservation at all. You can check the My Disney Experience app early in the day to see what’s available — don’t delay though, or the list might fill up!

Check Out 3 HUGE Tips for Snagging Hard-to-Get Reservations in Disney World HERE!

Bring Backup Shoes

If you’re not a Disney World regular or you haven’t been in a while, you may be absolutely shocked by how many steps you walk during a day at the parks (which can make it the BEST time to challenge your friends to a step competition). But hitting 20,000+ steps every day for a week can make even the best shoes uncomfortable!

We suggest packing more than one pair of shoes just in case you find that your trusty old sneakers suddenly aren’t so kind to your blistering feet in the parks. And, it may even help to bring backup shoes in your bag that you take to the parks! Even if your shoes are perfectly comfortable, there’s a chance they could get wet on a ride or in the rain, and a fresh pair would be nice. If you don’t have room for an extra pair in your bag, bring backup socks instead — you’ll be surprised how great a fresh pair of socks can feel midday.

What Shoes Should You Wear in Disney World? Our Readers Share Their Thoughts Here!

Know Where You Can Find Necessities

While you certainly don’t intend on needing medicine while you’re in Disney World, the unexpected can (and often does) happen. So, when you visit the parks, take note of the First Aid and Baby Care Center locations on the park map. Here, you’ll be able to find many emergency items that you may need, including bandages, diapers, some over-the-counter medicines, and more.

Plus, the Baby Care Centers are a great place to take your kiddos to if they need a place to relax away from the chaos of the parks. Inside you’ll find nursing rooms, changing tables, and even bathrooms with kiddie-sized toilets!

Click HERE to Learn What To Do If You Get Sick In Disney World

Check the Refurbishment Calendar

Throughout the year, Disney will close attractions for routine maintenance and there are no guarantees that it won’t line up with your vacation dates. But, luckily Disney doesn’t leave park-goers in the dark and they announce the refurbishments often months in advance on the refurbishment calendar on Disney’s website. Here, you’ll find a list of which attractions will be unavailable during your trip due to maintenance or updates and you can even check your hotel’s website for any maintenance alerts that could impact your stay.

It’s best to take a look at this list early — we don’t want any broken hearts when you arrive at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and find that your favorite ride, Expedition Everest, is closed for three months!

Check Out 7 Things You’re Probably Forgetting When You Plan a Disney World Trip

Use Mobile Checkout to Avoid Lines

Over the past year, Disney World gift shops have been introducing a new Mobile Checkout option. So, instead of waiting in a long line to purchase those coveted souvenirs, you can now use your phone to check out at select locations!

To use Mobile Checkout, look for the signage around the store that you’re visiting (it’s mostly available in larger gift shops right now, and not all of them have it) to see if it’s being offered. Once you find them, scan the QR code and follow the onscreen directions to make your purchases! This lesser-utilized trick will save you both time and stress.

See the FULL LIST of Stores Where You Can SKIP the Checkout Lines in the Disney Parks HERE!

Hydration is Key

This is a tip we share frequently with our readers here at DFB, but it’s SO important to remember when you’re in the parks. Florida is very hot and with all the walking you’ll be doing, it’s easy to get dehydrated, which can make for a very miserable day in the parks.

Instead of trashing your hydration goals during your visit because a water bottle costs an arm and a leg, you can grab free cups of ice water from any Quick Service restaurant around Disney World, as well as from the snack stands that have drink machines. There are also some bottle refill stations in various locations, so we also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to sip on throughout your day.

See Everywhere You Can Find FREE Water in Disney World HERE!

How to Find Your Car

Afraid of spending an entire day walking around the park just to find that you forgot where you parked so you have to log even more steps in the parking lot? Well, this one is definitely a simple hack, but it’s very effective — take a photo of the row number where you parked! At the end of your row, it’ll show the name of the parking lot section as well as the row number, which will make finding your car all that much easier at the end of the day.

If you accidentally skip this step in your rush to get inside the park, don’t worry! Locate a parking lot Cast Member and let them know what time you arrived that morning — they keep track of which rows were parked at what time, so if you have that information, they can at least direct you to a general area.

Read THIS Before You Bring a Car to Disney World!

Check for Discounts and Special Offers

Who doesn’t want to save money on a Disney World trip?! There are tons of discounts and offers out there for Disney World trips throughout the year, you just need to know where you should look to find them! For starters, make sure to check the Special Offers page before booking through the Disney World website to see if there are any room, ticket, or package deals going on — this is where you can find things like 20% off hotel stays on select dates and discounted tickets for military members.

Plus, if you’re part of an affiliate group (such as an Annual Passholder or DVC member), check the website to see if discounts are available for merchandise, dining, or other paid activities like special ticketed events. And when you’re in the park, it never hurts to ask before making a purchase — you might be surprised with all the places that do offer discounts!

Click HERE for a FULL LIST of Current Disney World Deals and Discounts!

Check Menus Before Your Trip

Since Disney World reopened after temporarily closing at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants have seen some MAJOR changes. For example, we’ve seen some spots with limited capacities, modified offerings, and the menus have even been through some substantial updates.

If you’re a returning visitor, we recommend checking the menus of your favorite restaurants before your visit. They may have completely changed their offerings since your last trip, or the experience may be different altogether (like at modified character meals). So, you’ll want to be sure that you’ve done your dining research if you’re like us and view Disney food as an attraction in itself.

The BIGGEST Takeaways From the HUNDREDS of Recent Restaurant Price Increases in Disney World

Always, Always Bring Rain Gear

Even if you think you don’t need it. Even if the weather app says it won’t rain. Even if it’s not hurricane season…always, always, ALWAYS pack rain gear! Florida may be known as the sunshine state, but it rains pretty frequently and storms often pop up seemingly out of nowhere (particularly during the summer months).

But, the rain isn’t the enemy of your Disney World trip — in fact, it can actually make for some of the best park days if you’ve prepared correctly. You definitely don’t want to be caught in a storm and be forced to “wait it out” and waste park time or purchase one of the expensive Disney ponchos. Instead, we suggest buying cheap ponchos from your local grocery store or packing your own rain jackets and umbrellas. That way you’ll be able to brave the storm and conquer the park while other guests head back to their hotel.

Check Out The Most EXTREME Weather Ever Seen at Disney World!

Pack Snacks for the Kiddos

Even if you’re planning on enjoying some tasty treats while in the theme parks, you won’t regret packing some extra snacks in your park bag, especially if you’re traveling with kids. The options in the park may not be things that they enjoy and you really don’t want to find yourself 60 minutes into the 180-minute line for Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with a hangry kiddo.

It may also be a good idea to carry food simply because days in Disney can be unpredictable. If a ride has technical difficulties, you get stuck in a line, or there’s a long wait for Mobile Order, it may throw your eating schedule out of whack. Getting “hangry” can put a real damper on your trip, so this helps avoid that problem!

What’s In Our Bag?! DFB Reporters Share Their Secrets in Disney World

Portable Phone Chargers Are a Necessity

And finally, let’s talk about portable phone chargers! It’s become almost impossible to do Disney World without your phone, so you’ll be using it a LOT during your day. You’ll use it to check wait times, Mobile Order, and more through the My Disney Experience app (especially if you’re trying the new Disney Genie), plus you’ll likely be reaching for the camera, the weather app, social media, and much more during your trip.

It’s much easier to charge your phone on the go than to stop and look for an outlet (they can be hard to find in the parks!) so we recommend bringing along a portable charger. If you want something more convenient, Disney sells FuelRods in the parks for $30 each and once your FuelRod runs out of battery, you can swap it for a fully-charged version at any of the kiosks for free. It can be a good deal if you’re doing a lot of charging or visiting frequently!

Learn more about Disney World’s FuelRods HERE!

So, there you have it — some of our best tips for visiting Disney World. And, if you’re planning a 2022 trip and want even more tips and tricks, you can watch our video with 45 (!!) NEW tips below!

And, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for more news, advice, and all the updates you need from the Disney Parks!

Click Here For a List of Disney World Tips You SHOULDN’T Follow!

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What’s your favorite Disney World planning tip? Let us know in the comments!

The post 15 Disney World Tricks Only the Insiders Know first appeared on the disney food blog.