If you’re reading this, chances are you might be looking for some Disney World tips. Planning your trip can be overwhelming in and of itself, and there is a lot of information out there on how to make your visit the most “magical.”

From rides to restaurants to hotels and more, you’re gonna need to be prepared. And while you might hear a ton of Disney World “hacks” ahead of your visit, we’re sharing seven genius tips you actually need.

We’re sure Janet from your spin class has some great advice, but these are seven genius Disney World tips you actually need.

Order kids meals at quick-service restaurants

Looking to save a few bucks in the parks? Or maybe you’re just not that hungry at the moment. No problem — adults can actually order kids meals at quick-service (A.K.A. fast food) restaurants throughout Disney World. Oftentimes, this can come in handy when you’re just looking for something small and quick that hits the spot. Our favorite way to do this is via Mobile Order, so we can just place our order in the My Disney Experience app and go pick it up.

We especially love the kids meals over at Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom — where you can get your fair share of corn dog nugs and fries, or at Satu’li Canteen in Animal Kingdom’s Pandora. We love us some cheeseburger pods!

Shop on your way out of the parks

You might find yourself a souvenir or two on your trip that you just can’t stop thinking about — trust us, there are plenty of them to choose from. And some of them happen to be a bit more substantial than others, too. What happens if you buy something and then have to lug it around with you for the rest of the day? Sure, you could rent a locker to store it in, but that only adds to your costs.

Instead, we recommend shopping at night when you’re on your way out of the parks. The shops stay open as late as the parks do (sometimes even later!) which means the stores will likely be far less crowded, too. You do run the risk of potentially losing out on some more popular souvenirs this way, but if know that something will be around later in the day — consider waiting until you’re leaving to make the purchase!

Don’t leave right after the fireworks at night

A lot of Disney World first-timers are under the misconception that once fireworks end, so does everything else in the parks. But that’s simply not the case! Some parks stay open after fireworks shows and Disney gives folks time to casually saunter their way out. Not only that, but because people tend to think the parks close after the show — they clear out. With fewer people, you might have time to actually stop and take it all in.

Along the same lines, book later dining reservations. A lot of Disney World restaurants will stay open after the park officially closes and you could get the chance to walk out of a particular spot into a mostly empty park. This also gives you the opportunity to take some seriously incredible photos — one of our favorite things to do is book late reservations at Oga’s Cantina in Hollywood Studios and take photos of an empty Galaxy’s Edge. Cast Members won’t let you go further into the park after closing, but they’ll usually let you take your time heading out.

Familiarize yourself with My Disney Experience before your trip

Let’s face it — doing Disney World without your phone is pretty much impossible these days. Sure, it can be done, but it’s a lot easier when you’ve got everything you need in your pocket. The My Disney Experience app is Disney World’s one-to-shop for wait times, dining reservations, mobile ordering, tickets, payment, and even your hotel room key. There are so many things this app can do, and you don’t want to be overwhelmed when it comes to crunch time.

It may sound silly, but we suggest sitting down and getting to know MDE before you head to Disney World. See where wait times are, how to enter a virtual queue, where to access your Lightning Lane information, and more. We have plenty of guides on how to maximize it, too — just click here to check them out.

Bring souvenirs from home

We know that Disney World is expensive — and those souvenirs certainly add up. If you’ve got little ones who you know will be asking you for that perfect item, consider coming prepared and bringing them from home! Amazon, Target, and Walmart all carry Disney souvenirs at much lower prices than what you’ll find in the parks. Pick some up before heading out on your trip and you might just save a bit of dough.

If your kids are young enough, they probably won’t know the difference and you’ve already got something to whip out when they ask for that special souvenir. We especially love this hack for bubble wands, fans, glowsticks, and ears!

Book dining during the hottest parts of the day

Disney World is HOT, people. Even for the most seasoned of Florida Natives and Disney World Pros, the summer heat can be unrelenting and that sun is no joke. Cooling towels can be great, and sunscreen is a must, but sometimes there is truly no replacement for getting out of the sun and taking a break. This is why we recommend booking table service meals during the hottest part of the day, which is usually lunch.

Not only is it usually smack dab in the middle of your park day (A.K.A. the perfect mid-day break time) but it also allows you to get in the shade and air conditioning while also grabbing some grub! Dehydration and heatstroke can creep up on you when you least expect it, and taking a break for a meal can kill two birds with one stone. Time is precious in Disney World, so this can be a great tip!

Buy the DFB Guide

We know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT — which is why we bring you posts like this so often. But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. This is definitely a great way to make yourself a Disney World genius before, during, and after your trip!

Disney World is changing all the time, so be sure you stay tuned to DFB to get the latest details, news, and updates before your next trip.

 

When are you heading to Disney World next? Tell us in the comments.

The post People Call Everything a Disney World “Hack,” But Here Are 7 Genius Tips You Actually Need first appeared on the disney food blog.