Legend says if you mix compulsive-list making OCD with too-many-to-count Disney vacations, you instantly become an expert in the art of Disney World vacation planning. Because of my amazing abilities, my friends & family usually leave it to me to create the ideal plan for WDW that coincides with our dinner plans, shows we all want to see, and rides we all want to get on, meanwhile giving us just enough time to breathe in between!

Allow me to learn you a thing… a Disney vacation is not vacation.
Repeat: THIS IS DISNEY, DAMMIT, AND NO ONE GETS TO RELAX, CAPEESH?! 

I will tell you that Disney is rough on the body. You go from ride to ride, line to line, in the blistering Florida sun, all while walking/dancing/running upwards of 7-10 miles a day (side note: if you do not dance down the street at least once during your vacation, you’re doing it wrong). People who rarely or never visit the parks wouldn’t know how to spend their time wisely and get the most bang for their buck, so here are my 5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Kingdom Visit that will give you the most out of your Walt Disney World vacation!

1. Plan ahead. Then, plan again. Then, make another plan. Then…

  • Do you see what I’m getting at, here? Planning ahead of time is key. You will never get through everything in one trip, but if you make a decent game plan, you will definitely get around to a good majority of fun stuff! I usually never have a need for Park Hoppers because our schedule tells us exactly where we will be on what day and where we will have dinner, which saves us both time and money in the end!  Plan your days centered around your dining options, if you do make any. For instance, if I am going to the Polynesian Resort for the Spirit of Aloha dinner show, I will make it a point to go to the Magic Kingdom that day, and ALWAYS try to make the dinner reservation on a day that the Magic Kingdom has Extra Magic Hours, so when we return to the park we can catch the parade, the fireworks, and get to a few more rides that we normally would have without planning ahead! Which brings me to my second point…

2. EXTRA MAGIC HOURS Really Are Magical… sometimes.

  • Extra Magic Hours are the heart of any Disney Vacation! They come in 2 types: Morning or Evening Extra Magic Hours. A selected park at the WDW Resort will either open earlier or stay open later than normal operating hours. I try to incorporate the EMH’s into everything I do while planning/making reservations to get the most out of our day. For the most part, they can be a blessing for the adult patrons who want to get on more rides in a shorter amount of time, since most families with small children leave around the time of the parade’s end. There are also special events and some meet-‘n-greet opportunities with infrequently seen characters that happen during EMH’s. Check out the options on Disney’s Travel Site Here! If you do not intend to be at the park during EMH times, particularly the evening times, you will probably want to try another park that day… The crowd levels tend to rise at the Evening EMH parks, even when people are not planning to stay into the evening. If you don’t plan to stay, go another day! 

3. Start From the Back & Work Your Way Back Up!

  • The most simple tip is to head for the back of the park when you first arrive and work your way back up to the entrance. Most people go to the first major ride they see, but going right to the back will 1, get you in a line that is much shorter in the morning, and 2, you won’t be caught up in the sea of people heading for the Disney busses because you’ll already be closest to the main gates of the park! Set your fast passes for popular rides that are located in the middle and front of the park. When you are heading towards the back of the park attractions, most people will be waiting in line at attractions closest to the entrance. By the time you come back to the front of the park, you will have fast passes and will have gotten on mostly everything without the long wait times.

4. Spend Less On the Hotel & More On Experiences!

  • Are you more likely to remember the amazing detail and grandeur of your hotel, or the feeling you get when you have a timeless interaction with a cast member at Disney? To me, it’s all about the experience. If you’re doing Disney in the right way, the hotel is the least place you are at. We usually stay at The Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarters hotel, both very nicely kept, but no where near as expensive as hotels such as the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian Resort. This way, we are able to see all the shows and do all the special experiences we want, all without bursting our budget. As long as you have a quiet room and a pillow, the hotel shouldn’t matter. Your budget and your kids (young or kidults alike) will thank you for the amazing experiences way over having an upscale place to stay. If you can afford to do both, knock your socks off! (and adopt me for your next trip, please!!!)

5. Just Have Fun!

  • Disney is exhausting, thrilling, and when you get home, you need another vacation from all the walking, but remember to simply have fun… Be a Goof(y) and let your inner child out to play! This is the one place where you can dress up, act like an idiot, and talk to your favorite characters without looking like a complete fool (unless you meet with The Mad Hatter, he could make a rocket scientist look like a fool). Don’t play it cool and pretend like you don’t want to say hi to Mickey & his pals, and definitely don’t be nervous to sing a little song with Cinderella’s step sisters (be prepared for their lovely singing talents…) Disney Resorts truly are MAGICAL places, so don’t forget to enjoy every little bit of it and unleash your DIS-NERD SIDE!