Get an Early Start to Your Disney Days
This may be unpopular with some vacationers that prefer to sleep in while on vacation. However, trust me when I tell you that the benefits to getting up early and getting into the theme park early are HUGELY worth the inconvenience.
If you are staying on Disney property or in a Disney Good Neighbor hotel, you have access to Disney’s Early Entry — this allows you to enter the theme park 30 minutes before it opens to the general public. This may not sound like much time, but you would be surprised at what an advantage this is!
Number one, MANY people like to sleep late on vacation. These people will still be in bed while you are getting on rides with very short or non existent lines! I love to sleep in as much as the next person; however I love short lines on Disney rides a lot more. Generally speaking, the morning crowds are SIGNIFICANTLY lighter than the afternoon crowds. Around 11 am, the crowd levels start climbing and they generally peak around 3:30 pm.
In the Florida heat and humidity, crowds can feel really intense and overwhelming. Especially as I get older, my tolerance for thick crowds on hot days has really shrunk!
I’m not promising that you’ll have NO lines all morning but the lines are markedly shorter in the mornings than they will be from noon on.
Plan to Sit Down in Air Conditioning for Lunch
People underestimate the benefit of taking 45 minutes to an hour and sitting down and getting rest in air conditioning for lunch. Often people are so focused on trying to DO everything, they rush through lunch and don’t take any time to rest. Generally, these are the same people that you will observe yelling at their crying four year old around 4pm.
I cannot stress enough how much everyone, all ages, benefits from taking the time to sit down, cool off and rest. Yes, ultimately, you may end up doing one less ride during your day; however, you will actually ENJOY the rest of your day MUCH more. Now, if you are age 15 – age 30, this may not apply to you. However, I have traveled with families with young children, I have traveled with older family members and family and friends aged 2 to 80 and almost without exception–people were happier and had a much better time after taking a 45 minute lunch break to cool off and calm down.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do a table service meal every day for lunch (although I highly recommend that if you can plan ahead and make reservations). There are many quick service restaurants that are inside locations that are air conditioned or have lots of ceiling fans. I highly recommend taking advantage of mobile ordering whenever possible to minimize time standing in line, especially if the line is outdoors like at Flame Tree Barbecue (Animal Kingdom).
Know the Shows or Rides Where You Can Rest
You may think I’m crazy when I tell you this, but take a few minutes in the morning to identify rides or shows in the theme park you are in where you know you can sit down for at least 20 – 25 minutes and get a little break.
For example, the Festival of the Lion King show is a 20 minute show. You’ll take your seats 15-20 minutes before start of the show. The theatre is air-conditioned, and you’ll be seated for approximately 30 minutes. The show itself is really good, and I highly recommend it. BUT, it’s also a great opportunity to get a little break. Pay attention to how you are feeling. Your kids might not notice if they are getting overheated or over tired–but you will. There is nothing wrong with accomplishing two things at once! Enjoy an attraction or a show AND get a little break from the Florida heat and humidity at the same time.
Here are some of my suggested attractions that will double as a “break” for you and your family.
Magic Kingdom:
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- Walt Disney World Railroad
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Carousel of Progress
- Mickey’s Philharmagic
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority (People Mover)
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Honorable mention: Pirates of the Caribbean: This a really nice and air conditioned line once you get inside the building and the ride itself is fairly long for a Disney ride.
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EPCOT:
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- Living with the Land (ride)
- Spaceship Earth (ride–usually shorter lines)
- Awesome Planet (10 minute movie)
- The American Adventure (really plush comfortable seats)
- Impressions de France (18 minute movie)
- Beauty and the Beast Sing a Long (movie)
- Honorable mention: Japan has a very large very air conditioned store, Mitsukoshi. There’s no where to sit, but there is a LOT to look at and do while in the store.
- Entertainment at Canada Mill Stage (Musical acts)
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: This is a relaxing boat ride in Mexico. This usually has a short line.
- Honorable Mention: China has a movie in an air conditioned theatre that is definitely worth a watch–there are no seats but there are places to lean. There is also a large air conditioned series of shops in China. Again no where to sit down, but lots to look at.
- Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom:
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- Festival of the Lion King
- Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…And Beyond
- Wildlife Express Train (Short Train ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch)
- Honorable Mention: Feathered Friends in Flight (35 minute show in Asia). This is in an outdoor theater, but there are lots of shady spots, plenty of seats, and fans.
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Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
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- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing A Long Celebration
- Walt Disney Presents (there is a movie at the end where you can sit down)
- Vacation Fun – An Original Animated Short with Mickey & Minnie
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
- Muppetvision 3D
- Fantasmic!
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Take an Afternoon Break
If you follow my advice and have an early start on your park days, by lunch time, you may be starting to wilt a little bit. Especially if you are traveling to Florida from cooler climates–the Florida heat and humidity can have a really adverse effect on your energy levels.
Generally speaking, the hours between 12pm and 5pm are the hottest and most crowded in theme parks. we usually try to leave whatever park we are in by around 1-2pm and go back to our resort and relax for a few hours. We’ll take short naps or go hang out by the pool. We might take the opportunity to get some laundry done. We might have afternoon cocktails on the patio or a late lunch by the pool. Sometimes we will even order pizza or DoorDash dinner in.
Later, we will either return to the same park for evening rides, fireworks or shows OR if you are an Annual Passholder or have park hoppers, you can visit a DIFFERENT theme park at night.
Build in a Rest Day
If you are visiting Walt Disney World for 4 days or more, I HIGHLY recommend building in a rest day. Multiple park days in a row can get exhausting. Trust me when I tell you that your whole group will benefit from a rest day at the resort. I don’t mean don’t do ANYTHING, I mean take a day off from the theme parks. Take advantage of the amenities at your resort. Enjoy the pool. Enjoy the bar. Visit one of Disney’s four miniature golf courses. Sleep late, have a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a more relaxed day.
Many people don’t know that the average theme park visitor will walk more than 5 miles in a day during their visit to a Disney theme park. My family often averages 7 miles per day during our trips–and that’s with the breaks that I build in. (Read here for tips on training for your Disney vacation.)
I’m not kidding around when I promise that your vacation will be much more enjoyable overall if you build in some rest time. Not to mention: Disney resorts (and MANY of the non Disney resorts) are really nice places to spend time. The pools are usually beautiful. Disney resorts offer fun activities most days and show movies many nights out by the pool. You can even roast marshmallows at fire pits at many Disney resorts. You’re paying for all the amenities at your resort–but most Disney guests never take advantage of any of the amenities their resort offers.
Disney offers many activities throughout the resort that have nothing to do with the world famous theme parks. There are three highly rated, professionally designed golf courses. There are two fun miniature golf courses. There are boats you can rent. You can go bowling, go shopping, go see a movie…There are a TON of options outside the theme. Granted some are more restful than others, but active rest can be good too!
Five Key Tips for a Magical Disney Vacation — The Bottom Line
You are investing a lot of money in your Disney vacation. Most likely, you are also investing time planning your trip, thinking about your trip, getting excited about your trip, and budgeting for your trip. Once you are actually ON vacation, you would think you wouldn’t have to do any more thinking. And you will have a good time on your vacation as long as you pack some good shoes, a good attitude and a little bit of patience. But these five key tips will help you to have a more magical Disney vacation.
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- Get an early start
- Plan to sit down in air conditioning for lunch
- Know the shows or rides where you can sit down and rest
- Take an afternoon break
- Build in a rest day
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What do you think? Do you have any favorite tips that you will employ on your next Disney vacation? Please comment below.
