We recently asked Disney fanatics in the BuzzFeed Community to share their biggest hacks when visiting the parks. Here’s what to keep in mind before your next trip:
1. “Accept that it’s expensive. I used to try to save on this and that, but to have a really good time, splurging on sit-down meals and Lightning Lane is worth it. Also, pack a good park bag with ponchos, medicine, fans, Wet Ones, and water.”
2. “Go on popular rides during the parades or fireworks. The lines will be shorter.”
3. “My husband and I always get the celebration pins. Usually, when we’re at Disney, we’re celebrating our wedding anniversary, but even celebrating getting my master’s degree deserved a celebration pin. Anything worth celebrating, get a pin! Cast members will congratulate you, you might get special treats at restaurants, characters will make a big fuss, and you may even get some magical moments! None of this is guaranteed, but odds are you’ll get some pleasant surprises at some point from having a celebration pin.”
—Sabrina from Virginia
4. “Go to Disneyland during October. Halloween is a great time of year without the crowds of the holidays or summer. It’s also really nice weather in California — cooling off but not cold!”
6. “Bring at least two different pairs of sneakers/running shoes to rotate each day.”
7. “Order a popular food item at 6 a.m. and set a time to pick it up. Popular items can sometimes be out by 9 or 10 a.m.”
—Christina Lois from California
8. “If you’re using rideshare, walk to a nearby hotel instead of the designated pick-up spot. That way, you avoid a lot of the surge charging and long waits.”
9. “Stay on property at Walt Disney World! The perks of using the bus system to get around and getting early entry to the parks make it worth it, even if it means waiting a bit longer to save. We always try to book through David’s Vacation Club Rentals, a third-party rental company. On our last trip, we stayed at Old Key West with nine people and saved a bunch of money this way, and we still got all those great Deluxe Resorts perks. Old Key West was built a long time ago and has undergone some refreshes. Because it was built so long ago, it’s one of the most spacious resorts on Disney property. For the price, it can’t be beat!”
—Justin Cassimore from Virginia
10. “Make the latest restaurant reservations possible so you can exit the park when nearly no one is there to ruin your pics.”
12. “I know this won’t apply to everyone, but military families can get HUGE Disney discounts. We get discounts on tickets, certain hotels, and cruises through Disney. A little less of a hack, but not enough military families know about it!”
13. “We live in Orlando and go to Walt Disney World frequently. One of my biggest hacks for hard-to-get reservations at sit-down restaurants is to check the app around two hours before the time you want to go. Guests may cancel reservations in the app until two hours before or will be charged, so nine times out of 10, you can find what you want. If you are especially stressed about hard-to-get stuff, several websites will text you when your desired place and time become available for a small fee.”
14. “Use a travel agent. They can help you get the most out of your money and it’s free. They help with planning, booking reservations, and knowing everything there is to know. Disney isn’t just a ‘show up’ kind of vacation. There is a ton involved and it can be overwhelming. A good travel agent can make everything simpler and more enjoyable.”
15. “Kids’ meals are still a good amount of food for an adult. Use mobile ordering if you feel any shame.”
16. “Being nice to cast members increases your chances of magical moments, and it’s the right thing to do.”
17. “All quick-service restaurants give you free cups of water.”
18. “Less of a hack but more of a rule of thumb; expect it to take an hour to get wherever you want to go from wherever you are.”
19. “If you are staying on-site, have a grocery order delivered to your resort. Get things like a case of water, soda, small snacks for waiting in line, and easy breakfast options for when you are on the go in the morning for rope drop. Remember, you can bring nearly any food or drinks into the park so it’s nice to save a little money but mostly it’s just more convenient.”
20. “You can ask the photographers to use your camera to take photos! They were always so kind and would make sure to get good photos.”
Disney fans, what else would you add to this list? Share your tips and tricks in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
