How I do Disney LIKE A BOSS!

Being a mom of three younger children and a family of five, we are often told we are crazy for going to Disney World. Well, that may be the case, but there is a method to our madness…Here are my top 5 tips on how to do Disney like a Boss!

Boss Tip #1- Don’t Try to Do it All

I’m sure you are saying to yourself…”Isn’t that the opposite idea of this whole post?” Not really. Let me explain. I used to go into vacation thinking we had to go on every ride and see every show and do every activity in the park/resort. All of that = BURNOUT! After a trip or 2 of trying to do it all, I learned that it’s ok to not do it all. Make a list of must-do rides and park attractions that you just can’t miss…and everything else is a bonus! If you are traveling with young children, they need to lead the way, so if they need a nap let them rest (trust me you don’t want to skip that!) or even go back to the resort for a bit and enjoy the pool. Going to Disney is a magical experience, but nothing is magical when everyone is tired and grumpy!

Boss Tip #2- Plan Ahead

When planning a trip to Disney there are a lot of things that you can do ahead of time to help make the vacation run a bit more smoothly. As soon as you have your tickets, book your park reservations through My Disney Experience to ensure you get to visit that parks you want, when you want. Dining reservations can be booked 60 days in advance (different from the usual 180 days) so make sure you check out which restaurants you want to dine at while on property. There are many quick service locations throughout the parks and resorts to grab a quick bite that do not need reservations. Last bit of planning that you can do ahead of time, check out the park layout and have an idea of where you want to head first. (Pro tip: crowds naturally go to the right…if you want to beat the crowds- GO LEFT!)

Boss Tip #3- Stay on Property

There is a lot of debate if staying on Disney property is worth it…OMG it is! (especially once you add in costs for parking and/or transportation). Staying on property is the most convenient for so many reasons. First, every hotel has transportation to and from the parks and Disney Springs every day from an hour before opening until an hour or more after they close. This is a great feature when you consider that parking at the theme parks is $20+ per day. And if you are flying, you can take the Magical Express to your resort without having to worry about renting a car. When you are staying at a Disney resort, you get early entry into the parks for 30 minutes before non-resort guests so you can get a jumpstart on the more popular attractions. You also are close to all dining options (and since there is transportation everywhere, you don’t have to worry about driving from resort to resort). Lastly, you can use your magic band (no longer included but for $5 purchase) or get a key to the world card from the front desk that you can use for your room key, park ticket, and linked to your My Disney Experience account for convenience while in the parks.

Boss Tip #4- Dress Comfy and Bring a Backpack

Let’s be real…you’re gonna sweat..we are in Florida after all! Wear whatever will keep you comfortable. Costumes and tutus may be cute, but do you really want to wear that in 100 degrees? I doubt it. My go to outfit is usually a tank top and shorts….rarely a t-shirt if it is in cooler months, and sneakers. I have never been one to wear flip flips in the parks but if you are like some of my Floridian friends and can’t stand closed toed shoes…go for it!

In my experience, when going on vacation with kids (any vacay, not just Disney) a backpack is a must! The stroller is also a get accessory but keep in mind you have to park the stroller before you can get in line, so you will not have easy access. My top backpack items are snacks, water, portable phone charger, diapers, and games for line (see tip #5). And while it may not be a staple in the backpack- keep sunscreen on hand so you don’t end up like a lobster (also something to avoid when going on rides…OUCH)

Boss Tip #5- Bring Games for in Line

My husband and I have a rule that we won’t wait in a line if it is longer than 45 minutes. With 3 girls (6, 4, 3) we would go insane! But there are times when you get in that 45 minute line and something delays the ride or the time hadn’t been updated and ugh…nightmare! So one of the things I keep in my backpack are little games we can play or activity books/coloring books they can use. I would suggest thinking of a few ideas before you go, mainly games that do not require supplies- I Spy, Riddles, etc. Although under normal circumstances Disney does a very good job of entertaining in the line cues, with Covid restrictions in place right now, most of the ride “entertainment” is off limits.

Added Mom Tip- Put Down the Phone!

I know you want to document every minute of your vacation, especially if it is your first time visiting the mouse. But don’t forget to ENJOY your trip! Watching memories through your camera is not as magical- do you want to watch your child’s first glimpse of the mouse through the phone? Probably not! And I promise from experience…their second, third, even fourth (and more) time will be just as video worthy. **Memory Maker is also a great add on to a vacation package so that you don’t have to worry about taking pictures….Disney photographers will do it for you!

For Future Reference…My 2 cents on Dining Plans and Fast Pass

Right now, dining plans are not being offered, but if they return, I would highly suggest it. If we were staying on property, 9 times out of 10 we had a dining plan. It is a great, cost effective way to do character dining experiences, gives quick meals for lunch, and snacks that we would use for breakfast or a quick bite in the afternoon. For example, for our family of 5 a character meal is close to $200. ONE meal! When we have the meal plan, it allows us to have one table service per day (so we can do characters the whole trip) for a fraction of the cost.

If fast passes get reintroduced, they are a great way to hop in line for the must do rides. There are several attractions that don’t really need fast passes to visit, but some of the main attractions and most popular rides, fast passes really come in handy. AND if you have younger children that can’t ride something, you can use a rider swap option with fast passes as well.

Wow, writing all of this made me really want to head to Disney! I can’t wait, a few more weeks, and I will be back in my happy place!

Any Disney planning questions, contact me and I’d be happy to share my Disney mom advice with you!