Planning a Disney Trip can be overwhelming. From budgeting time to budgeting your finances, every aspect of your dream Disney Vacations can feel like it requires worksheets, math equations, and Tylenol. There is so much to see in each park and realistically, a limited amount of time and money to make all this happen. And since going to Disney is a once-in-a-lifetime event for many families, the pressure to go big before heading home is high. real. So, here's a little Disney planning PSA for you: In your quest to find the best (and most specialized) tips and tricks, don't neglect Reddit.
You probably know some of the other great Disney Planning Resources. From PlanDisney For those “official” Disney travel agents, there is an answer to every question. There are numerous fan-created Facebook groups dedicated to each park and resort, where more experienced Disney fans answer questions, offer advice, and even put you in touch with supplies if you forget something during your trip. But many families new to Disney World sleep on Disney insiders handing out gems on Reddit.
As with almost everything else, Reddit is a hub for the obsessed. So why not turn to the people who are so obsessed with Disney planning that they devote their free time and energy to sharing their ideas on Disney World travel discussion boards?
Here are some of the best tips we've found so far.
Keep your cool by checking out less popular attractions
In a perfect world, we could all visit Disney World in January, when temperatures, prices, and traffic are at their lowest each year. Except for most families, this is simply unattainable because it means removing your child from school. You know how to avoid heat sickness at home, but what about when you're in a Florida park all day in the middle of summer? Reddit has a lot of advice on this topic, but here's something you might not think about: “Attend unpopular indoor rides and shows between popular rides.”
According to Reddit (and experience), Magic Kingdom's Carousel of Progress is a great place to escape the heat or rain. Many people admit to stopping for a 20 minute “nap” in a cool, dark atmosphere as you are guided through time and into a “great, big, beautiful tomorrow.” The Monsters Inc. Laugh Factory is another Magic Kingdom experience where most of the queue is indoors and the entire experience is seated. Plus, it’s hysterical! The Disney Jr. Dance Party at Hollywood Studios is also indoors, dark and air-conditioned. Your little ones will leave savage, and you can enjoy the view.
Be picky about the snacks you choose
You will want to eat all the things. And your kids will be fully interested in this Disney snack life. But here's a Redditor's suggestion worth considering: “Be picky with your snacks and only get something unique and that you're dying to try.”
Editors suggest getting groceries delivered, bringing snacks, water, and kid-friendly items into the park, and opting for quick-service meals, especially at your resort. Even value resorts like Pop and Art of Animation offer delicious food in their dining rooms at prices that are pretty comparable to dining out at home.
Don't plan too much
If you're a type A, this next Redditor's tip may seem sacrilegious — and, in general, it may be the antithesis of what you've been told before. But many editors insist that the best way to “do Disney” is to embrace the joy of spontaneity and avoid excessive planning.
“Due to the random nature of how Genie and (Lightning Lanes) work, you'll never really know what time you'll be able to take a particular ride (if you're trying to get a spot on Lightning Lane) until you actually book it… that is, the same day,” explains ScarHand69.
The Orlando Disney Parks are huge, and it's not uncommon for guests to walk 10 to 20 miles a day, zigzagging all over the park trying to enjoy the “must-see” rides and shows. That kind of mileage would exhaust anyone, especially children, in Florida's unforgiving heat and humidity.
Don't let your desire to see Frozen Ever After overwhelm you and keep you from seeing the wonder and excitement of your child spending an hour at Moana's Journey of Water at Epcot. Sure, use Genie+ or Lightning Lane to book some of your dream attractions, but also take breaks to enjoy the rest of Disney's magic.
Reconsider large groups
Obviously, if you have six children, you can't leave four at home. Where can you? But, as one Reddit user pointed out, having a larger group means there are more “wants” to consider throughout the day.
You can still go with a big group and make it work, but it will probably be more stressful. You can also look for ways to naturally break up the group and then simply meet up for meals, a parade, or a group photo shoot. This might look like letting grandparents take your smaller children on more tame rides while you and the “big kids” seek thrills. Or maybe you let Dad experience Rise of the Resistance while you and your kids return to Toy Story Mania for the second time. After all, you have a high score to beat, Space Ranger.
Skip the lunch break and get more bang for your buck
“Lunch breaks” are frequently mentioned in Reddit's Disney planning groups, and the vote is split about evenly among Redditors. For a large and passionate contingent, the consensus is clear: “Don’t take a break at lunchtime.”
The logic here? Lunch breaks often feel like a return to your resort for some downtime during the hottest part of the day to take a nap or just hang out in a pool. However, it works best if you stay on property and can use Disney Transportation, as they are much faster than parking.
Editor Fokurcouch suggests you get the most bang for your buck if you stay at the park as long as your family can gather. This is especially true if you choose not to splurge on the Park Hopper option.
But think about the days off
If you have the luxury of time on your side, Redditor HelloFox swears by planning “rest days” or “resort days” to keep your family cool between days at the park. “Our last trip was eight days long and I only planned one day at the resort because I thought the kids would want to go to the parks more. I was wrong! They were exhausted and wished we had more 'a day at the resort. They loved the swimming pool and the rest.
To be honest, Disney resorts are so loaded with Disney themes that your kids will feel like they're “at Disney” even if they're just in their hotel room, walking around to lunch or enjoying the pool. Days off don't mean you don't do anything; they just mean you're not in the park checking off boxes.
Some Other Favorite Reddit Disney Tips
When it comes to finding hacks to make Disney from Reddit, the sky's the limit. Here are more smart tips from Redditors:
- “Walk a lot in the weeks before your trip” work up to around 20,000 steps per day.
- Outsmart the blisters by obtaining “two different pairs of shoes, because you need shoes that rub differently on your feet.
- Also on the foot care front? “I don't often see compression socks mentioned in these discussions. I wore these on our trip in December and they were amazing. I took over 100,000 steps in four days. My feet were sore and tired, but I felt no pain.
- “Manage your expectations.” Your trip won't be perfectso just try to take things calmly.
- Splurge on Genie+ — “and spend a lot of time researching how it works and reviewing the interface before your trip. This will make the whole trip much easier.
- Pre-match watching Disney movies. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but especially if you're doing Magic Kingdom, being familiar with Disney stories makes it so much more fun to see them 'come to life'.”
- “If you have a stroller, always put on the rain cover when you go for a walk” because Florida's weather is truly unpredictable!
- “Buy a popcorn bucket” if you are considering purchasing a souvenir food. “Refills cost about $2 and it's delicious popcorn. We snack on it all the time, then hang the bucket on the back of my backpack when we go for walks.
The Reddit Connection
Do you see a pattern here? It turns out there may be no right or wrong answers on how to “do Disney.” What works for one family may not work for yours. But one thing's for sure: Any question you have about your next trip can be answered (in any direction) with a quick Reddit search.
So, before you book your next trip, spend some time in Reddit's Disney Communities: r/WaltDisneyWorld (667,000 members), r/disneyparks (124,000 members), and r/DisneyPlanning (21,000 members).
