If you are lucky enough to be going to Disney over summer vacation, take note! I have listed the Top 10 tips to make the most of your trip.
Going to Disney is a perfect way to add extra special magic and memories to your summer! Sometimes it is hard to be in a magical mood when it’s around 100 degrees though. Hopefully these tips will get you prepped for your summer trip.
1. Plan ahead! Book ADR’s 180 days out. Disney dining is part of the experience. It’s also nice to sit down and rest during the day as it can get pretty hot. A mid-day Table Service reservation during the hottest time of the day is smart!
2. Leave some room for spontaneity. You DEFINITELY should schedule FastPass+ times to take advantage of skipping some long lines, but if you set a schedule for the whole day you will be missing some magical moments. I’ve made this mistake in the past. Now, I let the kids stop and watch the ducks, sit in the shade, and watch all the street performers. If we miss a FastPass, no big deal. You can pick more later.
3. Take care of your feet. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, because you will be putting a few miles on them every day. Take some mole skin and band-aids into the Parks with you, and maybe extra, dry socks. My kids wear Crocs because they are breathable and comfy. Wear your shoes around at home before your trip to break them in.
4. Prep for all weather. I recommend the $1 ponchos from Wal-Mart as they are small enough for a purse and disposable. You can buy reusable Disney ones, but the thought of folding up 5 wet ponchos and trying to save them doesn’t sound appealing to me. Also, that mid-day Florida sun is bright. I always bring my kids hats and sunglasses or else they are squinting in every picture and can’t see what’s going on. If you use sunscreen, pick up a trael-sized, water-resistant kind like Burt Bees or Babyganics. Don’t bother carrying bulky umbrellas. You can always duck into a gift shop or The Hall of Presidents to wait it out.
5. Add Memory Maker to your reservation! No more worrying about who is going to take the picture, if the camera/phone is dead, where the charger is, buying memory cards, etc. With Memory Maker you just walk up to a PhotoPass Photographer (they are all around, check the Park Maps for locations) get your family pics, then have them scan your Magic Band. Go on your MyDisneyExperience App to view, share, or download them. The price is well worth the on-ride pictures alone!
6. Souvenir shop at the end of the day. Carrying around your purchases all day can be a hassle. We wait until Park closing to go back and pick out that one special souvenir for each kid. You can have the purchases sent back to your resort room for free, but it could take overnight and you’ll have to fill out some papers. It gives the kids something to look forward to, and prevents them seeing something else even better right around the corner.
7. Stay organized! Take photos of your plane tickets, reservation number, hotel door number, etc. The MyDisneyExperience app stores your itinerary for you, including dining and FastPass+ times, shows, wait times for attractions, where characters are meeting, parade times, and Park hours. Make sure you bring an external charger too. I like to print out my itinerary in a tiny font and keep it in my wallet just in case.
8. Stay cool! Grab a Dole Whip, Mickey ice cream bar, or check out Casey Jr.’s Soak and Splash Station in Magic Kingdom, or play in the water fountain at Epcot. My kids ask to go back to the resort and swim every day at about 3:15 like clock-work (as soon as the 3:00 parade is over) so we usually go back for a few hours to cool off, and rest. But, our favorite way to cool off is to go to a Disney Water Park! Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are AWESOME, and you must try them if you go during the summer! Ask me how to add them on to your tickets!
9. Stay hydrated and healthy. Either bring a water bottle to refill, buy a bottle of water (you can use dining plan snack credits) or ask any quick service restaurant for a free cup of ice water. Guests can bring drinks into the Park too. That’s too bulky for my minimalist style, so drink mix packets work too. Don’t forget to take your vitamins for a few weeks before your vacation to build up your immune system as you will encounter many germs. Lastly, take the time to wash your hands before you eat.
10. Explore the Night Life. Disney comes alive at night with shows and activities such as Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic! We love the Main Street Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom, and the Electrical Water Pageant. Nightly Disney Movies are shown at the resorts, usually out by the pool at sundown. Go to Fort Wilderness Campground and make s’mores at the campfire with Chip and Dale! Downtown Disney has many shops and restaurants to explore too. A different Park offers Extra Magic Hours each evening, and stay open 2 hours later!
What is your advice for summer time travelers? I’d love to hear your secret tips for dealing with the hot Florida sun.
If you need help planning your Disney Vacation of any season, contact me today for a free price quote and trip planning services. Email me at Summer@WorldofMagicTravel.com or follow me on my Facebook Page. I will help you plan and book a magical Disney Trip or Cruise within your budget. Stay cool this summer!
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