Wake up! Wake up! It’s time to go to Disney World!
When I am at Disney, I am like a child and this usually involves me jumping up and down on the bed of my travelling companion to rouse them bright and early. There is so much to see and do at Walt Disney World, and the morning is a great time to get to it before everyone else wakes up.
There are so many great reasons to get up early on your Disney vacation. Here are my top five reasons to wake up early at Walt Disney World.
The Magic Kingdom Welcome Show: this is definitely something that I try to catch at least once during every visit. This show starts about 15 minutes before the park opens and it’s a great opportunity to see some of your favorite characters dancing, singing, and welcoming you into the park. The Welcome Show ends with a countdown and fireworks are launched from the train station. For me, there is something truly magically about stepping through the tunnels and onto Main Street USA before the rush of mid-day madness hits. The streets are in pristine condition, Cast Members line Main Street USA leading to Cinderella Castle to wave and say hello. Just thinking about it gives me the warm and fuzzies.
Photo Opportunities: If you are looking for a family photo in front of the park icons, take your photo just as the park opens for the best shots. The streets are less busy because most guests are rushing to their favorite attractions and there will be less random people in the background of your pictures. Plus, your hair, make-up, and clothes will still be fresh! People looking at your vacation photos will think you looked that great all day.
Dining Reservations: Dinner reservations are great, but there is something really fun about eating breakfast at the Disney parks or resorts. Whether you are dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey’s, or Garden Grill, Disney sure does know how to cook up an amazing breakfast spread. If you have breakfast reservations at a park for before the park actually opens (ex: Magic Kingdom opens at 9am, but your breakfast reservation is at 8am), you even get to enter early! Talk about the royal treatment!
Less Crowded: There are many guests who like to sleep in and head to the parks a little bit later in the day. If you are an early riser, the morning is a great time to ride all your favorite attractions before the lines get too long. I once rode The Tower of Terror three times in a row bright and early one morning just because there was only a 5 minute wait each time. Now, I’m not suggesting you make yourself feel sick like I did – but you are definitely able to ride quicker in the morning hours.
Tee Time: If you are a golf enthusiast – the early morning is a great time to schedule a quick round. Most courses at Disney open as early as 6:00am. Another bonus of booking an early tee time is the temperatures of the course are a lot more forgiving before noon.
Whether you are a natural early riser or just want to make the most of your Disney vacation, there is always something to do every morning at Walt Disney World. What are your favorite ways to spend the morning at Disney? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Monica is an Alumna of the Disney College Program. When she is not walking down the middle of Main Street USA you can find her wandering the World Showcase, or enjoying a Dole Whip while racing to her favorite attractions. When she is forced to endure life outside of Walt Disney World, you can find her in Ann Arbor, Michigan where she lives and works. You can visit her Disney lifestyle blog here.
