Best Walt Disney World Tips
Best Disney Food Tips
Walt Disney World Food Tips that we have used:
- Bring your own bottled water!
Disney allows it, and you will save a small fortune. The best way is to freeze your water the night before. If you don’t mind the taste of the local water all of the counter service restaurants in the theme parks give out FREE ice water!
Recommend: Vapur Water Bottle a foldable, reusable water bottle - The Animal Kingdom “Meal Plus” Program
Pizzafari – the pizzas that come in the kids meal are the same size as the ones that are on the adult menu. I recommend buying the kids’ meal voucher since you will end up with the same amount of food. If you follow this tip you end up getting one individual size pizza, two full size beverages and an ice cream or popcorn for only $5.99!
- Disney Water Parks allowed us to carry in our coolers packed with drinks and food.
- Cheapest (and Healthiest) Food Item in the Parks – Fresh Fruit!
Each park has at least one fruit stand. Apples, pears, bananas, and oranges are very inexpensive compared with other snacks at the parks. Some stands also sell baby carrots, watermelon or cantaloupe slices, grapes, strawberries, cut-up pineapple or fruit salad at varying prices. There are three fruit stands in the Magic Kingdom: on Main Street, in Liberty Square and in Mickey’s Toontown Fair. MGM has Anaheim Produce on Sunset Blvd. Epcot fruit is available on the lower level of The Land in Future World and at the Outpost between China and Germany in World Showcase. Animal Kingdom offers fruit at Harambe Market in Africa, just outside Kilimanjaro Safaris.
- Least Expensive Character “Meal” at Walt Disney World
Every afternoon at 3:00 there is an “Ice Cream Social” at the revolving Garden Grill restaurant in The Land at Epcot. The price is $6.99 plus tax and tip per person. You get to enjoy a delicious ice cream sundae while Mickey and friends visit the tables and interact with the guests. Priority Seating is highly recommended.
- Character “Breakfast” at The Contemporary Resort
Eat breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at the latest possible time (usually a priority seating around 11:15 AM) on a day when the Magic Kingdom has early entry and so everyone will be ready for lunch by then. The buffet is very substantial, and all drinks — coffee, milk, juice, etc. — are included, the kids get their character breakfast at a pretty reasonable price, considering that it is really lunch. This also allows us to take advantage of the lighter crowds in the morning at the Magic Kingdom. Also, because the restaurant is not open for lunch it starts to get quiet as people with earlier seating times leave. Priority Seating is highly recommended.
- Character “Dinner” at The Crystal Palace
I’ve found that making a dinner reservation as early as possible at The Crystal Palace is far better than the breakfast. The restaurant was light, so during our meal we had a character setting at our table almost the whole time. The food selection was good and overall the price was not bad considering we were eating in the park. Priority Seating is highly recommended.
- The Best Buffet Deal
Trail’s End Buffeteria at Ft. Wilderness. Dinner is $15.99 for adults and $6.99 for kids, plus tax and beverage. (Compare this with many of the other buffets at Walt Disney World, which charge around $23.99 for adults.) There is also a “soup and salad bar only” option at dinner for $10.50. Breakfast and lunch are under 9 bucks for adults and under 6 bucks for kids. At breakfast there is a “continental breakfast” option that includes all the cold items, oatmeal, coffee and tea for about $6 per adult.
- Pre-arrange Priority Seating
Disney’s answer to dining reservations, by calling 407-WDW-DINE. On arrival you’ll receive the next table available for your party size, thus saving hours of frustration and waiting. – Dial 0 and have the operator connect you to avoid phone chgs.
- Portions of food in Disney restaurants can be too much for one person, just order one appetizer or entree between two people, and ask for two plates.
- Looking for a smaller portion at the counter-service restaurants do not hesitate to order from the kids’ menu. No one will know you’re ordering the kids meal for an adult! This is not allowed at full-service restaurants.
- You can actually order a child-size soda at counter service restaurants in Walt Disney World, without ordering a kids meal. If you prefer a smaller drink, this can reduce waste and save you a little money — kids’ drinks are usually about $1.00.
- If you buy caramel corn (caramel covered popcorn) in the bucket at Sleepy Hollow in the Magic Kingdom (handy before parade viewing in Liberty Square), be sure to bring the container back on your next trip to the Magic Kingdom and you can get it refilled for a reduced price.
- If you are a resort guest at any of the resorts in their food court they have boxed lunches that are there for the kids to take to the parks and enjoy. Included are a sandwich fruit dessert chips and a drink all dome Disney style of course! They sell for $4.95 and are a great way to affordably enjoy lunch in the parks. Take in the Disney ambiance sit in the rose garden in front of Cinderella’s castle and enjoy lunch!
- Roadhouse Grill – Kids 12 and under eat FREE on Tuesdays. No coupon required
Best Disney Money Saving Tips
Walt Disney World Saving Money Tips that we have used:
- Visit Walt Disney World in the Value Season … you’ll save money and have no lines with all the fun.
- We saved over 50% on our Disney Resort by using our Airline Discount. You must call Disney directly to receive this offer and be an Airline Employee. Disney’s Telephone Number: 407-934-7639. Also, you will need a Letter of Good Standing on Company Letterhead to include the name of the employee, status, date of employment, employee ID number, and name of airline, and it must be signed with the title and email address of the manager. After making the reservations, the letter must be faxed within 24 hrs to 407-354-1951.
- Discount Tickets available to certain eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces community, their families and certain civilians in the DoD and elsewhere.
- The Animal Kingdom “Meal Plus” Program
Pizzafari—The pizzas in the kids’ meal are the same size as the ones on the adult menu. I recommend buying the kids’ meal voucher since you will end up with the same amount of food. If you follow this tip, you will get one individual-size pizza, two full-size beverages, and an ice cream or popcorn for only $5.99! - If you are staying at a Disney Resort, need cash and hate paying those outrageous ATM fees, cash a personal check at the front desk. There is no charge for this service; they will cash up to $100 daily.
- If you are staying at a Disney Resort, Dial ‘0’ from your room phone and ask the operator to connect you to any local Disney number to avoid phone chgs.
- Get Disney souvenirs from Shades of Green. The selection is not as good, but the prices are better.
- Go to the Fort Wilderness campfire. Bring your own marshmallows to roast over the fire and a blanket to sit on while you watch the film. It’s free.
- Visit the petting farm at Fort Wilderness, it’s free.
- Take a boat ride from one of the resorts – Wilderness Lodge to Magic Kingdom; Boardwalk to Epcot or MGM; Dixie Landings to Downtown Disney, etc.
Best Disney Park Tips
Walt Disney World Theme Park Tips that we have used:
- Bring your own bottled water!
Disney allows it, and you will save a small fortune. The best way is to freeze your water the night before. If you don’t mind the taste of the local water all of the counter service restaurants in the theme parks give out FREE ice water!Recommend: Vapur Water Bottle a foldable, reusable water bottle
- Bring your own bottled water!
- Visit Walt Disney World in the Value Season … you’ll have no lines with all the fun.
- Discount Tickets available to certain eligible members of the U.S. Armed Forces community, their families and certain civilians in the DoD and elsewhere.
- Ride the monorail – ask to ride up front in the driver’s cab and don’t forget to ask for your free co-pilot license. (photo below)
- Children who are too young to ride on an attraction can ask for a certificate from the attraction that enables them to get to the front of the line the next time they are at Disney and are tall enough to ride. The cast member fills in the date and child’s name. The certificate is for the child and the entire family to move to the front of the line upon their next visit. The certificate also makes a beautiful souvenir that can be framed.
- Not sure what days to visit each of the 4 theme parks?
General rule of thumb is that the day each park hosts its “Magic Hour” day is it’s busiest day overall. “Magic Hour” days permit Disney Resort guests to enter one park a day an hour early. We head to this park and take advantage of the small crowds for the extra hour and then head to another park once the crowd rolls in. ** Check their schedule here ** - If there are two lines for an attraction, go to the left. Most people’s natural instinct is to take the line to the right! ( You’ll be surprised how well this works. )
- Parking at the theme parks
If you will be leaving the parking lot and returning on the same day, or even parking at another theme park on the same day, be sure to save your receipt. You only have to pay the fee once per day. - Disney’s FASTPASS is a FREE service that allows your to make a reservation and enjoy specific Disney World Resort attractions with little or no wait. Just look for the FASTPASS machines at the attractions and check on the FASTPASS return time. This will be the time you will be able to return and use your FASTPASS. If this time will work for you, insert your park admission ticket into the machine and you will receive your FASTPASS ticket with the time for your return. Be sure to keep this ticket, you will need it to enter the FASTPASS line. Now, you are ready to go and enjoy other attractions until your return time.
- If you are park hopping return your stroller or wheelchair and present your receipt at your next stop and receive a replacement stroller or wheelchair (same day rental).
- If you are park hopping see attendant before you leave for a receipt for your locker and you won’t have to pay a deposit at your next stop (same day rental).
Best Disney Resort Tips
Walt Disney World Resort Tips that we have used:
- Visit Walt Disney World in the Value Season … you’ll have no lines with all the fun.
- We saved over 50% on our Disney Resort by using our Airline Discount. You must call Disney directly to receive this offer and be an Airline Employee. Disney’s Telephone Number: 407-934-7639. Also, you will need a Letter of Good Standing on Company Letterhead to include the name of the employee, status, date of employment, employee ID number, and name of airline, and it must be signed with the title and email address of the manager. After making the reservations, the letter must be faxed within 24 hrs to 407-354-1951.
- When you check in to your Disney Resort, find out if there will be any E-Ride nights during your stay. On these nights, the major attractions at the Magic Kingdom will stay open for an extra 3 hours for Disney resort guests. Wait times will be very short, as the tickets are limited to the first 5,000 guests. Currently, it is a $12 charge and only held at certain times of the year. It is well worth the price.
- If you are a resort guest at any of the resorts, the food court has boxed lunches for the kids to take to the parks and enjoy. Included are a sandwich, fruit dessert, chips, and a drink—all dome Disney style, of course! They sell for $4.95 and are a great way to affordably enjoy lunch in the parks. Take in the Disney ambiance, sit in the rose garden in front of Cinderella’s castle, and enjoy lunch!
- Shades of Green is an Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) available to eligible U.S. Armed Forces community members, DoD civilians and their families.
- Although all Resorts say check-out time is 11 a.m., it can be extended until 1 p.m. at no additional charge to accommodate your flight schedules.
- Charging privileges: You can charge most purchases in Disney resorts and theme parks to your room key.
- The Ultimate Hopper Pass
The Ultimate Hopper Pass is exclusively for hotel guests at a Disney Resort. The Ultimate Hopper Pass will get you unlimited admission for the specified number of days on your ticket to the following four Disney Theme Parks: the MAGIC KINGDOM Park, Epcot, DISNEY’S MGM-Studios, and DISNEY’S Animal Kingdom Theme Park, with the flexibility to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day. Also included is unlimited admissions to DISNEY’S Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, and DISNEY’S Blizzard Beach Water Park, unlimited admissions to DOWNTOWN DISNEY Pleasure Island, DISNEYQUEST Indoor Interactive Theme Park, and general admission into DISNEY’S Wide World of Sports Complex, with the flexibility to go from Theme Park to Theme Park on the same day. - Split-Stay Trick for Ultimate Park Hopper Passes
If you only want a UPH for part of your stay, you can split your stay into two or more reservations and only add the UPH to one. This allows you to take advantage of the advance purchase discount. We would use this trick if we could not get the Stars and Stripes tickets.
Downtown Disney Tips
Walt Disney World Downtown Disney Tips:
- Shop at Mickey’s Mart Bargain hunters will want to check this place out! Everything is “Ten Dollars and Under,” located in Downtown Disney Marketplace between Disney Tails and Disney at Home.
- Parking is FREE.
- Check out the wonderful interactive fountains where children may enjoy playing and getting wet.
- The Lego Imagination Center has a FREE 3,000-square-foot outdoor play area with thousands of LEGO blocks.
- In the evenings, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island is now an ungated area, allowing guests to flow freely without purchasing an admission. However, admission is still required for entry into the nightclubs.
Disney Boardwalk Tips
Walt Disney World Boardwalk Tips:
- If you drive to the Boardwalk, you can get a free 3-hour parking permit from the lot attendant.
- It’s fun just walking around and enjoying the atmosphere!
- For a small fee, you can try your luck at a carnival-style game.
- Take a boat ride to the Boardwalk from Epcot or MGM.
Disney Cruise Tips
Walt Disney World Cruise Tips that we have used:
- Take a Walt Disney World Cruise in the Value Season …
- We saved over 50% on our Disney Cruise by using our Airline Employee Discount. You must call Disney directly to receive this offer and be an Airline Employee. Disney’s Telephone Number: 407-934-7639. Also, you will need a Letter of Good Standing on Company Letterhead to include the name of the employee, status, date of employment, employee ID number, and name of airline, and it must be signed with the title and email address of the manager. After making the reservations, the letter must be faxed within 24 hrs to 407-354-1951.
- We booked two cabins at the Airline Employee Discount Rate.
- We also brought on board with us two carry-on bags full of wine and champagne.
- Recommend: Waterproof bags don’t let a splash of water ruin your precious electronic devices.
