11 Things Disney World Experts Do Differently

We’ve all done something on our first Disney World visit that we wish we had done differently, so we’re begging you to learn from our mistakes.

When you come to Disney World as often as we do, you really get to know all the tips and tricks of the trade. Friends help each other out, though, so we’re spilling all of our best tips on what we do differently to help you win your next Disney World trip and have the best day ever.

Most folks just come to Disney World and think they’re going to be able to see and do it all — a piece of cake, right? WRONG! Unless you’re well-versed in Disney knowledge and really know the ins and outs, you could very easily succumb to the overwhelm that the parks can unleash in a matter of hours.

We’re here to help you out and give you our best-kept advice on what we — as experts at Disney World — do now that we didn’t do when we were just starting out.

We Don’t Rope Drop The Most Popular Rides

Did we just hear the back of your head smack the ground from fainting? Yep, you heard us right. We don’t rope drop certain rides.

It’s common to have the urge to want to sprint — and by that we mean walk, it is Disney’s rule — to rides like Flight of Passage and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but take a look around the next time you do. Everyone else is headed to the same place.

We know that wait times for rides like these will likely be lower in the late evenings and various times throughout the day so it’s best to take advantage of the lower wait times at other attractions before that crowd files in after they’ve finished breakfast that morning.

We Know All the Hidden Menus

We’re going to brag on ourselves a bit here because it can be a real game-changer when you know where to ask for certain foods… and have those cravings granted while everyone else stares in awe.

Food like ‘Ohana’s Pineapple-Bread pudding may only look like it’s served in that one location or restaurant, but imagine your delight when you’re sitting by the pool bar, Banana Cabana, at your resort, get the craving for something sweet, and don’t even have to leave… or snag a super popular dining reservation!

This trick also works with places like Tiffins, a signature (pricey) restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Most people don’t realize you can get some of the same foods at their outdoor seating, Nomad Lounge, without a reservation …

… and with an amazing view and comfy seating.

We Pack Smart

This is going to vary depending on your plans for the day, but the general consensus is we as experts know to pack lighter. Most of us prefer to pack just the essentials in something small like a belt bag with more than one portable charger…

… while those that may be in for a longer day, are trying to budget, or who have kids may also pack a little bit more for snacks and water bottles.

Don’t forget, though, you can also ask for complimentary ice water at quick-service restaurants around the parks whether you’ve packed a water bottle or not!

And don’t get caught in the rain without some form of rain gear — whether it be a poncho…

… or an umbrella. You’ll thank yourself for that later when everyone else is scrambling for them.

We Know Which Single Rider Lines To Use

Those single-rider lines can be most misleading at times, and here’s why.

Most of these rides are built for even numbers of riders. If you’re planning to ride solo on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster or Test Track, most of the groups already have an even number that has hopped into the line ahead of time, and finding a group to fit in just one more is harder than it appeared so you could be waiting longer than the actual standby time waiting to ride.

However, other single-rider lines like Millenium Falcon Smuggler’s Run and Expedition Everest consistently win at getting you past the standby line faster with minimal wait.

Your only trade-off for these lines is that you’ll miss any cool preshows for the queue lines.

We Know How To Save Money On Food

We’re cheap, but we’re also hungry… and we’ve found a great solution for you!

When visiting Disney World we hear all the time that people are hungry but aren’t looking to eat a lot of food that could make them feel sluggish the rest of the day.

If you opt to order from the kid’s menu during your visit, most likely your portion will be just the right size, include a small drink, and put less of a dent in your budget.

Go ahead, Disney’s not going to tell you that you can’t order from the kid’s menu and it works on mobile orders, too.

We Know When To Stay In Line When Rides Go Down

If you’re already stuck on the rides this one won’t save you, but if you’re just in the line pay attention!

The precious time you think you’re saving by staying in line and waiting for it to open back up could cost you more time than you think in the long run. Often times there’s no guarantee how fast the ride will be back up and running again, so you could be wasting time waiting around rather than using that to knock out a few more rides and circling back around. A great example of this is Rise of the Resistance.

When this ride goes down, it usually takes about an hour before the cast members are able to try to get it running again at the earliest, so do yourself a favor and prioritize the best use of your time.

We Avoid The Busier Park Days

There are certain days of the year that experts just don’t go to the Disney World parks. You probably couldn’t pay us to go, truth be told.

Holidays — major and minor, weekends and special events like the Disney World marathons can draw the crowds to the parks and hotels.

When this is the case and the parks are super busy, you’re just not able to get as much accomplished, food lines are long, and it can lead to some quick tempers in the heat. We just tend to avoid these days and wait until the crowds are lower again to visit.

We Know The Best Bathrooms To Use

When you’ve got to go, it matters where you trust to do your business. Lots of things can factor into where you ultimately choose like crowds, cleanliness, and proximity, but if you can afford a choice… take our advice.

We search out the furthest and best-kept bathrooms to use. For instance, if you’re coming into EPCOT and need a bathroom, the closest to you from security is going to be just past the gate to exit. This means if you’ve just come in, and walked through to use that bathroom you’ll need to go back through security again to enter the park. But, if you can afford the longer hike to the other bathroom on the opposite (left) side of the entrance, you won’t have to pass through the entrance of EPCOT a second time.

We Know The Best Places To Watch Fireworks

EVERYONE will want to pack into the hub and Main Street right before the fireworks start… it never fails but we may surprise you by saying that’s not always the best place to watch the fireworks.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, take a chance and watch the fireworks from a ride on the PeopleMover, behind Cinderella Castle, or even from Liberty Square by the Liberty Belle Riverboat — then you’re not fighting the crowds to head over to your next ride of the night!

We Know How To Save Money On Disney World Hotels

We don’t pay full price for Disney World hotel stays.

You can usually find a promotion for Disney World hotel stays several times throughout the year. If you’re booking early enough, you might even have several choices of hotel options and room categories to choose from. If you’ve booked standard rates, make sure you’re watching for when and if Disney drops promotions that could be compatible with your travel dates and you can switch your full price rate into any of these that you’re eligible for at no additional cost to you.

When To Wait In Line For Characters

It’s so hard not to go wait in a 70-minute line to meet Mickey Mouse but hear us out.

Several of the general characters like Mickey and Minnie are available in multiple parks to meet, while others are more exclusive like Moana at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Mirabel at Magic Kingdom currently.

Check the My Disney Experience app to be sure that you’re prioritizing meet and greet line time to characters that you can’t meet anywhere else.

And there you have it! With our help, you’ll be a Disney World pro before you even step foot past the Magic Kingdom train station and get that first whiff of buttery popcorn. As always, be sure to check back in with us at AllEars.net for the latest in Disney news and updates.

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Do you do anything differently now than you did when you were a Disney World rookie? Tell us all about your changes in the comments below!

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