- SOUVENIR SHOPPING
Buy your souvenirs at the end of your day, there is nothing worse than carrying around a half deflated balloon and a collection of Simpson merchandise around the theme park all day. At Disney, if you choose to buy souvenirs during the day, you can collect the items at the exit as you leave the park or even get them sent to your hotel if you are staying at a Disney Resort.
- BOOK FOOD RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE
If you are a large family or want to eat in a popular sit down restaurant for dinner, you need to book a table prior to your visit. This is especially true at the moment, with many places running at a reduced capacity. Remember, you can always opt for a meal at one of the Disney resorts if you want the Disney experience but restaurants in the park are fully booked.
- TRANSPORT
Choose a hotel near the theme parks that offer a shuttle bus to avoid high taxi charges. You can rent and drive yourself, which we found the most convenient method of transport but be warned that parking in any of theme parks is expensive, costing upwards of $25 per day. Disney resorts offer free transport to Disney parks, Universal resorts are within walking distance to the Universal parks and there are many hotel chains that offer free shuttle buses (especially on international drive).
29 Comments
This is a great list! I love all the tips you mentioned about the best times to go to avoid the crowd and the heat. I’m not sure though if I should give up the parade, I had a fun time watching the one in Disney Paris. Lol. But then again, I’m not into rides so I guess I’ll skip the rides. :p
All great tips! I haven’t been to Disney in years, but I thought your tip about going later in the afternoon after the kids have gone home is a great tip. I can only imagine how crowded Potter world must get even though I’ve never been.
Awesome tips here! Aw man I’m feeling so nostalgic, visited Orlando Disneyworld as a kid twice, have to say they didn’t have the apps or the child switch option then, seems like things are improving! Visited Potter World the very time that it opened and it wasn’t actually that busy then (relatively to Disney ofc!), probably hadn’t built up the hype yet
I wish I had known some of these earlier. We waited at Harry Potter for 2 freaking hours, and just when we were about the reach the ride stops working. It was the worst! In all that commotion, I forgot to drink Butterbeer too!
These are great tips! I think a lot of people come unprepared and your post could save them a lot of trouble. The gum one made me chuckle!
I personnally don’t like rides (at all), but I guess I have to visit Disney at leace once! It’s really nice that they let you bring your own lunch. The only major theme park in Québec doesn’t allow you to anymore, which is ridiculous, especially since all they offer is overpriced crappy junk food 🙁
Great tips. I have never been to Orlando but when I do I will use these. I have heard that it’s very expensive to eat in the parks but then one meal will do for several people as the portions are huge. Good tip though starting off with the furthest away rides 🙂
This makes me miss the Orlando theme parks so much! It’s been more than 5 years since we last went and I’m itching to go back. Maybe when we have children so we can use the child swapping pass 🙂
Wonderful list of tips! I will definitely use them when I visit Orlando next time. I would love to go on some rides!
Oh how I miss Orlando!! I can totally relate to your list. This is really helpful for those planning to visit Orlando.
By the way, I love the layout of your blog. It makes the post very easy and fun to read.
Thank you Jen! Happy to hear you like the blog layout!
The place is awesome & useful tips! I I wished to visit this Christmas, but already we have planned a vacation to Dubai. Next year definitely will plan. Thanks for sharing.
Ugh how I wish I had this post when I want to Orland this summer! It’s is so hectic and crazy that the preparation in advance really does help a lot! You’ve got some great tips in here that I’ll definitely be using next time.
That’s a lot of tips. Imagining the crowds and the craziness, I suppose all of these are so necessary, specially for a first-time visitor.
Very informative! Bookmarking this for future.
Great list of tips. Orlando is one of those elusive places that I have yet to travel to. You mention to arrive early…is it possible to see everything in a full day if you get there first thing in the morning?
Hey EG,
Yeah if you arrive at opening you can certainly see the majority of the park. If it is super busy (during summer holidays or over Christmas period) then you may not get a chance to ride all rides but we visited in August and were able to ride the ones we wanted to ride and tour the park within a few hours.
I was a kid when I first had the pleasure of visiting Orlando and all its theme parks and while, at that age, it all just seemed like a fairy tale, for my parents I imagine it must have been super-stressful. Certainly, now that I am older and have to make my own travel plans, I always take these things into consideration and bringing plenty of water is obviously great advise as even now I can remember near constant thirst back at Disneyland. Nice tips and definitely one for Orlando-bound parents!
I’ve never been to Orlando and its theme parks, but I can only imagine how crazy such places can get. Personally, I believe I’d find it too overwhelming. Your tips would certainly enable me to enjoy my time there a bit more!
These are really useful tips for theme parks. I hadn’t thought of riding as single people to get through the line faster. Also going on rides during the parade is a good one. I like the rides more.
Some useful tips there. I have only been to Paris Disneyland when I was a child, never been to US.
interesting that they don’t sell gum…maybe they are trying to keep people from chewing and spitting it around? I like your tip about starting at the back of the park and working forward! Brilliant! I always tend to just buy souvenirs whenever, but you have a great point about buying at the end so you’re not carrying i it 🙂
I didnt realize how many useful tips there can be for visiting disneyland. I agree though – it’s a rough place to be when it’s hot and crowded. thanks for these lovely tips.
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