Disney vacations are one of a kind, but they can get so hard to plan, given the vastness of the parks. Four theme parks, an entertainment district, two water parks, golf, bowling, an AMC movie theater, and more.
To help readers, I decided to ask Disney Experts to share some of their best-kept Disney vacation secrets. These are Disney vacationers extraordinaire with hundreds, if not thousands, of trips combined.
Get ready, maybe get a notebook, for the best Disney vacation tips on the entire internet.
Table of Contents
Laura at MickeyChatter
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice would be to use the free services of a travel agent that specializes in Disney. Their services are free and you have a one-on-one person to help you if needed. Whether it is your first time or you are a Disney pro, you can only benefit when working with a very good agent.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I always make sure I have a portable charger in my backpack since access to my smartphone is essential when in the parks. You use so much battery taking pictures/videos and checking the My Disney Experience app that it is very important that you have the ability to charge on the go.
Erin at Never Ending Voyage
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
Make sure you plan your Disney schedule in advance. Choose which day you’ll visit each park, pick your priority rides, and book your Genie+ reservations for the most popular rides 30 days in advance (60 days for onsite guests). This will be a huge advantage in avoiding crowds.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
A Vapur foldable water bottle. As it’s light and foldable, it’s easy to pack and can be used to fill up water fountains in the parks. This saves money and helps you stay hydrated.
Mindy at This Fairy Tale Life
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
For Walt Disney World, I always bring a hand-held fan! I’m a California girl and not used to humidity. Having the fan and cooling towels helps keep my temperature (and my temper) low!
Winona at Life Family and Fun
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
The best advice, especially if you have never been to Walt Disney World before, is to book a travel agent. They will have the best advice and have the freedom and connections to handle everything for you. Booking and planning your vacation can be so overwhelming when it comes to choosing, sorting package options, and working out air travel. Travel agents put all of that work in for you, oftentimes at no extra cost.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
Lots of people ask what they should pack for Disney World. The truth is that it’s different for everyone.
The obvious is comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and ponchos, but the not-so-normal item to pack would have to be the Magic Band security slider. They are a lifesaver and will prevent you from losing your Magic Band if you are riding rides. They even come in glow-in-the-dark for the little ones.
Drew at BenSpark Family Adventures
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My advice is to be flexible in the day. You can do all the planning in the world beforehand but plans change, and you need to be able to change and adapt to them. Being able to be flexible is going to make everyone’s trip better.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I pack a portable mini ZINK printer. When we went to Disney with our kids, and they met the characters, I would snap a photo and then print it out that night and add it on the page across from the signature of the character. That way, my kids see the photo and the signature anytime they look through their signature books.
Tania at Lola Lamb Chops
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
Do as much research as you can. There are blogs, YouTube, the Disney website, and more. And if you’re not the kind that likes research, then have a Travel Agent book your vacation, so they can help you. I’m not a ‘have to plan everything down to the second’ type of planner, but you do need at least a loose plan. As far as rides are concerned, take a look at the website, and have every member of your party pick their must-do in each park. That way, you can focus on the essentials, and everything else is just bonus fun 🙂
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
Skirts. I love a good, stretchy knee-length skirt. They’re cuter than Bermuda shorts, keep me cool, and the elastic waist gives me room to eat all my Disney snacks.
Patty at WDWVacation Tips
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
Take some time to at least put together, at a minimum, loose plans for your days spent at Disney World. The parks are so big, have many offerings, and are now constantly packed with other guests like yourself. If you have a strategy put together, you will come out a winner by accomplishing more and making sure you get to experience all the things you want to do.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
My park bag essentials, small emergency medicine kit, you just never know what is gonna happen in the parks! Plus, my newer bag go-to is a rechargeable portable fan. It keeps me cool on all the hot Florida days, and if it ever runs out, I love I can just use one of my backup batteries to charge it again.
Myrah At Mamacita on the Move
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
If you are on a budget, stay in hotels OUTSIDE Disney. Make reservations ahead of time. Stay at hotels that offer transportation to the parks and avoid having to pay parking fees at the parks. Make your own ears. Dollar stores have tons of supplies.
Plan your meals ahead of time if you will be dining inside the park, this way you avoid long lines when you are starving.
Take your own water bottles and fill them up over there. Quick-service restaurants provide water and ice to guests free of charge.
Take advantage of free activities throughout the parks. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, non-hotel guests are free to walk around the property and see if they can spot resident zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and flamingoes. At Fort Wilderness, Campfire sing-alongs with Chip ‘n’ Dale (s’ mores included) capped by an outdoor screening of a Disney movie are held every night, AND no reservations are required.
Visit Disney Springs is a whole world of its own, with shops, restaurants, and shows for all ages
Ken & Em At MouseHacking
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
I guess my top piece of advice is always to check multiple sources. No one knows everything or has the same experiences or preferences. Don’t just stick to a single site for everything, have at least 3-4 go tos.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
We’re light packers, so I guess our least normal item is maybe a collapsible water bottle. Many of the ails of travel and long days in Disney parks are solved with proper hydration.
Mitch at Gay NYC Dad
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice is to let folks know that the longer you stay, the less expensive your daily ticket cost will be. I am sure that you know one day can cost upwards of $150 with park hopper privileges. If you could handle being at WDW for ten days, your average ticket cost per day is a little over $60. That is why our family trips would be 8-10 days long, broken up with the water parks as well.
Kristi at The Cactus Chronicles
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation is to download the official Disneyland or Disney World app. So much info can be found on the app, like dining reservations, character meets and greets, ride wait times, and much more.
My not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World is ponchos. It is much cheaper to buy them at your local store than in the park.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
Patty at My No-Guilt Life
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I pack a foldable laundry hamper on every trip. This allows those gross, sweaty outfits to stay separate after a long Florida day. I pack the dirty clothes into a large plastic bag to take home with me, which also makes unpacking easier!
Margie at DQ Travel Blog
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation is to use a Disney vacation planner, someone who specializes in Disney travel. Their services are free to use, and they monitor price drops and rebook you for a lower rate. They can also book Genie+ and dining reservations for you and will keep checking if what you requested is not available. It is basically an extra brain to help you plan your trip and someone to give you advice to help you maximize your time.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I always pack disposable ponchos because it always rains in Orlando when you least expect it. We have often been caught without them and have had to purchase expensive ponchos at the parks and I vowed: “never again”. Amazon sells them for much cheaper.
Lisa at Adventures in Familyhood
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation is to do your research. Whether it’s your first time or your hundredth time, you need to look up the most up-to-date information. Disney is always changing. Research on which attractions are available, park hours, dining options, and special events. Knowing the ins and outs will ensure you have a happy vacation and not a disappointing one.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I love taking items on vacation that perform double duty. One of the most useful but unique items I always take along is Post-its. I always have a pack of Post-its on me when I travel. I use them for obvious reasons like writing down reservations or places we want to go in a day. I’ve also used them to cover up the automatic toilet flushing sensor. When my kids were little, the noise of the toilet flushing used to scare the bejesus out of them. We found that if we covered the sensor with a post-it, we could delay the flushing until the child was out of earshot of the toilet.
Janice at An Open Suitcase
What is your not so normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I visit often, so I am a minimal packer when it comes to Disney. I don’t really have a not-so-normal item that I pack. I will say that a Disney trip is not the time to break into new shoes. Disney involves lots of walking and long days, so I don’t believe in carrying tons of stuff throughout the day that just weighs everyone down. I’m not a believer in the backpack theory, even when I have my grandchildren with me. I only use a small cross-body purse. When my grandson is with me, I take a small sippy cup, a few diapers, wipes, an extra outfit, and a few snacks in a small tote that fits under the stroller. I am a “less is best” packer when it comes to Disney.
Francine at Pixie Dust Fan
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice is always to be realistic about your expectations. If you’re going to Walt Disney World, you have to be aware of the size and recognize that you won’t see it ALL in a week, and that’s ok. It’s important to take time to enjoy instead of planning every second of every day! Use a qualified travel agent who can guide you through and help you plan for the things you want to make sure you don’t miss!
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
That’s a tough one!! I think my not-so-normal item would be my drink cozy. These are the things that you might see people put their beer cans or pop in to keep it cold. I use it for my water in the parks to keep it chilled as long as possible in the heat!
Melissa at Farm Girl Gabs
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
If you are part of the Disney Dining Plan, booking a signature restaurant (like Le Cellier Steakhouse) is a poor use of dining credits. Here’s why. Chances are it is unlikely that your meal at a Signature restaurant would cost twice as much as a normal table service restaurant if you paid out of pocket. But signature dining at Walt Disney World cost two credits as opposed to 1.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I always pack a power bar or USB strip when traveling to Disney World. I find the resort room, whether you say on-property or off-property, lacks enough outlets for charging our electronic devices. Another thing I always bring is gallon and quart-size storage bags. These are good for bringing snacks to the park, keeping your phone and personal items dry, and packing things in your suitcase.
Allison at Allison Gygi Travels
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
My best advice when planning a Disney vacation is don’t try to do everything. There is way too much to do in and around the Disney parks to even come close to doing it all. The best way to plan a successful vacation is to pick the things that are most important to you and do those first. If there is extra time, repeat a favorite attraction, meet and greet, or find something new to enjoy.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
Because we always have kids with us at Disney, I always pack a small bottle of bubbles. They’re a great way to distract little ones while waiting in line for an attraction or character.
Sarah at Sarah in the Suburbs
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
Do not make this a “once in a lifetime” vacation. That puts way too much pressure on your family, and you, too, “do it all” in the short amount of time you’ll have. Trust me. As someone who has been to Disney World multiple times a year, there are still things on my “Disney bucket list” that I’ll just have to save for next time! Enjoy what you can, when you can. Even if the next trip is years away, don’t try to cram it all into one trip, or you’ll be miserable.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
I always pack a jacket. Even in the dead heat of summer, I have a jacket with me for those freezing cold, air-conditioned buildings I’ll invariably encounter on my trip!
Devon at:
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
Schedule downtime in your itinerary. Disney vacations are HARD WORK! As you plan out your dining and Genie+, make sure you build in some time to relax. This could be enjoying the resort pool, nap time for younger children, or a low-key activity in air conditioning.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
We bring a blank white photo matte and permanent extra fine-tip markers to Disney. Instead of a traditional autograph book, we have the characters sign our photo matte. After our trip, we added our favorite vacation picture to the matte and framed it for the perfect keepsake!
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
The campground at Disney’s Fort Wilderness books up more than a year in advance! The most desirable campsites are booked first, and you can reserve your campsite up to 499 days before your trip.
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
We brought our own fire pit when we stayed at Fort Wilderness! Disney’s campsites do not provide campfire rings, but they do allow campers to bring certain styles of fire pits into the campground. Make sure your fire pit is Disney-approved, or they will prohibit you from using it.
D Marie at White Glove World
What is your best advice for someone planning a Disney vacation?
I believe that much of our former advice may need to be modified in the foreseeable future. It is my belief that Guests staying on-property will be given additional perks. For instance, if parks open at 50% capacity, you can be sure those visitors will get the first nod. Given their history of customer service excellence, I expect their sanitizing measures will lead the industry. Especially in the Disney Resort hotels. Soooo, stay on property, fully immerse yourself, and leave the rest of the world behind!
What is your not-so-normal item to pack when going to Disney World?
Believe it or not, my standard Walt Disney World prep always included a trip to Bath & Body Works so I could stock up on their 6 for $5 hand sanitizers! I would pick anything that included a magical scent and pixie dust sprinkles inside. My collection of holders stands at 24, one for every Disney and airplane bag. (This includes holders in the shape of donuts, castles, and Yetis!) Going forward, I would fully expect that Disney will expand its own brand of the same.
