family vacation at Disney World
Timely Tips for a Family Vacation at Disney World
Mike Jerry
Mike Jerry
Organizing a family vacation at Disney World requires careful planning. There are so many things to see and do that it's necessary to have a plan to follow. There are also tips to save money at Disney World, which ordinarily can get very expensive. When planning your trip, keep in mind that certain seasons are busier and more crowded. You may want to take advantage of Extra Magic Hour, which allows you to avoid long lines. To save money on food, bring your own snacks and drinks into the park. For a free ride, use the Disney buses courtesy of Disney World Resort. If you would like to learn more about time-saving and inexpensive suggestions for a vacation at Disney World, consult the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.
With its magnificent four theme parks - Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom - Disney World is definitely one of the most popular spots for a family vacation. A family vacation at Disney World is very complex and can turn out to be pretty expensive in the end. This is why you have to plan everything carefully to make sure you don't miss any spectacular event to get good value for your money. Here are a few tips to help you out with the planning.
Pick Your Vacation Time Carefully
If you're planning a family vacation at Disney World, be careful when picking the time of year. There are three main things you should take into account: how crowded the place is (especially in peak time), the heat and the park's schedule.
Pick the Park You Visit According to the Extra Magic Hour
The Extra Magic Hour is a special time during the early operating hours of Disney World. Every day one out of the four parks opens early only for the guests staying at the Disney World resort. If you're entitled to go, get there in time, as you'll be able to ride you favorite rides without standing in huge lines. However, if you're not or you can't get up early enough, avoid that park for the whole day, as it will be more crowded than usual.
Get There Early
This is a general advice you should follow if you choose a family vacation at Disney World. This advice is very important especially for the water parks and Animal Kingdom, which close early.
Bring Snacks and Drinks
You can save some money by bringing some snacks and drinks along, as your kids will probably need to drink lots of liquids on a hot day.
Use Fastpass
At the entrance of your favorite ride, you'll notice two signs: 'Standby Entrance: 30 minutes' and 'Fastpass return: 2 p.m.'. If you use ordinary tickets, you have to stand in line for half an hour, while with Fastpass you get to return at 2 p.m. and explore some other attractions in the meantime.
Use Disney Transportation
If you're staying at the Disney World resort, you can use Disney buses to get from one park to another and back to the hotel. They run at least every 20 minutes, they're free and they have air conditioning inside.
For more advice on a family vacation at Disney World, you can use the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, a well-known book that can guide you through all the attractions. The book is updated every year and you can carry it around with you to get useful tips and details about every Disney attraction, tailored to five age groups.
Pick Your Vacation Time Carefully
If you're planning a family vacation at Disney World, be careful when picking the time of year. There are three main things you should take into account: how crowded the place is (especially in peak time), the heat and the park's schedule.
Pick the Park You Visit According to the Extra Magic Hour
The Extra Magic Hour is a special time during the early operating hours of Disney World. Every day one out of the four parks opens early only for the guests staying at the Disney World resort. If you're entitled to go, get there in time, as you'll be able to ride you favorite rides without standing in huge lines. However, if you're not or you can't get up early enough, avoid that park for the whole day, as it will be more crowded than usual.
Get There Early
This is a general advice you should follow if you choose a family vacation at Disney World. This advice is very important especially for the water parks and Animal Kingdom, which close early.
Bring Snacks and Drinks
You can save some money by bringing some snacks and drinks along, as your kids will probably need to drink lots of liquids on a hot day.
Use Fastpass
At the entrance of your favorite ride, you'll notice two signs: 'Standby Entrance: 30 minutes' and 'Fastpass return: 2 p.m.'. If you use ordinary tickets, you have to stand in line for half an hour, while with Fastpass you get to return at 2 p.m. and explore some other attractions in the meantime.
Use Disney Transportation
If you're staying at the Disney World resort, you can use Disney buses to get from one park to another and back to the hotel. They run at least every 20 minutes, they're free and they have air conditioning inside.
For more advice on a family vacation at Disney World, you can use the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, a well-known book that can guide you through all the attractions. The book is updated every year and you can carry it around with you to get useful tips and details about every Disney attraction, tailored to five age groups.
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