1. Get there early! Arrive at the park at least 15-20 minutes before park opening. You'll get to see the Opening Ceremony complete with characters and confetti then proceed to walk on several rides that will have long lines about 1-2 hours later. I always specify which rides to hit first when preparing my client's daily itinerary.
2. Don't take your young children on Space Mountain first. Yes, they might be thrill seekers and, they might be tall enough to ride, but if they've never ridden Space Mountain, riding it first at 9:00 in the morning might scare them enough to give them anxiety about all rides for the rest of the day. Even kids who love roller coasters can get freaked out on Space Mountain because, sister, its dark in there! What often happens is that kids then don't trust any other "dark rides" even those like Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh because the child can't see what's coming. If you are excited to take your child on Space Mountain, wait until later in the afternoon.
3. Buy the fun balloon on your first day. The giant Disney balloons sold on Main Street are just too cute and tempting! If you're going to drop 10 bucks on a giant balloon, you might as well get some enjoyment out of it! We always buy our balloon the first day, tie it to the stroller to help locate where you parked it and enjoy it in your hotel room for the rest of the week. You won't be able to take it with you on the airplane.
4. Wait out the rain. No matter what month you are visiting Orlando, you might get some rain at the parks. If you are prepared with your waterproof ponchos and suit up when the rain starts, wait it out! Outdoor rides such as Big Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain will close temporarily as long as its raining, but will reopen as soon as the rain stops. Some guests will keep there place in line, but many will bail and you'll be there to swoop in and take their spot when the ride reopens!
5. Stop by City Hall near the park entrance to get your free button. They have Birthday, My First Visit, Family Reunion and other buttons that make the kids feel special. Plus, if your child is wearing a button they are likely to be given special attention by Cast Members throughout the park that day!
6. Take breaks. There's so much magic going on all around you its not uncommon to want to press on and not miss a thing! But you and your young ones will be happier if you take some time for a break. Even just sitting to enjoy some popcorn, Mickey Ears ice cream or a Dole Whip will recharge you! Of course, time your break before a parade and you can take a load off while you wait for more magic to begin.
7. It's not all about the rides! I know many guests who try to power through the rides competition-style making sure to maximize ride time by the minute. Before you set foot in the park, talk to your family about what is most important to them to see and do! You may find out that meeting Tinkerbell and watching the fireworks are higher on your kids priority lists than you thought. Disney World is SO much more than just rides! Don't miss the shows, parades, character greetings, treats, interactive games like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and more.
8. Get in the Single Rider line. Many popular rides will have a single rider line which is much shorter than the regular "standby" line. Particularly if your kids are old enough to ride alone, or if you're going on a ride for the second time and already rode together once, you can save a ton of time in Single Rider. Rides like Test Track at Epcot are great for this as each car holds 6 people, so even single rider you are likely to ride with at least one family member or friend if they have spots for 2 in a car.
9. Take advantage of Rider Switch/Baby Switch. Many people don't know that Disney parks offer a Rider Switch option for many rides that adults or older children want to ride but they have a younger child who can't or doesn't want to. This gives the group the option for one person or group to ride while the others stay with the non-rider, then they switch, without having to wait all the way back at the end of the standby line. Because it works different for each ride, just ask a Disney Cast Member at the ride where you need to go to do Rider Switch and they'll walk you right through it. Big kids don't have to miss out on the big rides just because the little ones can't go!
10. Bring rain ponchos for everyone and buy decent quality ones and not cheap ponchos that will tear the first time to wear them. Ponchos are great for water rides such as Kali River Rapids and even Splash Mountain if you want to stay dry (even though what's the fun in that?!) and of course handy during the intermittent rain storm. If you forget your ponchos, the Mickey Mouse ones they sell at the parks are pretty cute, good quality and a fun souvenir.
2. Don't take your young children on Space Mountain first. Yes, they might be thrill seekers and, they might be tall enough to ride, but if they've never ridden Space Mountain, riding it first at 9:00 in the morning might scare them enough to give them anxiety about all rides for the rest of the day. Even kids who love roller coasters can get freaked out on Space Mountain because, sister, its dark in there! What often happens is that kids then don't trust any other "dark rides" even those like Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh because the child can't see what's coming. If you are excited to take your child on Space Mountain, wait until later in the afternoon.
3. Buy the fun balloon on your first day. The giant Disney balloons sold on Main Street are just too cute and tempting! If you're going to drop 10 bucks on a giant balloon, you might as well get some enjoyment out of it! We always buy our balloon the first day, tie it to the stroller to help locate where you parked it and enjoy it in your hotel room for the rest of the week. You won't be able to take it with you on the airplane.
4. Wait out the rain. No matter what month you are visiting Orlando, you might get some rain at the parks. If you are prepared with your waterproof ponchos and suit up when the rain starts, wait it out! Outdoor rides such as Big Thunder Mountain & Splash Mountain will close temporarily as long as its raining, but will reopen as soon as the rain stops. Some guests will keep there place in line, but many will bail and you'll be there to swoop in and take their spot when the ride reopens!
5. Stop by City Hall near the park entrance to get your free button. They have Birthday, My First Visit, Family Reunion and other buttons that make the kids feel special. Plus, if your child is wearing a button they are likely to be given special attention by Cast Members throughout the park that day!
6. Take breaks. There's so much magic going on all around you its not uncommon to want to press on and not miss a thing! But you and your young ones will be happier if you take some time for a break. Even just sitting to enjoy some popcorn, Mickey Ears ice cream or a Dole Whip will recharge you! Of course, time your break before a parade and you can take a load off while you wait for more magic to begin.
7. It's not all about the rides! I know many guests who try to power through the rides competition-style making sure to maximize ride time by the minute. Before you set foot in the park, talk to your family about what is most important to them to see and do! You may find out that meeting Tinkerbell and watching the fireworks are higher on your kids priority lists than you thought. Disney World is SO much more than just rides! Don't miss the shows, parades, character greetings, treats, interactive games like Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom and more.
8. Get in the Single Rider line. Many popular rides will have a single rider line which is much shorter than the regular "standby" line. Particularly if your kids are old enough to ride alone, or if you're going on a ride for the second time and already rode together once, you can save a ton of time in Single Rider. Rides like Test Track at Epcot are great for this as each car holds 6 people, so even single rider you are likely to ride with at least one family member or friend if they have spots for 2 in a car.
9. Take advantage of Rider Switch/Baby Switch. Many people don't know that Disney parks offer a Rider Switch option for many rides that adults or older children want to ride but they have a younger child who can't or doesn't want to. This gives the group the option for one person or group to ride while the others stay with the non-rider, then they switch, without having to wait all the way back at the end of the standby line. Because it works different for each ride, just ask a Disney Cast Member at the ride where you need to go to do Rider Switch and they'll walk you right through it. Big kids don't have to miss out on the big rides just because the little ones can't go!
10. Bring rain ponchos for everyone and buy decent quality ones and not cheap ponchos that will tear the first time to wear them. Ponchos are great for water rides such as Kali River Rapids and even Splash Mountain if you want to stay dry (even though what's the fun in that?!) and of course handy during the intermittent rain storm. If you forget your ponchos, the Mickey Mouse ones they sell at the parks are pretty cute, good quality and a fun souvenir.