This is just my advice. Always do what is best for your family! We go in September, so this advice is geared towards hotter days
#1 If possible, take the kids out of school and go during Value Seasons. Stay at a value resort to save more. Anything Disney should be great! Look for FREE Dining.
#2 Get a Disney dining plan. We have used the quick service every time we have gone.
#3 Pack easy breakfast foods or use dining plan snacks for breakfast0 items such as bagels/pastries if you only have 2 meals on your plan (poptarts, donuts, cereal bars, oatmeal, etc...
#4 Take a backpack for things like passes, camera, money, sunscreen, bottled water, sunglasses, ponchos, needed medicines, hats etc..* (pack into ziploc baggies in case you get wet on rides or anything spills)
#5 Purchase ponchos beforehand (take larger ziploc baggies to pack them back into once opened). It can rain anytime in Florida. If you wake up and it's pouring, grab your kids and the ponchos and head to a park. Chances are lines will be shorter.
#6 Sleep in later to avoid crowds.
#7 Eat later or earlier than other people to avoid crowds in dining areas. Just ask and the staff will tell you their busiest times. Hotel restaurants are very busy when the parks close.
#8 Go to the pool in the mornings after breakfast and they won't be so crowded. BUT keep watch of each parks special shows, events, or parades that may be in the morning that you don't want to miss.
#9 Head to parks a little before or after lunch = less wait for rides/shows and less time in heat. Plus, many families with younger kids will head back shortly after dinner. Animal Kingdom has limited hours anyway so you may want to head there pretty early.
#10 We take a look at the bus lines. We don't go to the parks with extended hours that day or special events like major concerts. They are usually more crowded anyway. Watch out for early closing hours at MK due to Mickeys NSS Halloween Party as well.
#11 Discover FASTPASS and use it! For example, at Hollywood Studios, the Toy Story Mania ride always has a long wait. Go there first and get your fast pass. Maybe hang around and do One Man's Dream, Backlot Tour, The Great Movie Ride, or the Art of Animation while waiting.
#12 I could probably go on forever so I will sum it up with, just try to be smart with your time and money and remember to enjoy your vacation.
#1 If possible, take the kids out of school and go during Value Seasons. Stay at a value resort to save more. Anything Disney should be great! Look for FREE Dining.
#2 Get a Disney dining plan. We have used the quick service every time we have gone.
#3 Pack easy breakfast foods or use dining plan snacks for breakfast0 items such as bagels/pastries if you only have 2 meals on your plan (poptarts, donuts, cereal bars, oatmeal, etc...
#4 Take a backpack for things like passes, camera, money, sunscreen, bottled water, sunglasses, ponchos, needed medicines, hats etc..* (pack into ziploc baggies in case you get wet on rides or anything spills)
#5 Purchase ponchos beforehand (take larger ziploc baggies to pack them back into once opened). It can rain anytime in Florida. If you wake up and it's pouring, grab your kids and the ponchos and head to a park. Chances are lines will be shorter.
#6 Sleep in later to avoid crowds.
#7 Eat later or earlier than other people to avoid crowds in dining areas. Just ask and the staff will tell you their busiest times. Hotel restaurants are very busy when the parks close.
#8 Go to the pool in the mornings after breakfast and they won't be so crowded. BUT keep watch of each parks special shows, events, or parades that may be in the morning that you don't want to miss.
#9 Head to parks a little before or after lunch = less wait for rides/shows and less time in heat. Plus, many families with younger kids will head back shortly after dinner. Animal Kingdom has limited hours anyway so you may want to head there pretty early.
#10 We take a look at the bus lines. We don't go to the parks with extended hours that day or special events like major concerts. They are usually more crowded anyway. Watch out for early closing hours at MK due to Mickeys NSS Halloween Party as well.
#11 Discover FASTPASS and use it! For example, at Hollywood Studios, the Toy Story Mania ride always has a long wait. Go there first and get your fast pass. Maybe hang around and do One Man's Dream, Backlot Tour, The Great Movie Ride, or the Art of Animation while waiting.
#12 I could probably go on forever so I will sum it up with, just try to be smart with your time and money and remember to enjoy your vacation.