What are your best Disney tips for a “lazy” planner….

[busy mom]

Honestly, I don’t have the time or energy to plan a Disney trip, but still want to have a low stress, enjoyable (March) WDW vacation.

I know a lot has changed since my last visit almost 10 years ago, and honestly feel overwhelmed by it all.

I would love to hear your “bare minimum” planning tips to help with our (adult only) visit, specifically with trips to the parks.

Our off-site accommodations are booked, so we are all set with that. But I have no clue where to start with plans for the parks. We would also love to visit Disney Springs.

We aren’t planning any sit down meals, and enjoy sitting at the bar and enjoying appetizers for dinner. Can this be done without reservations?

Our goal is to “wing it” as much as it is possible these days.

Any tips that you feel would be showstoppers are appreciated!

 

[The Foolish Mortal]

By low stress I assume you mean minimal effort. At a minimum, you should purchase park tickets and make park reservations in advance. Otherwise, if you wait until you are there, its possible any given park is sold out for the day. You're staying off site, so you probably want to think about your transport (I assume you have a car). But really, I don't think you have to do any other planning if you want to keep it easy. There is plenty more advance planning you could do, but its not necessary. Book those park days in advance, show up, eat quick serve (and don't worry about dining reservations), and get in lines for the attractions you want to experience or don't and just enjoy taking in all the ambiance and theming. have fun!

 

[gharter]

March is Spring Break. It generally is very crowded.
Not planning ahead, in general, will not go well unless you don't care what you do or where you eat.
You mentioned just sitting at a bar for snacks. If you are thinking of doing that at prime time, it can be difficult. Off hours, are very doable.
At minimum, I would get park reservations (you can't enter any park with out one), and ADRs IF you want to dine at a TS restaurant. If you are only doing QS, then be sure you know how to use mobile ordering. It save a lot of time.

 

[JenBush]

I’d say book park reservations, plan to rope drop if that’s your thing, and get familiar with the app (know the basics of navigating the app, know how mobile ordering food works, maybe also read up a bit on Lightning lane)

 

[acebatonfan]

My most important lazy-trip plans are having park reservations for each day and ADRs. Stuff can be changed during the trip, especially when people cancel reservations the day before to avoid cancellation fees, but it's better to have at least something planned out instead of nothing, especially during busier times. Those mid-afternoon lunches to get away from the crowds are a day saver.

 

[sponica]

I'm a hybrid between excessive planner and no plans.

I like to have a rough idea of where I'll be on what day, and what/where I'll be eating so personally, I'd book a few ADRs or at least the morning of see what's available for dinner.

Get tickets, get park reservations and then go where the spirit moves you. Most of my trips were in paper fast pass days, so my default approach to WDW is "there will be lines".

 

[loves to dive]

We are on the fly type people and never plan anything except park reservations and those are kind of fluid. We always have park hoppers so we just book any park for any day knowing we are going to hop at 2. We also do not book ADRs in advance, we like lounges as well.

You can walk up to HBD lounge (it's outside) at HS and get your name on a wait list if it's crowded. They will text you when your table is ready and will tell you approx. how long your wait will be. The same for Nomad Lounge in AK, it has outside and inside seating. Both are pretty popular but the longest I've waited for a table has been 45 min. No lounges in MK but there is a nice on at Grand Floridian which is pretty popular and is a walk up. Also one at the Contemp. attached to what used to be the Wave. Epcot - well that is a different creature. Flower and Garden Festival will be happening from March 2 to July 4th so there will be lots of booths you can graze at (which is what I do for at least one meal a day every single day). They can range from about $5 to about $10 and we tend to share so we can sample a lot. There is also Spice Road Tables which you can walk up to and get seated most of the time. It is small plates, our favorite. I've had pretty good luck finding TS the day of, the trick for us is park hoppers and being adults if it's latish at night it's no problem.

Just know, you will most likely have to deal with standing in lines for rides that can get pretty long. If you are relaxed about the whole thing and take some of your time to look around a notice the details you will have a pretty good time.

 

[revdon64]

Stress-free Disney vacation? Stay home and watch Disney+

 

[Pyxie]

Get a travel agent to handle the more complicated stuff for you.

 

[busy mom]

Thanks for the great suggestions.

Do we need ADRs for counter-service restaurants?

 

[Turksmom]

Thanks for the great suggestions.

Do we need ADRs for counter-service restaurants?

No reservations for counter service, but most suggest mobile ordering

 

[gharter]

Thanks for the great suggestions.

Do we need ADRs for counter-service restaurants?

No. I do recommend using mobile ordering instead of walk up for counter service dining. Most restaurants strongly encourage it.
We usually put in our order mid morning while waiting in a queue.

 

[busy mom]

My apologies, but which app is that?

 

[nicksinger8]

I see you want to wing it and are not necessarily against an early start! Getting to the park before opening (for rope drop) is the most important part. Since the introduction of early entry for Disney guests this isn't the advantage it used to be, but fact is - the park just gets busier during the day. You'll get the most done prior to lunch and then, if you have been able to do 4 or 5 of your favourite rides before lunch, then meander, take in the atmosphere and maybe do some shopping.

 

[danceintherain]

You can ride stuff without planning a lot in advance, but it depends on what you want to ride.
If you don't care what you ride or see, then just making sure you have tickets and park reservations should be sufficient. But, I would probably double check that nobody in your group cares and/or is willing to wait in at least a few long lines.
For example, my Mom doesn't care much, except she loves Soarin and Flights of Passage. Soarin shouldn't be too difficult, but Flights of Passage requires some planning and knowledge of when to ride.

Traveling with all adults is great, but I would at least make sure everyone's expectations are reasonable going in. My parents are traveling with my Aunt and Uncle who go to Disneyland regularly. I have a feeling that there will be a bit of a confusion as they realize WDW is nothing like DL, especially when they don't end up using the park hoppers they insisted they needed....

 

[DisneyFive]

If you are a lazy planner, then my suggestion is to go into your trip with low expectations. Not sounding rude, but that’s the reality of it. Go in with low expectations and then you can’t help but be pleasantly surprised.(I hope)

In my experience, those that enjoy Walt Disney World the most are those that put effort into their vacation before they arrive. They are the ones that reap most from all that $$$ they just shelled out for a vacation

Dan