What are your tips for saving time in the parks?

[SplashMo]

Plan your trip using best days for the parks and touring plans. I use easywdw.com and touringplans.com. In particular tourplans.com can generate a very nice plan for the MK if you wish to spend a day of planing mastering it.

Design your days around best parks for the day. Obtain FP+ and then obtain reservations for the parks you are in that day. Eat CS for many meals to save time.

Rope drop.

Park hop some to take advantage of the park that is open the latest.

Arrive with breakfast eaten and a water bottle in your bag.

 

[DisneyOma]

Walk between EPCOT & Studios

If you exit EPCOT via the International Gateway, there is a paved walkway all the way to the Studios that only takes around 20 minutes to get between the two parks. Beats going out the front of EPCOT, waiting on a bus then the ride to the Studios. Works on the way to EPCOT as well. You just enter through the International Gateway.

Left side of the queues

We always find (for whatever reason) the left side of most queues seem to go faster than the right. Have no idea why, though at Tower at the Studios, we always go to the left and seem to get on much faster than people in the right queue. Same at the Mansion at Magic.

There are boats that go between EPCOT and HS. No need to go to the front of EPCOT to get a bus if you don't want to walk.

Which attractions have two queues where one isn't designated for FP+? I can only think of BTMRR, and that choice is way down in the 'tunnel'. It does appear that the left side goes faster. They board people with disabilities that require a mobility device from the exit on that attraction, and that lines up with the right side.

 

[DrivenByDisney]

There are boats that go between EPCOT and HS. No need to go to the front of EPCOT to get a bus if you don't want to walk.

Which attractions have two queues where one isn't designated for FP+? I can only think of BTMRR, and that choice is way down in the 'tunnel'. It does appear that the left side goes faster. They board people with disabilities that require a mobility device from the exit on that attraction, and that lines up with the right side.

I know there are boats between EPCOT and Studios. They (to me) just take too long with all the stops. Of course if you don't want to walk I understand, though this was a time saving thread and walking there in 15-20 minutes is time saving, to me.

After you go through the preshow at Tower, there are two queues for both stand by and FP+ riders. I also find going left at parks them selves, for whatever reason, has always worked out for us when we go to a park for the day. However, we have not done this in some time since we just visit to go to certain areas, bars, restaurants, etc. for the most part these days.

 

[AshleeH]

I skimmed the answers, so forgive me if it's been suggested, but go counter-clockwise in the parks. It's a natural inclination for most people to go right - you might be going against the traffic, but you'll have slightly lower wait times if you time it right.

 

[NewbieMouse]

Left side of the queues

We always find (for whatever reason) the left side of most queues seem to go faster than the right. Have no idea why, though at Tower at the Studios, we always go to the left and seem to get on much faster than people in the right queue. Same at the Mansion at Magic.

I agree with DrivenbyDisney. I have no clue why, but it always seems like the lines on the left always go faster. shhhhhh......don't spread that around too much.

I remember learning about this in university in a course about human factors engineering - that there is a "right turn bias", and that people tend to turn right when given the option.

 

[glassslippergirl]

This really depends on preference and your goals for the trip, but if your priority is to get in as many attractions as possible, skip table service, and eat CS in parks. TS takes a minimum of 1 hour; buffets take closer to 2 hours. Leaving the park to eat (either staying on WDW property for a dining experience or going off property to save money) also eats up valuable park time. On the other hand, investing the time in a character meal can save time waiting to meet characters important to your kids, but this only applies if a dining option is available with that character.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I remember learning about this in university in a course about human factors engineering - that there is a "right turn bias", and that people tend to turn right when given the option.

If I remember correctly that's country specific. In the US, partially (or maybe mostly) because we drive that way and thus, tend to make a habit of it and walk that way as well.

 

[rastahomie]

Go during the off-season, arrive early, ride the most popular attractions first, eat before or after popular meal times, and for the love of whatever deity you worship, rent a car and don't rely on Disney transportation.

 

[HappyGal]

If dining at a buffet, ask for your check before you eat so you don't waste time waiting for it after you've finished eating.

 

[anneboleyn]

You not only saved time by doing this, but you saved that bus from getting sunburn! Good job!

I laughed way too hard for way too long at this lol