Disney World: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets
If you are planning a trip to Disney World, check out the list of our personally tried and tested Disney World tips, tricks, and secrets:
Table of Contents
Target Gift Cards
If you have Target Red card, you know that you save 5% on all purchases. That includes Disney gifts cards. You can buy enough gift cards to pay off your Disney trip. It is just like getting a 5% discount on your Disney vacation. Or do what I do: I usually buy a gift card every time I go to Target and then I use them for meals and souvenirs. You can consolidate all of your cards into one here: https://disneygiftcard.com.
Saving Money on Souvenirs
If you like Disney merchandise but hate paying Disney park prices, check out two Disney’s Character Warehouse stores (outlets): one on Vineland, another one on International Drive. I prefer the one on Vineland as it is closer to Disney property and it is larger than the other one.
There you can find some heavily discounted merchandise. Some of the items are still being sold at the parks. My favorite find? $1.99 hoodies.
Make sure to get there early as it gets crowded.
Disney’s Character Warehouse, Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, 8200 Vineland Ave #1252, Orlando, FL 32821
Disney’s Character Warehouse, Orlando International Premium Outlets, 4969 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819
Saving Money on Snacks and Water
(this works for Universal as well). You can have bottled water and various food items delivered to your resort. They are several delivery options available, but I prefer Amazon Prime Now. You can order a case of water ($3 per bottle in the parks vs $5 for 24-pack), yogurt, chips, fresh fruit, milk, cereal etc – all significantly cheaper than purchasing these items at the resorts/parks. Just note that Disney resorts charge a $5 fee if your items are left at the bell services to be delivered to your room. To avoid this, track your Amazon order via Prime Now app and then meet the driver in the resort lobby. If you need delivery address, you can find it on the resort’s website.
Bounce Back Offer
Did you know there are special savings on future visits available only to current Disney guests? It is usually either room rate saving or free dining offer that can only be booked if you stay on Disney property, by 10pm on your check out day. The information on the discount is found in the in-room fliers (they are usually on the table or the dresser in the room). Best part? You can transfer your booking to your travel agent so (s)he can assist you with your dream vacation planning.
Landry Select Club
If you are planning on dining at Rainforest Café (Animal Kingdom entrance & Disney Springs), T-Rex Cafe (Disney Springs) or Yak and Yeti Restaurant (Animal Kingdom), consider signing up for Landry Select Club. You will earn points for each dollar you spend at these restaurants (and more, they have locations all over the country) and you will get $25 birthday reward. However, the best feature of this card (for me, at least) is the priority seating. Meaning, even If you do not have a reservation at these restaurants, you will be seated almost right away, no matter how long the wait list is. Be prepared for some dagger stares as you get escorted to your table ahead of everyone else 🙂.
It costs $25 to purchase the membership, but that $25 gets loaded to your card to use at any of Landry’s restaurants.
My Disney Experience Mobile App
Make sure to download this app before your Disney trip. It has tons of very useful features: GPS-enabled maps with turn-by-turn directions, wait times, park times, character locations. You can use it to find restaurant menus and make dining reservations or place mobile orders, you can reserve Lighting Lane pass via the app, you can see your PhotoPass pictures and so much more.
Disney Chase Visa Card
Another great way to save on Disney vacation is to open a Disney Chase Visa credit card.
There are two card options:
- Disney Visa Card lets you earn 1% in Disney Reward Dollars on all purchases. This card has no annual fee. Get $50 statement credit after first purchase.
- Disney Premier Visa Card lets you earn 2% in Disney Reward Dollars on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney locations, and 1% on all other purchases. $49 annual fee. Get $200 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
You can redeem Redeem Rewards Dollars toward Disney experiences such as Disney Theme Park tickets, resort stays, shopping, dining, movies and more.
Both cards come with such great perks as:
- 6 months 0% financing on Disney vacation packages
- 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more at select locations and 10% off select dining locations most days at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.
- Exclusive photo opportunities with Disney or Star Wars characters, held in private locations at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts
- 10% off select Disney Cruise Line digital photo packages
and more
Entering the Parks Before Opening Time
If you want to snap a few pictures without crowds in the background or be the first person in line to your favorite ride, consider making breakfast reservations in park’s restaurants prior to the park’s opening time.
You can search for restaurants that accept breakfast reservation here.
There will be a separate line at the entrance for guests with breakfast reservations.
Buttons
If you are celebrating a special event, make sure to stop by Guest Services or check-in area at your Disney resort to pick up a free button to commemorate the occasion. You might receive a treat or a magic surprise from the Cast Members when wearing it.
We got quite a few cupcakes at the restaurants when we were celebrating my daughter’s 5th birthday at Disney World.
Please note that the special treatment is not guaranteed and it is totally up to the Cast Members.
These are the currently available button options:
- 1st Visit
- I’m Celebrating
- Happily Ever After
- Happy Birthday!
Club Cool
Want to try soft drinks from around the world? Head to Club Cool at Epcot’s World Celebration where you get free samples of these Coca-Cola products:
- Krest Ginger Ale from Mozambique
- Fanta Kolita from Costa Rica
- Beverly from Italy
- Vegeta Beta from Japan
- Kinley Lemon from Israel
- Lift Apple from Mexico
- Smart Watermelon from China
- Mezzo Mix from Germany
Kidcot Fun Stops
Kidcot Fun Stops are educational activity stations located in each country of World Showcase in Epcot. They are a great way to occupy the younger guests. With art supplies provided at each pavilion, they can draw, color and collect activity cards at every country.
Pick up a complimentary Ziploc bag that looks like luggage to keep the cards in at your first stop.
Once you have collected the cards from all 11 countries, stop by any Kidcot station to collect a special surprise.
This activity is absolutely free.
Rider Switch
Most of the rides at Disney World offer a Rider Switch meaning that if your child does not meet the height requirement or too scared to ride a particular attraction, one adult can wait with the child while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. When the other adult returns, they can supervise the child, and the waiting adult can board the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again!
Just let the cast member at the ride entrance know that you want to use the Rider Switch and (s)he will scan your MagicBands to add the Rider Switch pass to your My Disney Experience account. This pass allows the person who was waiting with the child to use the Lighting Lane. Make sure all of your party is present (riders and non-rides) when you approach the cast member.
Single Rider Line
These three rides have a Single Rider Line:
- Test Track at Epcot
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios
- Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom
Disney uses this line to fill in all seats on these rides.
Single Rider Line usually moves faster than the regular line, so if you don’t mind being separated from your party, or you are enjoying the park by yourself, head to this line for a shorter wait time.
Pixie Dust Sprinkle
Want to treat your little princess to a special surprise? Stop by Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom and a Fairy Godmother in Training will happily sprinkle her with pixie dust as she makes a wish. This magical treatment is absolutely free.
Baby Care Centers
Traveling with young kids, and need a clean, quiet, air-conditioned place to change a diaper, feed your baby, or just take a break from heat and crowds? Head to the Baby Care Center. There is one in each park. Refer to the parks map to locate them.
Open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary to use and
includes:
- Private nursing room with rocking chairs
- Changing room with tables and a women’s restroom
- A bathroom with toddler-sized toilets (less scary for young children than auto-flush toilets in the regular restrooms)
- Feeding area with highchairs
- Kitchen with microwave and sink
- Main room with television, table and seating
- On-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing for purchase
Need help planning a magical vacation? Our travel planning services are always free.
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