How to optimize our Disney Trip

by Matthew
(Texas)

"Planning a trip for 6 people in June of 2019 (4 kids, 2 adults). Any suggestions on how we can best optimize our trip??"

A Tall Order

Woodie says that's a pretty tall order - Photo by Brett Svenson

Wow Matthew, that's kind of a tall order to talk about how to optimize a Disney Trip. In fact, I wrote a whole book about just that subject.

 

So, lets dive in and see what we can do to help you optimize your Disney World trip.

When to go

The first thing to do is to choose the best time to visit Disney World. This can make a huge difference in how well your trip goes. Choosing a good week can save you money and a whole lot of time.

Dad's Best Time to Visit Disney World page

I know you've already chosen some time in June, but if you have any leeway, earlier in the month is better.

Dad's Rules

The next thing you need to do is to learn Dad's Rules for the Theme Parks.

The rules are pretty Simple and self explanatory, but are the basis of optimizing any day in the parks.

#1 - Get to the parks early - yesterday (July 6) one of my writers (Kim) was at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Here's what Kim posted about her getting to the parks early experience...

This morning I arrived at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 6am for Extra Magic Hours rope drop at 7. I was on Slinky Dog Dash by 7am, Alien Swirling Saucers, Toy Story Mania, Rock ‘n Roller 3x, Tower of Terror 2x, signed the kids up for Jedi Training, and I’m headed to Star Tours all before 9 am with no FastPass.

I talk a lot about a Nine by Noon Challenge. It's usually done in the Magic Kingdom, but she accomplished it by 9 am at Hollywood Studios. That's really impressive.

Just look at all Kim did by getting to the parks early. She rode all the new rides in Toy Story Land, Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster multiple times, and got the kids signed up for one of the most difficult to get experiences at DHS.

All by 9 am!

I'm not sure she could have ridden all of those rides in the same day if she would have started at 10 am instead of 7. It would have taken at least 8 hours and maybe more and she did it in 2.

GET TO THE PARKS EARLY!

#1a - Have a PLAN - My book is all about creating YOUR PLAN. The reason Kim was able to ride all the rides she did was she had a PLAN. She was methodical. She went to Slinky Dog Dash, followed by Alien Swirling Saucers, followed by Toy Story Mania, very methodical and the perfect way to do Toy Story Land.

Then she hightailed it over to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (the next busiest ride) and rode it, and then to Tower of Terror.

All done by 9 am because she had a good PLAN.

#2 - Ride the busy rides first - if you follow rule #1, this will save you a ton of time. Kim saved hours, because she picked the busiest rides in the park and rode them first. By 9 am she was through with all the rides that would have hour long lines by noon.

If you are in the parks early be sure to ride the rides that have the long lines first. Which rides would that be? Good question.

Dad's Busy Rides at WDW page

This only works if you follow rule #1. Arrive at noon or later and it doesn't matter.

#3 - Learn to use FastPass+ - FastPass+ a great tool to optimize your day in the parks. You can actually schedule when to ride select attractions. You can make up to 3 FastPass+ reservations each day. It can really be helpful in avoiding long lines.

Dad's FastPass+ page

FastPass+ is a great tool if used wisely.

Dad's Bottom Line

You can do a lot to optimize your vacation. These 4 little tips will save you hours each day. There are a bunch more tips in the book. Trust me, it will help.