Walt Disney World: Disney “Insider Tips”

This will be my last post about my AWESOME Disney trip. I thought that I’d have more insider tips, but it turns out that many of the things that we experienced aren’t really available every day. (We all joked that it’s going to be difficult to go back to the Parks as “regular” visitors after being treated so “VIP” for those few days…)

I did pick up a few tips though:

-You can cut the wait time for rides with Disney’s FASTPASS. All you do is insert your Park ticket into the FASTPASS kiosk at the various rides. You’ll get a ticket with a return time when you come back and get in the FASTPASS line (which is a little to no wait time). Best of all, it’s totally free.

-You can leave your camera at home with Disney’s PhotoPass Service. Basically, professional photographers throughout the various parks will take pictures of you that you can claim online later. (You get the PhotoPass card -which has a unique i.d. number - from the first photographer and reuse it for the rest of the day throughout the Parks.) After your visit, you can order prints and/or various photo items online and have them delivered to you.

-September and January are the best (rate-wise) times to visit the Parks. Since there are less people, the rates are the lowest. They also offer various special promotions during those months (i.e. in September, there was a free dining promotion when you stayed at one of the Disney resorts…).

-You can find some of the best offers directly on their website.

-Don’t assume that you can’t afford Disney. A family of four can stay for as little (or as much depending on who’s doing the budget!) as $1700 which includes a Disney hotel, Park admission and airport pick-up.

And my favorite tip…

-Use Disney’s Moms Panel when planning your trip. You can ask specific questions on a wide variety of topics (including budgeting!) and they’ll get you the answers. (Laura S., a panelist who was with our group throughout the weekend, was like a walking Disney encyclopedia!)

In any event, I had a blast at Walt Disney World and I’m looking forward to returning with my family within the next couple of years.