Growing up, Enrique went to Disney Magic Kingdom with his family every year.  It has quickly become a tradition for the Landaeta kids.  While Disney is great, it can be exhausting and expensive.  As a Disney veteran (this is our 6th trip with the kids), I wanted to share 10 tips for planning a day at Disney Magic Kingdom.

Tip 1 – Plan Ahead and Make Reservations

The character meals, especially those at Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table, get booked quickly and require a reservation.  You can make reservations months in advance by calling 407-939-3463.  As soon as you confirm your travel dates, make your reservation.

Tip 2 – Save Money on Theme Park Tickets

The theme park tickets are expensive.  There is peak and off-peak pricing depending on which week you visit the park.  Here are ways you can save:

• Check the Disney Offers Available on Plum Benefits:  Plum Benefits is a discount program offered by some companies.  Your Human Resources person  can provide you the instructions for registering.  The Disney offers available through Plum Benefits vary depending on the time of year.  It’s worth checking them out before you purchase your tickets.
• Purchase Multi-Day or Multi-Park Tickets:  You receive a discount based on the number of days and parks you’re visiting.
• Sign Up for the Disney Visa Credit Card:  Receive a $200 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months when you enroll using this link.  If you need convincing, here’s the math — if you go to Disney the first week in April (a peak week), 1-day tickets for a family of 4 are $504.  This ticket purchase alone qualifies you for the $200 credit, which means you only pay $304 or $76 per person.

Tip 3 – Save on Disney Merchandise at the Disney Outlet and Orlando-area Walmart

Walmart stores in Orlando, especially those closest to the Disney parks, have a great affordable assortment of official Disney merchandise and souvenirs, including t-shirts, hats, Mickey and Minnie plush toys, mugs, etc.  Stock up and save on matching Mickey t-shirts and plush at Walmart.

At the Disney theme park stores, you will see exclusive items you can’t buy any where else.  Treat yourself and your kids to these unique items with the money you saved at Walmart.  Aunt Suzie will not know her Mickey mug came from Walmart – trust me.

We purchased Sofia’s Elena dress and accessories at the Disney Outlet at the Bergen Town Center.  As Disney Visa members, we receive 10% off on purchases of $50 or more.  Sofia was so excited to see Elena at Disney that she wore her princess dress and shoes from 7AM-2:30PM.  Make sure you bring a change of clothes and comfortable shoes for your daughter.  Eventually, she will want to change her outfit.

Tip 4 – Purchase your Tickets Online with FREE Will Call Service

Don’t waste valuable time at the ticket window.  Order your tickets and select the FREE “Will Call” option.  There are dedicated Will Call pick up windows at the park entrance.  You simply provide them with your order confirmation number, ID and credit card to pick up your tickets.  Tell the Disney cast member that it’s your first visit or you’re celebrating a birthday for a FREE Disney button.

Tip 5 – Schedule your FastPasses

Each person receives 3 FastPasses.  Think of it as reserving your spot for an attraction.  You will have a one hour window assigned during which you can FastPass the line.  Use the FastPasses to reserve a spot for the more popular rides which have long wait times.  My favorites are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight and Enchanted Tales with Belle.  Keep in mind that each person needs to have a spot reserved and you’re only allowed to use the FastPass once during your assigned one hour window.  After you’ve used the first 3 FastPasses, you can schedule additional ones.

Tip 6 – Download the MyDisneyExperience App

This app is great because it lists the wait times for each ride,  provides a map of the park, and you can view the photos taken by the Disney photographers. It’s a great planning tool because you can see which attractions are close to you and the wait times.

Tip 7 – Hold Off on Purchasing the Memory Maker Photo Package

After you take your first pictures at the park and link them to the MyDisneyExperience app, you will be given the option to purchase the 1-Day Memory Maker package which is only $69.99, compared to +$100.  With the 1-Day Memory Maker package, you can download and print all of the videos and photos taken by the Disney photographers on a particular day.  It’s the best value and the pictures taken by the Disney photographers tend to look better than my iPhone pictures.

Tip 8 – Get to the Park Early

Our timeshare is 20 minutes from Disney Magic Kingdom.  We leave our timeshare at 7AM.  We are on the monorail from the parking lot to the park entrance by 7:30AM.  We pick up our double stroller and are in front of Cinderella’s Castle for the official park opening at 8AM.  There is an official welcome from Mickey, Minnie and the Disney Princesses.

This year, we got a FastPass to see Cinderella and Elena at 8:10AM, then headed to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (90 minutes), walked over to Enchanted Tales with Belle (60 minutes) and rode the Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid Ride (30 minutes).  Before noon, we rode one of the busiest roller coasters and saw three princesses.  If your kids are old enough and you’ll only be there one day, consider getting there when the park opens.

Tip 9 – Rent a Stroller

Lucas and Sofia are old enough that I don’t need to travel with a stroller.  But, they get tired waiting in line and walking around the park which means they get whiny and cranky.  The double stroller rental is $30.  It is large enough to accommodate napping 6 and 4 year olds.  It has a canopy for shade, and pockets to store your stuff.  The stroller rental is located at the park entrance below the Walt Disney World Railroad station.

Tip 10 – Don’t Miss the 3PM Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade and the 9PM Happily Ever After Fireworks  

All of the Disney princesses, Mickey, Minnie and friends are in the 3PM parade.  Sit on the right of the street in front of Cinderella’s Castle and you’ll have an awesome view.  You should get there around 2:15PM to get a good spot.

The fireworks and lighting of Cinderella’s Castle are at 9PM.  It tends to get crowded so plan to get a spot around 8:15PM.  The fireworks last about 20 minutes.  Consider bringing a towel with you to sit on during the shows.

I hope you find these tips helpful.  If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below and I will do my best to answer them.

Enjoy a magical day at my favorite place,

Jackie

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