What is the one WDW hack you swear by?

HoneyBee1991

HoneyBee1991

Active Member
I know a lot of people will swear by something they love about vacationing at WDW. It is all based on our personal opinions and tastes. But it got me thinking about the main "hacks" and I am curious to find out what other people's preferences are. Maybe I'm missing some major benefits by not asking? Please let me know the one WDW hack you can't live without. Or if you have more than one please share those as well.

Personally, I have stayed on property and off property. I have used the meal plan and not used it. And I have used the Magic Express and rented a car. I have gone with and without park hopper option.

Examples:

**I preferred staying on property. Yes, I got a much nicer room for the same cost as a value resort but the benefits of staying on property were greatly missed. Since we rarely are at our hotel the trade off was not worth it.

**I prefer the meal plan. I've added up the costs and logically know I am spending more money by having it than paying out of pocket when I get there. However, it doesn't feel like it because I already have the food paid off with the vacation by the time I get there and don't have to stress about the money I am spending on food.

**We love having a car! I don't like waiting for the buses. Even when we are staying on property, I like being able to get up and go when I am ready to go. We also love Orlando and not just for Disney. The highway and traffic is very similar to what we have at home and I do not mind it at all. Plus, it makes park hopping much easier in my opinion.

**We need park hopping. We didn't use it for the first time last year and we regretted not adding it on day one. It is a must have, cannot do without option for us. We like to go to Animal Kingdom in the morning and at night but need some more park activities in the middle of the day. We will never go without them again.
 
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LMSB

LMSB

Well-Known Member
Souvenir said:
I could not agree more with those saying to use Uber or taxis instead of the bus. I take it one step further and skip using the Magical Express as well. We used it quite a few times before we got smart and gave up on it. The cost savings over taking a car service to and from the airport just is not worth it. When I've been up since before dawn, have dealt with my home city's traffic on the way to the airport, have been stuck in a cramped airplane seat for hours too close to coughing strangers, the last thing I want to do is wait in another line to get on a bus that is going to stay parked for 20-30 minutes while it slowly fills up and then we have to endure multiple stops before getting to our resort. At that point I just want to get where I'm going as quickly as possible. The trip back is even worse because we always seem to be the first or close to first picked up and then we have to stop at multiple resorts for additional passengers. This takes a ridiculous amount of time because there's always some issue with the driver having to unload all of the baggage and rearrange it to fit everything inside. Unless you're fortunate enough to have perfect timing with getting on an almost full bus last, and are the first stop on arrival day and the last stop on departure day, The Magical Express is not a very magical way to start or end a vacation.
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Have been thinking about skipping Magical Express, and just taking an Uber instead. Uber sounds so much easier, thanks!:D
 
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Minnie1986

Minnie1986

Well-Known Member
EnchantedRose said:
My number one tip that I tell ANYONE going to Disney is - Get to the parks when they open! You can accomplish so much in the morning. I know Disney can get a little tiring, but for us - we have always preferred to wake up early and get to the Parks at opening.

Take mid day breaks. With or without kids, you will be happy you did. Even if you think you don't need a break....take one.

When packing - lay out what you want to take & then remove HALF! I have learned this lesson the hard way....always over packing, not wearing half of what I packed. The only thing I take a few extras of, are T-shirts...because with kids, they always get them dirty. I also try to do laundry.....one afternoon while the kids are in the pool.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Again, another lesson I have learned the hard way! I used to NEVER take sneakers....just sandals, flip flops....and maybe the occasional pair of Toms....however, by day 2 or 3.....my feet would be KILLING ME. Now, I make sure I take a pair of comfy sneakers.....I can always change if I want.
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Have you tried Crocs flip flops? I alternated between three different pairs on my last WDW trip and swear by them. I, foolishly, wore ballet flats to DLP; not realizing how sizable it actually is. Will never be making that mistake again.
 
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ninjaprincesst

ninjaprincesst

Well-Known Member
EnchantedRose said:
My number one tip that I tell ANYONE going to Disney is - Get to the parks when they open! You can accomplish so much in the morning. I know Disney can get a little tiring, but for us - we have always preferred to wake up early and get to the Parks at opening.

Take mid day breaks. With or without kids, you will be happy you did. Even if you think you don't need a break....take one.

When packing - lay out what you want to take & then remove HALF! I have learned this lesson the hard way....always over packing, not wearing half of what I packed. The only thing I take a few extras of, are T-shirts...because with kids, they always get them dirty. I also try to do laundry.....one afternoon while the kids are in the pool.

WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Again, another lesson I have learned the hard way! I used to NEVER take sneakers....just sandals, flip flops....and maybe the occasional pair of Toms....however, by day 2 or 3.....my feet would be KILLING ME. Now, I make sure I take a pair of comfy sneakers.....I can always change if I want.
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The only thing I would disagree with is the packing, it's much better to have what you need than to be stuck doing laundry at Disney or paying Disney prices to buy more clothes, I have had disaster strike more than once where if I had not packed extra I would have had major problems.
 
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S

Souvenir

Well-Known Member
LMSB said:
Have been thinking about skipping Magical Express, and just taking an Uber instead. Uber sounds so much easier, thanks!:D
Click to expand...
There are also some car services that you can arrange in advance. This can be especially helpful if you need a larger vehicle because your group is large or if you're a heavy packer. Some will even make a pit stop on the way if you want to get groceries or other supplies.
 
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Hakunamatata

Hakunamatata

Le Meh
Premium Member
HoneyBee1991 said:
I know a lot of people will swear by something they love about vacationing at WDW. It is all based on our personal opinions and tastes. But it got me thinking about the main "hacks" and I am curious to find out what other people's preferences are. Maybe I'm missing some major benefits by not asking? Please let me know the one WDW hack you can't live without. Or if you have more than one please share those as well.

Personally, I have stayed on property and off property. I have used the meal plan and not used it. And I have used the Magic Express and rented a car. I have gone with and without park hopper option.

Examples:

**I preferred staying on property. Yes, I got a much nicer room for the same cost as a value resort but the benefits of staying on property were greatly missed. Since we rarely are at our hotel the trade off was not worth it.

**I prefer the meal plan. I've added up the costs and logically know I am spending more money by having it than paying out of pocket when I get there. However, it doesn't feel like it because I already have the food paid off with the vacation by the time I get there and don't have to stress about the money I am spending on food.

**We love having a car! I don't like waiting for the buses. Even when we are staying on property, I like being able to get up and go when I am ready to go. We also love Orlando and not just for Disney. The highway and traffic is very similar to what we have at home and I do not mind it at all. Plus, it makes park hopping much easier in my opinion.

**We need park hopping. We didn't use it for the first time last year and we regretted not adding it on day one. It is a must have, cannot do without option for us. We like to go to Animal Kingdom in the morning and at night but need some more park activities in the middle of the day. We will never go without them again.
Click to expand...
My favorite hack is when i hack into Buzz Lightyear and max my score.
 
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