Disneyland is a dream destination for tourists all over the planet. They all have stars in their eyes after watching their favourite Disney production, whether it’s the Haunted Mansion or the adventures of Donald Duck. Disney World can offer your family memories that they will treasure forever, but it can also be an endurance sport that takes everything out of you.
To turn your Disney World Tour from a gruelling experience into a fun fantasy, you need to plan it with military precision. First, you have to find a place to stay. A good option is a hotel on the park, since this gives you easy access to park attractions and reduces your chances of waiting in line when the park opens.
What’s the best time to visit?
Since visiting Disney World can be expensive, families often have to save up for the trip. Right now, there’s a large proportion of Disney adherents preparing for Disney’s 50th Anniversary in 2021. There’ll be tons of Jubilee Celebration specials, but it also means the park will be swarming. You might want to wait until the fanfare dies down.
In the past, January was considered a good time to visit, because everyone was at home recovering from Christmas festivities. However, January 2018 showed a 10% spike in Disney World attendance, so it’s not really an off-peak period anymore. Instead, look at annual Disney World calendars for promotions and discounts, planning around them.
Which attractions should you see?
This is a tricky question. It’s not possible to explore the whole of Disneyland in a single visit. There’s way too much to do, and if you come in with this approach, you’ll only stress yourself worrying about all the stuff you didn’t get to see. Plus, you spend a lot of time in lines, so you need to strategize on which queue you want to be in.
If you can, plan on multiple visits, but if this isn’t an option, prioritise. For a one-day family trip, let each family member draft their ‘must-see’ then go on those. It’s easier to juggle four attractions than 24. Everyone can add a back-up attraction, just in case there’s time. Of course the best way to visit Disney World – if you can afford it – is to spend a whole week.
What should you bring?
Visiting Disney World is a very physical adventure. You’ll be walking around a lot, experiencing multiple rides, grabbing lots of souvenirs, and eating yourself sick. To conserve your energy and leave room for all that Disney swag, carry as little luggage as possible. The absolute essentials are a camera phone with lots of memory and a charger. Bring two or three power banks. You can also carry a charger cable, since you can plug it in when you stop for something to eat. If you have kids, pack a strong leash.
Exploring Disney World can be the most exciting thing you’ve ever done … or the most draining. Plan ahead and you’re sure to have a grand ole time.