Make the Most Out of a Walt Disney World Vacation

A trip to Walt Disney World becomes more expensive as time goes on. Here’s how to get your money’s worth.

Ride All the Rides

One of the main ways to save is to take advantage of fast passes, helpful when you try to do and see everything the park offers. A fast pass allows guests to skip the usually long wait and go in a dedicated lane at a set time. You can start with three for each park ticket and schedule more after you use them. If you want a better chance at getting a fast pass for newer rides, book 30 days in advance.

Make Smart Park Choices

All four Disney parks let guests explore different worlds. Some parks take longer to get through than others; some you can spend a full day and others you really only need a couple hours. This is where the Park Hopper ticket option comes in handy — it allows you to hop around to any parks in the same day.

Diner’s Club

If the family is planning on staying on property and expects to eat at least two meals a day in the parks or at one of the resorts, look into the meal plan. There are a bunch of different options for meal plans; pick the one that fits your vacation and family. The most common plans are a mixture of quick-service restaurants, sit-down restaurants and a snack. The meal plan is expensive upfront, but worth it if you plan on eating in the parks.

Use the App

Take advantage of the Disney World app. It provides a map of the park, shows the wait times for each ride and what rides may be temporarily closed for service. You can also use the app to schedule and change fast passes and dining reservations.