And while that's completely true, I often get messages from people who have already made a reservation, but are left completely overwhelmed after the initial resort reservations and purchasing tickets.
Disney doesn't have to be stressful. You just have to have to right help on your side.
Well, everything. And it's absolutely FREE to you.
- Resort Recommendations
- Transportation
- Deciding if the Dining plan makes sense for you
- Payment Plans
- Additional promotions that come along AFTER you book
- Dining Recommendations and Reservations
- Bippity Boppiti Boutique Reservations
- Navigating the complicated world of Genie+ and Lightening Lanes
- In the park and need to know where the nearest Starbucks is? I've had this question too.
- Start Booking hotels, tickets, and dining reservations months in advance.
- Stay on property for access to free transportation and early park entry (if available)
- Visit during off-peak times.
- Use the rider switch service
- Download kid apps for long ride lines
- Understand how to use Genie+ prior to arriving
- Take a mid-day break- hang out at the pool or have a sit down lunch. Return to the park in the evening when it's cooler/ everyone else is at dinner.
- Wear Comfortable shoes!!
When you think Of Disney the first thing that probably runs through your mind is the $$$ sign. Disney can certainly be expensive, if you allow it to be. Here’s some money saving tips to keep your magical vacation within budget.
Have a Sam’s or Costco membership?
Buy discounted gift cards and use those to pay off your trip, save for spending, or anything Disney related really. I used this method to pay off my first Disney trip and trust me, those $15-$20 savings add up quickly. I saved almost $1,000 on my first trip.
Skip the sit-down character meals. Just trust me on this one as a mom who has been there and done that! These dinners run in the hundreds Per reservation. Let’s be honest, by the end of the day the kids are tired, everyone’s hot, but here you are. stuck in a dinner reservation spending money, when all you really want to do is grab something quick and rest. Don’t get me wrong, a sit-down meal can also be a time to take a break, but not at the cost of breaking the bank. Plan a sit-down dinner or breakfast (breakfast is cheaper) or two and grab quick service or even your own groceries the rest of the time. I’ve heard numerous stories of people who say if they could do anything different it would be all the time and money they spent at the sit-down meals.
This one is debatable. But in my and many others opinion, park hopping is exhausting. Figuring out transportation from one park to another, with hot and tired kids in tow, yeah, that isn’t very magical. Park hopper adds hundreds to your ticket costs. Instead, plan a full day in a single park each day.
Kids are straight Up negotiators when it comes to those light up wands and souvenirs that ALL the KIDS just HAVE to have at the firework shows. Be prepared and save money by buying ahead of time. Amazon has some great choices. Also stopping by a local Walmart or Target will give you much cheaper options. Glow sticks are always a win for nighttime in the park.
Did you know Disney allows you to bring food into the park? Save money by packing your own snacks or even lunches. An uncrustable at Disney= $4.99 each, you can buy an entire box for that.
Bottles of water will cost you at minimum $5 a bottle. Disney has plenty of water refilling stations around the park. Also good to note any quick service spot will provide you ice cold water cups at no charge.
Cause it's complicated. Truly. But it doesn't have to be.
Let’s be honest.. Disney couldn’t have made the ‘upgrade’ to Genie+ more difficult if they tried! I almost think they made it difficult on purpose, so people wouldn’t figure out how to use it.
This is why it’s best to have a travel agent who has dedicated the time and energy to learn it so you don’t have to!
Here’s a breakdown and some tips.
- Pricing is by date and will be more reasonable on less busy days and higher during peak times.
- You can use Genie+ once for every ride it’s available for (more coming on that soon)
- Selections are made through your My Disney Experience App (MDE), this can often run your phone battery down.. bring a portable charger!
- Prioritize your selection.. go in and be ready with a strategy.. don’t wait until 7am!