1. Position yourself correctly to get ahead of the line in Haunted Mansion.
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From the outside line, you'll be put into a room with a fireplace and portrait. After that, you'll be loaded into one of two stretching rooms. If you're loaded into the stretching room on the left-hand side, stand next to the right-hand wall (and if you're loaded into the right-hand room, stand by the wall on the left). These are the walls that will open to the indoor queue where they load the ride, and you'll be one of the first ones out and onto a Doom Buggy.
2. Bring in-line entertainment.
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Disney is getting much better with their interactive queues. If you've ever been to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and seen that awesome playground in line, you know what I mean. But, for other attractions with less entertainment in the line, bring fun games or download them on your phone to play while you wait. A favorite of mine is Ellen's charade app, Head's Up, which has a very fun Disney Parks deck.
3. Go to the second showing of Fantasmic!.
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If you're visiting Hollywood Studios on a night where Fantasmic! has two showings, the first showing is usually packed with standing-room only. If you go to the second showing a little bit later, it's a lot less crowded and easier to get out of.
4. Book FastPasses in advance.
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FastPasses are Disney gold. You can reserve three FastPass experiences ahead of time, and then book additional FastPasses one at a time after you've used the first three. Book FastPasses early on in the day and close together. That way, you can book more sooner. Also, here's a little secret: If you look on the app and see that an attraction you want is out of FastPasses, refresh the page a few times. FastPass times and availability can change minute-to-minute.
5. And book them for the right rides.
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A lot of times, people book a FastPass for a ride with an average wait time of 15 minutes. Don't do that. Make your FastPasses count by booking them for rides and attractions with a longer wait time, and stand in line for the 15-minute attractions. You've struck FastPass gold if you've got them for any rides in the new Toy Story Land, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Frozen Ever After, or either of the Avatar rides.
6. Invest in a Fuelrod.
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Fuelrod stations are in all four parks as well as Disney resorts. They are portable chargers for $30. They come with an Android and iPhone adapter, as well as a USB charging cable. The great thing about them is that you can buy one, charge your phone, and once the Fuelrod is out of battery, you can deposit it into any Fuelrod station in exchange for another fully-charged Fuelrod at no extra cost. I've had mine for two years and I love being able to switch it out and have power whenever I need it.
7. Also, bring a wall charger.
Charging your phone while sitting in the A/C is the best use of down time.
8. Ask PhotoPass to take pictures for you on your phone.
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Let's be real: The PhotoPass photos are great, but sometimes you want your own. If you ask, PhotoPass cast members will take pictures for you on your own device, whether it be an iPhone, a Nikon, or a Nokia. Any cast member will do this for you! If you don't see a PhotoPass there to capture your moment with Pluto, ask the character attendant! They'll help you out!
9. Take advantage of the parks if you're staying at a Disney resort.
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Disney World is home to 25 of their own hotels, and with them come a ton of perks. First off, there are "extra magic hours" every day, which means you can be there before the park is open or after the park is closed when it isn't open to the general public. Second, Disney's transportation will pick you up at the park gate and plop you back at your hotel with minimal walking, which is really nice after a long day on your feet.
10. And check out all of the cool recreation activities and perks they have to offer.
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There are so many things to do at Disney resorts that are absolutely free. All resorts have a very fun pool, but some also come with a movie under the stars, marshmallow roasting, cornhole, jogging trails, playgrounds, beaches, and access to other resorts. You'd be missing so much if all you did was sleep there.
11. Utilize the app.
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The MyDisneyExperience app is magical. It shows wait times, show times, character locations, tickets, FastPasses, and your magic bands. It can even unlock the door to your hotel room! Utilize it. Check the app often for wait times and to easily make dinner reservations.
12. Get free tampons at Disney resorts.
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Listen, I don't carry around quarters, and I remember one time I was at Disneyland and I asked to buy tampons and they only sold them by the box. This is when I learned that Disney RESORTS (not the parks) have free tampon machines in their public bathrooms. I've confirmed this at Disney's Grand Californian and Disney's BoardWalk Resort. It's worth a check if you're in a pinch.
13. Watch fireworks away from crowds.
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If you're going to Magic Kingdom and you want to watch fireworks from Main Street, you're going to have to fight for a spot. IMHO, the best place to see fireworks are from 1) the top of Disney's Contemporary Resort, 2) The beach at the Polynesian, and 3) The Main Street Train Station. Fantasyland is another great viewing area, but you aren't able to see the projections on the castle.
14. Watch parades close to where they start.
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Parades at Magic Kingdom work in a similar way. You'll notice people crowded around Main Street, but the parade starts on the other side of the park by Pecos Bill's and Splash Mountain. It's much less crowded in Frontierland. Plus, the parade will finish sooner on your side and you can try to ride something while the Main Street spectators are still waiting for it to start.
15. Start at the back of the park.
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Everyone starts at the front of the park. My evidence: Spaceship Earth. It's the ride inside the Epcot ball and the first attraction you see when you walk into the park. In the morning, Spaceship Earth has a 30+ minute wait. That wait turns to 5 minutes by the time the park closes. If you plan on going to the park when it opens, the crowds will get hung up on the things to do that are closest to the front entrance. Blow past them and start from the back for shorter wait times. Also, if you have the choice, get in lines on the left. Everyone goes to the right for some reason.
16. Don't drive.
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Disney has got you on transportation. They have busses that run everywhere, and after a full day of magic, you're going to be exhausted (and fighting everyone else to get out). Trust the busses, the boats, and the monorails! Let them drive! It's faster, I assure you.
17. Stick out the rain.
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Rain is a great way for the parks to clear out, and it usually never rains for long. People usually use this time to leave, so waiting for the rain to stop and grabbing some umbrellas or ponchos will reward you with shorter wait times. It's also a great time to meet characters. They don't stop visiting guests in the rain. They have dedicated rain locations indoors that almost never have a line.
18. Bring snacks.
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Disney snacks are great, but if you're looking to just take the edge off, bring a baggie of Goldfish. Disney allows you to bring your own food and drinks (but no alcohol) into the park. Now, I wouldn't recommend bringing a whole five-course meal (think of having to carry it all day), but bringing a few snacks will save you some money and time.
19. Take a off day from the parks.
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The parks are one of the most expensive parts of a Disney trip, but there are so many other things on property that are a lot of fun and a nice break from all of the people. You can rent paddle boats at Port Orleans, spend the day shopping at Disney Springs, or catch a luau at the Polynesian. Disney property also includes two miniature golf courses and a handful of spas at their hotels.
20. Get in line.
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This is my favorite tip. If something you want to do has a long line and there are no FastPasses for it, just get in line. It seems silly, but you're going to spend just as much time debating whether or not you should wait as you would just waiting. Plus, the wait time posted outside of Disney attractions is usually less than you'll spend in the line itself.
21. Keep your kiddos safe with some Sharpie and clear nail polish.
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Write your phone number on your kids' arms and cover it with liquid Band-Aid or clear nail polish. That way it doesn't wash off, and they have a way to contact you if they're lost. Also, any uniformed cast member will assist your child with help finding you should you get separated.
22. If you want to meet princesses or Mickey and his friends without waiting in line, go to character dining.
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If you want to meet your faves, and it's a priority on your list, the easiest way is to character dine. There are usually several characters all in one place that come up to your table for pictures, autographs, and snuggles. You don't have to wait, and you can eat in the meantime.
23. Don't book FastPasses for nighttime spectaculars.
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Disney ropes off the good areas to view nighttime spectaculars for people who book a FastPass. That could be you! However, the way their FastPasses are set up, the system won't let you make new reservations until you've used all of your previous ones. If you book a FastPass for a fireworks show at the end of the night, that means you won't be able to book another FastPass for the whole day. It's better to try to snag those FastPasses in the late afternoon or try to find good spots 45 minutes before the nighttime spectacular.
24. If you're looking for a little bit of down time in air conditioning, try these attractions:
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At Hollywood Studios, explore the Star Wars Launch Bay. You can meet BB-8, Chewbacca, and Kylo Ren, and you can also check out props from the movies and exclusive merch.
At Animal Kingdom, Finding Nemo – The Musical and The Festival of the Lion King are both stunning performances that take place in an air conditioned theatre.
If you're looking for a mini break at Epcot, my suggestion would be to go on The Seas with Nemo and Friends, and then take some time sitting and watching the fish in the giant attached aquarium.
The Enchanted Tiki Room and Carousel of Progress are both Disney classics if you're looking for a rest at Magic Kingdom.
25. Plan your vacation to hit an Epcot festival.
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Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival and Food and Wine Festival are both unbelievably done and worth your time. At both, you can sample food from parts of the world that aren't even in the World Showcase. In addition, Epcot has recently started a Festival of the Arts, which showcases Disney artists and local artists alike. Be sure to check out the festivities.
26. Take advantage of Kidcot.
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Let's be real, it gets boring as a kiddo going around the world showcase unless you're meeting characters. That's why every country has Kidcot, where tots (or adults, I don't judge) can get a card stamped or signed by a cast member in each country. Morocco, China, and Japan will even translate your name in their respective languages. It's a fun, free activity and makes for a great souvenir!
27. Pack deodorant in the bag you take to the parks.
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Adding a travel-sized stick of deodorant to the bag you bring into the park is great. If you forget, you can buy sunscreen and ibuprofen at the gift shops, but deodorant is something that you may very well need from a full day of sweating, and you won't be able to get it anywhere. It's also a really quick fix for chub rub if you find yourself uncomfortable while you're walking around the parks.
28. Don't try to do it all in one day.
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You aren't Mr. Incredible. Disney property is massive, and you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you tried to cram it all into one day. Make sure your itinerary is manageable, and give yourself time to take everything in because you can definitely miss a lot.
29. Have fun.
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Disney is hot, expensive, and crowded. If you go into it with the expectations that you're going to walk on every ride and spend $1.50 for a bottle of water, you're going to be disappointed. If you find yourself stressed out or running low on steam, take time to regroup, whether it be in a long line or on a shady bench. Your trip is what you make of it!
