You’ve heard it, I’ve lived it. Everyone says Disney is the most magical place on Earth, and as someone who’s gone every year for the last 3 years, I’m gonna share my tips for living up to the slogan and having the most magical experience ever! After all, with the money you pay to go there, you may as well live your day out to the fullest!
My first tip is that it is not necessary to go super early. Now, if you want to go early to experience rope drop, that is a different story. In general, arriving 2 hours early to be there when the park opens for rides doesn’t seem worth it to me. Having to race everyone else who’s waiting, sprinting to potentially get on a ride without a wait (although, I guess the “waiting” part is already done when you stand in line for the park to open), isn’t my ideal day. Instead, getting there within an hour or two of the park opening lets you get in almost immediately, and because people are still waking up, wait times aren’t as long as they are later in the day. It also doesn’t hurt to get a little extra sleep with a long day ahead!
My second tip is basic, but indispensable. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! No matter how cute your heels or fancy sneakers look, it is not worth dealing with excruciating pain all day! Disney is no joke when it comes to annihilating your step count (it’s always more than you think), and with hardly any places to sit while waiting in line, you want your feet to function to the max. That comes with wearing comfy shoes! You will thank me.
To get on rides (always my main priority), the best way to guarantee you get on the rides you want is to purchase Lightning Lane. You can reserve a time to ride, then wait in other lines while you wait for the ride you used Lightning Lane for, or grab food/use the bathroom, and be a multitasking, productive girly. Get them EARLY! They do sell out, and while there’s a chance they’ll appear the day of, you don’t want to risk it! If you want to save money (totally understandable), my next best advice is to have the Disney app downloaded and track the live wait times of every ride, gauge which ones are the shortest, and work accordingly. From personal experience, religiously tracking that app is my biggest pastime in Disney, and how I am able to ride almost every ride in each park I visit. If it comes down to it, prioritize which ones you want to go on the most (for me, the bigger thrill ones/rides based on movies that dominated my childhood), and work that way.
Finally, go to the fireworks show! Attend at least one parade! They’re truly so special, and they low-key get me emotional every time I attend. They’re unique to the parks, and it’s always different to experience them in person versus watching someone else’s video.
The most absolutely vital piece of advice is: HAVE FUN! If you’re going soon, I’m already jealous. The vibes are unmatched, the rides are so much fun, and I always get nostalgic, reminiscing about my Disney-centered childhood.
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