I’m a 22-year-old living in Orlando who loves Disney. Who lives in Orlando and doesn’t like Disney… am I right? Not born or raised anywhere close to it (New Hampshire to be exact) but I had frequent trips to Disney growing up and now a Disney pass holder, I have some useful tips and tricks of the best times to visit, and a few simple things you can do to make your trip stress-free!
1. Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is the face of Disney. It’s where you can find the iconic Cinderella’s Castle and some of the best-known rides such as Thunder Mountain and the Teacups…but it is always the most crowded of all the Disney parks! It’s easy to become stressed when you’re shoving through people. My tip to you when visiting Magic Kingdom is to go during the week (Wednesday’s are the best in my opinion) and during an off-peak season (February, May, September and October are when I’ve seen it to be the least busy!).
2. Epcot
Epcot is by far my favorite park, and I think it’s geared towards the “older” Disney population (21+) and/or kids who really love to learn. If you’re traveling with kids and you’re eager to go to Epcot, I recommend involving them in the Phineas and Ferb activities. There is a “pick up” station near the front of the park where your kids can pick up a “cell phone” (fake, of course) and throughout the park there are spots where you can scan the cell phone and “talk” with Phineas and Ferb! This way you (as the adult) can enjoy the eating and drinking of Epcot while your kids can have fun with Phineas and Ferb, all while learning about the different countries of Epcot!
3. Animal Kingdom
In case you haven’t heard, it’s hot in Orlando almost 365
days per year! My No. 1 tip to you, no
matter when you visit Animal Kingdom, is to go in the morning right as the park
opens. If you plan on riding the ‘Kilimanjaro Safari’ (a trek through where
the animals actually roam), they will be the most active and alert first thing
in the morning before the sun comes out. By 11 a.m. the animals are just as hot
as you are and they’re usually just lying around.
4. Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is a tricky one for me because I definitely see it geared toward older children (13+) and adults. There are some fun rides for kids there, such as the Toy Story ride, but there's not a lot for the younger population. My tip for Hollywood Studios is to enjoy the shows! There are shows from Indiana Jones impersonations to stunt shows…enjoy them! They’re one of a kind acts that you can’t see anywhere else. Don’t plan on going to Hollywood Studios for the rides…there aren’t that many compared to the other parks!
I do hope that my few small tips about the four major Disney World theme parks has helped you, in some way, plan for a stress-free Disney World vacation! The most important tip of all is to have fun! Disney World can be a once in a lifetime trip for a lot of people so make it an unforgettable one. And always remember, it all started with a dream and a mouse!
