Here’s how to have a decent time at Disney World—even if you’re not a fan.
To some , it ’s heaven on Earth , butWalt Disney Worldcan also be atrociously live , expensive , and crowd . For those of us who are adults butnotDisney adults , there ’s an inclination to enquire : Is Disney World a flash , consuming , and garishly jubilant rope of infernal region ?
As someone who ’s regularly dredge along to feel the aver magic of Disney , my answer is yes .
But even though there ’s a lot to fear about Disney , it does n’t have to be a miserable experience . trusted , ego - name Disney hater may never adore the parks , but some of the most frustrating facial expression can be sidestepped by those in the know , and there ’s certainly fun to be had , too . From thebest places to eat and drink , to how to quash the farsighted line at the logic gate , consider this your natural selection guide for your next slip to Disney World .
Walt Disney World
Avoid peak Disney season
plan a Disney trip-up starts month in advancement and can require months of saving . The price of a one - day Mungo Park pass ranges from$109 to $ 159 , bet on the time of twelvemonth . And highly in demand Disney experiences , likePark Hopperpasses ( to annul drive production line ) and sure repast booking , need to be stop up up to six months in approach .
If you ’re not much of a planner , the amount of pressure Disney puts on you to project ahead can experience utterly bonkers . It may even have you feeling like a bad parent . But do n’t hang for this ( Mickey ) mouse trap . alternatively , impose the park when it ’s less crowded and easier to navigate .
First , quash major holidays like Christmas , Thanksgiving , Easter , Memorial Day , the Fourth of July , and Labor Day . Same depart for major Disney festival , likeEPCOT ’s Food and Wine Festival , orDisney ’s Festival of Holidays . Whatever you do , avoid Spring Break ( March and April ) at all costs . This is when parking area passes and reservations are rightfully difficult to come by .
Visit in the fall if you don’t like crowds.|Flickr/imfaral
In general , the expert time to chew the fat Disney is in the fall when the conditions is cooler and the park is importantly less herd . While attendance rates are a closely guard closed book at the Mouse House , a few obsessive Disney adult have put together a 365 - day calendar mapping visitor volume and dealings at specific topic parks . Use Magic Guide’sWalt Disney World Crowds Calendarbefore planning your next tripper to save yourself the concern of long lines and packed park .
Eat and drink outside the parks
Disney World has iconic intellectual nourishment that enthusiasts lie with , but as a professional food writer , I consider you ’ll receive better meals outside of the parks . To be percipient , you may regain it convenient to eat some meal inside Disney , but you ’ll get more bang ( and flavor ) for your buck at Walt Disney - adjacent hotels .
Sip and savor tiki - flair drinks , tasty sushi , and pork barrel tacos atTrader Sam ’s Grog Grottoat Disney ’s Polynesian Village Resort . Or opt for a Michelin - starred steakhouse with an all-embracing wine-colored list , plus the most magical view of nightly fireworks , atCapa , locate at the Four Seasons Hotel Orlando at Disney World Resort .
Not to remark , there are several renown - chef drive concepts to be try out atDisney Springs , from the Spanish influences ofJaleoby José Andrés , to Masaharu Morimoto ’s namesake sushi flagshipMorimoto Asiaand Chef Art Smith ’s down - home comforts atHomecomin ’ Kitchen .
Opt for Michelin-starred cuisine at Capa, located at the Four Seasons Hotel Orlando at Disney World Resort.|Capa Steakhouse & Bar
Because ballpark hopping and reentries are permitted , taking a break from the melodic theme Mungo Park to delight a great meal is always an excellent elbow room to take a break .
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We’ll take a side of magic with that, please.
Rideshare to the theme parks
band of mass drive to Disney or take the Disney shuttle bus , but parking can be a pricey nightmare , and you ’re certain to lose it while look to board the shuttle bus to or from the root parking area . In addition to long melodic line , these omnibus run approximately every 20 minutes , and can have you waiting in the Florida hotness and humidity .
The easy , inexpensive path to save up sanity in Disney is ridesharing . Most of the parks have drop curtain - off zones neighboring to the logic gate , making ridesharing an accessible and convenient option . The exception is Magic Kingdom where Lyft and Uber number one wood will degenerate you off at the Disney Ticket and Transportation Center , requiring a monorail transfer . But you’re able to go around this if you know Disney ’s side door incoming ( more on that later ) .
Ridesharing is also an first-class estimation if you ’re traveling from Orlando International Airport , since Disney recently ditched its loose aerodrome birdie .
You’ll still find Disney vibes at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, even though it’s located outside the theme parks.|Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
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Beat the Mouse in his own house.
Enter through the gift shop
Yes , you could do Disney through sneaky side door . While tourists gravitate to main entrances , parks like EPCOT , Magic Kingdom , and Animal Kingdom have smaller side entrances , make it a pile easy to skip lengthy ticketing queues .
The best way to beat the line at Magic Kingdom is by ridesharing to the next Contemporary Resort . From there , you’re able to traverse the street and wait for the pedestrian walkway to the park . This leads you to a freestanding — and much smaller — security measure line that will save you time when entering .
At EPCOT , the International Gateway , locate between the United Kingdom and France pavilions , is a lesser - recognize side entrance . It ’s serviced by a walker boardwalk , or by Disney water taxi or car ( also known as the Skyliner ) .
Last but not least , at Animal Kingdom , be sure to slip into the Rainforest Cafe before you gain the main gate . There you may exit through the endowment shop and reach a separate circle of turnstiles that will get you into the park faster .
Also , keep in nous if you ’re staying at a Disney place , you have the benefit of being capable to enter parksa half hour early . On certain day , you’re able to take reward of limited late - night hours , too .
Be smart about your hotel choices
If you ’re seek to be a small thrifty with your accommodation , you may want to debar stay at hotels inside Walt Disney World Resort . Why ? Because Disney hotels are oft some of the most expensive accommodations in Orlando .
liken these toll to those of offsite hotels orAirbnbs , which issue forth lade with individual comforts ( minus hangout fee ) , including pools , H2O green and fitness centers , and it ’s middling clear it ’s possible tosave big on a Disney holiday .
Alternatively , if you ’re enroll in reward programme at hotel mountain chain like Marriot and Hilton , you could play the points plot and stick onsite . Both stain have hotels within walking aloofness to the park , includingMarriott ’s Swan and Dolphinadjacent to EPCOT , andHilton ’s Buena Vista Palacenext to Disney Springs .
Skip the shuttle and parking costs; try a Lyft or Uber instead.|Flickr/trvlto
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After a long day of non-stop fun, it’s nice to throw your Mouse ears on the bed of a place that feels like home.
Chill out a little
Which brings me to my last point . When you inflict Disney World , you absolutely must cool down out and love the scene . Some of it is even free — a welcome relief for anyone pay off $ 35 for Mickey ears .
TheDisney Boardwalkis a whole new vibe , designed to make you finger as if you ’ve been transported to Atlantic City . you may also sneak EPCOT ’s fireworks display from here for free .
Near Magic Kingdom , theSeven Seas Lagoonis another tranquil waterfront . There are three different resorts to explore , each with their own beach , plus additional reckon spots to view the nightly fireworks . Just recollect , no swim is allowed in the lake … because alligators . If you clock your visit decently , and you may also watch the fireworks from the monorail or ferry — those boat rides are also complemental across the lake .
And stay for another free nightly attraction : s’mores and a character meet - and - greet atDisney ’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground . There you ’ll find Chip and Dale roasting mallows by the fire and leading Disney - style sing - a - longs , follow by a gratis Disney movie , screen outdoors under the principal .
Last but not least , while it may be you , it ’s worth circumvent away from the crowd to feel two exceptional spas that are handily located at Disney . I ’m mouth deluxe massage , facials , mani / pedi discourse , and access to spicy bathing tub , steam room , and sauna . You ’ll have to make reservations in advancement if you want to enjoy a health spa treatments atDisney ’s Grand Floridianor theFour Seasons Resort Orlando , but both make for an fantabulous fashion to relax in the Mungo Park .
After all , if you ’re chitchat Disney against your wishes , you might as well make yourself comfortable .
Avoid the long ticket lines at Animal Kingdom by entering through the Rainforest Cafe gift shop.|Flickr/frankfranc
If you’re enrolled in rewards programs at hotel chains like Marriot and Hilton, you can play the points game and stay on-site.|Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
You can sneak EPCOT’s fireworks display for free from the Disney Boardwalk.|Unsplash/Matt Popovich
Disney visitors can find their zen at two exceptional spas conveniently located in the park.|Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort
