If you don’t already know, my little sister and I are HUGE Disney fans! In honor of celebrating my sister turning 21, we booked a trip to the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’. Little did we know a pandemic would strike the earth and put quite a halt on our trip (as it did for everyone). After re-booking flights and plans SEVERAL times and receiving both doses of our COVID Vaccine, we were finally able to visit Disney safely this May.
A lot of things looked different on this trip, but it was nothing short of magical! Without further ado, here are some of our favorite tips and tricks to enjoying a trip to Disney World.
What is the best time to go to Disney World?
There has been a LOT of research on this, but to save you time from Googleing WDW peek park months I will give you the sparks notes version. The best time to visit Walt Disney World with low crowds is in its off-season, the last two weeks of January, through the first two weeks of February! Lucky for me my birthday (Jan. 31st) falls right in the middle of that!
Now don’t let this discourage you from visiting the parks any other time of the year! Experiencing Disney during the holidays is the most magical time of all and I highly recommend it!
What was Disney like post-pandemic?
Before we visited Disney had made lots of changes to keep their guests and staff safe.
- you have to book your park reservations ahead of time and can park hop after 2:00pm
- temperature checks were done before you entered the parks/Disney Springs
- masks/face coverings must be worn at all times except while actively eating/drinking or taking a photo. This includes riding rides, as masks must be worn for the full duration of the ride
- there was no eating or drinking while in line ques
- line ques had barrier shields and markers on the floor to keep groups 6ft apart
- hand sanitizing stations were placed everywhere throughout the parks as well as in line ques, and before and after each ride
- park transportation carried fewer people keeping families/groups separated from others with empty seats in between
- WDW resorts sanitized high traffic areas and frequently touched item regularly including things in your room
- ordering food from quick-service places at the park was done ahead of time/scheduled on the Disney park app
- all dining reservations had their menus digital via QR codes
After two days into our trip, the CDC lowered mask regulations and Disney released an announcement that they were no longer requiring temperature checks before entering and you could have your mask off while outdoors. This also allowed some shows to resume again, but still no fireworks. (A little birdy told me they will be coming back soon!)
Must-have items to pack for your visit to Disney!
There is a lot of things you can bring to Disney but the bulleted list below are our MUST-HAVES.
- Reusable Poncho -this one linked can even be worn with your Disney Ears on!
- Refillable Water Bottle –Simply Modern have cute Disney metal water bottles that are kid-friendly and don’t spill, making them the perfect size to pack along in your bag. (PRO TIP: don’t pay for water at the parks. Fill up for free at any food kiosk or water fountain.)
- Megababe Thigh Rescue -No matter how skinny you may be, your thighs will chafe from all the walking at Disney. This anti-chaffing stick was a lifesaver!
- Re-chargeable Neck Fans
- Cooling Towels
- Battery Bank -charge phones on the go
- Comfy backpack or a trendy belt bag
- Tennis ball -to roll out your feet from a long day of walking
- Zip-Lock Baggies: having a few lunch baggies in your park bag is essential for all the treats you don’t finish and want to snack on throughout your day.
- A hat! I purchased a bucket hat with Mickey Ears on it before my trip from Etsy! It was perfect as it wasn’t too tight or something that would end up giving me a headache from wearing all day.
- Sunscreen -Florida sun is no joke. No one wants a sunburn.
Another PRO TIP to do when you arrive at your resort/hotel is to have groceries delivered. You don’t need much but having a few snacks and a case of water on hand sure does help!
Where to stay for your Disney Vacation?
For me, there is only one answer… on Disney property at one of their MANY resorts. Let the magic continue from the parks to your hotel room! Here are some of my reasons why staying at a Disney resort for your vacation is worth it.
- Transportation: Free transportation from the parks to your hotel and vice versa. RIP to the Magical Express that was transportation from the airport to your hotel and vice versa.
Best places to eat at Disney World?
There are MANY great resources to dining at Disney, (Disney Food Blog is a great one) but for now, I am going to share our family’s favorites.
- Be Our Guest: Magic Kingdom -Sit Down *reservations*
- Casey’s Corner: Magic Kingdom -Quick Service
- Grand Floridian Cafe: Grand Floridian Resort -Sit Down *reservations*
- Rosie’s All-American Café: Hollywood Studios -Quick Service
- Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria: Epcot -Sit Down *reservations*
- Woody’s Lunch Box: Hollywood Studios -Quick Service
PRO TIP:
- Schedule sit-down dining reservations before your trip! (60 days in advance)
- Place a mobile order on the app to walk up and pick it up for quick service spots
There are so many amazing food options at all of the Disney parks and resorts! You really can’t go wrong plus this gives you more opportunities to explore different Disney properties by eating at their resort restaurants! We try and have reservations for dinner only and enjoy quick service meals at the parks.
Have Food Allergies?
Yes, you can eat at Disney! there are a lot of options! The chefs at all of the resort restaurants are really good about making food safe for those with allergies. Remember, Disney works closely with Make A Wish kids so they know a thing or two! I have Celiacs Disease and most of my experience was having the chef come over to my table and ask what I would like to eat instead of handing me a gluten-free menu. Just remember to make all of your sit-down dining reservations ahead of time (60 days in advance) and note your allergies on the reservation. If you are worried about cross-contamination, you can also bring food into the park. Just notify the Security Cast Member at bag check that someone in the party has a food allergy or intolerance when entering the park.
How to book your Disney Trip?
Whether this is your first trip or your 10th trip to Disney, planning is no joke! So many updates and rules are in place to plan certain things by a certain point that having a trip planner is worth it. Not to mention the discounts it brings you. If you are in need of a vacation planner (not just for Disney but she is a Disney expert) reach out to our family friend, Rosi Smith, and her vacation planning business.
