#6 Parks Planning and Tickets
Questions to ask: Do you need Tickets, how many days? Should I get a Park Hopper ticket? What parks will you visit and for how long. What rides are a must do? Did you make Fast pass selection?
Park Planning
First decide on what parks you will be visiting to decide on what kind of ticket you may need. For those who do not like planning hour by hour all you need to do here is have a general idea as to which parks you will be visiting. A great way to do this is based on your dining reservations and plan the park visits from there. This helps so you are not running around to different parks for dining reservations which by the way to do this you will need a Park Hopper pass.
Remember to include breaks throughout the day. If you are staying on site, go back mid afternoon, take a dip in the pool or a nap and head to a different park at night if you have the park hopper ticket option. Trust me it’s re-energized you for later in the day. If you can plan a free (no park day) to relax, after all you are on vacation.
No park Hopper just plan accordingly, take a break in the parks, enjoy people watching and taking in the beauty and details in the park instead of running to stand in line from one attraction to another. We so often miss the beauty in the parks because everyone is on a mission to get to the next attraction.
Commando style park visits are NOT the way to go! It is never fun but exhausting which is what leads people to not like Disney parks in general. Just remember you will not see everyone in one day, one week or more. Just not possible but that’s ok, it give you a reason to come back again someday.
Theme Park Tickets
These can be purchased with your Vacation package, online in the My Disney Experience App or at the gate.
Water Park Tickets
You can add this option to your tickets or purchase them individually. Decide if you can fit this in to your plans. Remember you do have a beautiful pool at your resort too! Water parks are a fund free day activity.
Rides & Attractions
This is where the 60 and 30 day mark dates are important! These dates are when you can make your Fast pass selection in your My Disney Experience account. Although you can wing ride selection you do need to do some pre planning and choose these Fast passes, especially for the newest rides like in Toy Story Land or Avatar. If you are not a planner just pick some anyway, just in case,it never hurts.
Make a list of Must do Rides. Make time to sit down and talk and make a list ahead of your 60(resort guests) or 30 day (off site ticket holders) Date so you can book those Fast passes for your entire party. You can pick one hot ticket ride and 2 other rides in one park initially. List out other rides on everyone’s must do and you can add them to your My Disney Experience account as well.
Park Hours
You can prepare ahead by viewing the Park house before you leave. Be sure to grab a schedule each day or view the park, parades and nighttime spectaculars in your My Disney Experience app or the Walt Disney World Website.
Parades/shows/Fireworks
Do not miss these! Disney fireworks and castle show is one of the best ever so be sure to pick up a park schedule and plan accordingly.
Tip: Plan to arrive at least 1 hr prior to the fireworks or parades in order to get a good viewing location. The area’s fill up fast. You can also view protions of the fireworks from other area’s outside the theme parks as well.
Wait Times– No pre-planning here but you can view the wait times on the My Disney Experience app when you arrive and check throughout your visit. This helps planning your park visit and checking things off the must ride list faster.
Services for Guest with Special Needs
If you have a person in your party with special needs be sure to visit Guest services in the beginning of your trip. This won’t get you to the front of the ride line but it will help your party as they have special entrances and first hand care in order to take part in all park attractions and activities.
If you have any fun tips comment below!
Be sure to Subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss a thing!
Up Next: #7 Disney Special Experiences & Event Options
Home: 10 Disney Vacation “Must Do” Planning items
