Tips for Your Walt Disney World Trip 2022

It has been a while since we've posted anything, and for that we apoligize. Life has been going as normal, which means there's always so much going on! It's raining today, though, which means we're hanging out inside, and I have time to sit down (I'm actually standing while I type this) and put together something for you all! 

We wrote a post of Disney World tips way back in 2016, but SO MUCH has changed at Disney World since then. So, we have for you a brand new list of tips that will make your Walt Disney World vacation even more magical. 

Where to Stay

Stay in the Magic!  Staying at a Walt Disney Resort hotel makes it so that even when you're not at the parks, you're still surrounded by Disney magic. 

The Value Resorts offer great value! These resorts, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports, Pop Century, and Art of Animation, offer amazing Disney themes for a value price. The three All-Star resorts and Pop Century have been refurbished in the last few years, and ALL of the guest rooms have been transformed into sleek, modern, fun rooms.       

Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel also allows your to take advantage of Early Entry. What is Early Entry? We shared all about it here, but this perk allows resort guests to get 30 extra minutes of theme park time every single day at all four parks.  

Evening Hours. If staying at a Deluxe or Villa Resort is in your budget, then you'll get to take advantage of Exta Evening Hours that are just for guests of those resorts. These hours are for select parks on select nights. 

How to Get Around

There are many ways to get around the Walt Disney World Resort. All resort hotels offer buses to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Some resorts also offer boat transportation. The Polynesian Village Resort, the Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian are located on the Monorail Loop. 

The Disney Skyliner as also a great way to get around! This gondala system connects Pop Century, Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, and Riviera to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. 

You can walk from Disney's Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, the Disney Swan Hotel, the Disney and Dolphin Hotel to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. 

There are walkways from the Contemporary Resort and the Grand Floridian to Magic Kingdom. 

If you drive to the parks, arrive to the parking lots 45-60 minutes before early entry starts to be near the front of the Early Entry line.

If you arrive to the Transportation and Ticket Center before security opens for the morning take the ferry boat once you are allowed through. 

Allow at least one hour transportation time between parks and resorts, especially when dining reservations are involved.

Dining

As of the time of writing, the Disney Dining Plan has not returned yet since the parks reopened. With that in mind, I recommend bringing Disney gift cards to pay for food in the parks if you want to be able to keep your food costs to a specific amount. 

We love Disney parks food, but it does add up fast. We recommend bringing snacks with you so that you don't get hungry between meals. 

When you do purchase food in the parks, we highly recommend Mobile Order. 

Take a look at dining menus before your trip, and make a list of your MUST EAT eats and treats. 

Don't Miss

To avoid longer lines, go to your number one attraction first! This especially important for attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Rise of the Resistsance, Flight of Passage, Frozen Ever After, and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure. 

If you're planning on visiting an Epcot Festival (you should!), be sure to look at Festival kitchen menus in advance so you don't miss out on something!

If short waits for everything you ride is something important, book Genie+ befofre your trip. 

The first Safari at Animal Kingdom leaves around 8am. Early safaris, especially on chilly mornings, offer the chance to see lots of active animals.   

Traveling with Little Ones

If you have a little on that isn't tall enough for the big rides, take advantage of Rider Swap. This allows one adult to ride an attraction while the other stays with the little one. The adult that stayed behind the first time will get to use the Lightning Lane entrace for the attraction once the first group is done. Up to two guests can ride with the parent that stayed behind. That means that older siblings (like Christian) can ride twice. 

Pack small snacks to keep hunger meltdowns at bay.

There are diaper changing stations in most restrooms, both men's and women's, throughout the parks.

Even if your kids are old enough to walk around the parks, we recommend a stroller to rest tired feet until they are at least 6 years old.

Don't miss out on taking your kids when they're little because you think they won't remember. They won't remember, but you will!

When to Go

Since park capacity has been allowed to increase, and face mask policies have changed, guests have flocked to the parks. What that means, is at least for the next year, there won't be any real "slow" or "down" times in the parks. The best time to go is really up to you. 

General Tips

Stay Hydrated!  Even on the rare days when it isn't hot, it is important to stay hydrated.   

Plan. Having at least a loose plan of what you want to get done at each park makes things much easier. 

Please, don't run. 

Some attractions have single rider lines. In some instances these are worth it. Groups will be split up, and guests must be at least 7 years old to use this line. 

Wear comfortable shoes. There is A LOT of walking at Disney, and comfortable shoes go a long way to making a trip more enjoyable. 

Pack rain gear. It rains a lot in Florida, and there is always a chance for an afternoon shower. Pack a light rain jacket, poncho, or umbrella just in case. 

There are great places to watch the fireworks that aren't in front of the Castle! My favorite place to watch from is the Tomorrowland Bridge.  

Use a travel agent! I know the ins and outs of booking, but also know the ins and outs at the parks! We're Disney World annual passholders, and we've been to the parks ten times since moving to South Carolina less than a year ago. 

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments! 

Are you ready to start planning your next trip?! I'm here to help! Contact me at miriya@govacationguru.com for your FREE quote and to start planning! For more Dinsey and travel information follow me on Facebook.