Here at DFB, we know a thing or two about visiting Disney World. We visit every day, and we have learned a lot of tips and tricks!
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
Some of the hacks we have learned are only known by the smartest Disney World fans and have made visiting Disney World so much easier! Today, we are going to let you in on a little secret and share some of these tips, so the next time you go to Disney World, you can consider yourself an even smarter Disney World fan!
We reached out to our DFB team, who are very smart and are Disney World experts to see what smart Disney World tips they had to share! These are 10 things that only the smartest fans know to do in Disney World, and we are letting you in on their secrets!
1. Filtering the My Disney Experience App Map
The My Disney Experience app is the go-to app when visiting Disney World! It is helpful before, during, and even after your trip!
©Disney
It is hard to even imagine a trip to Disney World without using the app, and it has so many cool features that some people might not even know about! Here are a few of our favorites:
- The app can show you where to find water bottle refill stations throughout the park.
- You can view a digital version of the current festival passport if EPCOT currently has a festival.
- You can unlock your room using the app without the need for a physical room key.
©Disney (EPCOT Example)
The app can also act as a guide map to help you navigate the whole property. When you pull up the map, it will automatically show you the current attraction wait times. You can actually change and filter what the map shows you!
©Disney Find a charging station in the app!
Let’s say you want to find where the nearest restroom is, with a quick filter switch, the map will show you where the nearest restrooms are! You can even filter for gift shops, characters, dining, entertainment, and so much more!
©Disney Locate the nearest restrooms!
By filtering the map you can get so many of your questions answered and look like a pro!
2. Riding the Resort Monorail
It is the end of the night, you and your party just had the perfect day at Magic Kingdom and even got to see Happily Ever After! It is time for you to make your way out of the Magic Kingdom and back home when all of a sudden, you see a giant line for the monorail.
Monorail
The smartest Disney World fans go to the left and take the resort monorail instead of the express line. Why? Fewer people are in line for the resort line, and it still stops at the Transportation and Ticket Center!
Resort Monorail
Next time you see the long line for the express monorail, head to your left and take the resort monorail instead!
Monorail
3. Mobile Ordering from Table Service Restaurants
The My Disney Experience app also has a cool feature called Mobile Ordering. This feature allows you to place a food order without even having to wait in line and have a Cast Member take your order! Simply choose where you want to eat, choose an arrival window, pick out your food, and pay online! So easy! Once your pick-up window rolls around, head to the restaurant and hit “I’m here” on the app. Then you will get a notification when your food is ready for pick up!
Mobile Order pick up
How to Use Mobile Order!
Many people know about Mobile Ordering but mainly assume that it is only for quick-service dining. That is not the case! There are a handful of table-service restaurants that also offer their menu in a to-go version on Mobile Order!
Olivia’s Cafe offers Mobile Order
If you don’t feel like dressing up but are craving food from Steakhouse 71, you can order ahead on the app and have your own fancy meal in your room or around the resort!
Steakhouse 71
The following table-service locations offer Mobile Order:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Kona Cafe
4. Drink Free Water
It is no secret that Florida is HOT, and yet some people still don’t hydrate. It is so important to continue to drink water throughout the day to keep yourself going.
Free water
While purchasing water in the park can be expensive, there are two ways to get FREE WATER!
Lotus Blossom water
Everywhere You Can Find Free Water at Disney World!
The first way is to bring your own water or reusable bottle into the park. Disney also allows you to bring your own food and drinks
You can even bring in your own bottle!
If you bring your own bottle, you can utilize the water refill stations throughout the park!
Water fountain and refill station
You can even get free water at quick-service locations! Either a Cast Member will give you water at the pick-up window, or there will be water stations with water cups.
Casey’s Corner water station
Take advantage of this free perk and stay hydrated out in the parks!
5. See Shows in the Air Conditioning
We know that when you visit Disney World, you want to ride all the newest attractions and feel the thrill of riding a roller coaster, but the smartest Disney World fans see the beauty in other attractions.
Cosmic Rewind
Specifically, we are talking about shows with air conditioning. Taking a break from the heat to ride the Carousel of Progress or the Hall of Presidents in Magic Kingdom is a great way to rest and catch your breath.
The Hall of Presidents
Other great options include Muppet-Vision 3D in Hollywood Studios or The American Adventure in EPCOT! Not only do these shows provide a place to sit with air conditioning, but they are also Disney World classics, I mean, who doesn’t love the Muppets?
Muppet-Vision 3D
6. Uber from the Airport for this One Specific Reason
Since Disney stopped the Magical Express, transportation options to and from the Orlando Airport have been confusing.
We miss you Magical Express!
There is a similar option to Magical Express, now called Mears Connect. The process is very similar to Magical Express since Mears used to run it. The problem with these bus drop-off services is that they will drop you off at the front of your resort.
Mears Connect
That is totally fine if you are staying at a resort like the Riveria Resort or the Contemporary Resort since the rooms are all very close to the lobby.
DIsney’s Riveria Resort
The problem is when you stay at a larger resort like Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, or even the All-Star Resorts. All these resorts are very spread out, so if you take transportation like Mears Connect, you could be stuck with a hike to your room.
The $2 Transportation to the Orlando Airport
If you take an Uber or other form of rideshare to and from the Orlando Airport, you can put in the exact building location for pick-up and drop-off. This can save you that awkward walk with your luggage and just make getting to and from the airport easier!
The Free Service You are Not Using at the Orlando Airport!
Orlando International Airport
7. Bring Rain Gear
Locals and the smartest Disney World fans not only know that it gets hot in Florida, but it also rains A LOT, especially during the summer months.
Rainy day in Magic Kingdom
Rainy season has officially started in Disney World. For example ¡Celebración Encanto! was performed inside CommuniCore Hall due to the rain.
The show moved inside!
Shop Our Trip Essentials!
To look like a pro, bring rain gear with you to the parks! It is also cheaper to bring your own gear from home rather than buying ponchos and umbrellas in the park once it starts to rain.
Rainy day
Our Rainy Day Tips!
The smartest Disney World fans also know that rain does not mean your day at Disney World is ruined. You can embrace the rain, if it is safe to do so, and ride attractions with lower wait times. Plus, the park tends to empty out once it rains, so you may even experience lower crowd levels! Embrace the rain!
Pack the ponchos!
8. Check for Last Minute Dining Reservations
You can start making your advance dining reservations 60 days before your trip to Disney World. However, it can be disappointing to wake up early when your 60-day window opens and not be able to get all the reservations you were hoping for.
California Grill
How to Make Dining Reservations Before Anyone Else!
The smartest Disney World fans know to not give up hope! Since Disney recently changed their dining cancelation policy to two hours before instead of 24 hours before, last-minute dining reservations are known to pop up!
‘Ohana
There have been times when we have snagged a reservation to ‘Ohana and Roundup Rodeo BBQ the day of!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo
Is There a Secret Dining Advantage to Those Staying at a Disney World Hotel?
9. Stack Your Discounts
If you are an Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club Member, or even a Disney Visa Cardmember, you get discounts on merchandise throughout the resort.
Annual Pass
While this perk is great, you can even save more money by stacking your discount on top of already discounted merchandise.
Annual Pass
Recently, the merchandise from the movie Wish was on sale. You could add your Disney discount on top of the already discounted price!
Sale on select Wish merch
It is important to note that discounts cannot be combined. For example, if you have an annual pass and are a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can only use one discount.
10. Buy the DFB Guidebook and Subscribe to Our Newsletter
We like to consider ourselves smart Disney World fans and we have even more knowledge to share with you with our DFB Guidebooks!
Check out our DFB Guidebooks to plan your next trip!
The DFB Guidebooks are AJ’s passion project. So much hard work and thought go into them, and they make trip planning even easier! We have so many different Guidebooks for each part of your trip, from festivals to holidays we have a Guidebook that can answer all of your questions!
Now that we’ve revealed these secrets, hopefully, they’ve helped you gain even more Disney World knowledge so you can look like a pro on your next visit!
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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
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I’ve read your blog for a long time and love to hear about all that’s new and different. Sadly, many of your tips don’t work for us baby boomers. We don’t have a smartphone and wouldn’t want to use it if we did! We want to escape reality, escape stress, escape adulthood and be a kid again at wdw. We want to enjoy the rides without paying extra on top if a hefty admission fee and still having to wait (waste) hours standing in line. We want to be able to see attractions, not have them extremely dark and we don’t want to suffer motion sickness. I have a a chase Disney Rewards Visa but never got a discount anywhere on wdw property. Who wants to spend a rainy day at a theme park!? Sadly, wdw has become a convoluted mess to navigate and enjoy. Way too expensive and crowded. Too many changes have disrespected Walt and those of us who grew up with him. Perhaps it’s time to stop saying guests have to put up with these changes put in place by uncaring corporate decision makers and say No! You gone too far and ruined the experience! Time to go elsewhere…..
Real Disney fans know how to do Disney . But we also know to take it all in and not listen to ridiculous theories . Not to let rude people ruin our day. They will try !! We treat the park and the cast members with the respect they deserve. And when you treat them right they do the same . But most importantly we enjoy each others company and remember that it is supposed to be fun not as stressful as people make it .