There is no doubt that every guest wants to make the most of their Disney World vacation. The time spent planning, the bucket list of “must do” items, and the financial (not to mention emotional!) investment leads guests to want to fit in as much magic as time allows.
While you certainly could fill every moment of your vacation with an activity, attraction or experience, running from place to place and the nonstop momentum can lead to a more tiring (and even stressful) vacation. Instead, taking the time to slow down, relax and appreciate the moment can help you to soak up more of the magic and wonder of Disney World. Follow these tips for slowing down and enjoying your Disney World vacation!
Pick Your Daily Top 3
With over 170 rides and innumerable attractions/entertainment throughout Disney World, you might have a long list of things you’d like to see and experience during your trip. You can accomplish a good number of these each day with some strategizing, rope dropping and a pair of comfortable walking shoes!
For a less demanding schedule, however, I recommend picking your top three “must do’s” each day. Prioritize which three rides or attractions you’d most like to fit in. In between, you can fit in a few convenient or low-wait time attractions–this way, you can experience your highlights and some “bonus” attractions as well.
Keep an eye on My Disney Experience for wait times for the best time to visit each attraction. Remember that popular meal times (11:30 AM-1:30 PM for lunch, 5:30-7:30 PM for dinner) typically result in lower attraction wait times. Attraction wait times can also be lower during a fireworks showtime.
Extended Evening Hours are also a great time to visit multiple attractions without the typical daytime hustle and bustle–a great perk of staying at a deluxe/DVC resort!
Reserve Table Service Dining
Schedule one table service advance dining reservation each day to ensure you have a planned sit-down meal. Taking an hour or so to sit, relax, enjoy a beverage and a delicious meal can do wonders for your energy. During a hot summer day in the parks, I sincerely look forward to enjoying a comfortable chair and air conditioning during the lunch hour!
Table service restaurants also typically have interesting and immersive theming that you can appreciate during your meal, and a calmer setting than the main theme park thoroughfares. I especially like Coral Reef at EPCOT, Narcoossee’s at the Grand Floridian, Kona Cafe at the Polynesian, Hollywood Brown Derby at Hollywood Studios and Yak & Yeti at Animal Kingdom for a relaxing table service meal.
Schedule a Resort-Only Day
The resorts of Disney World offer a wealth of amenities and all the comforts of home. Indeed, many guests take entire resort-only vacations in Disney World!
If you have enough time or an extended stay planned, I highly recommend planning a resort-only day midway through your vacation. You can rest and recoup while you enjoy your resort: schedule a late breakfast reservation, cool off in the pool, and take a leisurely stroll. You’ll be rested and ready to tackle another day in the parks.
Take Time To Sit!
Whether at your resort or in the parks, take some time to sit throughout the day. There are plenty of hidden, shady sitting areas tucked all around Disney World; sit on the rocking chairs in Frontierland or in the English Tea Gardens of EPCOT, and enjoy the sights and sounds. During these restful moments you’ll notice the thoughtful details that contribute to this incredibly magical world.
What are your best tips for slowing down and enjoying your day in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Leia Cullen
Leia is a proud mom of two boys. She has been in love with Disneyland and Disney World since her first visit to the parks many years ago, and she continues to relive the magic now with her family. She is passionate about creating helpful content that shares news or information about all things Disney, in the hopes it helps others create their own magical moments.
