DISNEY WORLD TIPS FROM A FLORIDIAN

Now that we have had our annual passes for a year, I have been getting a lot of questions about tips for visiting Disney World! I for sure know that trying to get your days planned ahead of time is super important but I want to remind you to HAVE FUN. It's easy to get swamped with the logistics of it all and the next thing you know, the day has come and gone! Taking a toddler and an infant to Disney World for the first time was as stressful as you might imagine it would be. Even though I did a ridiculous amount of research beforehand, it was just exhausting. Maybe it was the sweaty hot day or the copious amounts of people swarming the place. I feel totally bah humbug typing this but I want YOU to avoid that by giving you some of my insider knowledge! Needless to say I am much more excited to go now that I have the ropes figured out and can actually ENJOY IT. Here's my tips:

1. If you live in Florida and you have kids, invest in an annual pass. We got the weekday pass since it works well with our schedule and I have to say, it pays for itself. You not only have year round access to the four parks, but you also get discounts on Disney hotels and food inside the parks!

2. Download the Disney app and schedule your 3 fast passes ahead of time. Book them as close together and as early as possible because when you finish all three you can log back into your app and sign up for more fast passes, one at a time! The fast pass is a game changer.

3. This one's for the parents: Starbucks. Location: It's right on Main Street, but there isn't a giant Starbucks sign...Follow your nose, it will lead you there!

4. DID YOU KNOW you can bring your own food and beverages? Because you can. (insert hair flip) We bring Publix subs and bottled waters and it cuts costs drastically - especially if you're going multiple times per year. There are several water fountains throughout the park where you can refill if you please.

5. Speaking of food, for one of your visits, break down and buy breakfast with the characters. In my opinion, the best way to meet the characters is at a character breakfast. We went to Chef Mickeys for brunch (after lots of research) and it was an amazing experience for the kids & adults! Andddd the Mickey waffles were a highlight for me. You get a personalized experience with each character and it's in a relaxed setting (with chocolate and air conditioning!). Bring your autograph books!

6. Stay at a Disney resort for easy transportation via ferry or bus! It makes life SO much easier! It's always a fun and memorable time. I would recommend saving up to stay at one of the middle to upper level hotels because it's totally the extra money! If you are military, you can stay at Shades of Green! You can even visit the parks during the *extra magic hours" and skip the long regular entry lines!

7. Fort Wilderness cabins, for example, has the feeling of a hotel room + an Airbnb. a separated room for privacy so after the kids get to sleep, the parents can hang in the living room. That is, if you have any gumption left after your day around Disney! A fully stocked kitchen and a tv with all the Disney channels. It has a porch with a picnic table and personal grill & hose - which excited my husband.. haha. You can rent a gold cart for the weekend to get from your campsite to the ferry and travel around the grounds... the pool, restaurants, corner store & playground. Campfire s'mores and movies with Chip and Dale are available every night!

8. There are Baby Care Centers in the parks! These buildings have a room to nurse in with big comfy recliners and an area that will supply diapers and wipes... anything you can think of if you need it, and of course, a place to change your baby!

9. The insta famous purple wall - DARE I reveal it's location? Okay, you pulled my leg. It's right in Magic Kingdom, Tomorrow Land - as soon as you get over the bridge to the right. You're welcome!

10. If you have a park hopper pass, save the evening hours to treat yourself to some mommy & daddy time. Venture through Epcot and "drink around the world" ... Well, have a beer and chill out. It's generally much less packed and there are lots of characters for the kids to meet and rides for them to go on!

I hope this post brought you a little more insight than you already had from the gobs of research I am sure you've already done & I hope your trip to Disney is the most magical one yet!

With grace & gratitude,

Caitlyn