Disney World Tips

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was asked to give Disney World tips for a person who is visiting for the first time this christmas with their family, 2021/12

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General

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If you want to try the most interesting food and drink at each park, do the research beforehand and use https://mousedining.com to see when reservations open up if they aren’t available when you look. Especially useful for things like Oga’s Cantina which is in very high demand. If you really want to go somewhere you don’t have a reservation for, pay the $9 or whatever it is for mouse dining to receive texts so you don’t miss it when a spot opens.

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The new Genie+ with lightning lane access might be worthwhile if they are trying to maximize how many rides they ride and don’t have multiple days in a park or park hopper.

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Caveat, I went before the 50th anniversary stuff started, so things might have changed from my visit.

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Ropedropping: the parks usually open 30-60 minutes before their listed opening time. This is a good opportunity to ride a popular ride if you can get there early.

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If staying in a Disney resort, note and use any extended hours available to you (though I think that got reduced recently)

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Wait times are usually 10-20% shorter than the estimates they give you. Once or twice I’ve had it be longer (because the ride breaks down or something).

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All this can be searched online, lots of people showing how to maximize this stuff on YouTube and elsewhere.

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Most of all, don’t stress about it. Whatever you get to do is ok. I find enjoying the environment, music, and atmosphere is the best part. All of this info is just some context.

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Magic Kingdom

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Priority Experiences

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Thrill

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Space Mountain (most can ride this)

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Splash Mountain

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

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Seven Dwarfs

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Experiences

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Haunted Mansion

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Pirates of the Caribbean

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Jungle Cruise

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Peter Pan’s Flight (always a long line, a classic dark ride)

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It’s a Small World

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Enchanted Tiki Room

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Carousel of Progress (only if you want to see this original from the 1964 World’s Fair)

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People Mover (the future of transportation!!!!!)

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Other

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If you have to skip one of the main rides, I think you can skip Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Very long wait and it’s not THAT different from say Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

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Having dole whip is a classic, a nice sweet treat.

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EPCOT

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Priority Experiences

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Thrill

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Soarin’

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Test Track

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Mission Space (heavy g forces, I haven’t done it recently)

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Frozen

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Experiences

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Journey into imagination (cult classic slow ride with Eric Idle)

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Living with the land (more cult classic, even slower ride talking about sustainability and taking you through some greenhouses and hydroponic gardens)

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Spaceship Earth (slow ride in the big golf ball).

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Other

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Not too much in terms of thrills here, but walking around the world showcase is fun. The rides are not as important here I think. I suggest embracing the utopic-retro-futurism vibe to best enjoy EPCOT.

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Frozen is actually a pretty fun little dark water ride. Shortest line is at night since it’s a lot of kids during the day, and EPCOT usually stays open the latest.

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Fish and chips are pretty dang good at UK (can get them at Crown and Rose sit-down or take-away).

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Ratatouille uses virtual queue, see how that works. Brand new ride but looks pretty good.

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If you like drinks, especially alcoholic, look for the unique drinks in each country (usually can be found at walk up stands).

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Lots of good food and drink here, so I would pay attention to when and where you want to eat.

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The area outside the back entrance near the UK pavilion has some nice stuff outside the park. That’s also where you enter and exit to use the skyliner gondola (great for getting between EPCOT and Hollywood Studios).

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Hollywood Studios

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Priority Experiences

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Rise of the Resistance (very strongly recommended)

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Tower of Terror (strongly recommended)

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Millenium Falcon (single rider is good bet if the line is long, though then you probably can’t choose your role which apparently pilot is the best)

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Rock n Roller Coaster

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Star Tours (the classic star wars ride)

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Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway (new ride technology)

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Slinky Dog (line always seemed so long for this, it’s fun but not sure I’d wait over 45 min)

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Other

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I think they don’t do the virtual queue anymore for rise?

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Understand the virtual queue system and make sure you know what you need to do to get onto Rise of the Resistance (highest priority ride IMO). When I was there you had to have a park reservation for Hollywood Studios and use the app to get in the virtual queue at either 7 AM or 1 PM. That might have changed though so they should look it up. The whole family can probably ride that, no physical thrills, just a strong atmosphere.

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Oga’s Cantina is fun if you like cocktails / beer and are a Star Wars fan.

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Galaxy’s Edge is fun area if you are a Star Wars fan, interesting food and drink there (blue milk is ok but probably worth trying)

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Animal Kingdom

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Priority Experiences

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Flight of Passage

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Mt. Everest

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Navi River Journey (dark water ride focused on atmosphere)

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Dinosaur (a nice romp around time)

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Safari (for live safari animals)

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It’s tough to be a bug (silly 3d show)

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Other

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Pandora (Avatar land) is a nicely done area, has some interesting food and drink options.

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The theming here generally is good and more laid back.

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Other

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Bull n Bear is apparently a pretty fancy, high experience, high quality restaurant off property

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