Hey, y'all! Growing up, in Florida, you don't realize how lucky you are to have Disney in your backyard. We had Annual Passes when I was younger and visited the parks frequently. I recently had the opportunity to visit Disney again and looked at it through the eyes of a first timer. Here are a 10 Tips and Tricks for getting the most out of your trip to Disney World.
1. Plan your visit. I know this seems like a no-brainer but Disney has all kinds of special events scheduled throughout the year. Often times this brings in an influx of people making the park even more crowded.
**Tip** Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the least busy days for the park, however, this is not necessarily the case during peak season.
2. The crew at Disney has the parking system down pat. Cast members will swiftly guide you into a parking spot. A tram will take you to the transportation hub where you can either choose to take the ferry or the monorail to the park of your choice.
**Tip** Be sure to snap a picture of the sign indicating where you parked your car. If you think losing your car at the grocery store is bad, you haven't lost it at Disney yet!
3. Since we're talking about the monorail, I have to point out that the monorail stops aren't as clearly marked as they should be. Once you're on the monorail there is not a map showing where you are on the track and how many stops until you get to your destination. I strongly suggest paying attention when the announcements are being made over the loud speaker.
4. While you're allowed to take bookbags into the park, be prepared to have them searched thoroughly. I was extremely impressed with how thoroughly our bags were searched.
**Tip** Don't pack your selfie stick! It will be confiscated and you'll be either forced to toss it out or check it.
5. As soon as you are in the park, grab a map! Or at least take the time to download one on your phone. Maps are hard to come by once you are at the heart of the park and there were countless people wondering around aimlessly. I may or may not have been one of those people.
6. If you are celebrating something special, stop by and pick up a special pin from Guest Services. You never know what perks might come along just by wearing this button!
7. Each ride has two different lines. There's the Fast Pass lines and what Disney calls "Standby". Standby is just an odd way of saying it is the line for those who don't have Fast Passes. It confused several people at the park- many thought it was a line for those standing by hoping a Fast Pass slot opened up.
8. There are plenty of food options within the park system, 300 of them in fact! Every year Disney World Resorts serves up 10 million hamburgers, 1.6 million turkey legs, 6 million hot dogs, and 9 million pounds of french fries.
**Tip** Adults can order Kids Meals as well for those who prefer smaller portions or those following a budget.
9. Florida can be ridiculously hot! It is extremely important to stay hydrated. Restaurants will give you a free glass of ice water, if you ask.
10. Disney's water parks are a blast! They are a fun way to cool down during our warmer months.
Be sure to pin these tips and tricks for your next trip to the House of Mouse! Gimme a like on Facebook or follow me on Twitter for more great travel tips. See you next time!