Skip to content
JOURNEYS WITH JENN
JOURNEYS WITH JENN

  • About Jenn
  • Disclosures
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Let’s Work Together
JOURNEYS WITH JENN
JOURNEYS WITH JENN

Walt Disney World Time Saving Tips: From A Cast Member

Jenn, November 28, 2017September 30, 2019

Sharing is caring!

9 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Walt Disney World tips seem to be everywhere these days, the internet abounds with “professional” advice, but what really is the best laid plan for a perfect vacation? Take a look with me and see the top cast member tricks and tips for saving time.

walt disney world time saving tips

Walt Disney World Time Saving Tips

Your vacation time is precious. Unfortunately it seems like our vacation days are few and far between. When you choose a destination like Walt Disney World, you want to make sure that you are able to maximize your time. Here are the top 8 tricks and tips I put together from  cast members, on how to use that vacation time wisely.

1.Minimize Your Park Bags 

There is a security bag check at the entry to every park. While they normally move fairly quickly, if you show up at a peak time at Epcot and the monorail and tram just let out a swarm of guests you may have to wait longer than you would like. There are a few things you can do here. If you can travel lightly, just don’t take a bag. If you only need a few things, try to put them in your pockets (and those of other family members) along with a folded up drawstring style backpack. Once you’re in the park you can unload their pockets into the bag. These two options allow you to bypass the bag check line. If you must carry a bag, have all of the compartments open as you approach the security guard and try to carry as few bags as possible.

2. Save Time And Drive Or Walk 

Although the Disney transportation system is more convenient than most, it can still be frustrating when you are in a hurry. If you drive to WDW or if you rent a car once you arrive, you can drive to Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The parking is convenient and you don’t have to wait on a bus to arrive. Magic Kingdom is easier to do on a bus, since the parking lot still requires a ferry or monorail ride to get over to the entrance.

If you are able to stay in a location where you can walk to a park that is even better. My family loves Epcot, so Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club top our list of resorts because it is so easy to walk over to Epcot and even Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin are in the same location. The Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower have a path to Magic Kingdom if you spend most of your time there. Of course, being on the monorail is super convenient when it is operating at full hours.

3. Arrive At Park Opening 

The amount of time you will save waiting in line from opening to 11 AM is amazing. That is the very best time to be in the park, before the lines start to form. There are some exceptions with the particularly popular rides where the queues build quickly, but just use #1 for that and arrive early for the other stuff.

4. Use FastPass+

Everyone with tickets to Disney World, now has the privilege of FastPass+. It is free, and you should take full advantage of it. Being able to skip some of the crazy standby lines at attractions like the new 7 Dwarfs Mine Train in the Magic Kingdom or Soarin at Epcot will save you a ton of time. Make sure you have My Disney Experience downloaded on your phone, so you can maximize this.

walt disney world time saving tips

5. Stay At A Disney Resort 

You will save a ton of commuting time by simply staying on site at one of Disney Resort. The transportation comes on a regular basis (average 15-25 minutes) and you are just closer to the parks than off-site options. You can even select a Disney Deluxe Resort (Disney’s Contemporary Resort) that allow you to walk right into Magic Kingdom. There a lot of advantages to staying on site, but the convenience of location is high on the list

6. Eat Breakfast In Your Room 

This is a big time saver! While one person is in the shower, someone else can eat their Cheerios (or muffin, Danish, etc.) It maximizes time and minimizes waiting in line for a Disney breakfast. I highly recommend packing some breakfast items if you can or having a grocery delivery. You can also pick up cereal and other breakfast items in most resort food courts, but they are just a little more expensive than a “normal” grocery store.

7. Use On-Line Check In

I don’t always recommend this, particularly if you have specific requests that you want honored by the resort, but it can save you a little time when you arrive. By checking in online everything is ready to go for you once you arrive at the resort. During the day, you may be greeted at the front entrance of the resort by a Disney Cast Member to just get your room number.  You will then go right to your room.

If it is after hours, there is a separate line for online check-ins that moves a little faster and everything should be set when you get to the counter.

8. Ask For Dining Check Early 

If you are dining at an all-you-care-to-eat buffet or set-price table service restaurant, this is particularly convenient. When we attend a character buffet, I always ask for the check as we order our drinks. This way I can have that taken care of and as soon as we finish eating or see our last character we are ready to leave.

These were the most frequent tips for saving time, as told to me by a few cast members. I hope they will help you to maximize your time during your Walt Disney World vacation.

Do you have a great time-saving tip for Walt Disney World? I would love to hear it. 

Disney Walt Disney World disney tipsdisney tricksdisney vacation tipsvisit floridavisit orlandowalt disney worldwalt disney world resort

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Related Posts

Walt Disney World

Star Wars Experiences at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

December 6, 2015October 26, 2017

The Force is growing stronger at the Walt Disney World Resort with the addition of new Star Wars experiences now open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Star Wars Launch Bay At Star Wars Launch Bay, located in Animation Courtyard, you can interact with Star Wars characters by choosing to encounter the Dark…

Read More
Disney

Disney Fashions- Have Come A Long Way

December 15, 2015April 27, 2020

You know I love my Disney. I also love designer clothes and handbags, with the collaboration of top name designers I can have the best of both worlds to bring out my Disney Fashionista. Don’t get me wrong I love to wear an Original Mouseketeer tee to the parks or…

Read More
Walt Disney World

Disney Junior comes to life at Walt Disney World Resort

December 12, 2015February 8, 2020

There’s so much fun for little ones to enjoy at the Walt Disney World Resort from singing and dancing along with Disney Junior Live on Stage! to having breakfast or lunch with their favorite Disney Junior pals at Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine. Are you heading to the Walt…

Read More
Living Life One Trip At A Time… Jenn is a mom, writer, and business owner. She loves to travel- solo, with her family or a group of friends. No matter where she is, she is always making an impact and sharing her journey. When she isn’t traveling, she can be found on the farm helping her daughter raise her show animals. She’s a country girl at heart, with a love for travel.

Browse by Category

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT

  • ollivanders wand shop
    Ollivanders Wand Shop at Universal Orlando
  • universal roller coasters
    Universal Orlando Roller Coasters: From Wild To Wilder
  • epic universe at universal orlando
    Epic Universe- Opening at Universal Orlando Resort
  • best breakfast at universal
    Universal Orlando On-Site Resorts: The Best Breakfast Options
  • 8 Tips For an EPIC Universal Orlando Vacation

Copyright 2024 · Journeys with Jenn – All photos & posts are property of Journeys with Jenn All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without prior permission of the owner, except in the case of brief quotation uses permitted by copyright law.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright 2024 · Journeys with Jenn – All photos & posts are property of Journeys with Jenn All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without prior permission of the owner, except in the case of brief quotation uses permitted by copyright law.

Preferred Travel Agency of Journeys with Jenn

travel agent
©2025 JOURNEYS WITH JENN | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes
9 shares