For me the best shortcut was to start watching DFB. My last trip was so much easier, because I already knew where I wanted to eat, what to eat as a snack, what I had at the festival! thanks a Lot!
This is super personal as not everyone will enjoy the same resort or even able to afford the category of room. I am not saying your video suggested topic is a bad idea for a video though :).
Maybe watch Here with the Ears or Tim Tracker as they cover multiple room tours. It really does depend on what level of rustic or luxury you enjoy-and I would guess if you want areas that's more adult with less kid traffic. Any classic Disney or abundant playful themed resorts will be kid-heavy😆 (All Stars, Art of Animation, Caribbean beach, etc)
Here's some practical advice: Don't be afraid to skip your first day and go to Disney Springs instead. I took my mom as a gift last year and the flight was a nightmare. Even before that, we agreed we'd be too tired to go into the park. So we got beneigts since we hadn't eaten and went into Springs. We enjoyed ourselves far more than if we went into the chaos of the parks. It allowed our minds to start catching up to the situation and the slower pace helped out bodies start adjusting. So don't be afraid to book one more day at the hotel than the parks for that first day.
Just got back from WDW last week. We had a 7:55 reservation at Oga’s Cantina even though the park closed at 7:00. Galaxy’s Edge (and all of Hollywood Studios) was absolutely gorgeous at night without crowds!
We always take a late night flight home on checkout day! Usually that is our Disney Springs day and save most of our souvenir budget for it. Then we know where we stand after the couple of MUST HAVES for park only merch. We check our suitcases in the lobby and use bell services to hold any carry ons we don't want to lug around. Collapsible carry-on sized bags are great for those purchases though and fit right in my backpack.
If staying at AoA or Pop (when both are open).....hop on either resort bus if one resort bus line is huge and the other is short. You may have to wait for 2 or more busses in one line and get on the next bus in the other line. The bus slots are usually next to each other and the resorts are connected by a bridge and you could get back to your room way faster even if you have to walk from AoA to Pop or vice versa.
My greatest shortcut is to get a condo instead of staying at the resorts. I usually get a 3 bedroom 3 bathroom condo for less than $100 a night. These places are excellent and well kept up. My favorite one is about a five minute drive from Animal Kingdom, so it is faster to the parks than waiting for a bus. Plus the real time savings is that our car is right out the front door. So there is no 10-15 minute walk through the resort to get to the doors and we also avoid the 5 - 10 minute tramp through the parking lot. Another time savings is that we can eat in the condo's kitchen and dining room in the morning instead of corralling everybody up and walking through the resort to the quick service and waiting through that whole ordeal.
When leaving Tomorrowland, we will cut through the Tommorowland Terrace rather than fighting the Hub crowds. There is also secluded bathrooms. They aren't the nicest bathrooms.. but there are rarely people there.. (this may be different if the restaurant is open)
Restaurant is always closed when I go and there’s always a ton of people at the bathrooms. I may not have to wait, but there are still a lot of people. People that are waiting for the rest of their group, and now the obnoxious people who have decided this is the first official Instagram wall. Disney even started making merchandise that reads “meet me at the purple wall.” And after the fireworks, when they decided to have them again, they open up this closed off walkway, so that all of the Tomorrowland traffic can bypass main street. It’s great, but that also means that the area is now full of people.
Couple years ago We ate at Chef Mickey and were going to walk to the magic kingdom. So I asked the cast member in the lobby at the contemporary “how do I walk to the magic kingdom from here?” He said “ you put one foot in front of the other and walk.” I knew that I’d been owned and took the loss. Well played sir.
We have only been to Disneyland Paris but I absolutely agree with people saying get to the hotel at LEAST the day before. Have a good hot meal, a good nights sleep, maybe even explore the hotel. Then when you wake up refreshed, washed, fed and ready, you can enjoy a full day at the park. We HAVE tried stepping off the train after an 8 hour journey, grubby, hungry and excited and honestly I could have climbed Thunder Mesa and kissed Goofy and not remembered, it was a blur.
Be careful when using your gps to drive around Disney World. GPS very often will direct you into bus only areas, you want the put parking lot in your gps.
BE CAREFUL- when going straight to the park, rather than going to Wilderness Lodge to check in, there were extended hours that day and we had a glorious day.... HOWEVER- we arrived back to the room approx 11:45 and had no luggage.... luggage is o my delivered to the rooms until a certain hour- afterwards you must call for delivery... which due to the hour the desk had to find someone to bring our bags, which couldn’t be located... 1am we got our luggage.
Did Ohana and Garden Grill on my trip in March 2019. Both were great experiences. Chip and Dale at Garden Grill were great. Certainly when we couldn’t remember who was who 😳... Castmember at Ohana asked us if we knew what Ohana meant when we arrived. Being born in mid 90s, i grew up watching Lilo and Stitch so definitely knew it. Restaurant was full so didnt see characters as much but was definitely a great experience and the little conga line for the kids was adorable!
I like the take your own snacks idea; I can't tell you how many times we'd do the "big table service meal" and to only have the kid/kids more interested in the character then the food; then a half an hour later--I'm hungry. Then you have the teenager who is always hungry. LOL...I remember the good ol days when mobile order service wasn't used as much and it was the "fast" way.
I fly usually the first flight out of my home airport and the last out of of MCO not just to get the most time, but usually it is the cheapest flights as well. The early morning flight drives my mom (my Disney buddy) nuts though.
I dunno if it's a "short" cut, but when your family wants to ride something on the far side of MK and your feet are killing you? Take the train! Esp if you have little kids. They love trains and I just was happy to sit on a comfy seat for awhile!
Fly in the night before..you can get a hotel near the airport with free shuttle service and go right to the Magical Express in the morning and have your entire first day at a park instead if an airplane.
Yeh, we've thought about that; because especially for Spring Break; my one kid would finish her finals early and we'd think of trying to sneak her out of school ASAP; but then in high school I think they were onto that; so she'd always have this one teacher who'd have this huge last assignment all the way to the end.
So smart to think of knowing where the stairs are as a tip! Yes! We've been using stairs for ages but I never thought of suggesting it as a tip for others. Bravo!
The online check in didn't work for me and unless I went up because I was in the hotel for like an hour and nothing. The mobile ordering was GREAT! The only odd thing was it showed things in MK even when I wasn't there lol It didn't show the food place unless I was there, and I could just wheel right in (wheelchair)
Thanks for all the awesome videos! My water has to be COLD so before I leave the resort in morning I always fill my spill proof mug (that I bring with me from home) up before I head to the parks. I wish the Disney mugs we get were spill proof!
If you have someone with mobility issues and need to rent a scooter/wheelchair, we use Buena Vista scooter. Drops off The hotel outside and pick-up same area. And, disney charges security fee that is double what buena vista does. Most recent was $27/day. Money saved!
Great info! :D However, it kind of sucks pushing everything to the smartphone since your Magic Band doesn't need batteries! I really do hope that WDW doesn't do away with the Magic Bands. I hate the fact that I need to keep a spare battery(ies) with me since they are pushing so much towards using the smartphones, but with your screen on all day setting up stuff, etc it just wastes sooo much battery. We've also done the Red Eye flights so that we are checked into our hotel and bags dropped off before the parks open. It seems to help maximizing. Just sucks though when you are leaving and the last flight of the day going to your home leaves at 3pm. :(
Yes! We just scored a reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table for 6:50pm on February 11th even though the park closes at 6pm. Literally can’t wait to have the park empty when we leave. That’ll be the best part plus it’s our first visit to that restaurant. It’s just my husband and I ❤️❤️
Can you do a list of the best hotels for people with wheelchair handicaps. Also a list on what you can do at Disney if you are wheelchair bound. I'd love to go back but I'm scared there isn't enough to do for someone who can't scale stairs or ride many of the rides.
I agree with a later departure flight, but I never take the last flight because I have had those flight cancelled. Going anywhere, I always prefer to arrive the evening before. That way, I have the first day of my stay to do what I am there for work or vacation.
so regarding making dining reservations at park closing, will transportation still be available when we leave? Does Epcot's International Gateway stay open until all guests leave? We would have to exit thru there to get to Boardwalk. While it sounds great to walk out of an empty park, I need to get back to my resort without having to call an Uber.
I have been making a list of all your videos i see that have useful information for when me and my family go to disney. We were gonna go this year but the pandemic happened. Than we had to move, so it will be a few years now before we can go.
My dad and i flew out of buffalo at 545am, landed in orlando at 815, we were at epcot by 10.. spent the night at all star music and the next day at MK beforw flying hime that night.. it was tiring but the best quick 2 day trip ever!
@@laurenbratland7620 no checked bags. We both had a change of clothes in our carry on. We took the magical express to the hotel, left our bags with the bell hop service, and hopped right on the bus for epcot. I checked in to the room from my phone too. It was very smooth and easy...
The one bad thing about relying on the magical express is they get you back to the airport almost too far in advance of your flight. I think we had to get on the bus at 415 for an 815 flight out of orlando.
Your arriving early and leaving late only works depending on where you live in the country. I live in pacific time zone and even if I leave on first flight in the morning (6am) I don't get into Orlando until 6 or 7 pm. If you're able to sleep on flights you could leave the night before, but then you get into Orlando so early in the morning nothing is open!
The thing about the check out day is if you use the magical express they make you leave 3 hours early BUT that airport is so FREAKING big it will take you 3 hours lol UNLESS you know all the places and where they are,
Love your videos we just had a newborn and are planning our trip for 2022. We are spending Christmas Day planning while watching your videos! Merry Christmas!
@Swift - Congratulations on your baby!! I hope you'll have a wonderful time! @Pink - Pink? or is it Scrooge? Babies do just fine as Disney, thank you very much! We took our daughter to Disneyland the first time when she was about 4 months old back in 1975 - she never cried or caused any disturbance. And all these years later, she still loves going to WDW. As I'm sure you know, Walt Disney created his theme parks for families not just adults. If you want an adult-only experience, there are always adult movie houses, massage parlors, and bookstores that can tickle your fancy.
Your baby WONT RUIN by crying! I’ve gone pretty much every year since my son was born and it was fun. Tiring, but fun. He was 8 months his 1st trip. He did sleep a few times in the park but me and my wife used that to stroll around the parks and shop. I don’t know if this is your 1st child but they also have parent swap for rides that aren’t baby friendly, meaning you all go in a line and 1 parent goes on the ride while the other watches the baby, then you switch off. Plus hopefully everything is back to normal and get photos with all types of characters.
I hope that Lilo & Stitch can be met outside of Ohana's breakfast because I do want to meet them on my trip. After asking around to get some people to go on a trip with me, sadly couldn't get my cousins to go because of money & health concerns, I was able to get a close friend of mine & some of their family to agree to start planning a trip with me. I've known this person for about 13 years now & we met through playing a Disney MMO so we both love Disney. We've met in real life multiple times, funnily enough we wore Disney stuff to our trip to Six Flags together, Bugs liked my Darkwing Duck shirt but it made Daffy angry, sorry for not wearing a Duck Dodgers shirt. Anyways, this friend lives in Hawaii, I visited them in Kona, it was amazing. We decided to avoid the restaurants at the Poly since this is a vacation & since they live in Hawaii, eating at a Hawaiian themed restaurant isn't a vacation for them but both of us love Lilo & Stitch so we were hoping to find meet & greets or something for them outside of a character meal. I enjoy Hawaiian food & atmosphere but I've experienced the real thing plus can go back again at a lower cost since I don't need to pay for a hotel when going to visit my friend in Hawaii so I'm fine with passing on eating at those restaurants, I definitely don't want to pay an arm & a leg to eat there. My heart did sink when you said something about that being the only way to meet Lilo, if it is I guess I'm fine with passing on seeing her but definitely don't want to miss out on Stitch because I struggled to see him when I went to Disneyland in 2002, Lilo & Stitch was still new so Stitch was super popular, I remember seeing him swarmed with people but I was 11 so my memory is probably off.
If you need to get back to the TTC from Magic Kingdom, take the resort monorail not the express. The express usually has a way longer line and the resort monorail only stops at The Contemporary before going to the TTC.
I love Disney I can’t wait to go again when I can park hop my passes don’t work right now but I can’t wait! I know no one cares but when I’m older I’m gonna be a hotel manager at Disney
Why you keep saying that every dfb video. Gets kind of tiring. Good for you for wanting to be a hotel manager at Disney but don’t need to say it every video
We took a red eye to Orlando to get the most out of our first day since got to our hotel at 7am and we left Orlando at about 9pm on our last day to really stretch it out. It was exhausting but so worth it!
I used the GPS trick 10 years ago and I ended up in Animal Kingdom by a Giraffe entrance in the middle of nowhere. Had to retrace to go back to the main entrance. Maybe she meant use GPS outside of Disney getting to the park like on the city streets. I have done that before at Bush Gardens and Sea World and that works.
I usually get a semi-early flight out to maximize my vacation time off work, unfortunately. Usually end up working the very next day after I come back, lol. Otherwise I would take the last flight out!
@@eliza8222 My wife and I both work in the schools. Only time we can both take off. We're prepped for the heat and I hope the lines aren't too bad as they'll likely still be in limited capacity. Thanks for the well wishes!
We are also going in June. We went in June two years ago( I also teach). Yes it’s hot but it didn’t stop us and we had a blast. It was before the pandemic, and if planned correctly, you will have no problem getting on rides. We made it through all of toy story land in 30 minutes. We rope dropped magic kingdom and rode many rides in the first thirty minutes.
We are DVC members since 2000 and unfortunately, have never received notification that our room was ready. We have only ever received messages saying our room was Not ready. It is really tiresome, especially when it goes past 6:00 PM. (Forget about 4:00 PM.)
Be sure to be at the parks before rope drop. You avoid many long lines and can get in lots of rides while most people are still in their hotel rooms. Also, eat at non-regular meal times, either early or late meals. Shorter waits and less busy restaurants.
The best shortcut at Disney is if your in a wheelchair they let you enter the ride at a back door no waiting in line. My friend twisted her ankle and the park gave her a wheelchair. Our entire group got to go with her. I didn't know they had a back door.
I highly disagree with using your GPS if you have an Apple device. It will almost always lead you to an employee parking lot or maintenance entrance. Do not do it!
Totally agree 100% I take the irrational step of ground truthing my routes ahead of time via UA-cam or street viewing an entire route. No substitute for “seeing” a route.
I have never had this issue and I stay offsite and drove every visit. I do tend to google map the area and plan out my general routes before I get there, but I always follow google maps to the parks and then follow the signs to parking. Has never steered me wrong in my 3 trips!
@@sha2596 I think you missed the point completely. Just because it gets you there doesn't mean it gets you there the most efficient route. Staying offsite is actually easier than navigating the variety of side routes connected to the various resorts. Pre-pandemic Disney built out the on property road layout to further discourage guests from using their own transportation. Now though, it's far and away safer and more efficient to drive ourselves, unless you have Skyliner or walkable park access. My Feb trip is in the Contemporary for this very reason. I will only have to navigate by car to DHS this trip.
So I was at Disney at the other day and I asked a cast member could I eat in line they said yes as long as it's not in the main cue and in the building for example at tower of terror I could eat in the line all the way up to the main gate/entrance after that if I was not done with my food I'd have to throw it away please note there are signs on the trash cans near the main entrance of each attractions
When we go to AK we shortcut the entrance by arriving early and entering through the Rainforest Cafe entrance. Never hear this tip anywhere works like a charm
Hi AJ! Awesome tips. Can you post the link for the video about things to do on check in days you referenced in this video? I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!
I’ve recently found a bunch of hacks with all the current reservation systems I’m literally too scared to share because no one in the Disney information sphere has yet discovered them. Which is surprising. And I fear if it got out, Disney would close the loopholes really quickly.
@@mudn2004 Restaurants aren't the only early pre rope drop reservations one can make in a park right now. Getting in before opening rope drop has been a hobby of mine for a few years now. It's one reason Garden Grill is my favorite breakfast option in Epcot as an older example.
I don’t think Disney should allow reservations after park close. So many people use it as a way to stay over an hour after and I feel bad for the cast members and transportation people who probably would like to go home on time. (Speaking as someone who has had to stay late at work because people decide to stay after close)
As a cast member who helped stressed out guest, frustrated & lost BECAUSE OF LISTENING TO THEIR GPS---DO NOT IGNORE TRAFFIC SIGNS!!! unless you are very familiar with Disney property! Your 'tip' on this is very flawed! GPS often direct guest to PRIVATE--EMPLOYEE ONLY roads or to backstage roads where guest are not supposed to be and are often barricaded, gated or guarded by security! and it can be very frustrating and TIME-CONSUMING trying to get unlost! And as a 23-year employee, believe me, short cuts may save you a tiny bit of mileage but not so much any time--this tip of hers is wrong and please for your safety and security! FOLLOW THE SIGNS!
I have reserved a standard room but when I get ready to leave for the hotel ( we are local) I give the hotel a call and see if I can change rooms to be closer to the transportation as we use scooters! I can usually get a closer room and a few times it has been an upgraded one due to the accessibility. I don't do this all the time but, I will do it for a short notice trip.
We take the red eye from the West Coast. We usually get into MCO early morning gives us a bonus day that if we left the West Coast in the morning or later we would not reach World until evening
I did the shortcut from lion king to pandora and I brought toasted ritz crackers as my snack to the park. I also requested close to transportation after a few months of ankle surgery last year and got me to the buses easily
I order groceries the night before we leave for WDW to be delivered to our hotel. It saves time and money because we can eat food we prepare instead of eating meals out. I order staples, PB&J, bread, milk, cereal, cheese and crackers, granola bars, ziplocks, snack foods, etc. Most hotels will refrigerate your food deliveries and bring them to your room after check in. It was really easy and saved a ton of time!! Also I take several ziplocks,sandwiches
@@crystalfarley7359 I'd suggest taking a walk outside or something...you clearly have some pent up angst that needs to come out. I was simply adding additional context- to some people smoke is something they'll avoid at all costs.
My (adult) daughter and I were there two weeks ago and used the remote check in for our resort. It worked great except that all of her charges were billed to my credit card even though she had set her own one up on MDE.
That makes sense because charging with magic bands is charging things back to the room so if her card isnt on the room/the one who booked the room then it wouldnt go there unless you talk to someone about adding it.
We had a late reservation in EPCOT for diner several years ago and felt like we were chased out of the park! We were walking back from World Showcase and stopped at a bathroom. A female cast member came in and asked if there was anyone in there. I answered yes. She then asked me what I was doing. By this time I was getting a little put off, and I guess she could hear my frustration when I said,”using the bathroom “. When I came out, two me followed my sister and I out, talking on a hand held walky talky, talking about us but never speaking to us. Let me add, it was pouring down rain. I was having gout issues and had to stop frequently. Each time we stopped, the men would stop and stare at us, never speaking to us. The rest of our family was younger and in better shape, so when we left the restaurant we told them to go on to the hotel without us, as not to have Togo slower and get even more wet.
Hey guys! I'm planning a trip to Disney and would love to propose to my girlfriend while I'm there! She LOVES Tangled so if anyone has any ideas please lmk! Thanks
I would propose in front of the magic kingdom castle, photographers are all over Main Street taking pictures of family’s and you down on 1 knee in front of the castle would be a great picture, plus she might not even expect it. Good luck and congratulations!
You could do the castle but also the tangles rest room area. Find a spot that has the tower in the background and propose to her there, See if a photopass person is around and ask then if they can help.
Omg! I love tangled to, and my dream is to get proposed to and married at Disney, I’m just gonna tell you how I would want it and how she might like it, if your going overnight and both staying at a hotel go to the park early plan a reservation at a restaurant that you both enjoy then get matching Rapunzel and Flynn rider shirts just say you want to do it and get her some souvenirs of tangled and if your at magic ask to go on haunted mansion or rides near the bath room (ughh yes I know I’m mad that that’s all she gets for someone locked in a tower for 18 years she deserves better that’s the only tangled place in all of Disney) also find a way to get the lanterns and put it and other souvenirs on the hotel bed when she doesn’t see well go to the tangled bathrooms and casually propose in front of the tower do it at night or when it gets dark because the lanterns come on also tell me details about your trip
For me the best shortcut was to start watching DFB. My last trip was so much easier, because I already knew where I wanted to eat, what to eat as a snack, what I had at the festival! thanks a Lot!
Can you do a video on tips/tricks for couples going to Disney. Like what rooms would be best, etc.
This is super personal as not everyone will enjoy the same resort or even able to afford the category of room. I am not saying your video suggested topic is a bad idea for a video though :).
Maybe watch Here with the Ears or Tim Tracker as they cover multiple room tours. It really does depend on what level of rustic or luxury you enjoy-and I would guess if you want areas that's more adult with less kid traffic. Any classic Disney or abundant playful themed resorts will be kid-heavy😆 (All Stars, Art of Animation, Caribbean beach, etc)
Good Idea!!
She already did
@@jolfer1334 can you link it?
Here's some practical advice: Don't be afraid to skip your first day and go to Disney Springs instead. I took my mom as a gift last year and the flight was a nightmare. Even before that, we agreed we'd be too tired to go into the park. So we got beneigts since we hadn't eaten and went into Springs. We enjoyed ourselves far more than if we went into the chaos of the parks. It allowed our minds to start catching up to the situation and the slower pace helped out bodies start adjusting.
So don't be afraid to book one more day at the hotel than the parks for that first day.
Just got back from WDW last week. We had a 7:55 reservation at Oga’s Cantina even though the park closed at 7:00. Galaxy’s Edge (and all of Hollywood Studios) was absolutely gorgeous at night without crowds!
What did you do between the time the park closed and your reservation? Did cast members try to kick you out?
@@alextirrellRI no, lol. We walked around near the Cantina, looking at GE without a crowd and then just nearby until we were called to go in.
We always take a late night flight home on checkout day! Usually that is our Disney Springs day and save most of our souvenir budget for it. Then we know where we stand after the couple of MUST HAVES for park only merch.
We check our suitcases in the lobby and use bell services to hold any carry ons we don't want to lug around. Collapsible carry-on sized bags are great for those purchases though and fit right in my backpack.
If staying at AoA or Pop (when both are open).....hop on either resort bus if one resort bus line is huge and the other is short. You may have to wait for 2 or more busses in one line and get on the next bus in the other line. The bus slots are usually next to each other and the resorts are connected by a bridge and you could get back to your room way faster even if you have to walk from AoA to Pop or vice versa.
My greatest shortcut is to get a condo instead of staying at the resorts. I usually get a 3 bedroom 3 bathroom condo for less than $100 a night. These places are excellent and well kept up. My favorite one is about a five minute drive from Animal Kingdom, so it is faster to the parks than waiting for a bus. Plus the real time savings is that our car is right out the front door. So there is no 10-15 minute walk through the resort to get to the doors and we also avoid the 5 - 10 minute tramp through the parking lot. Another time savings is that we can eat in the condo's kitchen and dining room in the morning instead of corralling everybody up and walking through the resort to the quick service and waiting through that whole ordeal.
When leaving Tomorrowland, we will cut through the Tommorowland Terrace rather than fighting the Hub crowds. There is also secluded bathrooms. They aren't the nicest bathrooms.. but there are rarely people there.. (this may be different if the restaurant is open)
Restaurant is always closed when I go and there’s always a ton of people at the bathrooms. I may not have to wait, but there are still a lot of people. People that are waiting for the rest of their group, and now the obnoxious people who have decided this is the first official Instagram wall. Disney even started making merchandise that reads “meet me at the purple wall.” And after the fireworks, when they decided to have them again, they open up this closed off walkway, so that all of the Tomorrowland traffic can bypass main street. It’s great, but that also means that the area is now full of people.
I love watching your videos! Your voice is so soothing
Couple years ago We ate at Chef Mickey and were going to walk to the magic kingdom. So I asked the cast member in the lobby at the contemporary “how do I walk to the magic kingdom from here?” He said “ you put one foot in front of the other and walk.” I knew that I’d been owned and took the loss. Well played sir.
Rando Citizen LOLOLOL
Oof
Sounds like something that we wouldve been smacked for, back in the day.
I’m gonna be a hotel manager at contemporary (or at least I wanna be) I’ll probably do front desk first but I’d say the same thing lol
I find that the best way to walk just about anywhere is by foot.
I LOVE the thumbnail! Rapunzel is my favorite Disney character and I felt like going I was about to go on a magical journey with her! 😆
When Main St is packed and you want to get right over to adventureland, cut through the emporium to Casey’s corner, saves lots of time
We have only been to Disneyland Paris but I absolutely agree with people saying get to the hotel at LEAST the day before. Have a good hot meal, a good nights sleep, maybe even explore the hotel. Then when you wake up refreshed, washed, fed and ready, you can enjoy a full day at the park. We HAVE tried stepping off the train after an 8 hour journey, grubby, hungry and excited and honestly I could have climbed Thunder Mesa and kissed Goofy and not remembered, it was a blur.
Be careful when using your gps to drive around Disney World. GPS very often will direct you into bus only areas, you want the put parking lot in your gps.
BE CAREFUL- when going straight to the park, rather than going to Wilderness Lodge to check in, there were extended hours that day and we had a glorious day.... HOWEVER- we arrived back to the room approx 11:45 and had no luggage.... luggage is o my delivered to the rooms until a certain hour- afterwards you must call for delivery... which due to the hour the desk had to find someone to bring our bags, which couldn’t be located... 1am we got our luggage.
Love the Rapunzel thumbnail!
Did Ohana and Garden Grill on my trip in March 2019. Both were great experiences. Chip and Dale at Garden Grill were great. Certainly when we couldn’t remember who was who 😳... Castmember at Ohana asked us if we knew what Ohana meant when we arrived. Being born in mid 90s, i grew up watching Lilo and Stitch so definitely knew it. Restaurant was full so didnt see characters as much but was definitely a great experience and the little conga line for the kids was adorable!
My daily dose of Disney☺️I LOVE IT 😍
I like the take your own snacks idea; I can't tell you how many times we'd do the "big table service meal" and to only have the kid/kids more interested in the character then the food; then a half an hour later--I'm hungry. Then you have the teenager who is always hungry. LOL...I remember the good ol days when mobile order service wasn't used as much and it was the "fast" way.
I fly usually the first flight out of my home airport and the last out of of MCO not just to get the most time, but usually it is the cheapest flights as well. The early morning flight drives my mom (my Disney buddy) nuts though.
My shortcut: move to Tampa. Go to Disney whenever you want (and can make a reservation)!
One thing we always use is the resort airline check in. Helps us to maximize our time in WDW and minimize our time at the airport
I dunno if it's a "short" cut, but when your family wants to ride something on the far side of MK and your feet are killing you? Take the train! Esp if you have little kids. They love trains and I just was happy to sit on a comfy seat for awhile!
I hope the train returns after Teon opens. It has been closed a very long time!
Fly in the night before..you can get a hotel near the airport with free shuttle service and go right to the Magical Express in the morning and have your entire first day at a park instead if an airplane.
We’ve done this too. It works out great.
do this more often than not!! great tip!!
Yeh, we've thought about that; because especially for Spring Break; my one kid would finish her finals early and we'd think of trying to sneak her out of school ASAP; but then in high school I think they were onto that; so she'd always have this one teacher who'd have this huge last assignment all the way to the end.
@@kimt8162 if you can find a later flight, leaving at like 5 or 6 pm , you can stay the full day in school
So smart to think of knowing where the stairs are as a tip! Yes! We've been using stairs for ages but I never thought of suggesting it as a tip for others. Bravo!
Use celebration pins!! They are free and make you feel important
The online check in didn't work for me and unless I went up because I was in the hotel for like an hour and nothing. The mobile ordering was GREAT! The only odd thing was it showed things in MK even when I wasn't there lol It didn't show the food place unless I was there, and I could just wheel right in (wheelchair)
Thanks for all the awesome videos! My water has to be COLD so before I leave the resort in morning I always fill my spill proof mug (that I bring with me from home) up before I head to the parks. I wish the Disney mugs we get were spill proof!
If you have someone with mobility issues and need to rent a scooter/wheelchair, we use Buena Vista scooter. Drops off The hotel outside and pick-up same area. And, disney charges security fee that is double what buena vista does. Most recent was $27/day. Money saved!
Great info! :D However, it kind of sucks pushing everything to the smartphone since your Magic Band doesn't need batteries! I really do hope that WDW doesn't do away with the Magic Bands. I hate the fact that I need to keep a spare battery(ies) with me since they are pushing so much towards using the smartphones, but with your screen on all day setting up stuff, etc it just wastes sooo much battery.
We've also done the Red Eye flights so that we are checked into our hotel and bags dropped off before the parks open. It seems to help maximizing. Just sucks though when you are leaving and the last flight of the day going to your home leaves at 3pm. :(
Yes! We just scored a reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table for 6:50pm on February 11th even though the park closes at 6pm. Literally can’t wait to have the park empty when we leave. That’ll be the best part plus it’s our first visit to that restaurant. It’s just my husband and I ❤️❤️
Thanks for all these tips and shortcuts! May you have a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
11:48 - Um... where did you find those cinnamon pretzels?
Can you do a list of the best hotels for people with wheelchair handicaps. Also a list on what you can do at Disney if you are wheelchair bound. I'd love to go back but I'm scared there isn't enough to do for someone who can't scale stairs or ride many of the rides.
I'd like for AJ to do a whole video for people with mobility issues. My feet and legs can't take much walking since I am near 70.
Follow the GPS? Except mine has repeatedly tried to take me into Cast Member only areas.
Just put an official look on your face, let em know you're Chris from Orlando and act natural.
I agree with a later departure flight, but I never take the last flight because I have had those flight cancelled. Going anywhere, I always prefer to arrive the evening before. That way, I have the first day of my stay to do what I am there for work or vacation.
If you book a reservation for dinner in a park after it closes, will buses still be running then?
so regarding making dining reservations at park closing, will transportation still be available when we leave? Does Epcot's International Gateway stay open until all guests leave? We would have to exit thru there to get to Boardwalk. While it sounds great to walk out of an empty park, I need to get back to my resort without having to call an Uber.
I have been making a list of all your videos i see that have useful information for when me and my family go to disney. We were gonna go this year but the pandemic happened. Than we had to move, so it will be a few years now before we can go.
My dad and i flew out of buffalo at 545am, landed in orlando at 815, we were at epcot by 10.. spent the night at all star music and the next day at MK beforw flying hime that night.. it was tiring but the best quick 2 day trip ever!
Did you have a checked bag? We land at 7 am and are hoping to get to epcoy by 10 but we have to wait for a bag too.
@@laurenbratland7620 no checked bags. We both had a change of clothes in our carry on. We took the magical express to the hotel, left our bags with the bell hop service, and hopped right on the bus for epcot. I checked in to the room from my phone too. It was very smooth and easy...
The one bad thing about relying on the magical express is they get you back to the airport almost too far in advance of your flight. I think we had to get on the bus at 415 for an 815 flight out of orlando.
Your arriving early and leaving late only works depending on where you live in the country. I live in pacific time zone and even if I leave on first flight in the morning (6am) I don't get into Orlando until 6 or 7 pm. If you're able to sleep on flights you could leave the night before, but then you get into Orlando so early in the morning nothing is open!
The thing about the check out day is if you use the magical express they make you leave 3 hours early BUT that airport is so FREAKING big it will take you 3 hours lol UNLESS you know all the places and where they are,
And I've seen some epic TSA fails there, too. Massive lines if you don't have pre-check or global.
Love your videos we just had a newborn and are planning our trip for 2022. We are spending Christmas Day planning while watching your videos! Merry Christmas!
@@pink4873 we have a family tradition to go to Disney every two years but plan to visit universal as well 😁
@@pink4873 that last comment was rude :/
@@swifttrig3721 no adult with a newborn uses “:/“
@Swift - Congratulations on your baby!! I hope you'll have a wonderful time!
@Pink - Pink? or is it Scrooge? Babies do just fine as Disney, thank you very much! We took our daughter to Disneyland the first time when she was about 4 months old back in 1975 - she never cried or caused any disturbance. And all these years later, she still loves going to WDW. As I'm sure you know, Walt Disney created his theme parks for families not just adults. If you want an adult-only experience, there are always adult movie houses, massage parlors, and bookstores that can tickle your fancy.
Your baby WONT RUIN by crying! I’ve gone pretty much every year since my son was born and it was fun. Tiring, but fun. He was 8 months his 1st trip. He did sleep a few times in the park but me and my wife used that to stroll around the parks and shop. I don’t know if this is your 1st child but they also have parent swap for rides that aren’t baby friendly, meaning you all go in a line and 1 parent goes on the ride while the other watches the baby, then you switch off. Plus hopefully everything is back to normal and get photos with all types of characters.
love the videos keep it up
I hope that Lilo & Stitch can be met outside of Ohana's breakfast because I do want to meet them on my trip. After asking around to get some people to go on a trip with me, sadly couldn't get my cousins to go because of money & health concerns, I was able to get a close friend of mine & some of their family to agree to start planning a trip with me. I've known this person for about 13 years now & we met through playing a Disney MMO so we both love Disney. We've met in real life multiple times, funnily enough we wore Disney stuff to our trip to Six Flags together, Bugs liked my Darkwing Duck shirt but it made Daffy angry, sorry for not wearing a Duck Dodgers shirt. Anyways, this friend lives in Hawaii, I visited them in Kona, it was amazing. We decided to avoid the restaurants at the Poly since this is a vacation & since they live in Hawaii, eating at a Hawaiian themed restaurant isn't a vacation for them but both of us love Lilo & Stitch so we were hoping to find meet & greets or something for them outside of a character meal. I enjoy Hawaiian food & atmosphere but I've experienced the real thing plus can go back again at a lower cost since I don't need to pay for a hotel when going to visit my friend in Hawaii so I'm fine with passing on eating at those restaurants, I definitely don't want to pay an arm & a leg to eat there. My heart did sink when you said something about that being the only way to meet Lilo, if it is I guess I'm fine with passing on seeing her but definitely don't want to miss out on Stitch because I struggled to see him when I went to Disneyland in 2002, Lilo & Stitch was still new so Stitch was super popular, I remember seeing him swarmed with people but I was 11 so my memory is probably off.
If you need to get back to the TTC from Magic Kingdom, take the resort monorail not the express. The express usually has a way longer line and the resort monorail only stops at The Contemporary before going to the TTC.
I love Disney I can’t wait to go again when I can park hop my passes don’t work right now but I can’t wait! I know no one cares but when I’m older I’m gonna be a hotel manager at Disney
Why you keep saying that every dfb video. Gets kind of tiring. Good for you for wanting to be a hotel manager at Disney but don’t need to say it every video
@@davidarlitt8789 yes I do
David, that was rude. Let the kid live.
Hey AJ thanks for the updates
This is getting me so excited for my trip next year!!
Same 😁
Can you make room requests before you check in?
Great video, thank you!
15:31 I'm such a huge Star Wars nerd I could have sworn you said "Anakin" (I know you said "...and it can", so please forgive my one-track mind).
We took a red eye to Orlando to get the most out of our first day since got to our hotel at 7am and we left Orlando at about 9pm on our last day to really stretch it out. It was exhausting but so worth it!
Are they still doing the celebration buttons?
U back at it again miss aj happy holidays and 2 your fam.
I need a dfb guide equivalent for universal! 😆
Check out videos by The Pugh Two. They're a couple, and do Universal videos.
I used the GPS trick 10 years ago and I ended up in Animal Kingdom by a Giraffe entrance in the middle of nowhere. Had to retrace to go back to the main entrance. Maybe she meant use GPS outside of Disney getting to the park like on the city streets. I have done that before at Bush Gardens and Sea World and that works.
Modern GPS is way better than it was ten years ago.
First Flight in and Last Flight Out! ALWAYS!! You can sleep when you are NOT at Disney lol
I usually get a semi-early flight out to maximize my vacation time off work, unfortunately. Usually end up working the very next day after I come back, lol. Otherwise I would take the last flight out!
Planning for June. Always appreciate all the advice!
I went in June last year. It’s really hot 🥵 and the lines are long so be prepared for that!! I hope you have a wonderful trip!!
@@eliza8222 My wife and I both work in the schools. Only time we can both take off. We're prepped for the heat and I hope the lines aren't too bad as they'll likely still be in limited capacity. Thanks for the well wishes!
@@knriggz no there gonna expand! Have fun getting on anything don’t complain it’s to crowded, hot, or expensive!
We are going in june also
We are also going in June. We went in June two years ago( I also teach). Yes it’s hot but it didn’t stop us and we had a blast. It was before the pandemic, and if planned correctly, you will have no problem getting on rides. We made it through all of toy story land in 30 minutes. We rope dropped magic kingdom and rode many rides in the first thirty minutes.
We are DVC members since 2000 and unfortunately, have never received notification that our room was ready. We have only ever received messages saying our room was Not ready. It is really tiresome, especially when it goes past 6:00 PM. (Forget about 4:00 PM.)
Be sure to be at the parks before rope drop. You avoid many long lines and can get in lots of rides while most people are still in their hotel rooms.
Also, eat at non-regular meal times, either early or late meals. Shorter waits and less busy restaurants.
AJ. did u get sick with the covid? Back in the spring?
Why’d you ask her that
The best shortcut at Disney is if your in a wheelchair they let you enter the ride at a back door no waiting in line. My friend twisted her ankle and the park gave her a wheelchair. Our entire group got to go with her. I didn't know they had a back door.
Issue with using GPS is that some roads may be restricted and require permission to get all the way through.
I highly disagree with using your GPS if you have an Apple device. It will almost always lead you to an employee parking lot or maintenance entrance. Do not do it!
I agree. The gps in MDE is terrible. It will always take you the worst way possible.
Totally agree 100%
I take the irrational step of ground truthing my routes ahead of time via UA-cam or street viewing an entire route. No substitute for “seeing” a route.
I have never had this issue and I stay offsite and drove every visit. I do tend to google map the area and plan out my general routes before I get there, but I always follow google maps to the parks and then follow the signs to parking. Has never steered me wrong in my 3 trips!
@@sha2596 I think you missed the point completely. Just because it gets you there doesn't mean it gets you there the most efficient route. Staying offsite is actually easier than navigating the variety of side routes connected to the various resorts. Pre-pandemic Disney built out the on property road layout to further discourage guests from using their own transportation. Now though, it's far and away safer and more efficient to drive ourselves, unless you have Skyliner or walkable park access. My Feb trip is in the Contemporary for this very reason. I will only have to navigate by car to DHS this trip.
Apple sucks
Where are the pirate ship themed rooms? I haven’t seen those before
What on earth is that food at 16:30?!
But what do you think of the new snow white ride in Disneyland?!!
I love disney!
So I was at Disney at the other day and I asked a cast member could I eat in line they said yes as long as it's not in the main cue and in the building for example at tower of terror I could eat in the line all the way up to the main gate/entrance after that if I was not done with my food I'd have to throw it away please note there are signs on the trash cans near the main entrance of each attractions
Cool video!
When we go to AK we shortcut the entrance by arriving early and entering through the Rainforest Cafe entrance. Never hear this tip anywhere works like a charm
Hi AJ! Awesome tips. Can you post the link for the video about things to do on check in days you referenced in this video? I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!
I’ve recently found a bunch of hacks with all the current reservation systems I’m literally too scared to share because no one in the Disney information sphere has yet discovered them. Which is surprising. And I fear if it got out, Disney would close the loopholes really quickly.
Such as?
@@mudn2004 Restaurants aren't the only early pre rope drop reservations one can make in a park right now. Getting in before opening rope drop has been a hobby of mine for a few years now. It's one reason Garden Grill is my favorite breakfast option in Epcot as an older example.
How do you get in early besides restaurant reservations?? I’m all ears!
So how long before Park opening can you go into the park to score that early breakfast?
👍my question as well
I don’t think Disney should allow reservations after park close. So many people use it as a way to stay over an hour after and I feel bad for the cast members and transportation people who probably would like to go home on time. (Speaking as someone who has had to stay late at work because people decide to stay after close)
But aren’t the restaurants open? The cast members understand that isn’t normal
Thank you, AJ 😃.
As a cast member who helped stressed out guest, frustrated & lost BECAUSE OF LISTENING TO THEIR GPS---DO NOT IGNORE TRAFFIC SIGNS!!! unless you are very familiar with Disney property! Your 'tip' on this is very flawed! GPS often direct guest to PRIVATE--EMPLOYEE ONLY roads or to backstage roads where guest are not supposed to be and are often barricaded, gated or guarded by security! and it can be very frustrating and TIME-CONSUMING trying to get unlost! And as a 23-year employee, believe me, short cuts may save you a tiny bit of mileage but not so much any time--this tip of hers is wrong and please for your safety and security! FOLLOW THE SIGNS!
I have reserved a standard room but when I get ready to leave for the hotel ( we are local) I give the hotel a call and see if I can change rooms to be closer to the transportation as we use scooters! I can usually get a closer room and a few times it has been an upgraded one due to the accessibility. I don't do this all the time but, I will do it for a short notice trip.
Uses Rapunzel for the short cut thumbnail.... I see what you did there DFB ;)
I love tangled and I’m obsessed but I don’t get it
Pink because tangled is about a girl with king hair.... and the video is about “short cuts”
You should do a video on a monorail Disney crawl
I just want to go on vacation, and get out of the dang house... I hate being able to not going to Disney
Only 14 comments! I have never been this early! Hey everyone!
Hello lol
Hey girl :) Welcome to the early club hehe
@@TheChubbyCinderella Thank you, very happy to be here :)
We take the red eye from the West Coast. We usually get into MCO early morning gives us a bonus day that if we left the West Coast in the morning or later we would not reach World until evening
Ssh. -you are giving away my cut-throughs!
Emergency snacks: Cliff Bars (or similar) plus a camera bag with extra storage equls smart trip.
I did the shortcut from lion king to pandora and I brought toasted ritz crackers as my snack to the park. I also requested close to transportation after a few months of ankle surgery last year and got me to the buses easily
I order groceries the night before we leave for WDW to be delivered to our hotel. It saves time and money because we can eat food we prepare instead of eating meals out. I order staples, PB&J, bread, milk, cereal, cheese and crackers, granola bars, ziplocks, snack foods, etc. Most hotels will refrigerate your food deliveries and bring them to your room after check in. It was really easy and saved a ton of time!! Also I take several ziplocks,sandwiches
Hiiii!!!!!
I’m staying at The Dolphin on my next trip.. any tips???
The only problem with the first shortcut is you have to go through the smoking area... If it's still there...
You can’t smoke at all on Disney property now I believe
Boo freaking hoo. 🙄
"I was subjected to cigarette smoke for 10 seconds of my life while walking past somewhere, and IT KILLED ME."
@@crystalfarley7359 I'd suggest taking a walk outside or something...you clearly have some pent up angst that needs to come out. I was simply adding additional context- to some people smoke is something they'll avoid at all costs.
Awesome!!! Thank you but I never want to Disney world in my life I love to go
Looking for help on room request/best rooms at the Gran Destino Tower. We are going in Nov and my hubby wants a GREAT room. Help!
My (adult) daughter and I were there two weeks ago and used the remote check in for our resort. It worked great except that all of her charges were billed to my credit card even though she had set her own one up on MDE.
That makes sense because charging with magic bands is charging things back to the room so if her card isnt on the room/the one who booked the room then it wouldnt go there unless you talk to someone about adding it.
We had a late reservation in EPCOT for diner several years ago and felt like we were chased out of the park! We were walking back from World Showcase and stopped at a bathroom. A female cast member came in and asked if there was anyone in there. I answered yes. She then asked me what I was doing. By this time I was getting a little put off, and I guess she could hear my frustration when I said,”using the bathroom “.
When I came out, two me followed my sister and I out, talking on a hand held walky talky, talking about us but never speaking to us. Let me add, it was pouring down rain. I was having gout issues and had to stop frequently. Each time we stopped, the men would stop and stare at us, never speaking to us. The rest of our family was younger and in better shape, so when we left the restaurant we told them to go on to the hotel without us, as not to have Togo slower and get even more wet.
I wish that this pandemic would stop so that I could hug Mickey and his friends again.
I wish the pandemic would stop so that people would stop dying,
We are just waiting to get our vaccines, so we can plan our next Disney vacation for 2021 (or next year's)
Hi
Also last year I had breakfast at be our guest and we walked onto mine train as the park opened
Hey guys! I'm planning a trip to Disney and would love to propose to my girlfriend while I'm there! She LOVES Tangled so if anyone has any ideas please lmk! Thanks
I would propose in front of the magic kingdom castle, photographers are all over Main Street taking pictures of family’s and you down on 1 knee in front of the castle would be a great picture, plus she might not even expect it. Good luck and congratulations!
You could do the castle but also the tangles rest room area. Find a spot that has the tower in the background and propose to her there, See if a photopass person is around and ask then if they can help.
Omg! I love tangled to, and my dream is to get proposed to and married at Disney, I’m just gonna tell you how I would want it and how she might like it, if your going overnight and both staying at a hotel go to the park early plan a reservation at a restaurant that you both enjoy then get matching Rapunzel and Flynn rider shirts just say you want to do it and get her some souvenirs of tangled and if your at magic ask to go on haunted mansion or rides near the bath room (ughh yes I know I’m mad that that’s all she gets for someone locked in a tower for 18 years she deserves better that’s the only tangled place in all of Disney) also find a way to get the lanterns and put it and other souvenirs on the hotel bed when she doesn’t see well go to the tangled bathrooms and casually propose in front of the tower do it at night or when it gets dark because the lanterns come on also tell me details about your trip