Insider Tips about Walt Disney World from a Former Cast Member

Share post:

As a former Cast Member, I’m a huge fan of learning through personal experience. This means that although I’ve got a website FULL of articles about Orlando…there’s a number of tips that you can just classify as common knowledge.

Expect some humorous things for folks who have been to Disney before, but my hope is that you can use these tips and avoid mistakes that you don’t have to make.

Insider Tips about Walt Disney World from a Former Cast Member

YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ALL OF WALT DISNEY WORLD UNTIL YOU’VE LEFT THE PARKS

Most people think that doing the theme parks is the only way to “do Disney”, but there’s so much more to offer. This includes Disney Springs, Disney Resorts, Disney Water Parks and even golf! (Mini golf and regular golf)

I can’t tell you how many times people share their “Disney vacation” and it involves a trip 10 years ago where they spent one day at the Magic Kingdom.

DISNEY TRANSPORTATION IS SLOW DUE TO TRAFFIC

Very seldom will you walk to a transportation hub and find a waiting bus. This is because you’re dealing with hundreds of buses going in circles between 25+ resorts, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and Disney Springs.

Side Note: If you walk up to the bus stop and see that your bus has just left…you’ve got two choices. Wait a possible 5-25 minutes OR order an UBER and save time.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ISN’T AN OPTION

When you visit cities like New York City or Toronto, folks will recommend taking the subway or public transportation….this isn’t an option around Disney & Universal. They exist, but why waste time when you’ve only got a limited time on vacation.


DON’T BRING YOUR CAR

In general, there’s very little reason to bring your car, unless you’re driving down. With the extra charges that you’ll find on your bill to park at the resorts and the theme parks, in addition to the crazy long walks through miles and miles of parking lots…just do your research and know that the fees add up quickly.

WALKING IS EXHAUSTING

Even if you want to walk 20-25k steps a day, there are times during the day that you’ll want to get off your feet. Take your own advice and find a good chair to relax and use some free Disney Resort WiFi!

My favorite spots to grab Air Conditioning are at the resorts:

  • Magic Kingdom – Walk over to the Contemporary Resort
  • Hollywood Studios & EPCOT – Head to the Yacht/Beach Club Resort
  • Animal Kingdom – Hop on the bus to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

The other thing to take note of is the distance between your hotel and the nearest bus route. If you’re at a Disney Springs Resort Hotel…calculate the walking time on Google Maps and then double it (because of the heat and the possible torrential downpours).

AVOID RUSH HOUR

Wait, there’s a rush hour at Walt Disney World? ABSOLUTELY!

The busiest times of the day are between 11am and 5pm, as that’s peak “family time”. If you’re planning on riding attractions during that time, make sure that you’ve got FastPass+ reservations because if not…you’ll be stuck in huge lines during the midday heat.

That being said, there are things that only happen during the middle of the day.

  • Certain character experiences, like meeting princesses around World Showcase
  • 3pm parade at the Magic Kingdom


EAT AT DISNEY RESTAURANTS AND TRY TO AVOID CHAIN RESTAURANTS

There are hundreds of spots on Disney World property to grab a meal and although there are new restaurants opening up constantly…it’s important to eat where you want to!

Food lovers consider the Walt Disney World resort as being home to some of the best eats in the USA. You know what’s usually not on the list? Chains and duplicates.

Try to choose spots that work well within your budget and enjoy! Please note that Blaze Pizza at Disney Springs is 100% worth it!

GIVE DISNEY WORLD ENOUGH TIME

Wondering how long you should spend at Disney World? Because the property is the size of San Fransisco…you’ll want to try to experience it all without leaving stuff on the table. I usually recommend that 5-7 days in Disney is usually the minimum, just for the theme parks and a single day at Universal Orlando.

I do have an itinerary for a first time vacation, but it comes down to budget and vacation time.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS MAGICAL, BUT INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE

Spending time at the Walt Disney World during Christmas is magical, but it’s definitely not the MOST magical due to the crowds.

Generally, heading down for the holidays anytime between the 2nd week of November and the 2nd week of December will give you the best experience without the premium prices and higher crowd levels.

Always remember to check out the Disney Resorts, as they go all out with the decorations and events.



DON’T OBSESS OVER SEEING EVERYTHING

There are still things that I’ve never done at Disney! It’s actually part of the fun of planning more vacations, as you don’t want to see everything in one trip.

I think this is the most important thing that I can share as a former Disney World Cast Member – Disney continually grows and expands. No trip will ever be the same:)

DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON RANDOM STUFF

Want to create memories? Find experiences and add-ons that you can splurge on. Another shirt or a plush toy won’t make your vacation more special…but maybe a unique dinner will!

Remember that we’ve got a list about the 10 Things We Regret Buying at Walt Disney World, so knowing ahead of time that a budget is important to stick to because there’s always more things to buy.

CAST MEMBERS ARE GREAT RESOURCES

If you want insider info, just ask.


For more insider tips to Disney World, keep reading:

Insider Tips about Walt Disney World from a Former Cast Member - #StepstoMagic
Insider Tips about Walt Disney World from a Former Cast Member – #StepstoMagic
Dustin Fuhshttps://www.stepstomagic.com
I’m Dustin Fuhs, a theme park fanatic that has created this platform to showcase my passion, tools and opinions to create a fun and interactive experience for everyone who visits. My goal is to help you and your family have the most magical experience at Walt Disney World. In reading my articles and ideas, I hope that you can find some fantastic ways to bring your dreams into reality!

Related articles

Things That Rainforest Cafe in Disney World Does Right

The Rainforest Cafe isn't a recommended stop, but what does the chain known for lacklustre food and out-of-date audio-animatronics do well that other restaurants at Disney World could learn from?

Disney World Vacation Lies

The goal will be to showcase all the un-truths that you can deal with while planning your vacation and to share what the statement is actually referring to.

Disney World Restaurants That We’ve Never Eaten At (And Why)

Disney World has hundreds of dining opportunities, but there are some restaurants that we've never actually got past the reservation stage.

Places You Don’t Want to be Caught in a Disney World Thunderstorm

Disney World is in Central Florida, which means that there's an inevitable rain shower that will come out of nowhere. You can be prepared with all the best rain gear, but there are times that you'll just need to find cover.

Things That Rainforest Cafe in Disney World Does Right

The Rainforest Cafe isn't a recommended stop, but what does the chain known for lacklustre food and out-of-date audio-animatronics do well that other restaurants at Disney World could learn from?

Disney World Vacation Lies

The goal will be to showcase all the un-truths that you can deal with while planning your vacation and to share what the statement is actually referring to.

Disney World Restaurants That We’ve Never Eaten At (And Why)

Disney World has hundreds of dining opportunities, but there are some restaurants that we've never actually got past the reservation stage.

Places You Don’t Want to be Caught in a Disney World Thunderstorm

Disney World is in Central Florida, which means that there's an inevitable rain shower that will come out of nowhere. You can be prepared with all the best rain gear, but there are times that you'll just need to find cover.
77 Shares
Pin77
Share
Tweet