Going on a last-minute Disney Trip can be exhilarating and awesome, but it can also be a waste of money and time. The differences come in with expectations and utilizing tips and ideas through folks who have done it before.
Hi, I’m Dustin and I’m a huge fan of last minute adventures to Disney World! 🙂
BUDGET IS KEY
Knowing that you want to experience Disney World is one thing, but it can jump from a good idea to a terrible idea with a click of the mouse. There are hundreds of decisions to make, from hotels to tickets and dining…but it’s all about thinking clearly without being mesmerized by the allure of the magic.
FLEXIBILITY WITH PARK TICKETS
Don’t bank on being in a certain park on a certain date because it will 100% change!
This happens all the time and it’s just become second nature to decide the day before exactly where you want to be the next day. It’s easier to live in the moment than to stress about something that’s beyond your control.
LAST MINUTE DINING RESERVATIONS
If you see a reservation for Ohana, get it! There is no charge on your reservation until 24 hours before, so you can actually have multiple reservations for the same restaurant spread out over your trip…and then as the trip gets closer, you’re able to make decisions and cancel the unneeded times.
Or, you can dine at Steakhouse 71 every day that you’re in the Magic Kingdom – like me! 🙂
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DINE AT UNDER-RATED DISNEY RESTAURANTS
We use this term in love, because at the end of the day…who really gets to decide whether something is “over-rated or under-rated”? Basically, I know that there are a huge number of restaurants that are available week-of or even as a walk-up. They’re not bad meals, honestly!
BOOK YOUR ROOM ONLY
When you put all your eggs in one basket, there’s little chance to change things. Usually, for my last-minute trips, my flight comes first and then dining reservations come second. My next decision is the hotel, and that’s because I know that there are always deals at the Disney Springs Resorts!
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CALL DISNEY DIRECTLY
If you need to talk to someone, why not talk to someone at Disney directly? Call them – because it’s always better to ask questions than to send emails to random info@ addresses.
LOOK OUTSIDE OF YOUR BOOKING WINDOW
Past trips have grown from 4 days to 7 days because the price of the flight has gone down after searching for random days of the week. Flexibility will allow you to save money in addition to getting the vacation that you want.
OTHER OPTIONS
- Getting up Early for Rope Drop
- Stay Late or Close the Park
- Book an Extra Ticketed Event (Like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party)
AND FINALLY, THE BEST TIP EVER
Don’t Stress because you’re thinking about Walt Disney World and they have Dole Whip!