8 things to do before your next trip to Disney World

No two trips to Disney World are ever the same. I’ve had the honor of visiting Walt Disney World several times in the past few years and I can honestly tell you that each trip has brought about a unique and magical experience unlike the previous.

A few weeks ago, my family and I got to experience our first ever Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration! We spent 3 Days at Walt Disney World Resort followed by 3 nights aboard the Disney Dream Cruise. I’ll be sharing more on the cruise experience in a future post, but check out more about our overall experience at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration here!

Now, for families visiting Walt Disney World, I know first hand that it can be pretty overwhelming to prepare for this trip. Let’s face it, there’s so much to do at the park and literally something for everyone to be a part of. It’s nearly impossible to do them all in one trip, but of course, you want to fit in as much as you can.

Here’s a handy guide for some things to do before your next trip to Disney World to customize your trip and insure a one of a kind experience:

1. Register/Log in to MyDisneyExperience.com
MyDisneyExperience.com is your one stop shop for all of your Disney planning. There you can manage both your hotel reservation (if you are staying at a Disney Resort) and your Disney Parks plans.

See: 5 Best Disney World Resorts for Families

Additionally, on MyDisneyExperience.com, you can
• View and update profiles
• View reservations and vacation packages
• View and plan daily itineraries
• See Disney PhotoPass photos taken during visits to Walt Disney World Resort
• Add or remove people from Family & Friends lists
• And more!

2. Download the My Disney Experience Mobile App

Before your trip to Disney World, you’ll want to download the My Disney Experience app on your phone. It’s pretty much the mobile version of the site, as it gives you the same capabilities (buy tickets, manage reservations, etc.). However, while you’re at the parks and in the midst of all of the excitement, it also gives you real-time directions and info to help you navigate through the park and plan your next moves. You’ll be able to view wait times, character sightings, event times. nearest restroom locations, and more.

3. Character Dining Experiences

Little Princesses and Princes love the character dining experiences at Disney World. There are several really fun ones throughout the restaurants at the park, with some of our favorites being Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tiana’s Riverboat Party, and Hollywood and Vine. These can be reserved up to 180 days in advance of your trip.

4. Reserve Fast Passes

I’m just gonna say it. Fast passes are everything at Disney World! During the busy seasons, wait times at the most popular attractions can be brutal, so fast passes are critical to helping you save some time. Fast passes are free to reserve, but you start reserving these 30 days before your trip (60 days if you’re staying at a Disney Resort) and can only reserve 3 per day per Disney park. Learn more about Fast Pass selections here.

5. Customize Your Magic Bands

If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you get these cool Magic Bands that serve as your hotel key, park admission, and charge card at the parks and restaurants. These are either given to you upon check in or mailed to you ahead of your trip. A fun part of Disney planning is being able to customize your magic bands. Through MyDisneyExperience.com, your family can customize each of these with your names and favorite color. It isn’t mandatory to customize, but does add a little fun flair and magic to the trip!

6. Take advantage of Magic Hours

One of the perks of staying in a Disney Resort is that you get access to the parks outside of regular hours. These change from week to week and vary according to park. Some days it’s an extra few hours before the park opens, on other days it’s a few hours after the park closes. You’ll be able to find these on the Disney App.

7. Research Special Events at the Park

MyDisneyExperience and the Disney App also gives you a preview of any special events happening at the park throughout the year. Events such as Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are just a couple of events that make your trip extra magical.

Also check out these 15 Hidden Facts about Disney World!

8. Celebrations at the Park

Last, but not least, if you’re planning a special celebration at the park (birthday, anniversary, etc.), be sure to look into one of these in-room celebrations! You can customize these according to your preferences and have a magical surprise waiting for you in your room at any Disney Resort!

Once you get there, be sure to also tell a guest services representative at your hotel or at the park that you’re celebrating and they’ll give you a special pin to wear throughout your stay for a little extra magic!

Finally, as I shared last time, I’ve teamed up with some other amazing blogger who joined me at Disney Social Media Moms Celebration to give you even more tips and advice to help you navigate through planning your next Disney Vacation. Be sure to follow #WaltDisneyWednesdays and check these out!