Planning Your Disney Trip Early: Part Two
You’ve nailed down when to visit and where to stay—now it’s time to fine-tune the magic. Part Two dives into those next-level details that turn a well-planned Disney trip into a truly unforgettable experience.
Mapping Out Your Park Days
Create a flexible itinerary that prioritizes your must-do attractions. Include:
- Top 3 rides or shows per park per day
- Backup option for each top 3
- Break times for meals and rest
- Buffer periods for spontaneous Disney moments
Insider tip: If your group can get an early start, look for the days that parks are offering Early Entry. Those first early hours are truly magical.
Mastering Dining Plans
Dining at Disney can be as memorable as the rides. Book your must-have reservations the moment your 60-day window opens.
- Character Meals: Great for meeting favorites without waiting in line.
- Signature Dining: Perfect for special celebrations.
- Quick Service Wins: No need for ADRs here, but use mobile ordering to skip lines.
Tip: Planning to book those hard to get spots toward the end of your vacation will give you a better chance at scoring the ADR since there will be less competition.
Lightning Lane Strategy
If you’re staying on property, take advantage of the 7 a.m. Lightning Lane booking window seven days out from the first day of your resort stay.
- Prioritize high-demand rides first.
- We are just prioritizing at this point (making the plan)
- Think about stacking evening return times if you plan to park hop.
Pro move: Pair Lightning Lane Multi-Pass with Individual Lightning Lane purchases for headliner attractions.
Packing with Purpose
Plan to pack strategically so you can focus on fun:
- Cooling towels for summer heat
- A compact backpack with park essentials
- Portable chargers for phones and MagicBand+ devices
Exclusive tip: Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes—your feet will thank you.
Maximizing On-Site Perks
- Resort Transportation: Use Disney buses, Skyliner, and boats to save time and money.
- Package Delivery: Have in-park purchases sent to your resort gift shop.
- Resort Activities: Enjoy pool games, outdoor movies, and themed dining right where you stay.
Tip: Check the Disney web site to see what activities are available at your resort. Many resorts have unofficial, dedicated, Facebook groups where members often post the current activities schedule. Watching these can give you an idea of what the schedule may be like during your stay.
Creating Your Disney Memory Book
Don’t wait until you’re home—capture the magic daily. Whether it’s PhotoPass shots, autograph books, or a travel journal, documenting the trip ensures those moments last forever.
Bottom line: Planning early gives you the best foundation, but it’s the details that make your trip shine. With these insider strategies, you’ll glide past lines, savor amazing meals, and soak in every ounce of Disney magic like a true pro.
- Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom: The Sweetest Seat in the House for 2025
- The Disney World Resorts So Incredible You’ll Want to Stay All Day
- You’re Missing Out If You’re Skipping These Disney Attractions
- Planning Your Disney Trip Early: Part Two
- 5 Mistakes First-Time Disney Visitors Make (And How to Avoid Them)
This is a very interesting article, Dora. There are so many things to plan for and be prepared for when attending a great Theme Park. Not only is being fully prepared with excellent walking shoes or even an umbrella, but proper planning for “waiting in line” for your next ride is crucial. I am sure one good idea for the hot summer afternoons is to attend an inside show if one decides not to go for a cool swim. So much to do, but pace yourself and plan ahead big time!
Best wishes,
Kent
Hi Kent,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! You’re absolutely right! Planning ahead really is the secret ingredient to a smoother, more enjoyable Disney day. Packing the right shoes, a small umbrella, and knowing when to take a break can make all the difference, especially during those hot summer afternoons.
It’s all about pacing yourself, building in rest, and being ready for both the planned moments and the spontaneous Disney surprises. I hope all of our tips help you in your planning, and help to make that trip even more magical!
Happy Planning!
Back for Part Two— your early planning tips for first timers was gold, especially for those of us who like to blend spontaneity (so good for kids) with structure (so good for adults). I found the earlier post super helpful, but this follow-up rounds things out. And very practical reminders about dining reservations and park strategy!
Disney might be magic, but as a parent (or even solo) good planning is the real superpower. Appreciate the clarity and care you bring to this series.
—MarkA
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mark! I love hearing that Part Two helped round out the early planning tips. Disney magic is unforgettable, but as you said, good planning really is the key that makes it all flow smoothly. I hope these tips continue to make your trip planning feel more manageable and enjoyable, so you can focus on creating those special moments with your family.
This is such a helpful deep dive into the details that can make or break a Disney trip. I love how you broke it down into manageable pieces—mapping out park days with backups and buffer time is such a realistic way to keep the trip fun instead of stressful. The dining tips are spot on too, especially the strategy of booking the most popular meals toward the end of the vacation. I’m curious though—when you recommend stacking evening return times for Lightning Lane, do you find that works best for families with kids as well, or is it better suited for adults who can stay late? Also, with resort activities, have you found any “hidden gem” activities at specific resorts that really surprised you?
Hi there!
I’m so glad you found the breakdown helpful, and you’re right, building in backups and buffer time really keeps the trip fun instead of feeling like a race from ride to ride.
As for stacking evening Lightning Lane return times, this can work, but it really depends on your groups’ stamina. Older kids (and adults) may be able to handle the late evenings better, especially if you’ve paced the day with breaks and downtime. You know your group. Go with what you feel is best, even if that means pacing out evening rides or starting the park day early and finishing mid-evening, so everyone stays happy and energized.
Disney resorts all have what I would consider to be, “hidden gem” activities. There are a few that can really surprise you! They have evening movies by the pool or on the lawn, scheduled activities at the pool, sometimes they will have crafts, and some may even have small scavenger hunts. They have even been known to have impromptu character visits that aren’t widely advertised. Perfect for a magical, low-key experience away from the crowds.
Happy Planning!