Lines can get long for Disney World's most popular rides, like Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom.
Disney World is a huge area that consists of four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. There are other activities such as water parks and miniature golf, but the theme parks are the main attraction. To make the most of your time at Disney World, you'll want to put together a plan to make sure you can get on the best rides, see the shows, have time to eat and even work in some relaxation.
Timing
Timing is important for maximizing your experience at the Disney World theme parks. Arrive at least half an hour before the park opens. This will give you time to have your bags inspected and join one of the lines to enter the park. The lines at the far ends are usually shorter than those in the middle. Disney parks usually open early. You can walk in up to a rope that closes off the main section of the park. There will usually be a little show or ceremony before the rope is dropped at the designated opening time. Head to the most popular rides first, before the lines get long. You can ride the less popular attractions later in the day, when the park gets more crowded.
FastPasses
FastPasses are a free and convenient way to ride the most popular rides with little or no wait. You can use your theme park ticket to get a FastPass for certain rides. It will be imprinted with an hour time window when you can return and use the special FastPass line to get on the ride almost immediately. You cannot use a FastPass before the time window begins. However, it will almost always be accepted after it ends. You cannot get a another FastPass until the time window for your first one begins or after two hours, whichever occurs first. Get your FastPasses early because they can run out quickly at busy times of the year. For example, in July the FastPasses for Soarin' at Epcot are often gone before noon.
Relaxation
Take relaxation breaks, both inside and outside the theme parks. It's tempting to get as much done as possible at Disney World, but you can quickly exhaust yourself in the Florida heat. Take a break from the rides and go into a long air-conditioned show like the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom, It's Tough to be a Bug at Animal Kingdom or the American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. If the parks are too crowded and stressful, head back to your hotel for an afternoon swim or rest break. Go back in the evening when some of the crowd will be gone and the temperatures will be a little cooler.
Dining
Save time and money by eating two meals a day instead of three while you are at Disney World. Pack quick breakfast snacks like boxes of cereal or granola bars in your luggage. Eat them before you head out to the theme parks and have a full lunch and dinner. If you want to eat a sit-down meal at a Disney World restaurant and you didn't make advance reservations before your trip, check with Guest Services at any of the theme parks. You can also make reservations at the concierge desk of any of the Disney World hotels. If you cannot get a reservation, go to the restaurant at opening time and see if they will take you as a walk-up.
Tags: Disney World, theme parks, Animal Kingdom, most popular, most popular rides, popular rides, time window