Budgeting your time at Walt Disney World - Part 3: Expert Timesavers

Welcome to Part Three of a three part series. This time I’m focusing on tips that should not be attempted by the casual Walt Disney World Guest. This all about getting in the things you want, while avoiding the attractions you have limited interest in. These are for the expert not because they are difficult but because you will be sacrificing some of the overall Disney experience in order to maximize your ride time (which means these are especially bad suggestions first timers, or those traveling with first timers).

Now before we get into these tips for Disney power visitors, lets do a quick recap of the timesavers from the first two installments. You should be well versed in these before you attempt to implement the tips in part three. If any of these sound unfamiliar, just refer back to the appropriate post.

Basic:

• Get there early.
• Maximize your FastPass.
• Work from most to least popular.
• Don’t go to the Magic Kingdom on Saturday.
• Don’t bring a bag unless you have no choice.
• Sunblock and light colors.
• Bring or buy a bottled water (and keep it filled with the numerous water fountains).

Intermediate:

• Skip the complimentary transportation.
• On the subject of transportation, don’t forget about the ferryboat.
• Take a break.
• Bring a couple of empty zipper bags.
• Ask the PhotoPass photographers to use your camera.
• Dining Options (Snack, Counter Service, Reservations, or Off Site)

And now, on to the Expert Time Savers:

Use the stores as a path. Many of the stores lining various streets (especially in the front of the parks) are connected. If you aren’t likely to get distracted by the variety of items for sale, this is an excellent way to get through the crowded entrance areas while everyone is looking around and taking pictures. This is especially useful if you arrive prior to the park’s official opening since they’ll use this are as a holding area until the park opens, and by using the connected stores, you can slip past most of the crowd (but you may have to pretend to shop).

Single rider lines are your friend. Though they aren’t employed in many rides, if you want to get on the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Featuring Aerosmith, Expedition Everest, or the GM Test Track, and aren’t worried about who you sit next to, skip the FastPass (save it for another ride), and use the single rider line. They use this to fill seats that otherwise would go empty, and with the large quantity of odd numbered parties, these tend to move really fast.

Don’t shop in the parks. Yes, they’ve got tons of great shirts, toys, candies, etc. in the stores in the parks, and if you are looking for something specific to a park (like a safari hat or an Aerosmith tee) you may not have a choice, but Downtown Disney has just about everything you could find in the parks, and it’s usually less crowded than the park stores (not to mention it may be still be open after the parks close, depending on the day and time of year). If you are looking for a bargain, you can get park merchandise at Character Premiere, a Disney outlet store, at the Orlando Premium Outlets in Lake Buena Vista or the Prime Outlets St. Augustine (if you are taking I-95 home). I’ve actually bought a shirt at Walt Disney World and seen the same exact one for half the price at the St. Augustine outlet the very next weekend.

Know when to go. If you really want to beat the crowds, think of the most inconvenient times for most people to go, and that’s precisely when you should go. In my experience, the ideal times (for both good weather and small crowds) are late January, all of February, March (avoid the weeks on either side of Easter), late September, early November, early December. You should do your best to avoid the summer, it gets ridiculously hot, much hotter in the parks than the weather forecast for the area (asphalt and concrete soak up the heat, then radiate it out). Also, try to avoid Christmas. yes, it’s pretty, but it’s also their busiest time of year. If you want to see the Christmas decorations, go in the first two weeks of December (or in November, as most of it is up a couple of weeks prior to Thanksgiving).

Don’t buy without a ticket strategy. They’re going to try to get you to load yourself up with all the extras. There are things you need to consider before you buy your tickets. I’ll assume that your time is limited (that’s why you are reading this), but if you are planning four or more days at the parks, don’t spend the money on a park hopper. You have the luxury of being able to spend a full day at each park. If, like me, you’re on something of a time constriction, think carefully about how much time you actually want to spend at each park, or if you even want to go to all four. If your there for three full days, and don’t really want to go to Epcot, there’s no reason to go the park hopper route. If you’re there in the summer, you might want to consider the waterparks option, but be realistic. Chances are if you are in town for two days, and want to hit three parks, the waterpark option is unreasonable. Also there’s the no-expiration option. This is good if you know that the people whose names are on the ticket will return at some point. They now match a fingerprint to each ticket at first use, so little brother can’t use big sister’s ticket on the next visit. Also remember, that if you aren’t a Florida resident, your ticket expires 14 days after the first use if you don’t get the no expiration option (FL residents get six months). Keep in mind, all of this information was accurate at the time it was posted, but you should always read Disney’s ticketing policies carefully, because they could change.

That about covers it. I’m sure after my next trip I’ll remember things that I forgot this time around, so check back in the comments from time to time, and feel free to add in your own suggestions. I’d love to hear some of your ideas.