If you plan to visit a theme park anytime soon, be sure to read this article. Read on for the best Disney travel tips for 2023.
Most of us know that planning a trip to Disney is not like any other trip: for both the overall cost and the amount of planning it requires. In this article, I share with you the best Disney travel tips for 2023.
The Best Disney Travel Tips for 2023
When should I travel?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions. The answer is always it depends.
“Oh, come on! Just give me a date already.“
Well, my favorite months are April-May or September-October.
Why? Several reasons: children from Florida and California are at school, the temperatures are acceptable, packages and flights aren’t as pricey as they are during the holidays; and if I go in September or October I can enjoy Halloween parties and Epcot’s International Food and Wine festival.
“But Jimena, I’m not interested in Halloween at all.”
And that’s why my answer before was it depends.
Extra tip: on November 1st, the parks are already decorated for Christmas and you will see a completely different ambiance.
TL/DR: the best date to travel has to be based on the preferences of your group. Is there a Christmas fan? Aim for November. Is there an art enthusiast? Look up the dates for Epcot’s Festival of the Arts, and so on.
Download the App
My Disney Experience or Disneyland App. Download it before arriving, update it, and link your reservations. No matter where you stay, the app is your gateway to everything. Sometimes it can be glitchy, but it has your park tickets, park hours, attraction wait times, a map that is constantly being updated, your dining, and so SO much more.
I would recommend downloading it a few weeks before your visit and getting to know it. Have a basic notion: you won’t want to be learning all that while at the parks. Most of my strategies (and their success) are based on HOURS of studying the wait times from the app before my trip. You can do the same and plan according to your interests.
Disney Genie+
If you want to save some time and not stand in line, you have the option to buy Disney Genie+, a pass that allows access once a day to a reduced line called Lightning Lane, and whoever obtains this pass will have one selection at a time. The time of each reservation lasts one hour and after using the scheduled Lightning Lane you can reserve the next attraction. The only exception is if your next reservation is available for more than two hours.
It is purchased the same day you go to the park first thing in the morning and is subject to availability.
Some of the busiest attractions have a separate pass, it is considered Individual Attraction Selection and requires a single payment that varies according to the option chosen. It is only valid for that specific attraction and It is not included in Genie+.
Parks Now Require a Reservation (in addition to tickets)
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP FOR TRAVELING TO DISNEY IN 2023. After the start of the pandemic, accessing the parks does not only require a valid ticket, but also a park reservation.
You need a reservation for each park you want to visit, with a specific date. The Park Hopper option still exists, but you can’t hop until 2:00 PM.
Professional Photographers
Did you know that there are professional photographers all over Disney? Both Disneyland and Walt Disney World have photographers available to take photos. You have several options to make use of their talents, but the most convenient one is the Memory Maker, a photo pass that is linked to your My Disney Experience account.
It is a really nice way to capture memories of the whole family.
How does it work? After purchasing it, the Memory Maker is linked to your account and that of your family group and is valid for 30 days.
When you see a Disney PhotoPass photographer, you just ask them to take your photo, scan your MagicBand (or, MagicBand+ or App) and the pic will appear in your photo album within minutes.
You will be able to download your photos for up to 45 days after the start of the pass. It also includes attraction pictures, you just have to look for them at the exit and scan to save.
Some photos even include Pixie Dust (magic, effects, characters), here is an example:
The price of the pass has a discount if you book in advance. I recommend you do it more than 4 days before your visit because during the 3 days right after the purchase your photos will not be included.
It is very convenient for large groups since you pay for a single Memory Maker and the entire group can use it during the visit.
Extra tip: if you don’t want or can’t pay for the pass, the photographers will also take photos with your camera or phone without any problem.
Travel Packages
Not everyone knows this, but the package to Disney World and / or Disneyland can be paid in advance and according to your budget planning. You can book a hotel + tickets package for USD 200 and make payments whenever you can until you pay off the entire package. The condition is to have it paid in full 31 days before your travel date.
This is a very good option to finance your trip and it allows people from all over the world to fulfill the dream of many.
I usually book my package 12 months in advance, and I consider it a savings plan. If you do it with an authorized agent (Hello! I am one), the tips and hacks are already included in the price of your package.
You may think that if you stay outside of the Resort, the apartment or stay can be cheaper. However, you must not forget the expenses that may add up during the stay:
- Parking: if you stay within the resort it is included in the parks.
- Car rental: sometimes it is not necessary, as the transport to and from the hotel works very well (this is what we call the “Disney Bubble”).
- Tickets to the parks do not have any installments option if you don’t buy a package and this can entail a large expense in big family groups.
If you’re thinking of going to Disney, I can help you plan it and give you free advice before and during your stay. You can quote your trip, book it with me and pay it in installments at the same price as you see on the official website. Fill out this form with all the information about your possible trip and I will respond as soon as possible.
Mobile Order is your Best Friend
Within the app, you have an option to buy your food before arriving at the restaurant. You can reserve and pay for lunch from anywhere, you walk to the restaurant and let them know that you have arrived so they can prepare your order.
This saves a lot of time, and many people don’t know about it so you’ll feel like a pro.
The Weather Can Change
Orlando and California (and I’d even say Paris), can have crazy weather. Bring a rain poncho, pack sunscreen, and always take a coat with you. You never know what awaits you in the afternoon.
Spend Time at Disney Springs
In the past few years, Disney Springs has become a shopping and dining center with endless options. It is a very nice place to stroll and it is ideal for a day off from the hectic pace of the parks. If you don’t know where to eat, you can read my post with the 15 best places to eat so you have a place to start.
I appreciate you letting me aware about the need to make a reservation at each park since it was news to me. I have been planning a vacation to Disney World for a while now, and this year is the year that I will finally make it happen. I am grateful that you shared.