Hey guys! I was just in Disney World from June 12th-20th with friends. This was the first time I had gone to Disney World without my family. Our party stayed at Pop Century Resort and had the Basic Dining Plan with Park Hopper. I was more exhausted on this trip than I had been on any other. I will tell you why, and how to avoid making the same mistakes I did on my trip.
Every morning, my party and I would wake up at 7am. We would use a snack for breakfast, most often I got a bagel. Then we would rush to the park. By noon we would use a quick service in the parks, and then have a table service towards 7 or 8pm. We would then remain out in the parks until the last park closed (including extra magic hours). Typically we returned to the hotel and were in bed by 3am, only to wake up at 7am the next day.
The itinerary I just listed is the absolute worst way to go about your Disney vacation. Here’s why…
Obviously, lack of sleep was a huge drawback of the vacation. Your body needs time to recuperate after being in the heat and walking through the parks. Our exhaustion left us with body aches and pure grumpiness.
When it comes to the meals, a quick service during the day was plenty filling. The issue later on was the fact that we couldn’t finish our table service dinners. You don’t realize how much you actually get with a quick service. You get an entrée, drink, and dessert (most of the time I was too full to eat the dessert). Table services are much larger in portion so you would imagine that I couldn’t finish that entire meal either. It wasn’t an ideal situation.
After this experience, I have come up with a routine that will be beneficial and enjoyable for anyone in your party. This will save you from being hungry (angry and hungry), tired, and will rid the aches. Overall you will be able to appreciate the small moments a little bit more this way also.
1. Wake up when you want to. The parks aren’t going anywhere and there are extra magic hours if you stay on property.
2. Using FastPass Plus will allow you to see everything you want to. I promise.
3. When you do wake up, use your quick service as a breakfast if you can. Find a nice seat and just relax with some coffee and big morning meal. It will fuel you for the day ahead.
4. If it’s too hot out (which it probably will be if you are going in the summer), hang by the pool or around the resort until you are cool and ready to hit the parks. Usually hitting the parks by 2 or 3pm is ideal because the sun has already reached its peak. It can only get cooler from there.
5. Schedule a table service dinner for around 5 or 6pm. (If you used your table service for a breakfast, then use your quick service around this time). You should be done with dinner in time to find ideal seating for the fireworks you plan to view that night! You will have time to enjoy the attractions before dinner and then after fireworks if you plan accordingly with extra magic hours.
** This may not work for everyone. Typically this plan is best for Walt Disney World Resort Guests with the Dining Plan.
Just try it for one day and see what a difference it makes. I can guarantee your party will be happier and enjoy the magic a little bit more
Any further questions feel free to ask me!
Keep the magic in your heart,
Katie @Foreverkatastic (Twitter and Instagram)
