Top ten tips for a disney family holiday
Disneyland, Disney Family Holiday Ideas and Tips
Amazing! Here are my top 10 tips for visiting Disney with your family:
1. Time of Year – Go Off-Peak
Best Time to Go: Early January, February (after Presidents Day if US) and late September to mid-November are ideal times when the parks are less crowded and weather is mild. Avoid school holidays and weekends if possible!
Off-peak tickets are often cheaper, and hotel rates are lower.
2. Buy Merchandise Before You Go
Disney souvenirs can be expensive, especially in the parks. Stock up on Disney-themed items like T-shirts, ears, and toys before you travel. You can find affordable options at major retailers (think Primiark, Matalan or the Supermarkets) or online (Vinted is great), which can help you save money and avoid impulse buys. I suggest a surprise "Disney Box' with these items as a fun idea before you go for the kids, or to give them when they are about to set off for the park!
3. Stay at Value or Moderate Disney Resorts...
Disney hotels are convenient for early park access and transportation perks:
Value Resorts: For budget-friendly options, choose Disney's Pop Century or Art of Animation (family suites). They have fun themes and direct access to the Skyliner transportation system.
Moderate Resorts: Disney’s Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach offer more amenities and are still affordable. Staying on-site gives you access to free transportation within Disney and perks like Early Theme Park Entry.
4. Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane to Skip the Queues
Genie+ (a paid service) allows you to reserve access to select attractions, reducing wait times.
Individual Lightning Lane (another paid service) is available for Disney’s most popular rides.
Free Disney Genie offers personalized itinerary recommendations based on your preferences.
If Genie+ is too costly for the whole trip, use it only on the busiest days or at the most crowded parks.
5. Bring Your Own Snacks and Water
Disney allows you to bring your own food into the parks. This is a great way to save money on snacks, and you can bring refillable water bottles to avoid buying pricey bottled water.
6. Make Dining Reservations in Advance
Popular Disney restaurants fill up quickly. Reserve meals up to 60 days in advance for table-service options like:
Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom) – A fairytale dining experience.
‘Ohana (Polynesian Resort) – Family-style meals with a Polynesian twist.
Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom) – Dine in the Beast’s castle.
Counter-service restaurants (like Satuli Canteen in Animal Kingdom) are more affordable than sit-down meals but still have delicious options.
7. Utilize Free Transportation
Disney’s buses, monorails, boats, and the Skyliner are all free for guests staying on Disney property, so you don’t need a rental car or to pay for parking. If you’re staying off-site, look for hotels that offer complimentary shuttle service to Disney parks.
8. Plan Your Itinerary by Park
Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida) is a must-visit for classic Disney charm, perfect for younger kids.
EPCOT is great for older kids and adults who love technology and world culture.
Animal Kingdom features immersive wildlife experiences and the stunning Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Disneyland (California) is the original park and has a more compact layout.
Tokyo DisneySea is often ranked as the best Disney park in the world, with unique, high-quality attractions.
If it's your first time, plan for 4-7 days to ensure you cover all parks at Walt Disney World (Florida) or Disneyland (California).
9. Use Disney Gift Cards to Budget
Purchase Disney gift cards before your trip and use them to pay for meals, merchandise, and more. This can help you stick to a budget, and occasionally, retailers offer discounts on Disney gift cards.
10. Consider Renting a Buggy
If you have young kids, renting a buggy is essential for keeping them comfortable as you explore the parks. You can rent directly from Disney, or there are third-party companies that deliver to your hotel for a cheaper rate. I always take my travel pushchair which is a Cybex model - full review of this on my website - but I love it as it fits in the overhead cabin. A great option if you want to take one with you.
Bonus Tips
Mobile Ordering: Use the My Disney Experience app to order food in advance at quick-service restaurants and avoid long lines.
PhotoPass and Memory Maker: If you love photos, consider purchasing Memory Maker to get unlimited downloads of all your photos from the parks.
Rider Switch: If you have small kids who can’t go on certain rides, use the Rider Switch program so parents can take turns on the rides without waiting in line twice.
Finally, if you've not booked your trip to Disney yet, I can do this all for you and take all the hassle out of planning - this service is totally free! Let me know! I'd be delighted to help. (I am an ABTA, ATOL and IATA certified agent with direct links to Disney!)
Enjoy!
