Last Updated on June 29, 2021 by Kimberly Stroh
Updated 8/15/17
A day at a Disney theme park is usually jam packed with can’t miss attractions, shows and food options. I love to fill our day to the max so we don’t miss out on anything. Sometimes it’s hard to fit everything in that the family wants to do though. My solution: save time everywhere we can. I find that we can get so much more done if we aren’t scrambling during transpiration or missing out because we didn’t plan ahead. I’ve got some helpful tips so you can make the most of your time at a Disney park.
How to Save Time at Disney Parks
Visit During Non Peak Season
It’s nice to plan a Summer Disney vacation, but you won’t get nearly as much done during your time in the parks. If you visit during a low crowd time of the year, you’ll be able to fit in more attractions since you won’t be waiting as long. I like to look at a crowd calendar, like this one, to plan a vacation.
Book Your FastPasses
The Fast Pass+ system allows on-site visitors to book fast passes, for attractions, 60 days ahead of their trip (30 days ahead for off-site visitors). You can book them through your My Disney Experience app. Fast Passes allow you to visit an attraction, at a pre-scheduled time, and wait in a shorter queue than those without a Fast Pass in the standard stand-by queue. You can book 3 Fast Passes per park day and then make new ones once those are used. This saves our family so much time! Our toddler can’t wait over 30 minutes for a ride, so we love using our Fast Passes.
Book Fast Passes for popular characters!
Plan Your Day Late Or Early
So many people head into the park to catch certain events. Guests like to go to the parks at opening time or a few hours prior to the nighttime shows. So mix it up instead! Go after a leisurely breakfast so you miss the park opening or head to the park after the nighttime show, when everyone is leaving.
Don’t Bring a BackPack
The trick to getting through the security lines quicker is not to bring a backpack to the park. Security is required to check every bag that a guest brings. This can be so time consuming and cause long lines.
Use New Minnie Van Service
New for 2017, the Minnie Van service is a quick transportation option through Lyft. You can download the app and be picked up and taken to anywhere on Disney property. This saves time from the bus lines.
All photos ©David Roark Disney
How to do you save time on your Disney vacations?
CourtneyLynne
Monday 6th of March 2017
So many awesome Disney tips!!!! I always tell people the off season is the best!!!! If you go during the middle of the week during the off season , shirt lines galore!!!
HilLesha
Sunday 5th of March 2017
These are wonderful tips, especially visiting during non-peak season. It is definitely a way to get the most out of any vacation!
Rachel
Sunday 5th of March 2017
These are great tips. I think visiting during non peak seasonw ould help a lot. I'm never going back in peak season.
Reesa Lewandowski
Saturday 4th of March 2017
What great tips to make the most of the time on your vacation!! I hope to put them to use soon!!
Dawn McAlexander
Saturday 4th of March 2017
I will certainly take advantage of the express transportation. That sounds like a really good idea. We plan to visit there next spring.