Christina Alessi is a dream vacation planner with LBAC Travel and Pixie Dust Planners. Contact Christina for your next Disney trip by clicking here!

Planning a trip to Disney can be overwhelming but with the help of Pixie Dust Planners, it doesn’t have to be! We’re celebrating our 10-year anniversary this month of making your vacation dreams come true! Read some of our dos and don’ts for Disney travel below!

Do:

1) Do stay onsite at a Disney resort to receive additional perks such as Early Theme Park Entry.

Those extra 30 minutes that onsite guests have access to in the parks before the general public can help you get on one big popular ride or two smaller rides with little to no wait! Here are two examples: In the extra half hour, you can head to Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster; or head straight to Rise of the Resistance if you did not purchase the Individual Lighting Lane for that attraction. Keep in mind, certain attractions may not be open during early entry and wait times may vary.

Bonus: Stay at a Disney Deluxe/Deluxe Villa resort and receive Evening Extended Hours at select theme parks on select dates.

2) Do utilize the Disney transportation system, which is included in your vacation package when you stay at a Disney resort.

Transportation such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner, Friendship Boats and Disney bus system bring you from your resort to the entrances of the theme parks, which can save time and money compared to parking in the theme park parking lots or the Ticket and Transportation Center.

3) Do book Individual Attraction Selections at 7:00am if you are staying onsite.

These attractions (while they are an additional fee and not included in Genie+), are offered for the most popular attractions in each park. My personal experience with Frozen Ever After included a 115-minute standby line in March, but with my Individual Attraction Selection I purchased, I waited 7 minutes!!

4) Do book dining reservations in advance for table service meals.

Currently, guests can book dining reservations for table service meals 60 days in advance. Those popular dining options will book up within a few minutes of availability opening. If you do not get that exact restaurant you would like, keep checking back, especially a few days before your trip. Just keep in mind to cancel any dining reservations you will not be going to, as Disney does charge a no-show fee. Pixie Dust Planners can assist with dining reservations for your vacation!

5) Do screenshot all of your plans from My Disney Experience.

The app has glitches often. Be sure to screenshot your dining reservations, Genie+ Lighting Lane selections, Individual attraction Lighting Lane selections and any special events or add-ons. This will be beneficial if you need to speak with guest services to fix a glitch.

Don’t

1) Don’t stress out if you do not accomplish every single thing in the parks.

Nobody can accomplish everything in one trip. Make sure you prioritize your most important rides and utilize Pixie Dust Planner’s touring plans and tips & tricks to ensure you accomplish those priority rides and attractions!

What you do not accomplish, keep in the back of your mind for your next trip! Contact your dream vacation planner to plan your next trip – it is never too soon!

2) Don’t bring any prohibited items to the theme parks or waterparks

Some items that guests do not even realize are prohibited include Selfie sticks, Strollers that are greater than 31″ (79 cm) in width and 52″ (132 cm) in length, Stroller wagons, Tripods or monopod stands that cannot fit inside a standard backpack or that extend over 6’, Flags, along with Banners. A full list of prohibited items can be found here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/park-rules/

3) Don’t pack shoes that you have not worn.

You will walk many miles in one Disney day. Don’t pack shoes that you have not worn yet and you are not sure how they will fit and how comfortable they will be walking up to 10 miles in one day. Blisters are no fun and you do not want to spend days walking around hurting and feeling uncomfortable.

4) Don’t forget to take midday breaks if you or your kids are in need of some relaxation.

You want to avoid meltdowns (from both children and parents) by making sure you schedule some time for breaks and relaxing. Head back to your resort for lunch, time in the pool or taking a nap. Everyone will be ready to conquer the evening once they have rested their feet and enjoyed some down time!

5) Don’t forget to carry some cash!

It has happened in the past- Guests love to use Magic Bands, Applepay or credit cards to pay for transactions at merchandise and dining locations. But what happens when their system goes down and they only accept cash for a certain period of time? It is important to carry some cash, in case of these technology mishaps (and good to have small bills available for gratuities as well).

Last Don’t: Don’t forget to contact Christina for help planning your next Disney trip!