5 Tips to Make Your Disney World Vacation More Magical

Congratulations! You've made the decision to go to Walt Disney World. It has been nicknamed "the happiest place on earth" for good reason. With sensational attractions and shows, as well as customer service that are top-notch, Disney World has continued to rank as one of the most popular vacation destinations in America. Few other places offer as much of a variety for people of all ages to enjoy together. With all this in mind, it is a wonder that you can return from WDW without having an amazing time, but there are a few simple tricks will help you to make your experience even more magical.

1. Get to the parks early. This is the most important of all the tips and probably the most controversial. Most vacationers will not want to give up sleeping in and will arrive at the parks around noon. That is why waking up early and getting to the parks when they open is such an imperative step to making your vacation more magical. By going early, you will beat the crowds, as well as the heat if you are going to be in Florida in a warmer time of the year. You will avoid standing in lines and be able to visit so many more attractions. This is even more imperative if you are visiting during a peak travel period, such as Christmas or Easter. Even if you are not a morning person, you be so thankful that you followed this tip. Mornings=Magic in Disney World!!

2. Make Advance Dining Reservations. It can be difficult to decide where you want to eat and on what day months before you even leave for your trip, but making dining reservations is an excellent idea. During busy times, guests have been know to be turned away or have to wait 2 hours for a table. This is not necessary when you can make a simple reservation by calling Central Reservations Office at 1-407-WDISNEY (407-934-7639). Reservations can now be made as early as 180 days prior to leaving for your trip. Some of the more popular dining experiences, such as character breakfasts, fill up very quickly. If you are interested in what's on the menu at the different restaurants, a great resource is www.allearsnet.com.

3. Don't try to do too much. One mistake that too many Walt Disney World vacationers make is to try to fit too much into one day or one trip. There is absolutely no way that you will be able to see and do everything that Disney has to offer in one trip. If you attempt it, you will return home feeling exhausted, disappointed and needing a vacation from your vacation. One suggestion is to go to the library and borrow one of many guides to WDW. Sit down with your family or traveling partners and look through the book. Then have everyone make a list of things that they must do or see. Bring the list with you to the parks and make it a priority to visit the attractions that are most important to those in your party. Don't make the list too long, because you will want to make sure you have enough time to stop and enjoy the unexpected surprises that are awaiting you around every corner. Disney World is full of magic, but if you are rushing and trying to cross things off a list, you will miss it.

4. Take breaks in the afternoon or take an entire day off from the parks. Touring the parks is more exhausting than you might think. If you able to take a day off in the middle of the vacation and simply enjoy the resort, it is highly recommended. However, if it is a shorter trip and you do not want to lose a whole day of touring there is a way to make your trip more relaxing. As you've previously read in the above tip, getting to the park at opening is the most important thing you can do to make your vacation more magical. This will also allow you to see many attractions before noon and give you time to go back to your resort to take an afternoon rest. Leaving the parks in the afternoon will help you avoid crowds and the hottest temperatures in warmer months.

5. Use the FASTPASS. The FASTPASS is a simple way to avoid standing in long lines at Walt Disney World. If it is a popular attraction or a busy time of year and the parks are especially crowded, check to see if the FASTPASS option is available before waiting in the regular line. It does not cost anything extra to use this feature. You simply insert your admission ticket into the machine and it will print out a special ticket. On the ticket, it will tell you what time to come back to the ride or show. You can then go on to another, less crowded attraction while you are waiting for your return time. You are able to return a little later than the time on the ticket, but you may not return earlier. When you return, you go through the special FASTPASS entrance and wait in a shorter line. Some rides can actually run out of passes by the afternoon if the ride is really new or popular, so plan accordingly.

Above all else, relax and enjoy your vacation!