10 Practical Tips For Making the Most of Your Disney World Trip

With any vacation, there are typically benefits to booking in advance, and that's especially true when it comes to Disney World. Not only will doing so typically guarantee you cheaper flights and a room at your desired resort or hotel, but it will also improve your chances of getting into the latest and most popular dining experiences, including some of the more in-demand like Be Our Guest, Cinderella's Royal Table, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, and California Grill.

You'll want to book these 180 days in advance or as close to it as possible. If you have any princesses in your party, you may also want to get ahead of securing a seat at the beloved Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (located at Magic Kingdom and Disney Springs).

Bonus tip: If, for some reason, you're unable to book a reservation in advance, try doing so in the days leading up to, and even during, your trip. That's when many will make their final selections and surrender tables to avoid cancellation fees. While there are no guarantees, many restaurants also accept walk-ins (opt for nonpeak times to increase your chances of getting in and decrease your wait times).

Disney knows what it's doing when it comes to lodging, as it offers serious incentives for staying at one of its resorts, among them free transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport (via Disney's Magical Express) and parks, Extra Magic Hours, and the opportunity to book your Fastpasses 60 days in advance (for everyone else, it's 30 days).

This is not to mention the fact that the resort staff will know everything (you'd be surprised) there is to know about Disney, which certainly comes in handy when trying to fit so much into your trip. Check out the hotel resort list to assess which of the 25 options, ranging from value to deluxe villas, is the best fit for you.

Bonus tip: Many of the Disney Resort hotels also offer their own special attractions, such as exclusive character greetings and dining experiences. You can also save money by spending a day at the pool or participating in free events, such as Disney movie screenings.

One convenient perk of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort is that you can save time and money on food by placing a grocery order and having it waiting for you when you arrive, thanks to services like Garden Grocer. Packing snacks and drinks will help keep hunger (and finances!) in check between any special dining experiences.

Bonus tip: If you spot something you want in one of the Disney shops but don't feel like toting it around all day, you can have it sent to your hotel free of charge. Just provide your name and Disney resort info, and your goods should arrive by the next day.

Another thing you can do to get ahead of the food game is prepay for your meals at the parks. With a Disney Dining Plan, you spend about $64 for each adult (kids are about $23), which includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack. Visit the official Disney Dining Plan page for more information and to find out what plan is right for you.

Bonus tip: You'll still need to make reservations at sit-down restaurants, so you may want to do that earlier if booking your hotel less than 180 days in advance.

As mentioned before, Disney Resorts offer guests Extra Magic Hours so they can get to certain parks early, or stay late, to enjoy select attractions. Anyone staying at official resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan Hotel, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel, and Shades of Green Resort can get in on the fun (just check with the receptionist for the full schedule upon arrival).

Bonus tip: In addition to Extra Magic Hours, parks may stay open late for seasonal events. Make sure you check the Disney World website (the blog is also a great resource) ahead of your trip, or talk to someone in guest services, so you know when to purchase tickets.

There are countless opportunities to meet with characters throughout Disney's parks. You'll want to do some research about who will be where and when, and perhaps use a FastPass+ or two to ensure time with your family's favorites (you can use them at Princess Fairytale Hall in Magic Kingdom and Mickey's Character Spot in Epcot). Even better, book character meals where you're guaranteed to encounter at least one (often several) and have a more personal experience. You can hang with Mickey and crew at Chef Mickey's, partake in a royal meet-and-greet at Disney's Perfectly Princess Tea party, or have a Polynesian experience with Lilo, Stitch, and more at 'Ohana, to name a few.

Bonus tip: Book some of Disney's holiday and other special events for access to even more characters (Moana was one of the hidden gems at the latest Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), and be sure to catch the parade featuring many more Disney faves.

The idea of hiring a personal photographer for your Disney trip might seem a bit over the top at first, but trust us when we tell you it is worth it. Upon signing up for Disney PhotoPass, the service will be tied to everyone in your party. As you walk through the parks, you will find photographers located at all the major spots — in front of Cinderella Castle, outside of the Epcot globe (Spaceship Earth), etc. — who can take your photo and transfer it to you digitally with a quick scan of your band.

Bonus tip: Play along with the photographers when they advise you to make funny poses (it will all make sense when you check out some of the special effects that are added in afterward).

Each person is only guaranteed three Fastpass+ credits for each park, so you'll want to get the most out of them. Do some research into what rides and attractions are can't-misses for your group, prioritizing Fastpass+ for those with the longest lines. Then, try to book them as early as you can (30 days in advance, or 60 days for those staying at a resort hotel).

Bonus tip: Be sure to read the fine print, as some of the parks (such as Epcot) have tiered systems that restrict the use of more than one Fastpass+ in a top tier (you will have to choose between Frozen Ever After and Soarin'), whereas others (like Animal Kingdom) may make you choose between certain high-demand rides (such as Avatar Flight of Passage and Na'vi River Journey).

If you have to endure lines, try to opt for, or at least break things up with, ones that offer kids something to do while they wait. At The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (toys) and Dumbo the Flying Elephant (play gym), for example, the waiting areas are factored into the overall experience.

Bonus tip: If someone in your party has to sit out a ride because a child doesn't want, or isn't tall enough, to go on it, take advantage of Rider Switch. Just have the ride-goer request a Rider Switch pass from the ticket collector. The person waiting can then use that pass to go through the Fastpass+ line without having to wait in line. (In other words, don't waste two Fastpasses on a ride two people have to take turns going on because one person will end up bypassing the line with Rider Switch anyway.)

Last, but certainly not least, an early step you'll want to take in your planning is setting up a My Disney Experience account. You'll want to link everything from your hotel to reservations to PhotoPass and Fastpasses to this account as you go along so that you have everything in one place and can sync up any updates with the bands in your party.

Bonus tip: Download the My Disney Experience app to keep track of your account on the go, as well as to access information and maps for each of the parks. The best part? You can find details — as well as the latest wait times — for all of the rides and attractions so you can be strategic about exactly what you want to do and when.