Fast FAQS – Walt Disney World

The best time to visit depends on your preferences:

• Low Crowds: Early January to mid-February, late April to early June, mid-September to mid-November.
• Good Weather: Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November).
• Special Events: Check for events like Halloween, Christmas, and Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival.

Yes, since the pandemic, Disney parks require both a valid ticket and a park reservation for entry. Reservations can be made through the Disney website or app and should be booked as soon as possible, especially during busy periods.

Guests with Park Hopper benefits or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park any time during park hours after entering their first park, as long as there's space. Some ticket holders may need a reservation for their first park. After that, they can visit another park without a reservation.

A Park Hopper ticket allows you to visit multiple parks in one day. For example, you can start your day at Magic Kingdom and then "hop" to Epcot in the afternoon. Note that reservations are still required for the first park you visit each day.

Park Hopper benefits don't guarantee entry for dining or other pre-booked activities. Availability can change daily based on park capacity. Guests can make dining reservations or join the walk-up list at select restaurants using the My Disney Experience app after entering the second park, if there's space.

• Disney Transportation: Free transportation options include buses, monorails, boats, and the Disney Skyliner.
• Driving: Parking is available at all parks for a fee.
• Ride-Sharing: Services like Uber and Lyft can drop you off near park entrances.

Yes, you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the parks. There are designated picnic areas, and many quick-service restaurants have outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meals.

• Essentials: Tickets, ID, payment methods (credit card, cash), and the Disney app.
• Comfort Items: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hats, and refillable water bottles.
• Extras: Portable phone charger, snacks, and rain gear (especially in Florida).

For more details please see our recommended packing list here.

es, you can bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the parks. There are designated picnic areas, and many quick-service restaurants have outdoor seating where you can enjoy your meals.

• Advance Dining Reservations (ADR): Can be made up to 60 days in advance. Popular restaurants can fill up quickly, so book as early as possible.
• Mobile Food Ordering: Available through the Disney apps, allowing you to order food in advance and pick it up at a specified time, reducing wait times.

• Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Pirates of the Caribbean.
• EPCOT: Soarin’, Test Track, Frozen Ever After.
• Hollywood Studios: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Tower of Terror.
• Animal Kingdom: Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris.

More details here.

• Rope Drop: Arrive at the park before opening to be among the first to enter and enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times.
• Stay Hydrated: Florida and California can get hot, so keep hydrated and take breaks as needed.
• Use the App: The Disney apps are invaluable for real-time updates, mobile ordering, and managing reservations.
• Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable shoes and clothing to ensure you can enjoy the day without discomfort.

See all the details here.

Extra Magic Hours (EMH) are additional park hours offered to guests staying at Disney Resort hotels. These can be early in the morning or late at night and provide an opportunity to enjoy select attractions with fewer crowds.

Disney occasionally uses virtual queues for highly popular attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Guests can join virtual queues through the app, typically at 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

• Early Entry: Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels can enter the parks 30 minutes before the official opening time.
• Extended Evening Hours: Available for guests staying at Deluxe Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, allowing extra time in the parks after closing.

Disney Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to reserve access to certain attractions through the Lightning Lane, minimizing wait times. You can make one selection at a time throughout the day, and after using it, you can make another.

The cost of Genie+ varies by date and park. Typically, it starts around $15 per day per ticket at Walt Disney World Resort and around $20 per day per ticket at Disneyland Resort. Prices can fluctuate based on demand and time of year.

es, Disney Genie is a complimentary digital service built into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps. It helps plan your day by providing personalized itineraries, real-time tips, and recommendations based on your preferences.

You can purchase Genie+ through the My Disney Experience app or Disneyland app on the day of your visit. It can also be added to your ticket in advance when you buy your tickets or vacation package.

You can start making your Genie+ selections at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit if you are staying at a Disney resort. Non-resort guests can make selections once they enter the park.

Whether Genie+ is worth it depends on your priorities and budget. If you want to experience as many attractions as possible with minimal wait times, Genie+ can significantly enhance your park visit. However, if you're on a tighter budget, you might prefer to use the free Disney Genie service and plan your day accordingly.