A Former Cast Member’s Guide to Walt Disney World® Resort

There's a ton to see and do, so it only makes sense that you’d want to maximize your time in the parks. But the best way to make the most of your trip to Walt Disney World® Resort is to start early (aka when the parks open), head back to the hotel for a lunch break, then return to the park for the rest of the day. Your mind and body will thank you for the much-needed reprieve and you’ll be able to enjoy the experience far more than if you had forced yourself (and your family) to power through a 12-hour day.

When you work at a Disney® park, you quickly learn that it’s rare for your shift schedule to line up with that of your friends. This resulted in a lot of solo visits to the parks, which is how I first learned about the single-rider hack. Is there a 90-minute wait for the Expedition Everest® Attraction? Hop in the single rider lane and you might just be able to knock that down to a 30-minute wait. Sure, it’s fun to ride with your loved ones, but less time in line means more time to enjoy this amazing experience.

While you shouldn’t visit Walt Disney World® Resort without catching at least one of its fireworks shows, you don’t need to watch a show every night of your trip. If you don’t mind skipping the display, this is the perfect time to take advantage of shorter lines at the most popular attractions in each park. If you’re hoping to bypass the notoriously long lines at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or the Peter Pan’s Flight® Attraction, this is the optimal time.

I personally loved creating magical moments for guests when I could see that they were celebrating something special. Disney® celebration pins are available at guest relations in any park, as well as many merchandise locations. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or a first-time visit, grab a pin to commemorate the experience and wear it around the parks. Cast members will likely go out of their way to shout you out and make you feel good.

Some of my favorite Walt Disney World® Resort rides and activities are the ones that aren't quite as popular all day, every day. These include the Country Bear Jamboree Show, Mission: SPACE® Attraction, and the Mickey’s PhilharMagic® Attraction. They might not be the most famous rides at Walt Disney World® Resort, but they are air-conditioned, nearly always have short lines, and allow you to rest your feet for a bit while you plot your next move.

The least-crowded Walt Disney World® Resort park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, has some seriously underrated snacks. Guests tend to flock to the vendor carts and quick-service stops where they can grab a Mickey-shaped pretzel, totally missing out on the park's plethora of global dishes. For a quick bite, Satu’li Canteen in Pandora is hands-down the best. For a sit-down meal, head to Yak and Yeti for the Ahi Tuna Nachos. And, if you still have room for dessert, don’t miss the unbelievably tasty churros at Nomad Lounge.

The Florida sun is no joke. But it’s easy to forget to stay hydrated when you’re busy having fun. Add to this the fact that bottles of water are expensive and you’ve got a recipe for dehydration. Many parkgoers fail to realize they can get cups of water free of charge at most quick-service dining locations throughout the parks. If you come across a location that isn’t able to offer free water, they’ll point you in the right direction.