Let’s be honest, a trip to any Disney park isn’t exactly ‘cheap’. Yes, there’s plenty of ways to make it more affordable, but it’s not chump change. Take that into account with how much there is to see and do, and it’s obvious that you’ll want to waste as little time as possible standing in long lines. Luckily on our big family trip to Orlando this past fall, my kids were in awe with how much time we actually spent in lines and our family was able to check so much off of our list! You can take advantage of this ‘secret’, too, because I’m sharing How to Avoid Lines at Walt Disney World to make your trip as magical as ours was!

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Hubby and I tried to keep track of our line time, and we realized that the longest wait time we had the entire trip was 15 minutes – and part of that was because we were willing to wait longer for the back on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Other than that, most of our times were simply as long as it took to get from the entrance to where you get on the ride – with an average ride line of 5-10 minutes total. Needless to say, we were thrilled and never had to hear the kids complain about any long lines! We were able to fit in so much on our trip, plus had plenty of down time to just chill and enjoy our family. It was super magical, and it’s all thanks to our friends at Michael’s VIPs with their amazing tour guides who make your trip truly unforgettable and stress-free!

You probably remember us praise them before when we shared our experience using their tour guides for a couples-only trip last year, as well as what our kiddos thought of having a guide for a large family vacation. I still don’t know how we loved our Disney trips so much before I met Adam and his team at Michael’s VIPs two years ago, because they not only take so much stress out of tackling reservations, juggling fast passes and knowing where to be when, but they also save so much time in the parks by helping us avoid lines! Seriously, they’re worth their weight in gold when it comes to getting the most out of your vacation. Since they save you so much waiting time by avoiding long lines, we got to relax more and enjoy fun things like photo opportunities, checking out the decor and entertainment, as well as loving tasty snacks.

We had Renee – who is about the sweetest, most lovable person you may ever meet – who was phenomenal, but all of the team at Michael’s VIPs knows Walt Disney World inside and out! Because of this, they save you so much time by:

• Taking the fastest/least crowded routes and walkways
• Knowing when/where to avoid parades or other shows
• Understanding which rides are busiest when, so you know when to hit which ride next for the shortest wait
• Managing fast passes like a magician (seriously, my kids asked if Renee was MAGIC because we had so few waits!)
• Organizing your day to fit in bathroom stops, snack breaks & such to fit naturally into your path – no needing to go out of your way
• Nabbing snacks or drinks while you ride, saving a trip or wait for the snack cart
• Being amazing in so many other ways, too!

Since you can only make THREE fast pass+ reservations at first, then you can do one at a time for whatever may be left, relying solely on those will only save you so much time. These guys and gals know the rides and schedules so well, they can utilize the system to its full potential which saves you a TON of time. Not just for rides, either, but also getting you incredible seats for shows like The Lion King and more!

Other than their immense knowledge and quick app-using skills to make the most of the fast pass+ system, they know the park routes like the back of their hand. Renee jokes that they’re ‘walking talking maps’ – and it’s so true! From rides, bathrooms and snacks, to knowing the schedule so you can easily bypass the crowds for a parade or show, they truly help you make the most of your time in the parks to get as much seen and done as you’d like. Go fast or go slow, it’s up to you – they make it work so your trip is as magical as possible! We’d done Disney so many times before on our own, and dreaded standing in line – but this time, the kids had no complaints at all because there was barely ever any wait for us, IF any wait. Honestly, the only time we really had to deal with lines was for Disney World transportation (which Michael’s VIPs can help you with, as well, we just opted to tackle it ourselves).

If you’re wanting to avoid lines at Walt Disney World, these guys know all the magic to make that possible. It’s so worth it to have 10 minute or less waits for the rides, amazing seats for shows, plus a super-friendly (I think the kids would’ve taken Renee home if we’d let them) guide to help with every aspect of your trip to really give you the magical Disney vacation you dream of!

Not Convinced? Here’s 10 Reasons to Choose Michael’s VIPs!

Tour guides for couples – is it worth it?

Tour guides for families – what you need to know

7 things to NEVER bring to Disney World – and 10 you MUST!

I was a bit nervous before our recent trip to Walt Disney World, as one of our sons was wearing leg braces, so would be limited in his physical abilities. Luckily, it turned out amazing – and today I’m sharing Our Experience with Disney Parks Disability Access Service (DAS) in case you’re as unfamiliar with it as I was!

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First of all, keep in mind that disabilities come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and needs. If your disability requires/recommends a wheelchair, no need to stress because you actually don’t need a Disability Access Service (also known as DAS) pass, because almost all the lines are made to accomodate wheelchairs already. If there is a ride that doesn’t, they’ll arrange that for you at the ride entrance and make sure you’re taken care of.

Your needs and solutions may be different than ours, but just check with Guest Services inside the park when you arrive and they’ll answer any other questions to give you the best solution possible. Our particular need was that Thor was in leg braces (has to wear them 23 hours a day), and while he needs to be walking in them normally, he can’t stand still for long periods of time. This made lines a real worry – but when we swung by guest relations, they were fantastic and helped us find the best way to help our needs.

They gave us a DAS pass, where Thor was the main person on the account, then everyone in our group was added onto it under him. With this service, we could go to the entrance of a ride and ask for a DAS return time. They’d scan one of our bands, ask how many of us were going (all, or just some) and give us the time we should return to the fast pass entrance. The return times equalled the current wait time, so while we weren’t getting on the ride faster, it saved him from having to STAND in a line. We could go sit while we wait, or do a shorter ride, or see a show.

When it was time to go back, they just scan Thor’s MagicBand to the fast pass scanner, then once it clears the rest in our party that were authorized under his DAS pass could scan ours and go as well. But the person with the DAS pass needs to scan first.

You’re only allowed to do this for ONE ride at a time – and you can go at your return time or anytime LATER in the day. But keep in mind that until you use that one ride, you can’t get another DAS return time for another ride. It basically HOLDS your place in line during that time, without causing him to be in the actual line.

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Another important part – the main person (that has the need for the DAS) is required to go on the ride you have the time for. For example, he didn’t want to do Tower of Terror again, so we didn’t/weren’t able to get a return time for that since only some of us were going, and not him. We just did the normal line, since we didn’t have his need to not stand to worry about.

I almost cancelled our trip because I was so concerned about how he’d manage with those lines and standing still so long, but I’m so grateful I didn’t because it was a wonderful vacation! He did great, the staff was so patient with him (occasionally he took a bit longer walking or getting in/out of rides due to his leg braces) that it worked out as perfectly as we could have hoped.

Any other tips for disabilities at the Disney Parks?

Save yourself some stress and be as prepared as possible for your Disney vacation. By following these helpful packing tips you’ll maximize your enjoyment and avoid some common drawbacks. Not only that, but knowing better what and how to Pack for Disney may even save you some money!

Wallet

Make sure you have cash in your wallet that you can use in a pinch to tip your driver, bell service, etc. This can save you from needing to use an ATM and possibly face those fees. In addition to that, bring plenty of Disney gift cards and the credit card you purchased your reservations on.

Clothes

It’s almost always hot, though it might get a little cooler on winter nights. There is a lot of walking involved, so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Please don’t be one of those people struggling in the parks in stilettos. To maximize comfort, wear shorts or a skirt (if you’re braver than me) and light breathable clothing. Formal wear is not a necessity if you are looking to pack light – however, for some dining reservations (like Victoria & Alberts!) you may need to get a little dressier.

Health and Beauty

Remember to bring sunscreen and use it every day – don’t forget the back of your neck if you have short hair or will wear a ponytail! Nothing zaps the fun out of a vacation in the sun like getting burned. Ya, I’ve learned that the hard way. Pain reliever is also good to have on hand, versus paying extra for it when you get there. Consider any other toiletries, ointments, or remedies you might need in advance so you can avoid the upcharge later.

You will need room in your suitcase to bring back souvenirs, of course. You can create that space and save money on water by packing a whole pallet of drinking water for the trip. It’s important to stay hydrated and you can get a 24 pack of bottled water for the price of a single bottle in one of the parks. By the end of the trip, water’s gone and there is room for all the t-shirts, plushes, and other awesome stuff you buy to commemorate your trip.

Accessories

Bring a cord and adapter for charging your phone overnight in your room. If you keep up on this you will not need to purchase or pack an external charger. The parks even have charging stations in case of an emergency. Small, travel-friendly backpacks can be your best friend – I don’t go to the parks without this one that’s been fabulous for 2 years!

Don’t forget an umbrella and some disposable ponchos, especially if you are going to Disney World in the Summertime. Ponchos are one thing you don’t want to be buying last minute in the middle of a rainstorm, trust me!

And definitely don’t forget your autograph books – these are the ones I made, complete with activities for during line waits. You can nab one here or on Amazon here!

Check out our previous post on What to Pack for Disney for more specific packing tips!