Do You Use These Secret Disney Hacks?
Everyone is searching for a competitive advantage at Disney theme parks.
The reality is that a Disney visit pits you against 20,000 other people who all want the same thing.
Cinderella Castle
You’re searching for the perfect visit, a day when everything goes right.
To achieve that goal, you need some help, and that’s where MickeyBlog comes into play.
Magic Kingdom
We collectively possess decades, maybe even centuries, of theme park knowledge.
So, tell me. Do you use these secret Disney hacks?
The Fireworks Hack
By this point, I presume that you’ve seen all of Disney’s late-night extravaganzas.
Whether you visit Disney California Adventure for World of Color, Disney’s Hollywood Studios for Fantasmic!, or Magic Kingdom for Happily Ever After, you know the deal.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Once you’ve watched the presentation a handful of times, you’re satisfied. Watching the show is no longer urgent.
So, you can maximize this time by going against the grain. Many other tourists will line up early for these shows.
EPCOT Luminous The Symphony of Us
They’ll sit in the stands or around the castle, awaiting the beginning of the fireworks. They’re sedentary for an hour or more.
You can take advantage of the herd mentality by standing in line for some of Disney’s most popular attractions.
Mickey’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Fireworks
The wait will be shorter because the competition is elsewhere watching the fireworks. This trick works literally every night!
Oh, and this strategy works for afternoon parades as well. So, be sure to try it!
The Hidden Entrance Hack
This hack works very well at one Disney theme park and may prove effective enough at two others.
Some Disney theme parks include a side or rear entrance which is almost always less crowded than the main gate.
International Gateway
At EPCOT, the International Gateway provides guests with immediate access to the World Showcase, which is often preferable.
Let’s say that you’re watching a concert at The American Adventure or have a Lightning Lane for Frozen Ever After.
International Gateway
The International Gateway entrance is MUCH closer than the main gate in front of Spaceship Earth.
So, you’ll walk a shorter distance to your destination, and you’ll avoid most of the crowds at the main entrance.
International Gateway
You can do something vaguely similar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as long as you don’t mind being a bit shady.
There’s a Rainforest Café to the side of the main entrance. You’ll still walk into the park the same way to use it.
Animal Kingdom entrance
However, the gift shop here includes an exit into the park that effectively sidesteps the congestion near the entrance.
Finally, at Disney California Adventure, you’ll find a hidden entrance beside Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Theoretically, this entrance is available only to guests at the hotel.
Since the opening of Pixar Place Hotel, Disney has (occasionally) loosened those restrictions, though. So, you may get lucky here.
Image Credit: Disney
While half of Disney’s American parks have these side/rear entrances, I think it’s safe to say that Disney only encourages usage of the one at EPCOT.
Still, you’ll save a LOT of time by avoiding the crowds at the main entrance when possible.
The Kindness Hack
Here’s a suggestion with no tangible benefit, yet I recommend it anyway.
As I always say, Cast Members are so wonderful that they might as well have been born in mangers. They’re angels on Earth.
Cast Members
So, whenever you interact with a Cast Member, you should always be on your best behavior.
Use those polite words you learned as a child like “please” and “thank you” whenever you have a question.
Photo: Disney
You may gain absolutely nothing for this action, but you’ll make the Cast Member feel seen and appreciated. And we all want that for them.
Also, while I can make no promises, Cast Members are capable of creating Magical Moments for guests.
Casey’s Corner Cast Members
You never know when your kindness may be rewarded by a reciprocal act by a Disney employee.
A LOT of nice stuff could happen just by your acting like a decent human being. So, what have you got to lose?
The Last-Minute Restaurant Hack
I realize how frustrating it can be to miss out on dining at your favorite restaurant.
In fact, during my most recent Disney visit, I had to cancel reservations at Art Smith’s Homecomin’.
Photo: Disney
To many Disney fans, that’s like giving away gold bars! But life gets in the way sometimes.
In truth, this behavior happens a lot…and you can capitalize on it!
Photo: Disney
Disney recently modified its cancellation policy to make it more beneficial to guests.
People can cancel Advanced Dining Reservations up to two hours before the meal and still avoid cancellation fees.
Photo: Disney
The byproduct of this move is that if you start looking for dining reservations about two and a half hours before you intend to eat, you may get lucky!
While most of Disney’s most popular restaurants book months in advance, the cancellation window rules lead to weird availability.
Photo: My Disney Experience
You could feasibly find the table you need for dinner that night by searching around 4 p.m.
I mean, some lucky person did just that with my Homecomin’ reservation I had to give up!
The Official Resort Hack
MickeyBlog stresses that you should ALWAYS stay at an official Disney resort. We’re not saying that randomly.
The harsh truth is that Disney incentivizes guests to stay on-site by providing us with many invaluable amenities.
Disney’s POP! Century Resort
When you choose an official Disney resort, you gain Early Theme Park Entry, quite possibly the best of all hotel amenities.
This option allows you to enter a Disney park 30 minutes before regular guests, which is the equivalent of giving you a free ride.
Early Theme Park Entry
Even Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is available this way, and I was recently on and off the ride by 9:15 a.m. on a day when the park officially opened at 9.
The reality is that Disney resorts provide better logistics, restaurants, stores, and amenities than off-site options.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
So, you should always choose an official Disney hotel during your stay.
If you’re not sure about which one, speak with a MickeyTravels agent to discuss your options.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
These experts possess total knowledge of Disney vacations, yet they offer their services free of charge to you. It’s an amazing deal!
The Photography Hack
Nothing beats Disney in-park photographs as far as keepsakes go.
That one picture will remind you of the happy time when you basked in the sun and smiled for the camera.
Photo: Disney
Alas, there’s a problem with taking pictures at Disney. Even when you have PhotoPass, the issue lingers. It’s other guests!
With thousands of people visiting the park at the same time as you, strangers inevitably wind up appearing as background characters in your photos.
Disney PhotoPass
Thankfully, there are a couple of tricks to eliminate this concern. Both involve staying until late at night.
Specifically, you can get in line for any attraction a couple of minutes before the park closes.
Photo: Disney
Cast Members will let you ride even though Disney has technically shut down for the day.
Once you exit the ride, you’ll be inside the park at a time when it’s mostly empty.
Photo: Disney PhotoPass
Take advantage of this trick by snagging a few pictures of your ‘ohana at a time when nobody else is around!
The same premise applies to in-park dining as well. When you book a reservation near closing time, you can do the same thing.
Photo: Disney
Once your meal ends, you’ll exit into the park, which is probably a ghost town by this point.
So, you can capture some pictures without having to worry about unexpected photobombing.
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
