I hope you will find this information helpful as you prepare for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation! Please save this email to use for reference while you are in the parks! Links are provided for quick access to more information.
You can adjust the size of the Magic Bands if needed. Separate the colored portion from the dark and the Magic Band will fit a tiny wrist. If you are flying, pack your Magic Bands in your carry on.
Stroller Guidelines Strollers can not be larger than 31” wide and 52” long. Stroller wagons are not permitted.
Stroller Rentals are located at the front of every park. Single stroller rentals are $15 per day and double strollers are $31 per day. If you rent for the length of your stay, your fee will drop to $13 per day for a single and $27 per day for a double. Locker rentals are located at the entrance of every theme park and water park.
Minnie Van Service This personal ride service can be accessed through the Lyft app. The Minnie Vans are driven by Disney Cast Members and can be used to save time when traveling within the Walt Disney World Resort. Airport transfers are available through this service as well!
Memory Maker – If you have purchased the Memory Maker package, the photos of your family and friends taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers at locations throughout the theme parks are yours. Ride photos are included in the package as well. When you have your photo taken, the Cast Member will scan your Magic Band and the photos will load to your My Disney Experience account. If your photo was taken on a ride, simply view the photos after you exit and tap your Magic Band to the Mickey Orb under your photo. To activate your photos and remove the watermarks, download one picture and follow the prompts to activate your package. If you have any issues, check your My Disney Experience account through the website. For assistance, you can visit the Photopass desk at any of the four parks or call tech support at 407-560-4300.
Pin Trading is a unique and fun Disney experience. You will see most Disney Cast Members wearing a Lanyard of pins. If you have a pin, you can ask them to trade and the answer will always be yes! You can purchase a starter set of pins and lanyards at most Disney souvenir shops or on eBay.
Everyone could use a little Pixie Dust! Stop in at Castle Couture in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom and ask any Cast Member for a sprinkling of pixie dust. You can find Aurora’s magic color-changing dress here as well.
The Harmony Barber Shop in the Magic Kingdom is a hidden gem. You can step back in time and enjoy a haircut in this quaint barber shop. They also offer a “My First Haircut” package for little ones that includes commemorative Mickey Ears and a certificate. Appointments can be made by calling 407-939-7529.
Celebrating something special? Complimentary Celebration Buttons are at the Disney resorts and parks. Disney’s Floral & Gifts specializes in memorable gifts and in-room celebrations. Specialty cakes are available to sweeten any celebration!
Disney Springs is a charming waterside dining, shopping and entertainment experience at Walt Disney World. Complimentary bus transportation to Disney Springs is offered from the resorts and service from the parks is offered after 4:00pm. Water taxis are available from Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple Hollywood Studios
Guests 4-12 can train to be a Jedi and put their skills to the test against the Dark Side! Registration is held at the Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost located between the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and the 50’s Prime Time Café. All participants must be present at the time of registration and availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You can choose your show time and this is a 1 hour experience (you have to arrive 30 minutes prior to the show and the show lasts about 20 minutes). We highly recommend you sign up very early in the morning, availability is limited.
The Rider Switch service is for anyone traveling with younger children who will not be big enough, or brave enough, to ride certain attractions. To use this service, ask the Cast Member how Rider Swap works for the particular attraction. Disney knows that nobody likes to ride alone so at least two people can ride using one Rider Swap Pass.
There is a Starbucks located in all four Disney Parks and your favorite beverage can be purchased with a snack credit. Starbucks can be found in the following locations:
Magic Kingdom – Main Street Bakery
Animal Kingdom – Creature Comforts
Hollywood Studios – Trolley Car Cafe
Epcot – Fountain View in Future World
You can purchase and personalize the famous Mickey Ears at The Chapeau on Main Street, U.S.A and at the Big Top Tent in Storybook Circus in the Magic Kingdom.
Mobile Order Placing a mobile order for quick service meals and snacks will save precious time! Use your My Disney Experience app to select “Order Food”, then choose your restaurant to view the menu and select your choices. When you arrive, use your app to notify the restaurant that you there and proceed to the Mobile Order pick up line to get your order!
There are a lot of great options for quick service meals at the parks, please click on the park name to view the full list. Here are some of our favorites to consider!
Pinocchio Village Haus – Fantasyland You can write a wish in the Blue Fairy’s Wish Book, it’s in the Jiminy Cricket Room. You can also get a table that overlooks It’s A Small World.
Pecos Bills – Frontierland They have a great toppings bar for your burgers or nachos.
Flame Tree BBQ – Discovery Island
Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe – Asia They have a quick service window that shouldn’t be confused with the Table Service restaurant!
Satu’li Canteen – Pandora
Woody’s Lunchbox Tater Tot Nachos – aka Totchos! Homemade pop tarts!
How about an international lunch in the World Showcase? Quick service options can be found in almost every country!
Please check the Park Hours for scheduled show times.
Magic Kingdom
Festival of Fantasy Parade The parade will start in Frontierland, travel through Liberty Square, circle around the Castle Hub and down Main Street. Suggestions for viewing: Frontierland or in front of the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street.
Happily Ever After Fireworks Find a spot with a clear view of the Castle so you can see the magical special effects. We like the views from Main Street near Casey’s or in front of the Partner’s Statue in the Castle Hub.
Epcot
Epcot Forever Fireworks You can watch the show anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon.
Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic This extravagant outdoor show features Disney Characters from the animated classics. Arrive at the amphitheater on Sunset Blvd at least 30 minutes prior to the start or earlier to get a good seat.
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Get a spot anywhere in front of the Chinese Theater or on Hollywood Blvd with a view of the theater so you can take in all of the special effects!
Animal Kingdom
Rivers of Light Arrive at the Discovery River Amphitheater at least 30 minutes prior to the start to get a good seat.
Packing List
Portable battery charger – You will use your phone a lot to access your My Disney Experience account. Be sure to bring a backup charger as you don’t want to run on empty in the parks! Disney offers Fuel Rod stations at the Parks and resorts. You can purchase a charger or exchange a Fuel Rod brand charger for a fully charged one for free.
Disposable Rain Ponchos Wear them and toss them!
Take a ‘park bag’. A soft sided bag that anyone would be willing to carry is ideal. Dark colors are best and the less you can carry, the better
Chilly pad towel and/or small portable fan if you are traveling during a time with high temperatures. You can cut a large chilly towel into smaller pieces and place in zip lock bags for each member of your family.
Band-aids or Moleskin – Blisters are unwelcome, but they happen. Break in your shoes well before your trip!
Sunglasses for everyone, even for the little ones.
Hat
Comfortable Shoes – several pairs
Antibacterial Gel or wipes
Thin Sharpie if you would like to have autographs on your Magic Band
Glow bracelets & necklaces for the kids to enjoy at night
Time Saving Tip when traveling with little ones:
Put an outfit a day in a Ziploc bag before you travel (socks, underwear, shorts, tops, hair bows…). When you get home from the parks late, it is nice to put a bag at the end of the kids’ beds to be ready for the morning!
If you are bringing a cooler, loose ice is not permitted. We recommend that you freeze water bottles or use ice packs. Quick service locations will offer complimentary cups of ice.
Have fun as you prepare for the Magic of Disney!
