Tag Archives: Tips & Tricks

Oct 20 2019

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up October 20, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for October 20, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Haunted MansionDisney Did You Know

There are really only 107 ghosts in the Haunted Mansion not 999.

Extra Magic HoursTip Of The Week

Disney offers a perk called Extra Magic Hours which allows resort hotel guests early or late access to a theme park on select days. While this sounds like an outstanding idea, the morning Extra Magic Hours only work to your advantage if you can be there early enough to enjoy that extra hour before the park opens. If you can’t be there early, then you’ll want to avoid that theme park for the day, because the morning Extra Magic Hours make that park much more crowded. If you do use the morning Extra Magic Hours, consider “park hopping” to another theme park around 11:00am.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“She believed in dreams, all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didn’t come along, she went over to the palace and got him.”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED for 2020! The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Oct 13 2019

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up October 13, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for October 13, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Disney Did You Know

The hitch-hiking ghosts in Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion, Ezra, Gus and Phineas, were given their names by fans.

Tip Of The Week

If you are traveling with a little one who isn’t a fan of the dark, or with someone whose eyes have trouble adjusting to the dark quickly, bring a mini flashlight to use in some of the queues. This mini flashlight will also come in handy for reading menus in darkened restaurants and for navigating your hotel room during the night while everyone else is fast asleep.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“Over at our place, we’re sure of just one thing: everybody in the world was once a child. So in planning a new picture, we don’t think of grown-ups, and we don’t think of children. But just of that fine, clean, unspoiled spot down deep in every one of us, that maybe the world has made us forget.”   

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED for 2020! The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Magic Kingdom Welcome Show
Oct 7 2019

2020 Walt Disney World Crowd Calendar

If you’re thinking of visiting Walt Disney World in 2020, you might be wondering what will be the best time of year to plan a trip in order to avoid the massive crowds. By offering discounts during what was typically slower seasons, Disney has done a better job evening out the crowds throughout the year. However, there are still a few weeks that are ideal for a vacation if you’re hoping to pack in as much fun as possible without long waits for every attraction. In 2020, the best dates to visit Walt Disney World based on estimated crowd levels will be from August 23 through October 3. The busiest weeks that you may want to avoid if at all possible will be January 1 through January 4 due to New Year’s, March 15 through March 28 due to Spring Break, April 5 through April 12 due to Easter, November 22 through November 28 due to Thanksgiving, and December 20 through December 31 due to the Christmas holiday. Check out the chart below to see the estimated crowd levels during your 2020 Walt Disney World vacation.

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Do you plan on visiting Disney World in 2020?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Oct 6 2019

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up October 6, 2019

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for October 6, 2019!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Haunted MansionDisney Did You Know

In the Haunted Mansion, the ghosts in the Grand Ballroom Scene are actually reflections of animatronics located above and below the Doom Buggy track. This is a variation of the “Pepper’s Ghost” illusion.

Tip Of The Week

Remember to stay hydrated and nourished. Fatigue and irritability can set in fast if you let yourself get overly thirsty or hungry. Take a few minutes to refuel and try some of the tasty food and beverage choices that Disney World has to offer. This will help give you the energy you need to keep going.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Hocus Pocus Villain SpelltacularWalt’s Words

“Children are people, and they should have to reach to learn about things, to understand things, just as adults have to reach if they want to grow in mental stature. Life is composed of lights and shadows, and we would be untruthful, insincere, and saccharine if we tried to pretend there were no shadows. Most things are good, and they are the strongest things; but there are evil things too, and you are not doing a child a favor by trying to shield him from reality. The important thing is to teach a child that good can always triumph over evil.”

Featured Advertiser

Create your own unique look with a personalized Disney MagicBand Skin. Magic YOUR Band has a range of designs to choose from that you can use as-is or customize with your own text. And if you want to take it to the next level, you can even upload your own photos or images to fully personalize, customize, and decorate your MagicBand. With great discounts for multi-buys, why not create one for the whole family? For more information or to start customizing your own Magic YOUR Band Skin now, please click here.

501 WaysFeatured Book

UPDATED for 2020! The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Disney World Easter
Sep 30 2019

Helpful Information For Your April 2020 Disney World Vacation

So you are planning a vacation to Disney World in April 2020?
April is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World!

Weather

The weather in Disney World during April is the best of the year. The average high is about 83 degrees, the average low is about 59 degrees and the average rainfall is only about 2.28 inches. April is the second driest month of the year behind November. Don’t forget that even though it reaches the 80’s by afternoon, the early mornings, late evenings and heavily air-conditioned attractions are still chilly.

Crowds

For most of April, crowd levels will be moderate with the exception of the high levels during Easter week that concludes on the holiday Sunday, April 12. You may also experience slightly higher crowd levels in Epcot during the weekends as many locals enjoy visiting the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

Magic Kingdom Welcome ShowApril 1 – April 4
Average Crowd Level 7.3 out of 10
April 5 – April 11
Average Crowd Level 8.7 out of 10
April 12 – April 18
Average Crowd Level 7.3 out of 10
April 19 – April 25
Average Crowd Level 5.4 out of 10
April 26 – April 30
Average Crowd Level 4.4 out of 10

Magic Kingdom ClockPark Hours

Magic Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Epcot
Open most days from 9am – 9pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Hollywood Studios
Open most days from 9am – 8:30pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)
Animal Kingdom
Open most days from 9am – 8pm (plus Extra Magic Hours)

For specific hours on each day during April, please click this link. Remember that park hours are subject to change and are often adjusted two weeks prior.

Events

Epcot International Flower And Garden FestivalA wonderful part about visiting Disney World in April is the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival. In 2020, the event will run from March 4 – June 1 and features over 100 topiaries, interesting gardening demonstrations, beautiful flowers, weekend music concerts and several outdoor kitchens serving delicious foods and beverages.

Star Wars Marathon 2From April 16 – 19, 2020, the Star Wars Rival Run Weekend will be held. This fantastic event includes kids races, a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon. Please click here for more information or to register.

Disney Easter Egg HuntIf you are visiting around Easter, Disney always has additional offerings to celebrate the holiday. There is usually an Easter parade in Magic Kingdom, meet and greets with Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny, and the Epcot Egg-stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt. And remember Disney Floral can help you decorate your resort room and provide gifts for the occasion, just click here for more information.

 

Refurbishments

Periodically throughout the year, Disney closes attractions for refurbishments and enhancements. Here are the currently scheduled closures during April (subject to change without notice):

Magic Kingdom
TRON Lightcycle Run: Opening in 2021
Walt Disney World Railroad: December 2018 – TBD

Epcot Flower & Garden FestivalEpcot
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Opening in 2021
Journey of Water: TBD
Mary Poppins Attraction: TBD
PLAY! Pavilion: Opening in 2021
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: Opening in Summer 2020
Space 220: TBD
Wondrous China: TBD

Hollywood Studios
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway: Opening in Spring 2020
Roundup Rodeo BBQ: Opening in 2020

Animal Kingdom
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Water Parks
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Disney Springs
No Scheduled Refurbishments At This Time

Planning Tips

If you are traveling to Disney World in April 2020, your planning is probably well under way at this point. Here’s a checklist to make sure you are on track:

  • Make sure you have created your My Disney Experience account. If you haven’t, click here to sign up now.
  • If you haven’t already made your dining reservations, be sure to make them now by clicking here.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to customize your MagicBand on your My Disney Experience account by picking the color and adding your name. And if you really want to make your MagicBand special, personalize it with your own custom designed MagicBand Skin from Magic YOUR Band. Click here to get started!
  • Now is a great time to research what attractions you and your family would like to see at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Because Walt Disney World is so large, it is very difficult to see everything during one trip, so be sure to get everyone’s top priorities. This is also a great time to begin looking at menus for counter service restaurants so that you have an idea of which locations serve foods that your entire family will enjoy.
  • Whether you are staying on site or off-property, be sure to purchase your admission tickets and link them to your My Disney Experience account.
  • 501 WaysOnce your tickets are linked and at exactly 60 days in advance of your check in date (7am EST time) if you are staying on site or 30 days in advance for all other guests, login to your My Disney Experience account and book your Fastpass+ reservations.
  • If you are staying on site, be sure to check in online at 60 days out from your arrival date.
  • Double check your flight times and if you will be using Disney’s Magical Express for your airport transportation make your reservation at least 60 days in advance by clicking here.
  • It’s never too early to start creating a packing list so that you don’t forget anything.
  • Need more help planning? Please check out my book UPDATED FOR 2020 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation, for hundreds of insider tips and secrets for having the most magical Disney World vacation possible!

Special Offers

If you haven’t already made your April 2020 reservations, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save money:

Join The Fun

I have created a Facebook Group called Disney World Enthusiast! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun! Please click here to be a part of the group!

Have a magical vacation!