Have you ever stood amidst the hectic hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World Resort and thought, “There must be an easier way!” Well, you’re right; there often is. Enter Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition by theme park journalist Susan Vaness and our very own Samantha Davis-Friedman as contributing writer.
The newly updated guidebook, which officially debuts April 2, 2024 (but is already available for pre-order on Amazon), contains 350+ tips and tricks to help even the most novice Disney World guest hack their way through “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” from managing Genie+ to keeping ice cream from melting instantly in the blazing Florida sun (yes, it’s possible).
With suggestions on planning, packing, parking, and everything in between, this handy guide could save you time, money, or both on your next Disney World vacation.
Genie+
Every Disney fan has an opinion about Disney’s Genie+ “expedited entry” system, but the bottom line is that once you’ve decided to pay for the service, you might as well make the most of it.
To that end, Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition takes everything into account when making recommendations about Genie+, from which rides to prioritize to splitting large groups into two or more parties to improve the odds of riding an attraction together (at the time you actually want to ride) – or even booking two completely different rides at the same time to satisfy different ages and thrill levels.
Genie (not the +) also has free features that many parkgoers never take advantage of, including being notified when your prioritized rides have low wait times. Shhh…. Don’t tell anyone.
Did You Know?
Some “no-brainers” aren’t really no-brainers. Like Disney gift cards. You may know Disney gift cards can only be used for purchases made directly through Disney, but before you rush to pay for your Walt Disney World hotel or theme park tickets with gift cards, check for better prices through booking outlets other than Disney. Then, you can save your gift cards for dining and merchandise purchases at the resort.
You can also condense several Disney gift cards onto a single card; however, as the book points out, keeping a low balance on a few cards might be a better idea for kids who want to carry their own “money.” After all, it’s much less painful to lose a gift card worth $10 than one loaded up with $100 (or more!)
Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition also uncovers secrets the parks don’t want you to know about. For example, did you know some attractions may inflate in-app wait times at the end of the day to discourage riders from entering the queue when they’re preparing to close? That’s why you should always check the rides in person because there might not be a long line at all. The more you know.
“Newbie Alerts”
Although it often feels like the entire U.S. population is strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., not everyone has been to Disney World before. The book considers that by flagging specific hacks as “Newbie Alerts” to ensure Disney World newcomers can avoid potential missteps.
For example, one Newbie Alert points out that Walt Disney World is not located in Orlando (which, honestly, some seasoned pros don’t know either). Yes, you will fly into Orlando International Airport, but Walt Disney World is actually in Lake Buena Vista, about twenty miles south of downtown Orlando.
On the flip side, hacks labeled “Pro Alerts” are designed to help Walt Disney World veterans up their theme park game.
Now, back to that ice cream…
Walt Disney World guests are often faced with a sticky situation when they purchase ice cream to cool off on a hot day, but they can find several clever solutions in Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition, including MacGyver-ing a makeshift mini ice cream cooler using quick-service cups and ice.
Curious about the other 343+ hacks? You can pre-order your copy of Walt Disney World Hacks, 2nd Edition from a variety of online booksellers. And be sure to consult it as you’re getting ready to head to Walt Disney World and, of course, throughout your trip. The book will also be available in an audio version.
When you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World, be sure to allow time to visit an Epcot festival (there’s almost always one going on!)
Read the articles below about two of our favorites:
A Floridian’s Favorite: Why EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts Tops Our List
What’s Blooming in the Kitchen? The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival 2024 Food Guide
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