Disney World Parks Tips

Updated 3/6/26

The most important tip: You cannot do it all. Do not try. If you try to do it all, you will drop of exhaustion. Pick and choose the most important things at each park that you want to do, and make those a priority. There is much more to do for anyone, for any length of time, and it’s impossible to “do it all” in one trip. Watch the Wait Times, follow the shortest lines where you can, and utilize Lightning Lanes when possible.

Getting to the Parks

Minnie Van (Lyft or Uber)

Sometimes Disney buses can be slow to arrive, or maybe they just FEEL slow because you are anxious to get to where you are going. To optimize your time, Disney's Minnie Van service utilizes the Lyft app but specifically within Disney property. It does have some cost to it, but at Disney, your time is money. Example of an Uber from Port Orleans French Quarter to Hollywood Studios at 6:00 am = $10.

The Minnie Vans accommodates up to 6 guests and offers two complementary child seats. Booking instructions are below:

1. Open the Lyft app while visiting Walt Disney World Resort and enter your destination.

2. Confirm your pickup location and tap “Select Minnie Van". If the Minnie Van service doesn’t immediately display, scroll through vehicle type options until it appears.

3. Track your vehicle on a map provided by the app. You’ll also see the vehicle number to help you spot your car.

Early Entry for Resort Guests

All four parks open 30 minutes early for Disney Resort hotel guests with select attractions, merchandise, and food and beverage locations operating during this time. Your MyDisneyExperience account will show this time based on your plans for the day.

Arrive Early to the Parks

Arrive at the parks about 30-45 minutes before the stated opening times. The parks will usually open the turnstiles about 30 minutes early, although the rides and attractions won’t open until the stated opening time, the shops will be open. You can rent a stroller, browse the shops and be ready at the entrance to each ‘land’ when the rope drops at opening time.

For the Magic Kingdom, you can enter the park and Main Street, USA earlier than park opening. You can grab a coffee at Starbucks (snack credit but LONG lines) or start your shopping early. At park opening time, there is a show that will be performed by the characters in front of the castle—opening the park to the guests.