Maximize your Magic Kingdom experience

Some pointers to make your Disney World experience everything and more

There are two types of people — those who plan ahead and those who jump right in.

There are two types of people — those who plan ahead and those who jump right in.

I’m more of a spreadsheet girl. However, the holidays interfered with planning for our early January trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

So I jumped right in. Bad idea.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the magic of the 48-year-old kingdom of fantasy, but I could have doubled the magic during my two-day foray had I done my homework.

Unless you have an endless visit planned, make like a Girl Scout and be prepared. Learn the attractions at each park — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Numerous books, websites and the My Disney Experience app are useful. Then, prioritize by park and attraction. After that, plug in dining experiences.

At this point, you have a “wish list.” Use the FastPass+ tool and restaurant reservations to convert that list to a plan. Both can be done from My Disney Experience online or via the app.

FastPass+, for the uninitiated, is a free reservation system for attractions, entertainment and character experiences. It lets you to jump the line at a reserved time. For example, instead of a 45-minute wait for Kilimanjaro Safaris, the FastPass+ wait is just 10 minutes.

A limited number of FastPass+ reservations can be made up to 60 days before a visit by those staying at one of 25 Disney resort properties or 30 days if staying elsewhere. If you want to avoid the four-hour line (for real!) at Avatar Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, reserve early. The 2-yearold immersive theater experience is still immensely popular.

Among the most popular rides (and most reserved) are Soarin’ Around the World, Expedition Everest, Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Frozen Ever After.

Instead of physical tickets, FastPasses are handled digitally. That means you make the reservation online or via app. The reservations are then loaded on a MagicBand — kind of like a FitBit — worn by every guest. The chip inside keeps track of your FastPasses and park tickets, it serves as your room key and links to your credit card to purchase merchandise throughout Walt Disney World.

With ride plans underway, the next step is to make reservations (credit card required) for meals. More than 300 restaurants are available at the four parks and Disney Springs shopping village.

Among the newest dining establishments, opened around Thanksgiving, is Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, a California-inspired dining experience by the iconic celebrity chef.

Jaleo by José Andrés will debut this winter at Disney Springs, and when the doors open in the coming weeks, guests will discover a 22,000-square-foot wonder that will house Andrés’ largest restaurant to date.

Planning doesn’t stop here.

It helps to know the transportation options around the 40-plus-square-mile Disney campus. You can travel among parks and lodging by car, bus, monorail and ferry. Later this year, guests can glide through the air in Disney Skyliner, a gondola transportation system, on round trips from Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and the new Disney’s Riviera Resort.

Disney transportation is the way to go. Most parking lots require a fee, while bus, monorail and ferry are free. Not only that, but for some guests, the monorail and ferry are bonus entertainment.

While most busses arrive within 15 minutes, some routes require more than one transportation combination. Still, it’s easier and cheaper than traffic lines and parking. At $25 per day for Magic Kingdom parking, it may be a better deal to hire Disney Lyft than park your car.

While you’re planning ahead, schedule bonus experiences. Enroll the youngsters in The Pirate’s League or reserve a princess tea. Adults might enjoy a Twinings tea tasting or Wild Africa Trek. Behind the scenes tours include Backstage Magic, Behind the Seeds, Caring for Giants and Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom. To book, call 407-WDW-TOUR

When it comes to getting the most from a Walt Disney World trip, spontaneity can be overrated. We wish we’d planned with wiggle room for adjustments.

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD MagicBands are used for park access, FastPass reservations and purchasing power.

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD Lily, a Masai giraffe calf, was born in the summer at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. She can be seen by guests aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris.

COURTESY OF WALT DISNEY WORLD Guests can stay in a two-bedroom camper at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, one of 25 lodging options available on the 40-square-mile campus in central Florida.