There’s no arguing that the Orlando theme parks are amazing, but there’s nothing like a lack of preparation and planning to dampen your experience. Some like to plan for every detail, others like to wing it. Whatever is your preference, there are small things that can make big a difference to your day. Here are our top Orlando theme park tips to get you through the parks with maximum enjoyment and minimum stress.

Purchase Tickets in Advance

There’s no real good reason to delay getting your tickets and plenty of great reasons to get them in advance.

• Online prices will be cheaper than the gate price (unless it’s a single day ticket)
• You won’t have to wait in line at the entrance

If you arrive at Universal Orlando without a ticket, you can still purchase in advance to get $20 reduction on the gate price. Just call or buy online, even if you are right there at the gate.

Make Use of Disney Genie

Disney Genie is Disney’s planning service that is free for everyone to use. You can access it via the My Disney App. It gives you assistance to plan your day, check wait times, and much more.

Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Selections There is also a paid-for version available called Disney Genie+, which enables you to pre-book arrival windows in most attractions. You will be given a time slot and use Lightning Lanes to access attractions to cut down your wait time. This service starts at $15 per day per person.

Lightning Lane Individual Selections: You can purchase access for up to two high-demand attractions each day. The cost for attractions vary and are date and demand based. Slots are limited, so you’ll need to have your finger on the trigger on the park opening time (or 7am if you are on property).

You do not need to purchase Disney Genie+ to access this feature, Lightning Lane Individual Selections are available to both the free version and paid version of Disney Genie.

See our Disney Genie Guide.

Consider a Universal ExpressPass

It really depends on the time of year you are visiting and how much value you want to place on time. Take a look at our Guide to Universal Express Pass. Some days you’ll walk right on the Universal Rides, other times you can wait for a lifetime. It depends on the time of year you visit.

Universal offer two options to help you skip to the front of the lines. ExpressPass allows you to bypass the lines on each ride once, ExpressPassUnlimited allows you to bypass the lines as often as you like.

Depending on how many days you are going, make sure you compare bundles that already include the ExpressPass, it can give you considerable savings.

Prices vary on different days, so check the Universal Website.

If you are staying in one of our vacation homes, ask us about our secret tip for Express Passes. There are some Orlando theme parks tips that we only share with our guests 🙂

Orlando Theme Park Tips:
Take Note of Your Tickets

As soon as you get your theme park tickets, keep a note or take an image of the bar code and details. This will be essential if you ever lose your ticket or need replacements for any reason. If you receive a paper/letter/email ticket, make a note of the serial number or barcode.

Email the info to yourself and someone else in your group. That way, if your phone gets lost or damaged, you will have a backup record of the ticket information.

Although not obliged to, the theme parks will generally replace lost or stolen tickets and issue new ones. The old ones will be voided, so if anyone does try to use them, they may show up as “possibly stolen”.

There may be a replacement fee, but hopefully, your tickets will be replaced for zero cost.

Purchase receipts generally don’t show the actual pass numbers or the details needed to issue replacements. If the receipt shows the serial number from the back of the ticket, then you’re good to go.

NEVER Buy Cheap Tickets!

The general rule is there’s no such thing as a cheap Disney or Universal ticket. If they are cheap, they are cheap for a reason. They will possibly have a timeshare presentation tied to them or may even be illegal.

There is very little room for profit on the theme park tickets, most authorized sellers tend to be similar in price, but do read the small print for delivery fees, admin, and taxes. These can all bump the cost up and affect the bottom line.

If a ticket is being offered for much lower than other sources, then check, double check, and check again the reason why.

How to Spot Fake Tickets or Scams

Disney URL

An authorized ticket outlet will never use the word Disney in the URL – it’s illegal to do so. Unless of course, it is Disney themselves!

Part Used Tickets

It is illegal to sell part-used tickets – if you see them advertised run a mile. Tickets with unused days are not allowed to be resold. You will more than likely be refused entry if you try to use a ticket belonging to someone else.

One Day Tickets

Disney does not allow anyone to advertise discounted 1 Day tickets. If you see single-day tickets with a discount, they will likely be fake.

No Expiration Tickets

No expiration tickets were discontinued in 2015 and are no longer available. Be very wary if you see them advertised. (Guests who already purchased non-expiry tickets will be honored).

Social Media Scams

Beware of Facebook pages pretending to be Disney or Universal. They might offering something along the lines of free Disney or Universal tickets if you share the post. Official Facebook pages have blue circle ticks next to the names to prove they are verified and genuine. If there’s no tick, it’s not a genuine Disney or Universal Facebook page. Of course other sites may be offering a genuine competition, but if they pretend to be Disney or Universal, or any other official website, you need check carefully before sharing or liking pages to win tickets.

Hit Disney Early & Break The Day

This is one of our favorite Orlando theme park tips. A day at Disney can be exhausting for both adults and kids. Splitting the day will help keep your stamina and give your tired and aching feet a rest.

We’re so close to Disney, heading back to one of our Orlando vacation homes during the day is effortless.

Not only are there spectacular fireworks at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but there are also evening activities at Hollywood Studios too. You need to save some energy for some of the evening activities, so breaking the day is essential. And Disney Springs is a must!

Breaking the day gives you time to:

• Give the kids an afternoon nap
• Have a cooling swim
• Enjoy precious downtime together
• Eat without paying the inflated theme park prices
• Head back for fireworks and evening events feeling fully refreshed
• Give those tired feet a well-earned rest

Talking of aching feet…

Orlando Theme Park Tips:
Wear Comfortable Footwear

This is one of our Orlando theme park tips that will save you pain! A trip to a theme park ain’t no walk in the park. You’ll be on your feet for hours and hours. Those tootsies will take a pounding, so take care of them and they’ll last the distance.

There’s no fashion police patrolling here. Clothes for comfort is the dress code. Leave those shiny new shoes at home and pack those old dependable worn-in sneakers.

Orlando Theme Park Tips – Don’t end up looking like this!

So how far will you walk? The “average” is around 8-10 miles a day from the parking lot, around the theme parks and back again. It could be several miles more if you do the whole park, it could be less if you stick to the main routes.

But whatever your plans include, you’ll be walking miles and miles, so plan footwear accordingly.

If you visit in the wet summer season, you are guaranteed afternoon shower bursts most days, so stick to footwear that dries quickly. Many swear by flip-flops or crocs.

Orlando Theme Park Tips:
Take Snacks

This is one of our favorite money-saving Orlando theme park tips. Food and snacks in the theme parks are not only expensive but can be unhealthy too.

You are allowed to take food into the theme parks and you can pack food in cooler bags. You can’t take anything that needs heating, you can’t take hard cool boxes and you can’t take glassware (apart from jars of baby food).

There are plenty of places to eat around all the parks, so pick your spot, unpack a picnic and enjoy!

But do leave room for some of those amazing Disney treats.

Work Your Way Backwards

Studies have shown that most people turn left when they enter a park and work their way around clockwise. Do the opposite and head straight to the back of the park and work your way around in the opposite direction to the crowd. You could even head right to the back of the park and work your way around from there, avoiding even more crowds.

Have a Phone and Camera Back-Up

With the use of apps, WiFi and recording precious memories on your phone or camera, batteries soon drain. You’ll also be using your phone for park apps to keep up with wait times, routes, and a whole range of things.

Make sure you carry a portable charger so you’ll never run dry. And set your phone to battery-saving mode.

It’s always better to purchase a charger prior to arriving at any park. But if you do get caught short, you can purchase a Fuel Rod at several locations in the Orlando Parks.

The FuelRod costs $30 and will power a phone for up to 8 hours of talk time, or up to 4 hours of usage on your smartphone, iPhone or tablet. Adapters for both Android and Apple devices are included.

Once the FuelRod is empty, you can either re-charge it or swap it out for a new one at any of the FuelRod Stations in Disney World.

Disney Charging Stations:

There are plenty of outlets around the parks to plug in and charge up, including baby care centers, rest areas and many restaurants. Guest Services at all locations will allow you to leave your phone with them to charge as long as you have your cable. They’ll give you a claim ticket to get your phone back.

Here are some charging locations in the parks

• Magic Kingdom: Kingdom Crossing | Tomorrowland Power & Light | Tangled Toilets | Big Top Rest Area | Columbia Harbor House | City Hall | Main St Station
• Epcot: Exit of Soarin’ | The Land Pavillion | Living Seas Restroom | Norway Pavillion | Morocco Pavillion
• Animal Kingdom: Pizzafari | Disney Outfitters
• Hollywood Studios: Restrooms at Toy Story Mania | ABC Commissary |

Fuel Rod Locations at Universal Orlando Resort

Universal also has FuelRod Kiosks available in Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and CityWalk.

• Universal Studios: Hollywood | New York | Fast & Furious | World Expo
• Islands of Adventure: Seuss Landing | Super Hero Island | Jurassic Park
• City Walk: By Guest Services

Device Charging at SeaWorld

Seaworld offers Relax & Recharge stations where you can plug in and power up. It’s a free service and you’ll find one charging station at Nautilus Theater and a second located between the Manta and Journey to Atlantis rides.

Orlando Theme Park Tips:
Protect Your Phone

Take ziplock bags to put your phones into if you go on any water rides. Some of them can be pretty wet! A Ziplock bag will keep your phone nice and dry during the ride.

Remember Where You Park!

Take an image with your phone or camera of the row and section of where you park. The theme parks make it a little easier to remember by naming the parking sections after memorable characters.

It can be a daunting prospect trying to find your car hidden between thousands of others if you forgot where you parked 8 hours earlier! A snapshot from hours earlier will make it easy to find.

Disney World also has a Car Locator in the Disney App to map the exact location of your vehicle when you park. Car Locator is available at all four Disney theme parks, plus Disney Springs, both Disney Water Parks, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Orlando Theme Park Tips
To Cut Down Wait Times

Single Rider Line

If you don’t mind splitting up, use the Single Rider Lines to cut down wait time in the lines. You might even get on the same ride or the same row.

Child Swap/Rider Switch

Most rides offer the option for parents to leave younger children with another adult party member while they go have fun on the ride. Once over, they swap places and the second adult gets to ride without having to wait in line again. The older kids will get to ride twice, which they will love!
Child Swap is at Universal and Rider Switch is at Disney.

Ride During Parades & Fireworks

Attractions in Disney will be much quieter during the parades and fireworks shows. If you’ve seen the parades already, then head for the popular attractions for shorter wait times.

Get in Line at Park Close

As long as you are in line before the official posted park close time, you will be able to wait inline for any attraction (excluding virtual lines). Wait times are sometimes longer that shown, so it’s always worth it if you’ve not been able to hit that favorite attraction any other way.

Plus, you get to head to the park exit after most other guests have left. It makes a nice change to see a crowd free park.

Orlando Theme Park Tips: Pack a Poncho

Perfect for summer storms and wet rides. You can get ponchos from the local stores much cheaper than at the parks. They are lightweight, small and easy to carry around. Keep them on you at all times for those surprise showers and get-soaked rides.

So now you have some vital Orlando theme park tips, we hope it helps make your vacation awesome. If you have any tips of your own, we’d love to hear your comments below!