Is it possible to do Disney World without planning months ahead of time? With reasonable expectations, it can be done and I have advice on how to do that today.

I also have recent news and a quick tip about doing laundry at Disney World resorts.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

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DISNEY WORLD WITHOUT LOTS OF PLANNING

Doing Disney World without planning months in advance is possible if you don't expect to do some of the hardest-to-get things (like eat at Cinderella's Royal Table or Be Our Guest), but will be easier to do during less busy times (see my crowd predictions for 2015 and 2016).

Dining options
Many character meals book up months in advance, but you can often find last-minute reservations at 1900 Park Fare (at The Grand Floridian), Crystal Palace (at Magic Kingdom), Garden Grill (at Epcot), and Tusker House (at Animal Kingdom). See my character meal overview for details on each.

There are other Table Service options throughout Disney World that often have last-minute openings:

• Magic Kingdom - Liberty Tree Tavern and The Plaza
• Epcot - Lots of options, but my favorites would be Biergarten, Nine Dragons and Marrakesh
• Hollywood Studios - 50s Prime Time Cafe and Hollywood Brown Derby
• Animal Kingdom - Tusker House and Yak & Yeti
• Downtown Disney - too many options to mention but you should be able to find several openings

You could also choose to just eat Quick Service which doesn't require reservations. At Animal Kingdom, I like Yak & Yeti, Tamu Tamu, and Flame Tree (and Restaurantosaurus is a good option if you want to eat inside with free drink refills). At Magic Kingdom, I like Columbia Harbour House. Epcot has many great Quick Service options, including fish and chips in the U.K. section and Sunshine Seasons inside The Land building.

FastPass+ reservations
You should try to get FastPass+ reservations ASAP, whether that's 3 days before or the morning before heading to a park. You can see all of my FastPass+ reservation recommendations and touring plans here.

My recommendations for each park:

• Magic Kingdom - this will be the hardest to do since there are so many attractions. If you have more than 1 day, that would be ideal. FastPass+ reservations for meeting Anna and Elsa and riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be the most difficult to get so do those right when the park opens. After that, your priorities should be to get FP+ or ride these early: Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Winnie the Pooh.
• Epcot - if you ride Soarin' at park opening and then ride Test Track in the single rider line, you could almost do Epcot without any FP+ reservations. I do recommend getting them if you can though. Be sure to ride Sum of All Thrills after Soarin' (if you're interested in doing it) since it doesn't have a FP+ at all and lines build fairly quickly.
• Hollywood Studios - you could ride Toy Story Mania at park opening, then ride Tower of Terror, then Rock 'n' Roller Coaster in single ride line without using any FP+ reservations. However, I'd recommend trying to get FP+ for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Star Tours if you can.
• Animal Kingdom - you could ride Safaris at park opening, Expedition Everest in the single rider line, then Primeval Whirl and Dinosaur without needing any FastPass+.

RECENT NEWS

• Free Dining is rumored to be announced this week. Here's my advice for preparing for that.
• Be Our Guest breakfast reservations are now available through July 18.
• The Pirates of the Caribbean refurbishment will begin in June instead of May. You can always find the current refurbishments on the monthly dashboards.
• My eBook has been updated and will be posted early this week.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

People staying at Disney World resorts and wanting do to laundry can use the Laundry View site to check the current availability of washers and dryers by going to LaundryView.com/DisneyWorld.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

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Lots of people get excited about the possibility of Free Dining for their trips, but what if it's not the best deal? I've got info today on who usually saves more by using Free Dining and who doesn't.

I also have a quick tip about maximizing Extra Magic Hours (including which attractions are open at each park).

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
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IS FREE DINING WORTH IT?

With the regular/basic Disney Dining Plan costing $60/day for adults and $19/day for kids 3-9, sometimes the room-only discounts work out better than Free Dining (when/if it's available).

In addition, not everybody eats the same amount of food provided on the Disney Dining Plan so paying out-of-pocket and using a room-only discount might make more sense.

For people who do eat the amount of food provided with Disney Dining Plan credits, here's what promotion usually makes the most sense during times when Free Dining is offered:

• Families/groups of 5 - Free Dining is usually the better deal no matter where you stay
• Families/groups of 3 or 4 - Free Dining is usually the better deal unless staying at 1 of the more expensive Deluxe Resorts
• Families/groups of 1 or 2 - Free Dining is usually the better deal at Value and Moderate Resorts, but the room-only discount will save more at Deluxe Resorts

If Free Dining is announced, be sure to listen to my podcast about preparing for Free Dining and check out my charts on maximizing Disney Dining Plan credits.

RECENT NEWS

• Beginning on April 20, a new bus route from Magic Kingdom to Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ is being tested.
• The Sounds Like Summer concert series (which runs from June 7 - July 25) lineup has been announced.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

Brittany called in with a tip that not all Extra Magic Hours are as valuable as others, as she found out when visiting Epcot during a morning Extra Magic Hour.

Here's what's open during AM and PM EMH. Pin it or save to your phone to have as a reference later.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

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All of the resort categories at Disney World vary in many ways including size, price, dining options and transportation so I've got the differences between all of them to help you decide what makes sense for your trip.

I also have recent news and a quick tip that will allow you to use somebody else's FastPass+ reservation.

These are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
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DIFFERENCES IN RESORT CATEGORIES

All Disney World resorts have mini-fridges (but microwaves are only in suites), Disney transportation, wifi, dining reservations can be made up to 180 days beforehand for the whole trip, and FastPass+ reservations can be made for the whole trip up to 60 days beforehand.

Value Resorts
All Value Resorts have:

• Fun, bright, kid-friendly theming with large icons
• Rooms that open to outside corridors
• Food courts and pizza delivery available, but no Table Service restaurants
• Themed pools but no water slides
• Large, spread out layout
• Bus transportation to all parks and Downtown Disney (and only 1 internal bus stop)
• 260 sq. ft. rooms with 2 double beds or 1 king bed
• Prices of $96-199/night for standard rooms

Art of Animation is slightly different in that it's the newest, has mostly suites, doesn't have Preferred Rooms, has a larger food court, slightly bigger standard rooms (277 sq. ft.), and is higher priced ($123-214/night for standard rooms).

My favorite Value Resort is Pop Century, which offers low prices and doesn't share buses with other resorts. For families of more than 4 or who want more space, Art of Animation is a good option (and they don't share buses w/other resorts either).

Moderate Resorts
All Moderate Resorts have:

• Beautiful theming with lush landscaping and a very grownup feel
• Rooms that open to outside corridors
• Table Service restaurant (except at French Quarter), food courts and pizza delivery available
• A main feature pool with a water slide and other quiet pools
• On-site recreation options
• Large, spread out layout
• Bus transportation to all parks and Downtown Disney (and many internal bus stops, except at French Quarter). Boat transportation to Downtown Disney is also available at Riverside and French Quarter.
• 314 sq. ft. rooms (340 sq. ft. at Caribbean Beach Resort) with 2 queen beds or 1 king bed
• Riverside and Caribbean Beach can accommodate families of up to 5
• Themed rooms available at Riverside and Caribbean Beach Resorts
• Prices of $182-285/night for standard rooms

• My favorite Moderate Resort is Port Orleans Riverside which is the most beautiful, in my opinion, and is the best value for a Preferred Room.

  Deluxe Resorts
  All Deluxe Resorts have:

  • Beautiful, impeccable theming with fantastic lobbies and gift shops
  • Rooms that open to inside corridors
  • Table Service restaurants (including 1 upscale option) and Quick Service, but no food courts
  • A main feature pool with a water slide and other quiet pools
  • Non-bus access to at least 1 park (except Animal Kingdom Lodge which always uses buses)
  • All Deluxe Resorts accommodate up to 5 people in standard rooms except Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Boardwalk Inn
  • On-site gyms, salons, and valet parking available
  • Prices of $320-835/night for standard rooms, with Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge being the least expensive

  My favorite Deluxe Resorts are The Beach Club and The Polynesian which provide non-bus access to 2 of the 4 parks, have large rooms and great pools.

  RECENT NEWS

  • Be Our Guest breakfast can be pre-ordered from the My Reservations page up to 30 days beforehand now.
  • The Boathouse restaurant in Downtown Disney is opening this week and reservations can be made through OpenTable for dates beginning on May 15.
  • Night of Joy, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets are now on sale from the Special Events page.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

You can use somebody else's MagicBand or park ticket to use their FastPass+ reservations if you'd like. Everybody needs to use their own band/ticket to enter the park but you can use somebody else's band/ticket to use their FastPass+.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher

Today I want to talk about doing Disney World with people who don't want to ride many rides, whether they happen to be children or adults.

I also discuss recent Disney World news items and have a quick tip about shaving some time off the process of making dining reservations.

hese are notes from this episode. There's much more info included in the audio so be sure to listen to the episode for a better explanation.

BECOME A WDW PREP TO GO PATRON

WDW Prep To Go Patrons pay a little to unlock even more content than what’s on the main podcast feed, such as a private FB Group and exclusive audio that’s released on a private podcast feed.
 
Become a Patron Now

RECENT POST

Feedback on this article convinced me to buy Skecher's Go Walk shoes

HOW TO HANDLE NON-RIDERS

For little ones who don't want to ride, be sure to take advantage of Rider Switch.

For non-riding adults, I recommend making plans to do things nearby. Here are some suggestions:

Magic Kingdom

• Space Mountain alternatives - Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover), Carousel of Progress
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train alternatives - PhilharMagic, any of the gentle rides in Fantasyland
• Big Thunder and Splash alternatives - ride the train around the park, Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents

Epcot

• Soarin' alternative - Living with the Land
• Test Track and Mission: Space alternatives - Innoventions East exhibits, Ellen's Energy Adventure (takes 45 minutes)

Hollywood Studios

• Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror alternatives - Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, other shows
• Star Tours alternative - MuppetVision, Indiana Jones show

Animal Kingdom

• Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids alternatives - Flights of Wonder, Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Dinosaur and Primeval Whirl alternatives - Finding Nemo show

RECENT NEWS

• Star Wars Weekends celebrities have been announced.
• Frozen-themed treats are being offered for a limited time beginning on April 8
• A 4th FastPass+ reservation was recently offered to people for a couple of days. It's not clear if this was something offered due to larger crowds, or if it's a test and something that might be offered permanently in the future.

QUICK TIP OF THE DAY

A reader named Robert suggests bookmarking dining reservations in your browser to save some time when your dining reservations open up. Just a reminder that you should always make dining reservations in order of difficulty, not chronologically.

Have a quick tip of your own? Call it in at https://www.speakpipe.com/WDWPrepToGo

SUBSCRIBE TO GET NEW EPISODES

There are a few ways to get new episodes of WDW Prep To Go (if you're used to listening on the website, subscribe so you can take new episodes with you on your phone)

• Subscribe in iTunes (and please leave a review!)
• Subscribe to the feed
• Listen on Stitcher