Calling all Disney Fans! Here’s what you need to know before you go
Are you a Disney fanatic? Do you love the wonder and magic of the “happiest place on earth” and want to know the secrets and hacks of how to best enjoy the theme parks all year-round? Well you’re in great company because CP Advisor Amy Chen (https://www.simply-traveled.com/) has all the tips and tricks and is known among her clients as the “Disney Expert”. She’s a self proclaimed “Disney nut” and says planning trips to Disney is a big undertaking when you’re trying to maximize your time. Even during the pandemic, Chen thinks the magic is still there.
CP Advisor Amy Chen is known for her love for all things Disney!
Disney has a unique position in the aspect that it can be for any age group. Young kids love the magic of Disney princesses and characters, teenagers love the rides and adults who loved Disney as kids, never quite outgrow it. So the key is to find an experience for everyone.
“When you start thinking about your Disney trip, if you’ve been a few times and kids are mixed ages, the kids will have different experience,” said Chen. “Take a map and figure out how much time you have and where you absolutely must go.”
Chen says a good way to maximize time for families with young children, is to book a character breakfast. You get into the parks earlier even if you’re not staying on the grounds and get to see more of the park. The park opens at 9AM so the 730 AM character breakfast gives you an hour and half more time, plus your kids will love the chance to see their favorite Disney characters.
For older kids, Epcot and Downtown Disney are great spots to check out. Despite the changes in protocol due to the pandemic, Chen says it’s still great.
“You don’t get parades twice a day but there are cavalcades of princesses ten times a day so it more than makes up for it,” said Chen.
What to pack:
• Small bottle of sanitizer
• Kleenex and wet wipes
• Tylenol
• Bottled water
• Sunblock and Chapstick
That’s your survival kit for your day at the parks. Chen also says visiting Disney during Halloween is a great time to visit Boo Bash, because that’s when the villains come out.
“The kids get to trick or treat and the park is open late to the 25% of people who paid extra who want to go,” said Chen. “You can go until midnight and it’s deserted. Go there for just the Boo Bash because it’s a ball and so much fun.”
Chen also suggests downloading the app My Disney Experience since it helps you see wait times for rides. She says if you have 2-4 people or more going, Genie+ is the way to go because you can go in and out of lightning lane faster but there is a charge of $15 per day, per ticket at Walt Disney World Resort and $20 per day, per ticket at Disneyland Resort, so that’s something to note.
New rides include Frozen Ever After, Ratatouille at Epcot and Rise of the Resistance at Disney Studios along with Avatar and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Train.
Chen says character pin trading is making a comeback and this is just part of her collection.
“I grew up with it as a kid and it allows me to be a kid at Disney,” said Chen. “I can dance around. My kids can look at me like a nut. I don’t care. I’m a mom, but I’m also a princess. I can just let go and I don’t’ have to worry about anything. Dreams really do come true. “
