Okay, so you’ve made it to Disney, you’ve checked in, and you’re finally in your room eagerly awaiting morning. You know you want to wake up early for “rope drop”, but you also know that means dragging your spouse and three kids out of bed before the sun has officially greeted the day.
This is my family every time (minus a few kids). We are not really morning people. But we always wake up early for the Disney Parks to take advantage of all the great benefits. In my experience visiting the parks I’ve come up with a checklist of things to do the night we arrive. These are the tasks that make the rest of the week go much more smoothly. In fact, most of these should be done nightly so you can relieve the stress of the mornings and start the day relaxed.
Here are 10 things to do before your first day at the Disney Parks!
1) Unpack and Lay Out Everyone’s Clothes for the Week
Nothing holds you up in the morning more than trying to find a missing sock or debating a shirt choice at the last minute. Take a few moments to unpack your suitcases and organize outfits for each day of your trip. You can go one step further and lay out the next day’s outfits (complete with shoes, hats, and accessories) on the table or dresser. This is great for kids, but don’t forget about the adults too!
Tip: Pack individual outfits in large Ziploc bags before you even leave for your vacation. Use these to compress items and fit more in your suitcases.
2) Collect Your Tickets/MagicBands and ID
Whether you’re using MagicBands or hard tickets, make sure to collect them all in one (very visible) location. The last thing you want to do is head out the door without them. This also goes for your wallet and ID. Even if you’ll be using your MagicBands for payments, keep some cash with you (you never know if the system will go down temporarily).
3) Pack Your Park Bags
I love to bring a simple drawstring bag, but depending on your family this could also mean packing diaper bags or small coolers. Set up everyone’s bags so they are all ready to grab and go in the morning. Don’t forget items like sunscreen, a change of clothes (for the little ones), chargers, and ponchos.
4) Prep Your Phones
First off, back up your phone and clear the existing photos (if you can). I’ve been at the parks when I’ve run out of space on my phone and it’s really upsetting when you miss photos you want to take (thankfully there’s PhotoPass for most of these). Try to do this nightly so you have plenty of space each day. Next, charge all the phones in an easy to spot location.
Tip: If you run out of power during the day, look for a Fuel Rod dispenser. These run $30 but can be traded in for freshly charged Fuel Rods all day long.
5) Prep Snacks for the Morning
Even if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you may want to enjoy snacks in your room for breakfast. Pull out some snacks you brought with you or take a trip to the resort shop to pick up a few treats. Cool off any drinks you’ll be bringing with you too.
6) Review Your Itinerary and the Park Schedules
We send all of our clients with a personalized itinerary, but everyone should head to the parks with a general plan in mind. Look over your plans and double-check the park hours for the next day. Make sure to verify the correct time of parades and fireworks shows. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, the TV in your room will show you the park hours for the next day (or just check your app).
7) Check Your Dining and FastPass Reservations
Give your advanced reservations one last look and make sure everything makes sense. Most dining reservations can be canceled without penalty until midnight the day before the reservation, so this is your last chance to make any changes. It’s also a good time to look for last minute openings (such as for Be Our Guest Restaurant or Frozen Ever After).
8) Review the Park Maps
Take a few moments to get familiar with the parks you’ll be visiting. This will help you know where to start in the morning and keep you from darting back and forth across the parks all day long. Make note of any height or accessibility requirements that apply to your party.
9) Set Your Alarm
Determine what time you need to be out the door and set your alarm (or alarms) accordingly. Make sure you use a loud alarm (I like to use “Friend Like Me”). And I also recommend a back-up alarm or two, especially if you’re not used to waking up that early. Allow extra buffer time for getting everyone ready and transportation to the parks.
10) Get Sleep
So many people stay out late in Disney Springs or at other parks and then try to wake up super early the next day. Don’t do it! Especially if you’re traveling with kids. You may be exhilarated about it in the morning, but come 2:00 everyone will start to melt down. Try to get a normal amount of sleep so you can enjoy the day.
If you take the time to run through these things, I promise your morning will start off much more smoothly. Which is exactly what you want for your vacation, right?
Ready for your next Disney trip? Let me help design your dream Disney vacation! I offer stress-free vacation planning, personalized itineraries, 1-on-1 concierge services, and more at no cost to you. Request a free, no-obligation quote through my web form, email me at jtullino@themouseexperts.com, or call me at (321) 222-DSNY. I’d love to help your plan your most memorable vacation yet!
Do you have anything to add to this list? Tell me in the comments!
