There are many ways to save time in the parks. Arrive at least half an hour before the gates open---the lines are shorter first thing in the morning than they'll be all day. Take advantage of Disney's FASTPASS system. It's simple---you swipe your ticket at the FASTPASS kiosk and you're given a pass that states a time to return with little wait. Generally speaking, only one FASTPASS is allowed at a time, so use it for an attraction that you really don't want to miss. Rides offering FASTPASS are listed on your park map. Another way to save time is to ride during the afternoon parade. The ride lines grow shorter in the half-hour or so leading up to parade time.
Let's face it, a trip to a Disney resort can be expensive, but there are some things you can do to make it a little bit easier on your wallet. As soon as you start thinking about a Disney vacation, sign up for the MouseSavers monthly email newsletter. It's full of information about the parks, and includes links for special discounts for area hotels, restaurants and even theme park tickets. Speaking of tickets, carefully weigh your options. The price per day is reduced dramatically the more days you buy, but if you're not going to use those days, you're just wasting money. Study all the different ticket choices and add only the options that you'll use. If your hotel has a free breakfast buffet, fill up before you go. Once you're at the parks, set a budget. Give the children in your party a set limit on how much they can spend and stick to it. Consider paying in cash instead of using a credit card, lessening the chance of impulse decisions.
Take a break. Spending an entire day at a theme park can be exhausting. Watch some shows---they're wonderful entertainment and give you a chance to be off your feet for a little while. Some people recommend returning to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon for a nap, then heading back to the parks, ticket in hand, for an evening of fun. If you're planning on spending several days at a Disney resort, take a day off. There's more to do on the Disney property than just the theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disneyland in California and Disneyland Paris all feature shopping and entertainment districts. On your day off, sleep in, take a swim in the hotel pool, enjoy a healthy meal and recharge for the next day.
