Everyone hates standing in line, but there are some things that you can do to minimize your wait. If at all possible, travel during the off-season. Try to avoid summer -- especially July -- as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks. Arrive at the park early, at least half an hour before opening, knowing where you want to go. Have your route mapped out ahead of time. Most people head immediately for Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, or Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Another tip to save time in line is to take advantage of Fastpass. With the Fastpass system, you swipe your park ticket and are given a pass with a time to return to a special entrance. You can only hold one Fastpass at a time, so use it wisely. As a basic rule of thumb, don't use your Fastpass for a show unless the park is extremely crowded, because most shows have plenty of seating. The rides also have an estimated wait time posted at the entrance.
Don't force the characters upon your child if he or she is apprehensive. A giant mouse can be scary for a child. If your child can't get enough of them, head over to Mickey's Toontown Fair. You'll have an opportunity to meet some of the classics, including Mickey himself. Arrive there early for shorter lines. Bring an autograph book and a large pen. The face characters -- the princesses and others without a mask -- will talk to the children but the characters in full costume don't, so you might want to let your child know that ahead of time. If you just want to see the characters, grab your spot for the "Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade". If you're not interested in the parade, the lines for the more popular rides are shorter during it. Another character-filled parade, offered on select nights, is SpectroMagic.
If you're looking for something a little bit different, you might want to consider a behind-the-scenes tour. Although they cost extra, it's money well spent. The "Disney's Keys to the Kingdom" tour lasts over four hours and features a peek at the under-the-park tunnels that are used by cast members. You must be at least 16 for the tour, and make sure that you wear good walking shoes. Another tour, recommended for those 10 and older, is the "Mickey's Magical Milestones" tour. It lasts approximately two hours. If you're 10 or older and interested in trains, you might want to sign up for the "Magic Behind Our Steam Trains" tour. "Disney's Family Magic" tour is interactive, providing clues to find a villain. It's fun for the whole family.
