When you're planning a Disney trip, it's important to research what is happening at particular times of the year. During the late summer months there is a high number of young tour groups that come to Disney, leading to even larger crowds during an already busy time. Also, the Food and Wine Festival starts in September and goes to October, making for larger crowds too.
There are also special parties that occur after hours during holidays such as Halloween and Christmas. Attending such events costs an additional fee, so you should register before you go to make sure you get into the party.
The best way to see characters is to do character dining. There are usually four characters at each meal, sometimes more (especially at princess dining). You can also find characters at stations throughout the park. Bear in mind that the lines to meet characters can be very long and the characters are required to take short breaks every so often. This is why character dining is recommended.
Table service dining in general tends to get very crowded and can lead to long wait times, so it's best to make reservations if you want table service. You can make reservations up to 90 days before your trip. There are table service and quick service places at many of the resorts too, so don't overlook these as options. Even if you make reservations, expect at least a few minutes' wait. There are plenty of quick service places, but the food isn't as good as at table service places.
There are also many snack carts throughout the parks. These are a great place to grab a quick drink and snack.
If you plan to go back to Disney frequently, your trip will be less stressful because you don't feel like you have to see everything in one trip. Unless you're spending multiple weeks at Disney, you won't see everything as there's just too much to see and do. Before you go, pick the things that are most important to you. Try to do these things earlier or at times when there will be fewer crowds.
You can also get a fast pass to one attraction at a time if you are staying at a Disney Resort. The fast pass gives you a time frame when you can get in a much shorter line, reducing your wait time to some rides by hours. To use your time efficiently, you can grab a fast pass for one attraction and then go ride another until your return time comes up.
Consider staying at a Disney property. There are many advantages to staying on the property such as free transportation from the airport (Magical Express), the ability to purchase a dining plan, access to free bus transportation (and sometimes monorail and boat) to all of the parks, access to fast pass and extra magic hours (where you can get to the park early or stay later than the rest of the crowds).
Disney offers different levels of resorts such as value, moderate and deluxe. All of the resorts have pools. With value resorts, you get the bare basics but still have the advantages of staying on the property. Moderate resorts offer more amenities and a larger room. Deluxe resorts are like staying in a four- or five-star hotel.
Sometimes Disney has specials that are only available to people staying on the property. They run specials such as buy four nights, get three free. They sometimes also offer other dining plans.
