DISNEY WORLD & UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

Ok so to keep with the theme this week, I decided to do a Disney/Universal Studios related post.

This won’t be so much a review, but more of a tips and tricks of things I’ve done and loved, or things that I don’t really think are worth the price.

I’m no Disney expert; in fact I probably should have had my friend Natalie write this post, but alas she’s currently at Disney's Animal Kingdom having fun without me… RUDE. 

It’s ok though, that was part of the deal with this trip, she took the whole week off work to come to Disney, I decided to tag along at the last minute knowing I’d have to work during the week but I could still have lots of fun after work and on the weekends.

We are here at Disney this week to experience the food and wine festival and go to Disney’s Halloween party.  Expect to see reviews of those experiences in the not too distant future.

While I’m excited about the food and wine festival, I don’t actually drink, and neither does my friend, so my review will be purely revolving around all the delicious foods I will be trying. 

Sorry to disappoint!

Just a little background about my qualifications to give a tips and tricks Disney and Universal post; I participated in the college program at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida the semester after I graduated from college.  That is where I met, and shared an apartment with my friend Natalie, who also worked at Disney, and she is my residential all things Disney expert.

Also it was while living in Florida and working at Disney the name for this blog became a thing, while riding very dangerously all the way at the top on the Dumbo ride.

 I guess you had to be there.

Anyways a lot has changed in the 5 years since I worked at Disney, and I love how they are always changing and making innovations.

I bought an annual pass for both Disney World and Universal Studios earlier this year because I came in February for a whole week, and knew I’d be coming back at least once, and honestly the way it all broke down I figured it was more cost effective to buy the season pass rather than individual days.

At first it made me nervous how much money I was shelling out, but I haven’t regretted it once. And because I have this annual pass, I feel like any opportunity I get to come to Florida I should take it because I can go to the parks!!

So first off, if you are in a position like I am to go frequently to Orlando I would highly suggest an annual pass, for both Disney and Universal an annual pass will get you free parking (saves you $20 a day). 

At Disney an annual pass will get you discounts on merchandise, and some restaurants, you also get a photo pass package.  I didn’t think I’d care much about the photo pass package, but it has become one of my favorite things.  There are photographers all around the parks and you can get some really great memorable photos.  For someone like me who isn’t great at remembering to take pics, or hates selfies this is a great addition.

Universal Studios annual pass also include discounts on merchandise and some restaurants, however it doesn’t include a photo pass option.

One thing I love about Universal, and this is for anyone, even if you don’t have an annual pass.  When you buy merch in the park you can have them send it up to the front of the park and you can pick it up at the end of the day free of charge.  This is such a good idea so you don’t have to carry all your souvenirs with you all day long.

One of the best things that Disney has done in recent years is offering the Magic Band.  When I was planning my trip earlier this year with my friend we didn’t really get why a magic band would be all the exciting.  And unfortunately we didn’t get our bands until after our trip.

However when I went back to Disney after getting my magic band I realized just how magical it is to have!  Instead of constantly having to take out my ticket to scan to get into the park, or get into fast pass lanes, I can just scan my magic band and get right on in! 

Another cool thing about the magic band is some of the newer rides will have pictures during the ride, but nowhere to look at them after.  Some how, because of the magic band, those pictures will be automatically loaded onto your account.

I do have to give a disclaimer that this process isn’t perfect, I wanted to get my picture from the new Frozen ride in Epcot and it never showed up on my account.

Over all I LOVE the magic band and it makes a magical day at Disney even more Magical.

One of my tips for the Universal parks is don’t buy the photo pass package.  I went with my family a few weeks ago and we decided to buy the package and split it between us.  It turned out to be around $30 per person and it was probably worth it for that price, but after having it for the week with my family I’d never pay full price for it.

It was nice getting the pics from the rides (when they’d show up on the account).  But there weren’t any photographers around the park, and the ones at the entrance you have to basically track down and beg for a picture.

There are some really great picture opportunities around the park that would be awesome to have a professional photographer to take your picture, especially if you are alone, as I often am at these parks.  I was over all disappointed with that particular service.

If you haven’t seen the new night show at Magic Kingdom, Happily Ever After, make sure you go early enough to find an amazing place to stand and watch it.  A good place to watch the show is worth standing and waiting an hour, trust me on this one!

My last insider tip for this post is the best way to get out of the park.

Closing time at the park can be some of the most stressful times, and can be particularly trying on a friendship… I may know from personal experience.  To get to the parking lot you can choose to ride either the Ferry Boat or the Monorail, now I highly recommend riding both at some point, I do prefer the monorail however.

The lines to get on either the Ferry or the monorail to the parking lot is usually ridiculously long, and after a long day walking around the parks and dealing with the heat and humidity and long lines, the last thing you want to do is stand in a really long line just to go and stand in another really long line for the trams to get to your car.

There is a second monorail that goes to the resorts, but guess what… the second stop on the resort monorail actually stops at the Magic Kingdom parking lot. 

The line for this monorail is usually significantly shorter than the other one because most people don’t know they can take a resort monorail to get to the parking lot. 

Luckily my friend Natalie knew and we were able to take that one instead of waiting probably 30-45 minutes in the other line.  It may have helped save our friendship…

Also while standing in line waiting for the tram to take you to your parking spot… please make sure to remember if you are parked in heroes or villains, and make sure you are in the right spot. 

Also if you are at the front of the line waiting for the next tram STAND BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE.  The tram people do not mess around and will not pull away until everyone is behind the yellow line.  This is the number one thing that holds up tram transportation!!

Over all I highly suggest you come to Orlando and visit the parks, there is really something for everyone!