We have been to Disney World so many times that I have a few fun tips to share with you. (This throw back is from 2009.)

#1 Rent the mini boats. It’s one of the best rides you’ll experience as you whip all around Seven Seas Lagoon. You can rent them at The Grand Floridian. (2009 Holding up Mr. Potato Head as part of a school math project tracking his mileage.)

#2 Want Pineapple Dole Whip but don’t want to go into The Magic Kingdom to get it? Then head on over to Captain Crooks Cafe at The Polynesian Hotel. You just buy a bowl and help yourself. Certain members of our family have been known to pile their Dole whip quite high. (2013)

#3 If you are headed to Epcot, use the back entrance. There’s never a line! How to get there? We have parked at Fantasia Golf, walked through the Swan & Dolphin Hotel to the boats and taken the boat to the back entrance of Epcot. Win #1 No charge for parking. Win #2 No crowded entrance. (2013 Goofing off and waiting out a rainstorm in Japan)

#4 If members of your party are all older like ours, hit the single rider lines! You will sail through the lines if you are willing to break up your party a bit. Most every time we have done this, we’ve all ridden back to back and usually exit the rides at the same time.

#5 If you are headed to Animal Kingdom, take a poncho for each family member. When you ride the water rides, you can slip it on and then walk around the park the rest of the day dry.  Believe me, it keeps kids from getting cranky. If you forget the ponchos, then make this your last ride of the day.

#6 If you are headed to The Magic Kingdom, head straight to Space Mountain and ride it first. Lines will be at a minimum first thing in the morning.

#7 If you are headed to Hollywood Studios, don’t miss Animation Academy at The Magic of Disney Animation pavilion. We could spend the entire day here. Seriously, the entire day. Like the whole day. Like the whole entire day. Seriously. If you are in Disneyland, head on over to California Adventure, Animation Building for your animation lessons. (2013)

#8 Nearly every visit we make a priority seating reservation and eat at  Ohana’s at The Polynesian Hotel. It’s a Luau, Disney style and the food is wonderful, AYCE. We also play a round of Fantasia Golf every time  we are in Orlando. It’s one of the off the beaten path things to do, less crowded and great family time seeing who can beat who. The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue is a fun old-fashioned dinner show that we enjoyed years ago and keep talking about heading back to.  There are so many choices when it comes to Disney dining and we’ve tried most of them. Do your research and chances are you’ll end up being pleased. (2009)

#9 Are you celebrating a birthday? Anniversary? Graduation? Chances are, Disney has a button for you. It’s a cute keepsake, but throughout your day, cast members will be wishing you a Happy Birthday. While in Disneyland last year on my husband’s birthday, we walked into a store, the cast member spotted me with my husband, pulled me aside, and asked our last name. She then paged him overhead saying he had a phone call. My Beloved’s first reaction was, how did my work find me in Disney? When he put the phone up to his ear, it was Goofy and Mickey wishing him and Happy Birthday. We all had a good laugh over that one, and I earned an extra pin for “helping to make a magical moment.” Also, many restaurants in the park offer a free dessert on your birthday. In Disney World, you can pick a button up at the Vacation Planning Booth. If you are in Disneyland, stop by City Hall on your left as you enter the park, near the Firehouse. (Fun Fact: The top of the Firehouse was Walt’s personal apartment in the park.) (2013)

#10 If you are flexible with when you want to visit, then visit Disney in late January, but before President’s Day when the crowds are nearly non-existent. The weather is wonderful and let me just reiterate, then crowds are nearly non-existent which equals a wonderful time for all. When our kids were young, we went at the end of January. Airfare was cheap and Disney was a dream… for all of us

Now that our punks are older, they only want to go to Epcot… so they can eat… and let me tell you… they eat their way around the world!

Disney 2002                                                                                     Disney 2014

Here’s a video from our day at Epcot last week.

A day at Epcot from Kelly Webb on Vimeo.