Edited to reflect changes 02/2025
If you are traveling to Walt Disney World Resort in 2025 and looking forward to having a great time on your Disney vacation, I hope this post helps you make a great touring plan. During our family’s recent visit to the Walt Disney World parks, I wrote down all the things I wanted to remember to tell you! Disney’s Magic Kingdom takes some planning but it is always worth it. Ok, let’s jump into the tips for your Walt Disney World vacation!
Make sure you have your tickets!
Be sure to check the website and make sure your park tickets are purchased in advance of your trip. Check with your travel agent if you have questions about which tickets may be best for your family.
Also, consider base tickets versus park hoppers. Currently, if you select park hoppers, you will be allowed to participate in park hopping. When considering when to plan your Disney vacation, consider peak times of crowds, such as holidays, school breaks, and special events like RunDisney races.
Make a dining reservation in Disney World in 2025
Consider making a plan for a sit-down dining reservation while you are in the parks. Park touring can make for a tiring day, so having a place to sit down in the A/C, rest, and eat is a great plan. Make reservations in the My Disney Experience app, and if for some reason you can’t find availability, keep checking! People cancel constantly, opening up slots. You can also search for a reservation finder tool to help you locate reservations more easily for popular restaurants.
As options for a character meet vary, be sure to check Disney’s website to see which restaurants offer character appearances during dining.
Here are our favorite sit-down restaurant options. These all require advanced reservations.
Magic Kingdom Park: The Plaza and Crystal Palace on Main Street USA, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen in Adventureland, Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square, Cinderella’s Royal Table
Animal Kingdom: Tiffins, Yak and Yeti
Epcot: San Angel Inn, Via Napoli, Teppan Edo
Hollywood Studios: 50’s Prime Time, Hollywood Brown Derby, Oga’s Cantina, Sci-Fi Dine In Theater
Quick Service Dining for 2025
If you are planning to use quick-service dining options at Disney World (fast food), make sure you access the Mobile Ordering option on your My Disney Experience app. You can order your food in the early morning prior to arriving at the restaurant (I would recommend 1-2 hours prior) and check in for them to prep it before you are ready to eat.
Most locations will not allow you to sit at a table until you show that your order is ready. Also, try to eat during off-peak times to save you time during dining and provide less crowds on rides during lunch and dinner hours. Popular attractions such as Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean may be less crowded during traditional dining time, so dining at off-peak times can be the perfect time to eat!
Have a plan. Check touring plans for Disney World in 2025.
Another of my Disney World tips for 2025 is to make a plan for your vacation! You should anticipate waiting in lines for attractions. Get to the Disney parks when the park opens (45-60 minutes before the posted opening) and go to the most popular rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train first thing. Also, consider purchasing Lightning Lane passes for shorter wait times.
Websites like WDW Prep to Go can provide you with a great plan for park touring in 2025. Also, keep in mind that the parks are designed for you to experience about 10 rides/experiences per day. You may not get to every ride and that’s ok. Disney is still a magical place!
Get Familiar with the My Disney Experience App
Make sure you have the My Disney Experience app loaded on your phone and get familiar with it before your trip. All of your tickets, dining reservations, resort info, and wait times will be on your phone, along with info on how to mobile order. This is the key to Disney World at the present time. The Disney World app will drain your cell phone battery, so be sure to bring a charged backup battery! Disney Genie will also provide free planning help, so make sure to check it out on your next trip!
Have contactless payment options.
Make sure you have a way to pay for purchases with contactless payment. If you are staying onsite and have a Magic Band, you can use that to charge back to your room. Otherwise, use a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay, or a Disney Gift card to eliminate the need for using cash in Disney World.
Disney World tips for 2025-Plan a non-park day to relax.
Consider planning a non-park day during your Disney World vacation, especially if you are traveling with children. You will need downtime to relax and regroup. Consider pool time, mini golf, shopping, Disney Springs, visiting the space center, etc to give you a change of pace. The Cirque du Soleil show, Drawn to Life, is a great option in Disney Springs for a non-park day!
If you want more info on non-park days, hop over to this post. Also, consider going to the parks early and taking a break in the afternoons during the heat of the day to prevent meltdowns.
Also, consider stopping in to air conditioning, no crowd attractions to take a break. Attractions like Country Bear Jamboree, Enchanted Tiki Room, or Small World allow you to sit down in the cool and relax with your family!
Disney World tips for 2025 – Try a snack!
Make sure you try a delicious Disney World snack while you are in the parks! So many choices! Some of our favorites include the Mickey Mouse ice cream bar, the pretzel with cheese dip, the carrot cake cookie, the churro with chocolate, and the Dole Whip. Highlights of any Disney Trip!
Enjoy the parades and shows.
Use the My Disney Experience app to check show times and parade options throughout the day. It’s a great way to sit down and take a break.
Pack a battery charger.
Always pack a battery charger for Disney World. The My Disney Experience app is a necessity to know wait times, order food, and plan your visit, but it will drain your battery, so be prepared with a portable charger.
Have an umbrella or poncho handy.
It’s Florida, so rain pops up frequently, so be sure to throw a poncho or umbrella in your bag. (Pro tip- remove the umbrella to go through security. It sets the screeners off and your bag will be searched.)
Consider using a Disney World Planner.
I am a Disney World travel planner and would love to help you plan your next trip. If you know of someone in your circles who is a planner, reach out to them and let them help you plan your vacation! It is no cost to you (Disney pays us), so if you are feeling overwhelmed by all that Disney requires, get some help! We are here for you.
I hope these Disney World tips for 2025 have been helpful to you! Have a fantastic time at Disney World this year!
Keep reading more great posts to help you plan your next Disney vacation!
Non Park Day at Disney with Kids
Best Backpacks for Disney World
Best Beaches Near Disney World
Looking to head to Disney in August. Any tips for a two families kiddos ages ranging from 4 to 17?
Great! You may want to check into portable fans or even paper fans to help with the heat. Try to alternate between indoor and outdoor rides to grab some A/C. Plan a middle of the day sit down lunch to break it up or a mid day break and miss the heat of the afternoon sun. Grab mobile orders early in the day to ensure you get food ordered, if you prefer quick service and make sure you have your park passes reserved for each day! Enjoy it!!
I would absolutely love help
Planning our trip! We are going next week!!!
Have so much fun! The crowds have been pretty low recently, so I think you will enjoy having shorter lines. Make sure to get to the parks early and use the My Disney Experience app to help you plan your day. Have a great time!
We will be in WDW November 9-12. Do you need an additional ticket to see the fireworks in the Magic Kingdom on November 12? We have a ticket for the 12th in MK. Thank you in advance.
Hi Sandy! You should be fine to see the fireworks on Nov. 2. Disney Enchantment show will be starting at 8 that night, so as long as you have a ticket and a park pass reservation for Magic Kingdom, you are good to go! There is a separate ticketed event that evening called Disney Very Merriest After Hours which starts at 9, but you can view the fireworks before that begins. Hope that helps!
Hello- I will be traveling to Magic Kingdom for my daughters birthday 12/30 is there any tips for that date?
It will be crowded, so make sure you have a good touring plan and have an idea of 3-4 rides you want to do first. Get there early, even an hour before park opening. That is the best way to knock out the most popular rides first. Make some dining reservations or use mobile order from quick service and eat during off peak times. Hope that helps!