Always Buy Tickets with FastPass+ Enabled, and Use It Liberally
FastPass+ is essentially a ‘ride reservation,’ and for some of the most popular rides (Splash Mountain, the Seven Dwarves train, Toy Story Mania, Frozen Meet-n-Greet, etc.), it’s the only way to be able to ride them without waiting for an hour or more. FastPass+ is only enabled when you buy your tickets directly from Disney (expensive), or from a select few ‘authorized discounters’ (less expensive.) If you can’t get FastPass+, don’t buy tickets from that dealer, period. If you can get it, use it. If you find an attraction you need it for but you don’t have it, make getting to that attraction early in the morning a top priority on your next day’s trip, or stay after the gates close — you can’t get into a new line, but you can stay in whatever line you’re in until you get a chance to ride.
Pre-purchase PhotoPass+ If You Like Souvenirs
PhotoPass+ will save you a ton of money if you’re the type who likes the in-ride pictures — and you can use it to get ‘free’ pics from the PhotoPass photographers that are scattered throughout the parks.
Mail Yourself The Goods
All Disney hotels have package holding — so you can skip some checked-bag fees and even some Disney fees by mailing yourself food or goods you’ll need for your vacation.
When You Eat At Whispering Canyon Café (Which You Absolutely Should)……don’t be afraid to ask for anything you need — but be sure you’ve packed your sense of humor!