Based on my AAATravelViews blogger photo, you may or may not get the impression that I have a fair amount of interest in Disney. Okay…I’m a fanatic. However, I have to admit, the oversized Mickey hands shown in the photo actually belong to my son. Anyway, here are a few quick-hit tips to think about if your next trip to Orlando will include a visit to Disney World.

- If at all possible, stay on site. There are numerous accommodations available in a variety of price ranges and, to be completely honest, the convenience alone is well worth having to potentially pay a little extra money for your overnight needs. Let someone else worry about driving and parking.

- If the facility you’re staying at offers to-your-room grocery service, take advantage of it. You’ll more than likely save some money in the long run and nothing beats having a few snacks or meal items readily available before heading out in the morning or returning after a long day of sightseeing.

- Keep breakfast items in your room and take advantage of continental breakfast service, if available at the facility you’re staying at. Eating breakfast before you head to the parks will allow you to get an earlier start and save quite a bit of money in the long run.

- Monitor the local weather forecast before leaving your hotel in the morning. If temperatures are expected to be cool in the evening, bring jackets or sweatshirts with you. Otherwise, you’ll lose a lot of time by having to return to your room later in the day or you may find yourself having to make a few unplanned purchases.

- If young children are involved, be sure to take an autograph book to the theme parks. One-on-one Disney character opportunities are plentiful and the kids will really get a kick out of the experience.

- If you’re in need of a children’s stroller, an automated scooter or wheelchair at any of Disney’s parks, be sure to be on-site when the
gates open. Those items go very quickly.

- If you have children who can fit in an over-sized stroller, rent one! They’re not very expensive and are truly worth the investment. During our last visit, we rented a double stroller for my 8-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter. One hour into each day’s visit, they were extremely thankful and in lieu of the whining we would have heard later in the day, we were too. Stroller parking is easy to find throughout all Disney parks and having a stroller allows the adults to navigate at whatever pace they desire. Plus, the stroller serves as a wonderful shopping cart for all those souvenirs.

- Focus on one theme park per day. Otherwise, you’ll spend half your time waiting for shuttle buses and traveling from one park to another.

- Plan each park’s visit out in advance. If you walk blindly from one area to another without a map or any idea of what you’re hoping to see and do, chances are you’ll miss a few rides and shows. Plus, you’ll lose a lot of time if you have to walk back and forth multiple times throughout the day. This is especially true at Disney’s Hollywood Studios where some attractions are spread out and show times are limited.

- Always have your camera ready and handy. Those special moments can happen at any time.

- Take time to notice the uniqueness of each Disney theme park, hotel and resort. The amount of subtle details that Disney developers have incorporated into virtually everything they’ve constructed is truly amazing. Look for hidden “Mickey ears.” The famed large circle (Mickey’s head) with two smaller circles atop (Mickey’s ears) are everywhere but sometimes challenging to spot. 

- If you hope to eat dinner at a restaurant beyond a typical burger stand, make reservations. This may involve planning several days or even weeks in advance but is a necessity if you don’t want to end up waiting two hours or longer for a table.

- If you can stay long enough in Orlando, try to schedule one day for lay-around-the-hotel-pool relaxation. With so much to see and do, you may find yourself needing a minor vacation from your vacation!

Any other tips out there? Or if you have a Disney question, click on the Q & A link above and send it in to the AAA Disney experts!