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Tips, Tricks, and Information

Money-saving tips, time-saving tricks, and some peace-of-mind information.

Baby Swap     Orlando Weather    Express, Express Plus,  and Fast Passes

Tickets Guide    Character Meets and Autographs    Character and All Other Dining

Age and Height Requirements    Money Savers    Time Savers    Extra Tips
 

Baby Swap

The “baby swap” is used at rides if there is a young child or infant that, due to height or age requirements or fear of a ride, will not be able to participate in the ride. To use the baby swap, there must be at least two adult with the child. The attendant of the attraction must be told that you wish to use the baby swap, and the entire group will move through the line. At the end of the line, the child [or children] and one adult will stay behind. Once the riding adult finishes the ride and informs the cast member, the adult that stayed behind will get on. If there is a third adult, then that adult will be able to ride twice, once with each of the other adults.
 

Available at most parks, including Disney, Universal Studios, and Islands of Adventure parks.

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Weather in Orlando

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Disney's Fastpass tickets are offered free of charge within the parks, and allow you to skip long lines for certain attractions; these tickets are given in front of certain rides with a time stamped on them. At that time, return to the ride and walk right past the line and directly into the ride. You will need your ticket to be issued one of these. They are free of charge.

Universal's Express Passes, similar to Disney's Fast passes, reduce line-up time for popular rides. To get an Express pass, insert your regular admission ticket into a machine and select a ride. You will receive a slip of paper with a time marked on it. During one hour, you're able to board that ride using the Express lane. You're only allowed one Express Pass at a time, but can get another one after you ride the ride, after your hour is up, or two hours after you obtained your Pass. They are free of charge.

Universal Express Plus passes go on sale at both theme parks one hour after opening, and only a limited number are sold. The cost is $20, and buys you one-time access to popular rides via a special Express queue that is lightning-fast.

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Character Meets and Autographs

Disney

In the Magic Kingdom, check in at City Hall to see where and when different characters will be. This is definitely good for children who are hoping to see certain characters.

Universal Studios

Beetlejuice and The Universal Monsters pose pictures for 20 minutes after the Monster show and sign autographs.

If a show is taping, sometimes the Nickelodeon stars will appear on Nickelodeon Way.

General

Characters are always friendly and happy to take photographs and sign autographs!

Take along a thick Sharpie or other large writing tool, as many of the characters have large hands and it can be difficult for them to hold small pens or pencils.

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Money Savers

• To avoid spending a lot of money on food, bring a backpack with some snacks or a small cooler with frozen water; this way you have something to eat during the day and can save money for a sit-down lunch or dinner at one of the nice restaurants.

• If you don't want to carry the food or water with you all day, since it can be cumbersome to ride attractions, it is a good idea to rent a locker. These can be found at all parks.

• Before buying a small cooling fan at the park, considering looking for one at a nearby gas station.

• For children with diapers, make sure to bring enough- diapers at Disney can be expensive.

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Time Savers

• The earlier you get into a park, the smaller the crowds.

• Often, if you begin at attractions in the back of the parks, the lines will be smaller. Then you can work your way back to the front.

• Single Riders lines are much shorter, and small groups will often end up sitting together anyway.

• As a parade nears, usually in the Disney parks, the lines are much shorter because many people are getting ready to see the parade.

• Sometimes the parks may open about half an hour before the stated time. Although the attractions will not be open, shops and stroller rental will be open.

• At the Magic Kingdom, MGM Studios, and other parks, shops stay open one hour after the last attraction has closed. Find out the closing time for shops and leave the souvenirs for last in lieu of riding attractions.

• At most parks, people attempting to leave early will leave the parks before the rides close. This makes lines dramatically shorter and it's easier to walk around the parks.

• Most posted wait times at rides are on the high side, so the lines are usually shorter.

• Check signboards, scattered around the parks, that will tell you wait times for popular rides. Pick the shorter wait times because some rides are busy all day long.

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Extra Tips

• Many rides will get you wet- especially those in Sea World! If you don't want to place some of your things in a locker, put them in ziplock bags or watertight containers that go around your neck, which are small enough for tickets, bills, and keys. These are especially good for the water parks and can generally be found at any park.

• Bring water, best frozen so that is can melt during the day. Water bottles can be refilled at drinking fountains. Water is important because sodas will not prevent dehydration, a big cause of heat stroke in Florida's hot climate.

• Bring foods high in protein, such as peanuts or peanut butter sandwiches, trail mix, and snack bars. This will keep your energy up without being too sugary, and will keep your hunger at bay until you visit one of the many delicious restaurants!

• Check out height requirements before going into a ride; your child may be pulled off just before riding otherwise. There will be a measuring stick permanently placed outside the ride, and if a child seems small, a ride operator will usually check with their own measuring stick.

• Take a small towel and perhaps a change of clothes with you to the parks- there are many rides where you will get wet, and this will prevent being cold at other attractions, or chafing from wet clothing.

• Sunblock is a must! Even on cloudy days, it is easy to get a sunburn without noticing, and bad burns can ruin a perfect vacation.

• There are stroller rentals at the parks. If you bring your own stroller, mark it somehow to avoid another family mistaking it for their own and taking it with them, often with your belongings still attached underneath.

• Consider unique ponchos in case it rains; park-bought ponchos are usually either yellow or blue, and it can be difficult to keep track of family if everyone's the same color.

• If you don't have a cell phone, or it has no power, an employee will be glad to help you track down family members.

• If your child is lost, don't panic! Lost children can be safely found at Guest Services, where employees will be patiently waiting for you pick up your traveling tots.

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