Top 10 Disney World Tips for 2023

Walt Disney World in 2023 has a lot happening. From the completion of the 50th Anniversary to the opening of TRON and Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant, to the 100th Anniversary of the Walt Disney Company, there is a lot going on. As such, it’s good to know the Top 10 Disney World Tips for 2023 to help you Save Money, Maximize Your Trip, and Make the Most of Your Vacation. 

Watch Out for Disney Price Increases in 2023 

Walt Disney World increases ticket and resort prices throughout the year. Add in the fact that some times of the year are simply more expensive than others, it’s important to watch out for price increases. Check out our Cheapest and Most Expensive Times to Visit Walt Disney World post for the general times to avoid if you’re hoping to save money or avoid crowds. And if you’re looking to make the most of your Disney dollar, remember that you can always book early, and then call to take advantage of new special offers when they arise, on existing reservations.

Get the Disney Resort Deals

Disney Resorts are set up on different levels and prices; Value, Moderate, or Deluxe. All of these resorts are typically included in Special Offers that Disney shares throughout the year. Whether it’s a discount for being a Disney Plus Subscriber, or just a promotion for a lower crowd time of year, be on the lookout for ways to Save Money at Walt Disney World in 2023. This is by far one of the most important Top 10 Disney World Tips that could help you out every time you visit. Remember, you can always add relevant deals to your vacation package after you’ve booked. 

Book a Few Disney Restaurants in Advance

We also recommend that you book a few restaurants in advance for your trip. This allows for a real break. While there are plenty of restaurants at Walt Disney World that simply offer a walk-up counter, the best dining is often found elsewhere. And is sometimes difficult to reserve last minute.

A few of our favorites include Sanaa over at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Ale and Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom. Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort is a favorite and offers a variety of Italian foods plus an amazing breakfast lineup! Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Resort is budget-friendly and offers an all-you-care to enjoy a family-style meal fresh from the islands. By booking at least a few restaurants for your trip, you can count on a great meal at least a few times during your vacation as you navigate rides, shows, and more. 

Book Disney Airport Transportation in Advance

A biggie for us is having everything in place ahead of time. Because frankly, this makes our travel days less stressful and we can focus on the magic sooner. As one of our Top 10 Disney World Tips, plan to book the Sunshine Flyer Bus or Mears Connect Bus services ahead of your trip. That way you can simply arrive at the airport, check in, and get going! 

Make Disney Park Pass Reservations ASAP

Since Disney Parks still have park pass reservations in place, this means you need to know which park you’ll be in on which days. So, you cannot just have a ticket and show up at the park of your choice. You need to have a park ticket AND a park pass reservation. As such, we recommend you pick which park you’re going to be in on which days as soon as you book your trip. Check out our post on the Best Days to Visit Each Disney Park for your best shot at choosing days with lower crowds.  

Skip the Park Hopper Ticket

Park hopping can be great if you’re taking a shorter vacation and plan to use time going from one park to another in a single day. But, for most vacationers, a park hopper ticket is simply unnecessary. As one of the most budget-friendly Top 10 Disney World Tips, we recommend just taking this as an opportunity to plan better. With so much to do in each park and its neighboring resorts, we recommend instead that you maximize your park time by doing all the things you can do at a single park in one day. And if you find that you’re ready to leave early, don’t head to another park, instead, check out the nearby resorts and explore, grab dinner, and feel like you’re on vacation. Check out the Pros and Cons of a Disney Park Hopper Ticket. 

Choose Disney Resorts with the Best Transportation Options

All Disney Resorts have bus transportation service, but if you’re not keen on waiting in lines for the bus to and from the parks, there are other options. If you’re looking for budget-friendly resorts, try Pop Century, Art of Animation, or Caribbean Beach Resort. Since these are Skyliner Resorts they get you easy and fast access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Or maybe you want to be within walking distance of the Disney Parks? Monorail Resorts are within walking distance of Magic Kingdom and BoardWalk Resorts are within walking distance of Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. If you want to make things easy, choosing the best resort for your vacation is one of our Top 10 Disney World Tips. Take the time and figure out what your days look like. You’ll be grateful to not be standing in bus lines later. 

Know When to Avoid Disney World Crowds

We talk a lot about how to Avoid Crowds at Walt Disney World. And there are naturally certain times of year that are simply better if you’re hoping for emptier parks. In 2023, not only will you need to be aware of the Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World, but also a slew of the ride and restaurant openings and events. Be sure to check out our Walt Disney World Event Calendar so you can see the lineup of events planned during your vacation dates. 

runDisney Race Weekends

While runners attending the runDisney Races at Walt Disney World don’t typically flood the parks for rides, restaurants, and shows, they do up the number of people in the parks, and as such, we’re sharing these dates so you can be aware! 

• Feb 23- 26, 2023: Princess Half Marathon
• April 13- 16, 2023: Springtime Surprise
• November 2-5, 2023: Wine and Dine Weekend

TRON Opening | Magic Kingdom

The April 4, 2023 opening of TRON brings droves of people into Magic Kingdom for opening week, and for many months afterward. As such go prepared! If you’re planning a Magic Kingdom day in 2023, consider your time in the park. Is TRON a must-ride on this visit? If so, then grab a spot in the TRON Virtual Queue, so that you’re not waiting in line all day. Crowds will mostly be insane in the Tomorrowland area, freeing up other areas of the park. We expect the crazy to die down by Fall 2023. 

Woody’s Rodeo Roundup BBQ Restaurant | Hollywood Studios

Woody’s Rodeo Roundup BBQ Restaurant is open beginning March 23, 2023, and while it won’t bring the crowds that TRON does, it will lend to a ton of congestion in an already tiny park. If you’re looking to avoid crowds at Hollywood Studios steer clear of Toy Story Land. While you shouldn’t need to reschedule your vacation for this opening, know that times between Spring and Fall 2023, will be crowded due to Toy Story fans, families, and the general excitement of having a new restaurant in Hollywood Studios. 

Moana Journey of Water | EPCOT

While the Journey of Water, inspired by Moana isn’t slated to open until fall 2023, you can still expect some crowds to see this new attraction. Even without a ride involved, this greenery-covered area features water features and a 16′ Te Fiti topiary that is sure to draw a crowd. Located in World Nature, this is an area of EPCOT Park that has been under construction for some time. 

Learn the My Disney Experience App

Walt Disney World Vacation Planning gets more and more complicated every year. As such it pays, literally, to know everything you can do on the My Disney Experience App. In addition to checking on your park pass reservations, tickets, restaurant reservations, resort room, and more you will NEED to know this app to get a Virtual Queue Boarding Pass. This current method of ride reservation is complex but is also the primary way to ride both Guardians of the Galaxy and TRON if you’re not willing to spend the big bucks on a high-cost Lightning Lane pass. We definitely recommend the former. 

Enjoy Disney While You Can!

It’s no secret that the future of Walt Disney World is all over the place. Staff cuts, the removal of the Reedy Creek District designation, and the general uncertainty of future crowds, attractions, and more leave things uncertain. As such, one of the most important Top 10 Disney World Tips, if you’re visiting Walt Disney World in 2023, is to ENJOY IT! Prices will continue to rise, and construction projects will continue to dominate certain areas of the parks. But, the fact that the Mickey Pretzel is $7.50 shouldn’t deter you from finding Cheap Disney Snacks. Instead, make this vacation with a plan. Follow these tips, and make the most of them. These may truly be the good ol’ days, so you might as well enjoy them!