There are lots of sites with really good information about how to get around Walt Disney World and we learned a lot from them before leaving for our trip. So, we won’t repeat all that great info. Just our biggest learning tips.
Disney Disability Access Pass
If you haven’t heard about the Disney Disabilities Access Pass, I highly suggest you read up on it here. The are similar services offered at both Disney World and Disneyland, although the link provided is for Disney World. When B was really young and we were new to T1D (and without the pump or CGM) we have gotten it once; each at Disney World and Disneyland. Before we left for this trip I did a bit of research on T1D forums and the issue of getting one seemed to be a highly contested issue, with a lot of people suggesting it wasn’t needed and would be difficult to get. So, we decided to try this time with out it. After an unresponsive low that happened so quickly the Dex didn’t even have time to pick up on it, in line for a ride at Epcot and another low at Animal Kingdom that took and hour to recover from we decided to go get one. It was the best decision we made all trip! The guest services staff were so nice and accommodating. It didn’t help us get on more rides faster or anything like that (fast passes are still the way to go when planning your rides) but it gave us some space to plan around her BG’s. It’s hard to predict highs and lows, sometimes the heat, walking and excitement can play havoc with sugars.
If you think your T1D may need one, go see Guest Relations when you enter any one of the Parks and speak to them. Guests with special needs, who may not be able to wait in line, can have their wrist band or entry card activated. All members of the party (up to 6 people; but talk to Guest Services if larger) are also activated. The Disability Access card was good for the duration of our stay – 5 days.
Here’s how it works: B would have her wrist band scanned at the entrance to a ride and the current standby time would be noted (it would also automatically appear in the WDW app). We could then wait wherever we needed to and could comeback anytime after that standby time was up (you can only use it on one ride at a time). They would scan B’s wristband again and confirm her picture then scan the rest of our group. The group returns to the ride 60 minutes or longer after the initial scan.
Walt Disney World App
The Disney App and account feature worked really well. Providing wait times, and locations of the attractions. It also keeps track of all your FastPasses and Disability Access Rides. If you purchase a Magic Maker Photo or Photo Pass your photos will also be available to view within the app (remarkably fast after they have been taken). Also just to note, all of the Disney World Resort has very good Wifi, so you don’t need to worry about using your data plan to access the app while in the park.
FastPasses
There are a million, (well maybe not a million, but a ton) of blogs that focus on FastPasses and how to optimize them. We won’t repeat that info here but suggest you look as a few sites that talk about which rides need them and which don’t. The only thing I will say is YES you do need to wake up at the crack of dawn (7AM EST) 30 days before your trip to book them! It made a huge difference in the rides we were able to do. Bookings for Fast Passes opens up 30 days out at 7:00 a.m. Eastern time for guests staying off the resort and 60 day in advance for those staying at a Disney property. 30 days out at exactly 7am EST a lot of the new rides were pressure out of FastPasses so be prepared with a backups list If you aren’t able to get the ones you after. It certainly is an advantage to staying on the resort, but for us the private pool and more space of a rental house was preferred.
Magic Maker Photo Pass
The photo pass was a great tip. We didn’t need to worry about taking pictures of the girls and could really enjoy watching them not through a lens. It is however a little pricey and if you are looking to cut costs on your trip this is one that could probably be cut. Photographers throughout the park and at character meet and greets scan your card or Magic Band and you almost instantly get the digital pictures loaded to you Disney account.
Magic Bands
Magic Bands are given to each resort guest and are used as your room key, charge card, and photo pass card. Because we weren’t staying on the resort we debated if we needed them. We ended up getting one for both of the girls to use with the photo pass. For the character meetings and photo stops throughout the park they weren’t really needed; a photo card would have worked just as well. The part where it really paid off was the newer rides! They automatically take your photo (and on some rides a video) and load them onto your account. This is the only way to get photos on the newest rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine train and Frozen. That being said; only one or two people in the group need it for that (at least one person per row/cart/boat). Once you leave WDW, you have 45 days to save the pictures. After that they are deleted from the WDW site.
Eating
WDW does a really good job accommodating for allergies, including lots of Gluten free options. You can ask for an allergy menu at any restaurant or quick stop in the parks. If they don’t have one, the chef or kitchen manager will come out and talk to you. Unfortunately they don’t have carb counts for any of their food. We stuck to foods we knew or purchased packaged treats like the Mickey Mouse ice cream bars and sandwiches. We also brought a lot of snacks and “zero” snacks with us. There is no problem bringing snacks, water and juice into any of the parks. All bags have to be checked regardless of what’s in them, so bring whatever you want except alcohol.
Although we didn’t have reservations, we walked into several sit-down restaurants, mostly off “peak hours” and were able to sit in a quieter and cool. We aren’t sure about the fast food style at Magic Kingdom, because when papa sat down he really did want a cold beer so we ended up in restaurants!
Other Learnings
Deciding what to see at WDW really depends on the ages of the children. Our experience this trip will most likely be very different from the next and was totally different from the last (teenagers, who are now the parents). B is 5 years and K is 3 years. The magic is very real. The Character Breakfast was really well done, the characters come to each table, good food and lots of Gluten Free options. B was game for every ride she could get on, K needed a little more time and focused on the slower kiddie rides. Magic Kingdom and Typhoon Beach were the two big hits. A water park for a day is a nice break from the heat and crowds of WDW’s other parks.
FRIO Packs worked for the extra insulin on hot days in case you need it; and a spare set of clothes came in handy when the girls cooled down at the Splash “N” Soak in Magic Kingdom. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort Hotel, we’ve read you can order groceries delivered to the hotel, so you can bring snacks into the park without hauling them all from home.
We started a bit later one day and stayed for the fireworks at Magic Kingdom. It was definitely worth it. We sat on the road, eating a dinner snack, with many many other families. Everyone wanting a good view of the castle and sky. Really, it was lots of fun. Our little girls and adults alike thought the show was outstanding. The castle is brought to life as many Disney favourite stories are played out, while fireworks soar overhead, dancing to the music. The 20 ish minutes is very well done.
