Being penny wise but pound foolish applies to having a thrifty Disney Vacation. If you save all the money in the world then spend all your time waiting in lines, traveling between parks, waiting in lines, you get the idea. Wasted time eats up Disney magic! So let’s not waste any more times with clichés here, let’s save some time for more fun at Disney!
One of the best timesavers I’ve found is the Undercover Tourist app for your phone. It’s thrifty too – it’s a free app! The information this app provides is just awesome for saving
valuable magic time. It will keep you updated on crowd traffic for the day in each park; ride information so you don’t wait in line for a type of ride that just isn’t for you or a family member; provides park maps, menus, and you can make up your own customized Disney schedule to keep everyone on track!
Fast Passes are a great timesaver, and if you are a Disney Resort Guest you can now schedule them before you even leave home! FastPass+ is Disney’s newest version of the FastPass system that allows you to bypass the standby lines….saving you time! While you are waiting for the FastPass+ ride time, go do another ride or get in the standby line for the same ride, wait and ride twice quickly! You can easily change your FastPass+ times while at the parks, using the My Disney Experience app (also free!). If you are not a Disney resort guest, you may still schedule FastPass+ times, you will simply need to do it at a number of kiosks located around the parks, and you will also be able to make changes there as well. Note that this system is still being tested, so changes are being made, but at the moment, you can make up to 3 FP+ selections per day, but only in one park.
Avoiding peak hours in the parks will save you time and frustration! Less crowds! Peak hours in the parks are 11 am – 5 pm. Watch for extra magic hours if you are a resort guest. Extra Magic hours are special park times for guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Shades of Green® Resort and Hilton Orlando Resort (on Hotel Plaza Blvd.). One park each day opens longer than normal, either earlier or later. Be sure to check the park hour calendar, the Lobby Concierge or your Welcome Folder you received at check-in. During the peak hours, you can go back to the resort for swimming, naps, or participate in a resort family activity! 
Single Rider lines in rides such as Soarin’ and Test Track are a great way to move through the park faster. If you have bigger kids that can ride alone, take the family through the single rider line, ride faster saving time to move to next great ride or event!
Last but not least for some time-savers this week, don’t wait in line for any attraction for more than 30 minutes. Each ride-attraction has a “time to ride” counter at the entrance. Check the time to ride, if more than 30 minutes, move to next attraction on the list and check back on that ride later. If there is a favorite (ours happens to be Toy Story Mania) then schedule a FastPass+ for it, and go to the next ride! 🙂
Till Next Time, Leigh Anne
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Leigh Anne, originally from Mississippi, lives in North Alabama with her husband and a menagerie of furry kids (FIDS), including dogs, cats, exotic birds, fish and a lionhead rabbit. Figment, her African Grey parrot, is named after Disney’s small purple dragon, Figment. She works as a motivational speaker and pastoral counselor. In 1974, Leigh Anne marched with the Enka High Marching Band in the Magic Kingdom daytime parade. Leigh Anne fell in love with Disney while on her Disney honeymoon with her husband in 2002. They have made an annual trip back to Disney to celebrate their anniversary every year since. Since they own a piece of the mouse with their Disney Vacation Club (DVC), some years they go twice! She also plans to be the grandmother that introduces all her grandchildren to Disney World first. She has a great start ~ 2 out of 3 so far! As a DVC member married to the best Disney shopper in the world, Leigh Anne has lots of experience in finding the most frugal way to have the most fun in the parks and resorts! Leigh Anne admits to being spoiled as a DVC member but is always on the lookout to keep their WDW vacations fun and frugal! She blogs at Queen of Hysteria and tweets @la_haygood
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