A seasoned Disney enthusiast who has embarked on more than 50 trips to the theme parks has shared her insider knowledge on maximising your visit.
Kari Becker, a travel planner and freelance writer, possesses extensive expertise across multiple Disney destinations.
Following years of immersing herself in these experiences, Kari has identified crucial strategies for extracting maximum enjoyment from the enchanting resort.
Her primary recommendation, she revealed, centres on arriving at the earliest opportunity. This approach addresses the substantial visitor numbers these attractions continue to draw.
She told Business Insider: “My No. 1 tip for visiting theme parks of any kind is to arrive early. You’ll get a huge jump on your day if you get to the parks as soon as they open, or just before.
“Crowd levels tend to be much lower at this time, meaning you can experience many attractions early in the day. By midday, the crowds usually significantly increase.”
Beyond timing advice, Kari also highlighted common pitfalls visitors typically encounter when organising or attending Disney’s numerous locations.
These encompass insufficient trip duration, visiting during school break periods, delayed arrival times, and excessive planning.
Regarding the final point, she explained: “Make a general outline of your daily agenda – with dining reservations and a list of must-do rides and attractions – but leave room for spontaneous fun.
“If you’re on too tight a schedule, you’ll miss all the good stuff, like unique character interactions.”
Kari isn’t the sole journalist to offer guidance on maximising the Disneyland experience, with ReachPlc’s Portia Jones also sharing strategies for annual visits without breaking the bank.
Her key recommendations included avoiding peak times, securing tickets beforehand, and for Disneyland Paris specifically, travelling by rail, thorough advance planning, considering Disney dining packages, and packing your own provisions.
Regarding the latter point, she informed WalesOnline: “Disneyland Paris may be the happiest place on earth, but its food prices can bring you down to earth with a bump.
“Pack your snacks and bring a refillable water bottle to save money. You can bring food into the park, so load up on sandwiches, crisps, and fruit before you arrive.
“Plenty of water fountains are scattered around where you can refill your bottle, meaning you’ll avoid paying sky-high prices for drinks.”