-
Step 1
Research the Disney Resorts, either via guidebook or the Internet, and figure out which one appeals to you most, both location wise and price wise. For cheaper options, look into the three All Star resorts (Movies, Music and Sports), and for more lavish accommodations check out the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian. All the rest will fall somewhere in between.
-
Step 2
Research when the Extra Magic Hours are in effect for which parks during your stay. When trying to plan your schedule, take into account which parks you can enter early or stay late at. This will make your planning a bit easier, as it's always easier to visit the parks when they are less crowded.
-
Step 3
Most parents traveling with kids like to make use of the Extra Magic Hours that allow them to enter the parks earlier then normal opening time, since their kids are usually up anyway. Arrive 20 minutes before the Extra Magic Opening Hour with your park admission ticket and hotel room key handy to be allowed this early admission. Arriving early is also the best option if you want to visit major headline attractions, such as Test Track at Epcot or Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios, as these will be completely empty and not have leftover crowds from during the day.
-
Step 4
Older kids and young adults are more partial to the late Extra Magic hours, which allow them to stay later then the official park closing time. An hour or so before closing time, locate a Disney cast member that will check your hotel room key and give you a wristband, indicating that you are allowed to stay after the official closing time. While some of the major headliners take a little longer to clear out at closing time, use this time to visit slightly less populated rides, such as Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom or The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios; often you can do attractions such as these two or three times in a row with less than a 5 minute wait.
-
Step 5
Don't get discouraged that some theatrical performances might not be open to you during the Extra Magic Hours. Check with a Disney cast member for which shows will be in operation during this time. Many times, especially if taking advantage of the late Extra Magic Hours, shows such as the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios will be performed at least one more time after the official park closing.
-
Step 6
During Extra Magic Hours is often a great time to get pictures with the characters without major crowds. Many of Mickey's well-known friends dot Magic Kingdom's Main Street and Animal Kingdom's front entrance at official opening time, and will sometimes head out a bit early to meet and greet the early arrivals. Hollywood Studios is a great place to catch characters during their nighttime Magic Hours, at both Playhouse Disney and The Magic of Disney Animation. These locations are often overlooked as character meet-and-greet spots, but you can often find Mickey and pals available for photo ops after closing time with minimal lines.
