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If you have a Disney trip coming up, take note of these things that you should definitely do one month before your trip!
Most of the tasks on this list can and should be done for both Disneyland and Disney World. This list isn’t crazy and won’t be too time consuming, but it is important to work on.
1. Secure Dining Reservations
You should really be booking your dining reservations 60 days in advance, but if you haven’t yet, then do it ASAP! If you didn’t get the reservations you want, then keep checking to see if there were cancellations.
Some Disney World restaurants that book up fast are Cinderella’s Royal Table, 1900 Park Fare, Oga’s Cantina, Chef Mickey’s, and any other character dining.
Some of the Disneyland restaurants that book up quickly are Napa Rose, Lamplight Lounge, Plaza Inn, and Blue Bayou.
2. Check Ride Closures
Sometimes you’ll be able to know what rides and things will be closed before 30 days, but this can change frequently, so check this often. We recommend checking at 30 days before, 1 week before, and the day before your trip.
Sometimes rides are just closed for a few days, other times they’re closed for an extended period of time for renovations.
It’s good to know what closed before you get into the parks to avoid any disappointment on your magical day.
Related Content: 3 Rides At Disneyland I’ll Never Rope Drop Again
3. Make A Packing List
Write down everything you’ll need to pack for you and your family on your trip. Make note of things you don’t have and need.
This is a good time to work on refilling prescriptions if necessary.
4. Buy Everything You Need
Refer to your packing list and start buying and ordering the things you need and don’t have.
Some common thing you’ll need to order for your trip are Magic bands, rain ponchos, and a portable phone charger.
Get rain ponchos here.
The phone charger we use is linked here.
You should also order new shirts, hats, and Mickey ears if you want new ones to wear on your trip.
5. Check The Park Hours
This is something that is great to do before you ever book your trip. The Disney parks can close early some nights for special after dark events like Star Wars Nite and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Definitely check the exact park hours 30 days before and make note of them. This way you’ll know how long you have in each park and you can plan ahead if you’re going to rope drop and/or close the park down.
6. Learn About Virtual Queues And Lightning Lanes
Watch YouTube videos and read blogs about virtual queues and Lightning Lanes so you know how to use it all and aren’t wasting time in the parks trying to figure them out.
You’ll need to book these in the Disneyland app or My Disney Experience app.
7. Figure Out Transportation
If you haven’t already figured out your transportation from the airport to your hotel, this is a good time to do that.
Also spend some time figuring out how you’ll get to each park from your hotel on your vacation. If staying in Disneyland you’ll most likely walk, take a hotel shuttle, or Uber.
If you’re staying in a Disney World resort, then research if your resort has access to the Skyliner, Monorail, boats, or buses. Figure out which modes of transportation to take to each of the theme parks you’ll be visiting.
8. Do Your Online Check-In
Use the My Disney Experience app to check into your Disney Resort hotel if you’re staying at one.
This will save you time when checking into the hotel on the day your vacay starts.
9. Update Your Disney App
Updating your app is a good way to help prevent app problems while in the Disney parks. Do this while you’re home and on wi-fi.
10. Write Down Your Disney Login
Write down your Disney app login and password. Sometimes in the parks the app will have some problems, like reservations not showing up, and if you logout and login again, it works.
So make sure you know your login info and reset it before you go if you don’t know it.
11. Go On Walks
There is SO much walking on a Disney day, no matter which park you go to! Start going on walks before your trip to get your body used to walking at least a little.
12. Break In New Shoes
If you bought new shoes to wear on the trip, wear them before your trip and break them in. You don’t want to be dealing with blisters or hurting feet during your Disney trip.
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