Have a question about planning a trip to Disney or something you’ve read here? We’re here to help! We’ve visited every Disney resort around the world, from Walt Disney World to Tokyo Disney Resort, and have stayed in nearly every Disney-owned hotel.
Many frequently asked questions we receive can be answered by reading the posts on this site. If you are curious about a certain topic, use the search feature at the top of the page. Some of our most helpful pages include the following…
If you’re trying to plan a Walt Disney World trip, visit our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide. If planning a Disneyland trip, check out our Disneyland Trip Planning Guide. If you have questions about photography or want camera recommendations, read our Photography Guide. If you want to use one of the Tom’s photos from this site on your own blog, website, etc., check out our Photo Usage page. If you have questions about Sarah’s attire, take a look at our What to Wear to Disney and Unique Disney Packing List posts.
If you can’t find a post that answers your question, please leave a comment on a relevant post, and we will do our best to reply to your question. We see all new comments, even on old posts. This is the easiest and most effective way of asking us a question. Unfortunately, we do not have time to respond to questions via email–you’re much more likely to get a response to a comment on a post.
Please note that we just two passionate Disney fans writing a blog about our experiences with advice based on those experiences in our free time. In other words, don’t expect instantaneous responses or post an ALL CAPS comment when we don’t respond to you within a day. If you don’t hear from us within a week or two, consider re-posting the comment, as we might have missed it.
We are not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company nor is this an official Disney blog, so if you have questions or complaints about a booking with Disney or anything of that sort, you’ll want to contact Disney Guest Services for that.
Thanks,
Sarah & Tom Bricker
Hey!
I’ve found an article about the best spot to watch Wishes! show, but I can’t find an article about the best spot to watch Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.
I’ve read in other sites that the best spot might be the place between two gift shops as you enter world showcase. Where exactly is that? Whats your opinion? Do you know any other spot as the best one to watch this show?
Thanks!
Working on an article for best spots. Location between the gift shops is the new FastPass+ spot.
Hi Tom,
I came across your blog when I searched for photography tips for my upcoming Disney trip. Thank you so much for writing and sharing this blog with all of us! I’ve learned so much, not only about photography for Disneyland, but also about photography in general, inspired by your approaches.
When planning for our own trip, I do have one question for you:
I’ve noticed most of your work is landscape photography. How about people? especially little kid? Do you have any tips about best spots for portraits, or tips for composition…something like that, I guess. Any external pointer would be much appreciated too!!
Thanks in advance!
I love your trip reports etc. Very jealous of your overseas trips, but since I might be a 55er I at least have you guys beaten there. (First trip I remember was 1958, but apparently my Parents traveled first year with me as a baby).
But how will I know when you have something new posted?
Hi Tom and Sarah!! LOVE the photos and the blog, your photos especially are astounding. (I have carefully chosen that word). You manage to capture the pictures we all wish we could take, and the images the way those of us who love Disney parks remember them fondly.
I see you are coming to Disneyland for the Christmas season this year (2014) and wish you a great visit. For the blog, I’m wondering if you can post a more in depth guide or tips regarding the Christmas season, namely how to negotiate (you take the two on the left, I’ll take the three on the right!?!) the CROWDS at this time, 2014. Cuz it SEEMS to me every year the crowds get even bigger at Christmas. (My family won’t even go anymore and it used to be a tradition as you can easily imagine for SoCal locals).
You’ve already offered great recommendations regarding the holiday season on your website, but just wondering since you’re attending Disneyland this year for an updated and more in depth exprience and guide to handling the massive crowds. I’m a flashpass expert, a huge fan of the park, consider myself VERY experienced, and the last couple times have been VERY hard work to “get it to happen” happily!
Thanks to both of you, AWESOME website, keep up the GREAT WORK and enjoying each other in these wonderful places. THANK YOU for sharing with us!!!!
-Rob Kral
Tom, I’ve been a reader of your blog almost since you started. Even before I became a snowbird. I know in the past you have expressed you affection for the France Pavilion’s movie, going so far as to research the scenes before you trip to Europe. I too love this show and visit it often. My question – is there a “soundtrack” of this movie? I realize Disney is not going to put out a CD for an eighteen minute movie, but have you run across anything similar? Thanks and keep up the good work.
Actually, the entire score has been on the official albums over the years. Check out our Disney Parks Music post: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-theme-park-cds-music/
Hi Tom and Sarah,
This post isn’t a question but a huge thank you! We’ve just returned from our visit to Tokyo Disney resort. As 2 British nationals it was a long way to go but it was truly amazing! We stayed in the Disneyland hotel and spent 2 1/2 days in the parks.
Your trip reports and guide were invaluable so thank you, thank you and thank you. Pretty much every recommendation you made we tried to do and it helped break down a lot of the barriers while we were there.
Thank you once again and keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Howdy!!
You have inspired me to start my bucket list albeit less creative then yours, but I’m working on it ;). Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea in 2015, Shanghai Disney in 2016, and Hong Kong Disneyland in 2017. We planned it this way while we are stationed on this side of the world. We are hoping for Europe next then we can hit Paris!!!! We are Disneyland veterans as we, my husband and I, grew up in Southern California and would like to visit WDW and take a cruise as soon as we are able. I have to admit planning for WDW is a little overwhelming but I will preserver!!!
My family have accused me of over planning our Disney trips and although they be a teensy bit correct I must continue :). So my question is: iPhone chargers; is there a spot where I can plug in? Did you happen to see any outlets out in the parks somewhere? Being that we live in Japan, cellphone usage is not the issue it’s the keeping our batteries charged up :). My next question is; lockers? Are there lockers anywhere in the park? This helps with my OCD Disney planning.
Arigatougozaimas for your hard work!!! It is greatly appreciated while planning for our Asian Disney adventures.
Hi guys,
I’m planning on going to Disneyland on Halloween with my annual pass. I noticed the park closes at 7. The Halloween festivities take place between 7-12. I don’t have a Mickey’s Halloween Party Pass and it is sold out online. My question is will I be allowed to stay in the park with no Halloween Party Pass if I arrive before 7?
Thanks,
Brad
No, you will not.
Hi Tom,
I am commenting to suggest/beg for a post on the best character meet and greets purely from a photographic perspective, i.e., those with natural light, attractive and people free backdrops, ability to interact with kids (usually face characters vs. fur characters) in photos etc. Our kids are getting older and on next trip I really want to concentrate on getting some great character photos, since they won’t be interested in meeting them for much longer.
Our first trip, I booked character meals, thinking that they would be a great chance to get lots of interaction photos, and it drove me absolutely bonkers. I am a portrait photographer and the bad indoor lighting and inability to shoot a single photo without random persons in the background really bummed me out. And so many of the indoor meets have pretty backgrounds, but very poor lighting if you prefer not to use flash, and don’t look quite so organic, for lack of a better word. I’d love some suggestions. Thanks!
Thanks for the suggestion…this is something I’ll need to give some thought to. Unfortunately, a lot of them have poor lighting!
The best photos we have of the kids with characters are with Alice and with Mary Poppins, both at their Epcot locations. I’m looking forward to trying to meet Snow White in Germany this trip.
Hi Tom! I love your blog. I can’t begin to tell you how helpful it’s been. My fiance and I recently started planning our Disneymoon. Because of work schedules, we will not be able to take advantage of the ‘free’ dining plans or the discounted rooms. We’re staying at the POFQ in April ’15. We cannot decide if the dining plan is worth it. I think I’ve read every article, forum, blog, review, etc. and we cannot make a decision. I’ve asked several people who are Disney pros for advice and it is so mixed. Basically, get the plan if I want the plan or don’t if I don’t. I want to know if the cost of the plan is worth it considering where we want to eat. I was hoping for your opinion. Here are the restaurants we have to visit: Kona Cafe for dinner, Floridian Cafe for breakfast, 50’s Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In, Columbia Harbour House, and Earl of Sandwich. I would love to also visit Fulton’s Crab House or Yachtsman (I love seafood and he loves steak) as well as The Crystal Palace for the character buffet. I am also crossing my fingers that we can get in to BOG for lunch.
Our appetites are very dissimilar and it is one of the main reasons I’m hesitant to use the plan. He will eat anything and everything I put in front of him. He loves sweets and has based several dining choices off the dessert options. I’ve spent the last 2 years maintaining a healthy weight and although I love food, I can’t eat near as much as he can. I prefer appetizers to desserts and it makes me so sad that these are no longer an option on the dining plans.
Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Becky
Hi Tom and Sarah,
I have been meaning to write a big THANK YOU note for the last few days.
I am currently at the Swan and Dolphin Resort (staying at the Dolphin) and will be leaving on Sunday. My friend and I have travelled feom Australia for our second visit to Disney World. On this trip we have done four days in Disneyland, two at Universal and ten at Disney World.
When I came to Disney World two years ago, I became addicted to the place. Unfortunately, Australia lacks the population to even have the idea of a park considered there. We have therefore been planning this trip for the past two years.
For the last year and a half, I have followed this site, not just for the advice, but for the great and often witty writing. I have learnt so much about Disneyland and Disney World from you and a lot of our good experiences can only be attributed to advice I picked up on this blog.
I even bought my camera based on your advice (a Sony RX100) and it’s been fabulous. (Though I cannot achieve any succes with the fireworks setting!)
I followed a lot of your advice for the Halloween party, which we attended last night and had a blast – you said that crowds were smaller on Tuesday night in early September and though we have nothing to compare it to, we didn’t believe it was too crowded last night. I even queued for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at 8:00pm and boardd it at 8:15pm. Amazing! The same can’t be said when I tried to get on at 11:30pm. The queue was horrendous, but it was probably because the ride kept breaking down and there were maintenance people everywhere.
I bought my second helping of school bread tonight in the Norway section of the world showcase. You praised it in one of your articles and from the first bite, it was definite that the praise was deserved!
I think our best experience was dinner at the Be Our Guest restaurant. It was the most beautiful experience and we weren’t rushed at all.
We had our photos outside the sad little Australia set up at the world showcase for the Food and Wine festival. We think that if anyone serving there utters ‘G’day’ (especially as we know they mispronounce it), things may be thrown at them. Hardly any Australians use that term at all. Terrible stereotype.
Anyway, thanks again for providing such a great and informative website. Even your information about getting the cups of water from counter service places has saved us a lot of money.
We can only hope now that another trip to the other side of the world will not be too far away!
Kimberley
You’re welcome! Sounds like you’re having a pretty incredible trip, glad we could help!
Hello, great blog and valuable information. Planning a short trip early next year(total 4 adults) to Disney World and Universal to see the Harry Potter area (first time). Would prefer to stay together, however, I see all rooms show the beds next to each other. Need separate sleeping arrangements. Off site hotels offer two bedroom suites, but after reading all the perks, would prefer onsite. Any recommendations? Thinking of splitting hotels, 2 nights at a Universal onsite hotel and 2 nights at Disney World. We are paying for the trip so trying to keep costs down. I didn’t see any Disney World hotels offering any discount for 2015. Should I wait or book now?
2015 discounts will be out as your dates draw nearer. You can book now and always rebook when a discount is released.
Hi Tom and Sarah,
My wife and I are DVC members and we often use your blogs for tips as your likes and dislikes usually line up with ours. I do have a question on going to Disney World in January as it is one of the few months we haven’t been there. I have read some of your blogs on when to visit and you mention that it is busy during Marathon Weekend. Is it Christmas week busy or are navigating the parks manageable? Just looking for a more detailed response as what to expect. If you have a moment to reply it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
It’s not nearly as bad as Christmas week. Moderate-to-heavy, more like an average summer week.
Thanks!
We have just book a Disneyland vacation for Dec. 20th-26th. I think we’re nuts! We have a 6 ur old daughter who wants nothing more than to meet some princesses, see some fireworks, and ride the tea cups. However, with all the horror stories of visiting during Christmas,I fear she (and we), are going to be very disappointed. This is our first ever to any Disney resort. It’s the only time we were able to get off o work/school. So ANY words of advice would be great. The pics alone of the crowds make me angst. I just don’t want this trip(very pricey trip) to be a bust. Thanks!
We are planning our first trip to Disney this Christmas and came across your blog. I saw your post about Very Mickey Christmas being offered during the week of Christmas without buying an additional ticket. I did notice that when you try to purchase a ticket the last day is Dec. 19th that they even offer a ticket, nothing after that. I called to verify that it is included in the general tickets and the Disney rep said the last day is the 19th and it isn’t offered at all after that. I asked if this was new and she said it was that way last year too. Just wondering where you got your info…
The parade, fireworks, and stage show that are the main entertainment during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are shown during the day the week of Christmas and any guest may see them. So no, there is no hard ticket event, but its main entertainment is included in the normal cost of admission. Hope that clarifies.
Aloha,
I want to know how you get the pictures at night with no people in them? Isn’t a cast member trying to shoo you out of the park?
My greatest dilemma is what camera to bring. I have a Nikon D60 that I just absolutely love and have multiple lenses. However, it becomes very heavy carting around the parks. I shattered the LCD on my G12 and replaced it with a Nikon P220. The P220 is awkward to hold and I am not able to compose shots the way I want. This time I think I may have found a winner. The Sony A6000. It’s lightweight and has changeable lenses. What do you think of my choice? I plan on getting a 50mm F/1.8 lens in the future.
Keep up the good work, I enjoy reading the blog and looking at your pictures.
V/R
Susan
Hi Susan,
For photos at night with no one in them…just wait until near-closing when the parks clear out.
As for the camera recommendation, I’m not familiar with the Sony A6000–but based on what I just read, it sounds like a very promising camera. Hope you enjoy it!
-Tom
Hello.
I’m very sorry to bother you. Where do you, guys, leave? Orlando?
Best regards,
Sara
Hi Tom & Sarah –
I’m registered for the Disney Princess 1/2 maration in Feb 2015. I can only come the day before & the day of the race. Where can I get a cheap 1 day park ticket for me & the family for a park & how about a cheap hotel for the night? My husband won’t let me run unless it’s very little cost since we just went to WDW Jan 2014 & spent $4,000.00! (worth every penny!)
There are no cheap 1-day tickets. You start to see discounts in the multi-day ones. Check out our Tips for Buying Cheap Disneyland Tickets post for more info.
For cheap hotels, check out our Where to Stay at Disneyland post. Have fun!
Hi Tom and Sarah!
I just have to say that I stumbled upon your blog several weeks ago and have literally been reading your trip reports for upwards of 2 hours a night… All in the name of research, of course! 🙂 Imagine how surprised I was when I read that you were in Disneyland that fateful day in March 2012 with the bomb scare.. We were there too! I had to double check my dates because I felt like that was too much of a coincidence. I carefully inspected every photo you posted from that trip in case I caught a glimpse of me and my boyfriend in the background.
I absolutely love your style of writing, your comedy, your approach to the parks, and your tips. By boyfriend and I have been visiting Disneyland every year together since we started dating in 2007, but i have a feeling our upcoming trip will be the best yet because of all the the ‘research’ I have done on this blog! We are heading to Anaheim the third weekend of September, and we are stoked to experience the park nearing Halloween time! We usually go earlier in the year to try to catch less crowds, so this will be a whole new experience.
I just wanted to thank you for all of your posts, as they are making me even more excited about this trip than I thought possible… 6 weeks away from TODAY. How ever will I survive!
Thanks again!
Signed, another Disney Fanatic
Sofie
Pretty wild that we were in the park on the same day of the bomb scare!
Glad you’re enjoying the blog, and hopefully the research you’ve done here proves useful. Have a great trip! 🙂
Hello Tom,
I thought I read that you recommended a Disney travel
Agency that can help get hard to get dinner reservations etc.. Vs using the official Disney travel agency?? Am I mistaken ? Is it the group that you have a link to on your site??
Thanks and we love your site and newsletter!
Kevin
Yes! I recommend Be Our Guest Vacations: http://www.beourguestvacations.com/
They will take great care of you! 🙂