4. People watch when the park is busiest

Every minute spent within a Disney Resort is time well spent. Exceptions: Waiting in any 100+ minute line, texting anything non-Disney related to anyone not with you, or debating with your children how it’s your turn to sit in front on Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Astro Orbiter, etc. While this last is a worthwhile argument to have, you need to settle it before you get to the head of the queue. You are making the people behind you, and the poor Cast Member who just wants to know how many are in your party, uncomfortable.

Sitting on a park bench in the new Main Street Plaza Gardens or at a quaint table along the World Showcase promenade is an extraordinary means of whiling away the hectic midday hours. It would be blasphemy at any other time, but when the parks are packed, hanging out, even with a sinfully expensive bottle of Dasani, and observing at your fellow man is rejuvenating. Marvel at how the family with six children all under the age of eight manages to stay together. Empathize with the octogenarians who get stuck with the stroller and souvenirs while their thankless party heads for the Haunted Mansion. Cringe as yet another toddler begins screaming having let go of their eight-dollar Mickey Mouse balloon. It’s more fun than you realize, and certainly better than sweltering in line for Autopia.

5. Embrace FastPass+ at Walt Disney World

Innovations pertaining to the FastPass program at Walt Disney World, have stirred emotions and not entirely charitable reviews. FastPass+ puts an onus on prearranging at least portions of your park itinerary, at which spontaneous Disney guests have, understandably, bristled. The thought of setting and having to keep an appointment to enjoy an attraction strikes traditionalists as a bit overly structured. If it’s important to you to get on the more popular rides, and you’d rather not spend a whole bunch of extra time in line, you’d better just get on board, as they say.

If your family is having a blast at Epcot, and you have a FastPass coming due at the Animal Kingdom, then, sure, skip it. But when all the parks are swamped, and it’s 2 PM and you haven’t been on one ride, you’ll be more than happy to keep your 3 o’clock date with Splash Mountain. When you fail to bring extra socks and underwear for your children (see Trick #3, above), who are now soaked, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

6. Eat at off times

Now this is obvious. Painfully so. Then why is every restaurant, café, counter and kiosk overwhelmed at noon? Because, as with every other truly helpful “insider tip,” most people tend overlook the obvious and prefer to go along with the herd. Avoid this to the betterment of your vacation, and your dubious standing with your family.

Kids suffer low blood sugar easily and without warning, especially when faced with Disney-fashioned sensory overload. If you can get your peeps to eat, preferably before reaching the park, it will free up, and indeed salvage your whole morning. Ply them with popcorn, snack mix and smoothies throughout the day. If you can simultaneously avoid lunch and any emotional meltdown, you will truly be breathing rarified air, and you may even get on Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster on the same day.

Souvenir shop during the regular lunch hour, if at all. Go on rides during the parade, also while others are competing for dinner tables. Following our advice means you have essentially skipped every meal. Getting your family out of the park will be more painful, and will involve more screaming than several trips to the orthodontist. Then there’s what will be a dreadful ride home. It’s all worth it. One day your children will appreciate the sacrifice you made them make for that extra ride on Big Thunder Mountain.