CLAIM YOUR SEAT.

Claim your seat

When it comes to Disney, the early bird definitely gets the best table. You can make dining reservations 180 days before your trip. Even better, if you're staying on Walt Disney World property, you can make reservations 180 days before your arrival date, and then book dining for your entire trip (up to 10 days). So if you have your heart set on eating at Be Our Guest or dining with Cinderella, get on the phone way in advance. And yes, I mean PHONE (Disney's reservation hotline is 407-939-3462). You can't beg and plead a website, after all.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED ...

If at first you don't succeed...

Didn't get a coveted spot at your dream restaurant? Keep trying. A credit card is required for reservations, so people are more likely to actually cancel their plans, rather than be charged for missing their spot. Download the MyDisneyExperience app to keep tabs on your favorite spot, or keep giving the reservation line a call.

You can also just show up to the restaurant and try your luck. Go early in the day for breakfast, during the parade, or off-peak dining times. This is especially true for Be Our Guest — the Disney Parks Mom Panel recommends breakfast and early lunch as your best shot for walking up to get a table.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

TIME YOUR MEAL JUST RIGHT.

Time your meal just right

Want lunch or dinner with a view? You can watch the Magic Kingdom's afternoon parade from the patio of Tony's Town Square restaurant if you time your reservation just right. Or enjoy the fireworks from the California Grill on top of the nearby Contemporary Resort.

To see the nightly Electrical Water Pageant, grab a meal at 1900 Park Fare, which is inside The Grand Floridian Resort.

For EPCOT, snag a seat at the Rose & Crown Pub in the UK section of the World Showcase.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

STOCK UP ON DISNEY GIFT CARDS.

Stock up on Disney gift cards

According to Quora user Tom Nikl, if you go to Target and use your REDCard, you can save 10 percent on Disney gift cards. Since the cards are classified as entertainment cards, instead of gift cards, you can stock up and use them throughout the park — but you know you want to use them on Dole Whip and churros.

PHOTO: Target

DON'T BUY BOTTLED WATER.

Don't buy bottled water

Essentials like bottled water and sunscreen are incredibly overpriced once you enter the parks. But there is no need to spend any dough when you need a drink — any restaurant or food stand will give you a cup of ice water if you ask.

Note: Florida water has a "signature" taste. If you're sensitive to different tastes, bring in your own bottles. You can do that, too.

PHOTO: Getty Images

KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR FREEBIES.

Know where to go for freebies

There are several places you can get free samples of sweets and snacks throughout the parks. A few you definitely want to check out, if you're at Magic Kingdom: The Confectionary, Big Top Treats, and Prairie Outpost and Supply. If you're at EPCOT, try the free caramel corn at Karamell-Küche.

Outside the parks, visit Disney Springs to score samples of any flavor Goofy's Glaciers (basically, slushies) at Goofy's Candy Company, or a piece of chocolate at Ghirardelli.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/sputnik

TAKE A SHORTCUT.

Take a shortcut

This has been a trick of my family's for years: After the fireworks are over at the Magic Kingdom, thousands of people slowly make their way to the exits on Main Street. But if you go into a shops, you can beat the crowds to the exit — all of the shops are connected— AND stock up on last-minute souvenirs (hello, huge lollipop that was too big to carry around).

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort/Matt Stroshane

EAT FOR FREE.

Eat for free

According to Quora user Ian Stainbrook, Disney offers a free dining promotion with certain ticket packages during the fall to encourage tourists to visit during the off-season. Plan an off-peak visit and you could save major $$$ on all the food your heart desires.

PHOTO: Kathryn Wirsing

WHEN IN DOUBT, ORDER PIZZA.

When in doubt, order pizza

Didn't get enough to eat during the day, or just need to chill in your hotel room? Most Disney resorts offer their own pizza delivery service to your room up until 1 a.m., according to Quora user Tom Nikl.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

USE BREAKFAST TO YOUR ADVANTAGE.

Use breakfast to your advantage

If you don't mind getting up with the sun on your vacation, there's a sneaky way to get into the park early that will make you well positioned to hit popular rides first. Make an 8 a.m. breakfast reservation at restaurants that open before the park does.

According to WDW Prep School, eligible restaurants include Be Our Guest, Crystal Palace and Cinderella's Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom; Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and Garden Grill at EPCOT; Hollywood And Vine at Disney Studios, and Tusker House at Animal Kingdom.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

GO TO EPCOT'S FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL.

Go to EPCOT's Food & Wine Festival

There's always plenty of good food to try during a trip to Disney World, but real food lovers know they simply must visit during the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, which usually runs from September through November. More than 30 vendors set up shop in the World Showcase to bring tastes of international food AND beverages to guests. If you're traveling without kids, this is definitely the time of year to go, since the event's geared more toward the 21-and-up crowd.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/Michael Gray

SAVE MONEY BY ONLY ORDERING WHAT YOU WANT.

Save money by only ordering what you want

Yes, food at Disney is expensive, but you can't say they don't give you value for your money. Portions are hearty, and no one wants to take leftovers back to a hotel room. So don't be afraid to ask for an entree-only meal. According to the Disney Food Blog, not only will you not waste food, but you'll probably save money in the process. Everybody wins!

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

DON'T OVERLOOK HOTEL RESTAURANTS.

Don't overlook hotel restaurants

One of my favorite dishes at Disney World is not in a park at all — it's in a hotel. It's the Tonga Toast (pictured), which is banana-stuffed French toast that's covered in sugar. You can get it at the Polynesian Resort. It's everything.

All of the Disney resorts have truly wonderful restaurants that are often a lot less crowded than those in the parks. Some standouts include Flying Fish at The Boardwalk Resort, California Grill at The Contemporary, Shulu's Steakhouse at The Dolphin, and Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. And don't forget all of the restaurants at Disney Springs. All of these make great options for arrival and departure day when you don't have tickets to get into the park.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/JeffChristiansen

HAVE YOUR CAKE AND YOUR THEME PARK VISIT, TOO.

Have your cake and your theme park visit, too

Lots of people visit Disney to celebrate something — birthday, anniversary, graduation, tall enough to ride Space Mountain. And when you're celebrating, you need CAKE. Good news is you can order a custom cake ahead of time, or when you arrive at any restaurant. You can also order vegan or gluten-free cake and get them delivered to your hotel. Learn all the details for ordering a cake from Disney Food Blog here.

PHOTO: Kathryn Wirsing

LOOK FOR THIS MICKEY TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHOICES.

Look for this Mickey to make healthier choices

You're on vacation, the ultimate excuse to indulge at every opportunity. But if you don't want to completely go nuts, there are some simple swaps you can make. Fresh fruit, salads, soups, and wraps are available everywhere, and items that meet Disney's nutritional requirements are marked with a yellow Mickey.

If you still want a treat, but want to make a bit of a healthier choice, try these swaps from Disney Food Blog:

• Instead of a Mickey Bar, have a Dole Whip.

• Instead of a Cosmic Ray's cheeseburger, have a grilled chicken sandwich with veggies.

• Instead of cheese fries, go for a soft pretzel.

PHOTO: Flickr/Julia Lu

GET A SECOND OPINION.

Get a second opinion

Feeling overwhelmed by too many food choices? Ask a cast member. They're trained to ask questions to find out what you like — and what's available at the parks — and they usually have opinions about their favorite place to eat.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/Darrell Taylor

DON'T FORGET YOUR STARBUCKS GIFT CARDS.

Don't forget your Starbucks gift cards

Still have Starbucks gift cards taking up space in your wallet? You can use them at any 'Bucks location at the parks. Your caffeine headache will thank you.

SATISFY THE PICKIEST EATERS.

Satisfy the pickiest eaters

My sister is the pickiest eater in the world. Therefore, the best way to satisfy her is to take her to a buffet. Disney has plenty of them, and they all serve high-quality food for a relatively reasonable price — as long as you bring your appetite. Some of my favorites include 'Ohana at the Polynesian, Biergarten Restaurant at EPCOT, Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary, and Tomorrowland Terrace and Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/HarshLight

GET A DOLE WHIP OUTSIDE THE PARK.

Get a Dole Whip outside the park

Dole Whip is a cult favorite Disney treat. The non-dairy, pineapple confection is the reason many people go straight to Adventureland when they arrive at the Magic Kingdom (hi, Mom!). However, you can get the treat without even entering the park. Head to the Polynesian Resort to Pineapple Lanai where they serve the original, plus a Pineapple Vanilla swirl, which is cult-worthy on its own.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/Mike Callanan

HAVE A FUN MEAL WITHOUT CHARACTERS.

Have a fun meal without characters

Character meals are fun and all, but there are so many other restaurants that bring the fun in more ways than a slightly creepy head peering over you while you eat. Try '50s Prime Time Cafe, where you can basically eat on the set of your favorite retro sitcom, or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant, where you can sit in a Cadillac and enjoy classic monster movies on a big screen.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR ... ANYTHING.

Don't be afraid to ask for anything

Disney will do almost anything to make you happy ... including replacing a dropped ice cream cone or pretzel. Klutzy people rejoice!

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/internets_dairy

PICK THE RIGHT LINE.

Pick the right line

When dining at counter-service eateries, you should be aware that the order stations are designed to take orders from both the left and right of the cashier. So if theres's a line on only one side, feel free to jump on ahead and line up on the opposite one to place your order more quickly.

PHOTO: Walt Disney World Resort

PLAN AHEAD WITH KIDS.

Plan ahead with kids

Disney World is every kids dream ... but it can also be tough on tiny feet and even tinier tempers. One boss move is to schedule a sit-down lunch every day so little ones can rest up before the next ride.

PHOTO: Flickr Creative Commons/Luis Brizzante