Walt Disney World is, at its core, a magical place — fireworks behind a glistening castle, orchestral music wafting down the streets, nostalgic movie characters waving at you left and right.

Then there’s the side of Disney World that’s less than magical — long lines, humid Orlando weather and endless walking. But if you do it right, a Disney World vacation doesn’t have to be exhausting. Here are a few tips for making your trip as stress-free as possible.

First things first: Download the My Disney Experience app. This is your one-stop resource for park tickets, hotel and dining reservations, maps and more.

1. STAY AT A DISNEY RESORT

Yes, this is expensive. But once you stay on property, there’s no going back, and here’s why: Not only are you minutes, sometimes steps, away from the parks, but resort guests are often given perks like early access to Lightning Lane (more on that later). Plus, the resorts are destinations in and of themselves. If you’re looking for relaxation, these accommodations are your best bet:

Disney’s Riviera Resort

One of the newer accommodations to open at Disney World, this classy resort takes inspiration from the European Riviera, connecting directly to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios through a gondola lift system known as the Disney Skyliner.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Often the accommodation of choice for celebrities visiting Disney World, the Grand Floridian boasts Victorianesque opulence and a spa offering massages, facials and other services. Best of all, it’s a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom Park.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

This tropical-themed resort has sandy beach areas perfect for soaking up the sun. Private bungalows, separate from the main hotel, overlook the Seven Seas Lagoon. Like the Grand Floridian, the Polynesian is a quick and easy monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom.

2. DON’T GO TO THE PARKS ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS

Save your energy by having at least one day in between park visits. You can use those rest days to explore your resort or visit Disney Springs, a high-end shopping district reminiscent of The Shops at Clearfork — but with Mickey Mouse.

Here’s a quick rundown of all four parks.

Magic Kingdom

The destination for quintessential Disney magic. Where you’ll find the castle, fireworks, princesses and classic rides like Space Mountain and “it’s a small world.”

EPCOT

The park with the giant golf ball (that is, Spaceship Earth). Arguably the most relaxed of the parks, with a World Showcase highlighting 11 countries.

Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Think Fort Worth Zoo on steroids. Go on a safari ride to see live animals, learn about Disney’s conservation efforts and explore the land of the “Avatar” film series.

Hollywood Studios

Where you’ll find some of Disney’s edgier offerings, mixed with kid-friendly attractions. Home to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

3. MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS

If you don’t care for theme park burgers and chicken nuggets — though there are some good ones — be sure to make your dining reservations well in advance. Disney restaurants fill up quickly.

OUR TOP DINING PICKS

Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera
Location: Disney’s Riviera Resort

Topolino’s serves French and Italian fare on the rooftop of the resort. It’s best to go for breakfast, when you can enjoy dishes like wood-fired steak and sour cream waffles, all while Mickey and Friends come to greet you at your table.

Le Cellier Steakhouse
Location: EPCOT, Canada Pavilion

Often lauded as one of the best steakhouses at Disney World, this restaurant sits hidden in a cozy cellar below a chateau in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion. While the filet mignon gets high marks, the Canadian cheddar cheese soup is the dark horse of the menu.

The BOATHOUSE
Location: Disney Springs

This waterfront restaurant serves fresh seafood, from lobster tails to oysters on the half shell. From the restaurant, you can also book a tour of Lake Buena Vista via Amphicar, a vintage car-shaped boat that runs on land and water.

4. USE LIGHTNING LANE

Previously known as a FastPass, Lightning Lane allows you to purchase entry to some of the parks’ most popular attractions and cut down time waiting in line. As a resort guest, you can purchase Lightning Lane entry as early as 7 a.m., while other guests have to wait until the park opens. You can find Lightning Lane as part of the Genie+ service on the My Disney Experience app.

5. DON’T DO EVERYTHING IN ONE TRIP

Even the most well-seasoned Disney travelers don’t cram every activity into one trip, so don’t fret if you miss out on a ride or a restaurant. The parks and resorts are so vast and varied, you can come back again and again and do something different — and you probably will. disneyworld.disney.go.com