There’s no place in the world like Walt Disney World. And there are certain things about taking a Disney vacation that you just don’t know until you go.
Here I’ll go over some common mistakes, and what to do instead.
Planning
Do: “Train” yourself and kids for Disney by building up your walking stamina before your trip
Don’t: Underestimate the amount of walking you’ll do – often 20 to 25,000 steps a day!
Do: Check park hours on the app before you leave and again each night during your trip
Don’t: Make plans months in advance then forget to check back – park hours are updated often
Do: Stay on property if at all possible
Don’t: Underestimate the benefits of staying inside the Disney bubble, from priority access, to transportation and proximity, to that intangible feeling of being in the magic
Do: Go in with a plan of attack
Don’t: Think you can just wing it. With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, over 20 resorts, over 200 dining establishments and hundreds of experiences, this isn’t a place for spontaneity.
Do: Book your vacation through a travel agency that specializes in Disney (like Destination Wonderland!)
Don’t: Stress yourself out trying to plan it on your own – a good travel advisor will make sure you know all the tricks AND make sure you get the best deal
Food
Do: Buy the dining plan (when it is available) OR bring Disney Gift Cards (buy with Target Red Card for a discount) to pay for food
Don’t: Come home to a giant Visa bill!
Do: Make dining reservations as soon as your booking window opens (right now, its at 60 days)
Don’t: Think you can just show up and get a table at a sit-down restaurant. Most table service restaurants book up well in advance
Do: Bring your own water bottle and get free cups of ice water to refill it from any quick service
Don’t: Waste money (or snack credits) on bottled water. Don’t like the taste of the water? Bring along some flavor packets
Do: Place your mobile order WELL in advance so you can choose the pick-up time you want
Don’t: Make the mistake of waiting until you are hungry to order, only to find pick-up times are an hour or two out
Do: plan some special meals and budget for fun snacks and treats – food is a big part of the experience
Don’t: Blow your whole trip budget on food. Pack some drinks and snacks into the parks with you (yes, this is allowed!)
Packing
Do: Bring ponchos for the whole family
Don’t: Be caught unprepared for Florida’s daily afternoon thunderstorms
Do: Bring or Rent a stroller for your walking-age children
Don’t: Underestimate how quickly their little legs will wear out. Even if they don’t use a stroller much anymore, I bet they aren’t used to walking 10 miles a day at home!
Do: Wear comfortable, broken-in, road-tested shoes that you KNOW can go the distance
Don’t: Choose style over comfort or buy new shoes right before you go
Do: Bring at least one set of matching shirts for the family
Don’t: Worry about fashion – you’re at Disney!
Do: Bring extra masks for each family member
Don’t: Bring bandannas, neck gaiters, or masks with breathing valves
Touring
Do: Stay at least 5 days so you can visit all the parks plus an extra day at Magic Kingdom
Don’t: Underestimate how much there is to see and do at Disney!
Do: Get up before 7am to get a boarding group for Rise of the Resistance
Don’t: Wait until the second window at 1pm – you’re much less likely to get one
Do: Utilize the rider switch pass if someone in your party is too small to ride
Don’t: Just sit and wait for the first group to ride – take the little one to a nearby attraction or show
Do: Ask everyone in your family to name their must-do’s for each park, then make sure you make those a priority. Everyone leaves happy!
Don’t: Fail to take into consideration the preferences of each member of your group (a common faux pas for over-planners like us!)
Do: Get up EARLY to take advantage of low morning crowds (take a midday break and nap if you need to)
Don’t: Sleep in like you USUALLY do on vacation. Early bird gets the short waits at Disney World!
I hope these little tips were helpful. With a little planning and preparation, your Walt Disney World vacation can be the trip of a lifetime (or the first of many!) If you’d like some help planning YOUR perfect trip, drop us a line. Our concierge-level planning services are free when you book your package through us. Visit our Contact page to request more information or get started today.
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