Walt Disney World is the most magical place on earth. How could anything ruin your vacation?
Of course, no one sets out to ruin their vacation. But, sometimes emotions get in the way. And before you know it, you’re miserable and questioning what you did wrong.
So, here are a few tips to help you avoid these mistakes, so you have that magical vacation you’ve always dreamed about.
Not Having A Plan
Being a first time Disney Guest is rough. You don’t know what you’re doing. You don’t know where anything is. And everyone else seems to be seamlessly wandering around the Parks and enjoying themselves while you’re still trying to figure out what a Lightning Lane is.
While “winging it” may work for some, if this is your first time visiting Walt Disney World, I always recommend going in with a plan.
You don’t have plan out every minute of the day. But, you should at least know the main points…
- Did you get your Park Reservations?
- Will you be purchasing Disney Genie+?
- If you do purchase Disney Genie+, do you know how to use it?
- Will you be making any dining reservations ahead of time?
- Do you know how to use My Disney Experience?
Doing a little bit of research and planning will not only familiarize yourself with Walt Disney World, it can also help you avoid some very big first timer mistakes.
Overplanning Your Days
If there’s one thing that will ruin your vacation more than not planning anything, it’s overplanning.
For many Guests, Walt Disney World is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, of course, you want to get as much done as you possibly can.
But, filling your itinerary with all of the treats, attractions, shows, and photo opportunites you can within that limited time frame is just going to leave you exhausted and cranky.
No matter how much you plan, there’s no way that any one person will be able to do and see everything. So, slow down and enjoy the time you have at Walt Disney World while you’re there.
Not Taking Any Breaks
Trust me, I get it. Whether it’s intentional or not, we all adopt the same motto. “We’ll rest when we get home.”
But, this is also the best way to ruin your vacation.
There’s a reason why everyone rushes to leave the Park right after the nighttime shows. Disney is exhausting!
You can always go back later in the day. And if you do, you’ll be much more refreshed and able to enjoy the rest of the evening (and shorter lines for those attractions).
So, if your body is telling you to slow down and relax, listen. You’re never going to get everything done anyway. So, please don’t kill yourself trying.
Sit down. Drink plenty of water. And take a few hours to relax outside of the Parks. You’ll be much happier.
If you’re not a napper, like myself, take this an opportunity to check out the amenities at your Resort. Some of our best memories come from days we went back to our Resort to cool down and hang out by the pool.
Not Wearing The Right Shoes
When I was planning my very first Disney Vacation, every post I read stressed the importance of wearing the right shoes.
Of course, they were right. However, every single post said that sneakers were the only way to go. So, that’s what I packed.
My trip came and on Day 1, my nicely broken in sneakers gave me a blister. Yup…that blister hurt me the whole rest of my trip.
After years of only listening to other people’s advice (and getting a blister every time!), I had enough. This time around I packed some of my comfiest sandals and hoped for the best. After all, what did I have to lose, I was already getting terrible blisters! Much to my surprise, I didn’t get one single blister!
Lesson learned! Wear whatever YOUR feet are most comfortable in!
For me, switching off between my Teva Sandals and my Sanuks are the only way to go. And because they both have a back strap, they’re much easier to walk around in when I get caught in the rain.
But, best of all NO MORE PAIN!
Using Your MagicBand To Pay For Everything
Attaching your credit card to your MagicBand is so convenient. Why dig through your Park bag for your credit card when you can tap your MagicBand?
Sure, it’s convenient. But, you may find yourself spending more than you normally would otherwise. And by the end of your trip, you’ll wish you paid more attention to how much you were spending.
This is why we opt to use Disney Gift Cards. We don’t worry about going in to debt each time we go to Disney because everything is budgeted for ahead of time. No more money? No more buying!
If you have lots of cards, remember to transfer the balances over to one card on Disney Gift Card to make your life easier.
Having Unrealistic Expectations
The truth is that you can do everything right and things can still not turn out the way you want it to.
Despite your best efforts to go during the “slow season,” the Parks will still be busy.
And I guarantee that at least one of your days will be affected by rain.
Staying on Disney property, getting Genie+, and and logging into My Disney Experience to grab your favorite Lightning Lane, at 7 AM, still doesn’t guarantee you will get it.
Walt Disney World is a wonderful and magical place. But, it’s only magical if you want it to be. Focusing on what you weren’t able to do would ruin any vacation.
Go with an open mind. Know that you won’t get on every attraction you want.
And, if possible, try to save a little more money for food, souvenirs, etc… Yes, the Parks are expensive. But, with a little planning, and a little more realistic expectations, it doesn’t have to be the reason you ruin your trip.
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