Are you anxious about your upcoming family trip, uncertain if you’ve managed to balance hitting all the must-see spots while still leaving room for some unexpected magic?
Fear not! The perfect family vacation does exist. Disney has made sure of that decade after decade. From Disneyland in California to Disneyworld in Florida, not to mention all the whimsical-themed worldwide locations, perhaps no destination is better tailored to families.
When it comes to planning the perfect trip to Disney, it’s all about the details. Too many travelers have had a wonderful Disney World vacation ruined by poor planning or easily avoidable mistakes. Like staying too far away from the parks! Our vacation rentals in Davenport and Kissimmee are close enough to the park that you’ll still be able to hit the lines nice and early without being forced into a stay at one of the uber-expensive Disneyworld hotels.
Here are the 18 most common mistakes people make when planning a trip to Walt Disney World and a few theme park secrets to take note of along the way!
1. Thinking Walt Disney World is only suitable for family vacations.
Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS
Yes, kids love a Disney World trip. But adults love them, too. In fact, in 2023, a park executive said that on any given day, about 50% of the parkgoers are actually adults without children.
When you really think about it, Disney World is packed with thrilling rides, not by children’s standards, but by anyone! It’s one of the most impressive and immersive theme parks in the world, and that fact alone should entice couples, solos, and groups of friends to consider Walt Disney World for their next vacation!
2. Not downloading the My Disney Experience App.
Don’t expect to enter into the world of Disney tech-free. The biggest mistake park enthusiasts encounter on their first time in WDW is not downloading and utilizing the My Disney Experience App.
This app is your new best friend for all things Disney. It has an in-park GPS and a car locator, so you never forget where you park. It also helps you make advance dining reservations and hosts various planning tools to create your ideal park itinerary.
There are so many cool things you can do with this that will help you save valuable time in the park. For starters, you can join the queue for new and popular rides! This feature alone sets you up for success before you even enter the park’s gates!
3. Don’t stretch yourself too thin.
Photo Credit: Box Lab
You won’t see it all on your first trip. You won’t even see it all on your tenth trip. There’s simply not enough time. That’s part of the beauty of Disney. You’ll be able to return to the park repeatedly and be wow-ed by new and exciting goings-on. Sure, you can ride all your must-see attractions, but Walt Disney World is so much more than that.
4. Scheduling your every moment within the park.
While tempting, overplanning is a silly mistake. Don’t forget that this is a vacation, after all. Going into it knowing that you cannot possibly see everything is helpful because it allows you the freedom to deviate from your carefully orchestrated plan.
5. Joining a line during the peak wait time.
Photo Credit: FellowNeko
The most popular rides in WDW can hit wait times of 4 hours or more during the peak hours. This means that a simple oversight could waste half of your day in the park. This is not a mistake that you can easily recover from. First-timers should know this is easily avoidable by checking the wait times on your My Disney Experience App!
6. Planning your visit during a major holiday.
While any time is a good time for a Disney fan to head to Orlando, Florida…you should try to avoid major holidays unless you are prepared to deal with an even larger crowd. For some people, this isn’t a deterrent, and there are even some perks to visiting on holiday!
We love to visit the park during the Fourth of July events!
7. Thinking you can dress up in costume.
Photo Credit: Inside the Magic via Flickr CC 2.0
For example, the rare opportunity to visit the park in costume is Halloween! There are only a handful of days each year where park guests can dress in full costume. If you are visiting during one of those events, be sure to wear a costume that you are comfortable in and will remain relatively comfortable in throughout the hot, humid Florida day.
8. Underestimating Florida weather.
While discussing the weather, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to ignore the local weather warnings or pack improperly. Be sure to download a minute-to-minute weather app and plan outdoor attractions accordingly. WDW will close outdoor rides if the weather turns sour, so if the app indicates rain in the future, be sure to hit those rides early.
9. Forgetting sunscreen. You’ll need it!
Photo Credit: Antonio Solano
Florida is hot and sunny—there’s no way around it. Failing to pack appropriately is a surefire way to ruin your Disney vacation. This means light-breathable clothing, comfortable shoes (that are already broken in), a comfortable stroller for small kids, an extra pair of dry socks (for water rides), and Minnie Mouse ears that don’t squeeze your head!
Pro-tip: Don’t pack items that will set off the scanners when entering the park. These include laptops, umbrellas, large phone chargers, and tins of mints. This will save you time by bypassing the lengthy bag search line.
10. Forgetting to invest in a Fuel Rod before your trip.
While this seems like a weirdly specific item to purchase, it will save money in the long run. Fuel Rods, third party portable chargers, are free to exchange within the park, and they are the best way to keep your phone battery fully charged for the full day of exciting park attractions. Consider this purchase as crucial as your park ticket.
11. Not checking park hours.
This seems like a no-brainer, but Disney changes the park hours on a daily basis. This means that sometimes the park closes early without much warning. You can mitigate this by being aware of the hours for your trip and investing in a park hopper pass if they happen to be closing early due to a special event during your stay.
It’s also important to check the hours of restaurants and shops you want to visit because many do not have the same hours as the theme park itself.
12. Getting up early every single day.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto
Avoid mental breakdown and exhaustion by picking and choosing which days of your trip you will rope drop (arrive at open) because this will likely result in a full 12-hour day at the park. Especially with small children, this is a lot to manage.
It’s also important to note that if you do happen to score “early entry” into the park, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open to this perk. This means if you don’t have early entry and do “rope drop,” you should head straight to Frontierland or Disney’s Animal Kingdom to beat the lines.
13. Forgetting to research new rides in the park.
Disney is constantly introducing new rides and attractions into its parks, helping ensure that each experience is unique. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is brand spanking new as of June 2024. With rides like this, you must get into the virtual queue on the My Disney Experience App or a lightning lane if you invest in the Genie Plus program.
Following some of our favorite Disney Bloggers, Vloggers, and Influencers is an excellent way to find out about the new park attractions.
14. Failing to research your dining ahead of time.
Photo Credit: Michael Kappel via Flickr CC 2.0
While discussing what to research before your trip, a few things are more important than food! Disney has an incredible array of dining experiences, from walk-up quick service vendors to sit-down Disney dining experiences with all your favorite cast members. So skip the Sunset Ranch Market and research the best meals within Disney that fit your dietary needs. If you are traveling with kids, don’t underestimate the fun of a character meal!
You don’t need to add on a Disney dining plan or stay in a Disney World Resort to take advantage of the incredible eats within the park.
15. Assuming that Disney transportation (and food) runs 24/7.
Because it does not. At some point, most of the shuttles, trams, and monorails within the park, as well as the restaurants from Disney Springs to the Magic Kingdom, will close. Be sure to plan accordingly.
16. Overestimate the importance of rides.
Photo Credit: dorengo5
Especially if you have small children. While tens of thousands of people come to the park every year just for the thrilling amusement park rides, there is so much more to experience within the park, and kids are usually the first to notice this. Even adrenaline-seeking teens often appreciate the immersive environment of the park just as much as the rollercoasters.
17. Not planning around the famous food and wine festivals.
There are actually two different food and wine festivals featured throughout the year at WDW. The Epcot Food and Wine Festival and the WDW Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic. Both offer incredible cuisine and are a great opportunity to experience Disney in a unique and fun way.
18. Trusting too much in other people’s park opinions.
Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS
We kept this list pretty opinion-free. Because the truth is, every parkgoer is going to have their own personal favorite when it comes to rides and attractions. We wouldn’t ever tell you to prioritize Disney’s Hollywood Studios over another section of the park because everyone’s interests differ! The only way to know what you like is to go and see for yourself.
Secure your park reservations and book your stay today!
Check into one of our fun and luxurious vacation rentals just outside the hustle and bustle of the parks in Davenport. From here, you can plan your perfect Walt Disney World getaway and then retire to the lovely solitude of sunny Central Florida to enjoy the remainder of your vacation. Mickey and the whole Disney crew await you!
