You’re planning a vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth. You’ve carefully chosen matching family t-shirts, broken in your sneakers, and scheduled your resort grocery delivery. You’ve studied the ins and outs of Genie+, strategized your Early Entry, and made your dining reservations.
Disney trips require a great deal of planning, even for travel agents who take their own families. There is so much to get excited about when it comes to a visit to Walt Disney World, but it’s also very easy to ruin your own vacation.
Avoid these pitfalls so you don’t ruin your Walt Disney World vacation:
Pitfall #1 – Overdoing It
Anyone who has walked the parks mid-to-late afternoon has seen at least a couple screaming, weeping children, usually being pulled along by the hand by a frazzled adult. It’s easy to overdo it at Disney. With early mornings, late nights, and a general veering from the typical routine, children (and some adults) often hit a breaking point. Throw in some hot sun, 20,000+ steps per day, and overstimulation, and you’re crafting a recipe for disaster. Take a break, take a nap, take a dip in the pool, or take a shower.
Pitfall #2 – Choosing the Wrong Resort
Walt Disney World touts fantastic resorts with beautiful grounds, larger-than-life decor, and thoughtful room amenities. The variety of restaurants, transportation options, theming and nightly rates run the gamut. There is an on-site resort for everyone, but without the aid of a professional, it’s easy to make a misstep when it comes to a room reservation. Not all resorts are created equally, and what works for you on this trip might not be a good fit for you on the next. It goes beyond just budget and theme, and when I conduct consultations with WDW clients, I ask the questions that help us determine your best options.
Pitfall #3 – Not Preparing for Genie+, Early Entry, and Deluxe Resort Extended Hours
Even under the care of a travel professional, families who truly want to maximize their perks and time at Walt Disney World must do some homework. Without a good understanding of how best to use Genie+, Early Entry, and Deluxe Resort Extended Hours (Epcot and Magic Kingdom), you’ll lose precious time in the parks. Walt Disney World itinerary planning is complicated, and it’s truly necessary to dedicate time to learning how to use the tools available for doing so.
Pitfall #4 – Expecting to “Do It All”
Even with what would be considered a longer Walt Disney World stay, you’ll need to prioritize attractions, shows, and activities. The parks are large, you need to plan for dining and relaxation time, and depending on time of year, lines can grow quite long quite early. Sit down with your fellow travelers and map out the must-dos of each park, including parades, fireworks, character meet-and-greets, nighttime shows, and table service dining (which will require more of a time commitment than quick service.)
Pitfall #5 – Forgetting to Take Care of Your Body
For much of the year, the Disney Parks are a sunny and hot destination. Forgetting to apply and reapply sunscreen, leaving sun protection like hats and sunglasses behind, and not hydrating can all cause discomfort that can negatively affect your vacation time.
Proper (broken-in!) footwear is also key to a comfortable day of walking from attraction to attraction. Packing at least one change of shoes to give your tired feet a different sensation (or as an alternate pair during rainy season) is very helpful. Don’t forget to tuck some moleskin into your first aid / medicine bag to care for blisters. Pack extra pairs of good socks, too!
Last, pack appropriate clothing for the time of year you’re visiting Walt Disney World. Think comfortable, cool fabrics and extra undergarments. Make sure you have layers for early mornings and later nights. For cooler seasons, you might need to pack heavier coats and even gloves or hats. Throw an anti-chafing stick or cream in your bag too. (Trust me on this one.)
How do you think people ruin their own Disney vacations? Have you learned any tips for your family along the way? Come chat with me over on Facebook!
Travel by Stephanie 
Leave a comment