Ten Mistakes First Timers Make at Walt Disney World
- bemfinearts
- Jan 5, 2015
- 3 min read
Planning your first vacation to Walt Disney World can get very overwhelming fast, especially if you’ve never been, or haven’t been in a couple decades. Having a magical time takes quite a bit of pre-planning and preparation. Below are some of the common mistakes I hear from friends, and see people make in the park. I think just about any bad experience can be traced back to one of these mistakes!
10. Wearing new shoes. You won’t believe how much walking you do in Walt Disney World! Wear comfy, broken-in shoes! Exactly what kind of shoe that is will vary person to person. I can’t stand the thought of wearing flip flops to walk around all day, but then I’m sure others gasp at my go-to crocheted oxfords. Just make sure your shoes are broken in and allow your feet to breath.
9. Not prepared for rain. It rains a lot in Florida. Get over that fact now. Rain doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the parks. Many attractions are indoors and therefore unaffected by weather. Don’t head out when the clouds roll in! Chances are, the rain will pass as quickly as it came.
8. Not knowing the characters: Beloved characters play a large role in your Disney experience. Make sure your little ones are familiar with the classic characters like Mary Poppins or Pinnochio. And have the teenagers brush up on the newcomers like Baymax or Merida (Frozen isn’t the only recent movie, after all!)
7. Not allowing enough transport time. Walt Disney World is big. To safe, allow an hour to get from your hotel to the park and 90 minutes to get between hotels. What could possibly take so long, you’re wondering. Well, if using the Disney transport system, most of that time will be spent waiting for a bus/monorail/boat. If you’re driving yourself, don’t forget that you’ll need to pass through the line into the parking lot and then probably wait for/take a tram to the front gate. (Another thing to keep in mind when driving to Magic Kingdom, is that you actually park at Ticket and Transportation Center, you’ll need to take the ferry or monorail to the park itself!)
6. Not having a plan. Don’t waste valuable time arguing over which ride to get on first, or heck, what park to go to each morning! Before your leave on vacation, talk as a family about that attractions are can’t-miss so you have at least a rough idea of what to do each day.
5. Not reading attraction descriptions. Just because little Suzie is tall enough for Space Mountain, doesn’t mean she won’t be scared. Read reviews of the rides online, both from Disney and from other parents, to ensure your kids have a magical time.
4. Not making Fastpass+ selections. If you don’t pre-pick Fastpasses, the concierge can help you at the hotel, or you can utilize the in-park kiosks, but the most popular attractions (aka the attractions you actually need the Fastpasses for) will be full already, leaving you with long waits and pointless fastpasses. Guests staying on-site can make Fastpass+ selections up to 60 days before check-in. Non-resort guests can make selections up to 30 days in advance.
3. Not making Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). Booking your meals ahead of time may seem silly, but the alternative may be a slew of harried meals that you can’t fully enjoy. You can make ADRs up to 180 before your check-in and popular restaurants and meal times fill up quickly.
2. Trying to do too much. There are so many attractions and shows at Walt Disney World that you’ll drive yourself mad trying to cram it all in. Don’t push your family to the brink, instead focus on a handful of must-dos every day and treat anything else as bonuses.
1. Not doing any research. What most of these mistakes really boil down to is just not doing any research about Disney. This includes looking at maps, restaurant menus and reviews, attraction descriptions or weather predictions. These may seem like overkill or paranoia, but being in-the-know will help your family have a magical first experience at Walt Disney World!
While doing some research and planning before your vacation might seem daunting, but it pays off once you're in the parks!
What do you think first-timers need to know before heading out to the parks? Share your ideas and comments below!
This post was written by Robin and reviewed by Brad, the creators of the Everyday Magic Blog.
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