Once in A Lifetime
For many folks a Walt Disney World Vacation is, at least initially, viewed as a “once in a lifetime” vacation. I get it, it is a very expensive destination. Planning for it can be time consuming and, at times, downright confusing. Life with kids is busy. Sports schedules, work schedules, after school activities, and the School Year itself make fitting in a trip logistically challenging. If it is a larger or multigenerational vacation, accommodating different needs naturally feels overwhelming. For these reasons and many others, a lot of weight is put on making the most of each day. The pressure for things to be “perfect” can build, especially for the planner.
My recommendation?
️ Well, first, work with a Travel Planner. Our services are free to you, and we’ve done this before (many times) both personally and professionally.
Also, don’t view your Walt Disney World Vacation through the lens of a one time thing. Look at your travel party, their interests and needs as they are today. Plan to approach the parks, dining, resort days in a way that fits your family. I truly believe there is something for everyone but everything is not for everyone. And, of course, you absolutely CAN NOT “do it all” in one visit. I haven’t done it all and I have been on Walt Disney World Property 2 to 3 times a year since 2022.
I am not saying this won’t be your only trip to Walt Disney World. It may well be. Have the Magical Trip that is paced and planned just for you. Set honest and achievable expectations. Your kids, partner, parents, friends are who they are. Frame your days around those personalities and park touring styles. Expecting to vacation with a different version of your family isn’t realistic and will lead to disappointment and frustration.
If you try to ride every ride your kids are tall enough for (regardless of theming or thrill factor.) If you stay from Park Open to Close and/or don’t build in a Rest Day, pushing kids who usually go to bed at 7 or 8pm. If you go in expecting to experience every ride, show, and parade, to eat all the viral treats. You will fall short of your goal and people will be weary and grumpy and sore and feel rushed and overscheduled. That type of trip doesn’t bring out the magic.
It is ok for your 40” tall 4 year old to skip Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or the newly refurbished Big Thunder Mountain. The magic for them might be a ride on the Carousel or meeting Goofy in Storybook Circus.
It is ok to skip Fireworks if your 6 year old is overtired, overstimulated and oversugared.
It is ok if your 13 year old doesn’t want to meet a single character but instead has a goal of riding The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as many times as possible.
It is ok to cancel a dining reservation if you need an out of Park break instead, or grab food and skip a stage show because the group is hungry now.
It is ok if your partner doesn’t want to wear matching shirts or set an alarm and rush to Rope Drop every Park Day.
You don’t need to stick to the schedule at the expense of spontaneous joy or evolving group needs. You will be happier and have a better trip overall if you have a plan but plan to pivot.
Ok, what does that mean? Have a plan but plan to pivot?
Before you arrive, familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience App. For each park you plan to visit, have a sense of dining options, Characters you could see, rides you want to prioritize, shows that might interest you, etc.
Look at maps. If a ride or experience is down, have an idea of where you could go instead. If people are suddenly hungry or need a bathroom, the paper map you can get at the front of the park or the one in the app will help you navigate.
If you are a ride motivated group and it is in the budget, plan for purchasing Lightning Lane Multipass and (possibly) Lightning Lane Single passes. Will you be on your phone more? Yes. Personally, I think the shorter wait times are worth it. However, maybe learning the system and being on your phone will increase your stress level in a way you want to avoid. Arriving early and/or staying late, watching wait times and going Standby might be right for you. Either strategy will work depending on your personal style.
If you are vibe people or have shorter or less thrill seeking riders, use the My Disney Experience App to locate Character Meet and Greets and find times for shows and Parades. Lightning Lane services may not be necessary for you in certain parks.
Make a Must Do List. Poll the group, or think about your kids interests if they are too little to weigh in. For each Park day try to prioritize a few things. A show you want to see, a food you want to try, 2-3 rides you want to do.
For example, on our next visit to Hollywood Studios Maggie “must” see Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage and ride Alien Swirling Saucers. Morgan “must” go on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster Starring the Muppets and see First Order Searches for the Resistance (aka “the Kylo Ren Show.”) If we accomplish these things, the day will have been a success in their eyes.
While I never recommend a tight itinerary where every minute is planned for, if you go in with no plan at all you could waste time wandering aimlessly or miss out on must dos that weren’t factored into the day. A little prep ahead of time will pay off when rides are down, or weather happens, or someone gets hungry ahead of when you planned to eat, etc.
Lastly, Social Media and YouTube can be fun for inspiration, exposing you to offerings or highlighting experiences that might interest you. However, don’t let other peoples’ vacation styles or practices influence you so much that you set the bar too high for your First or Only Trip.
And remember, the content creators rarely mention or show the midday meltdowns, the tears over being too short for a ride, the stress of trying to break down a double stroller so you make that late evening bus, sweating in the Florida sunshine holding a place for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, etc. There will be some not so pixie dusted elements of this, and every, vacation. Temper your expectations. Have back up plans in place to address or avoid meltdown moments.
You can have a vacation that is right for you that doesn’t look anything like the ones being advertised to you. Do Disney your way and it will be Magical. And please don’t feel you have to stretch beyond your financial means to achieve a wonderful trip. It is ok if you don’t have the funds for Character Dining, or a Fireworks Dessert Party, or to buy a bubble wand in the Park. There is so much magic included with admission to a Walt Disney World Park.
Need help? Phone an IRL friend; a travel planner or someone you know who has a similar family structure and has been before.
As always, Happy Planning Friend,
Jody