It has been a long time since my first Disney vacation, but I remember well the lessons from the first several trips I planned myself. I also talk frequently to first timers, helping me to identify some common missteps.
1.) Overscheduling yourself/Expecting to do it all
Disney is a costly vacation that encourages advanced planning. The closer you get to your travel dates, the more room types and resorts may no longer be available. Restaurant reservations and Enchanting Extras can be booked 60 days before arrival, and some may be sold out at that time. If you purchase Lightning Lanes for rides, those too are selected prior to arrival. It is easy to have a sense of urgency, a need to do it all, and pack the schedule full before you step foot out the door on departure day.
Instead, consider leaving room for the unexpected. Sometimes it is in those unscheduled moments that we experience the most memorable magic.
I am a planner. I highly encourage you to reserve your lodgings as soon as you know your travel dates. Book some dining and any other experiences you would like at the 60 day mark. Get those Lightning Lines set up. Pre-planning and knowing your options gives you the flexibility to pivot.
For each Park Day plan 3 “must do” rides.
If you have Lightning Lanes those are booked at 7 days out for on-site guests, or 3 days in advance for off-site stays.
If you don’t purchase Lightning Lane Multipass or Lightning Lane Single pass, consider reviewing standby wait times leading up to your trip. This will give you realistic expectations around lines, and best timing for heading to your top 3 attractions.
You will, most likely, get on more than 3 rides. If you have the mindset that after hitting your top 3 the the rest is gravy, you will feel much calmer about long wait times, rides going down, not hitting every ride in a park, etc.
Consider identifying 1 to 2 experiences you would like to accomplish
(parades, shows, scavenger hunts, must do pictures, or enchanting extras)
Many of these experiences will have set times, so you can plan other activities such as rides or meals around them.
Lastly, consider dining. Know your options and where you may like to eat.
I recommend no more than 1 sit down experience a day. Sit down restaurants take time out of your park day (an hour or more.) The benefits include giving your feet a break, getting you out of the day’s weather, and having some space from the stimulation of the crowds. However, it isn’t always a must do.
If you have a few more experiences or rides you really want to fit in, or sit down dining isn’t in the budget, consider quick services and mobile ordering. Review your options in advance so you can pick a menu that appeals the most and/or is geographically closest to you when it is time to eat. Also, remember, at Disney World you can bring in your own food, drinks and snacks if that is what works best for your family.
For non-park days, consider where you will eat and one or two activities.
Look at the resort activities and amenities wherever you are staying. If on-site, many of these are free and drop-in. Some may have an additional charge. If the weather is nice, and you have young kids, the pool may be all you want to accomplish for that day. If you are resort hopping or visiting Disney Springs, factor in an hour for travel time, and try to take it at a leisurely pace. This is a rest day.
2.) Not getting to know the MDE app ahead of time
The My Disney Experience App has a learning curve, of course. I am not very technologically savvy, so I get it. However, if you play around with it ahead of time you will have a much better Park Day experience.
My favorite button is the location icon. SO much information can be found there. This is also where you will book and modify lightning lane selections. It is a really good idea to familiarize yourself with those functions so you can make the most of that paid addition to your park experience.
The app can tell you locations and meeting times for characters; give you walking directions; show you where to find water bottle refill stations, baby care centers, first aid and bathrooms; allow you to view menus and mobile order quick service; give you ride times and closure;, book sit-down dining if available; provides show times for stage performances, parades, nighttime fireworks, and more!
You can, and should, go into your park day with the outline of a plan. This app lets even first time guests adjust plans in real time and navigate the parks more easily.
3.) Not utilizing Mobile order
While you can not mobile order everywhere (looking at you Starbucks) many quick services have this option. I don’t know about your family, but hidden hunger and hanger are real things in mine (and not just for the kids.) If we are waiting in line close to a meal time, or I just know people haven’t eaten in a while, I will pull up my app and put in a mobile order for when I think we may want to eat. I can adjust the window if I miscalculated, but being able to arrive and click “I’m here” and have my food ready and in front of my husband and kids promptly is a game changer.
Mobile order and schedule pick up in advance of being hungry, and consider dining at “off” times for quicker service and more seating availability.
4.) Underestimating how long travel times can be
There are few things on the planet that stress me out more than being late. Disney recommends allowing one hour for travel time. The internal and complimentary transportation at Disney is fun and convenient, but not always the quickest way from point A to point B.
Bus rides, for example, may be 15 or 20 minutes to a park. However, if you just missed the bus you may have to wait 20-30 minutes. Bus load times are not always quick, given the size of the group waiting to board or the need to get people with accessibility equipment secure. Weather can postpone certain means of transportation. There is no transportation directly between the resorts, only from resorts to the Parks and Disney Springs. Then, once you arrive at your destination (except in the case of a Resort visit) you have to wait in line to go through security and might get pulled for a bag check.
All that being said, check your transportation options when making a reservation for dining or some other experience and factor in that hour of travel time.
Hopefully, these insights help you as you head into your vacation and allow you to leave some room for spontaneous magic and fun. Happy Planning!
-Jody