The “Don’ts” of Disney World: Trip Tips for Your First Visit
Greetings from Florida! Most travel blogs tell you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do. There are so many great things to do when you go to Disney, whether it’s riding the Teacups, visiting Frontierland, or checking out some of the on-property Disney resorts. However, there are some “don’ts” to keep in mind during your Disney World vacation that will help you have a better time.
Disney World Trip Don’t #1: Don’t Go to Disney Without Planning Ahead
There are so many things to think about when planning a Disney vacation. Between all of the parks, and reservations, restaurants, fireworks and special events, you can’t just show up and wing it. It’s overwhelming. Trying to fly by the seat of your pants will inevitably mean you end up missing something crucial, so carve out some time before your trip to do a bit of research and planning.
Disney World Trip Don’t #2: Don’t Forget to Make Reservations Way in Advance
Disney World is popular year-round; there is hardly an “off-season” at Disney any more. If you have specific restaurants you want to visit, or character meals you want to attend, make sure you’re getting those reserved way ahead of time. The most popular princesses can book up six months in advance. This also applies to any sit-down meals you’d like to have for lunch or dinner, because it’s so crowded, it can be hard to get a table. Resorts also book up way in advance, including both Disney properties and off-Disney properties.
Disney World Trip Don’t #3: Don’t Be Afraid to Stay On Property at Disney
Disney resorts and hotels are pretty amazing and sometimes a destination of their own. There are lots of little perks you get by staying at a Disney resort, like early admission to some of the parks. Shuttles will take you to the parks and pick you up, so you don’t have to worry about driving and parking. Staying at a Disney resort also means you can book your Fast-Passes earlier, plus lots of other perks. You don’t have to stay on property for your entire Orlando vacation; it might make sense to break up the trip and stay elsewhere for part of the week.
Disney World Trip Don’t #4: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Planning a Disney vacation and even just figuring out all the Disney lingo can be overwhelming. If it’s your first time to Disney, you might not even know what a Fast Pass is! Disney has amazing customer service, so don’t be afraid to use them for help. They are trained to go above and beyond to make your experience exceptional, so take advantage of that and get some insider tips and recommendations straight from the source.
Disney World Trip Don’t #5: Don’t Expect Disney Service Everywhere in Orlando
While Disney customer service is exceptional, that does not apply outside of Disney in other areas of Orlando.
Watch: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Orlando, Florida
Disney World Trip Don’t #6: Don’t Forget to Get a Fast Pass
A Disney Fast-Pass allows you to skip the line on a set number of rides at Disney World. With the Fast-Pass, you reserve a spot in line for the rides you want, and then you get a 15-minute window to arrive for the ride. These can save you a ton of time that you would otherwise spend waiting in lines for popular rides at Disney World. If you’re staying at a Disney property, you can reserve your time slots up to 60 days in advance; otherwise you can book your Fast-Pass times 30 days in advance.
Disney World Trip Don’t #7: Don’t Think Fast Pass Guarantees Every Ride
Fast Pass spots are limited; so you can’t get on every ride any time of day. This is why it’s important to plan ahead; so you don’t waste your Fast Pass time slots on less popular rides. You want to be really strategic with the rides and the times you choose.
Disney World Trip Don’t #8: Don’t Use Your Fast Pass in the Morning
Disney World gets more crowded as the day goes on, and many of the rides don’t have long lines in the morning. Save your Fast-Pass time slots for the busier time of day.
Disney World Trip Don’t #9: Don’t Sleep In
Yes, it’s tempting to relax and sleep in. You’re on vacation after all! But waking up early means you can get to Disney World before everyone else, because they didn’t read this post and decided to sleep in! If you’re one of the first ones in the park, you might ride a few rides before the lines even start to build.
Disney World Trip Don’t #10: Don’t Miss Your Fast Pass Window
You will get a window to be at the ride you’ve reserved with your Fast-Pass. If you miss that window, you’re out of luck. Not only will you have to wait in line, but you’ll have wasted the benefit of having a Fast-Pass.
Disney World Trip Don’t #11: Don’t Be Anti-Technology at Disney World
Disney has a ton of technology to help make your visit fantastic. There are apps and Magic Bands, all of which make your Disney visit easier. You can mobile order food and skip the line at the food counter. The technology at Disney can save you so much time, so don’t be afraid to use it!
Disney World Trip Don’t #12: Don’t Forget Sunblock and Hydration
Florida sun and heat are intense; don’t forget to bring sunblock and don’t forget to stay hydrated. Make sure you reapply the sunblock as needed throughout the day, too. Just because you’re not at the beach doesn’t mean you can’t get a sunburn! There are water fountains all over and you can get free ice water, so make sure to drink lots of water.
Disney World Trip Don’t #13: Don’t Forget a Rain Poncho
Afternoon rainstorms are super common in Orlando, so be prepared for a quick downpour. A cheap drugstore rain poncho will do the trick, and make sure you have someplace dry to put your cameras and phones when it rains.
Watch: Tips for Visiting Florida
Disney World Trip Don’t #14: Don’t Forget Good Walking Shoes
A day at Disney means lots of walking, up to several miles each day, plus standing in lines for quite a while. It’s important for the whole family to have good walking shoes for Disney. If you have good walking shoes but your kids don’t, then they’ll be miserable and so will you. (You can rent strollers and scooters at Disney if needed.)
Disney World Trip Don’t #15: Don’t Think Disney is Just for Kids
Disney isn’t just for kids and families. You’ll see a lot of adults there, whether it’s honeymooners or spring breakers, not just families with children. There are lots of fun things for adults to experience at Disney, so don’t wait until you have kids to check it out!
Disney World Trip Don’t #16: Don’t Buy All the Souvenirs at Disney
You’re going to see a lot of cool stuff at the Disney souvenir shops, but don’t feel like you have to buy them all. You can find most of them online or outside the parks, often for a lower price. However, if you do buy something at the park, you don’t have to lug it around all day. Disney will ship it to you, or if you’re staying on property, they will deliver it to your hotel for you.
Disney World Trip Don’t #17: Don’t Get Overwhelmed by All the Merchandise
Everywhere you go, there will be exciting things to buy at Disney World. From Moana to Elsa to Star Wars, there’s always going to be something to buy. Try not to get overwhelmed and blow your budget at the first gift shop.
Disney World Trip Don’t #18: Don’t Try to Do All the Parks
There are so many parks in and around Orlando, it’s impossible to see them all. Some of the parks are so big, you might even need multiple days to experience just one park. It can be so easy to burn out trying to see everything, especially for your kids. This is why it’s important to plan and prioritize ahead of time. Chances are, you’ll have another opportunity to visit Orlando and see some things you missed the first time.
Disney World Trip Don’t #19: Don’t Forget to Plan Some Down Time
Don’t forget to plan some down time, or nap time, if you have little ones. You might think you’ll spend 12 hours at the park, but that’s a lot for anyone, especially day after day. (Don’t forget to bring a stroller, even for kids who’ve outgrown the stroller as they will get tired of walking) Planning a mid-day break is a great idea; maybe you go back to your hotel for lunch, swimming or a nap, before heading back to the park in the afternoon. Eating lunches at your hotel can also be a great way to save money.
Disney World Trip Don’t #20: Don’t Expect Disney to Be Cheap
It’s not just the tickets at Disney that are expensive. The food and the hotels and everything else adds up quickly to an expensive vacation. If you know this going in, just be ready for it, and go with the flow, not letting it ruin your trip. Constantly fretting about how much everything costs can really take away from your experience. Once you accept the fact that you’re just going to spend a lot of money, you can relax and enjoy it all. (Doing your research and planning can also help you budget better so this isn’t an issue)
Disney World Trip Don’t #21: Don’t Expect to Find Many Discounts
It’s always a good idea to try and save some money on your Disney vacation, but don’t expect to find too many deals or discounts on Disney attractions. So, it’s a good idea to take advantage of any little perks you find, like the hotel shuttles.
Disney World Trip Don’t #22: Don’t Forget the Busiest Times of the Year
Disney World is always busy, but it’s crazy busy anytime kids are not in school. From Christmas to New Years, then Spring Break and Summer Break are all super busy times to visit Disney World. If you can come any other time, you’ll have shorter lines and better opportunities to enjoy the park with fewer crowds.
Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Disney World is a fantastic experience and I’ve enjoyed every visit, from when I was a kid to now bringing my own kids. If you’ve been to Disney World, feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below!
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