I’ve been to the Disney parks over 50 occasions, so I’ve really executed all of it.
I’m additionally a journey planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels who focuses on Disney locations, so a giant a part of my job is making suggestions about the right way to plan an epic journey. I additionally give my shoppers a number of recommendation on what not to do.
Here are a number of the greatest errors individuals make at Disney World.
Visiting throughout college breaks
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If you’ve got any flexibility, keep away from scheduling your Disney trip throughout main college breaks within the US.
Holiday weekends, spring break, and winter holidays will nearly all the time carry the most important crowds to the theme parks.
Disney would not actually have many low seasons anymore, however avoiding these extremely standard occasions gives you extra freedom to discover the parks with fewer crowds and decrease ticket costs.
Spending all day, each day on the parks
Kari Becker
The theme parks are a giant a part of the Disney expertise, and I like spending time at them. However, there’s a lot extra to do within the space.
For one, I like to recommend taking a time off to lounge by your resort’s pool, resort hop, store at Disney Springs, and even play a spherical of mini-golf.
When we go to the parks, my household additionally often takes a noon break to relaxation and chill out. It is meant to be a trip, in any case.
Skipping Disney Springs
Kari Becker
Speaking of simply how a lot there may be to do at Disney past the parks, it’s essential to take a look at its purchasing, eating, and leisure complicated Disney Springs. It’s free to discover.
Pick up some souvenirs on the huge World of Disney store, take a look at the a whole bunch of units and superb shows on the Lego retailer, or simply take pleasure in some snacks when you bask within the Florida solar.
If you get actually hungry, head over to seize a scrumptious lunch at one among my favourite eateries, like Homecomin’ or Frontera Cocina.
Arriving late to the parks
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My No. 1 tip for visiting theme parks of any sort is to reach early.
You’ll get an enormous bounce in your day if you happen to get to the parks as quickly as they open, or simply earlier than. Crowd ranges are usually a lot decrease right now, which means you may expertise many points of interest early within the day.
By noon, the crowds often considerably improve.
Cutting your journey too brief
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As with most theme parks, the longer you keep, the decrease your each day ticket and lodging prices are more likely to be with bundles.
If you are already paying to journey to Disney, do your self a favor and keep just a few additional days.
After all, the most important criticism I get from shoppers is that they did not keep lengthy sufficient. In my opinion, every week is the perfect period of time to actually expertise Disney World.
Overplanning a lot that you just miss out on particular experiences
Kari Becker
Some group and prep are required for the perfect Disney World journey, however you should not overplan.
You needn’t schedule each second of your day or have each element organized. Make a common define of your each day agenda — with eating reservations and a listing of must-do rides and points of interest — however go away room for spontaneous enjoyable.
If you are on too tight a schedule, you may miss all the good things, like distinctive character interactions.
Park hopping with younger youngsters
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The park-hopping ticket possibility means that you can go to multiple park per day for lower than it’d price to purchase every ticket individually.
However, until you are staying for under a really brief time and need to see as a lot as attainable, there are few causes to park hop with small youngsters.
It can simply change into an pointless added expense that you just in all probability will not make one of the best use of if you happen to’re pausing for afternoon naps or breaks.
However, teams with older youngsters or solely adults could take pleasure in and totally make the most of the pliability that park hopping provides.
Sitting down for 3 full meals on the park
Kari Becker
If you need to dine at table-service eating places, it is best to make reservations upfront. However, consuming three sit-down meals a day at Disney World will take up approach an excessive amount of of your time.
Many table-service experiences can take 90 minutes to 2 hours from begin to end, so that you would not be left with a lot time to expertise the remainder of the parks.
One table-service reservation a day is often an ideal respite from the hustle and bustle with out overcrowding your schedule.
Not asking whether or not your favourite points of interest provide rider swap
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Rider swap, or rider swap, is a good service when touring with younger youngsters who aren’t tall sufficient for or do not need to trip sure points of interest.
It permits one dad or mum or guardian to attend with the kid whereas the remainder of the get together rides. Once the primary group returns, the ready grownup can go on the attraction with out having to get behind the road.
However, not sufficient individuals learn about it, they usually can find yourself losing time in traces.
Just get within the behavior of asking the park worker on the entrance of the trip whether or not it is obtainable for a selected attraction.
Not staying on Disney property
Kari Becker
Staying off the property can prevent cash, and I’ve executed so many occasions on Disney journeys. However, if you happen to’ve by no means stayed at a Disney resort, you are lacking out.
These stays can include sensible advantages, together with complimentary transportation to and from the parks. The greatest perk, although, is the entry to additional Disney magic.
These resorts usually have extremely immersive themes and particular touches that ought to be skilled not less than as soon as. Though there are some extravagant Disney resorts, there are additionally worth ones that are usually extra budget-friendly.
This story was initially revealed on November 9, 2021, and most just lately up to date on January 27, 2026.