We love planning our vacations to Walt Disney World. But sometimes planning becomes less magical and more stressful. Even as we are making sure we do all the things like making our Park Pass Reservations, following all the Genie+ news, and creating our plan for each day, there are still issues that can come up and impact our trip.
It is our goal to bring these unexpected issues to your attention so that you are aware of them ahead of time. By bringing them to your attention before your trip, we hope that when they show up you will be ready with a plan. In this case, we truly believe that knowledge is power.
Weather
No matter how much we wish for Disney to have a magical bubble that keeps all bad weather away, that just isn’t reality. Storms happen, heat and humidity are real, and even some cold fronts will sneak in there along the way.
Weather can have a huge impact on your Disney vacation if you don’t take the time to prepare for it ahead of time. No matter when you are visiting, make sure you come prepared for the rain. Have ponchos, and umbrellas, and don’t head to a Disney Park without them. By having rain gear, you will be able to continue moving around the Parks without major issues.
Right now, we are seeing how we need to prepare for the heat. Make sure you take lots of sunscreen, individual fans, cooling towels, hats, and water bottles for everyone. Bringing these items can make a big difference when battling the elements.
If you are heading down during the winter months, know that Disney does get cold as well. Making sure you have hats, scarves, mittens, etc. will keep you comfortable and able to enjoy the Parks.
Weather can significantly impact your vacation if you aren’t prepared for it. Make sure you are ready to go by having these essentials packed each day.
Transportation
It is great that Walt Disney World provides free transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort Property. We love that we don’t have to rent a car and that lovely Disney Cast Members will take us to and from our destinations.
Even though free transportation is great, it doesn’t come without some frustrations at times. Don’t let long lines at the transportation stations put you in a bad mood as you start your day. Disney is typically on top of it and will send more buses and make sure everyone gets to the magic quickly.
If you are in a big hurry, know that you choose to hire a ride-share service to get to and from your destinations. This can sometimes save you time but might cost more depending on surge pricing so keep that in mind.
Don’t let transportation be an issue during your vacation by planning plenty of time to get around, so you aren’t stressed. Free transportation is fantastic if you know how to use it correctly.
Rides Shut Down
It can be extremely disappointing when a ride goes down during your Walt Disney World vacation. Disney does a great job of keeping rides up and running; however, sometimes maintenance is needed. Weather also impacts rides throughout the day as well. If it is lightning out or nearby, for everyone’s safety, the outdoor rides will be closed.
If this happens during your vacation, try not to let it have a major impact on your trip. Look for other experiences that you can have instead.
When a ride goes down that you have been waiting for, talk to a Cast Member to see your options for getting to ride in the future. Remember, it isn’t their fault it broke down, so be kind. Always use the app to stay up-to-date on what rides are up and which aren’t. This can help save you steps and frustration as well.
Finding Food
A big part of a Disney vacation is finding delicious food to enjoy. No one wants to experience a hangry family during the day. Make sure to avoid this by planning ahead.
Making dining reservations ahead of time (60 days ahead of time) is key to getting extremely popular dining reservations. Don’t panic though if you forgot.
Now located in the My Disney Experience app, Guests can see what restaurants have walk-up options that will allow them to snag a last-minute experience both in the Disney Parks and at the Disney Resorts.
Many of the amazing lounges, such as Nomad Lounge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, also offer a walk-up list which are great alternatives to popular restaurants.
Another issue that you might come across when it relates to dining in Walt Disney World is mobile order issues.
Although we love mobile ordering, there sometimes can be issues with the system. Try to plan to place mobile orders for prime eating time. You can place orders anytime throughout the day, so we highly recommend doing so before everyone is hungry.
Don’t let mobile ordering or a lack of dining reservations impact your Walt Disney World vacation. Instead, have a plan ahead of time or be willing to adjust your plans if needed.
Unexpected things happen during a Walt Disney World vacation no matter how much we plan ahead of time. If and when you come across these issues, don’t let them ruin your whole day. There is still tons of magic to experience and lots of fun to have all around.
