After saving and planning for an epic Walt Disney World vacation, you don’t want to let some fundamental mistakes ruin your trip. We have some of the biggest mistakes that Guests make during their Walt Disney World vacation, and we are sharing them with you, so you don’t make them as well.
Thinking Your Kids Don’t Need a Stroller
We know many kids have outgrown strollers back at home around that five or six-year-old mark, if not earlier. You no longer take it to the local zoo or use it around the neighborhood. Even if that is the case for your little one, don’t make the mistake of assuming they will be able to walk the whole time at the Walt Disney World Resort.
At Walt Disney World, Guests typically walk anywhere from 8 to 12 miles daily. Little ones aren’t trained for that much walking. If you think your four-year-old will be able to walk the whole time, you might be spending a lot of time carrying them.
We highly recommend bringing your stroller or renting a stroller when you arrive at Walt Disney World. You will appreciate having one at the end of the night when your little one is tired and worn down.
Bringing the Wrong Shoes
As we mentioned, you do a lot of walking at Walt Disney World. Don’t make the fundamental mistake of packing the wrong shoes for the trip. You will wear good walking shoes for the duration of the vacation.
Choose shoes that are comfortable and broken in. Don’t bring new shoes for the trip as you might have a lot of blisters and miserable feet. We also suggest having more than one pair of shoes for everyone. If you get stuck in a rainstorm and your boots get soaked, you will be happy to have a dry pair of shoes to change into.
Good, comfortable shoes are essential to a successful Walt Disney World trip.
Not Preparing for Weather
We know Flordia is the sunshine state; however, it also gets a lot of other weather. Don’t make the mistake of showing up without weather-related items. This goes for both the heat, humidity and rain.
When traveling during the hot summer months, ensure you take items to deal with the heat and humidity. This means bringing water bottles, fans, and cooling towels. These are important and helpful to keep your body cool during the day’s heat.
No matter when you go, make sure you bring items to battle rainstorms. Individual ponchos, rain jackets, and umbrellas are helpful to have tossed into your bag daily.
Don’t show up thinking that you will have perfect weather. Prepare for those harsher weather conditions so you can keep enjoying the magic.
Pack Snacks
Many Guests aren’t aware that Walt Disney World allows Guests to bring snacks and drinks into the Disney Parks. This differs from what many are used to at local amusement parks and ballparks.
Make sure you bring along some snacks to not only save some money but also prevent meltdowns. It is nice to have a granola bar, gummies, or goldfish ready to go when someone is super hungry and you aren’t willing to eat yet.
We love all the Disney snacks. Even popcorn seems to taste better at Disney, but we also like the ability to bring our snacks to help supplement the Disney snacks throughout the trip.
Not Planning
A fundamental mistake that you want to make sure you avoid is not planning. A vacation to Walt Disney World isn’t easy. There is a lot to learn and a lot of choices to make. Although we try to help here at How to Disney, some people still show up at Walt Disney World and want to go with the flow.
This isn’t something we recommend. We know many don’t want or need an hour-by-hour plan, but we think you need an overall strategy. What rides, shows, and experiences are essential for your day? What is the goal for food each day? Knowing this information can help set up the day for success.
If you show up without a plan, you might find yourself frustrated and standing in many lines.
Planning too Much
On the other hand, don’t make the mistake of planning too much for your day in a Disney Park. With such a tight plan, you don’t leave any room for random experiences that can bring so much magic. Again, have a general idea of what you want to do each day, and then allow for some flexibility within the day.
Flexibility can allow magic to show up unexpectedly throughout the day.
Doing Too Much
One fundamental mistake that many Disney Guests make during their Walt Disney World vacation is doing too much. Be realistic that you won’t be able to see and do everything, no matter how long your vacation is. It is essential to set your expectations accordingly, so you don’t get worn down.
Disney tired is a real thing. Most of us aren’t used to walking so much in the heat. Because of this, we get worn down quickly at Walt Disney World. Plan and schedule breaks. Take time for naps (even for adults). Enjoy the pool. Visit a nearby Disney Resort.
Scheduling breaks can save a Disney vacation. It allows everyone to relax, rest, and enjoy more of the Disney magic.
Those are some fundamental mistakes that can significantly impact a Disney vacation. Make sure that you avoid these mistakes during your Walt Disney World vacation.
