Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World can feel like a full-time job. Trying to determine where to eat, which Theme Park to visit, where to stay and how to get food are all some of the big decisions that have to be made while visiting Walt Disney World.
As you prepare for your magical Walt Disney World vacation, there are some mistakes that you will want to make sure you avoid. We are here to let you know what these mistakes are so you can avoid them on your vacation.
Not Planning Transportation
If you have been to Walt Disney World previously, you probably used Disney’s Magical Express to get from Orlando International Airport and your Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
As of January 1st, 2022, Disney’s Magical Express is no longer provided meaning Guests need to make a plan on what transportation they are going to use to get into the magic.
This might not be a planning step that you typically think about when it comes to a Walt Disney World vacation; however, it is now going to be one that you need to have a plan for as well as a budget for.
There are a few options that Guests can choose from when it comes to transportation to their Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Private transportation, rideshare, and car rental are always an option but will be more expensive options.
Mears, the transportation company that ran Magical Express, will be providing services through Mears Connect. They have two different options that Guests can choose from either a standard or express service.
Sunshine Flyer is another company that will be offering new motor coach transportation starting in February 2022. These motor coaches will be train-themed making it a fun experience for kids. They are also donating 50% of their sales during the first 50 days of service to the Make a Wish Foundation of Central & Northern Florida.
There isn’t a lack of options when it comes to transportation from Orlando International Airport (MCO) and the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Guests will just need to determine which service is the best for them and then budget this additional cost for 2022.
Paying for Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes All the Time
Starting back in October 2021, Walt Disney World started offering Genie+ as well as Individual Attraction Selections for Guests.
By purchasing Genie+ for $15/person/day, Guests are able to bypass the standby lines for over 40 attractions throughout the four Theme Parks.
In each of the four Theme Parks, there are some attractions that aren’t included in Genie+. These Individual Attractions Selections can be purchased al-a-carte with a price ranging from $7 to $15 per ride.
The Individual Attraction Selections typically include Rise of the Resistance, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Avatar Flight of Passage, Space Mountain, Frozen Ever After as well as Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
One of the big mistakes that Guests make is that they think they need to pay for Genie+ each day for all the Parks or that they have to purchase IAS (Individual Attraction Selections).
Although you can choose to purchase Genie+ for the whole length of your trip ahead of time, this might not be needed depending on when you are visiting and what Theme Park you are heading to.
We have seen that at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as at EPCOT, Genie+ might not be as needed at these two Theme Parks. With fewer rides, these two Parks can often be toured without Genie+.
Before spending the additional money upfront, think about your goals for the trip and where you are visiting. You might be able to save the $15 if it is a slower time of year or if you are visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT.
With the Individual Attraction Selections, there are some ways to ride these extremely popular rides without purchasing the IAS for them. Look into those options if you want to save some money.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to purchase these services in order to have a magical time.
Forgetting Extra Time In the Parks
If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, don’t make the mistake of not using the extra time in the Parks.
Each morning, Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel or a Good Neighbor Hotel are allowed into any of the four Theme Parks 30-minutes prior to the listed Park opening time.
This means if Magic Kingdom has a 9 am opening time, Guests that qualify can start riding rides at 8:30 am.
For those that can get up early, this half-hour can be a great way to experience a Theme Park with lower wait times or even experience some of the rides such as Rise of the Resistance that are part of the Individual Attraction Selections.
By taking advantage of this half-hour, it can really put you ahead of the crowd throughout the whole day, saving you time all day long.
Another way to have extra time in the Parks is by staying at a Deluxe Resort. Those staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort such as Disney’s Riviera or Disney’s Wilderness can experience extra time in either EPCOT or Magic Kingdom at night.
On select evenings, Guests can experience an additional two hours at either EPCOT or Magic Kingdom after Park closing.
Once again, if you are able to stay up late, these additional hours are a fantastic way to tour the Parks with less of a crowd and lower wait times.
Don’t make the mistake of not knowing about these additional times in the Parks. Take advantage of them in order to achieve as much as possible with lower wait times.
Not Having A Portable Charger
Our final mistake might seem small, but it can have a big impact on your day at Walt Disney World. Don’t forget the portable chargers.
Disney’s planning app My Disney Experience is an essential part of your Walt Disney World vacation. From being able to order food, see wait times, use Genie+ and so much more, you will need your phone while in the Parks.
The MDE app will drain your battery, so make sure you have a portable charger for everyone with a cell phone. This will prevent you from having a dead phone or from having to purchase a portable charger in the Park.
Being connected to the MDE app is important while touring the Parks so make sure that phones stay charged.
We hope that learning about these mistakes to avoid will help you feel more prepared for your upcoming 2022 Walt Disney World vacation.
