Disney ParksTipsUpdates

No Thanks! Disney Advice You Can Take or Leave

When planning your Walt Disney World vacation, you probably have a lot of friends and family who want to provide you with tips and tricks. There are so many blogs, vlogs, and podcasts from Disney experts that figuring out what advice you should and shouldn’t listen to can be overwhelming.

Although we at How to Disney are here to help you plan a great vacation, there are some pieces of advice you can take or leave. Being honest about these tips will help you better navigate if they work for you.

Park Hoppers Are A Must-Have

Guests can purchase a Park Hopper option for their Walt Disney World ticket. This allows them to move between the Disney Parks after 2:00 pm. Although many Guests enjoy this option, it isn’t something you have to get.

Because you can’t hop until after 2:00 pm, you have limited time to enjoy the parks you are hopping to. Double-check the park hours to ensure that hopping will provide enough time. For example, Disney’s Animal Kingdom sometimes closes as early as 7:00 pm, giving you only a few hours to explore.

Another thing to consider is whether your family wants to hop from park to park. If you have little ones, hopping between parks might be time-consuming. You have to gather everything and use Disney transportation, which can sometimes take up to an hour or more to get where you want to go. Look into your plans to determine if the cost of the Park Hopper will work for your family.

Disney All Day Park Hopper
Credit: Brett Kiger, Flickr

Rope Dropping Isn’t for Everyone

At How to Disney, rope dropping is an excellent option for many Guests. When rope dropping at a Disney park, you arrive before the official opening and are ready to head to your first experience as soon as the park opens. This is a great way to get a lot done with shorter waits.

While rope dropping is fantastic, you don’t need to do it daily. It can be extremely exhausting and may become a struggle as your trip continues. Think about which parks are the most important to rope drop for your family, and then allow a slower pace on other days.

Rope dropping isn’t the only way to enjoy the Disney parks. Allow yourself to have some slower days built into your plans as well.

You Don’t Need a Plan for Everything

An overall strategy is essential to a successful Disney trip, but that doesn’t mean you must have every minute planned out. Instead of feeling like you need to have a strict daily plan, list the must-do rides and experiences your travel party wants to prioritize. Think about three to five experiences daily, and consider everything else a bonus.

This approach allows you to enjoy the parks at a more relaxed pace, which increases flexibility and reduces stress.

Avoid the “Must-Do” Mentality

When researching Walt Disney World, you will find that blogs, vlogs, and podcasts all have lists of must-dos regarding rides, shows, dining, and more. While these lists are a great place to start your planning, you don’t have to feel pressured to follow them just because they’re popular.

As you look at must-do attractions at Walt Disney World, think about what is important to your traveling party. Rides such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Avatar Flight of Passage are at the top of many must-do lists. However, if your family isn’t a fan of Star Wars or has issues with motion sickness, these might not be the best choices for them.

Research the rides and ensure they are something your group will enjoy.

Choose Dining Based on Your Preferences

The same goes for dining experiences. Many guests will tell you that you must eat at certain restaurants. Take time to look over the menus to ensure there is something everyone will enjoy before making a reservation.

A grand dining hall with tall arched windows, stone pillars, and medieval decor reminiscent of Disney restaurants. The ceiling displays colorful banners and ornate chandeliers. Tables are set for dining with blue patterned chairs and white tablecloths, creating an elegant and historic ambiance.
Credit: Disney

For example, Cinderella’s Royal Table, located inside the castle, is an unbelievable dining experience. It takes you inside the story and beauty of the castle. However, don’t feel pressured to eat here if you don’t care about princesses or find nothing on the menu appealing.

Walt Disney World has many terrific dining options, so don’t push yourself to book reservations at places that don’t fit your preferences. Instead, focus on what will make your experience magical.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot of advice about Walt Disney World, including here at How to Disney. Determining what direction to focus on when planning your Walt Disney World vacation can be challenging. As you look at all the different blogs, vlogs, podcasts, and websites, make sure that the advice fits your travel party.

Don’t force yourself to follow what everyone else says. Focus on what is essential to your family and use that to guide your plans. That is how you will have a magical time at Walt Disney World.

Jennifer Retzlaff

Jennifer became a lifelong Disney fan during her first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of her life. She quickly started to introduce her love of Disney to her family with a Disney honeymoon and then family trips when her youngest was 18 months old. She loves the magic that Disney brings to people through theme parks, cruises, and adventures. As a teacher, she tries to bring Disney magic into her classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” She is also part of the Magic Vacation Planner team as a personal travel advisor. With this team, she can now help others plan magical vacations. She loves bringing her love to Disney to readers with How to Disney.

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