Cyndal BenulloLiving just outside Walt Disney World my entire life, I’ve made my fair share of “rookie” mistakes. The good news is I’m here to help you avoid those mistakes! Whether this is your first time vacationing at Disney World or you’re just looking for tips to help make your next vacation easier, this one’s for you. Here are eight things that pros never do in Walt Disney World!
Buy Water Bottles
It’s no secret that Disney prices are inflated — it’s just something that comes with the territory when booking a Disney vacation. However, why spend extra money on something as simple as water when you don’t have to? After all, we all know Disney isn’t cheap.
Orlando is hot most months of the year. If you aren’t from the area (and even if you are, honestly), you will likely be dehydrated at least once during your trip. Water will be your friend. What isn’t friendly is the $5+ per bottle of water Disney charges in the parks. For a family of four, if you buy three water bottles per person daily, that’s $60 per day in just water! And trust me, you’ll need more than that.
If you are driving to Disney World, stop at the store and buy cases of water to store in your hotel room and grab a bottle on your way out to the parks every morning. For those without access to a car, you can have delivery services such as Instacart or Walmart Delivery deliver groceries right to your resort! There are also refillable water fountain stations around the theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs, so you can bring refillable water bottles if you choose. Throughout a week’s vacation, this will save you hundreds of dollars.
Take On-Ride Flash Photography
While many of the rides at Disney are one-of-a-kind, and you want to soak it all in, avoid using flash photography on rides and attractions.
Not only is this very distracting to other guests trying to enjoy themselves, but it can also ruin and take away from the experience of the animatronics, the songs, and the overall vibe of the ride! You don’t want to miss out on hidden details because you are too busy on your phone.
Additionally, there is always a risk of dropping and losing your phone on some of the more fast-paced rides. For starters, you know all those times you are in line, and a ride is temporarily delayed, delaying your wait time, and you aren’t thrilled? More often than not, it’s loose items that have fallen on the ride track. Don’t be “that guy!” Secondly, you won’t get your phone back immediately, if you manage to get it back at all.
The overall takeaway is to sit back, relax (or hold on tight), and enjoy the ride!
Dress for Style, Not Comfort
Disney is not the place you want to dress to the nines. When walking over ten miles a day and dealing with unpredictable weather conditions, you need to ensure you are comfortable.
While that Instagram picture of you in high heels and a fancy dress might be appealing, my bet is that you’ll regret your outfit choice soon after you arrive. If you are heading to Orlando during the winter months, dress in layers. It can be cold in the mornings and evenings but heat up quickly during the day. During the summer months, well, hot is an understatement.
I want to be as comfortable as possible when I’m at the parks, and that includes shoes! Invest in comfortable tennis shoes if you aren’t used to walking a lot. You don’t want to be miserable by day three of a seven-day vacation!
Be Rude to Cast Members
Cast Members are the backbone of Walt Disney World. Whether it is custodial staff, ride attendants, servers, or anyone in between, cast members love what they do.
Unfortunately, even though it may be the most magical place on earth, things can go wrong at Disney just like they can anywhere else. And, more often than not, it’s out of the cast members’ control!
Cast members can’t control if a ride is down due to weather or mechanical issues, if a show is canceled for unforeseen circumstances, how expensive Disney is, or if the park is “too crowded,” just to name a few. Being polite to the cast members will likely get you further than being rude, so let’s all just be kind!
Forget to Pack Park Essentials
If you’ve never been to Disney World, you may not know what to pack or pack the wrong items! Don’t worry, we’re here to help.
My top five packing essentials are:
- Sunscreen – Florida sun is no joke!
- Rain Jacket – if you are here April through September, it will rain at some point
- Chapstick – trust me, especially in the winter
- Hand Sanitizer – goodbye germs!
- Portable Charger – you need your photos; they’re memories!
You can see more packing essentials in our posts here:
Unlike theme parks such as Universal Orlando or Seaworld, guests can bring backpacks along on rides. So bring your backpack or fanny pack to the parks, and don’t worry about forgetting anything!
Follow the Crowds
If you see a crowd heading in one direction, head the other way. Unless you have your heart set on rope dropping a specific ride, chances are you’ll be able to find that ride at a lower wait time throughout the day.
We know that Disney World has lines, but there are ways to make those lines manageable for your party, so why not take advantage of them? For example, at EPCOT, when the park opens, the Spaceship Earth line can get long because it is the first ride guests see. Instead, hit Spaceship Earth on the way out — 90% of the time, the line will be shorter.
Additionally, if you don’t have a mobile order and want to place an in-person order at a quick service restaurant, the order kiosks have two sides. Most guests will line up on one side, and everyone will follow. Instead, head to the opposite side for quicker service!
Overschedule
On paper, it sounds great to have a full day planned out. You’ll ride this ride at this time, eat lunch within a specific window, and go to the bathroom at a set time…you get the idea.
In reality, this likely isn’t going to happen. Disney is crowded, kids have meltdowns, lines can be long, and plans can and will change! The best way to tackle Disney is to have a select few “must-do’s” at each park. Sit down with your family and choose a few rides, shows, or dining experiences that you must do, and anything else during the trip is extra!
Check out our must-do lists for all four parks below:
By not setting a schedule, you’ll avoid stress and disappointment if you miss something on the list and a sense of accomplishment when you complete all the must-do’s with time to spare!
Eat at Bad Restaurants
If there is one thing I highly suggest researching beforehand, it’s Disney dining. There are hundreds of dining options between snacks, quick service dining, and table service dining. If you are paying Disney prices for your meals, you want to get the most out of them!
Every family is different, but there are so many more options available to guests than just standard theme park chicken tenders, burgers, and hot dogs. In fact, these are some of the worst options Disney World provides.
The Disney website and the My Disney Experience app offer full menus and prices for every restaurant at Walt Disney World. Plus, many vacationers don’t know you can still dine at and visit resorts you aren’t staying at! Resorts have some of the best restaurants throughout Walt Disney World, so don’t overlook these spots.
You’ll never catch me eating at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom when I can take a few more steps to Columbia Harbor House or take a break from the park and head over to Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for a quick bite.
Comments
What are some other things you should never do in Disney World? Let us know in the comments if your biggest no-no made our list!
