I’d be pretty confident in assuming that at some point in your life, others have offered you welcomed – or unwelcomed – advice upon learning you are planning a Disney World vacation. But is that advice actually good advice? For instance, it’d be unfortunate to show up thinking Disney still offered free FastPass because that’s what you heard, only to find out it’s been replaced by Lightning Lane passes which aren’t cheap. 

Disney World is constantly changing, strategies are evolving, and with so much ground to cover, it’s hard to decipher what’s logical and what’s just bad advice. Are you getting the worst Disney World advice possible from your coworkers or neighbors? Follow along as we debunk this bad advice.

Worst Disney World Advice (And What to Do Instead!)

I’ve been lucky enough to grow up in Walt Disney World’s backyard and have spent over 30 years visiting the parks – including hundreds of resort stays and park days. And I’ve also heard plenty of tips and tricks that simply just aren’t true. Here’s the worst Disney World advice that you should definitely ignore and some better options of what to do instead.

You Have to Rope Drop Every Day

Rope dropping – or arriving at the parks before official park opening to get a jump start on rides – is a great strategy to ensure low wait times on some of the most popular attractions in the parks. However, if early mornings aren’t your thing or the exhaustion has set in by day 4, there are other ways to still have a successful trip. 

Enjoying a slow morning, heading to the parks midday, and staying until park close can be just as efficient and have equally low wait times. In fact, this is an even better strategy for those staying at a Deluxe Resort with Extra Evening Hours! 

Disney World is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Arrive at the parks when you want, leave whenever you see fit, and seeing Cinderella Castle for the first time still will be just as magical. 

Wait Until Your Kids Are Older

Waiting until the kids are older to take a Disney World vacation has its pros and cons, but I will die on the hill that you should NOT wait! 

Yes, they might not remember it. And yes, there will be more family ride options if you wait a bit. However, Disney hits differently for littles seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time. And you will remember their first trip, their first rides, and their first Mickey ice cream bars. Young children still believe in the magic of the characters, and there are more baby- and toddler-friendly attractions than one might think. 

Plus, perhaps the best perk of all: kids under 3 get free admission. 

Avoid EPCOT With Young Children

EPCOT has a reputation for being an “adults park”. And while I’ve had some of my best adult trip memories at EPCOT, some of our children’s best memories lie within EPCOT as well. 

The drinking around the world trend will always be EPCOT’s most popular draw, yet why is no one talking about snacking around the world?! The World Showcase is full of savory and sweet snack options, and I’ve never met a kid who will say no to ice cream, cake, cookies, and more. 

Outside the World Showcase, EPCOT is home to unique characters, an aquarium, educational opportunities, awesome indoor and outdoor playgrounds, and a handful of rides with no height requirements.

Animal Kingdom is Only a Half-Day Park

Animal Kingdom is currently undergoing major changes, with an entirely new land, attractions, dining, and experiences opening in 2027 and beyond. Thus, one could argue that the number of attractions doesn’t justify spending your money or time on a full day here.

Yet, if you are a fan of animals and nature, I’d disagree. You’ll likely need a full day at the park compared to someone who is primarily interested in only rides and attractions. There are several walking trails that let you get up close to a variety of animals, including elephants, tigers, and gorillas. Plus, you don’t want to miss the stage show offerings, including The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! Not to mention, there are some great dining, snack, and drink options here too.

Lightning Lanes Are a Necessity 

Lightning Lane passes are a great tool to skip the lines if that’s important to you, though they are far from necessary. In fact, sometimes they can even throw a wrench in your plans! 

Not only do they cost roughly $30 per person per day, which amounts to over $100 extra per day for a family of four, but having set times dictating where you have to be and when can sometimes cause unnecessary stress. Think racing from one end of the park to the next or skipping your child’s nap time for the sake of bypassing the line at your next attraction.

With effective strategies such as rope dropping, staying till park close, traveling outside of peak season, and hitting the right parks on the right days, Lightning Lane passes become more of a bonus than a must. If you have the funds, grab the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, or even Premier Pass for convenience. But if you’re traveling on a budget, spend the money elsewhere. 

Buy the Disney Dining Plan to Save Money

Disney runs promotions all the time, including free or discounted Disney Dining Plans. In those cases, the dining plans are absolutely worth it! However, if your party isn’t full of foodies, it’s probably beneficial to just pay for your dining outright. 

It takes a lot of eating, on top of choosing some of the most expensive restaurants and menu options, to break even on the Disney Dining Plan, nevermind actually save money with one. With kids’ meal portion sizes large enough to satisfy many adults and the time taken out of your day to spend an hour-plus at table-service dining, there are more economical and strategic ways to dine at Disney World. 

Although, if you prefer the convenience of having everything paid for before your arrival, the Disney Dining Plan might be the way to go.

Staying Off-Property is Always Cheaper

Time is money at Disney World. These trips aren’t cheap; so, of course, you want to make the most of it. At first glance, staying outside of Walt Disney World property can look like the cheaper option – and maybe sometimes it is. Though, depending on your priorities, cheaper isn’t always “better”.

Even if the actual price is cheaper (which may or may not be the case), you still have to factor in daily transportation to get to the parks, such as ride share or parking fees, and the potential resort fees that Disney resorts don’t have. Plus, the extra time required to get to and from the parks actually eats away at your time in them and all that money you spent on tickets.

Alternatively, if you’re traveling with large parties, staying off-property can be significantly more economical if you rent a condo or vacation house and split costs.

You Can See and Do Everything

Disney World spans over 40 square miles, close to the equivalent size of San Francisco! After spending thousands of hours in Disney World, there are still things I haven’t done, restaurants I haven’t dined at, and hidden gems I have yet to discover. 

That said, there’s no way everything can be done in even a two-week-long trip. It’s important to do some research, prioritize what’s important to you and your family, and make the most of your time throughout the resort. Setting proper expectations ahead of time is a recipe for success rather than a vacation of disappointment. 

Disney Springs is a Waste of Time

Days spent outside the parks are not only crucial for resting and resetting but also allow guests to explore other parts of Disney World beyond the four theme parks. Disney Springs is a great spot to do this! 

“Disney Springs is just an outdoor mall” is a common piece of Disney advice, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s true Disney Springs has many different shopping options, but there are also world-class restaurants run by award-winning chefs, game playgrounds for adults like Level99, Cirque de Soleil productions, live music, and even a movie theater.

If the one and only thing you are heading to Disney for is thrill rides, Disney Springs may disappoint you. However, for the full Disney experience, don’t skip a day here.

You Have to Schedule Everything Down to the Minute

When researching how to plan the best Disney vacation, the amount of information can be overwhelming to even seasoned Disney goers. Scheduling Lightning Lane passes and securing dining reservations 60 days in advance are just a couple of the time-sensitive components of planning. But it can quickly become an elaborate Excel file with even down-to-the-minute bathroom breaks.

Seeing is believing, and when phones, timelines, schedules take over, you’re not really seeing anything. Some scheduling is key, but over-scheduling will create stress, disappointment, and meltdowns from everyone in your party. 

Take in the sights, embrace the Disney magic, accomplish your priorities, and let the rest fall into place. Trust me, it will be worth it! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you really need Lightning Lane Passes?

Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Premier Pass is not necessary to enjoy your time at Disney World. You can ride just as many attractions without it with a little planning.

Is the Disney Dining Plan worth it?

“Worth it” is a subjective phrase; however, it’s hard to break even on the Disney Dining Plan. Though if the convenience of upfront payment is important to you, the dining plan may be the right fit.

Is Disney Springs worth a visit?

Disney Springs is absolutely worth a visit during your vacation, even if just for a few hours. With plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings available, no one in your travel party will be bored. 

Do you have to rope drop for short wait times?

No. Rope dropping is a great strategy to ride popular attractions with short wait times, but it’s not the only option. Late nights and riding during off-peak times are just two examples of other ways to beat the lines and crowds. 

Comments

What’s the worst Disney World advice you’ve ever been given? Let us know in the comments the best advice you’d give first-time visitors!