As incredible as a Disney vacation can be, improper planning can lead to some less-than-magical moments during your trip. After all the time, excitement and financial investment that went into planning your vacation, the last thing you want is for your much-anticipated plans to be derailed by an unexpected snafu!
Skip the headache and vacation like a pro by avoiding these six crucial mistakes on your next Disney trip.
1. Not Checking Refurbishment Schedules
Upgrades, routine maintenance and new attractions can all be a part of Disney World’s construction cycle. To avoid interruption or disappointment during your trip, make sure you check construction schedules and upcoming closure/refurbishment information beforehand.
Check out your resort’s information for any possible construction that could impact your stay, and make sure transportation options will be operational as usual–for example, there is currently construction at the Boardwalk, Grand Floridian and Polynesian, as well as a scheduled maintenance closure for the Skyliner from January 16-21, 2024. Details such as these will be noted on the Disney website.
2. Not Making Dining Reservations
Disney World has become a foodie destination for many guests, who travel from all over to experience magical dining and limited-time offerings across the parks and resorts. If one of Disney’s many table service restaurants is on your must-do list, make sure to schedule an advance dining reservation for your visit.
Many table service restaurants (particularly in the parks) are in high-demand, especially during peak mealtimes and busier times of year. While it is possible to join the walk-up wait list at some restaurants, scheduling an advance dining reservation will help you avoid any headache and uncertainty–as well as any hangry meltdowns!
During your vacation planning process, make sure to schedule your advance dining reservations when your 60 day window opens. Check out these tips for snagging those hard-to-get reservations.
3. Not Using My Disney Experience
The My Disney Experience app is an indispensable tool, both before and during your Disney World vacation. Not only does it contain maps, attraction information, dining options, access to virtual queues, photos and more; it can also help you plan your day with real-time suggestions and tips via Genie.
My Disney Experience can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices. Make sure to download the app, link it to your Disney account, and familiarize yourself with each function before your trip begins.
4. Not Taking Breaks
During your Disney World vacation, you’ll likely be putting in some miles as you explore the parks. It can be incredibly tempting to run from attraction to attraction and try to fit every last magical moment into your day. However, the inevitable exhaustion that ensues can be enough to derail your trip–especially with little ones.
Make sure to take the time to take breaks, whether by a leisurely table service meal or a rest in the shade. If your trip allows enough time for a resort-only day, I highly recommend doing so! You can fully explore your resort, enjoy on-site dining, swim in the pool and recharge.
5. Staying Off-Site
There are innumerable benefits to staying on-site at a Disney resort for your trip. You can fully immerse yourself in the magical theming, enjoy complimentary transportation to the parks (making those rope-drop strategies easier!), plan your trip details with more ease and enjoy additional time in the parks. Read more about these perks here! When you stay off-site, you lose these benefits that can make all the difference in planning and enjoying your vacation.
6. Paying Full Price For Your Room
Finally, make sure to avoid the most critical mistake of paying full price for your room. Stretch your vacation budget that much further and save up to 65% of your room cost by renting points through DVC Shop! You can enjoy all the exclusive benefits of staying at a deluxe villa at a fraction of Disney’s rack rates when you book either a custom DVC rental or a confirmed DVC reservation.
Make sure to follow our blog for more Disney vacation tips!
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Leia Cullen
Leia is a proud mom of two boys. She has been in love with Disneyland and Disney World since her first visit to the parks many years ago, and she continues to relive the magic now with her family. She is passionate about creating helpful content that shares news or information about all things Disney, in the hopes it helps others create their own magical moments.
