Here are 10 Mistakes That Could Make Your Disney Trip Stressful:
- Booking your dining reservations too late – Even though restaurants serve dinner until late doesn’t mean it is always a good idea. One of my readers booked a 9:45 PM dinner at ‘Ohanas and by the time she finished the Monorail had shut down and there were no buses running from the Polynesian to her resort. Her mom was in a scooter so they couldn’t just call a cab. She ended up catching a ride on a Disney bus but it added unnecessary stress on her trip.
- Booking your dining reservations too early – Some restaurants start serving breakfast as early as 7:00 AM. While it might sound great in theory, it can make getting to these reservations stressful. Buses do start running 2 hours before the park opens, but if you book a breakfast too early you might not make it using bus transportation.
- Arranging everything on the stroller neatly before you use Disney transportation – You have to take everything off the stroller and fold it up when you board the buses and some boats. Don’t spend time putting everything where it goes. Instead combine as many bags as possible and set up your stroller once you arrive at your destination.
- Refilling your mug before you head to the parks if you aren’t carrying a big enough bag – You can’t refill your mug in the parks. It only works at your Disney resort. If you refill your mugs at the food court and then head to the park for the day, you are going to have to carry them and keep up with them alllllll day loooooong. Instead make time to leave them in your room each day.
- Not coming to Epcot with a big enough appetite – If you want to snack around the World Showcase (especially during the Food & Wine or Flower & Garden festival) you need to make sure you come hungry. Don’t schedule any Table Service restaurants for the day you plan to embark on this dining adventure.
- Taking park time away to go to Disney Springs – Disney has done a great job with Disney Springs but I still don’t think it is more enjoyable than a day in the theme parks. I suggest you plan your visit on your arrival or departure day. Don’t sacrifice time in the parks just to say you went to Disney Springs. You might just end up regretting it! Also don’t go to Disney Springs on the weekend. That is when the locals come out.
- Thinking the Deluxe Dining Plan will be just the right amount of food – If you purchase the Deluxe Dining Plan, you are getting 3 Table Service credits per day. That is a lot of meals! Keep in mind that some of these meals can take 1-2 hours to complete. 3 meals will cause you about 6 hours a day of park time. Before you automatically assume it will be a great idea, do your research.
- Not grabbing a spot for the shows/parades/fireworks early enough – It is beyond frustrating when you realize that people are lining up for something you want to see and you didn’t get there first. Make sure to ask a Cast Member or research the best time and place to see the shows/parades/fireworks.
- Only taking one pair of shoes – If your shoes break, get wet or start to aggravate your feet, you are going to be in a pickle if you didn’t pack an extra pair.
- Not renting an ECV – If you have someone in your party who have difficulty walking 10-12 miles a day, rent them an ECV from one of the off-site rental places. You can even park it some during the day in the manned stroller parking area if you don’t need it all day long.
Which ones of these have you made?
Learn more about planning your Walt Disney World vacation. Plus overwhelmed with all the planning? Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect trip.
Misty says
Also, having reservations at different parks for different meals. We only had a couple times we had to head to Epcot from other places, but it was a hassle after being in a different park all day and waiting on transportation.