I’m excited to join the community and start planning a Walt Disney World trip. There’s so much information out there that it can feel a little overwhelming, so I thought I’d ask the people who have actually been. What’s one tip or lesson you wish someone had shared with you before your first visit? It could be about saving time, avoiding common mistakes, choosing the right parks, dining, transportation, or anything else that made your trip better. I’d love to hear the little things that don’t always show up in guidebooks. Thanks in advance for any advice, I’m looking forward to learning from everyone’s experiences!
Have a plan but know you can’t do it all. Find out the must do’s for your party. Put that as part of your plan. Everything else is icing on the cake.
Everyone needs really comfortable shoes and socks. Gold Bond Friction Defense or Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel is awesome for preventing thigh rubbing and for use on your feet between toes to prevent blisters.
Bring a reusable water bottle and refill it with ice and water at the many quick-serve drink stations. I’m not one who normally carries water around with me everywhere I go, but at Disney World I needed water.
I think that I would echo this and caution you to try and avoid attempting to do this at all costs. Transportation takes longer than you think, your kids want to do silly stuff that takes forever, dining runs late, etc. I’ve been 10+ times and I honestly still don’t feel like I’ve done it all. Do the Coco Chanel method and make your ADRs and then cancel 1-2 at least. If you are doing a rest/pool day, protect it, don’t add a breakfast and a dinner at places that aren’t at your hotel.
Additional tip: If you have a car with you, USE IT.
Remeber that discussions in these forums are often about maximizing the parks, but the best parts abkut Disney are often the unexpected ones. I have a Coco Chanel approach, make my plans then always remove one or two things.
That’s why having a “must do” and a “nice to do” list is helpful (like @JenniferB1975 suggested)
And I see @melcort10 and I went to the samw school of Disney planning
If at all possible, stay on property. The experience is just completely different and the perks are huge.And…enjoy the resort - go fishing, watch a movie on the lawn, etc. Many of our best days were not park days.
Welcome! You will get lots of great tips here. My first tip for anyone planning a Disney trip is to sign up for this web site so go you! You are ahead already.
Helpful tips:
1-lots of research. There is so much information you can’t possibly absorb it all, but you will be surprised what sticks with you. And it ups the anticipation.
2- When planning get group input and try to fit in everyone’s top three (rides, characters, restaurants, etc.). You CANNOT DO EVERYTHING! You just can’t and trying only results in exhaustion and disappointment. It is tempting, I know, but try not to over plan. Depending on the length of your trip and the mix of your group, try to have a non-park day in the middle. A rest day makes a massive difference.
3- Budget, both money and time, and leave room in both for unexpected extras
I could go on, but you said one tip and I’ve already passed that so I’ll stop now.
Keep us updated as you go. Someone else planning a trip is almost as much fun as planning one myself. Almost.
Don’t skip the nap if you have littles! Don’t go multiple days in a row all day. Either do a sleep in later PM start every 3rd day or take a complete hotel day. The resorts are lovely if you are staying onsite and worth it alone, and a lot of the offsite ones are also lovely. When you’re exhausted and checking things off the list, take a break.
Remember it’s better to see less and love every minute than cram it all in and be grumpy and exhausted
Welcome! This is a great and friendly place to seek help with Disney planning!
In my experience, the 2 biggest factors that will affect your enjoyment will be weather and crowds, in that order. If you have any flexibility at all in the time of year that you go, factor that in. Now that our kids are out of college, we try to go in late April / early May (after Spring break season), which is usually a lovely time to go.
Another important point (as others have mentioned) is to have some rest time. We ALWAYS make the mistake of cramming in too much park time because we have paid for park tickets and LLMP (if you are familiar with this?), and we return home regretting not spending more time outside of the parks.
Lastly, make sure that people in your travel party have seen most of the Disney movies. The attractions and shows will be much more meaningful if they are familiar with the storylines!
It’s Disney World rather than Disney Rides and other Attractions
Your park day will be more enjoyable if you leave your lodging by 7 am and your first park of the day by 11 am. And eat lunch at a nearby resort - quick service works. Put your feet up for a little while at your resort and change your shoes. Have an early sit down supper at another park. Walk out slowly after the park closes. Very slowly.
Your trip will be more enjoyable if you plan at least one non park day. Savor a beverage outside early, at your resort. Do mini golf - WinterSummerland has 2 courses. Painting lesson at a resort - Animal Kingdom, French Quarter, Saratoga Springs and Coronado have had painting lessons or a mosaic craft on different days of the week. For less than a family’s park admissions do a fireworks cruise in the cool of the evening. Or, don’t put off the Hoop De Do Revue but do try one of the earlier shows.
Welcome to the forum!
My advice is hangry happens, carry snacks. There’s so much to see and do, it’s easy to inadvertently skip a regular snack or be late on a normal meal time. Having a snack on hand gives a little buffer to make a sane decision on what and where to grab something more substantial. Also, the dining locations at the hotel probably won’t be open when you get back if you stay at the parks until close.
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