101 Dream Vacations

Top 10 Mistakes First Timers at Disney Make

I read a blog the other day about how someone was saying the worst thing in the world was taking her child to Disney. She went on to list all the things that made their trip so stressful. It made me so sad because although it can be a lot it doesn’t have to be stressful and a horrible experience.
So I thought I would write a blog on what in my opinion are the top 10 mistakes many first timers at Disney make, my hope is that it will help you in planning your first trip to Walt Disney World. So lets jump right into it.

Top 10 Mistakes First Timers at Disney Make

1. Not using a travel professional who specializes in Disney vacations – The right travel professional can save you time and money on your vacation. They are working with you to customize exactly the package you need and want for your family. So many of the below mistakes can be avoided if you get this one. Our preferred travel professionals are 101 Dream Vacations, and can help you customize the perfect Disney Vacation.

2. Purchasing the wrong ticket for your family. – Disney offers many tickets which have the ability to be the perfect fit for many different families needs, but as a first timer you may not know which ticket is right for your family. I wish there was one answer here for you but it just isn’t that easy, this is where your travel professional comes in, the person who is customizing your package for your families needs.
3. Trying to see it all in one trip or one day. – Yes Disney has 4 parks so in theory in a one week trip you would think you can see and do it all, or a whole park in one day. This just isn’t the case. Slow down take some time to take it all in, because nothing stresses you out more than trying to see it all and feeling like you are behind schedule. Disney is huge and the details are everywhere, we have been countless times and still seeing and experiencing new things.
4. Using your snack credits for drinks. – So you got the dining plan and you go up to a quick service location to get a drink. They will usually ask you if you want to use a snack credit, but sometimes they won’t ask you and will just deduct it. You may think that’s fine or you may not even realize since you pay for it using your MagicBand which is the same way you use snack credits. This is a horrible use of a snack credit, that ice cream bar, that dole whip, or any of the amazing cookies or cupcakes you have been eyeing are way better uses for that snack credit. So when you go up to get that drink make sure you let them know you will be paying for that and don’t want to use your snack credit. You can read more about the dining plans here.

5. Underplanning – So you booked a spontaneous trip for the family. Awesome! You have your first day at Magic Kingdom and wonder why there is a line called “FastPass” they are going so much faster than you are? How do you get those? Oh well it is getting late and everyone is hungry, you have an idea… You ask you darling daughter, would you like to eat in the castle? Great idea, until you get up there and they ask do you have reservations? Oh, no? I’m sorry we are completely booked. Imagine the disappointment! Disney is a park that takes some planning, and if you are not a planner than that is okay because if you are reading this before your first trip you read number 1 and have already contacted a travel professional to help you.
6. Overplanning – So you are a planner and number 5 is never going to happen to you, you have everything planned to the minute. You have done all of your research and had all dining done at 180 days and all FastPasses done at midnight 60 days before you travel. You know exactly how long it takes to get from your resort to the parks, and you know what time you will stop for lunch, you have it all down. But what you didn’t factor in was that the ride had a slight delay and you were stuck for a little while and now you are late for your next fastpass or your toddler needs a nap and you didn’t account for that in your planning, so now that will throw off all the plans. Slow down, relax and use those moments that you aren’t running from one thing to the next to connect with your family. Take a look around and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells. Did you notice the concrete below your feet? Seriously when you slow down and take a look you will notice more hidden details.
7. Eating the same thing everyday for quick service meals. Disney has so many dining options, even for quick service. You should never go home and say I never want to see another hamburger or chicken nuggets again. There are just way too many options. Did you know you can get pulled pork sandwich, roasted chicken, lobster rolls, or even St. Louis ribs? The options are endless and my mouth is already watering thinking about some of the amazing quick service meals. Did you know that you can eat at Be Our Guest as a quick service meal, but it does take a little planning.

8. Not utilizing the FastPass system – The FastPass system allows you to go through a special line and bypass the standby line. You select which attractions you would like online before your trip (60 days if you are staying on property or 30 days if you are staying off property), when it is your FastPass window you head to the attraction and enter the FastPass line. You can select 3 each day, and once you have used those three you can go to a kiosk and select more. For more information on the FastPass system or any aspect of the MyDisney+ you can read all about it here.
9. Not utilizing the Rider Swap – This little jewel of a system allows one person in your party to sit out of a ride with a child to small and when the group is done riding the person who had to sit out can go to the front of the line (through the FastPass line) and ride. Check out more information about this system here.
10. Not planning enough time to travel between parks. – Traveling between parks is time consuming, especially when traveling with children. Disney recommends planning an hour and a half for traveling between the parks. Obviously some places won’t take that long, but when making reservations and other plans it is always best to give yourself enough time, don’t let this be the thing that stresses you out during the trip. Also don’t forget your travel professional can be a huge asset when telling you the best way to travel between parks and to different resorts.
Those are my top 10 mistakes you don’t want to do, although I am sure there are a TON of other things. I would love to hear what you think should have made the list. Comment below or over at our Facebook page.