Disney is a popular destination for all sorts of travelers. There is a little bit of everything and even the most differing opinions can usually agree that Disney seems to be able to provide something for everyone. Booking a trip to Disney is an exciting time for the whole family. But as soon as the rooms are booked, the questions start coming...Which parks to go to? Do we need a meal plan? Should we plan out each day or just be spontaneous? Is park hopping a good idea? It can feel overwhelming. While a lot of questions can only be answered by your family, here are some mistakes that hopefully you can avoid on your way to having that magical vacation experience.
1) Not Arriving When the Park Opens
I know, who wants to get up early on vacation? Well, if you're anything like the Trippin' with Jamie family, sleeping just doesn't happen after about 7:30 am even on vacation! But, for everyone who has slightly more "normal" sleep patterns while on vacation, here is some motivation to maybe consider getting up early.
Disney has what is called the Rope Drop each morning right when the part opens. There is a small ceremony and after the park is open for everyone who is waiting. This is a great time to see some attractions with fewer people around, meet some characters without having to wait in super long lines, and be able to enjoy the parks in a quieter atmosphere.
2) Not Going to ______________ First
Take a look at your must-see attractions. Not everyone has the same priorities for seeing the parks, and that is okay, but make sure you know what is important to the people in your group. If you have the chance to spend multiple days in the parks, try to schedule one must-see each day. When you arrive at the park (when it opens, of course =P), go straight to that attraction. If you do arrive early enough, there may be little to no wait. Even if there is a wait, by prioritizing this must-see activity, you guarantee that you will get to enjoy it. If you wait around hoping for shorter lines, that may not happen and you have to decide whether to wait in a long line at the end of the day when everyone is already tired and cranky or skipping this must-see attraction and missing out on something important.
3) Not Arriving Early for Parades
If you are interested in any of the parades offered twice a day at Magic Kingdom, be prepared to plan ahead! Parades are very popular, and if you don't know what to expect, you may find yourself stuck behind rows of people and your kids unable to see any of the characters. Plan to arrive at least an hour before the start of the parade to find a prime spot to watch from. If you have a FastPass or have a member with special needs in your party, you will not need to arrive quite as early.
4) Not Utilizing the FastPass
Whether you choose to purchase FastPasses or are traveling with a disability and have the option of using them, make sure to plan ahead so you can best utilize the benefits of these passes. While you won't be able to walk right onto the rides, you will get a return time so you can enjoy other parts of the park instead of waiting on line. Decide ahead of time which rides you want to use the FastPasses on first, and also make a plan for how to spend the waiting time. If you like to stay busy, plan to ride some of the smaller, less popular attractions while waiting for your FastPass time as those are likely to have little to no wait. If you need some down-time throughout your day, you can use some of these wait times to find some air conditioning or do some light shopping in a quieter location.
5) Skipping Wishes Nighttime Spectacular
Even if you're not a night person and like to get to bed early (like those of us at Trippin' with Jamie), plan at least one night to stay to see the incredible firework display and character show of the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular. No visit to Disney is complete without viewing this iconic evening production. As mentioned above, make sure to arrive early to get a prime viewing spot.
6) Not Staying in a Disney Resort
When you go to Disney, there are certain things you can do to maximize the value of your stay. While it may seem more expensive to stay in a Disney resort, it ends up giving you more value for your money. Plus, with the wide variety of resorts, there is something for every budget and personality. By staying in a Disney resort, you have much easier access to the parks and will save considerable time getting to and from the parks each day. For anyone traveling with special needs, Trippin' with Jamie HIGHLY recommends staying in a Disney resort. Few places rival Disney in providing accommodations for special needs, plus it will make each day easier as you are close to the parks and right on the bus line. Each property has its own personality and provides additional perks only available for guests staying on the property. Plus you know that the service will be held to the highest Disney standards.
7) Park Hopping
We understand that when you go to Disney, you want to be sure to get the most for the cost of the tickets. However, you actually lose a lot of park time by trying to see multiple parks in one day. When you try to park hop, you spend a lot of time exiting the first park, waiting for the buses, traveling between parks, then entering the next park and getting to the attractions. Instead, choose one park for each day you are at Disney. If you only have a few days, determine what the must-see attractions are and plan to go to those parks. Yes, you might not get to all the parks, but you will be able to maximize the time you have in each park you do go to. Plus then you have an excuse to plan another trip to Disney!
We hope that these tips will help you as you plan your trip to Disney. Give Trippin' with Jamie a call and let us help you plan your trip and help you figure out the best way to maximize the value of your trip. Whether you're a Disney fanatic or this is your first trip, we would like to help you design a trip that will create memories to last a lifetime.
