6 Rookie Mistakes Guests Make With Walt Disney World Trip Planning

Every guest wants their Walt Disney World vacation to be as magical as possible and filled with fun from the first moment to the last. With four parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and over two dozen Disney Resorts to explore, there are countless opportunities to enjoy and cherish from each Disney vacation. While time spent at the Walt Disney World Resort will be magical no matter what, there are definitely a few rookie mistakes that guests make when planning their trips. These rookie mistakes can cause frustration and loss of time on vacation, ultimately taking away some of the magic. By recognizing these rookie mistakes and avoiding them while trip planning, guests are sure to have an absolutely amazing Disney vacation. Here are seven rookie mistakes that many guests make when planning a Walt Disney World vacation.

1 – Choosing the Wrong Resort

The easiest way to ensure a comfortable Walt Disney World vacation is by choosing the right Disney Resort. While this may seem like a simple task, there are over two dozen options to choose from which can make things complicated. Guests who want to make the right decision should begin by figuring out how much they would like to spend on accommodations each night. With that number in mind, guests can then narrow down their resort choice to one price category. Disney Resorts are broken down into three price categories with Deluxe being the most expensive, Value having the best deals, and Moderate falling somewhere in the middle. Guests who choose the perfect price category for them can then have a much easier decision choosing between only several Disney Resorts instead of many.

2 – Not Considering Paying for Access to Lighting Lane 

You’ll likely want to get as much done as possible. While it’s not right for everyone, you may want to consider paying for Lightning Lane access. There are two Lightning Lane paid options that include different attractions. First, you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass. This costs anywhere from $15-$39 per day, per person. With Multi Pass, you can access the Lightning Lane at select attractions at each park. A second option for purchasing Lightning Lane Single Pass. Two attractions at each park are NOT included with your Multi Pass purchase and must be purchased separately. Pricing ranges from $7-$25 per attraction, per person. Keep in mind that you do not have to purchase either of these options to enjoy these attractions. The standby queue is available for all attractions. However, if you want to skip the line and get more done, this may be a good option for you and your family.

3 – Not Booking Advanced Dining Reservations

Walt Disney World is home to some of the most amazing dining locations, offering everything from quick service to full service. Guests who plan on enjoying a meal at a full-service restaurant must make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) as far as possible. Advanced Dining Reservations can be made up to sixty days in advance and are absolutely necessary for popular locations like Space 220, Le Cellier Steakhouse, ‘Ohana, California Grill, and Be Our Guest Restaurant.

4 – Not Having A Plan

A rookie mistake that many guests make when planning their Walt Disney World vacation is not making a plan before leaving home. By simply knowing which park or parks guests plan on visiting each day, plenty of time is saved, making the experience more relaxing and enjoyable. Guests who know where they are headed each day can plan ahead for what attractions or activities they want to enjoy and hop on Disney transportation each morning instead of wasting time trying to devise a plan each day.

5 – Skipping the Relaxation

A Disney vacation can be as tiring as it is magical. Exploring the theme parks can be downright exhausting with lots of walking, early hours and late nights, strong sun, high Central Florida temperatures, and plenty of humidity. Guests who want to avoid feeling like rookies should plan to schedule a time to relax each day of their vacation. Simply relaxing for a few hours each afternoon can recharge guests and leave them ready to head back to the parks and continue totally enjoying their vacations. Some great ways to relax in Walt Disney World are lounging poolside at a Disney Resort, napping in a Disney Resort room, or pausing to enjoy a full-service meal.

6 – Skipping the Underrated

Rookies who head to Walt Disney World might only have eyes for theme parks’ popular and thrilling attractions. While those attractions are pretty awesome and shouldn’t be skipped, there are plenty of other attractions and experiences considered underrated yet still amazing in their own ways. Guests who want to make the most of their Disney vacations and enjoy all that the parks have to offer should plan on enjoying underrated attractions like Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Impressions de France, Muppet Vision 3D, the Maharajah Jungle Trek, and the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.