10 Don'ts of Disney
Disney World, for most individuals, is a once in a lifetime experience. The magic and awe of "the happiest place on earth" attracts thousands of visitors all year round; on average 56,000 tourists daily. As a huge Disney fan, I have visited Disney World/Disneyland several times. Each of my trips have been a different experience with new and exciting attractions being added all the time. Being a first time visitor can be rather daunting as you are entering the unknown. From my personal experiences and knowledge about the parks, I have devised a list of what not to do and what to avoid when visiting Disney World to get the most out of your trip.
Avoid Queues and large crowds
Avoiding queues and large crowds in Walt Disney World may seem like an impossible task. Any time you visit will draw many people as tourists and Disney fans travel from all over the globe to visit the parks; however, there is one main thing you can do to minimise your queuing time. Getting fast passes are essential and save heaps of time when trying to visit all the attractions. You can get a fast pass by heading early to the chosen attraction to acquire a fast pass ticket with a time slot when to return which are free of charge.
Don't over pack for the day
For a day in an Orlando Disney theme park, the essentials are water and sun cream. Having a backpack filled with unnecessary items will only weigh and slow you down. Water is the main necessity as queueing and walking around all day in the heat will make you tired and feel drained, therefore it is very important to keep hydrated. Due to the location of the theme parks being in the 'Sunshine State', sun cream is also extremely important.
Avoid buying unnecessary items and food
Throughout the parks, streets are lined with stalls and shops enticing you in with their endless supply of memorabilia. Everyone needs at least one keepsake, but choose this wisely and try not to overspend on unnecessary mementos that will clutter your home and drain your bank account. In addition, the food prices are extortionate and resemble fast food chains. To get your monies worth, Disney Dining is a great add on when booking your trip as certain meals are included in your holiday package which saves money in the long run.
Try to avoid going in hurricane season
For many people, going in hurricane season (which is September and October) is the best option due to it being cheaper. If these months can be avoided then I personally would, due to the fact that the weather can cause some attractions to shut. More often than not, the bad weather will only occur for part of the day leaving time to still enjoy your trip; waterproof rain mac's are available to buy around the parks should you need to go in the hurricane season.
Don't go to the Disney theme parks too early in the morning
Although it goes against the grain, I personally would recommend avoiding going to the parks too early. The majority of tourists wake up early to make the most of their day and to fit in all the parks attractions. From my own experience, getting there too early only results in exhaustion and a very long day; especially as some parks have epic not to be missed firework displays late at night. Personally, I would relax around the pool first then visit the parks in the afternoons.
Do not enter the parks without getting a map at the entrance
Getting a map of the theme park you are visiting is crucial. All of the parks have a vast amount of attractions to see, including parades and shows that have scheduled times that they are running. Using the map to plan your day and the route you are taking ensures fitting it all in around the show times and also avoids getting lost as, after all, the parks cover a lot of ground; roughly 110 acres per park.
Avoid going around in big groups
Walt Disney World is a holiday which caters for all ages and is a family orientated destination. It is natural that families group together to visit the iconic resort. However, don't be afraid to stray away from your group and do your own thing. At the end of the day, it's your experience too and you are entitled to make the most of it and enjoy the attractions you have dreamed about.
Don't join a que without visiting the restrooms first
Queuing in the parks is ruthless and very infuriating. It can be for hours at a time: not only do children get bored and agitated (along with most adults) it is a while to wait before a restroom becomes available. Due to this, it is important to visit the restrooms before joining a que or seeing a show. After all, there is nothing worse than queuing for a long period of time then needing a wee half way through!
Don't expect to do it all
The entirety of Walt Disney World covers nearly 40 square miles and is about the size of San Francisco! Yes, that is a lot of ground to cover to see everything and very unlikely to see in one trip. To enjoy your holiday you need to have realistic expectations and a set itinerary that you and your family wish to see/do throughout your trip to ensure you get to 'fit in' everything you wish.
Lastly, don't forget to enjoy yourself!
A trip to Walt Disney World can be very stressful and action packed but nonetheless, it truly is a magical experience. Savour every minute of the magic and live in the moment.