10 Tips for Disney World First-Timers

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1: Don’t try to do it all

Walt Disney World is much larger than many think, and the acreage alone is the size of San Diego. With four theme parks, two water parks, a downtown shopping district, mini-golf, and more, there is plenty to see and do on a Walt Disney World vacation.

This is where many first time Walt Disney World goers make their first mistakes. Since there are so many things to see and do it’s impossible to try to do it all in one vacation. Unless you are planning on staying over two weeks it’s nearly impossible to try to see all of that in one go. This is why it is important that you do research about each one of the parks and attractions to see what will best fit your family and your vacation. 

2: Don’t let the magic fool you

Another mistake that is commonly made by first-time goers is thinking that every single second of your vacation will be magical. Although you are in the most magical place on earth there are going to be some not so magical times. Wait times can be long, it’s probably going to be hot and sometimes things don’t match up to your expectations. This is something that is commonly forgotten by guests because everything is so magical you forget that It can’t always be magical. 

3: Underestimating how long things take

Even as a “Disney Veteran” this is still something I still make the mistake of doing. Things in Disney World take a lot of time, like a LOT of time. The best rule of thumb is to always overestimate how long do you think something is going to take while in the most magical place on earth. This also goes hand-in-hand with how large Disney World is. Many first-timers do not realize how large the park is and in-turn how long it can take to get from point a to point B. Check out my post about Disney Transportation here!

4: Wearing The Wrong Shoes

This is a mistake I see so many people do while I’m in the parks. While in Walt Disney World, you are going to be walking…. a LOT. During my last trip, I averaged 10-13 miles a DAY! So many forget this and pack the wrong shoes for their trip. I highly recommend doing your research surrounding shoes and make sure they are broken in before you set on property. Tennis shoes are always a go-to and I highly recommend Fit Flops for the summer months. Using a combination of both has helped me tremendously and I have managed to avoid blisters every trip. Check out what I wear below!

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5: Not Drinking Enough Water

Between the heat and the amount of walking you are going to be doing, you will need to drink plenty of water while on vacation. So many make this mistake and end up making themselves sick due to dehydration. Don’t let yourself make this mistake! Drink plenty of water throughout the day and say hydrated. Check out my blog post here about how to get free water in Walt Disney World.

6: Not Taking Breaks

On top of drinking plenty of water, it is also important to take breaks. It is very easy to get excited and go go go while on in Disney. It is very important to sit down and take regular breaks throughout the day. One way I love to do this is to sit down and watch one of the amazing shows within the park! Pick up a times guide at the front of the park and considered adding one or two to your day!

7: Leaving Due to Rain

If you are visiting during Florida’s rainy season, rain is inevitable. In the summer, prepare for rain (or the threat of rain) almost every day. I see many guests make the mistake of leaving the parks once it raining. Florida rainstorms have a tendency of lasting 20 minutes to an hour at most. I try to jump in line when it starts raining and by the time I’m off the ride the rain has usually cleared its self up. Never let a little rain ruin your day! Check out my blog post about everything you need to stay dry in Disney here!

8: Overspending

Alongside the many things to see and do, there is also a lot to buy and eat. This makes it extremely easy to overspend and quickly ruin your vacation budget. I find that the best way to avoid this is to plan how much you are willing to spend and then purchase Disney Gift Cards. Disney Gift Cards are accepted almost everywhere on property. I use these to pay for merchandise and food and once I run out I know I have hit my budget. You can also save on these gift cards at Target, Costco, and Sams Club. Click here to see how I saved over $150 off my vacation using Disney Gift Cards from Target!

9: Overpacking or Under-packing

If you have never been to Disney World before packing can be an interesting experience. Without appropriate research, this is something that is easy to do. Make sure to do your research and pack correctly for your vacation. This rule especially falls true if you are planning on taking bags into the parks. If your bag feels heavy when you first put it on, it’s going to feel like a bag of bricks by the time you get back to your hotel. Check out my post about everything I keep in my Disney World Park Bag here!

10: Not Doing Research About Your Vacation

I find that so many people book their Disney Vacation and do little to no research. Obviously, if you are reading this post you are already on the right track! Many sure that you do an appropriate about of research and understanding what you have just paid for. Disney World can be overwhelming and can result in aggravations that can be easily avoided with a few hours of research and planning. Make sure to check out my other posts for more tips and tricks!

Have a Magical Day!

-Magical Montana

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