I’ve Got the Disney World Advice NO ONE ELSE Will Tell You

Planning a Disney World vacation can be very overwhelming and stressful. It is not a cheap vacation, and you want to make sure you make the most of your time and money at Disney World.

Here at AllEars, we are here to help every step of the way. With planning guides, and information on hotels, dining, transportation, attractions, and more, we want to make sure you are prepared for Disney World.

You have likely heard a lot of advice about planning a Disney World vacation, and we love sharing it here at AllEars. However, there is some advice that people tend to avoid, and we want to make sure you know everything there is to know! Throughout this article, make sure you click on any underlined sections for more information about that topic.

Disney Is A LOT of Work to Get Right

We are in the parks every day, and we are STILL learning new things every day. There is so much to learn and know about Disney World, and for first-timers especially, it can be completely overwhelming.

You will need to do a lot of research and planning if you don’t want to miss things, or not know things. From making dining reservations to knowing Disney World transportation, or understanding the Disney Genie Service, it can feel like learning a whole new language. We are here to help, and we have lots of guides, but it will take some time to learn it all.

There is so much to see and do in Disney World, and you won’t be able to see it all on your trip. You will want to prioritize what you want to see and do most, and that is why it is important to do some research ahead of time.

If you don’t feel like planning everything and spending a lot of time researching Disney World, you may also want to consider utilizing a travel agent. Travel agents are free of charge and can help you with all aspects of planning your trip. There are lots of travel agents that specialize in Disney World, although we recommend our friends at Mouse Fan Travel. They’re experts in the field with over 20 years of vacation planning experience, and they can help take a bunch of the stress out of the entire booking process for you!

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You Will Need to Get Up Early 

Alright, you may not want to hear this, but it is true. It may be a vacation, but you will need to get up early. There are a few stipulations to this statement, but there is a lot that happens in the morning that you will need to be up for. First of all, if you are hoping to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run in Magic Kingdom or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT, you will want to be up early to grab a virtual queue. These rides do not have a normal standby line, so you will need to either get a virtual queue or purchase an individual lightning lane.  The virtual queues open at 7AM in the morning and they go fast, so you will want to be up. You can also try in the park at 1PM for the virtual queue, but we recommend grabbing the queue in the morning. 

In addition to grabbing a virtual queue, the morning will also be the time to start making Genie+ selections if you opt to purchase the service. Genie+ is a separate purchase that allows you to make reservations to utilize the lightning lane for certain attractions. If you purchase the service, you will be able to make your first selection at 7AM.

Additionally, you will be able to book Individual Lightning Lanes in the morning. Beginning at 7AM if you are staying at a Disney World resort, or when the park opens if you are not staying at a Disney World resort. The Individual Lightning Lanes are for the more popular rides and will need to be purchased separately from Genie+.  This will include rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. You can find a full list of these rides here.

Plus, if you are hoping to rope drop the parks, you will need to be up pretty early in the morning as you will usually see the parks opening between 8AM-9AM. Also, if you are staying in a Disney World resort, you can take advantage of Early Entry thirty minutes prior to the park’s opening time.

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You Will Need to Take Breaks

No one probably wants to hear this, but no matter how much energy you have or how often you go to the gym, you will need to plan to take breaks. Disney World is hot, rainy, crowded, and requires lots of walking and activity. Make sure you are planning breaks into your day, otherwise your body will force you to take a break.

Make sure you are taking precautions to protect yourself from the sun, are getting plenty to eat and drink, and take breaks. You could stop in for a show like the Hall of Presidents or Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond! for some air conditioning and some sitting time. Or grab and snack and take a seat at one of the restaurants. You can also head back to your hotel for a quick nap too! However, if you decide to take breaks, make sure to allow time for relaxation during your vacation.

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Be Prepared for Less Than Magical Moments

Disney World is known as the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” and while there is definitely magic, we also want you to be prepared that there will also be some less-than-magical moments. Whether it be a torrential downpour, or your favorite ride being closed down, unexpected things will happen during your vacation.

Knowing that not everything is going to be perfect, and having some wiggle room in your schedule, will ensure you are prepared for the unexpected. Be willing to rearrange your schedule a bit, or even skip an activity altogether. Make sure you have your raingear with you and an open mind for what opportunities one closed door may bring.

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Your Kids May Not Actually Like It

It is overwhelming to plan a Disney World trip, and Disney World can be just as overwhelming once you get there. While we want our kids to love the experience more than anything, be prepared that they may not absolutely love it. We recommend easing kids into the parks with half-days to begin with or taking your kids to local fairs and attractions to prepare for the crowds and activities in the parks. It can be a lot to take in all at once and very different from what they are used to. Take it slowly and find the things that your kid wants to do. Also, take lots of breaks and plan some resort days to hang out by the pool.

Be prepared that your kid may not like meeting characters. Can you imagine how scary it could be when a huge furry creature is coming up to you and wanting a hug?  Even if you are seeing your kid’s favorite character, they may not be as thrilled as you hope.

Some kids may absolutely love meeting all the characters while others may prefer keeping their distance. You can always see characters in parades, shows, and roaming around the parks, so don’t put a lot of pressure on character meet and greets.

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Disney Magic Won’t Make Motion Sickness Go Away

While there is lots of pixie dust to be found at Disney World, they have yet to find the magical cure for motion sickness. If you experience motion sickness outside of Disney World, unfortunately, it will still exist while you are in Disney World. Be prepared by researching rides and knowing which ones may not be a good option for yourself. If you are still unsure, talk to Cast Members outside of the attraction and they may be able to provide more guidance on the attraction.

As well, be sure to pay close attention to warning signs outside of attractions and be honest about any health conditions or sensitivities you have.  The warning signs are there for a reason, and it is no fun to be miserable for part of your trip if you don’t have to be.

You’re Sick at Walt Disney World. Now What?

While planning a Disney World trip can be stressful, know that it will all be worth it in the end! Disney World really is a special place, and while it does take some time and effort to plan a trip, we know you will have such an amazing time on your vacation.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney World planning tips and news!

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What was the best piece of advice you received about planning a Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments!

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