6 Things You’re NOT Doing Before Your Disney World Trip That Make It 10X HARDER

A trip to Disney World should be magical, not miserable. But too often, first-time guests and even seasoned veterans make the same mistakes before they even set foot on Main Street, U.S.A.

I have been going to Disney World for 25 years, and I still have fallen into a few mistakes! The truth is, a Disney vacation requires a bit more strategy than your average theme park day. With Lightning Lanes, Mobile Ordering, park times, and a whole lot of walking, not preparing properly can make your trip way more stressful than it needs to be. So, before you pack your Mickey ears and Loungeflys, here are 6 things to do before your Disney World vacation and why skipping them makes everything harder.

Before we get into the mistakes, I have to tell you one way to avoid these is to book with a travel agent! If you’re looking for a travel agent to help with your vacation, 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!

Disney World is amazing, but it’s also a beast if you go in unprepared. Spending just a few extra hours preparing can make the difference between a chaotic, exhausting experience and a smooth, magical one. Let’s discuss the mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Not Planning Your Dining

Dining reservations at Disney World open 60 days in advance. If you’re hoping for popular spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table, ‘Ohana, or Space 220, you’ll want to be ready when that window opens. Even if you’re not doing table service meals, planning your quick service options ahead of time can save you from long waits, hangry meltdowns, or settling for a meal you didn’t really want. Nothing is worse than standing in the middle of the walkway with a hungry family trying to look through menus and decide on one place. At least have a few restaurants in mind for each park you’d be interested in before getting there.

You can also take a look at AllEars reviews for ideas. Our readers have left reviews right here on AllEars for the restaurants they have been to, so they can help out fellow Disney lovers planning their next trip! 

2. Not Familiarizing Yourself with the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is basically your survival guide while at Disney World. You’ll use it to mobile order food, check wait times, book Lightning Lanes, see your PhotoPass pictures, and more. If you wait until you’re in the parks to figure it out, you’ll be wasting valuable time. Download it before your trip, log in, explore the layout, and even do a practice mobile order so you’re ready to go.

3. Not Watching AllEars Videos

Want the inside scoop on hidden hacks, ride strategies, what snacks are worth the hype, and what to avoid? The AllEars YouTube channel is packed with helpful and entertaining videos to get you up to speed. Our team shows you the ins and outs of Disney World, and we share our learning mistakes to help you! Watching a few in the weeks leading up to your trip can help you feel 10 steps ahead once you’re there.

4. Not Figuring Out the Bus Routes

Here’s the thing: Disney transportation doesn’t go from resort to resort. That can be a huge surprise if you’ve booked dining at another hotel or are meeting friends elsewhere. Add in bus loops at larger resorts where you might have to stop at 3–5 internal stops before even leaving, and suddenly that “20-minute ride” takes 45 minutes or more. Research your resort’s transportation options ahead of time, and know when to use a rideshare instead.

5. Not Checking Park Hours Before Planning Park Days

Throughout the year, some of the theme parks close early due to special ticketed events. During fall and the holidays, Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios often close early for special-ticketed events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or Jollywood Nights. If you don’t check park hours in advance and you’re not using Park Hopper tickets, you might end up in a park that closes at 6 PM and cutting your day short. Always check the official Disney calendar when mapping out your itinerary.

Everything You Need to Know About Park Hopping at Disney World

6. Not Breaking in Brand-New Shoes

Yes, new sneakers are cute for vacation photos, but not when they leave you with blisters by 10 AM. Disney World is a lot of walking, with most guests logging 20,000+ steps per day. Wear your park shoes for a few days or weeks beforehand to break them in. Your feet will thank you.

So plan your dining, learn the app, break in those shoes, and do your research. AllEars.net is here to help you as well, so be sure to follow us for more Disney tips!

What is something you do before your Disney World trip? Tell us your opinion in the comments. 

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