5 Hotel Mistakes That Scream “This Is My First Trip to Disney World”

Until you actually take a Disney World vacation, it’s hard to understand just how easy it is to make hotel mistakes.

Whether or not it’s your first stay at a Disney World hotel, you’ll be susceptible to making some mistakes. THAT’S OK! No one does Disney World perfectly, but we’re here to help you get as close to perfection as possible. That’s why we’re bringing to your attention a few mistakes to look out for so you can conquer Disney World hotels like a seasoned pro!

When it comes to mistakes that scream “This is my first time at Disney World”, five especially come to mind.

Overspending

Each person/family’s Disney World budget is going to vary, so we’re not here to tell you how to spend your money. Instead, we have a suggestion for folks looking to save as much as possible.

Yes, the deluxe resorts will generally give you a better lodging experience than value resorts. And yes, sometimes the perks can be better (like transportation options and location). However, the price points can be astronomical, and they’re exacerbated by the fact that Disney World is already expensive without the hotel costs thrown in.

So you have to ask yourself a few questions. How worth it are the extra perks? The Disney hotels all have a set base of perks like reservation windows, early park entry, free water park access on check-in day, and so on and so forth. You’ll get a hefty set of perks regardless of where you stay.

How important is location? Some cheaper hotels have access to the Disney Skyliner, and all hotels have bus routes, so you won’t have to pay to get from A to B (although the wait may be longer).

Most importantly, how much time do you plan on spending at the hotel? For many, most of their vacation awake will be spent at the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.

If you’re only going to be at your hotel to sleep, is it really worth overspending on a luxury stay? That’s a question only you can answer.

Not Checking Online For Discounts

As we previously mentioned, a Disney World vacation ain’t cheap. That’s why the name of the game is discounts, discounts, discounts!

The Disney World website offers TONS of deals year-round that you can use when booking hotel stays and vacation packages. This is something you should be looking for immediately. HOWEVER, you’re also within your right to KEEP LOOKING for discounts AFTER you book your vacation. If something pops up before your trip that you want to use, you can reach out to Disney to modify your vacation package, and they will insert the new prices/perks.

Not Using Mobile Check-In

A lot of folks don’t know that you can check into your hotel room without ever visiting the front desk! Skip the line and check into your hotel up to 60 days in advance on Disney World’s website or through the My Disney Experience app.

Once you arrive, check the app and get real-time updates about the status of your room. Once it’s ready, you’ll get a notification with your room number, then you can just go directly to your room and unlock your door through with your phone or MagicBand. Of note, you can also check out through the My Disney Experience app.

Not Considering Location and Closures

We’ve already mentioned location, and we want to stress that — for many — where your hotel is situated matters. If you plan on spending most of your time at Magic Kingdom, consider a Monorail resort, for example. If you want to do most of your Disney Days at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, hotels located along the Skyliner route are the way to go.

Also consider closures. What pools are closed? Which restaurants are down? Will construction be distracting? Are the rooms recently refurbished or about to be closed for updates?

In short: DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve been to EVERY Disney World hotel and can give you tips on location and more. We also keep up-to-date on all the latest hotel closures, so keep it posted here for the most up-to-date news.

Not Making Dining Reservations

When it comes to dining, a lot of folks direct their attention towards theme park and Disney Springs options. However, the hotels have some of the BEST restaurants in all of Disney World.

As such, these restaurants can get pretty popular, and don’t just think they’re occupied by hotel guests.

60 days before your trip, book your Advance Dining Reservations and factor in the hotel restaurants you want to dine at. They don’t necessarily need to be at your hotel, but they should be factored in, regardless. Don’t assume they’ll all have walk-up availability just because they’re in a hotel. There are some wonderful options, and we’d hate for you to miss out!

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!

What are some Disney World hotel tips you have for newbies? Let us know and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all kinds of Disney World updates, tips, tricks, reviews, and more!

5 Magic Kingdom Mistakes That Scream “This Is My First Trip to Disney World”

What are some Disney World hotel mistakes YOU’VE made? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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