In 2020, more than 43 million people visited Disney parks globally. And as we slowly start to put the pandemic behind us, this number is sure to increase as eager visitors return to the parks.
No matter how excited you are to go to Disneyland, one big vacation mistake can ruin your whole trip.
But if you’re aware of the most common Disney vacation errors, then you can go on your trip calmly, knowing that you’ve done all your research to plan the best trip possible for you and your family.
Whether you’ve been to the Disney parks before or are planning your first trip, you want to avoid these 8 common Disney vacation errors. We cover these errors and how to avoid them below.
1. No Breaks
If you’re keeping an eye on your Disney vacation budget, it’s easy to try to fit as much as you can into your itinerary.
Of course, you’ll want to create an itinerary for your trip that’s general enough to include the age and preferences of everyone in your group. This is especially important if you’re traveling with kids, as they need to be tall enough to go on certain rides.
But over-stuffing your itinerary can make your vacation feel like a chore as you tick things off your list.
You want to have time to take a break, enjoy the sights, have a good meal, and take in one of the amazing Disney shows or parades happening throughout the park.
2. Ignoring Comfort
While you may want to look good or dress in a theme while at the park, comfort should be your top priority.
This means wearing supportive shoes as you’ll be spending most of your time walking around or standing in line.
You also need to remember to wear breathable clothes if you’re visiting in the summertime, especially if you go to the Florida park.
3. Forgetting Food
When you’re planning a Disney vacation, you may not consider the fact that you have to bring food.
While you’d love to treat the family to a nice lunch or dinner at Disneyland, having food here the entire time can get expensive. You also don’t want to waste time having to wait in line and sit down every time the kids need a snack.
Instead, bring snacks like granola bars with you. Then, pre-plan which restaurants you will go to in your itinerary so you can make sure you’re in the right area of the park when it’s dinner time.
4. Weather Surprises
Whether you’re going to the California or Florida park (or a different one altogether), you could be in for surprise weather.
Don’t forget to pack layers and a hat to protect you from the sun, and make sure to bring water bottles so you stay hydrated.
You may also want to bring a poncho if you’re going to Florida Disneyland, as you never know when it could rain.
5. Not Making Reservations
Disney park pass reservations are the key to making sure you can access the best rides and dining options at the parks.
You’ll want to reserve your main dining options to make sure you get a spot, especially if you go during the busy season. You also want to reserve the hotel well ahead of time so you can get the room you want.
Don’t forget to check whether you need to make a reservation for each park you want to get into (e.g., Magic Kingdom, Epcot). You may need to reserve your spot even if you already bought a ticket.
6. Not Packing the Essentials
In your rush to pack, you may forget some essentials that you shouldn’t be at the park without. These include:
- Sunscreen
- Band-aids
- Water bottles
- An extra cell phone charger
- Approved face coverings, if required
While you can get some of these essentials at Disneyland or at a store nearby, you’ll save both time and money by packing these essentials beforehand.
7. Buying Too Many Souvenirs
One of the biggest temptations at Disney amusement parks is the huge variety of souvenirs that you can get.
From Disneyland keychains to the classic Mickey Mouse ears, there’s no doubt that anyone will be able to find something they like at one of Disney’s dozens of gift shops.
But before you know it, your bank account could be down hundreds of dollars. And at the end of the day, that cute Donald Duck snowglobe that you bought may just end up collecting dust in your basement.
To protect yourself from impulse buying souvenirs, set a budget for souvenirs before you get to the park. This way, you’ll have the money to get the souvenirs you really want and will use, even if they’re a bit more expensive.
8. Not Taking Advantage of Memberships
While booking Disney hotels is sure to be a magical experience for the kids, the cost can add up quickly. This is why it’s important to take advantage of Disney memberships, especially if you visit the parks more than once a year.
For example, Disney offers the Incredi-Pass, which gives you perks and admission to one or more Disney World parks during the year, as long as you make a reservation.
You can also think about joining the Disney Vacation Club. With this membership, you can get a flexible timeshare by buying Disney Vacation Points.
To help you pay for Disney Vacation Club points so you can get a timeshare, it’s a great idea to look into DVC financing to help you.
Avoid These 8 Common Disney Vacation Errors
A Disney vacation can be one of your most memorable family memories, and you’re sure to be looking at that vacation photo on your fridge with a smile for years to come.
And when you take the steps to avoid the most common Disney vacation errors, you can leave for your trip confident that you’ve gotten the most important elements taken care of.
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