4 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Planning Your Disney Vacation

Introduction

Planning your dream Disney vacation can be an exciting adventure, but there are several common pitfalls that can make your dream vacation little less than magical. The best way to improve your chances at having an amazing trip is to use a travel pro like Trisha Travels to help you avoid common mistakes, especially for first-time travelers. But here are some of the biggest mistakes we see when it comes to Disney travel planning.

1. Not getting the right ticket package

During our much-anticipated trip to Walt Disney World, a simple mistake turned into a moment of disappointment. In our excitement, we accidentally purchased the wrong ticket package, believing we had secured access to all the parks for our entire stay. Instead, we discovered that our package only allowed entry to one park per day, significantly limiting our planned adventures. With a park hopper option, we could have enjoyed breakfast in Magic Kingdom, and dinner in EPCOT, while taking time to ride Guardians of the Galaxy and Tron, in between. If you are planning on making use of Lightening Lanes during your trip, adding a park hopper to your ticket package opens up more opportunities to see your must do attractions.

2. Ignoring Meal Reservations

Dining at Disney can be a delightful experience, but many new visitors forget to secure meal reservations well in advance. Any critical dining, especially popular character-experience restaurants, fill up quickly and need to be booked 60 days ahead of your visit. Knowing the best places to eat and how to secure those reservations is something of an art. One Trisha can definitely help with!

3. Underestimating Travel Time

Many first-timers underestimate the amount of travel time required between the parks and their accommodations. Disney World is massive, and getting from one location to another can take a significant amount of time - and depending on which parks you're traveling to / from, and how you're getting there, it can vary widely. Trisha Travels will help you plan for transportation and factor it into your daily itinerary. Always allow extra time for long security lines and, if using Disney transportation, understand the schedule can be unpredictable. By planning your travel times wisely, you can maximize your park time and enjoy the attractions that matter most to you!

4. Not Having a Flexible Itinerary

While having a plan is important, sticking rigidly to a strict itinerary can lead to stress--especially if you try to cram too much into a single day / visit. It’s essential to leave some room for spontaneity and flexibility during your visit. Parks can be unpredictable, and ride wait times can vary significantly throughout the day. It's easy to forget to plan for breaks and time to "go with the flow" once you've hit all your major attractions. Talk with Trisha and she'll help you enjoy a more relaxed vacation, experiencing the magic of Disney at your own pace.

Conclusion

A Disney vacation is meant to be magical and full of memories, but avoiding these common pitfalls can make a significant difference in your experience. By securing park and meal reservations, understanding travel times, and maintaining flexibility in your plans, you can navigate the world of Disney with confidence. Better yet, reach out to Trisha today, she'd love to help you sidestep these, and many other pitfalls so you can create cherished memories with family and friends!