Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be pretty daunting, and of course, you want it to be just perfect. Here are some common mistakes UK families make at Disney and how you can avoid them!
- Booking the holiday and thinking that’s it. This is one of the biggest mistakes UK families make at Disney!
A Walt Disney World holiday is unlike any other; it is expensive and comes with high expectations. If you arrive unprepared, you will face long queues, restaurants you can’t get into, an app you don’t understand, hot and tired kids, and you’ll miss out on so many things your family would have loved to do, leaving you wondering what all the hype is about Disney! Instead, spend time researching before you go and make a plan that is right for your family! It can feel overwhelming, but there are resources out there to help you.
Skip the Over Planning – How UK & Irish Families Can Find More Disney Magic
- Overscheduling! When you think you need to plan every minute of every day (something I was guilty of the first time we visited!). We all know things don’t go to plan and this can even happen in the most magical place on earth. Rides break down, a thunderstorm might cancel a parade, a family member can have a grumpy day, so you need to allow time to go with the flow. A plan is good, but don’t have it so rigid that if the kids see something they really want to do, your schedule doesn’t allow for it as it is in those little, unexpected moments that the true magic of Disney happens.
Realistic Disney World Planning for UK & Irish Families
- Not managing expectations. Walt Disney World is vast – 50 times larger than Disneyland Paris and it is impossible to do everything it offers in one trip. Magic Kingdom is also the most visited theme park in the world, even on a quiet day, you will be there with 50,000 people, who you are effectively competing against to get on the most popular rides and into the most desirable restaurants! You have to be realistic and prioritise what matters most: choose 3 or 4 must-do rides per park, a couple of characters to meet, food to try and agree on a spending limit for any merchandise the kids want to buy. You’ll get much more done, and everyone will be happy.
Common Mistakes UK & Irish Families Make at Disney
- Not getting to grips with the My Disney Experience App. Basically, anything you want to do require it, from checking wait times, finding your favourite characters, booking Lightning Lanes and checking the park opening hours. Plus, you can order food, book restaurants, find your car in the car park, and so much more! Download the app before your trip and spend some time getting familiar with it – encourage older members of the family to do the same. It will make life a lot easier once you arrive at Walt Disney World.
Don’t let the weather catch you out!
- Not planning for the weather. If you are visiting Walt Disney World anytime from May to October, then you need to be prepared for the heat, humidity, and, as a result, afternoon thunderstorms (take your own ponchos – it will save you a fortune)! The humidity, in particular, makes it feel much hotter than the equivalent heat in the UK and Ireland, and it’s totally draining, especially with all the walking (6 miles or more each day). So you need a plan that includes regular breaks throughout the day. We had a rule of stopping every couple of hours for a drink and snack break, and making use of some nearby air conditioning! And head back to your accommodation when everyone has had enough and make use of the pool facilities! It’s also good to plan a park-free day every 4 or 5 days to allow time to recharge. June to November is also hurricane season, and whilst Walt Disney World has rarely been shut, flights can be cancelled. So check your holiday insurance covers hurricanes.
- Thinking you need to buy all your snacks and drinks in the Parks. Many visitors assume they need to purchase all their snacks and drinks inside the Parks, but that’s not the case. Bring your own insulated water bottle—there are plenty of refill stations throughout the Parks, and you can always request a free cup of water or ice at any Quick-Serve stand. You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks, whether you pack them from home (we always stock up on cereal bars) or pick some up after you arrive in the US. We especially love grabbing those giant bags of trail mix from local supermarkets, then dividing them into resealable bags so everyone has their own stash. This simple strategy saves money, keeps everyone energised, and lets you focus on the fun instead of hunting for your next snack!
- Not allowing enough travel time. I’ve already mentioned how big Walt Disney World is and this becomes even more apparent when you travel around it. Parks and resorts are spread out, and at Magic Kingdom, the car park is either a ferry or monorail ride from the entrance! Disney provides free on-site transportation, which can be slow, with full buses or multiple stops. Simply allow plenty of time for park hopping (moving between parks) or dining at a resort hotel. If staying in a Disney hotel, check your transportation options, as they might include the Skyliner, buses, the monorail, or boats!
Be sure to allow plenty of time for travel!
- Thinking you can sleep in. And why wouldn’t you? You are on holiday after all, and if you have teenagers in your party, that will be a given. However, arriving late at Walt Disney World means longer queues for top attractions; you want to avoid arriving between late morning and mid-afternoon. Instead, you have a number of options: get up early, Disney Resort guests get a 30-minute head start, and it is well worth taking advantage of. If staying off-site, aim to arrive before the official park opening (rope drop). Alternatively, head in late afternoon and stay until closing, when wait times drop –ideal for families with older kids! You can also use Disney’s paid queue-skipping service, but budget for the cost, as prices currently range from $17 to $45 person per day (plus a 6-6.5% sales tax). Which brings me on to my next point…
Understanding Lightning Lanes!
- Not understanding Lightning Lanes. Over the years, Walt Disney World has offered various line-skipping services. Their most recent iteration is Lightning Lanes, and the rules for using them can be a little complicated! Plus, on some occasions, you may not actually need them in all the parks, especially if you arrive early or stay late. But during busy times, they are helpful. Read my free Lightning Lane mini-guide to help you understand the differences.
Which rules apply to you?
- Not knowing different rules apply to on-site, off-site and international guests! I’ve already mentioned on-site guests enjoy early entry, but there are other bonuses too; extended dining (reservations open 60 days ahead for everyone, with Disney hotel guests able to book for a further 10 days ahead), access to Lightning Lanes days in advance of regular guests, plus, free transport around WDW and complimentary hotel and theme park parking. So, anyone staying off-site needs to factor these things in too and plan accordingly (btw, you can use the WDW transport too!). Some things are also a little trickier when you are an international guest – such as ESTA applications, applying for Disney’s Disability Access Service, managing jet lag and limited access to certain options, such as Enchanted Extras, tours and special event tickets, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
And here’s two bonus ones: Common Mistakes UK & Irish Families Make at Disney
- Thinking Disney’s Magical Express still exists! Walt Disney World used to offer Disney’s Magical Express, a free service that whisked you and your luggage from the airport to your Disney Resort, but this ended in 2021 (boo!). If no airport transfer is included in your holiday package, you will need to arrange one. There are a number of paid options, including Mears Connect, which offers a shuttle service to Disney Resorts, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft, private transfer companies (often with optional supermarket stops), or car hire. Important to note, UK car seats are not legal in the US, so plan accordingly if travelling with young children.
- Forgetting to check ride height requirements! Don’t assume a ride will be suitable for your child! Instead, be sure to check a ride’s description and that your child is tall enough. Equally, even if your child qualifies, it doesn’t always mean the ride is right for them! Some can be too wild, dark or scary, so it’s good to know what will be right for your age group.
Found Common Mistakes UK Families Make at Disney helpful? Then check out my Walt Disney World Planning Guides for UK and Ireland families. Guides are tailored for three different age groups – Under 7’s, 7-11’s and 12+ – and available for both Disney Resort and off-site stays. Have kids in different age groups? No problem, as the guides can be mixed and matched to suit your family.
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