13 Ways To Enjoy Your Vacation And Avoid Disappointment

As soon as a guests decides that they are going on a Walt Disney World vacation, the anticipation begins to build and the countdown begins. Guests are spending a lot of money to be able to have an amazing time in the parks, and there are several things that can be done both ahead of time and once on vacation to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. By following these tips and tricks, guests will save time, money, and stress and end up having an amazing vacation. Here are thirteen ways to enjoy a Walt Disney World vacation and avoid disappointment.

[google_ad]

13. Pick The Right Resort –

Guests who opt to stay on property at a Disney Resort find themselves having to choose between over two dozen options. While this might seem overwhelming, the resorts are broken down into categories to make choosing an option much easier. Guests should begin by looking at their budget and choosing a resort that matches it from the deluxe category (the most extravagant), the value category (the most reasonably priced), and the moderate category (which falls somewhere in between). Once guests know their price range, they can choose from several options in each category that range in theme and location. Guests should pick a resort which has a theme that they will enjoy and has amenities which appeal to them. For example, guests with a deluxe budget who love Disney’s Animal Kingdom should opt to stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Picking the right resort ensures that guests will feel at home on a Disney vacation.

12. Book FastPasses –

FastPasses are available to all guests in Walt Disney World and they act as reservations for attractions that guests can return to at a designated time and experience with little to no wait time. Guests who are staying on property at a Disney Resort can book their FastPasses up to sixty days in advance and guests who are staying off property can book up to thirty days in advance. Booking FastPasses for attractions which tend to have long wait times if the most efficient way to utilize the system and great options are Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers, Avatar Flight of Passage, Na’vi River Journey, Frozen Ever After, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

11. Book Dining Reservations –

One of the biggest potential let downs on a Disney vacation is finding out that a restaurant a guest wanted to eat in is totally booked. Guests are able to book Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and these reservations are absolutely necessary for popular restaurants. While guests should make reservations for each meal that they are looking forward to as far in advance as possible, some of the most popular restaurants that tend to book first are the California Grill, Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Le Cellier Steakhouse.

10. Know What You Want To Do –

By taking some time at home and researching the parks, guests can save a ton of time once on vacation. Guests should take a look at each attraction and have a general idea of what they are like. By doing so, guests traveling with adults might learn that they don’t need to experience an attraction like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and guests traveling with young children learn that they are probably best off skipping the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Guests with small children should also look into which attractions have height requirements and know which ones their kids don’t meet to avoid any surprises in the park.

9. Know Where Things Are –

Guests can also save a ton on time on vacation by knowing ahead of time where in general things are located. Guests should research their resort and where the front desk, bus stop, pool, and food court are. Guests should also become familiar with the parks and know where certain attractions and restaurants are. By doing so guests save a ton of time that would otherwise have been spent wandering around or stopping to consult a map.

[google_ad_btf]

8. Have A Daily Plan –

A great time saver for a Disney vacation is to have a tentative schedule in place before leaving home. By knowing each morning which park is on the schedule and what FastPass and dining reservations exist, guests can head right out and start enjoying the day instead of sitting around trying to figure out a plan.

7. Leave Enough Time –

One of the easiest ways to be faced with disappointment and stress while in Disney is to be running late. Guests should be sure to leave at least an hour when traveling between places in order to arrive on time and not miss reservations for FastPasses, dining reservations, and tours. Nothing can put a damper on a Disney day than losing a reservation because a guest was late!

6. Take Time To Relax –

Many guests don’t realize how tiring a Walt Disney World vacation can be. Between the high temperature and constant walking, guests can become tired very easily. It is important to schedule in time to relax each day, whether it requires hanging by the pool for a few hours or taking a nap in the resort room. By taking time to regroup and relax each day guests can ensure that they will stay relaxed, stress free, and energetic for the length of their vacation.

5. Don’t Try To Do It All –

The easiest way that many guests become disappointed on a Disney vacation is by trying to see everything. Walt Disney World is a massive place with four theme parks, two water parks, tons of dining options, and Disney Springs. With so much to see and do it is physically impossible to see it all on one trip. Guests who try and do it all will find themselves stressed out, exhausted, and frustrated. Guests who accept that they can’t see it all will be able to pick and choose what attractions and experiences are necessary and enjoy each moment.

4. Enjoy The Details –

One of the things that makes Walt Disney World so special is the incredible attention to detail everywhere in the parks. Many guests plow right by a lot of the details in order to get to the next attraction or show, but those who slow down and appreciate the details are treated to rich art, beautiful landscapes, and intricate stories. Slowing down and enjoying the details is an amazing way to make the most of each moment of a Disney vacation.

3. Wear Comfortable Shoes –

One of the easiest ways to be miserable on a Disney trip is to wear uncomfortable shoes. Guests don’t realize just how often they are on their feet and walking while exploring the parks in uncomfortable shoes quickly lead to sore feet, blisters, and misery. A key way to avoid being uncomfortable is to wear shoes that have been broken in and are great for long distance walking.

2. Drink Drink Drink! –

With high temperatures, lots of walking, and constant sweating it is extremely easy to become dehydrated while in the parks. One of the easiest ways to keep energized and feeling healthy each day is to drink a ton of water. Buying water bottles can become expensive, so a great way to stay hydrated while saving money is to pack a filtered refillable water bottle. This allows guests to fill up at any water fountain for free and also filters out the taste of Florida tap water which some guests don’t enjoy.

1. Wear Sunscreen –

The sun in Central Florida is strong, so guests should be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen. Getting a bad burn is an easy way to become uncomfortable and be disappointed on vacation. In order to avoid bad burns and continue feeling great on a Walt Disney World vacation, sunscreen is a must!