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Not-So-Magical Ways to Spoil a Walt Disney World Trip

Planning tips and information have become even more important as Disney parks have reopened amidst the pandemic. But today, we’d like to mix it up a bit: instead of giving you a list of the most key planning tips, we’d like to share with you a list of the best possible ways to ruin your trip to Disney World. (And then we’re hoping you disregard each point on the list and do exactly the opposite things!)

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6. Don’t put too much stock into the “all-new Park Pass Reservation System.”

Wow. Here’s a real winner. Disney’s new Park Pass Reservation System has been implemented as a means of crowd control (Disney really doesn’t like that term). That’s because upon reopening, the parks will be operating at a limited capacity. But surely they’ll be enough room for you and your family, right? After all, the Walt Disney World Resort is twice the size of the island of Manhattan. I’m pretty sure no one needs a reservation in Manhattan to keep from being squeezed off the island. And thanks to Disney magic, surely you’ll get in with or without a park pass reservation, so just skip it. Who has time to login to their Disney account, pick dates off a calendar and then cross their fingers until a reservation is confirmed? Life’s too short. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

5. Don’t waste your time, money or your good looks on face coverings.

No matter where you and your state stand on the face mask debate, let’s be real. It’s hotter than a fire hydrant chasing a dog (insert your own metaphor for indescribably unnecessary summer heat) in Central Florida in the summertime—and during other parts of the year sometimes, for that matter. Putting a covering across our faces will no doubt have us disoriented and praying for an ambulance from Reedy Creek to come save the day. And yes, we know all about the new face mask requirement at Disney World—the one that makes face masks mandatory for park admission—but Cast Members can’t be everywhere, right? So what if you don’t wear one? What are they going to do? Ask you to leave the park? (Hint: that’s exactly what they’ll do!)

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4. Again, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Like, dining reservations, for instance. There are plenty of restaurants—in the parks, at Disney Springs and inside each Disney World Resort hotel. Reservations are just someone’s clever idea at creating that whole supply and demand thing (emphasis on the demand part). Have an idea of where you’d like to eat and just get to the restaurant early enough to wait for a table. How hard could it be?

3. Don’t waste precious time packing a park bag and lugging it around the parks.

You and the fam are headed to Disney World, not on safari in the Sahara. What on earth could you possibly need access to while inside the parks that’s important enough to justify carrying a cumbersome bag into the parks? And even if you do end up needing something while you’re enjoying the magic of Disney, have no fear! You’re almost certain to find those “essentials” inside the parks and probably for an exceptionally reasonable price (when were things ever overpriced at Disney World?). Skip the bag; after all, even in the worst case scenario, it couldn’t possibly take more than a couple of hours out of your day at the parks to find those necessary items or run back to your resort hotel room to get them. So relax.

2. Budgets are for scaredy-cats.

You’re a responsible adult—a parent perhaps—and you’re more than capable of putting together and carrying out a trip to Walt Disney World. You’ve got it together. No need to punish yourself with the restrictions of a vacation budget. After all, you can fully trust yourself to never fall victim to the puppy-dog eyes of your little ones as they beg you for another “souvenir.” And you’ve got enough wherewithal to refrain from the temptations of overspending on all things Mickey Mouse. And besides, it’s not like the parks are cleverly designed to lure you and yours into every single shop along the way. What could go wrong? You’ll have your credit card with you, so it’s not like you’ll be paying for those “little extras” today. Again with the small stuff! Seriously, learn to relax; you’ll enjoy yourself so much more.

1. Be sure to get everything on your Disney World bucket list completed on your first visit at all costs.

This especially pertains to families with little ones—specifically little ones who are still of nap-taking ages. This is your once-in-a-lifetime trip; you get to go to Disney once in blue moon; the kids can nap anytime. So there’s no real need to take a break for them to nap in the afternoon while you’re visiting the parks, even if that’s their usual routine. In no time, the kids will realize the sheer magnitude of being at Disney World, and they’ll choose a nap-free day on their own accord. And because it’s Disney World, the magic will most likely quieten any fussiness that might have begun if you had chosen a less exciting, less magical vacation destination. Because they’re so young, you’ll want to make their first visit to the parks a memorable one, paying special attention to be there for every single show, experience every single attraction and ride every single ride while you’re there. If you’re new to Disney World, be sure to set a family goal of experiencing no less than 15 rides and experiences each day you’re in the parks. Now how can you meet that goal if you’re stopping for the pettiness of naps?

Have a great time! You can’t miss!

About Rebekah Tyndall Burkett

Rebekah grew up in Forney, Texas and lives just outside of Dallas. She’s been a Disney superfan since childhood, experiencing the magic at Walt Disney World for the first time at the age of 11. Journeys to Neverland are at least a yearly occurrence for her, her husband and her four children (the Fab Four). When they go to the parks, they stay in Florida for three weeks at a time. Rebekah loves exploring the history of the parks, the genius behind the Magic in the person of Walt Disney, and she is intrigued by all things Disney World and Disney Imagineering. When in the parks, Rebekah and her husband Scott make the most of their time by enjoying every minute with their Fab Four, by delving deeper into Walt’s vision for the parks and into the history behind the Walt Disney World Resort, and by photographing the many different types of architecture at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on the World Showcase at EPCOT. When she’s not in the parks, Rebekah is excitedly setting travel dates and planning her family’s next adventure to their happy place deep within the Sunshine State. On breaks from planning her next trip, Rebekah is a writer, journalist and children’s author, penning children’s books about kids with special needs that she affectionately calls “believement-achievement” stories. Her hobbies include creative writing, paper crafting and interviewing Imagineers. She is also an advocate for Autism Awareness and for children with developmental disabilities of all kinds.