WARNING: Don't Make These Mistakes During Your Next Disney World Trip

Check out these can’t-miss tips before your next trip to Walt Disney World.

Tip #1

Stay Hydrated

A person dressed in a yellow shirt is drinking water from a glass under a bright, sunny sky with the sun directly overhead. Battling the scorching heat wave, a Mickey Mouse mascot in a white suit and black bow tie stands to the left, smiling at Disney guests while they try to stay cool. — Credit: Inside The Magic

Thanks to its location in Orlando, Florida, Walt Disney World is often hot and humid. Guests will be spending lots of time outside in the heat, so it’s crucial to stay hydrated and in the shade as much as possible. Guests are free to bring in their own water bottles and drinks into the park (not including alcohol), but even so, staying hydrated can be a challenge.

Disney World knows this, which is why guests can also find free water stations and fountains around the parks. Sunscreen is also highly recommended as guests will want to avoid getting burned as they explore the parks.

Tip #2

Don’t Be “That Person”

A large crowd in Magic Kingdom with Cinderella Castle in the background at Disney World — Credit: Lee (myfrozenlife), Flickr

We’ve all encountered someone who ruined a moment or an entire day at the parks. Whether they’re talking loudly on the phone in a restaurant, cutting in line, or just generally being rude, nobody wants to spend their vacation around an impolite person, which is why we and Disney ask visitors to be nice and courteous while inside the theme parks.

We want your next Walt Disney World trip to go as smoothly as possible, but we also don’t want any of the magic ruined. There are a number of rules Disney expects its guests to follow, though given how many visitors enter the gates each day, it’s impossible to monitor everyone.

This is why we highly recommend taking a breather and to always be aware of your surroundings.

Tip #3

Plan Ahead

Crowds in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida — Credit: Haydn Blackey, Flickr

While some may get the urge to “wing it” while visiting Walt Disney World, we definitely recommend going in with a plan, especially if this is your first time. Make sure you pack the essentials (snacks, water, sunscreen, etc.), but also enter the parks with a general plan for the day.

This doesn’t have to be an itemized list of everything that you plan to do, just a small checklist that includes the major rides, attractions, and other experiences you want to enjoy. Make a few top priorities for each day, like riding Expedition Everest or meeting Cinderella, and then a few other experiences for later in the day.

Purchasing Lightning Lane passes can help segment the day, but this comes at an extra cost.

Tip #4

Be Ready to Wait

People stand in line for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind inside of EPCOT at Walt Disney World. — Credit: Inside the Magic Reader Submission

As we mentioned, Walt Disney World is very popular. In fact, Magic Kingdom is ranked as the most visited theme park on Earth. This means that you will be waiting in line at some point during your trip. Whether it’s for the Tower of Terror or for Cinderella’s Royal Table, you will find yourself in a queue of some sort during your days at Disney World’s four theme parks.

There’s no way around this, so just go in prepared to wait, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when Space Mountain takes 45 minutes instead of 65.

Tip #5

Expect Downtime

toy story mania queue — Credit: Becky Burkett, Inside the Magic

While Disney World’s operations are pretty great, guests should still prepare for free rides and/or attractions to be down during their trip. Newer rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are known to face technical issues. Other attractions may be closed for refurbishment.

We recommend checking the official Walt Disney World refurbishment calendar for a full breakdown of what will be closed before your next trip so you can avoid disappointment.

Do you agree with our tips?