Top 6 Mistakes that are Costing you Time at Disney World

You’ve saved your vacation days at work and have money set aside for the Disney trip of your dreams. Now, don’t waste it! Here are our top mistakes at Disney that end up costing you one of your most precious assets – your time.

1 –  Not Doing Your Research

Yes, believe it or not, research and vacation go hand in hand! Check out Disney websites, read blogs, buy a book, and make notes. There is no reason you can’t have fun with your Disney research by involving the family in your planning. The more you know about Disney World and all the fantastic components that go with it, the more time you will save later when you arrive. Decide what works best for you and your family, and know the game plan before stepping foot in the park.

2 – Not Being Aware of Park Hours

What times do parks open and close? This is a great thing to know when you plan your itinerary. Arriving first thing at park opening can save you time in hitting a ride or two before the crowds arrive. Staying late in the night also saves time, as crowds seem to thin out slightly as park closing nears. Be aware of when the parade or firework shows are as well. If you want to skip these, sometimes this is the best time to catch a ride with little to no wait.

3 – Not Making Advanced Dining Reservations

Seems simple enough, but many people think on a whim they will get into restaurants with no problem. Even during the slower months, we highly recommend you make dining reservations. There is no need to hope you can get into a restaurant or wait for a table when you can plan in advance. Dining reservations save time and the headache of walking around the park, looking for a place to eat.

4 – Not Considering Paying Access to Lighting Lane

You’ll want to get as much done as possible. While it’s not right for everyone, you may want to consider paying for Lightning Lane access that allows you to “skip the line.” There are two Lightning Lane paid options that include different attractions. First, you can purchase Disney Genie+ for the day of your visit. This costs anywhere from $15-$39 per day, per person. With Genie+, you can access the Lightning Lane at select attractions at each park. A second option for purchasing Lightning Lane is the a la carte method. There are (usually) two attractions at each park that are NOT included with your Genie+ purchase and must be purchased separately. Pricing ranges from $7-$25 per person, per attraction. Keep in mind that you do not have to purchase either of these options to enjoy these attractions. The standby queue is available for all attractions. However, if you want to skip the line and get more done, this may be a good option for you and your family. 

5 – Not Knowing How to Dodge the Crowds

We suggest understanding the park maps before you arrive in the park – not waiting to browse maps when you get there. Look for high-traffic areas and know ways around these areas to save time. For example, are you headed to Space Mountain at park opening? The Cinderella Castle hub is almost always busy. Cut through the Tomorrowland Terrace to sneak around the crowded traffic. Just like you save time by knowing shortcuts on your commute to work – know shortcuts within the park to save time as well!

6 – Not Checking Out Transportation Options

Disney offers some fantastic transportation options for their resort guests. Once you arrive at your resort, check out their bus, boat, monorail, Disney Skyliner, and/or walking path transportation options. If you have your car with you, take that traffic time into consideration as well. Ask Guest Services at your resort about transportation time to and from different locations and/or research online before your arrival. What you think is the time-saving way to travel to and from the parks, water parks, or even Disney Springs might not be your best time-saving option.

To sum it all up – when you aren’t wasting time on making decisions that could have been made in advance, you will find you and your family will be left with time to enjoy each other, and all Disney World has to offer!