- Mar 13, 2024
- 8,649
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Listen, over the years, our team has made some major mistakes in Disney World.
Cinderella Castle
You don’t get to be Disney World pros without making a few hiccups along the way, and thankfully, we’ve learned from those experiences. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of things that we’re NOT doing again in Disney World. If you follow this list, your odds of a successful trip increase exponentially!
Starting off the list, we’ve got to chat about footwear. First of all, you should know that it’s important to break in any shoes you’re packing BEFORE you get to Disney World. If you wear new shoes in the parks, you’ll be blistered by midmorning with all the walking you have to do. But even more than that, do NOT go to Disney World with just one single pair of shoes!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Magical Guides-HOKA-Clifton-10-Shoes-Affiliates-Product-Testing-Disney-World-1-700x525.jpg
HOKA shoes in Disney World
SO many different things could happen to make your solitary pair of shoes unwearable — they could get soaked through during a rainstorm, or they could give you blisters, or they could even get damaged because theme parks are hard on footwear. You never know! It’s a good idea to bring backup shoes just in case. Trust us.
Yes, I know that the seasonal treats may not be as interesting if you know that you’ll never get to try them again, but I’ve eaten hundreds of snacks in Disney World, and some of the very best — my favorite treats — have been limited-time offerings. Even though I only got to have them once or twice, it was worth it just to taste them!
Spicy Pork Spring Rolls for Halloween in 2025
Plus, the more people who try the seasonal treats and love them, the more likely it is that Disney is to make them permanent fixtures on the menu! If there’s something that you taste while on your trip and you mention it in one of those post-trip surveys or tell a Cast Member, that feedback is often heard and received.
If you’re hoping to stay in the parks late (think, any time past 10PM), then you might struggle to find some food when you’re done. And when it has been a few hours since you’ve eaten, Disney World can be suuuuper draining. We’ve been the people struggling to find snacks at midnight before, and that journey often ends up leading to a gas station on Disney property.
McDonald’s at Disney World
The good news is that there are some options; you just may need to plan in advance for them. The McDonald’s on Disney World property is open 24/7, but you may need a car to get there. You can also DoorDash and Uber Eats food to your resort, as some fast food restaurants off Disney property stay open until the wee hours of the morning. If you’re going to stay up late one night, it might be a good idea to pre-plan and stock your hotel room with snacks.
Don’t get us wrong, many of Disney World’s table service restaurants are incredible, and it can be super hard to choose which you want to visit during your trip. However, squeezing too many sit-down meals into your vacation can mean a wild dining budget as well as limited time to do other things.
Full spread from our meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table
Typically, a table service meal will last you 1-2 hours, and if you’re doing them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll be taking up quite a bit of your day just with dining. On top of that, it’s probably going to be way too much food! Disney table service portions are surprisingly large.
Navigating a trip with a large group involves a lot of planning and even more negotiating. So if you’re traveling with several people who have different to-do lists, budgets, or energy levels, don’t think that you all have to stay together the entire time. Sometimes splitting up can be the best thing to keep everyone content.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
One half of the group can hit up Tower of Terror while the other half does something more chill, like a theater show. Some folks may want to do a table service meal, while the rest save money by dining at a fast and easy spot. And if a few people in the travel party are ready to head back to the hotel for a break, it’s not a requirement for everyone to go — Disney Resort transportation is free and easy to use! Sometimes the happiest trips are ones where the group splits up and then comes back together at designated times.
Okay, listen here — it rains a LOT in Disney World. It could rain at any time of the year, and in the summer in particular, it sometimes rains daily. Storms pop up seemingly out of nowhere. We can’t count the number of times we’ve been caught unaware without any rain gear to protect us.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Magical Guides-asset-affiliate-partner-park-bag-essentials-water-bottle-neck-fan-cooling-towel-poncho-bicycle-playing-cards-mole-skin-9-700x525.jpg
Frogg Toggs Poncho
So if you don’t want to walk around with soggy socks and shoes or you don’t want to force your kids to sit in a soaked stroller, you need the basics. Keep a few ponchos on hand, pack a cover for the stroller, and maybe grab an umbrella just in case. Whatever you need to do to be comfortable in inclement weather!
If you’re planning to be in Disney World for more than a long weekend, you’re going to NEED a rest day, especially if you’re planning to hit all four parks. This means that sometime during your trip (preferably somewhere mid-week), you should spend a day focused on relaxation and recovery. If you don’t, you’ll be sore, tired, and probably a little miserable come the end of the week.
Stormalong Bay Pool
There are a few different things you could do with your day off — you can explore your resort, you could visit Disney Springs for a few hours, you could go hotel hopping on Disney transportation — all great options. The main goal here is to do less than you would be doing with a park day. So, probably start with sleeping in…if you can!
We’ve learned through many disasters that a “little headache” during a Disney World park day is probably a sign that there’s something wrong. What you may think is just a pesky dull throb is really a sign that you need to do something, whether it be eat a solid meal, drink more water, or get out of the hot sun.
First Aid will have some basic supplies like medicine and bandages
Those headaches are typically signals to your body that there’s something you need to fix, and if you don’t, you could end up with heat illness or some other bigger health issue. We’ve seen it happen a lot, particularly in the summer! Of course, if you need medical attention or want something to ease the headache, you can also visit First Aid in every park.
One of our big areas of expertise here at Disney Food Blog is the Disney Dining Plan, and we’re constantly telling people the best ways to use their credits to get the most out of the plan that they paid for. When it comes to snack credits, this means you should usually try to choose snacks that cost at least $8 when paid for out of pocket — that’ll help get you the most bang for your buck.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Waffle-with-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Spread-Bananas-Berries-and-Whipped-Cream-Sleepy-Hollow-Liberty-Square-Magic-Kingdom-Disney-World-Photo-Jun-11-2025-10-17-05-5712-x-4284-700x598.jpg
Waffle from Sleepy Hollow!
But when you get to the end of your vacation, and you only have a little bit of time left, it’s more important that you SPEND those snack credits, whatever you buy! The unused credits do not transfer over from one vacation to the next, so if you must, spend those credits on bottled beverages or prepackaged snacks that you can take home with you. Don’t leave credits just sitting in your account!
There are plenty of times you may find yourself out late at night in Disney World. Holiday parties, After Hours events, and Extended Evening Hours all typically keep people up past midnight to maximize park time. Or sometimes, Magic Kingdom stays open until 11PM, and you might decide to go from park open to park close. However, if you’re going to stay out late, we encourage you to think rationally about your plans for the next day!
EPCOT After Hours
For example, if you’re doing an After Hours event that ends at 1AM, you won’t be able to get back to your hotel and get to bed until probably 2:30AM. If that’s the case, you’re definitely not going to be in the mood to rope drop Animal Kingdom at 7AM the next morning. It’s also probably not the day to plan an early breakfast reservation. We know from experience.
There is some delicious food in the Disney World theme parks if you know where to look, but there are some true hidden gems outside of the theme parks! If you never leave the parks to eat, then you’ll miss out on some of the best dining in all of Disney World.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Disney Springs has multiple restaurants that are owned and operated by James Beard Award-winning chefs, and some of our favorite spots to dine are located at various Disney Resorts (like Steakhouse 71, Toledo, ‘Ohana, or Boma). It’s not just about the sit-down spots, either. You can only find Mickey beignets in Disney World at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter, and you’ll have to go to Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian to get one of the BEST mac and cheeses on property. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy your visit outside the parks!
Sadly, not all Disney World attractions are here to stay, and we’ve seen several closures of beloved offerings over the years. For those who are dedicated fans, you may consider planning your trip to say farewell on the attraction’s last day of operation, but that may not work out as well as you think.
DINOSAUR (RIP!)
The attraction will likely have a very long line that day, and if it has any downtime, including technical glitches or a weather-related closure, your plans might be ruined. You never know what will happen on the final day, so allow yourself some flexibility by planning to say goodbye a week or more ahead of time.
We often advise folks to make a to-do list when visiting Disney World. A lot of times, those lists include your must-do rides, entertainment options, snacks, and restaurants. But you shouldn’t gauge the success of your trip based solely on how much you “check off” the list.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Things can go wrong on any vacation, and it’s important to remember that you can have a good time no matter how much you accomplish. If you don’t get to do every ride you wanted, you still get the chance to visit the parks and spend time with your loved ones. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Sometimes the best memories from Disney trips are the ones you make in the in-between or the surprises you discover along the way.
For more tips and tricks for navigating Disney World, subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube channel and follow us on social media.
Which of these mistakes have you made in Disney World before? Tell us in the comments!
Cinderella Castle
You don’t get to be Disney World pros without making a few hiccups along the way, and thankfully, we’ve learned from those experiences. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of things that we’re NOT doing again in Disney World. If you follow this list, your odds of a successful trip increase exponentially!
1. Pack Only One Pair of Shoes
Starting off the list, we’ve got to chat about footwear. First of all, you should know that it’s important to break in any shoes you’re packing BEFORE you get to Disney World. If you wear new shoes in the parks, you’ll be blistered by midmorning with all the walking you have to do. But even more than that, do NOT go to Disney World with just one single pair of shoes!
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/2025-Magical Guides-HOKA-Clifton-10-Shoes-Affiliates-Product-Testing-Disney-World-1-700x525.jpg
HOKA shoes in Disney World
SO many different things could happen to make your solitary pair of shoes unwearable — they could get soaked through during a rainstorm, or they could give you blisters, or they could even get damaged because theme parks are hard on footwear. You never know! It’s a good idea to bring backup shoes just in case. Trust us.
2. Skip Trying the Seasonal Snacks
Yes, I know that the seasonal treats may not be as interesting if you know that you’ll never get to try them again, but I’ve eaten hundreds of snacks in Disney World, and some of the very best — my favorite treats — have been limited-time offerings. Even though I only got to have them once or twice, it was worth it just to taste them!
Spicy Pork Spring Rolls for Halloween in 2025
Plus, the more people who try the seasonal treats and love them, the more likely it is that Disney is to make them permanent fixtures on the menu! If there’s something that you taste while on your trip and you mention it in one of those post-trip surveys or tell a Cast Member, that feedback is often heard and received.
3. Forget to Make a Late-Night Dining Plan
If you’re hoping to stay in the parks late (think, any time past 10PM), then you might struggle to find some food when you’re done. And when it has been a few hours since you’ve eaten, Disney World can be suuuuper draining. We’ve been the people struggling to find snacks at midnight before, and that journey often ends up leading to a gas station on Disney property.
McDonald’s at Disney World
The good news is that there are some options; you just may need to plan in advance for them. The McDonald’s on Disney World property is open 24/7, but you may need a car to get there. You can also DoorDash and Uber Eats food to your resort, as some fast food restaurants off Disney property stay open until the wee hours of the morning. If you’re going to stay up late one night, it might be a good idea to pre-plan and stock your hotel room with snacks.
4. Book Too Many Table Service Meals
Don’t get us wrong, many of Disney World’s table service restaurants are incredible, and it can be super hard to choose which you want to visit during your trip. However, squeezing too many sit-down meals into your vacation can mean a wild dining budget as well as limited time to do other things.
Full spread from our meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table
Typically, a table service meal will last you 1-2 hours, and if you’re doing them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll be taking up quite a bit of your day just with dining. On top of that, it’s probably going to be way too much food! Disney table service portions are surprisingly large.
5. Force My Group to Stay Together the Entire Trip
Navigating a trip with a large group involves a lot of planning and even more negotiating. So if you’re traveling with several people who have different to-do lists, budgets, or energy levels, don’t think that you all have to stay together the entire time. Sometimes splitting up can be the best thing to keep everyone content.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
One half of the group can hit up Tower of Terror while the other half does something more chill, like a theater show. Some folks may want to do a table service meal, while the rest save money by dining at a fast and easy spot. And if a few people in the travel party are ready to head back to the hotel for a break, it’s not a requirement for everyone to go — Disney Resort transportation is free and easy to use! Sometimes the happiest trips are ones where the group splits up and then comes back together at designated times.
6. Leave Behind the Rain Gear
Okay, listen here — it rains a LOT in Disney World. It could rain at any time of the year, and in the summer in particular, it sometimes rains daily. Storms pop up seemingly out of nowhere. We can’t count the number of times we’ve been caught unaware without any rain gear to protect us.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2024-Magical Guides-asset-affiliate-partner-park-bag-essentials-water-bottle-neck-fan-cooling-towel-poncho-bicycle-playing-cards-mole-skin-9-700x525.jpg
Frogg Toggs Poncho
So if you don’t want to walk around with soggy socks and shoes or you don’t want to force your kids to sit in a soaked stroller, you need the basics. Keep a few ponchos on hand, pack a cover for the stroller, and maybe grab an umbrella just in case. Whatever you need to do to be comfortable in inclement weather!
7. Forgo a Resort or Rest Day During a Long Trip
If you’re planning to be in Disney World for more than a long weekend, you’re going to NEED a rest day, especially if you’re planning to hit all four parks. This means that sometime during your trip (preferably somewhere mid-week), you should spend a day focused on relaxation and recovery. If you don’t, you’ll be sore, tired, and probably a little miserable come the end of the week.
Stormalong Bay Pool
There are a few different things you could do with your day off — you can explore your resort, you could visit Disney Springs for a few hours, you could go hotel hopping on Disney transportation — all great options. The main goal here is to do less than you would be doing with a park day. So, probably start with sleeping in…if you can!
8. Ignore a “Little Headache” on a Long, Hot Day
We’ve learned through many disasters that a “little headache” during a Disney World park day is probably a sign that there’s something wrong. What you may think is just a pesky dull throb is really a sign that you need to do something, whether it be eat a solid meal, drink more water, or get out of the hot sun.
First Aid will have some basic supplies like medicine and bandages
Those headaches are typically signals to your body that there’s something you need to fix, and if you don’t, you could end up with heat illness or some other bigger health issue. We’ve seen it happen a lot, particularly in the summer! Of course, if you need medical attention or want something to ease the headache, you can also visit First Aid in every park.
9. Waste Snack Credits on the Dining Plan
One of our big areas of expertise here at Disney Food Blog is the Disney Dining Plan, and we’re constantly telling people the best ways to use their credits to get the most out of the plan that they paid for. When it comes to snack credits, this means you should usually try to choose snacks that cost at least $8 when paid for out of pocket — that’ll help get you the most bang for your buck.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Magical Guides-Waffle-with-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Spread-Bananas-Berries-and-Whipped-Cream-Sleepy-Hollow-Liberty-Square-Magic-Kingdom-Disney-World-Photo-Jun-11-2025-10-17-05-5712-x-4284-700x598.jpg
Waffle from Sleepy Hollow!
But when you get to the end of your vacation, and you only have a little bit of time left, it’s more important that you SPEND those snack credits, whatever you buy! The unused credits do not transfer over from one vacation to the next, so if you must, spend those credits on bottled beverages or prepackaged snacks that you can take home with you. Don’t leave credits just sitting in your account!
10. Plan Poorly After a Late Night in the Parks
There are plenty of times you may find yourself out late at night in Disney World. Holiday parties, After Hours events, and Extended Evening Hours all typically keep people up past midnight to maximize park time. Or sometimes, Magic Kingdom stays open until 11PM, and you might decide to go from park open to park close. However, if you’re going to stay out late, we encourage you to think rationally about your plans for the next day!
EPCOT After Hours
For example, if you’re doing an After Hours event that ends at 1AM, you won’t be able to get back to your hotel and get to bed until probably 2:30AM. If that’s the case, you’re definitely not going to be in the mood to rope drop Animal Kingdom at 7AM the next morning. It’s also probably not the day to plan an early breakfast reservation. We know from experience.
4 9AM Habits Expert Disney Fans Practice
11. Only Eat Inside the Parks
There is some delicious food in the Disney World theme parks if you know where to look, but there are some true hidden gems outside of the theme parks! If you never leave the parks to eat, then you’ll miss out on some of the best dining in all of Disney World.
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
Disney Springs has multiple restaurants that are owned and operated by James Beard Award-winning chefs, and some of our favorite spots to dine are located at various Disney Resorts (like Steakhouse 71, Toledo, ‘Ohana, or Boma). It’s not just about the sit-down spots, either. You can only find Mickey beignets in Disney World at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter, and you’ll have to go to Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian to get one of the BEST mac and cheeses on property. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy your visit outside the parks!
12. Wait to Ride an Attraction Until Its Closing Day
Sadly, not all Disney World attractions are here to stay, and we’ve seen several closures of beloved offerings over the years. For those who are dedicated fans, you may consider planning your trip to say farewell on the attraction’s last day of operation, but that may not work out as well as you think.
DINOSAUR (RIP!)
The attraction will likely have a very long line that day, and if it has any downtime, including technical glitches or a weather-related closure, your plans might be ruined. You never know what will happen on the final day, so allow yourself some flexibility by planning to say goodbye a week or more ahead of time.
13. Make a Trip Only About the To-Do List
We often advise folks to make a to-do list when visiting Disney World. A lot of times, those lists include your must-do rides, entertainment options, snacks, and restaurants. But you shouldn’t gauge the success of your trip based solely on how much you “check off” the list.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Things can go wrong on any vacation, and it’s important to remember that you can have a good time no matter how much you accomplish. If you don’t get to do every ride you wanted, you still get the chance to visit the parks and spend time with your loved ones. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Sometimes the best memories from Disney trips are the ones you make in the in-between or the surprises you discover along the way.
For more tips and tricks for navigating Disney World, subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube channel and follow us on social media.
Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
YOU CAN, TOO.
https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Magical Guides-Guide-Covers-Fan-11-11-24-2.png
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
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Which of these mistakes have you made in Disney World before? Tell us in the comments!
