TOP 5 Walt Disney World Rookie Mistakes! | Best & Worst 01/18/17

Join Pete Werner, Steve Porter and Oliver Green as they share their 'TOP FIVE Walt Disney World Rookie Mistakes!'
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[@jono74656]

As someone whose first childhood visit was with a family group of 20+ and a lead planner who INSISTED we all go around the parks together, I cannot stress enough the idea that you don't all have to do the same thing at the same time. It's a recipe for family arguments and not for a good holiday.

[@cijmo]

When you stand in line and hear "Bobby, where's Bobby? Oh there he is Bobby, we're here...now where's your sister? Susan! I can't find, oh there she is Susan, where's grandma?"

[@randolphsavage9760]

jono74656 Yes, please do not feel afraid to break up and meet somewhere later on. Last trip I went with my dad (who has mobility issues), my brother and sister-in-law. My dad was fine with hanging out in Main Street while I wanted to walk around and check out what looked interesting. My sister-in-law insisted we stay together (didn't want us to not experience "together") but had to rest every 20 minutes even though dad and I were FINE with our plans. So, if everyone has different plans please feel free to separate and say "meet at Walt Disney/Mickey statue at 3" or whatever.

[@SS-or7mz]

Absolutely do NOT try to do everything together if in larger groups/family!

[@chip1ahoy]

jono74656 We went with a lot of my family and it was HORRIBLE. At the end of the trip my aunt didn't talk to my mom and that's how it's been ever since😂😭

[@Idizol78]

OH MY GOD YES! I can understand you there. It can be a nightmare i swear!

[@Wanderlustwithjess50]

One other thing I think is important. Disney does refurbishment on rides regularly. If this is your first time to go and your heart set on let's say Splash Mountain check to see if it is being refurbished during the time you are planning to go. Disney on their website has a refurbishment schedule.

[@rileysunderland1904]

Jess E Hooper good point, cause last time we went down we had heard that Soarin' would be could does to update the ride for the new Soarin' around the world, and that meant we spent little less time in EPCOT than we usually do cause that's a big thing we go to EPCOT for is Soarin'

[@ccraisins2005]

The mid day break is why we refuse to stay off property. It is so nice to have a 3, 8, and 11 year old and none of them have meltdowns or fits because they are always well rested. We'll eat lunch in the parks, and then head back. Even an hours break in the AC can do wonders. Another trick we learned was that we don't need to carry abunch of stuff, if anything at all. I'll take my good camera in the AM to get pictures and videos with that, and then leave it in the hotel after lunch. I've learned there's enough iphone and android camera apps as long as you don't have an old phone you can take some awesome photos with your phone. Also with memory maker coming with AP passes now, let them handle the pictures! It's really fast going through lines without bags. There's nothing that we need to take. We take water bottles, but will grab a drink in the parks if we run out or refill for free at the baby center. I'm not too worried carrying ponchos around. We just jump on the people mover or do something in doors till the shower passes. Or, we just get a little wet. I've lived in FL my entire life, and have never died or got sick from a few rain drops :D

[@ccraisins2005]

One more thing, if you're driving your own car, pay attention to where you park. One night we didn't pay attention at all to where we parked at the TTC, and we ended up riding the wrong tram to the wrong side and that is a big ass parking lot. We make damn well sure to look at what isle and section we're parked in LOL

[@cre8tveldy]

Lori Hackney take a photo of on your phone of the sign in your section so you remember.

[@tatts4life838]

Lori Hackney while my mind and heart was telling me don't leave try and do everything you can. After the first day my body was begging for a break. Mid day breaks were a lifesaver for us.

[@nicholasragbir3296]

Lori Hackney wept xo.

[@Cauldron6]

I totally agree about the midday break! Our family goes for park opening, and leaves at around noon or 1pm, because that's when the parks start to get really crowded. We'll head back to the hotel, take a nap or have a quick dip in the pool, and we're refreshed enough to spend the rest of the evening at a park or Disney Springs!

[@AlexandriaPurgatori]

my family has always gone as a massive group (usually 13-16 people). We can absolutely say that it is impossible to stay together; somebody will always want to do something different. We would combat this by getting to the park together, riding the first ride together, the. breaking apart. We would meet back up for the parade, dinner, && the fireworks. It somehow keeps us from killing each other.

[@benjaminwambeke9458]

Worst thing you can do: Compare it to Universal. Seriously. They're 2 different parks with different rides, atmospheres, and histories. You can definitely have a preference, but fixating over every little difference will ruin the experience of one of them. My friend would not shut up about how old and unexciting Disney was for her when we were there compared to Universal, and it almost ruined the experience for me. I think Universal is wonderful, but I also think Disney is wonderful for completely different reasons

[@GoddessofWisdom]

Benjamin Wambeke I was the exact same way when I went to Universal for the first time. I grew up going to Disney, so I kept a bias and it almost ruined my time at Universal.

[@haroldgrabert7530]

30+ time visitor. Get there at opening. You will crush the park in the first two hours. Save your fastpasses for later. I can't remember waiting in line for jungle cruise or space mountain with this method and we go every other July. And for heaven's sake people. If you are miserable, take a break. Also, there are so many awesome quick service places to eat. Don't spend all your time eating at over priced sit down restaurants. Buy your ponchos at Walmart before you go,

[@arimonL]

Great Tips! thx

[@scoutmaster33]

#CRAZY MUSIC !MAN! Agreed Park 101 is arrive before they open as you are correct you'll ride as much in the first two hours as the rest of the day. Breakfast that gets you in even earlier than the rope drop (Be our Guest) can be golden in getting on that first ride (7 dwarves mine train) before the poor folks behind the ropes even hit the rides.

[@rosestewart1606]

I'm the planner for my family. 1 or 2 table service meals per trip at most...my family hates waiting. Quick service is great but they aren't all great...you can see reviews on the Dis Forums. And don't wait too late to eat in Magic Kingdom. They close earlier than you think they should.

[@geofferypmeyers]

I love how Pete said “Flarida”

[@bandchck12]

As a mother of a toddler and taking him since he was 4 months old, use the baby care areas. They have diapers, and other baby necessities that might be needed. Its air conditioned and it's a great place for toddlers to take a break and color or watch tv and calm down. It's also a great place to feed them and change diapers or clothes (lots more tables than the restrooms).

[@CCrispyyy]

Tammy Currey like diaper vending machines?

[@bandchck12]

Caitlin Crisp actually they have packages of Huggies diapers for sale in the baby care area (well not at Hollywood Studios though, they are at a different location). We haven't had to buy any, but it's comforting knowing they have them available

[@Alisha23456]

Do you have a recommendation on which park to take a 4 year old too if you can only do 2 parks, one will be magic kingdom. What should the other one be?

[@4aceswithakicker638]

When I was in the Air Force I learned.."Rigid Flexibility"

[@alandenniston8209]

We are regulars to Disney, and these tips are helpful and a good refresher course. Love the arrive early tip especially for Magic Kingdom.

[@Missyxray1983]

One of the best photos we have ever gotten was when we were letting our then two year old play by the teacups in fantasyland and a photopass photographer walked by and basically gave us a mini photo shoot because she was having fun and just making memories.

[@nobreyner60]

I watched this well before my first ever trip exactly one month ago today. I broke in new shoes and they were not the problem. I did walk daily to prepare myself for the parks and stamina was good. The problem was that regardless of my being forwarned I was so excited that I crisscrossed the Magic Kingdom almost continuously. I didn't check the time or how much I've been walking at any time. I was there at 8:45AM to about 2:30PM and utterly exhausted by the time I left. After checking the time as I left I found that I walked 22,500 steps or 9.7 miles in about six hours or less. I was mostly recovered for the Animal Kingdom the next day, but my calves were strained for the rest of the vacation. They were so tight after two plus hours of walking and if I sat it became almost painful to walk afterwards until I walked if off for a little bit. I had a lot of fun, but the first day almost made the rest of the 9 day vacation very uncomfortable. I'm going again for another 9 days in the first full week of February '19 and know how to handle that. My first full day will be not at a park, but going to eat breakfast at Geyser Point, and I'm staying off property.

[@DaveS9291]

In the summer, I always carry a Camelbak. It saves you from having to buy water in the parks, the pack keeps you cool on your back, plus you have around 2 Liters of water to hydrate in the summer. Can be a little heavy, but definitely helpful.

[@MilkyWay-gi8km]

you're allowed to bring in water bottles?

[@mrallenwing]

MilkyWay2001 your allowed to bring in a cooler , which can contain waters, soda , and food

[@DaveS9291]

Yes, you can bring this in. They will simply check it at bag check as they would with any other bag.

[@GhostHostMemories]

I like the free ice water cups from Columbia harbor house. really I didn't have a problem with Florida wdw tap water

[@darlenetaylor3977]

You can get cups of ice water from the stands that sell soft drinks. We do it all the time.

[@kronikevin]

Going for my first time in two weeks!

[@mrallenwing]

Kevin Patri I hope you have an amazing time, enjoy these two weeks before you go, part of the fun is the anticipation

[@hollyb6885]

Kevin Patri I hope you had a GREAT time !!!

[@lovelygirl1975]

Great show! Planning is key! It took me 4 days to convince my family that we didn't have to do everything together and I was the planner. I explained this concept from the start and they just didn't like the idea. The best day we had was day 4 because everyone did what they wanted and they were happy.

[@Mrtfarrugia]

one this I found good if you do arrive late for a parade is to find one of the trees in a planter and pin yourself up against the tree. you can stand up even have kids on your shoulders and no one will complain since there view was blocked by the tree anyways.

[@kmh0329]

I sure do wish we had seen this back 2006 we did all four Disney Parks, universal, islands of adventure for 3 days and Kennedy space center and we were exhausted, full of sunburn and sore feet from new sneakers. Obviously we made adjustments and learned to take our time and enjoy the moment! Thanks Pete for all you and the crew do for the Dis unplugged, totally Love it.

[@dobie520]

We always do one day at Magic Kingdom where we get there at rope drop and stay until 1 in the morning with EMH. (It is in June when they extend the hours) On that day we do rope drop in FantasyLand. You can get so much done. We don't book any Fast Passes for the morning We do a lot of rides/attractions between 9 and 12. It is amazing how much you can get done. We leave for a break until about 5 pm. We come back with 3 Fast Passes already reserved. As the night gets later and people leave after Wishes we get in a bunch more rides.

[@TheLoserbella]

My dad always says the biggest mistake people make is bringing their babies. If the child is less then 4 years old he/she will get fussy in the heat, cry, and overall ruin your own and everyone else's vacation. Plus, if you're spending the money to take your kid to Disney they might as well remember it!

[@savagearistocracy5978]

I'm a 23 year old single mom of a (then) one year old baby. we stayed at a hotel for three days at Art of Animation and I just had me, my baby, my mom, and my aunt with me. it was WONDERFUL. when he got fussy one of us (usually my aunt) went to nap with him at the hotel (she's old AF so she just wanted to enjoy the hotel and room service lol) but he never had a meltdown and he wasn't really that fussy. there was so much visual and mental stimulation he didn't have time to cry or get upset i guess lol. we had so much fun! he beamed and smiled at Mickey, flirted with the princesses, Belle did NOT wanna hand him over haha. it was a perfect magical experience I am so glad I brought my baby too. I got me time at night when my aunt and mom babysat, so I even got to roam the park myself and just had a nice little mini vacation . it was so special sitting in the little nemo pools with my baby, seeing him smile and look around in wonder. I'm taking him again this coming Xmas he's about to be 4, super excited. he loves looking at our pictures of when we went and asking questions about whether Mickey "liked him" and what all we did. my advice to parents of you g babies is it depends on babies temperament and DEFF get a hotel so he can go and rest and nap and explore at his own pace. the baby LOVEd the parade. he was flapping his arms and kicking his little legs and giggling and screaming in glee! deffinitley go there with young kids! and to the character meals! and fireworks! oh I just love Disney world. for giving me such precious memories:). I'm not rich, I'm a young single mom who saved up all year a little each paycheck and used the Xmas bonus for (same as I'm doing this year), and they truly made us feel like special guests everywhere we went. it was just a beautiful dream of a vacation id recommend for anyone:)

[@scoutmaster33]

Isabella Rapisarda I took my daughter when she was 2 weeks short of 3 for two weeks and it was great. Half of our group of 5 got to ride twice with the kid swaps. That was in 2009 before the Magic Bands when the fast passes were just paper and swapping them was easy so it may not be as easy now.

[@cindywilliams1078]

Thanks for all the tips.. going for the first time this December and I'm making a lot of these mistakes already.. I think it's hard for someone that has never been to comprehend how large the parks are.. looking forward to more of your very helpful videos!!

[@anastasiaplaydressup]

Best line of the video: "Disney is not the place for existential experiences"

[@Cat-cr1cl]

Fun story; I'm a Florida native so I'm used to the weather, so one year when I was like 8 it was raining really badly. Magic kingdom flooded so to not kill our fun, my dad and mom allowed my sister and I to find an area and swim in one of the flooded areas like a pool. I'm 20 not and it's still one of my fondest Disney memories

[@SariReanna]

As a Canadian, the part about windchill made me laugh a little bit. Granted I wouldn't want to go swimming in 20F, it's just interesting that that's cold to you guys! :)

[@randoml97]

SariReanna I'm a Texan... we get 20°F weather maybe two days out of the year. When you usually don't get bellow 40 it feels cold!

[@legojackgaming]

I know, I'm Canadian as well, and when they say "oh, it's 20 degrees celcius (I guess they would say about 80 farenheit), who has a sweater", and I'm like, "..."

[@lilliandonaldson8121]

Legojack they meant Fahrenheit. Below zero Celsius.

[@scoutmaster33]

Legojack you'd be too high as 20C is in the 60's. Keep in mind the average for the entire year is like 74F for Orlando. Pretty much 90's nearly every day from late May to early October.

[@MissKitty680]

I don't know, I'm from Vancouver and we're pretty wimpy about the cold lol.

[@keouine]

Know who in your party is prone to chafing thighs. carry corn starch. My friend and I sat at a cafe watching the guys mostly limping and walking bow-legged to the exit. I think water rides must be the culprit.

[@NarrativeEscapes]

The top Rookie mistake we encountered was a family we bumped into on the Lynx bus, we were coming back from a trip it I-Drive. They were rocking up to Disney in the evening and asking about it as of it was Alton Towers. The had no idea it was multiple parks, the size of greater Manchester with its own transport networks. They had done ZERO preoperative at all - like eve glanced at even a brochure.

[@angelannecayce2486]

as a former cast member twice each park deserves 4 or 5 days to really enjoy. another week for hotel hopping and one week for Disney springs. that's 6 weeks of vacation just to see it all. like the first words. its 47 square miles. its 10 miles just to go from 192 to the pay booth at magic kingdom.

[@rlevitta]

My 3 best things to do to relax during a WDW vacation, are 1) renting boats to tool around in - which can be rented at Wilderness Lodge, The Yacht Club, Downtown/Saratoga Springs 2) lots of time in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon and 3) hanging at the pool at the hotel

[@annetterowe7790]

Chacos are so very comfortable, but on our last trip I got reminded of my Irish heritage when the top of my feet burned. I won't forget to put sunscreen on my pasty white feet when I travel to WDW in July. I love your shows. Thank you for all the work you do to produce them. I just booked my next vacation with Dreams Unlimited. Your videos convinced me you were a company truly dedicated to customer service.

[@benwinkler8672]

One thing that I would suggest is that the peoplemover ride is a great way to get away from the heat, to get off of your feet and enjoy the beauty of Tomorrowland. It is an absolutely under-rated attraction, and I always leave it refreshed and ready for the next thing. For people who can't leave the park for a break mid day, this can be a nice alternative.

[@Booth81]

Showing up early is a must, especially in the Summer. Last time I was at WDW, I showed up at Epcot and the Disney Studios an hour before opening. There was no one else there when I first showed up, and that made all the difference in riding everything I wanted to.

[@LessaCaira]

If you are picking an "experience" Table Service (like Whispering Canyon, 50's Prime Time, etc.) where part of the draw is the interaction with the server be sure to ask for a "fun" server when you check in for your reservation. I found out the hard way that even though it is supposed to be part of the dining experience many servers won't "play" if you don't.

[@dianecripps5374]

Planning for weather is very important, but I have a corollary: Plan for being outside a LOT. During my trips to WDW, I'm always struck by how sedentary and INTERIOR most of our lives are. When you're at Disney, you're going to be outside from morning to night, in a wide variety of weather (sometimes sweltering and freezing in the same day from morning to night). Bring that sunscreen, bring that wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, carry a sweater or hoodie for after dark, and break those new sneakers in before you go. It's an outdoor adventure!

[@BlueLicCircus]

I'm a local and go to Disney very frequently (obviously not a rookie). Sometimes I find it better to go to the park with no fastpasses planned at all, and if I'm okay with skipping rides like Seven Dwarves or Frozen, I can find that If I look on the app and pick fastpasses that are immediately available, then book the next right when I scan into the previous fastpass' line for a time five or ten minutes later, I can get a massive amount of attractions done in one day.

[@jeffreymartin5357]

Yes, everyone should go to the parade route at least an hour early. That way our family can enjoy shorter lines on the rides while y'all sweat to death waiting for some princess to walk by.

[@susanzahn4922]

It would help to provide a list of "Must Haves" to pack in your backpack/purse, to help those of us who tend to carry too much to a park. In all your experience, what items do you find yourself constantly using, and what items are negligible?

[@240devil1]

Susan Zahn It all depends on the person to what is useful vs avoidable. If you tend to use lots of things tentatively, use a locker. They are cheaper in price and put heavier things in there while carrying something small and light in between visits. They are relatively cheap. You're never more than a short walk away from food or drinks if you want to pay for them. If you stay at the resort hotels take advantage of the meal plan with the free fillable mugs. Keep that as a must have or some sort of drink on hand. Everytime I have gone with my girlfriend I've kept everything I needed basically in my cargo pockets of my shorts lol. One year when we just got our house and newer vehicles instead of meal plans we took lunches and dinners with us to the parks and the hotel rooms. We ended up saving a couple hundred in food alone. Just make sure everything you take will be something you actually use because if you are staying at the resorts you can just always go back to the room and get it and come back. Rides and attractions aren't going anywhere!

[@240devil1]

Susan Zahn Also check the weather and buy accordingly the ponchos or rain gear you may need before hand. Those can be travel necessities because it's expensive to buy them in the park I've heard. If you are going in the winter months there have been times when I've had to get a sweatshirt because it was down to about 55 out. I'm from Michigan so it doesn't bother me to walk in that weather just the rides were a little chilly!

[@thedarkphoenix3396]

Susan Zahn i normaly bring my bag and a smaller bag with a strap to tie to my shorts. My bag can hold my water etra clotging or a pancho and the smaller bag holds some wipes can hold my phone and some money. I do like using my bag to sneak my 100$ vente frapes or ice drinks that i dont want to dump and i know wont go upsidedown.

[@rosestewart1606]

Susan Zahn water bottle, since you can refill throughout the parks. Change of shoes Sunglasses Sweater Gum We stay on site so we use magic bands for everything. We each have a little backpack...like the string kind... but if we're going out just in the evening we just take the magic bands.

[@mdf3530]

And if you need anything like sunscreen or over the counter medicine, you can buy it there.

[@LoveField_1111]

HI Pete!! I'm also have personality type A!! We need a support group when planning a Disney vacation!! 😂😂😂

[@cijmo]

For people who want to 'save money'...this is not a 'money saving' trip so don't go for the Travelodge because it's cheaper. You're going to spend more money on transportation or parking. STAY ON SITE! At least for your first time. They take great care of you, getting to and from the parks is low stress. I did three parks one day. Most of the day at Animal Kingdom, came back to the hotel for a swim and nap, Magic Kingdom for parade and fireworks then Downtown Disney (rebranded Disney Springs now) for a stroll, ice cream cone and wind-down. Also bought a bath bomb at the store there to finish the night with at the hotel. EVERYTHING is expensive! When you're planning your trip, the expense of getting there and staying there is only part of it. If you have kids, bring snack things and boxes of cereal in your suitcase for afternoon break.Go there solo at least once. (This is not recommended for people who can't amuse themselves or pee their pants if they're not with their significant other for more than 5 minutes.) It is a totally different experience when you're alone. You get through everything quicker, a lot of things have single rider lines and you spend a lot of time strolling and you really can get everything done. If you have no kids, don't take bags. A lanyard with credit cards (I even have one with a little wallet attached to it) and a few pockets, boom. You're done. Think of what's IN your bag and if you're going to need it all day. Women take purses, what's in there? Make up and hair brushes. And - touching again at parks and fireworks...do not put kids on your shoulders as soon as the 'show' (whichever you're at) starts. There are people behind you who didn't bargain for a view blocker. If you're going to put your kids in your shoulders stand at the back, not the front. The only thing keeping me from kicking ass is that they have a kid but I have actually left during the fireworks because I can't see anything anyway. (One guy was cool though, I just said "I now can't see anything, can I stand in front of you?" and he let me.)Another thing - people will probably object but - your babies and toddlers will wait. Disney will be there when they're 5 or 6 too. Two year olds will not remember the trip (and if this is your trip of a lifetime...thanks a heap from the two year old!). If they're 5 or 6, there's no diapers, strollers, heavy backpacks of supplies and the kids will at least have memories.

[@kristingibbons6845]

I stay off site, and I'm a season pass holder....we always leave right after lunch and are back in time for what ever we wanna do 😊 that afternoon break as saved many lives in our family😊

[@TheCruiseDog]

One of my best memories of the Disney Parks is sitting at Aunt Polly's on Tom Sawyer's Island drinking lemonade. My family of four had run from ride to ride about two days straight at my constant urging. Finally, wore out, we had to take a break and just stop moving. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Ever since, I have SLOWED down my visits, extended my days in the park, and taken it very leisurely. This is definitely the place where "less is more." There is no reason to hurry because, you will be back again someday.

[@RossTheNinja]

I loved the rain storms as a kid. First time I'd seen fork lightening and running to your car but still getting soaked more than I did on Splash Mountain. It helped that I was in mgm where it didn't matter, at the time.

[@JessKeepSwimming]

the park hopper for military with the discount is way cheaper than the regular ticket cost. so that's why we did it...it was like 50 bucks a day to get in the parks with park hopper. it was glorious!!!

[@LAGapen]

I mega plan every trip but that's have the OCD fun for me! This is fabulous advice for first timers and not a bad reminder for the rest of us!

[@admiralpicard2010]

I went for the first time Sep 2016 & I did a lot of planning & thinking about what we wanted to do. When I think about it now we rushed around a little too much & didn't take our time to see everything. We are going back in 2018( hopefully when Star Wars land is open) & we plan to take things a lot slower & take in a lot more. A big hello to Oliver as well from his UK fans.

[@DisTravelDuo]

admiralpicard2010 wow! we went on our first trip in sept 2016 and now WE are planning for 2018!😁

[@KK-my5gw]

admiralpicard2010 uk fam

[@goodjobeli]

admiralpicard2010 I'M BRITISH TOO!

[@goodjobeli]

S & K ayyyyyyy

[@calebramey]

I wonder what the analytics look like for "veterans" vs "rookies" in regards to park attendance. We are going in March (first time) and have been planning it for a year...

[@wickedwood04]

Goodluck and have fun. Its a ton of fun. Try to not be to tired to see the Fireworks night shows like Fantastic. Those are my favorite.

[@danielcuco7491]

I am a veteran (15 times) and tip is DO NOT meet mickey at the town square theatre you can meet him at animal kingdom with half the wait and the wait for him in the town square theatre is around 2 hours

[@chanilerner6410]

Daniel Cuco there's a HUGE difference between Mickey at town square in MK and Mickey everywhere else - he talks!! No other Mickey in any of the parks talks. That's what makes that particular Mickey worth a fastpass or long wait as oppose to all other Mickeys. So I apologize, but this is not a good tip. Getting to actually talk to Mickey might be high on someone's list of priorities, I know that it is a highlight for our family.

[@calebramey]

We are doing several character meals so standing in line to meet any character is not really high on the list. The m&g that we planned are Enchanted Tales with Belle, Anna and Elsa, Launch Bay, the trails at AK, and one provided by Citi card holders(I don't know where that one is)

[@chanilerner6410]

Caleb Ramey character meals are a great way to meet characters! BTW the Bell attraction is much more than a meet and greet...it's very special IMHO. I only chimed in about Mickey at time square because that is a unique experience to that location, as he is the only talking Mickey, which is why I wouldn't advise newbies that all Mickeys are created equal ;) You can check out videos of him here on KZbin to see if it's something your family would love or something that wouldn't mean much to you and which you could easily skip, that's totally a personal preference. Whatever you do, you'll have an amazing time!!

[@Plum_bird]

I love to see Oliver on camera 😍

[@pghkenyons]

Took my kids for the first time in 2015 and we went thru Journey to Imagination 3 times because they loved it so much.

[@twisterryderkkm]

The best time to go is Valentine's Day week. It's between the holidays and Spring break and the weather is beautiful! The lines were short too. This is the time people stay home because they're recovering financially from the holidays.

[@Kanagaloosh12]

I was there in early Jan a few years ago and I ended up buying a hat and gloves it was so chilly. Thankfully we were coming from MA and had warm jackets with us.

[@myramoki]

EXTENDED MAGIC HOURS! Absolutely positively make use of these, especially the longer evening hours. My daughter and I did Magic Kingdom on one of the nights with the extended hours and we rode Space Mountain 5 times in a row with NO waiting. We actually managed to ride more times during those hours than the rest of day combined. There are some rides and attractions that aren't open late (like the jungle cruise, Tiki room, etc), but of the main rides, you can just go on them over and over. We could ride the mine train picking front, back, or middle and deciding which we liked best. Be careful about any ride where you might get wet, because you could end up walking around for the rest of the evening being unable to dry off. Wet chaffing shorts is not a fun thing. And of course, most places that offer food & drink will be closed. I would be almost tempted to skip the park during the day, or at least the rides, and come back in the evening just during the EMH time. It really makes a HUGE difference, especially after the first half hour when many people will start clearing out, leaving just the dedicated.

[@sdcope]

We've been watching y'all non-stop since our first trip. A lot for your tips in this video really bears repeating. Thanks for all the work you do!

[@kristenboone9182]

I don't have kids but I have gone to the parks with my niece and nephew (now 5 and 7) and I always make sure there is someone with me who can take the kids back to the hotel if they get cranky. I never leave the parks during the day unless I do not plan to return to the park that day. I am an open to close person! :P

[@ck2d]

Plan for transportation around the parks. The very first day we went on our first trip we had a breakfast reservation at Cape May Cafe and couldn't figure out how to get there. Also take into account what everyone in your family really wants to do. On my first trip my son wanted to play mini golf, and I thought, are you kidding me, all the Disney parks, and that's what you want to do? Yeah, that was really what he wanted to do. So now we always plan to do mini golf every trip for my son. If it's a surprise trip, block out some time for doing something that your kids might want to do that you didn't know about ahead of time because it was a surprise and you didn't ask them.

[@kelseywebb281]

I ALWAYS tell people to take their time! You can get burned out so quickly running around these parks and by the end of the first day you're miserable. Don't rush from attraction to attraction. Try not to plan too much and do things as they come. The most magical moments happen when you least expect it.

[@christinakae2088]

I have done rookie mistake #1, and let me tell you I completely agree with these guys. I had things planned down to the minute...because I thought that it would be my one and only trip for my family. I was 14 planning the trip for my parents and myself....and let me tell you that made us miserable. I have learned to just "enjoy the ambiance"...select what park I want to go to each day, as well as the dining and finally our top three not to miss attractions or experiences. That is it.

[@pmrjulio]

Great video! I go to Disney almost every-other year. I will strongly recommend to go one day to a park and take the next day off. Sleep late and go to Disney Springs (former Downtown Disney) or one of the other smaller low key attractions in the area (museums, like Ripleys, interactive shows, 4D rides. minigolf, etc). Or just stay on the hotel by the pool. Most hotels will also have events for the guests. There are plenty of things to do. I will also recommend to bring sandwiches and water bottles. Food and beverages are super expensive. Bring a water bottle and refill it on the park.

[@rileysunderland1904]

I honestly wouldn't know this from experience, but I think it's kinda a rookie mistake to take your children down there if they still need to be in a stroller. I have seen where people park their strollers around the park and it astonishes me that people don't lose those things. I get it's a really special place for young children, but I would personally wait until they are old enough to walk around and be able to remember the trip.

[@lauralovaglio6486]

Bonus tip: book either crystal palace OR cinderellas castle at 8 am. They will let you in early, and you are FIRST to be in line for fantasyland, once breakfast is over.

[@GZUS96]

I grew up in Jacksonville, and going to WDW was fairly routine. We always went during the school year ON a school day. To this day this is what I do, and we never wait more than 10 minutes in line for ANY ride. My wife and I, even rode Splash Mountain 5 times in one hour; which is the most you could possibly ride it in one hour. Also, I suggest that people do not go with friends ESPECIALLY if you are a family. We have done this a couple times, and we never want to do the same things.

[@Biancar_]

This is a great informative video not just for first timers but for someone like me who lives in the orlando area and it's a pass holder. Thanks again

[@NarrativeEscapes]

The midday break is my standard way if experiencing the place. Morning slot. Pool. Evening slot. It's also the reason I can't so off site. Unless I am doing a parade or anything I'll be out of the park at the height of the day

[@jaimemactx]

Having been to Disney twice in December best advice I can give you is to bring LAYERS. During the day I can be in a tank top and jeans, but the minute that the sun goes down, the temperature drops DRAMATICALLY. It can easily be in the 40's F at night and with the humidity there, it is cold. Bring a jacket!

[@LChatmanFL]

This is a must see video!! Every single one of these suggestions should be followed. My top advice has always been the rope drop. And I don't mean 15 mins after the rope drop. In fact, there are some mornings were they will actually open a little earlier, so you actually want to be there 20-30 mins prior. Don't stop for breakfast. FYI, Disney has changed the fast pass reserve policy. 1 piece of advice I want to echo ( I saw it below) is please reconsider bringing really young children, infants and 2 yr olds in strollers. I don't want to tell anyone what to do, but they will never really remember the trip and having them forces your plans to really revolve around their care. They are admitted free for a reason. TIP #2 I think is big: try to familiarize yourself with the park maps. I don't mean memorize them, but have a solid idea of where things are. I have seen families very upset because they walked 1/2 mile only to find out they needed to go in the opposite direction (this can be big if you are running late for your ride time). Also, keep an eye out for restrooms as you walk, someone will "all of sudden" have to go real bad and it will be nice to say, "hey we just passed one." Lastly, I agree with DIS on packing lite. It is sooo tempting to go with the backpack stuffed with towels and changes of clothes. Try to decide if the day will be a wet ride day, if so, wear your bathing suite (the swim shorts for the girls). Many bathing suits come in a variety of configurations suitable for all day wear. The real benefit is your can go through the line for folks without bags. Anyway, love one another & don't fight. The vacation is for EVERYONE.

[@sailor8392]

Do you have tips for a young couple going for the first time alone? I saw the video about saving money and took notes! Is there anything else we should plan for?

[@240devil1]

Sarah Terrazas Definitely plan for weather. Keep on eye on it because if you need to buy a poncho it's expensive in the park I've heard. Buy one outside and take it in. Overall you guys are in Disney, don't make a vacation into "must see, must do" attractions. Me and my girlfriend made this mistake and we ended up fighting one of our days away because she wanted to do this and I wanted to do that. Go there and know that you can always come back to see certain things. Just enjoy each other's company in probably the greatest theme park in the world. If you're of age check out some of the nightlife too to make it a more adult attraction. Disney offers so many things for couples to enjoy you'll for sure be making memories!

[@Daybreaq]

Sarah Terrazas I'm surprised no one hasn't brought this up. If you are a young adult couple with no school age children, don't choose to go during time periods when most US children are out of school. October/early November or February are great. If you can do weekdays, even better!

[@bspanda3398]

Sarah Terrazas My fiance and I have gone the last 2 years, once each both 26 now. If you can swing staying at a disney resort, I'm told it's super beneficial. My family has a time share, so we save a ton of money and get to 'undisney' for a few hours each day. Sit down restaurants are amazing, but pricey. Pick at most one a day, on a budget, I would go for atleast one every other day because they are a great wxperience. Changing up different meals, breakfasts are usually cheaper and always delicious. I disagree with the "don't over plan". My fiance and I make full open to close days. We make sure to have relaxed times, and pick long lines when we need a break. Research each area of a park like it's a separate park. try and "clear" an area of things you want to go to. Try and break each event into must do, want to do, and willing to skip. Remember to have fun, it's your vacation. Don't let a crazy mom/dad or random child who keeps bumping into you ruin your enjoyment. I hope some of these things help!

[@dragonandsirensmom4108]

THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for acknowledging moms and how much they CONSTANTLY have to juggle and carry! Thank you!

[@nicoleeichenberger5880]

pray for my soul. I'm the type-A Disney loving trip planner. My Mom, Grandma and Aunt are coming. 3 out of 4 of us are very happy to share our opinions at all times...this will be interesting. But, I know we will make magical memories together.

[@arimonL]

Omg I am too! I've found planning down to every last detail to be something I tend to do. That's why I now plan in hour increments. First hours tomorrowland, 2 hours fantasyland, 1 hour lunch, 1 hour break, etc. If I wanted to I'd even plan bathroom breaks. :'D HAHA

[@metademetra]

Back when I lived in Riverside, Disneyland was about an hour away from me. Back when the tickets were reasonable, we went all the time. Hence why we tended not to plan anything other than packing enough food and water. We also never bothered with restaurants, save for maybe Pizza Planet in Tomorrow Land. I was actually really surprised to learn how many eateries Disneyland had.

[@lilliandonaldson8121]

Going back to your resort is a must in my opinion. Try to get the parks with the EMH and use the evening to work everything in. Especially in the summer months.

[@yvonnek6666]

I agree with the go with the flow. We went with 200 of our closest friends in December(high School Band Trip) We split into groups of 8-10 and then when someone wanted to ride something the others in the group did not want to do, we split up and met back up later. It was much more relaxing and we didn't stress out.

[@mdf3530]

A lot of people underestimate the sheer size of Disney World. There is a reason why that if Disney World was a city, it would have the third largest public transportation system in the state of Florida after Miami and Jacksonville. It is twice the size of Manhattan.

[@zoerosiee]

I was really worried about over planning for my first visit a few weeks ago, and the pressure to choose fastpasses and wanting to eat at popular restaurants had me freaking out about realistic planning (especially since I'm used to the way more relaxed vibe of doing things as a California local at Disneyland). I stuck to booking one dining reservation per day and stacking the fastpasses earlier on in the day (like mentioned here!!) which really gave us a lot of flexibility later on the day. The first few hours, we had an idea of which attractions to hit based on our fastpasses and maybe a lunch reservation or early dinner, which allowed us to loosely plan our evenings without so much finite structure, which worked well for my group. For the new MK rope drop, they began letting guests in an hourish before park open. Some days it was on the dot, other days we were in at 7:40 even though park didn't open until 9. It was really nice for enjoying an empty Main Street for photos and coffee, and allowed us to ride mine train, which of course we couldn't manage fastpasses for.

[@jcl9282]

I mostly agree with the advice he gives. I have waited until the day of and found fast passes for Frozen Ever After and Seven Dwarves Mine Train in April. It is still important to book fast passes to get better time slots for those rides so you can use as many fast passes as possible for that park.

[@GlutenFreeRennFairy]

I almost always do table service due to my food allergies. I always set aside 2 hours for table service meals when I plan. We need the break from walking around and we don't rush our meal. If we are done early, that's gravy, but we aren't missing fast passes or other plans because of it. And because I go during Christmas each year, I do plan within an inch of our life, but I block in breaks, sitting and down time and I always have back up plans and changes available so we can drop and adjust per our needs at at moment's notice.

[@JustinAlgera]

This would be a great thing to do for Disneyland... Finally making the trip to Anaheim this summer and I would love something like this for DL. I have watched the 7 on 7 you guys did last year, but a show similar to this would be awesome!

[@brendahilderbrandt4448]

I love the reference to E-ticket experience. I grew up in Florida and graduated in 1979 and they still had the letter ticket system. People now don't know what the was.

[@lauralovaglio6486]

Greatest thing about early Mornings is you DO NOT NEED A FP+ for Peter Pan if you get there when it opens! We did Peter Pan, visited 3 princesses, cinderella's carousel, and Winnie the

[@jejune33]

I went 3 years ago. My mom made all these mistakes. I had to walk back and forth in the hot, Florida heat. I was tired, but my mom wanted to get the most she can out of all the parks. It was horrible and the only enjoyable thing is when we left Animal Kingdom early. I got to relax while we were waiting for the rain to stop. We went to Downtown Disney afterwards and relaxed even more.

[@jejune33]

I also had a 7 month year old brother at the time (He's 3 now). We both get heated really fast so there was complaining coming from him. It was annoying, but I understood him. I begged my dad to ask my mom for we can go back to resort, but nah. Thanks for this video. I plan on going with my brother next year.

[@laurakettle3330]

As a former cast member/CP and current annual pass holder, these are what I would consider 5 big rookie mistakes: #5 - Bringing children who are under 4yrs old. My first time to Disney was when I was 6 (in 1996). I am now 27 and I can remember about 3 things from that trip. With an honorable mention to the fact that I especially remember waiting in lines over 2hrs long in 90+ degree weather in the middle of July. I have talked to many families who say things like, "oh ya, we came here when he was 3, but he doesn't remember." WDW, no matter how cheap you can make it, is an expensive vacation. So basically, your'e spending a great deal of money on a vacation that your child down the road, in their mind, never even existed because they were way too young to take in the experience! They don't understand what the Winnie the Pooh ride even means, except that they're in a fast moving stroller and Pooh pops up every now and then with loud noises all around them! Point being, children 4 or younger, while they will enjoy it at the moment, do not have the mental capacity or patience for this type of a vacation experience quite yet - wait a year or two (or three) more. #4 - Not getting to the parks extra early for rope drop. You may think that on your vacation you should be sleeping in, thinking "the parks will still be there when we get up." However, at WDW, it is extremely beneficial to get up and get your big rides done right when the park opens and before the crowds and the intense heat sets in. This way, your mind can be at peace in feeling that it's okay to take a mid-day break. Which brings me to my next point... #3 - Not taking a mid-day break. For those who are choosing to stay off property and know that returning to their hotel is a task in itself, a mid-day break doesn't necessarily have to be at your hotel. Take a couple of hours to eat a meal (quick service) in a relaxing manner in not thinking that you need to hurry and rush off to your next FastPass. After you eat, take a stroll through the stores in the air conditioning, discover cool places to take pictures, and get some refreshing ice cream! For those staying on property, DEFINITELY go back to your resort! All resorts have some type of food, so either let the kids work off some energy at the pool and eat out there, or order room service and take a quick nap! #2 - Making a dining reservation for 2 or more meals per day. Disney dining is phenomenal! However, especially if you're traveling with small children, I highly recommend either quick service or bringing in food with you to the park for lunch, and saving your "must have a reservation" aside for just dinner. As a first time WDW guest, I think saving a reservation for dinner time will ultimately allow you more freedom during the day to explore the park and get the most out of your Disney vacation. #1 - Staying off property. As a rookie, you may think staying at a WDW resort is WAY too expensive. However, this is just not true! The Value resorts offer prices that are, at many times, cheaper than staying at a Holiday Inn! The benefits of staying on property will give you such a better experience for your first visit as well: Transportation to and from the Orlando airport is included. Transportation to and from the resort to all the WDW parks, water parks, and Disney springs is included. Guests staying at a WDW resort will also be allowed to attend Extra Magic Hours (EMH) at the Disney parks! For example, say Magic Kingdom normally opens at 9am; but this week on Thursday, Magic Kingdom has EMH from 8am-9am. This means only guests staying at the resorts will be allowed into Magic Kingdom from 8am-9am...how awesome is that! No lines!

[@redlenseglasses4111]

People run into these problems their first time to most parks, ESPECIALLY weather. Working where I used to work in Virginia, you would constantly see the weather change, and it would be a real bummer to see families huddled inside of a gift shop because they forgot an umbrella. It rains hard here during the spring and summers, and that leads to a lot of humidity. Another tip for people going into any amusement park: Hydration. Know if you can bring bottled water into the park. If they don't allow water in the park from the outside, they'll often give you small cups for free at certain restaurants.

[@SS-or7mz]

Opening a park, taking an afternoon nap/swim (if on site), and then closing a park(EMH) is something we do religiously.

[@salami7992]

Thank you Gentleman! We are planned for mid-Sept, and this list has been beyond insightful/helpful to me. Now, to share this with my significant other (she's THE racetrack, so fingers crossed 🤞 that she takes kindly to these suggestions). Glad to have found you guys!

[@0326sassy]

learned all too well about that "new shoe" rule my first time visiting WDW.

[@gavindean]

We have used touring Plans for the last 4 years its brilliant by far the best way to plan the day.

[@jediknight38]

Five mistakes I've made; 1 Made reservations from expedia because I thought I would save money. Ended up spending a fortune. 2 Did not know about the meal plan or that I could get it for free on certain dates. 3 Did not make dinner reservations at the table restaurants that I wanted to go to. 4 Underestimated the value of sunscreen with the state of Florida due to it's high UV index (ouch!). 5 Spent my last day all day at my hotel room unaware that I still had one more day on my 9 day pass.

[@Sophie-wq6eo]

I remember the first time I went my dad had made reservations for both lunch and dinner and even sometimes breakfast it was way too much

[@King.of.wishful.thinking]

Great tips again team 👍 we all want to have fun, get the most and save money. Take as little as possible into the park, a fanny bag and bottle of water. I seen people miss great things right under their noses because they are dashing from one ride to the other without enjoying the here and now ❤️

[@TheFantasyXIX]

Do your shopping at the end of the day/close to closing time would be one of my suggestions. Not only do you not have to lug everything with you if you've bought something around noon, but by that point you'll have been to quite a bit of shops in the park and will know what you want. If you are on a pretty strict budget, as I am, there won't be that moment of "crap, I should have spent my money on that instead" when you walk into a different store but have bought other things.

[@TheNoelleBBR]

TheFantasyXIX Disney will send things you buy in the parks directly to your room so you don’t have to carry it around

[@samanthaghostlady]

totally agree. Disney property for the 3rd time now and best to have a break in the afternoon, have a swim or a nap then do the parks mornings and evenings. Also reserved 180 days early for the 1900 park fare breakfast at grand floridian as that gets booked up too.magic hours are brilliant also

[@t206kid]

tip 1 from them "Don't over plan" then every other tip; plan fast passes, plan food reservations, plan on getting to the parks early, plan on getting to parades/fireworks early, plan on building contingencies, plan on going back to the resort mid day, plan on heat, rain, etc., plan on being flexible, if going with a big group plan on not doing everything together. As a veteran Disney park goer and having a brother working there here are my 5 tips. REAL TIPS. 1) Drink enough water 2) Don't overeat on park food. You will not feel good. 3) Don't worry about spending more money than you thought. You are going to spend a lot of money on this trip. If you spend $500 more than you anticipated don't let it ruin your vacation. 4) Keep in mind (this goes for rookies and vets) you are not the only person who spent money to be there, be considerate of other guests and cast members. The park WILL be crowded all times of the year. 5) It is ok to plan a few things, but in my family we have a saying with any trip "Just go with the flow", meaning don't let one thing ruin your trip. There are plenty of times I didn't get to go on a ride, see a show, parade, etc. Don't let it bother you. There are/will be other things to enjoy (even things you didn't expect). These guys have a lot of great info in their shows, but you have to remember they are Disney 24/7. Yes they love Disney, but they are all salty with a lot of things there being either restaurants, rides, shows, etc. I feel sometimes they go into things trying to just look for the bad.

[@comments2168]

i went with my wife in 2013 , i did most the planning for us , i booked the resorts booked the dinning reservations planned most the fast the passes except for our 2nd day at epcot ( first day was just doing the Beer , Wine & Food fest which is amazing and everyone should do) so i thought it would be fun for her to choose our plans for the day well i didnt bother to check what she selected till a week before our trip..... and she picked Captain EO , journey to imagination and universe of energy. she was not impressed with her choices but i found it hilarious

[@justylex]

Our biggest mistake the first time we went was spending far too much time on character meet and greets. My daughter was 4 at the time, and it seemed like we spent a good part of our day standing in line waiting to meet characters, especially princesses. When we went 2 years later, she could care less about the characters. I wish we had just picked one princess (her favourite) to meet, and just not worried about the others.

[@kiskaloo6843]

I go alone and I love it! I see so many families with children and I feel so sad to see parents yelling at their kids because the kids aren't having the magical time they imagined they would have, forgetting young kids tire easily in the heat and with all the walking involved and get cranky. My tip is download all the park maps well before your 60 days out and book FP+ that involve the minimum of walking between them. And stay on site, the extra cost is well worth it! Talking of the parades, years ago I and my daughter were at a our spot an hour before the parade, as it started a woman who just turned up asked if we would let her and her kid go in front of us, we refused politely, she got nasty then the b***h stood behind us and put her camera on my not very tall daughter's head. Another rookie mistake, it's not all about you, be polite, we all paid for our vacation too.

[@bruceleroy8565]

Tip I used I booked maybe 10 or more fast pass through the day at the Magic Kingdom on a level 9 day got all the major attractions done. Tip is I used the app to book my 4,5,6 etc. even if u don't see the attraction I want just back out and refresh the app and sometime they will pop up works flawless for me

[@KEJosephFavorites]

The weather in the winter is crazy. I visited in january 2 years ago and we had two 80 degree days within a week where every day was in the 50s 🙄 disney got $50 out of me for a nice warm sweatshirt.

[@Zarkagine]

cool video , can you guys do a top 5 things to do outside the parks?

[@ms-mo8hl]

Zarkagine resort hop, especially around the holidays.

[@occraig]

Disneyword, universal and seaworld. BAM then you are done haha

[@goodjobeli]

Vincent Mancini and gatorland

[@occraig]

+Some Crazed Nerd I have not been there yet. its it worth it? i am kinda scared of sharks and gators so i didnt think i would enjoy a park with only them just like i think i would not like a park named "sharkland" haha

[@butterfly2231983]

sisegg

[@egadgetguy]

Over-planning and overbooking are different. You need to plan ahead to do many things right. Plan, plan, PLAN!!! But make time for long waits to happen and to take breaks for bathrooms, resting, getting something to drink/snack... You Can't Overplan. You Will Over BOOK if you're not careful. Also, don't put 100% for any one thing. Rides close or break down, lines fluctuate. Any don't argue in public. Other people want to have a drama free experience. AND, be nice. It would be easy to push, shove, yell, scowl. The better thing is to be nice and courteous. Thanks DIS!

[@ghost_vivs4385]

Our strategy was to book the fastpass for the "must go" rides with and hour or hour and a half difference in between and go to another not so full lines (from 10 to 45 minutes depending on the our) while we wait for the fastpass ride

[@rachael5048]

I absolutely love running around in 95 degree heat...and the higher the humidity the better. Nothing like the feel of sweat drenched clothes!

[@scoutmaster33]

I love to plan for DISNEY! That is Disney World......

[@alanfoxman5291]

If you do the water parks note that Florida summer storms hit most often in the afternoons so go early. Also if you have young kids and can take off after Labor Day that's usually when the parks are least crowded.

[@thedarkphoenix3396]

NEVER MAKE A FASTPASS FOR NEMO

[@Flightbudy2channel]

My word of advice is, if you are booking a room only on property timeshares Exchange via RCI or others, and Plan to book a week before or after via AAA or another travel agency, do it before if you plan on buying a package with tickets. if you Book a package with tickets after after a room only timeshare, you will not be able to use or book fast passes until your package week begins. If you do want to stay after your time share then buy the room and tickets separately that way you can book fast passes for bolts weeks. Note our travel agent was any to arrange it so that we can use the tickets before our package week and be able to book Fast passes but only day by day. at lease that's what he told us so we'll see. Just something to think about when going through two booking processes.