I know what your thinking, how can Disney have any downsides? Well I’m here to tell you as a Disney fanatic, yes it can. I have seen some wild things on my Disney vacations and on the internet. From epic meltdowns to literal fist fights. It may not be an everyday occurrence and in some cases you might never experience anything like this. But you should always be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.
Have no fear, I am here to help you prepare yourself for if things don’t go your way at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Don’t Over Plan
First things first, you don’t want to over do it when planning your vacation. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you want to have AT LEAST ONE rest day. A rest day can consist of a lot of different things; sleeping in, going to the pool, basically anything not having to do with walking around the parks all day. You want to avoid so many park days in a row, especially for your first visit. Having that must needed rest day will help prevent meltdowns and bad attitudes for all guests.
The Weather Can Be Unpredictable
Weather is one factor that you can plan for all you want but you’ll never really be prepared for. Two of the biggest weather factors to consider are the heat and the rain. Florida has three different seasons to consider visiting. The summer months will bring extreme heat and humidity and it will rain at some point everyday. In winter the temperatures will be milder and you won’t see as much rain. The last season to consider is the Hurricane season. Much like summer, you’ll see warmer weather and a lot of rain. Very rarely will the parks close during this time but there won;t be as large of crowds.
You’ll Get Exhausted
The average person will walk anywhere from 10 to 12 miles a day at Disney World. That combined with the heat and humidity in the summer will really do you in. The last thing you want is for your vacation to be slowed down by heat exhaustion and the Disney World Rash. The Disney World Rash can be caused by a combination of hot weather, sun exposure, and sudden, prolonged periods of walking. It can be hard to prepare for the heat, especially when you’re not used to it. You can however, plan ahead when packing. You’ll want to pack comfortable shoes for all day walking as well as aloe and thick lotion along with baggy clothes to sleep in.
Construction Happens
Disney is constantly updating and adding new, magical experiences for their guests. Recently they’ve added new lands based off some popular movies such as Toy Story, Avatar, and Star Wars. During renovations Disney does a really nice job of covering up their ‘pixie dust’ by building up wall to hide all the equipment.
Rides Will Break Down
Whether it be for annual maintenance or a minor repair, rides at Disney World will break down. Disney does it’s best to get rides back up and running as soon as they can but sometimes it takes longer than some guests like. When it comes to inconveniences Disney tries to limit them for their guests, to an extent.
Not All Character Experiences are Worth It
A trip to Disney is not complete without meeting the mouse himself, Mickey Mouse. On your trip to Disney you will be able to meet many different Disney characters throughout the parks and dining experiences. It’s crazy to think, but in some cases you might be waiting longer to meet Mickey and Minnie then some rides or shows. While waiting in lines to meet characters I’ve seen the WILDEST things. From parents changing their kids in different costumes in the middle of a crowd of strangers to getting into arguments about sneaking people up in line. At one point you just have to ask yourself if it’s worth it.
It’s Not Always Magical
All of the factors above can contribute to a not so magical Disney vacation. Your trip is going to be what you make of it. You shouldn’t let the little things get you down. Disney does a really good job of making sure people are having a good time and everything is going as it should. Going into your vacation you should be prepared to be flexible. If lines are too long, come back later. Too hot to be walking around in the sun, take a break back at the hotel and jump in the pool. You don’t want to wait an hour to meet your favorite Disney character, book a character dining experience.
It’s Definitely Worth Every Minute
As I said before, your trip is going to be what you make of it. But I am confident. Whatever ends up happening on your vacation, in the end, it’ll be worth every penny you spent. Even now, just thinking about walking down Main Street and seeing Cinderella’s Castle I have a smile on my face. I’ve been to Disney World six times in my life and I still have things to do. You better believe I’ll be going back time and time again.