I could think of no better way to celebrate my recent graduation than with a trip to the happiest place on earth for the first time in my life! The kid in me was overjoyed. The young adult in me was suppressing the need to point out annoying guest behaviors. Here are just a few tips to make sure you do not do those things.
Don't go out without knowing how to use your stroller
My advice to anyone traveling without little ones is BEWARE OF STROLLERS. You're visiting the most family-friendly place on earth. Children of all ages arrive in swarms everyday and they get to be pushed around in luxury transportation like everyone from the Axiom in Wall-E while the rest of us walk like peasants. However, if you insist on bringing your six-month-old to the parks it is to your utmost advantage that you know how to wield the stroller's power. Busy intersections, especially in Animal Kingdom where the walkways are a bit tighter than in the other parks, are no place to saunter out into and discuss lunch plans with the rest of your group. Seriously annoying for everyone trying to get around you. Be aware of your stroller and how much space it takes up. People's ankles will thank you!
Disney World also has remarkable accessibility throughout the parks, which includes stroller parking. Stroller parking! I had never seen such a thing before and it really is a great idea. Cast members will even roll them into the designated area for you if you ask (valet parking?!). Just remember where you park it. An easily identifiable visual cue, like a balloon, flag, hot pink polkadot towel, or something similar attached to your stroller will help with that.
Don't Be a Fast Pass Brat
Most of us have been there: passing the time as best you can in a line that stretches to Timbuktu, jealous of the people that get to go straight to the head of the crowd smiling all the way. If you can, try to become the people in the latter category. Fast passes are super convenient that easily let you get priority for the rides throughout Disney. So why not skip the line? Although you have to reserve them ahead of time, you can make changes should you decide to cut down on the waiting time for a different attraction. If everyone in your group is getting fast passes for a certain ride at a certain time though, don't wait until the last minute to switch all fifteen of you to another ride. It's not going to happen. Do not be the person to cancel a fast pass in Magic Kingdom for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin before checking to make sure that Splash Mountain is available. Try your hardest to figure out what you'd actually like to do ahead of time, it will save you frustration and leave more room for fun. Use them wisely.
As a sub-tip, it is a complete waste to use fast passes on shows. Everyone files in at nearly the same time and without--if I recall correctly--priority seating. They are best used on rides. Also, don't expect even with a fast pass that the lines for anything in Pandora The World of Avatar in Animal Kingdom will be quick. The area is great (especially at night) but still so new and exciting that it has the longest wait times either way. But definitely worth it! So get a fast pass anyway, just expect that it will take a while.
Don't miss out on reservations
I was fortunate enough to have with me an expert on Disney Parks, someone who had been to Disney World so many times that she prepared me in advance for fundamental aspects of our trip. One of the most important being food. I'll level with you, there are plenty of quick-service food stations in all the parks to keep you from starving. Popcorn, Mickey pretzels, chicken tenders, hotdogs, ice cream, lots of beverages, etc. However, it would be a real shame to not experience the table-service meals that Disney has to offer in the many themed restaurants on park property. For Pete's sake, do not be one of those park-goers who wanders around in search of one of these sit-down eating experiences without a reservation! Honestly, your party will not thank you for lacking a plan when it comes time to eat. The kids will get cranky, the adults will get hangry. You can make reservations so far in advance before you arrive at the park it's not even funny. Use this to everyone's advantage. For example, my favorite places that I would 12 out of 10 recommend were the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. They are immersive, fun, and I'd live in the Grey Stuff. The chances of getting tables during peak times are slim without a reservation and, like most things Disney, include an overall dining experience that you can't get anywhere else. Don't miss out!
Don't be that person during the character meet and greet
One of the most magical moments for anyone visiting a Disney park is having an encounter with a Disney character. You can catch them strolling around the parks but there are specific meeting attractions, such as Ariel's Grotto for example, that give everyone a fair chance to talk to whomever it may be. Either way, meeting the princesses or any number of Disney characters is a real treat and thankfully Disney World sets up meet and greet times to see and talk to them. The theatre student in me was looking attentively at the characters as I waited in line with restless kids behind me to see how the actors moved and spoke to make these Walt Disney citizens come to life. It happened every time that as soon as I got to the front of the line and was greeted by Ariel, Aurora, Aladdin and Jasmine, that I regressed to 5 year old me who was just as nervous, excited, heart-eyed, and toothy-grinned as every other kid in line. In that moment the person standing there is the character and it's ridiculously cool! But please please please, once the cast member aid directs you to move along and let the next person have their moment with a character, don't be the person or parent to take an unnecessarily long time. I saw quite often that parents were pushing their kids back toward a character for just one more picture or multiple autographs. Disney characters try to spend enough time with each guest to make them feel special. You really will piss off other people (especially kids jumping up and down) trying to have the same experience if you ignore instructions from cast members. So just follow the rules and everybody will be happy.
Try Disneybounding
This is more of a fun to-do, not necessarily something to avoid. Disneybounding is the quirky, creative way you can get around wearing a full-fledged costume but still showcase love for your favorite Disney characters. It is the trend of using everyday clothing that is inspired by a certain character to capturing their essence in fashion. I found it fun to see people out and about in Disney World sporting looks that highly favored one character or another. You can be bold and daring--Edna Mode style--or a bit more subtle, but that's the beauty of it. Ordinary outfits become wonderful themes and give adults the chance to stretch their imaginative fashion sense. It'll make you feel closer to the wonder of the park around you, and hey it could be really fun to coordinate with friends. It's something unique for your first time at Disney that I would definitely recommend trying--I know I will be next time!
Don't be caught without sun protection in Animal Kingdom
For the love of God, please don't go to Animal Kingdom without some sort of sun protection. Animal Kingdom is the hottest Disney park, mainly because the plants they use to create as close to an authentic atmosphere as possible give off more heat than the majority of greenery used throughout the other parks. Combine that with the average sunny summer day in Florida and you are surely in for it. I could practically feel my skin melting after a certain point in the day. Sunscreen is a definite. Of course a good SPF will help to keep your skin from being damaged in the inevitably steamy sunshine. If you ask me, a hat will go an incredibly long way; if I hadn't had one I'm sure it would have been miserable. You'll irritate yourself by walking around all day hot as Hades, as well as the others in your group by complaining about it. Just be smart about how you handle the heat.
Don't neglect your firework exit strategy
The Disney parks are the largest consumers of fireworks in the world, closing out the wonders of the day with explosive shows each night. Now, to keep yourself from cramming through the end of the day crowd after the firework shows are over in the evening I highly suggest leaving about midway through. I know, I know, it sounds like you'd be missing out on a lot. By all means, stay to watch the IllumiNations show at Epcot until the end (which is a really great one in terms of Disney fireworks) especially if it's your first time. Oooorr, you could start to exit before the finale and watch on your way to the front of the park. The point is to avoid the bustle of people trying to leave the park all at the same time. If you have the Park Hopper or are visiting the parks for multiple days, sure, watch all the way through the finale. You'll be sardine'd squished into a mass of people and kids trying to make it back to the car lot and/or bus pickups. While it may seem a slight inconvenience at the time, imagine weaving through it every night of your Disney park trip. The fireworks are great to experience at least once. After that it's probably for the best to hightail it out of there to beat the rush.
Hakuna Matata, don't worry!
Me, marveling in Main Street.
Make smart choices, do as much research about what you might want out of your visit, and your first trip to Walt Disney World will be amazing. Hopefully these tips have given you a better idea about what to plan for and just as importantly what not to do. If all else fails at least you made it to Disney World, it should be smooth sailing from there. Enjoy being happy in the happiest place on earth!!
