Disney vacation planning has changed a lot over the years, and so has the way I approach it. While I still love researching, making plans, and building excitement before a trip, there are a few pieces of Disney advice that I no longer follow. They might work perfectly for some families, but after many visits to the Disney Parks, these are the planning “rules” I’ve happily left behind.
Feeling Like You Have to Do It All
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to do everything for a Disney vacation to be successful. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, trying to squeeze every attraction, show, snack, and experience into one trip can leave everyone feeling exhausted and not enjoying any of it.
These days, I focus on our must-do experiences and let the rest happen naturally. Quantity doesn’t equal quality, and some of our favorite Disney memories have come from slowing down and enjoying the moments in between rather than rushing to the next item on the list.
Overdoing Dining Reservations
I love a Disney dining reservation as much as anyone, but I’ve definitely cut back over the years. As someone who travels halfway around the world to visit Disney, I eventually realized that I can sit down and enjoy a long meal at home. What I can’t do at home is spend another hour enjoying the parks.
Some of my favorite Disney food memories aren’t from fancy restaurants at all. They’re the churro enjoyed while waiting for Tower of Terror or the Dole Whip eaten in the courtyard outside Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room. I still book a few special dining experiences, but I no longer fill every day with reservations.
Adding Park Hopper at Walt Disney World
I completely understand the appeal of Park Hopper at Disneyland, where moving between parks takes only a few minutes. At Walt Disney World, however, it’s a very different experience.
The transportation time alone can eat into your day, and I’ve found that I enjoy our trips much more when we dedicate a full day to a single park. We still occasionally combine a water park or special event with another park experience, but I no longer automatically add Park Hopper to our Walt Disney World tickets.
Taking Your Own Photos to Save Money on PhotoPass
For years, I thought skipping PhotoPass was an easy way to save money. Looking back, it’s one of the Disney expenses I wish I’d embraced sooner.
Especially at Walt Disney World, the ride photos, character pictures, and family shots that magically appear in your account become some of the best souvenirs from the trip. More importantly, everyone gets to be in the photo. When I look back at our vacations, those PhotoPass images tell the story of our time together, and that’s something I don’t want to miss.
Every Disney vacation is different, and what works for one family might not work for another. For me, the best planning advice isn’t about doing more, it’s about finding what makes your vacation feel enjoyable and stress-free. Sometimes the best thing you can do is let go of a few planning “rules” and make room for more magic instead.
