Things I Regret Doing at Disney World
You go, you learn, you don't do it again!
I never had the chance to go to Disney as a child; I was 24 during my first visit — and since then, I never stopped going. With each passing year and visit, I felt like I got to enjoy — and know — the parks more and more. Because of lack of knowledge or information, I missed out on a LOT during my first visit. And I did things I would never do again. Here is the list of mistakes to avoid during your first (or second, or third) Disney World trip!
Getting Breakfast at Starbucks on Main Street
If there’s a way of ruining the magic in Magic Kingdom, this is it. The lines at Starbucks are ridiculously long — usually going outside of the store — the coffee is the same as anywhere else in the US and there is simply nothing special or unique there. I can grab Starbucks every day on my work to work. Not when I’m on vacation, thank you!
Instead, start your day with Joffrey’s Coffee and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich from Sleepy Hollow. You’ll find this precious little place to the left of the castle, when you cross over the bridge to Liberty Square. Take advantage of Mobile Order to avoid the lines. If you haven’t tried Sleepy Hollow yet, I highly recommend you add it to your list for your next visit.
Having Lunch at Pinocchio Village Haus
In the past, I have indeed gone to the first place I could find, when everyone is “hangry”. It’s quick and easy to find, right behind the castle. So I’ve made this mistake not once, but several times. Ok, they have the average theme park food you always expect: chicken tenders, burgers and pizza. And it’s easy with kids and picky eaters. But it’s so crowded and stressful to find a table, that I’ve decided to never go back to this restaurant again.
If you have an hour to spare on your park day, I would highly recommend a sit down meal at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. Although I always recommend making Advanced Dining Reservations, this restaurant pretty often has Walk Up availability. And it’s simply sensational. You will still find basic Mac and Cheese and Chicken Tenders for your Picky Eaters, but you’ll also have the opportunity to indulge in an adventurous — and actually delicious meal.
If you don’t want to waste precious park time with a Table Service meal, that’s totally valid! Head over to Columbia Harbour House. It’s a fantastic Quick Service location in Liberty Square and you can use Mobile Order to request your food in advance. Here you’ll find New England inspired eats, such as Lobster Roll, Grilled Shrimp Skewer, Fish Sandwich and for dessert, Boston Cream Pie! This spot, overlooking Haunted Mansion, has actually been voted Magic Kingdom’s #1 Quick Service location. So worth it!
Not a fan of seafood? I have to leave another tip here for you: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is a Quick Service restaurant in Frontierland that is Tex-Mex inspired and really, really good! You’ll find your usual burger and fries, but they also have healthy options like Salad with Carnitas, Chicken Rice Bowl, and delicious tacos. It’s really a great option to satisfy your rice and beans cravings.
Not Reserving a Character Meal
If you can fit a Character Meal in your budget and time, it’s something I strongly recommend for every Disney Park visit. The experience of a meal with any character is really worth it for several reasons. First: the delicious food. Second, you get to see several characters at once, instead of spending probably the same amount of time in lines to see each one individually in the parks. Third: you’ll make fun memories with your loved ones and the characters that you’ll never forget.
It’s a Disney quintessential activity and something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. My favorite character meals? Tusker House, Topolino’s Terrace and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.
Check out this post about the Best Character Meals in Disney World
Not Getting Genie+ at EPCOT
I’m clearly passionate about food at Disney World, since all the previous topics were about food. But enough, let’s talk about park strategy!
I’ll always recommend Genie+ to my clients, especially for Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. EPCOT, on the other hand, is a wild card. The park doesn’t have a lot of rides, but man, does it have long lines!
When you do the math for the time you’ll spend in lines for Test Track, Ratatouille and Frozen Ever After alone, you’ll see it get close to 4 or 5 hours sometimes. It’s important to look at the time of the year you’ll be visiting, as well as events, holidays or weekend days, to help you decide if you should get Genie+ at EPCOT or not.
I have gone to EPCOT in the past without Genie+ and decided to stand in lines, but on the other hand, I didn’t get to enjoy the World Showcase so much or the Festival at the time. Nowadays, I personally do not go to EPCOT without Genie+. It is SUCH a beautiful park, the World Showcase is so rich and full of things to do and explore… if there’s a Festival happening during your visit, that’s just another reason to get Genie+, so you have more time to enjoy the Festival’s offering, attractions and experiences.
Not Taking the Wildlife Express Train at Animal Kingdom
I’m guilty as charged. On my last Disney World visit, I did not take the train and I regret it so much! Ok, when I was there the park was closing earlier because of a hurricane (LOL), so I didn’t have a lot of time.
You’ll find the Wildlife Express Train to the right of Kilimanjaro Safaris. Embark on a 7-minute ride to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where you’ll get to explore Conservation Station, the veterinary facilities for the park (if you’re lucky, you might even see the veteriniarians working with one of the resident animals).
You’ll also get to spend time at a Petting Zoo and befriend farm animals, as well as learn how to draw at the Animation Experience. It’s a beautiful and peaceful “break” in your park day and you should definitely add it to your list for your next visit!
There’s so much to do at Disney — dining, experiences, rides, attractions, shows, you name it! Some things are suitable for your family and to your likes and dislikes, and others are not. Having a Travel Advisor really helps when it comes to tailoring your park day to your family profile. This way, you have the best advice on what to do and what not to do during your visit. And the best part? You don’t pay anything extra to have a Travel Advisor.
I’m passionate about helping people enjoy and love the parks as much as I do. Every vacation I prepare with my clients, is as special as my own. And you’ll get to enjoy the parks in a way you have never enjoyed before.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and posts you’d like to see in the future here on Lasting Magic!
Cheers,
Claudia McCarty
