There ’ s a lot you need to know before heading to Walt Disney World for the very first time . Visiting the most magical place on earth doesn ’ t come without planning and schedules .
The parks are continuously changing , so before you step inside the dream world of Walt Disney , make sure you know at least some of the ins and outs — and avoid simple mistakes that could negatively impact your trip .
The following are just a handful of mistakes first-timers make , and they are easily avoidable :
1 . PLANNING TOO MUCH & TOO LITTLE There are those who overplan , and then there are those who don ’ t plan enough . It ’ s essential to find that happy medium when it comes to a WDW trip .
If you plan too many dining reservations , experiences , attractions , and more in one day , you ’ re going to feel overwhelmed and miss out on the magic at the parks . You don ’ t want to cram too much into one day , or it won ’ t be enjoyable .
Part of what makes WDW special is being able to sit back , relax , and just enjoy being there .
But you also don ’ t want to plan too little because it ’ s important to have at least an idea of your day . You certainly don ’ t want to pull a Joey Tribbiani from Friends and have to get inside the map to figure out where you are and what you want to do .
2 . BUYING BOTTLED WATER Did you know you can get tap water for free all across WDW ? The price of bottled water adds up at Disney . When possible , ask for a cup of water .
You ' ve got to stay hydrated in the Florida heat . PHOTO BY TINA CHIU
Not all places offer tap water , but if a dining location serves fountain drinks , more than likely , they can give you a cup of water at no cost .
TIP : If you ’ re a WDW Annual Passholder , you can receive a discount on bottled beverages when you buy them at a store on Disney Property since it ’ s technically a retail purchase .
3 . NOT BUDGETING ENOUGH TIME FOR TRANSPORTATION As convenient as the complimentary Disney Transportation System ( DTS ) is , it ’ s not always reliable .
I always recommended budgeting at least 60 to 90 minutes to get from point A to point B . There are several factors to consider when it comes to DTS , like how many people are being loaded onto a bus , the Monorail , the Disney Skyliner , or a boat .
You always want to be earlier than later , especially if you have a dining reservation .
4 . FOCUSING TOO MUCH ON ATTRACTIONS Who doesn ’ t love riding attractions ? That ’ s some of the fun of WDW , but they aren ’ t the only thing to do ,
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New video boards help track Disney buses . PHOTO BY LAURIE SAPP