OK Experts: What's the biggest Disney mistake you have made?

[cuches]

Planning too much and having an ADR for every day for us was too much. We were very happy a few years ago when we just did QS meals with only 1 or 2 TS meals. We were able to be free and not have to look at a watch and over plan our day. Last year we had so many ADRs that we were not happy....felt like we were at home with appointments and meetings etc...

Another big mistake was when we stayed at ASMu we did not know that if you pay an extra $10 a night you get a "prefered room" which basically means a room close to the action. We suffered through walking to Cambodia every night, passing 2 pools which upset our DD (because when she saw the pools she just had to go in). They tried to stick us in the land before time when we stayed at CSR last year (the Rancho's) because the moderate resorts do not have the "prefered room" rates....you get what you get. I politely asked the CM if we could be closer to the main pool and no problem but if I had not done my research on where each section was at that hotel I would have settled for a room I know I would have been unhappy with. I suggest researching your hotel and looking at the map and seeing what area you would most likely want to stay.

 

[famy27]

Our worst mistake was making an ADR at Chefs de France and trying to get to it while SpectroMagic was about to start. Luckily, friends were watching our DD for the evening, so we weren't lugging a stroller with us, but we had to rock some acrobatic maneuvers to get around people, strollers, etc. and get out the front gate before the parade began. We made it and ran like crazy to the monorail to EPCOT. We ended up being on time to the ADR, but we were dripping with sweat and panting like dogs by the time we got there. Not the most relaxing dinner ever!

Our friends got stuck with all three kids in strollers at MK and couldn't make it back to the Dolphin. They weren't able to get the strollers through the crowd between the parade and fireworks, so they were stuck watching the whole thing. They grabbed the monorail back to EPCOT to walk the back way to the Dolphin, only to discover that EPCOT was already closed. They couldn't cut through, and they couldn't grab a bus. They had to take the monorail back to TTC and then get a bus to the Dolphin. We actually beat them back to the hotel after our "date night." They didn't get back until after midnight, with a 3-year old, 20-month old, and six-week old. It was a big mistake, but it is definitely something we all laugh about now.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

I forgot my reading glasses one year---there at that time was not a single place on the property or at Downtown Disney to get a pair of reading glasses so at dinner, DH had to read me the menu. I could not read myself to sleep, could not see the prices when I was shopping....it was awful. Finally after 4 days of listening to me complain, we took a taxi to Walmart.

You can't get a watch battery on property, either. All of those places that sell watches, and you can't just buy a battery.

Now, I've thought of two more oopsies: (1) The first time we stayed at SSR, we did not realize -- at all -- that our building was literally less than half a mile (maybe even two blocks) from the Downtown Disney Marketplace bus stop. For the first half of our trip, we would spend up to an hour waiting for the DTD bus and we could have walked it in under 10 minutes. This was particularly BAD when we were taking the bus there to transfer to another resort bus for ADRs. OOPS.

And (2) I accidentally left my favorite sunglasses at Alfredo's (the old restaurant in Italy for people who are new to Disney). At the end of the day, all of the lost items get cleared to a central place and it would have been impossible to get them, so after confirming by phone (from Guest Services at the front of Epcot) that they were still there, I hauled my butt the whole way to the back of Epcot. The boats were done for the evening and crowds were gathering for Illuminations. It was so hot and I was sweating from hustling that distance!!

 

[jlm]

As I am no expert....but I am a planner!!

Our first trip I wrote down the MK at EMH on a Sunday am
I got my family to the park promptly at 735am....only to find out the park didn't open until 9am that morning
No we did not have a breakfast planned prior to park opening...yes we are taking pictures of clouds, birds, palm trees, yes my family (DH especially) is making fun of me.
A cast member came over to me and ask me to come with her. I thought oh great....we are going to have to leave! She asks me if we would like to open the park!!!!! UM...YES!! So that was my uh-oh turned OH YEAH!!

Second mistake....second trip! Forgetting my phone charger at home. I spent 1/2 a morning getting one....10.00 for the charger and 25.00 for a cab ride! Lesson learned!!!!

This will be our third trip this December...I am hoping not to have to learn anymore lessons~

Jen

 

[daisy 'n donald]

i had 2 from our last trip
1. trying to crt for our dinner reservation and getting to mk just when the parade was starting.....impossible! not sure why we didn't go all the way through tomorrowland to get to the back of the castle, we tried to make our way through the crowd...we got there eventually, all hot and sweaty and gross and pissed at each other, he wanted to hop the fence and cut across the lawn and i said no! but, we made it there on time and had a great dinner...

2. i didn't really pay attention to my list of adr's...i swore we had reservations at tony's on friday...."no we'll be in mk friday night for tony's" etc....so we get there friday and they can't find our reservation....i pull out my bb and read my confirmation email...it was for thursday! it was late, i was hot and tired and so upset b/c we enjoyed tony's so much last time we were there...i just turned around and walked out all teary eyed...the wait was for like, an hour....so dh put our name in anyway and i watched some of the parade and we got in in less than half an hour....worked out in the end, but i was so upset...esp because thursday night we were wandering around dhs trying to find a place to eat! we coulda been at mk eating spaghetti and meatballs!

 

[maxiesmom]

Not re-checking park hours once we were at WDW. I didn't know until it was too late that they had extended hours. There was so much more we could have done if we only knew the parks were open later than I though. Now I always double check once I am at WDW.

 

[gonesaleing]

On our first trip, I desperately wanted to stay at BCV and called and yes there was an opening but I didn't book it or reserve it. I figured it would be there the next day. Wrong, it wasn't.. we stayed at BWV that year. 3 years later, again I'm desperate to stay at BCV and called and yes, there was a 1 br. villa open with code available and once again, I thought it would be available when I called back but it wasn't. We stayed at BLT that year.

My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 gastric cancer in March and for the past 6 months I have been juggling working, caring for my own family and caring for my mom every weekend. We finally got good news and the chemo is working. Whatever the outcome, I promised myself that when this is over, I'm taking the kids to my happy place and will hopefully finally get to stay at the BCV.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

As I am no expert....but I am a planner!!

Our first trip I wrote down the MK at EMH on a Sunday am
I got my family to the park promptly at 735am....only to find out the park didn't open until 9am that morning
No we did not have a breakfast planned prior to park opening...yes we are taking pictures of clouds, birds, palm trees, yes my family (DH especially) is making fun of me.
A cast member came over to me and ask me to come with her. I thought oh great....we are going to have to leave! She asks me if we would like to open the park!!!!! UM...YES!! So that was my uh-oh turned OH YEAH!!

Second mistake....second trip! Forgetting my phone charger at home. I spent 1/2 a morning getting one....10.00 for the charger and 25.00 for a cab ride! Lesson learned!!!!

This will be our third trip this December...I am hoping not to have to learn anymore lessons~

Jen

If you ever forget your phone charger again- Go down to the front desk and tell them your situation. They sometimes have "extra" phone chargers that you can use for your stay. I don't know if they were left behind or bought for this purpose, but we have learned this one form experience!

 

[Disneychix]

I tried to get to the Poly from SSR for an ADR at Kona Cafe. I originally planned on a MK bus and then the monorail to the Poly. We saw the DTD bus and I decided to hop on! BAD IDEA! We stopped at TL and THEN made it to DTD where we got off and had to wait forever for a Poly bus. We missed our ADR by a mile and instead ate at the Sushi Bar which turned out great as it was only 2 adults but was hectic in trying to get there!

 

[ZoZo]

Tried to get from MGM directly to DTD one year. It took nearly two hours before I finally gave up! There's no easy or fast way to get from one of the parks to DTD without a car -- wish I'd just taken a cab!

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Tried to get from MGM directly to DTD one year. It took nearly two hours before I finally gave up! There's no easy or fast way to get from one of the parks to DTD without a car -- wish I'd just taken a cab!

Well, you can take a bus from any of the parks to Saratoga Springs and get off at Congress Park. It's just a short walk from there to DTD. Or, if you're in MK, ride the monorail to one of the resorts and catch a DTD bus. Or, if you're in Epcot, walk to the BC and take a bus. From MGM/HS, take the boat or walk to the Swan/Dolphin for the bus. From AK, I would guess AKL is the closest, but you're not getting anywhere fast from AK!!

 

[jlm]

If you ever forget your phone charger again- Go down to the front desk and tell them your situation. They sometimes have "extra" phone chargers that you can use for your stay. I don't know if they were left behind or bought for this purpose, but we have learned this one form experience!

REALLY? Oh my gosh...I wish I would have thought of that! It was so hectic trying to get one! UGH!
I will remember that if it ever happens again!

 

[Disney-Chick]

1. One year we bought Mickey's Merry Christmas Tickets and that was great we were out until 12ish, but had to drive back home the next day and we left at 6am with a 15 hour drive ahead of us (total drive= 30ish hours). Not the greatest move.

2. Had a dinner reservation the 2nd year we went, usually we don't book since we hate the wait and miss out on the rides. Showed up and they didn't have our reservation. DF argued with them, they fit us in within half an hour. Once we returned back to POP and looked at our binder, realized it was for the following night. So we cancelled that.

3. I brought shoes with me that my soon to be MIL bought me. Never bothered to wear them until the trip (this was our first time back in 2006) and had about 5-6 blisters on my feet. Im pretty sure I had blisters on blisters. I was in so much pain. Now I bring so many shoes. DF asked one day last year how many shoes I had in the park that day with me. Once counted i had 3 plus the pair I was wearing Just want to make sure my feet are comfy.

You just learn each year.

 

[LiteninPrincessa42]

I made my biggest mistake on my last trip a few weeks ago. I was doing my first split stay. When arriving at AKL I forgot to transfer my park admissions to my new KTTW card. We hopped on a bus and went to AK where we couldn't get through the turnstiles. Fortunately it was a quick fix at guest services!

 

[sydneysmom]

1. I think the biggest mistake we made this trip was making our breakfast ADR's too early. We (I) made them all for 7:45 / 8:00. When I was making them, I thought it would be a good time to go. Well, we wound up cancelling the Ohana breakfast because we were at MNSSHP the night before. The next time, I'll make our breakfast for 9:00 am. (also, with making them as early as I did, I had to wake up at 6 to get a shower and start everyone....that STUNK on vacation...it was still dark!)

2. the second biggest mistake.....bring extra bandaids. blisters WILL happen.

3. other than that, I'm also going to cross OFF my packing list of what I don't need for next time. I brought a ton of stuff that turned out to be completely unnecessary. (flashlight, nightlight, all kinds of crap.....)

4. but the BIGGEST Disney mistake I made ? Yup. Leaving my DH's KTTW card smack in the fastpass machine at Test track. we're online to get into Turtle Talk w/ Crush and for some reason I went in the little envelope to make sure I had the fast passes....well, I had 3 fast passes...2 cards. INSTANT PANIC. I'm breaking into a sweat because not only is it our room key but our dining card AND charging to the room. Oh boy. So, I leave my family to see Crush and huff it to guest services. Well, THEY were amazing. They cancelled the old card, gave me a new one.

So a lesson for everyone....count your cards when you get your fast passes !!! it's very easy to leave one behind. ( but if you do, they're very helpful at Guest Services!!) haha!

 

[Corwin]

Tried to get from MGM directly to DTD one year. It took nearly two hours before I finally gave up! There's no easy or fast way to get from one of the parks to DTD without a car -- wish I'd just taken a cab!

Well, you can take a bus from any of the parks to Saratoga Springs and get off at Congress Park. It's just a short walk from there to DTD. Or, if you're in MK, ride the monorail to one of the resorts and catch a DTD bus. Or, if you're in Epcot, walk to the BC and take a bus. From MGM/HS, take the boat or walk to the Swan/Dolphin for the bus. From AK, I would guess AKL is the closest, but you're not getting anywhere fast from AK!!

My son and I spent over an hour and a half trying to get from Epcot to DisneyQuest in Downtown Disney one year. We asked a CM at the buses how to get to DD, and she either told us wrong or we heard her incorrectly tell us to get there via CSR. Needless to say, CSR is not near DD. We actually wanted SSR.

After getting to CSR and waiting for a long time for another bus, we finally got a bus to DD. The bus first stopped at SSR, so we hopped off because we were told that SSR was within walking distance from DD. It was late at night, and we couldn't figure out how to walk from SSR to DD. We kept hitting water! After about 20 minutes of wandering around (and seeing DD tantalizingly across the water!), we finally walked back to the bus stop and got back on a bus to DD, then got off on the wrong bus stop, and had to walk over a mile through DD to get to DQ. All told it took us over 1-1/2 hours to get from Epcot to DQ. Never again!

 

[Deesknee]

not sure this counts but,

#1 mistake-didn't buy into dvc earlier.

#2 planned a full day at the parks before flying home. We got stuck in a rain storm. Flew home with wet hair. Had to change clothes at the airport, which of course meant either buying new clothes or going thru the luggage.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

#2 planned a full day at the parks before flying home. We got stuck in a rain storm. Flew home with wet hair. Had to change clothes at the airport, which of course meant either buying new clothes or going thru the luggage.

On my oldest DD's first trip (at 23 mos), I planned an after dinner flight so that we could spend an extra partial day there. Well, DH felt sick (and he and DD both came down with pink eye), so he didn't feel up to going anywhere. But we had already checked out and had no room to go to. We spent all afternoon in the lobby of OKW. I was 3 mos pregnant and had to chase my DD all day, too.

He still hates the idea of the later flight, but he hasn't won me over to his side on that one. If I have a choice, I won't book a flight that has me on the Magical Express before I get a chance to sit down and have decent lunch. Now, since we don't live especially close to the airport (up to a 2 hour drive), and we have 3 kids now, I don't book the evening flights anymore.

 

[walkdmc]

My biggest mistake was actually thinking I could pass through a BTG while there seemed to be a break in the mass. Like a school of fish, I got caught in the middle of the group and "swam" upstream with them for a good minute before I could escape.

 

[smidgy]

My biggest mistake was actually thinking I could pass through a BTG while there seemed to be a break in the mass. Like a school of fish, I got caught in the middle of the group and "swam" upstream with them for a good minute before I could escape.

I have a TOTAL visual of that, and it's hilarious! (sorry to laugh at your misfortune!)