Rookie Mistakes

[Max Rebo]

What are the most common mistakes WDW rookies (or those who have not been there in ages) make?

Specifically, what mistakes did you make during for first or second visit?

 

[princess22]

Not getting a fastpass...

Not me, but a lot of people do it...

 

[disneymama73]

I don't know. I was only 4.

Seriously though, I think the biggest mistake people make is not reading up on the parks. You definitely need to do your homework.

 

[disneylandfamily]

Our first trip we didn't know enough to make ADR. We also had no idea what the park hours were for the week. Believe me, I have made up for these mistakes by overplanning now!!!!!!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Well. . . I was 3 months old when I was a rookie, LOL, so most mistakes I've seen have been second hand.

Just a few days ago my aunt was talking to an old family friend who mentioned they just went on their first trip. So they got to talking about other trips (our trip to Italy) and my aunt told her about the great airfare I found. The woman was actually speechless and admitted they paid as much for their airfare to Orlando as we did to Italy! This got them into a conversation about the cost of Disney and my aunt asked me how much our upcoming trip is costing and what all it includes and relayed the message - the woman pretty much said she was sick to her stomach, as our plans are very similar down to same hotel. At that point no way was she talking about how much they paid, but my guess is the local travel agency must've really soaked her good.

So rookie mistake is *drumroll* Thinking the travel agency must know all the answers and all the deals and not asking around or researching!

BTW we did tell this woman to give us a call next time she plans a trip and I'LL help her find the deals and leave this local travel agency alone!

 

[Parkers_girl]

I think a big mistake people make is choosing to stay way off property. And by that I mean like 5 or more miles away from the world. Another thing is the fastpasses..they really have no idea what they are and some people think you have to purchase them, I believe like at Universal. There are a lot of newbie mistakes..you live and you learn!

 

[Mariposa]

My rookie mistake (2002 trip) was not bothering to eat lunch. When I'm excited or being active (at WDW I'm both) I tend to forget to eat because I don't feel hungry. Well, at home this isn't such a big deal, but at WDW? Bad idea. By the time 3:00 rolled around I was cranky and nauseated. Ick. I'd make DFiance take me back to the hotel (off-site) and feel out-of-sorts all night. I didn't figure out why I was feeling that bad until near the end of the trip.

 

[mamacatnv]

1. Not realizing how much time it takes to get from a resort to a park and then to another park or resort.

2. Trying to do too much, not taking the time to enjoy the little things that you don't notice when you are running to the next ride.

3. Being tied down with ADR's that were guaranteed with a credit card so that you absolutley had to drop what you were doing to make it. This coming up trip, lots of ADR's nothing guaranteed and WDW dining # programmed into my phone to cancel if needed.

 

[Rudegrle]

Biggest mistake...

1. Paying Rack Rate

2. Not knowing about ADR's

3. Missing shows like Fantasmic and Illuminations

Those are my 3 biggies that I made on our first trip as adults, and I think back to all of the mistakes my parents made growing up and going to the World . They also didn't have The DIS

I guess I have a number 4. Not knowing about The DIS!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

1. Staying offsite

2. Not making PS(ADRs now)

3. Trying to pack it all in, in one trip(AKA commando touring). It took me 4 trips to figure this one out!

 

[jellydisney]

The biggest rookie mistake I always see is people not knowing how to use WDW transportation. All the time, I see people asking the bus drivers to take them to Universal, or the dreaded "how do I get to Disney World?". Um, you're here!

 

[beattyfamily]

1. not making ADRs
2. not seeing the parades/fireworks
3. not allowing enough days
4. going to MK on a Saturday
5. not wearing the right shoes
6. not having some kind of a plan/priorities set
7. not using Fastpass

 

[stacy347]

The biggest rookie mistake I always see is people not knowing how to use WDW transportation. All the time, I see people asking the bus drivers to take them to Universal, or the dreaded "how do I get to Disney World?". Um, you're here!

I just have to say that this made me LOL! Thanks!

I haven't actually been yet but I appreciate all of the wisdom I've been getting from these boards and I'll share anything I learn when we get back in a few weeks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I think many folks do not have a clue of either how large WDW is (how long from place to place) nor how the transportation system works and interacts (sometimes the need to take a combination of transportation).

The value of ADR's

Fastpasses

Taking it slower, less meltdowns.

 

[rigs32]

Figuring it's no big deal to sleep in until lunchtime and then getting annoyed that the lines are so long. Heck, we don't do this at our local Six Flags, let alone WDW.

One of the best planning tools online is the menus at allears. There is not reason to be stuck eating burgers all week or wandering around the park looking for food. The park map restaurant descriptions aren't that great and I've saved a lot of time and energy by picking a couple CS options so that depending on where we are when we're hungry, we can find yummy options.

 

[Kick Save]

1. Trying to "See it All."

2. In your quest to see it all, not taking a break...either during the day or building in a whole rest day during your stay.

 

[The Mick]

1. not making ADRs
2. not seeing the parades/fireworks
3. not allowing enough days
4. going to MK on a Saturday
5. not wearing the right shoes
6. not having some kind of a plan/priorities set
7. not using Fastpass

These are all great tips.

Especially the plan/priorities. If you have limited time, make sure you pick out ahead of time which rides/attractions you know you want to see before ever getting into the park. And make sure you get a fastpass for one of them first thing upon entering. I know there's a lot to see and do and you're blown away when you enter, but do your best to head to THE attraction you'd most like to see.

For example. If you're going to Epcot and KNOW you want to see Test Track and Soarin, I'd find where Soarin is on the map before you enter the park, and when you enter, head directly for Soarin. Get your fastpass, then go take your time looking and exploring. You have to wait an hour (I think it is) before you can get another fast pass, so perhaps when you're walking around and an hour passes, go get a fastpass for Test Track so you can go back to it later in the day. Believe me, this saves a TREMENDOUS amound of time - time that you can spend doing other awesome things instead of time spent waiting in the regular line with no fastpass.

But you've got to plan out what you want to see and before you go so you can best take advantage of your time.

 

[Mizz Dizz]

I did not know about the fast pass.

 

[CBGEDIX]

Not discovering The DIS until after our trips.

 

[pyrxtc]

going in the back door of the bus on my first day.

I had no clue about the sign and I was just following other people in. Bus driver was a real jerk about it though and closed the door on me, I mean physically on me! The people on the bus started screaming at him, especially my kids who were watching this.

I am preventing all of these rokkie mistakes for friends that are going this September, i even got them to sign up for free dining and make their ADR's and join this board!