Keys to a Great Disney Trip

When it comes to having an enjoyable Disney trip, one thing is more pertinent than just about anything else:  Planning.  Many approach Disney parks as if they were their local theme park.  They imagine they'll just show up, see what's there and wing it.  While you may be able to get by at your local park that way, Disney have many differences that make this unwise.

One typical difference for a visitor is that they aren't in their hometown, possibly not even in their home country.  If you're not local to the park you're going to have to deal with a lot of small issues that you wouldn't have going to your local park.  None of these are terrible on their own, but they can add up to become stressful.  Combined with the other sources of stress they can contribute to serious problems.  This is one problem that can't be completely avoided, so it's best to do your best to avoid the others.

The sheer size of the parks is another difference to be aware of.  Disney World, for example, is quite simply vast.  There's a shocking amount to do and it covers a tremendous amount of space.  Simply walking that much can be a serious concern if you're not used to it.  Because of this you need to be aware of your destinations and what you'll be doing when you get there.  Knowing where you're going to eat in advance is one example of a way to reduce the stress.  Leaving these decisions until you get there can result in disaster.  

Another key component of Disney stress is the cost.  Many families often save for years to make their pilgrimage to Disney and this can make it all the more stressful.   For whatever reason, however, few people expend the same energy on their trip than they would on a similar expense.  What other thing would you invest this much money in and leave to chance?  While Disney wants your trip to be wonderful there are many moving parts and there is a limit to what they can do to help. 

As you can see, these issues all boil down to planning ahead.  There are a staggering number of websites and other resources that can help you make these decisions in advance.  The web is thriving with enthusiastic fans with whom you can network and get valuable insight.  Another piece of advice that can help many is:  Relax, it's a vacation.  Every issue we've discussed contributes to stress.  If you head out with a relaxed approach you can increase your odds of not letting the stress get to you.  It can help to remind the rest of your party about this periodically too.  These are a few points that can really help make your Disney trip enjoyable and memorable.