Planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort is exciting, but with so many details to manage, mistakes can happen. Some are minor and won’t affect your trip much, but others can seriously impact both your experience and the enjoyment of other theme park guests. The good news? A little planning can help you avoid these pitfalls.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’re a seasoned Disney Parks fan, avoiding these five big mistakes will make your vacation smoother and more magical.
Important Disney World Updates for 2025
Before diving into common mistakes, here are some key changes at Walt Disney World that might affect your visit:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is currently closed for refurbishment as part of a new Disney Villains-themed expansion to Magic Kingdom Park. The Frontierland roller coaster is expected to reopen in 2026.
- DinoLand U.S.A. is being transformed into Pueblo Esperanza, a Tropical Americas-themed land featuring new attractions inspired by Encanto (2021) and an Indiana Jones retheme of DINOSAUR. DINOSAUR, The Boneyard playground, and the land’s Quick Service dining locations will remain open through the end of 2025.
- Test Track is undergoing a major reimagining and will reopen in late summer 2025 with an updated ride experience.
- Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, a brand-new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom Park, debuts in the summer of 2025.
- Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS) has changed to prevent abuse and ensure fair access. Check the updated guidelines and apply for the service here.
Keeping up with these changes will help you plan a better, more enjoyable Disney vacation! Now, onto the most common Walt Disney World mistakes…
1. Cutting the Line
Few things are more frustrating than waiting patiently in line, only to see someone push ahead to join their group. While it might seem harmless to you, repeated line cutting disrupts the experience for other guests waiting their turn.
How to Handle It Correctly:
- If your group gets separated, step aside and wait rather than pushing forward through a crowded queue.
- If someone in your party needs a restroom break, check with a Disney cast member before rejoining the line.
- Consider using the paid Lightning Lane service to avoid long waits. Through the My Disney Experience app, you can book return times for select rides and skip the standby line altogether.
Waiting in line is a necessary part of the Disney Park experience, but being respectful of others makes it better for everyone.
2. Spoiling the Ride for Others
Disney rides are packed with surprises, and first-time visitors want to experience them without interference from repeat guests. If you’ve memorized every line from your favorite pre-show, try to keep it to yourself so others can enjoy the moment.
Be Considerate by:
- Keeping conversations at a low volume in queues, pre-shows, and ride vehicles.
- Letting others enjoy surprises instead of announcing plot points before they happen.
- Allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the experience, whether it’s the eerie Haunted Mansion Stretching Room or the library pre-show in the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Being a Disney superfan is great, but part of the magic is letting others experience the rides themselves!
3. Using Flash Photography on Dark Rides
Disney’s dark rides—like Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid—are designed with special lighting effects to create an immersive atmosphere. Flash photography disrupts this experience and can ruin the magic for those around you.
Why You Should Avoid Flash:
- Bright flashes reveal behind-the-scenes elements that guests aren’t meant to see.
- Flash photography distracts and annoys other riders, pulling them out of the immersive experience.
- Your photos likely won’t turn out well anyway—dark ride lighting is not meant for standard cameras.
For the best pictures, take photos outside or film on the video setting and take screenshots. Disney offers high-quality images of almost all of its rides online. So, if there’s something you really want to remember, check out the attractions and entertainment section of Walt Disney World Resort’s website!
4. Ruining the Magic for Kids
For many children, Disney is a place where fairytales feel real. One of the biggest mistakes adults make is breaking that illusion by talking about how things “really” work behind the scenes.
Help Keep the Magic Alive by:
- Avoiding discussions about how characters swap out during meet-and-greets or how animatronics function.
- Engaging with the magic of parades, attractions, and character interactions rather than dissecting them.
- Encouraging kids to embrace the stories and characters they love rather than analyzing them.
Disney is designed to transport guests into another world—do your part to keep that magic alive!
5. Being Rude to Disney Cast Members
Disney cast members work hard to make every visit special, but they don’t have control over everything. Getting frustrated with them will not solve problems; it will just make the situation worse.
How to Have a Positive Interaction:
- If something goes wrong, approach Disney cast members with patience and respect.
- Remember that they don’t control ride breakdowns, bad weather, or long wait times.
- A simple “thank you” can brighten a cast member’s day—kindness goes a long way!
- Make a Cast Compliment on the My Disney Experience app or at a physical Guest Services location to acknowledge a Walt Disney World Resort employee who went out of their way to make your vacation memorable.
Treating Disney cast members respectfully helps create a more enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.
You’re Ready for Disney World!
Walt Disney World Resort is meant to be a magical experience for everyone, and small acts of kindness and consideration go a long way. Avoid these five mistakes to make your trip—and the trips of those around you—even more enjoyable.
Quick Recap:
- Wait your turn—cutting in line disrupts the experience for others.
- Let others enjoy the magic—avoid spoilers and loud conversations.
- Turn off flash photography—dark rides are meant to stay dark!
- Preserve the illusion—especially for kids who believe in the magic.
- Be kind to Disney cast members—they work hard to make your trip memorable.
By following these simple guidelines, you’ll help create a more positive experience for yourself and everyone else at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
What mistakes did you make on your first Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Share your stories in the comments below!
