I'm a travel planner who's visited Disney World over 50 times. Here are 10 vacation mistakes I always see people make.

If you have any flexibility, avoid scheduling your Disney vacation during major school breaks in the US.

Holiday weekends, spring break, and winter holidays will almost always bring the biggest crowds to the theme parks.

Disney doesn't really have many low seasons anymore, but avoiding these highly popular times will give you more freedom to explore the parks with fewer crowds and lower ticket prices.

The theme parks are a big part of the Disney experience, and I love spending time at them. However, there's so much more to do in the area.

For one, I recommend taking a day off to lounge by your hotel's pool, resort hop, shop at Disney Springs, or even play a round of mini-golf.

When we go to the parks, my family also usually takes a midday break to rest and relax. It is supposed to be a vacation, after all.

Speaking of just how much there is to do at Disney beyond the parks, you must check out its shopping, dining, and entertainment complex Disney Springs. It's free to explore.

Pick up some souvenirs at the massive World of Disney shop, check out the hundreds of sets and amazing displays at the Lego store, or just enjoy some snacks while you bask in the Florida sun.

If you get really hungry, head over to grab a delicious lunch at one of my favorite eateries, like Homecomin' or Frontera Cocina.

My No. 1 tip for visiting theme parks of any kind is to arrive early.

You'll get a huge jump on your day if you get to the parks as soon as they open, or just before. Crowd levels tend to be much lower at this time, meaning you can experience many attractions early in the day.

By midday, the crowds usually significantly increase.

As with most theme parks, the longer you stay, the lower your daily ticket and accommodation costs are likely to be with bundles.

If you're already paying to travel to Disney, do yourself a favor and stay a few extra days.

After all, the biggest complaint I get from clients is that they didn't stay long enough. In my opinion, a week is the ideal amount of time to truly experience Disney World.

Some organization and prep are required for the ideal Disney World trip, but you shouldn't overplan.

You don't need to schedule every moment of your day or have every detail organized. Make a general outline of your daily agenda — with dining reservations and a list of must-do rides and attractions — but leave room for spontaneous fun.

If you're on too tight a schedule, you'll miss all the good stuff, like unique character interactions.

The park-hopping ticket option allows you to visit more than one park per day for less than it'd cost to buy each ticket separately.

However, unless you're staying for only a very short time and want to see as much as possible, there are few reasons to park hop with small kids.

It can just become an unnecessary added expense that you probably won't make the best use of if you're pausing for afternoon naps or breaks.

However, groups with older children or only adults may enjoy and fully take advantage of the flexibility that park hopping offers.

If you want to dine at table-service restaurants, you should make reservations in advance. However, eating three sit-down meals a day at Disney World will take up way too much of your time.

Many table-service experiences can take 90 minutes to two hours from start to finish, so you wouldn't be left with much time to experience the rest of the parks.

One table-service reservation a day is usually a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle without overcrowding your schedule.

Rider swap, or rider switch, is a great service when traveling with young children who aren't tall enough for or don't want to ride certain attractions.

It allows one parent or guardian to wait with the child while the rest of the party rides. Once the first group returns, the waiting adult can go on the attraction without having to get in the back of the line.

However, not enough people know about it, and they can end up wasting time in lines.

Just get in the habit of asking the park employee at the front of the ride whether it's available for a particular attraction.

Staying off the property can save you money, and I've done so many times on Disney trips. However, if you've never stayed at a Disney resort, you're missing out.

These stays can come with practical benefits, including complimentary transportation to and from the parks. The biggest perk, though, is the access to extra Disney magic.

These resorts typically have incredibly immersive themes and special touches that should be experienced at least once. Though there are some extravagant Disney resorts, there are also value ones that tend to be more budget-friendly.

This story was originally published on November 9, 2021, and most recently updated on January 27, 2026.