10 Issues We’ll By no means Do Once more at Disney World

Each Walt Disney World fan has a bucket checklist, however the sensible ones even have lists of issues we’ll by no means do once more. This isn’t like our checklist of straightforward first-timer errors. Quite, these are issues we’ve performed and stated to at least one one other: “Wow, that was a silly transfer on our half. Let’s keep away from that in any respect prices sooner or later.” (Up to date December 10, 2023.)

Honestly, there are only a few issues at Walt Disney World that we’d by no means do once more. Our bucket lists far longer than our “by no means once more” lists, as a result of most issues at Walt Disney World are value of a second likelihood. Menus at eating places change, lodges are overhauled, and sights are tweaked or re-imagined over time.

The truth is, since we initially printed this a couple of years in the past, loads has modified. Maybe we should always take the immortal phrases of celebrated thinker Justin Bieber to coronary heart and “by no means say by no means.” Fortunately, Walt Disney World tends to hearken to visitor suggestions and proper errors and experiences that rating poorly on visitor satisfaction surveys. Through the years, we’ve needed to take away a number of issues from this checklist as a result of we’ve performed them once more (generally inadvertently or not by selection) and had dramatically completely different–and higher–experiences…

To that time, we’ve eliminated completely different entries from the checklist:

• Dinner at Chef Mickey’s – We now have a daughter now. There isn’t a single character meal at Walt Disney World that we gained’t be doing within the close to future. And you recognize what? I’m wanting ahead to (over)paying ~$150 for the three of us to do dinner at Chef Mickey’s once more!
• Pay to Keep at Grand Floridian – The worth remains to be absurd, so it’s seemingly we gained’t be doing this a lot (particularly provided that we will use DVC factors as an alternative). With that stated, our purpose for not paying to remain at Grand Floridian was the mid-tier Marriott caliber rooms. These are at present within the means of being reworked into one thing far, far nicer.
• Genie+ at EPCOT – The addition of Frozen Ever After and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey to the Genie+ service, plus higher availability for different sights and a cheaper price at EPCOT takes this off the checklist. We nonetheless favor Early Entry or Prolonged Night Hours, however we’re not as ardently anti-Genie+ at EPCOT.
• New 12 months’s Eve at Magic Kingdom – The final two instances we did NYE or December 30 (mainly the identical) at Magic Kingdom, it went much better than anticipated. After all, reservations are going away in 2024, so this might change once more for the more serious, however we wouldn’t hesitate to do it once more…for now.
• Busy Buses at Coronado Springs – This was an enormous drawback in 2020-2022, because of a combination of staffing shortages, lowered capability on transportation, and Gran Destino Tower including a ton of rooms to the resort. Fortunately, we didn’t expertise the difficulty this 12 months, presumably as a result of pent-up demand is exhausted and resort occupancy is down. It may nonetheless be an issue from time-to-time, however not sufficient of 1 to make this checklist.

One other factor to notice is that this checklist solely covers issues which can be inside our management to by no means do once more at Walt Disney World. Through the years, the corporate has made the “selection” for us, by eliminating lots of issues that we’d in any other case like to do once more. For instance, we’d like to see an evening parade or winter icicle lights on Cinderella Fort, however evidently Disney may deny us the chance. We’ve additionally now taken our remaining journey on Disney’s Magical Specific and redeemed our final FastPass.

These are issues we’ll technically by no means do once more at Walt Disney World, however are very a lot not within the spirit of this checklist, which is extra like “NEVER AGAIN!” What gained’t we do once more at Walt Disney World? Listed here are the highest 10 issues…

BONUS: All Stars Throughout Youth Occasions – That is one we’d nonetheless strongly advocate that you keep away from, so we’re not absolutely eradicating it from the checklist. Nevertheless, within the final year-plus, I’ve stayed at All Star Sports activities throughout two youth occasions (couldn’t move up the worth, even when I knew I used to be enjoying with hearth) and it actually wasn’t that unhealthy.

A part of that is in all probability that the worst youth occasion, the Pop Warner Championship, is not hosted at Walt Disney World. One other part is that we’ve heard Disney has develop into extra ‘diligent’ about speaking to chaperones that teams must be quiet after a sure hour. Possibly one other is that the children as of late are higher behaved??? (Nah.)

In any case, this turns into a ‘do as we are saying, not as we do’ entry on the checklist. If there’s a serious youth sporting occasion on the ESPN Vast World of Sports activities advanced, it is best to in all probability keep away from the entire All Stars, however Sports activities on the very least. Principally, in case you’re considering of reserving a Worth Resort between February and Might, seek the advice of this calendar–it may be a planner’s greatest good friend and assist “save your sleep schedule.”

Assembling this many under-supervised teenagers in a single location is like feeding a Gremlin after midnight. There’s some kind of chemical or hormonal “factor” that occurs, after which all hell breaks unfastened. As a result of status and complaints over time, Disney safety has performed a greater job in coping with the kids lately (impromptu midnight practices are rapidly damaged up so I not have the necessity to actually yell “get off my garden” to the children), however that is nonetheless a scene to be prevented.

10. Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside – This can be a difficult one. We got here of age throughout the Disney Renaissance and are big followers of Magnificence and the Beast in consequence. On high of that, we’re new dad and mom who can not wait to share the film with our daughter. Nevertheless, we additionally hate the Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Together with the fiery ardour of a thousand burning suns. I’ll spare you that rant once more, however there’s a purpose the Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside made our checklist of Issues We Skip at EPCOT and is useless final on our rankings of all 91 sights at Walt Disney World.

So this can be a delicate needle to string–making Megatron a giant fan of Magnificence and the Beast, whereas stopping her from ever studying of this atrocious present’s existence. One in all my huge fears is that we’ll suceed on the first, however fail on the second…which is a recipe for catastrophe. As an alternative of by no means doing this present once more, we’ll do it each single time we go to EPCOT. It’ll develop into the attraction we do greater than anything at Walt Disney World. Our frequent viewership alone will single-handedly prop up visitor utilization numbers and inadvertently assist hold this present round. We are going to develop into the villains.

Right here’s hoping that Walt Disney World has the nice sense to retire this abomination earlier than Megatron is of age to develop into “addicted” to leisure and begins calling the photographs, forcing us to see this sing-along endlessly. Within the meantime, different dad and mom, you’ve been warned: keep away from Magnificence and the Beast Sing-Alongside in any respect prices. It’s worse than the worst direct-to-video sequel, and even the authors of unhealthy fanfic may’ve penned a greater script.

9. Magic Kingdom on Monday Throughout Occasion Season – This truly isn’t solely Monday, that’s simply probably the most succinct method of wording this. Magic Kingdom crowd dynamics throughout Occasion Season have been one of many key dialogue factors of our August by December crowd calendars for a number of years.

We’ve been strongly recommending that readers go to Magic Kingdom throughout the day on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion nights, after which bouncing to a different park at round 4 pm. Conversely, we’ve beneficial avoiding Magic Kingdom on non-party days. The rationale for all of that is specified by Least Crowded Days at Magic Kingdom, we aren’t going to belabor that time but once more.

One level we haven’t made almost as a lot is the “hazard” of visiting Magic Kingdom on a Monday (the busiest day of the week) at factors throughout Occasion Season when it’s the one day throughout a 3-4 day stretch with out MNSSHP or MVMCP. This can be a double-whammy. Not solely are the crowds consolidated away from the party-shortened days, nevertheless it’s additionally what’s recurrently the busiest day of the week at Magic Kingdom. (See Finest & Worst Days of the Week for Every Park at Walt Disney World.)

This occurred on the Monday of Thanksgiving week, and it was an absolute nightmare. However we truly skilled it earlier throughout the Occasion Season on a Wednesday, which was the one day in a 5 day stretch with out an occasion. Identical can occur on choose Saturdays. All of these days are completely brutal, and needs to be prevented.

Should you do make the error of going–maybe even on objective as you need to see Magic Kingdom at evening and it’s your solely choice–at the least heed this one piece of recommendation: keep distant from Foremost Avenue earlier than, throughout, and after the fireworks! It’s the one alternative in a a number of day stretch to look at Fortunately Ever After, that means that about 10x the variety of friends who can safely match on Foremost Avenue for the fireworks will need to watch from there. Critically. It could possibly get downright uncomfortable and really feel unsafe. Watch from behind Cinderella Fort as an alternative.

8. Genie+ at Animal Kingdom – This replaces Genie+ at EPCOT on this checklist, which I nonetheless wouldn’t buy or advocate to the overwhelming majority of friends as a result of ridiculous quantity of backtracking it requires (and amongst sights which can be extremely unfold out). Nevertheless, the inclusion of Frozen Ever After or Remy’s Ratatouille Journey does take away it from ‘worst issues you are able to do at Walt Disney World’ standing.

Genie+ has develop into extra common at Animal Kingdom within the second half of 2023 as a result of introduction of per-park pricing. Consequently, Animal Kingdom is now the “most cost-effective” park and plenty of friends view it as a “whole lot” in consequence. We beg of you: don’t be fooled by this. 

Even on busier days, you do not want Genie+ at Animal Kingdom with even a scintilla of strategizing. Common readers of this web site know this, as we’ve hammered house time and time once more that Genie+ is a waste of cash at Animal Kingdom. That is mentioned in numerous posts, together with in our Finest Time-Saving Methods for Walt Disney World, which says all you should know for DAK is “don’t go throughout the center of the day and stand in lengthy strains.”

Critically, that’s about it. Arriving early or staying late work completely effective for beating the crowds as a result of most friends nonetheless deal with it like a half-day park and attendance is considerably decrease at Animal Kingdom than another park at Walt Disney World. Consequently, a decrease marketed base worth for Genie+ by advantage of Animal Kingdom is sort of meaningless. That is very true on days when Animal Kingdom is below $20–crowd ranges are by no means unhealthy sufficient on these dates to justify Genie+ within the first place!

6. Pandora or Star Wars Lands Noon – There are a couple of parts to this. First is crowds, that are at all times chaotic and take away from having fun with the small print that outline each Pandora – World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. These two lands completely beg to be explored, and wired crowds and folks moving into each which method impede anybody’s capacity to actually take in these lands. The environments and layers of lived-in element and storytelling are so key for appreciating each.

Plus, the lengthy strains throughout the center of the day definitely don’t assist. This isn’t simply triple-digit waits for the sights, both. Walkways and outlets develop into congested, and it’s tougher to see the whole lot in consequence. At Galaxy’s Edge, good luck assembly the Mandalorian and Child Yoda in case you’re making an attempt to take action noon!

Second, you’re working a threat if rain is within the forecast. Each lands are big, but additionally have few indoor areas which can be massive and simply accessible if the climate takes a flip for the more serious. Including insult to damage, they’re a bit remoted from the remainder of their respective parks (or within the case of Galaxy’s Edge, proper subsequent door to a different common land with little or no lined area). In brief, if it begins raining in both and also you’re not already inside, you’ll get moist. Your choices for rapidly ducking indoors are restricted if not nonexistent.

Lastly, there’s the easy actuality that Pandora and Galaxy’s Edge are greatest in the beginning and finish of the day. The morning mild flitters by the timber, kisses the mountains, and provides larger depth and dimension to the rockwork. It’s like going from normal tv to excessive definition, as the entire particulars are clearer and stand out.

Each lands additionally tackle new dimension as soon as the solar goes down. Pandora’s bioluminescence and natural life comes alive within the night, and it really seems like one other planet. The setting is enchanted, and evokes what I can solely think about an alien forest is like. At evening, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has a spooky and serene sense to it, besides within the market the place a wide range of stunning lighting fixtures give added texture and depth to the whole lot.

This may look like an exaggeration, however you really haven’t skilled Pandora or Galaxy’s Edge in case you’ve by no means performed them at evening. It’s not identical to normal to excessive def–it’s extra like going from listening to the radio to watching in IMAX.

BONUS: Noon Standby at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Comparable thought because the above, however the issue right here is exclusive sufficient to warrant its personal (bonus) entry. Wait time inflation at Walt Disney World is an actual factor, and we expect it has gotten worse with the launch of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Whether or not that has nefarious motivations or not is a unique debate for an additional day. (See Why Sure Walt Disney World Rides Can Have WORSE Precise Wait Instances Than Posted.)

We will safely say that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is infamous for having the least-accurate wait instances in all of Walt Disney World. Very often, particularly round park opening and late within the day, the wait instances are considerably inflated. We’ve skilled posted wait instances which can be greater than double the precise wait instances we’ve skilled. (There have been situations of triple posted vs. precise wait instances!) Nevertheless, that’s not at all times the case.

One factor we’ve realized is that doing Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance through standby throughout the center of the day is enjoying with hearth. That is particularly true when the posted wait time is over 120 minutes, we’ve discovered. The rationale for it is because the Galaxy’s Edge headliner–and #1 attraction in all of Walt Disney World–remains to be susceptible to breakdowns. The longer the road, the upper the chance of a journey breakdown.

However that isn’t the one concern. In spite of everything, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has been unreliable since opening, so that you’d assume that Walt Disney World may construct a ‘cushion’ into posted wait instances to account for the downtime to some extent, proper? (They do. That’s exactly why the wait instances are sometimes considerably inflated!)

The actual drawback is that Disney sells Particular person Lightning Lane entry to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and that doesn’t take downtime under consideration. Which means that when the journey reopens, there’s a big backlog of friends who’ve paid $20+ per particular person to skip the road on the attraction. And guess what? They’re nonetheless entitled to that, leading to a Lightning Lane to standby ratio that’s far more skewed to Lightning Lane than regular. This causes the precise standby wait time to skyrocket…and that’s on high of no matter downtime you may’ve endured.

There are two takeaways right here. First, don’t do Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance throughout the center of the day when wait instances are the best as you’re betting huge on the subject of journey breakdowns. Second, if the journey does go down whilst you’re within the standby line, get out until you’re very near the entrance of the road (you’ve already spent at the least half-hour within the caves). Don’t make your self a sufferer of the sunk-cost fallacy! For extra recommendation to doing the attraction with decrease wait instances, see our Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Trip Information.

5. Summit Plummet – Regardless of my declare for years that I’m good on this, after we visited Blizzard Seaside this 12 months, I did Summit Plummet once more. Virtually as quickly because it started, the belief washed over me like water that I had made a horrible mistake. To borrow the immortal phrases of Roger Murtaugh: I’m too previous for this slide.

That is the solely attraction on this checklist, and the explanation for that’s that we expect folks ought to choose sights for themselves, as a result of everybody has completely different preferences. (For instance, there are in all probability a couple of of you who don’t like Nation Bear Jamboree. That’s effective–some folks don’t like masterpieces like The Godfather and Citizen Kane, both.)

For me, Summit Plummet at Blizzard Seaside water park is one thing that’s reasonably pleasurable and I’m glad it exists, as a result of it appears to be like actually cool and is a good water slide idea…however as soon as was sufficient. From the insanely lengthy line to the sensation of pure terror to the loopy wedgie, I’m good on it for one lifetime. Truly, I’ll in all probability do it once I’m 65, towards my higher judgment as soon as extra, simply to really feel younger and reckless once more. 😉

4. “Improperly Pack” – That is considerably of a blanket assertion as a result of it’s a mistake I’ve made repeatedly in numerous methods. Principally, I will be apt to concurrently below and over-pack, and convey clothes for the climate I need moderately than the climate that’s truly forecast.

For instance, I generally tend to pack shorts and polos for winter journeys–a mistake I’ve made as lately as final 12 months, even regardless of having written our Winter Packing Ideas for Disney. For early fall journeys, I’ve been recognized to deliver denims and button-downs, even when the climate remains to be sweltering. Past that, I go away behind sensible objects I find yourself lacking to keep away from overpacking, whereas bringing pointless stuff “simply in case” that I by no means use.

Sadly, I don’t have an elephant-caliber reminiscence…or I attempt to persuade myself that “it’ll be completely different this time” (for causes unknown), solely to have historical past repeat itself. In different phrases, I say this can be a mistake I’ll by no means make once more…however I virtually definitely will. Fortuitously, there’s now a UNIQLO at Disney Springs, and that retailer has bailed me out many instances!

3. Meals & Wine Competition on a Weekend – We need to begin out by saying that we actually get pleasure from Epcot’s Meals & Wine Competition…however we don’t like it on weekends. Ever been to a UCF frat occasion? Nicely, in case you answered “no”, it’s not too late!

Weekend evenings are prime time for faculty college students with disposable incomes to descend upon the Competition to get sloshed. For them, it positive beats ingesting Previous Type in a dank basement (like we did in school), however that environment plus the massive crowds could make this the least nice time to be at Meals & Wine Competition.

Weekdays throughout the pageant are way more pleasurable. It’s additionally way more pleasurable to attend Meals & Wine in mid-November when the temperatures and humidity are extra bearable, however we invariably attend in September as a result of that’s often after we go to for Halloween.

BONUS: Italy Sales space – If not “required” for the sake of analysis, we’d by no means do the Italy sales space at any pageant ever once more. The kiosk is infamous for top costs, elementary college cafeteria-inspired delicacies, and only a startling lack of ambition. Should you get pleasure from paying $10 for a sample-sized model of microwaved TV dinners, Italy is a good choice. If not, keep distant.

2. Rainforest Cafe – How this restaurant nonetheless has a number of areas round america, a lot much less a number of areas in Walt Disney World, defies logic. The meals is terrible, and the ambiance jogs my memory of Nineteen Eighties-relic ShowBiz Pizza Place, however “modernized” for the Nineties and devoid of character/allure.

The darkish cloud that hangs over Rainforest Cafe virtually prolonged to solid a shadow over T-Rex Cafe for me. Fortuitously, I gave that an opportunity as a result of dinosaurs, and was pleasantly stunned. In case you are considering, “however our children love Rainforest Cafe!” contemplate taking them to T-Rex as an alternative.

1. Go away Early – Nighttime is when the parks come alive with stunning lighting and enchanting ambiance. It’s additionally when the climate begins to chill and contours begin to die down. From a sensible perspective, nights at the moment are extra advantageous than mornings, with decrease wait instances within the final couple of hours of the evening than within the first couple hours after rope drop.

On high of that, one in every of my favourite “sights” is strolling by World Showcase after Epcot’s fireworks finish, simply absorbing the ambiance, listening to the music, and seeing the beautiful structure. I’d moderately do that for an hour than spend 8 sunlight hours within the park. Identical goes for wandering alongside the Rivers of America in Magic Kingdom or being bathed within the neon glow of Tomorrowland.

BONUS: Sleep In – We stress this a lot on the weblog that it’s in all probability turning into cliche. Nevertheless, it’s good recommendation–particularly in case you’re staying on-site and are eligible for Early Entry. There’s no higher solution to beat the crowds at most parks (see our Prime Time-Saving Methods for Walt Disney World for a rundown of the perfect & worst methods to keep away from lengthy strains.) Principally, we might by no means not be drained at Walt Disney World once more. Nicely, that’s not true–noon naps are a game-changer in case you can handle them.

Past a few different eating places which can be blacklisted (for now), sights we keep away from for private causes, and lands which can be useless to me *cough*Dino-Rama*cough* that’s about it. Hopefully you possibly can be taught from a few of our errors…or discover solace in understanding that now we have made these similar errors as you. Consider this as a assist group for many who have been awoken at 2 a.m. at All Star Sports activities by a cheer apply or who’ve dropped $200 on a household “dinner” at Rainforest Cafe. Share your individual “NEVER AGAIN!” objects within the feedback–venting may be therapeutic!

Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you should know!

Your Ideas

What issues at Walt Disney World would you by no means do once more? Is any restaurant, resort, or journey past redemption for you? Any time of 12 months you’d by no means go to? Do you agree or disagree with our checklist? Would you do any of these items once more? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!