We know that planning a Disney World trip isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

You have to decide when to go, where to stay, what to eat, which rides to go on, and a whole lot more. It’s not easy, and if you’re new to the process it can seem incredibly daunting. Whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth time, these are the necessary evils of planning a Disney World trip.

We’re not gonna sugarcoat it — there are some hard pills you have to swallow when planning a Disney World trip. When it comes to visiting the Most Magical Place on Earth, these are some necessary evils you have to deal with.

Waking Up Early

Whether it’s to snag a hard-to-get dining reservation or to get in a virtual line for annual passes, sometimes waking up early is just part of the Disney trip-planning experience. For dining, you can make reservations 60 days in advance (plus the length of your trip if you’re staying at a Disney World hotel) and the reservations open daily at 6AM. So, if there are specific restaurants you’re trying to get reservations for that are on the popular side, you’ll have to be up with the roosters for the best chance.

We’ve also seen similar situations happen with things like annual pass sales and runDisney events. Though Disney World Annual Passes are currently available, when they first returned Disney implemented an online virtual queue system that required folks to hop in line at a certain time. Registering for runDisney events can be a similar process.

And, of course, even after the planning process ends and you’re actually on your vacation you might still need to wake up early! Rope dropping the parks means getting there as soon as they open, and if you’re using Genie+ you’ll need to make your first selection at 7AM to get a good start to the day.

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Learning a New Vocabulary

If you’re visiting Disney World for the first time, you’re probably a bit confused by all of the different vocabulary you need to learn. Most of the terms are self-explanatory, but for the uninitiated, it can likely feel pretty overwhelming. Even if you know what the various terms and acronyms stand for, you might have a hard time figuring out just what exactly they mean.

Luckily, we know all the ins and outs of what these complicated (okay, they’re not really that complicated when you get down to it) phrases mean and can help you decipher what exactly you need to know! For some of the most common phrases, check out the link below.

9 Words You NEED to Know Before Your Disney World Trip!

Setting Up Your Disney World App

The My Disney Experience app (MDE) in and of itself is a necessary evil, but you’re going to want to make sure it’s all set up before you even step foot on Disney World property. MDE is essentially a planning tool and is where you’ll make dining reservations, book Lightning Lanes, check ride wait times, unlock your hotel room door, and more.

So, what’s the evil part? Well, there are a lot of things you need to do before you get to Disney World to make sure your app is all set up and ready to go. Not only that, but you’ll want to Create and CONNECT your Family & Friends list so you can make and share plans with your traveling group. Essentially, linking ensures that your entire group has access to the same dining reservations, Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections, and more.

Learn More Tips and Tricks About the Disney World App Here

Spending a Lot of Money

So you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip… though we have plenty of tips on how you can get the most value out of your money and stick to your budget, you’re probably going to need to just accept the fact that Disney World ain’t cheap. You’re going to spend a good chunk of change to have this experience — but it’s worth it!

This is especially true if you want to shell out for Genie+ and other extras that can help your trip run a bit more smoothly. Of course, they’re not necessary and it’s still totally possible to have a good trip without one, but spending money in Disney World is about as easy as breathing.

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Being Glued To Your Phone

Remember earlier when we mentioned the My Disney Experience app? Well, as helpful as the app is, it’s also a necessary evil of having to be glued to your phone throughout the planning process and even on your trip. Want to check wait times? Phone. Want to book another Lightning Lane? Phone. Want to Mobile Order some food? Phone.

We won’t lie — it is incredibly convenient. But we know that some folks can get irked by having to use your phone for nearly every aspect of your trip. There are still ways to put the phone down and really unplug, but you’ll likely find yourself reaching for your phone more on your Disney World vacation than you might on a different one.

All that is to say that while planning a Disney World trip may not be easy, it doesn’t have to be overly complicated! Whether you’re looking for first-time planning info or are just trying to brush up on the latest news, we’ll be here to help along the way.

Stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news, planning tips, tricks, and more!

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When are you heading to Disney World next? Tell us in the comments.

The post 5 Necessary Evils of Planning a Disney World Trip first appeared on the disney food blog.