It’s not always pixie dust and fairy tales at Disney World.

That means that when you’re planning for a trip to Disney World, it’s always better to go in with your eyes wide open. So while Disney has some amazing experiences, rides, and food, there are a couple of brutal realities that no one really talks about, but you need to know!

As we said, Disney World is magical, but there are some brutal realities that you need to know about. Let’s go over some of them now!

“Magical” Doesn’t Mean “Perfect”

As you can imagine, the word “magic” gets thrown around a lot when people talk about Disney World, but here’s the truth — not everything is perfect. You’ll find that rides break down, shows get canceled, and sometimes the “magic” is just not there.

For example, imagine that you’ve been gearing up for Space Mountain all day, only to find out it’s temporarily closed right when you get there. Or that you’ve been setting aside time to catch that your favorite parade, just to have it get rained out.

To be sure, Disney tries hard, but the reality is that things can and do go wrong. So, just be ready to roll with the punches because even Disney World can have an “off” day.

The Pressure to Have the “Perfect” Day Is Real

Even us “Disney pros” have had this happen to us — You think you’re headed for quite literally the best day ever, but instead, you end up feeling like you’ve run back-to-back marathons.

For some reason there’s this insane pressure to hit every ride, catch every show, and make every meal reservation on time, and let’s not forget the stress of making sure your story on social media is on point!

Take it from us that trying to squeeze everything into one day can make you feel more like a drill sergeant than a relaxed vacationer. This may sound like a spoiler alert, but you’re probably not going to be able to do everything at Disney World during your trip, and that’s okay!

Not All the Rides Are Worth the Hype

There’s no question that Disney rides, especially some of the OG ones are S-Tier legendary — Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion. That being said, not all of the rides at Disney World live up to the hype.

There are a fair number of the classic rides that are more about nostalgia than actual thrills. Sure, it’s cool to say you rode “it’s a small world,” but don’t expect it to be a mind-blowing experience.

It’s cute, it’s classic, but is it worth a 100-minute wait? Probably not (and we happen to love it’s a Small World). In the end, just be prepared for some letdowns, and don’t be afraid to skip a ride if it doesn’t do it for you.

You’ll Spend More Time Waiting Than Actually Doing

If no one has ever told you this before, just know that Disney World is basically the kingdom of queues. Waiting in line is just a fact of life here. Whether it’s for rides, food, or even bathrooms, you’re going to spend a lot of time standing around.

You’ll find that the wait times for popular rides can be well over an hour, and that’s on a good day. It’s one of those brutal truths you just have to accept if you want to experience the magic. Make sure to pack extra patience with you because it’s a necessity.

You Will Walk More Than You’ve Ever Walked in Your Life

We hope you’re ready to rack up some serious steps. Disney World is HUGE, and unless you’re planning to park yourself on a bench all day, you’re going to be on your feet.

We’re in the parks all the time and it’s not uncommon to hit 20,000 steps (or more) in a single day. Another fact of life here at Disney World is that your feet are going to ache by the end of the day.

Our best recommendation is that you wear comfortable shoes. They’re going to become your best friends.

What Shoes Should You Wear in Disney World? Click Here!

Your Phone Battery Will Die

Between all the selfies you’ll take with Cinderella Castle, checking all the wait times, making dining reservations, navigating the park, and updating your social media, your phone battery doesn’t stand a chance.

By mid-afternoon, you’ll most likely be on the hunt to find an outlet or wishing you had packed a power bank.

So make sure you’re prepared by bringing your own power bank and/a power strip, because nothing kills the magic faster than a dead phone.

Best Phone Chargers for Disney

The Weather Can Ruin Your Day

Last up, Florida weather can be both unpredictable and downright brutal. It might rain seemingly out of nowhere and leave you drenched from head to toe, or the heat and humidity might make you feel like you’re walking on the surface of the sun.

And don’t think winter will save you because it can get surprisingly chilly. The weather is a wild card that can turn your magical day into a miserable one if you’re not prepared. Pack accordingly, check the weather forecast constantly, and be ready for anything.

There you have it — a couple of the brutal realities at Disney World. Did we miss any that are on your list? Go ahead and share them with us down in the comments, and keep it here at DFB for all the latest Disney news and more!

The Disney World SECRET We Shouldn’t Be Telling You

What “brutal realities” have you experienced at Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

The post 7 BRUTAL REALITIES About Disney World That No One Wants To Tell You first appeared on the disney food blog.