There are certain things Disney guests do on vacation because they feel like they should. You wake up before sunrise, rope drop every morning, spend all day in the parks, and then do it all again the next day. I completely understand it. When you’ve spent thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation, you want to maximize every minute. But sometimes I think we get so focused on getting our money’s worth that we forget we are supposed to actually enjoy the vacation.
Spending time at the Gym
I’m not saying exercise is bad or that you shouldn’t maintain your normal routine if that’s important to you. But if you’re spending your Disney vacation walking what can feel like a half marathon every day, often in 90-plus-degree heat, your body is already getting a workout. Depending on your body size, pace and how much you walk, a typical Disney park day can easily burn hundreds of calories just through walking, potentially around 750 to 1,050 calories for some guests. And that’s before you factor in pushing a stroller, carrying a tired toddler, or hauling bags around the parks. Maybe your body doesn’t need another hour on the treadmill. Maybe it needs a pool and a Mickey Ice Cream Bar.
Leaving the Parks Just Because it Starts Raining
Obviously, there are exceptions. If you have young children and everyone’s clothes are soaked or your stroller is drenched. But if you’re an adult or have older kids, this can actually be one of the best times to stay in the park. A Florida rainstorm can clear out parts of the park, and plenty of attractions continue operating. Throw on a poncho, embrace the fact that you’re going to get a little wet, and suddenly the rain can become part of the Disney experience rather than the thing that ruined your afternoon. Plus, after the rain, the parks cool down a few degrees, and often the wait times never bounce all the way back to pre-storm times.
Watching the Nighttime Spectaculars Every Night
If you’re on a trip longer than three days, I don’t think you need to watch every nighttime show every single night. Absolutely give Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios their own night where you find a good spot and enjoy the show. These spectaculars are a huge part of the Disney experience, and I’m not suggesting you skip them altogether. But once you’ve seen Happily Ever After or Fantasmic!, do you really need to spend another hour standing in the same spot just to see it again?
In fact, one of my favorite things about nighttime spectaculars is what happens to the parks while everyone else is watching them. If you’re willing to skip the show one night, attractions that might have had long waits earlier in the day can suddenly become much easier to experience. That can be especially valuable on a longer trip when you’ve already seen the fireworks or show once. You can use that time to ride something you missed, explore the park with fewer people around, grab a snack, or simply wander without feeling like you have to be somewhere.
The post 3 Things I Don’t Think You Need to Do on Every Disney World Trip first appeared on The DIS.
