Every single Disney World veteran was a first-timer once, so we all know the common mistakes of a rookie in the parks.

We’ve all stood at the tapstiles fumbling with a phone, stopped dead in the middle of Main Street to figure out which way Tomorrowland is, or realized around 3PM that our brand new shoes were a big, big mistake. Our reporters are in the parks constantly, and that means we see the same handful of rookie moves play out over and over again. And honestly? They’re totally understandable! Disney World is HUGE, it has its own systems, its own transportation, and even its own weather patterns. Nobody’s born knowing all of that. But a little know-how can save you a whole lot of time, money, and frustration, so here are the first-timer mistakes our reporters spot most often, plus how to avoid them on your trip.

1. Holding Up the Line at the Tapstiles

For a lot of guests, the very first Disney World moment happens at the tapstiles on day one, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. A ticket that isn’t linked to the right person in the My Disney Experience app, a MagicBand that was never connected, a phone sitting at 3% battery, a ticket that hasn’t been activated yet… there are dozens of little things that can go wrong. And when one of them does, the Cast Member’s arm goes up to call Guest Relations over, and the line behind you quietly shuffles off to the next lane.

It happens to plenty of people, and Cast Members are great at sorting it out. But you can skip the stress entirely with a little prep. Before you leave for the park, open the app and make sure every ticket is linked to the correct member of your party, double-check that MagicBands or phones are ready to go (and charged!), and decide ahead of time who is tapping in with what. Having everything out and ready before you reach the front makes for a much smoother start to your day.

2. Wasting Time Trying to Figure Out Where to Go

One of the most common sights in the parks? Groups huddled together, puzzling over a map or a phone, trying to decide where they are and where to go next. That’s completely natural when the parks are new to you, but those minutes really add up over the course of a day, and they can mean missing out on short waits or extra attractions.

A bit of homework goes a long way here. Spend some time with the park maps before your trip so you have a general sense of how each park is laid out and which lands sit next to each other. Then make a loose game plan: knock out a few big attractions early while waits are lower, try to group attractions by area so you’re not zigzagging across the park, and keep an eye on wait times in the app as the day goes on. Your plan doesn’t need to be rigid (spontaneity is part of the fun!), but having a rough idea of your next move keeps the day flowing. And if you do need to stop and regroup, stepping off to the side of the walkway makes it easier on everyone.

3. Wearing Flip-Flops or Sandals Without Cushioning

We totally get it. You’re headed somewhere warm and tropical, and maybe you’re coming from somewhere that isn’t quite so sunny. Of course you want to wear your cute flip-flops and your favorite sandals! But Disney World days can easily rack up somewhere between 15,000 and 23,000 steps, and you’ll likely be doing that for multiple days in a row. Unsupportive footwear can turn into sore feet, blisters, and achy legs pretty quickly.

Comfortable, cushioned sneakers or supportive sandals are your best friends here, and ideally they should be broken in before your trip (not brand new out of the box on day one). It’s also smart to pack some blister bandages and consider bringing a second pair of shoes so you can switch things up. You can absolutely still be cute; there are plenty of comfortable shoes out there that look great, too.

We Spent Thousands of Hours Testing Shoes in Disney World — Here’s What You Need To Know!

4. Not Wearing Sunscreen

Our reporters see a LOT of visitors with some seriously painful-looking sunburns, and it’s almost always guests from out of state who simply didn’t realize how strong the sun gets here. If no one has told you yet, consider this your warning: the sun in Orlando is intense, and it can be dangerous. Long lines, outdoor queues, and walking between attractions all mean many hours of direct exposure.

Apply sunscreen before you head out, and reapply throughout the day, especially after water rides or if you’re sweating (which, let’s be real, you will be). Hats, sunglasses, and cooling towels can help, too. Remember that clouds and cooler months don’t make you immune. Sunscreen is sold in the parks if you forget it, but you’ll pay park prices, so it’s best to bring your own.

5. Eating at the WRONG Time

It makes sense to eat lunch at noon; that’s when most of us eat lunch at home! The problem is that a whole lot of other guests have the very same idea. On a recent busy day in Magic Kingdom, our reporter found Casey’s Corner, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe all absolutely packed during peak lunch hours.

Instead, try grabbing a snack around 10:30 AM and then holding off on lunch until at least 2:30 PM. Even better, go a little later and have one bigger meal in place of a separate lunch and dinner. Eating off-peak can save you a lot of time and spare you the hassle of fighting the biggest crowds of the day for a table. Plus, it frees up more snack opportunities, and we’re always in favor of that.

6. Carrying TOO Much Stuff

We see so many families carrying what looks like a full weekend’s worth of supplies through the parks, especially those with little ones. And we understand why! When you’re traveling with kids, it’s natural to want to be prepared for absolutely everything. But lugging all of those “just in case” items around all day can leave you feeling worn out and weighed down, and it may not actually make the day more enjoyable.

Try paring down to the true necessities for your bag. If you really want backup items close by (extra changes of clothes, spare snacks, etc.), consider renting a locker for your just-in-case stuff. That way it’s there if you need it, but you’re not hauling it from land to land. A lighter load can help you feel a little more free to wander and enjoy the parks.

 

7. Not Having Rain Gear

Florida rain can pop up fast, and good rain gear can truly make or break a day, especially in a park like Magic Kingdom where you spend a lot of time outdoors. We know ponchos and umbrellas are bulky, and we know there’s a chance you won’t need them. But when that afternoon downpour arrives, you’ll be SO grateful that you thought ahead.

A sturdy poncho or compact umbrella, plus a zip-top bag to keep your phone dry, can keep you comfortable and moving. And here’s a bonus: when the rain sends some guests heading for cover, those who are prepared can sometimes enjoy shorter lines. Rain gear is sold in the parks, but bringing your own will save you some money.

Our Tips and Tricks for Conquering Rainy Days in Disney World

8. Not Understanding the Transportation and Ticket Center

Getting to Magic Kingdom is completely different from getting to every other Disney World theme park, and that catches a lot of first-timers by surprise. Reaching the parking lot does NOT mean you’ve reached Magic Kingdom. It means you’ve reached the place where your second commute begins.

After parking, you may need to walk or take a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), go through security, and then choose between the monorail and the ferryboat. You still have to wait for that transportation, cross the Seven Seas Lagoon, walk to the entrance, and scan into the park. Standard rideshares also drop guests off at the TTC, so taking an Uber or Lyft doesn’t eliminate that extra leg of the journey.

Disney resort buses, on the other hand, skip the TTC and drop guests near Magic Kingdom’s entrance, and some nearby resorts offer monorail, boat, or walking access. Before deciding when to leave, figure out exactly how you’re getting to Magic Kingdom and work backward from the time you want to be inside the park. Don’t base your timing on when you expect to arrive at the parking plaza or rideshare drop-off, or you may find yourself arriving a lot later than planned.

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9. Not Understanding Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Lightning Lane Multi Pass can be a great tool, but buying it without knowing how it works is a mistake we see often. When you purchase it, Disney does not let you start with any three attractions you want. Instead, your initial selections are divided into tiers: you can choose one Tier 1 attraction and two Tier 2 attractions.

That makes that single Tier 1 pick the most important decision you’ll make before you ever enter the park. Before your trip, look at which attractions fall into Tier 1 for the park you’re visiting, figure out which one matters most to your group (and which typically has the longest standby waits), and plan your selections around it. A little strategy here can help you get much more value out of what you paid.

Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lanes in Disney World

If you spotted yourself in a few of these, don’t worry! First-timer mistakes are part of the Disney World learning curve, and the fact that you’re reading up before your trip means you’re already ahead of the game. A little planning around tickets, shoes, sun, meals, transportation, and Lightning Lanes can make a big difference in how relaxed and magical your vacation feels. For even more tips, tricks, and the latest Disney World news, stick with DFB, and we’ll help you plan like a pro.

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What first-timer mistake did YOU make on your first Disney World trip? Let us know in the comments!