These family travel bloggers have gone before you—and so very thoughtfully made more than a few Disney mistakes. Here, they’ve graciously shared those stumbles so you don’t have to follow in their footsteps!

I learned quite a few Disney tips and hacks, too. So whether you have a Disneyland vacation coming up or you’re simply dreaming of a getaway to Disney World, you’ll definitely want to learn from these expert family travel bloggers. Read on for common Disney mistakes that cost you money, cost you time, cost you fun—or end up in meltdowns! Then read their best Disney tips to make the most of your family vacation.

This post contains affiliate links, which have no extra cost to you. These links earn me a small income that allows me to continue to bring you free family travel advice.

If you want even more Disney goodness—and I’m 99% sure you do—then download these Disney quote printables, all for free! When you sign up, you’ll get five designed Disney quotes that’ll inspire your next trip.

Expensive Disney mistakes

Uh-oh, these Disney mistakes can cost you a lot of money! Make sure you don’t make these mistakes so you have plenty of money for your next family vacation… or at least enough to get an extra Dole Whip.

Not budgeting for your full vacation

MISTAKE: Not budgeting
DISNEY DO IT: Researching and planning your Disney costs—even the sneaky ones

Family holidays are rarely cheap these days, but a trip to Disney can be in a different league when it comes to cost. People are often attracted by a cheap flight cost, or a special deal for accommodation or park tickets, and then the Disney vacation is suddenly happening without much thought to the total cost of the vacation.  

We would highly recommend creating a budget for your Disney vacation so that you have a clear idea of what the trip might cost you and allow you to plan and save for this dream vacation. 

Some of the elements to think about for you Disney vacation include:

• the costs of getting to Disney, including flight costs and all the added extras
• accommodation costs including any resort fees
• park tickets
• in-park experiences
• non-Disney activities
• food and drink costs
• visa or travel insurance costs
• how you’ll get around whilst you’re on your trip

When you think of, and budget for, how much the entire Disney vacation will cost, you’ll be much more prepared. And when there are fewer (expensive) surprised on your family trip, you and your kids will be able to fully enjoy your Disney vacation.

Ellie writes at Family Travel Pro, a site that shares insider travel professionals’ advice for tips to travel better with your kids.

(If you’re looking for places to trim your budget, take a peek at exactly how I saved more than $2,000 on a Disneyland vacation. And don’t forget to compare prices of hotels near Disneyland—take a peek at the map and booking tool below.)

Paying full price for souvenirs

MISTAKE: Paying out the nose for Disney souvenirs
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Buy your Disney souvenirs outside the park and bring them in

I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the price tags at the gift shop on our first trip to Disneyland. I was so glad I didn’t make the expensive mistake of paying full price for souvenirs!

If you want to save money on Disney souvenirs, plan ahead! You can buy nearly identical mouse ears, bubble wands, plush toys and more outside the park for a fraction of the cost.

We don’t get our kids a ton of souvenirs—we tend to travel on a tight budget—but I did want to get Maxine and Edie a few special mementos from our first trip to Disneyland. So beforehand, I bought them each a stuffed Minnie.

Then when we were getting ready to walk to the park, I exclaimed, “What is that green sparkly light in the sky?! It just zipped by—was it a dragonfly?”

The girls went to investigate. While they were gone, I placed these Minnie dolls in their stroller seats. My kids rushed back and told me I’d probably seen Tinkerbell! Then they noticed the toys—and nearly lost their little minds. They guessed that Tinkerbell had left them presents!

Maxine and Edie still talk about my Tinkerbell sighting and the Disney souvenirs she left behind.

See, you can get Disney magic—while staying on a budget!

-me!

Time-wasters at Disney

You planned. You budgeted. You endured your child melting down at the airport on the way. You deserve to enjoy your family vacation at Disney!

Unfortunately, many people make the common Disney mistakes that eat up that precious time.

Here are Disney mistakes that waste time—and what to do instead.

Wasting time waiting for food

MISTAKE: Eating at restaurants and waiting in line at fast-service spots
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Use mobile food ordering on the My Disney Experience App

We were Disney World first-timers back in April, and our preference was for more Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, visits with Belle and Jasmine, Jedi Training, and the Frozen Sing-along and less time for Pecos Bill Nachos, Dole Whips and Backlot Express burgers. Unfortunately, though, we wasted a ton of time waiting in line to grab some grub.

The best way we could have saved those precious minutes was by doing a mobile food order in advance at a quick service restaurant—the ones where there are no servers and are just ‘order at counter’ places to eat.  

Simply pull up your My Disney Experience app to locate “Mobile Food Orders.” Search for the restaurants and add your order, including custom requests like dressing on the side. Hit “Purchase” and your order will be loaded. When you are in the vicinity of the restaurant, hit “prepare my order” and the kitchen will start making your food.

Pick up is quick and easy (most restaurants have a specific area for online order pick ups) and you can avoid some really long lines, particularly during peak eating hours. However, what I did not realize is that you cannot use your gift cards for online orders (which is another reason it did not work for us—we were paying for everything with gift cards). All orders are either attached to your main Disney account or you can pay with a credit card.

Avoiding restaurants and standing in line for food means more time for Mickey, Mulan and memories!

Lori Green LeRoy writes about family travel at Maps, Memories & Motherhood.

Wasting time waiting for the It Rides

MISTAKE: Spending all your time trying to get on the most crowded rides
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Focus on rides and attractions with low traffic to make the most of your time at Disney

The most common mistake that people visiting Disney theme parks make is chasing the fads of the most popular rides. These are the rides that are all the buzz—everyone wants to get on at the same time. Some of such rides, like Radiator Springs Races in Disneyland, consistently have wait time of over sixty minutes.

On a typical afternoon, some of these attractions have lines just to get the FastPass. For some rides, FastPasses are completely gone by midday. If you’ve stood in line to get a FastPass, you might have wasted an hour of precious time for a ride that only lasts 5 minutes or so.

To avoid this Disney mistake, visitors should draw their attention to less popular (but no less fun) rides, attractions and activities that are never busy. For instance, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in Disney California Adventure Park or the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Disneyland are wonderful attractions—without the wait.

There are nearly a dozen of such rides and activities in Disneyland and California Adventure parks combined, ranging from educational encounters with President Lincoln on Main Street USA to the exciting exploration of Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island to a self-guided tour of Boudin Bakery (bread tasting included free of charge!).

If you’re worried about hitting the It Rides, you might want to focus instead on doing more with your limited time. Don’t stress out and enjoy your visit!

Tatiana Sorokina blogs about family travel at Family Road Trip Guru.

Wasting time to meet Disney characters

MISTAKE: Not using FastPass on Disney characters meet and greets
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Use those FastPasses to make your kids’ dreams come true

On her very first trip to Disney World last summer, all my 4 year old daughter was interested in was meeting Disney princesses. I am so thankful that someone told me to use some of our Fast Passes on the character meet and greets to ensure that we met her favorites.

If you’ve got small kids in tow and they are set on meeting their favorite Disney characters, book those character meet and greets ahead of time to avoid major disappointment! The best thing we did was book one for the first thing in the morning. Then, we rope-dropped the park and headed straight to the meet and greet.

If there was a short line, we didn’t use the Fast Pass reservation and just got into the regular line. We then changed the Fast Pass reservation for something else so we didn’t lose it.

Don’t underestimate how long the lines can be for Disney meet and greets, even for the less popular characters.

Shannon Elizabeth shares inspiration and real-world advice for parents traveling with their kids at Grab My Passport.

Disney mistakes that disappoint

Your kids are so freaking excited for your Disney vacation!!! (Heck, you are, too!) Unfortunately, some Disney mistakes can put a damper on that enthusiasm.

Here are common mistakes that dull that Disney magic—and how to make the most of your trip to Disney.

Trying to do too much in 1 day

MISTAKE: Cramming all of Disney into a single day
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Take your time to explore a Disney park without the rush

Sometimes it’s a cost thing or a time thing, but lots of parents ask me if one day is enough for a Disney World or Disneyland. And the answer is that, sure, you can do it. But you aren’t really going to get the most out of your time or your very expensive entrance fee. At best it will be rushed and underwhelming. At worst it will be stressful for you and a meltdown in the making for your kids.

Getting to the park early always makes sense. Lines do get longer as the day goes on. And the after-dark parades and shows have special effects that are really incredible; you want to catch them. That’s a long day. If you try to power through, by the time the fireworks are exploding over the castle, your kids will be too cranky to care, or sound asleep in your stroller. There’s nothing magical about that.

A second or third day also allows you to take a midday break, be it with a leisurely lunch or a return to your hotel for pool time and a nap. Extra time also allows for do-overs when things go wrong and patience when the line for that must-meet princess is long. It also gives you room to ride Peter Pan’s Flight three times over because your kids love it or pause to watch that parade you didn’t know would happen that your kids are enthralled by.

Finally, we loved having time to just walk around the parks and absorb all the great little details and hidden fun that make Disney parks unique. The animatronic Tiki Hut is a tucked away, low-key attraction that we never would have taken the time to see if we were rushing through a one-day visit. But we absolutely loved it. And it’s the little moments like this that provide the best memories.  

Eileen Gunn shares family travel tips at FamiliesGo! Check out her post on advice for families going to Disney World for the first time.

Letting hunger ruin your trip

MISTAKE: Not bringing enough snacks into the Disney park
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Stock up on balanced munchies to hold you and your kids over between meals.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made on our Disney vacations is not bringing enough snacks for our family into the parks. Without fail, we’d be in a long ride line when one of us would start to get cranky. That person would then get the rest of us cranky. And all this usually stemmed from someone being hungry.

I suggest people pack easy to eat snacks so they can stay fueled up in between meals. One of our favorite snacks are the Mickey-shaped goldfish crackers you can find at Target! We also like to bring snacks with protein, like shelled pistachios or beef jerky.

On our last trip to Disneyland, we actually had groceries delivered to our hotel, which was awesome! That meant we could bring in grapes, baby carrots, little bottles of fruit smoothies, and yogurt drinks. We stored these in a little cooler bag that we kept in our backpack and things stayed fresh all morning.

By bringing snacks into the Parks, it’s a great way to keep your family happy and stick to a budget. Plus, by saving money at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, you can splurge on your favorite Disney treats like churros, Dole Whip, or Mickey bars!

Marcie Cheung writes an all Disney, all the time family travel blog at Marcie and the Mouse.

Being surprised—in a bad way—by rides

MISTAKE: Not researching rides ahead of time
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Look up height requirements, scariness level and other ride factors before you go

Save yourself and your kids from disappointment and stress with a little research ahead of time! Every park has different ride and show options but not every attraction is an option for every kid due to their height and/or sensitivity level. Measure your children’s height before you travel to Disney and make notes on which rides they aren’t tall enough to ride. (You can also filter rides on the Disney app by height requirement.) Don’t waste a fast pass on a ride only to find out later that your entire family can’t participate or it leaves one of your kids in tears.

Once you know which rides are an option in terms of your kids’ height, take the time to watch videos of them on YouTube. This extra step before you go to Disney allows you to screen for intensity and scary parts. Even innocent-sounding rides, like the Snow White’s Scary Adventures, can be terrifying for little ones!

Sometimes the actual ride might not be scary but the introduction or theming might create an issue for a sensitive kid. Screening rides before you go to Disney will let you both prepare for anything unexpected. If you know what you need to avoid ahead of time, you can ask for work-arounds. For example, the introduction to the Haunted Mansion often spooks kids more than the actual ride but cast members can help you bypass that part of the attraction. That way, you and your sensitive kiddos can skip straight to the ride! This keeps the trip fun—not terrifying—for everyone.

Stephanie Woodson blogs at Explore More, Clean Less, where she shares her Disney World 5-day itinerary.

Forgetting to rest

MISTAKE: Not planning for a down day
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Include a day for playing at the beach, splashing in the pool and just hanging out

Our family loves Disney, but we only get to go once every few years. So when we go, we go hard: all day, every day. But on our last trip to Disneyland, by day two, everything hurt. We were only four days so we were relentless and pushed on. Our kids begged to use the hotel pool, but we were there for Mickey! 

By day three, my feet were beyond painful, and I took Advil around the clock. By day four, it was all a daze. We left for home, never dipping our toes into the hotel pool. 

It honestly didn’t occur to us to take a rest day. That trip, while still magical, would have been so much more thoroughly enjoyed if we’d planned time to rest.

For our next trip to Disneyland, we’ll plan a day in the middle without any walking, with no dinner reservations or “must do” bucket list activities. A day to relax poolside while the kids enjoy freedom to play, and our only decisions are what to order for dinner or whether to take a nap. (Maybe a massage or even a pedicure for me—hey, a mom can dream!) After all, the next day, Disney awaits!

Heather Hicks writes about outdoor Oregon adventure at Oregon Outdoor Family.

Saving money by scrimping on magic

MISTAKE: Reserving lodging outside the park
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Stay on-property at one of the Disney hotels

One of the biggest mistakes I have seen my friends make when planning a Disney vacation is staying off-property. Walt Disney World Resort is more than just a destination. It is an entire experience, and staying at the resorts on property is just as much a part of the experience as the theme parks. 

The legendary Disney magic begins prior to arriving to the Disney resorts if you take advantage of their Magical Express transportation. Your luggage is taken care of once you check-in at your home airport and you are taken to the resort property, only seeing your luggage again once you get into your room! 

But even if you get to the Disney hotel on your own, you will feel the pixie dust from the first minute you check-in. The resort cast members sprinkle Disney magic with every interaction, just as they do in the theme parks. 

Each hotel has its own theme, which sets the stage of transporting you to another land.  The hotels are full of activities to keep the kids busy, from the pools to game rooms, restaurants, characters, craft rooms, and special activities often corresponding to the resort’s theme. There is so much for the kids to do on off-park days, that you can easily stay at the hotel and still feel like you are at Disney.  

And, with nearly 30 different hotels and resorts at different price points, ranging from value to deluxe,  there is a Disney hotel for almost every budget. There is even Fort Wilderness where you can camp in a tent, RV, or a cabin! 

Guests staying on property are also eligible for Extra Magic Hours (meaning you can beat the crowds with early park entry or stay past closing on certain days) which is not offered to off-property guests. 

And, with free transportation to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, you can’t beat the convenience of staying at a Disney hotel.  Whether you travel by monorail, bus, boat, or minivan (think Uber in a Minnie Mouse outfit), staying at a Disney hotel should always be top of your list when planning a Disney vacation. Staying off property just cannot compete with the extra magic and convenience families get from staying on property.

Keri B. was a Disney cast member for two years and now blogs about family travel at Bon Voyage with Kids. Read her post on traveling with kids for the first time for excellent tips and advice!

Disney mistakes that take a toll on comfort

Punishing your poor feet

MISTAKE: Wearing the wrong footwear
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Choose comfortable shoes that stay comfy as you walk for miles

One thing people do not realize when they plan a Disney vacation is the amount of walking that will do. On average, people will walk anywhere from 10-14 miles in one day at Walt Disney World. There is a lot of ground to cover before you even enter a park.

To give you an idea of the size of the parks, the loop around World Showcase in Epcot is more than one mile! Add in all of the standing in lines for rides, attractions, and character meet and greets, and your poor feet and legs will be exhausted by the end of the day. 

Supportive shoes are one way to combat the stress and fatigue your body will face. Wear your favorite sneakers (make sure they have sufficient support!) or buy shoes specifically for your Disney trip. Brands like Teva, Tom’s, and Keen are perfect for a day at Disney. Give your new shoes time to break in by wearing them before the trip. Finally, pack band-aids and moleskin blister protectors in your park bag just in case you get a no-fun blister.

Lauren Stites blogs about family travel at Where The Wild Kids Wander.

Renting a stroller at Disney

MISTAKE: Using a Disney rental stroller
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: BYO stroller for everyone’s comfort

I’m surprised how often I hear people recommend renting a stroller at Disney. After just one experience renting a stroller at Magic Kingdom with a toddler, I will never do it again. We didn’t plan on renting a stroller in Disney, but one day we left our stroller at our rental home and decided to save ourselves from battling traffic and parking by renting one at the park.

Since we were visiting family and only had one day at Disney, we decided in advance to have our 18-month-old nap on-the-go. The nap and ride technique isn’t something we do often, but in his reclining stroller with a shade it’s not a problem.

The rental strollers at Disney, alternatively, are hard plastic with no shade and only a single belt versus a 5-point harness. As you can imagine, our little guy fought a nap on that hard stroller and almost slid out of it several times.  He woke up early into the nap and ended up falling asleep in my arms for the first time since he was a baby.

While the Disney strollers may work if you want a backup for an older toddler whose legs are tired, I definitely don’t recommend them for babies or younger toddlers. Lesson learned!

Amanda Emmerling writes about all things travel with a little one at Toddling Traveler.

Keeping your tots strapped in

MISTAKE: Keeping your toddler either strapped in the stroller or strapped in a ride
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Let your toddler roam and get those wiggles out

To avoid kid meltdowns, I’ve found it helps to calm their minds and remove them from all stimulation. There are a few good spots on the Disneyland property that are a little secluded and can help your child relax and unwind from the day. 

The first place is the Baby Care Center that has amenities like private nursing rooms with rocking chairs, a main room with TV and seating, and other things parents many need in a pinch. This is perfect to get away from it all and it’s very clean inside. 

The other spot, which is my all time favorite, is Pirate’s Liar on Tom Sawyer’s Island. It literally is away from it all and doesn’t have any rides, lines, vendors, stores, or anything that would be overstimulating. Your child can just walk around in the serene environment, much like a park, or sit down to watch the boats and canoes pass by. You can even escape from the heat under a shady tree or rock cave. The best part is the lack of people.

It’s the ultimate parent Disneyland hack to avoid meltdowns in your day!

Christy Mindell, who goes by Cree, writes the blog Wild and Cree, where she shares her photography and travel tips.

Not taking advantage of accommodations

MISTAKE: Not getting a Disability Access Service Card if you need one
DISNEY DO IT INSTEAD: Take advantage of disability accommodations at Disney parks

One thing that’s so magical about Disney parks: They are 100% set on making sure you have a magical time. To that end, they include accommodations for visitors who need special services.

Do you use a wheelchair? Do you have a child who is on the autism spectrum? Do you have some other disability that makes you squirm when thinking of standing in all those lines?

The Disney Disability Access Service Card allows visitors with a disability (including ones that aren’t visibly apparent) to get return time passes to rides, activities and park features. You just have to request the card at a Guest Services kiosk. You’ll fill out some paperwork and take a photo (so you can’t just give the card to someone else). It’s pretty straightforward.

If you or someone in your family has a disability, the disability pass at Disney could mean you have a much more wonderful trip to Disney. Why not use it?

If you have anxiety, or you’re feeling overwhelmed and nervous about your upcoming trip, I wrote a post all about how to overcome Disney anxiety—in planning your trip and while you’re there. I hope it’s helpful!

-me!

Plan a fun Disney vacation by avoiding these mistakes

I have a Post-It note taped at my desk: It reads

Failure is just information.

It totally inspires me to take a learner’s mindset so I don’t get too self-critical when I slip up.

Consider this post, then, full of the most useful information to help you plan a fun Disney vacation.

By learning from these family travel bloggers’ Disney mistakes, you get to avoid them! Chances are, you’ll make some different Disney mistakes. After all, we’re human.

Once you do, though, come back here and share them with us! And don’t wait until the last minute to book accommodation. Make sure you get the best price by reserving your hotel early!

Do you have any Disney mistakes that you’ve made—and learned from? Share them below in the comments!!!

PS – If Disney is on your mind, you’ll definitely want to read my post about the Disney PhotoPass. I break down the pros and the cons of using this feature—and share if the Disney PhotoPass is worth its cost.

The post 14 most common Disney mistakes (+ how to avoid them!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

That way you can print them out and put them up on the wall to remind you of your upcoming magical trip.

So if you’re sitting at your office or at the kitchen table and want a little more Disney in your day, simply read on for 35 inspiring Disney quotes. They’ll make you feel as if your trip is just around the corner.

And if you need a reminder to go, simply download the Disney quotes printable, and you can take a gorgeous quote with you!

The best Disney quotes to read before your vacation

For every flavor of Disney you want before you head to Disneyland or Disneyworld, I got you covered. Below, you’ll find Disney friendship quotes, inspirational Disney quotes and Walt Disney quotes from the Big Guy himself.

And I’m pretty sure you want these Disney quote printables—for free! I just gotta spread the magic.

Disney quotes about adventure

“Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.” -Rapunzel (Tangled)

“Every turn a surprise. Every moment gets better.” -Jasmine (Aladdin)

“Life’s not a spectator sport. If watchin’ is all you’re gonna do, then you’re gonna watch your life go by without ya.” – Laverne (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

“If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” – The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

“You don’t have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring.” -Lumière (Beauty and the Beast)

Disney quotes about love and happiness

“Listen with your heart, you will understand.” – Grandmother Willow (Pocahontas)

 “Happiness is the richest thing we will ever own.” – Donald Duck

“Remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine.” – Snow White (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves)

“Do not be fooled by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.” – Merchant (Aladdin)

“Now, think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings.” – Peter Pan (Peter Pan)

Disney quotes about dreaming big

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

“My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it.” -Tiana (The Princess and the Frog)

“Don’t just fly, soar.” – Dumbo (Dumbo)

“No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” -Cinderella (Cinderella)

“My dream wouldn’t be complete without you in it.” -Naveen (Princess And The Frog)

Disney friendship quotes

“Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day.” -Pooh (Winnie the Pooh)

“Every minute spent in your company becomes the new best moment of my life.” -Rhino (Bolt)

“When you’re the best of friends having so much fun together, you’re not even aware you’re such a funny pair.” -Big Mama (The Fox and the Hound)

“If everybody got somebody by the hand, maybe everyone could learn and understand.” -Sebastian (The Little Mermaid)

“Because when I look at you, I can feel it. And I look at you and I’m home.” -Dory (Finding Nemo)

Walt Disney quotes to inspire you

“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” -Walt Disney

“When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” -Walt Disney

“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.” – Walt Disney

“First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare.” – Walt Disney

“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney

“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” – Walt Disney

“Open different doors, you may find a you there that you never knew was yours. Anything can happen.” – Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

“I never look back, darling! It distracts me from the now.” – Edna Mode (The Incredibles)

“I don’t want to survive. I want to live.” – The Captain (Wall-E)

“If you dream a thing more than once, it’s sure to come true.” – Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

“There’s a great big hunk of world down there with no fence around it.” – Tramp (Lady and the Tramp)

“For every to, there is a fro. For every stop there is a go, and that’s what makes the world go round.” –Merlin (The Sword and the Stone)

“Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.”  – Yoda (Star Wars: Episode II, Attack of the Clones)

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney

Disney quotes you’ll want to read again + again

Are you feeling all squishy inside?? I am—putting together this list of the best Disney quotes was so fun! (And nostalgic. Man, I love Disney movies.)

Some of my favorite are the Disney friendship quotes and the Disney quotes about dreaming big. Are you going to print any of these? Which one is your favorite? Do you have a go-to Disney movie you can’t get enough of?

Don’t forget to download your free Disney quote printables! That way, you can have a little taste of magic hanging on your wall.

Want even more Disney goodies? If you’re actually nervous about planning a family vacation to Disneyland or Disney World, you need to read my post about conquering your anxiety over Disney.

The post 35 Disney quotes to inspire you (+ free Disney printables!) appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

I didn’t quite realize just how much I’d love it—but it turns out you have to use the Disney app right to get the most out of this free tool.

So if you’re going to Disney with kids or even without, you’ll definitely want to use these Disney hacks. If you’re planning your first trip to Disney, you might not know all the hidden but awesome perks of the app; even if you’ve been going for years, you might not have discovered these. So I’m here to show you!

Read on to become a Disney app expert.

This post contains affiliate links. When you click and buy, I earn a small commission that helps me continue to bring you free travel content. This does not alter the price you pay. Thank you for supporting To & Fro Fam!

Ways to use the Disney app you didn’t know you needed

There’s so much to plan for a Disneyland vacation, especially if it’s your first time at Disney. I know I felt overwhelmed!

Luckily, the Disney app puts so much information in your hand that it takes a ton of pressure off. Use the Disney app like a pro to plan your route through the park, find characters, skip lines and even avoid paying a ton of money for drinks!

1. Find your way around

Disneyland and California Adventure are huge. The parks are actually fairly easy to navigate, but you’ll want to use the Disney app to get from point A to point B without getting lost.

Not only can you look at a map of the parks; you can also use its GPS function. It will guide you turn by turn as you walk, making sure you get to the attraction you want to see—or arrive in time to use your MaxPass!

2. Avoid the longest lines

When you look up rides and attractions on the Disney app, you can see approximate wait times. So if your kids simply can’t handle waiting 45 minutes for the Cars roller coaster, scope out what has shorter lines nearby. That way you won’t spend your whole Disney vacation waiting in line!

3. Reserve your spot in line for the most popular rides

If you use MaxPass (an extra $10/day per person), you can use the Disney app to reserve your spot in line without going to the FastPass kiosks. This saves you time: You can reserve the MaxPass from wherever you are so you don’t have to walk all the way across the park to reserve the spot for the ride you want.

Using MaxPass on the Disney app also saves you from confusion. When I went to Disneyland with my kids, I tried to get FastPasses to the Toy Story Midway Mania at the FastPass kiosk—and accidentally got the passes for the Incredicoaster instead. (The kiosks were right next to each other and I didn’t realize.)

Luckily, the cast member at the Toy Story Midway Mania was an absolute gem and let us in anyway, saving me from explaining my goof-up to two very disappointed Toy Story fans. (Thank you Disney!!!)

Don’t make my mistake. Use the Disney app to prevent Disney mistakes like mine.

4. Find characters

On the Disneyland app, you can filter by characters, and stars pop up where Minnie, Mickey and others hang out throughout the parks. That way you can look for the Disney characters your kids want to meet.

One caveat: The Disney app doesn’t show their locations live. This unfortunate detail means you never know exactly where someone is, so you might show up to a character’s spot while they’re on break. I suppose this preserves some of the magic of bumping into a character at Disney, but I wish I’d realized that sooner.

Now you know!

5. Order food—skip the lines

Did you know you can order food on the Disney app? This feature is seriously amazing. At certain restaurants throughout the park, you can skip waiting in line to order and choose your food on your phone.

This genius Disney hack saves you a ton of time waiting in line and waiting for your food to be ready. Simply order when you’re a 15 minute walk away from the restaurant where you want to eat. By the time you find a table, your food will be ready!

I can’t even explain how helpful this Disney hack is. Hangry kids get fed faster and you’ll all have more time to enjoy the park instead of waiting in line.

6. Find the rides right for your kids

I can’t tell you how disappointed my younger daughter was when we realized she was too short to ride the Grizzly River Run. Luckily, my in-laws led her off on a fun adventure she still talks about while Hubs, my older daughter and I splashed down the river ride.

I learned shortly after this disappointing Disney mistake that you can filter rides by age, interest, height—even scariness! So use the Disney app to find the rides right for your kids.

7. Find a bathroom—NOW!

Are your kids like mine? I ask them if they have to go to the bathroom, I notice them crossing their legs and doing a potty dance… and then they wait until the least convenient moment to announce a potty emergency. Argh!

Luckily, the Disneyland app has the super-useful feature of showing you where the nearest restroom is. Plug that location into the app’s GPS to get the fastest route to the bathroom—and avoid a potty accident.

8. Make the most of your PhotoPass

If you buy the MaxPass, you automatically get a PhotoPass, which entitles you to the professional photographs with certain characters taken by staff members. But where are those characters with professional photographers?

Your Disneyland app will tell you.

(Wondering if you should invest in the PhotoPass? I wrote a whole post on if the Disney PhotoPass is worth it or not, including side-by-side comparisons of photos taken by staff and photos taken on my iPhone.)

9. Enjoy live entertainment

One of the things I most loved about my first time at Disney was stumbling across live entertainment: a barbershop quartet, the newsboys hanging from a trolley, a dance party my kids joined, hide and seek with Peter Pan. Disneyland has it all!

If you don’t want to leave catching this entertainment to chance, use the entertainment filter on your Disneyland app. It’ll show you where shows stop so you can make your way to the fun you don’t want to miss.

10. Save money on water

You can bring in food and drinks to Disneyland, and you’ll definitely want to bring a refillable water bottle. The parks can get super hot, and if you want to make the most of your Disney trip, you need to stay hydrated! Unfortunately, a bottle of water costs $4 if you buy it in the park—which certainly adds up. Not good for the Disney budget!

Instead, when your water is getting low, filter your Disney app to find drinking fountains where you can fill your water bottle. Here’s how:

Select category à guest services à show list à drinking fountains à show on map

Then simply walk to the nearest one.

11. Book a hard-to-get dining experience

Did you want to have breakfast with Goofy or some other character dining experience, but try to make reservations too late? The app updates character dining experiences in real time, so you can snag a day-of reservation!

Here’s how it works. If there’s a character dining experience you and your kids really hoped to try, look at it while you’re standing in line throughout the day. If someone cancels, it will show availability. Then book the reservation right from your phone! (You’ll need your app to be connected to a credit card, which it will already be if you bought the MaxPass.)

If you’re on a Disney budget, though, I recommend not even going down this rabbit hole. Character dining experiences are a splurge. If you look at it anyway, you might be caught up in the moment and book a reservation that busts your Disney budget.

12. Never lose your tickets!

I’m guessing most moms reading this post are like me: We’re responsible for keeping track of all the things. Well, when you use your Disney app to keep track of your tickets, you’ll never have to worry about which pocket you stashed those entries in!

This Disney hack is especially important for those of you doing multi-day Disney vacations. There’s too much risk of losing your tickets, even if you put them in those lanyard necklaces. So link your tickets to your Disney app as soon as you get them!

13. Plan your route

One of the best ways to have a better family vacation is to involve the kids whenever you can. You’ll be shocked at the drastic reduction in whining when they have a say in your vacation planning!

Use the Disney app to help them help you plan your Disney trip.

Pull up the park map on your phone and ask them to help plan a route to your next destination. It’s visual, so even toddlers can help trace a path—like a maze!

And speaking of finding your way, make sure to compare hotels if you want to stay near Disneyland. Find one that meets your needs of being nearby but also within budget.

Use the Disney app the right way!

I know you’re feeling more prepared for your Disneyland vacation after reading this post. You know how to use the Disney app to skip lines, find the right rides for your kids and avoid a potty accident. See, you’re already a Disney pro!

Do you have other Disney hacks you can share? Did you learn any lessons the hard way after making Disney mistakes, like me? Please share below!

PS – Are you planning a budget Disney vacation? Then you need to read my post on how I saved more than $2,000 on our family vacation to Disneyland! I break it down and share exactly what I spent—and how I saved—on lodging, park passes, souvenirs, food and more.

The post 13 ways to use the Disney app like a pro appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re like me (and about a quarter of all women in the US): You might have anxiety. That’s no fun; trust me, I know. But even if you have anxiety, you don’t have to swear off family travel—even to the Big Daddy of all kids’ vacations, Disney. I’m proof: You can do more than survive a big family vacation; you can enjoy it! Below, I share what worked for me to manage Disney and anxiety—for moms.

How did this all come about? My anxiety over Disney started as soon as I began planning for a Disneyland vacation, which I took with my husband, two children and in-laws. You see, I’d never been to any amusement park, and I don’t do well in crowds. I’ve dealt with anxiety on and off for years, and when I’m around big groups of people, I can feel my shoulders tighten, my breathing shallow and my heartbeat speed up.  

So it’s no surprise that Disney and anxiety came together in a way that felt like I’d be miserable every minute of the trip. But that simply was not true: I had a hands-down wonderful time at Disney with my family. Want to manage your own anxiety at Disney during your family vacation? Read on for my tips to handle Disney and anxiety for moms and all parents.

I am not a medical or mental health professional. Here, I am sharing what has worked for me to manage anxiety at Disney and other family vacations. If you think you might have anxiety, please talk to your doctor or therapist. Life is better when you talk about mental health challenges openly and seek help.

This post may contain affiliate links. Clicking and buying earns me a small income at no extra expense to you, which allows me to continue offering family travel advice for free.

Anxiety at Disney: Tips to enjoy your vacation for moms

You’re already taking the first step to handle Disney and anxiety: You’re reading this post! Check out the steps below to truly enjoy Disney with your family.

Know the foundation of your anxiety at Disney

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the whirlwind of anxiety and just feel anxious overall. But chances are, there’s something at the root of feeling anxious about Disney: An unknown that much of your anxiety is coming from.

For me, that something was actually two things: Crowds and making sure we (i.e. my kids) had the most fun ever. After all, this was a huge trip for us and not one we will be able to make often. Disney has enormous expectations wrapped into it, so I felt like I had to maximize the trip: See all the features, meet all the characters, ride all the rides—without forcing my kids from A to B like a drill sergeant.

In other words, I wanted everyone to have the most fun possible at Disney.

Ask yourself if it’s true

When you identify the root of your anxiety about Disney, dig a little deeper. Chances are, there’s an ultimatum behind that thought:

I have to make sure everyone has the most fun possible at Disney—or else the trip is a failure.

Is that true? Chances are, it’s not.

I came to realize that my kids would have a wonderful time at Disneyland even if we didn’t see the entire park. They wouldn’t know (or probably care) that we missed the pirate ship or Chip N Dale’s house, so why was I making a huge deal about it in my monkey mind?

Turns out, simply identifying what’s really bugging you will alleviate some of the nerves you feel.

Make a plan to address your worries

When you go into planning and research mode, you retake control. And anxiety often stems from feeling out of control, so by taking concrete steps you can start to feel better about your trip to Disney.

So after you figure out why you are anxious about Disney, ask what would make you feel better.

• Talking to a friend who has recently been to Disney?
• Laminating emergency contact information for your kids to carry in case you’re separated?
• Researching the age-appropriate Disney rides for your kids so you know what to go on—and what to skip?

No matter what your Disney anxiety comes from, there are steps to take to alleviate that. (If you’re having trouble IDing what those might be, scroll to the bottom and write why you’re feeling anxious about Disney in the comments. I’ll respond with my own ideas!)

Make lists

Maybe you’ve felt this way too: When I was planning a family vacation to Disneyland, several million thoughts, to-do tasks, reminders, etc. swirled around in my brain. The second I tried to pin one down, a bunch more swept in and disrupted my thought process like a wind blowing a library’s worth of paper around.

One remedy to this classic mark of anxiety: Write everything down.

Grab a blank notebook, a page in your planner or your favorite app. Write down everything that comes to mind.

It helps me to separate things into categories so my brainstorm feels more organized and less chaotic. Some ways you can organize your Disney list:

• Things to do
• Things to buy
• Things to pack
• Itinerary
• Reminders / Good to know

Once you put it on paper, your brain will be able to let go. You’ll feel more reassured that you won’t forget something important because it’s all written down somewhere safe, and your anxiety about Disney will start to ease.

Delegate, delegate, delegate

The family trip planner (usually the mom, in my experience) often takes on the bulk of the vacation work: Researching a destination, booking transportation, buying trip supplies, the rest of it. But one parent doesn’t have to shoulder all the responsibility. This is still the case for single parents—you don’t have to do everything yourself.

When you look at the list you just made, what can you ask someone else to do? Taking some of the work off your own plate is sure to reduce your Disney anxiety.

Who can you rely on to get things done? Your partner? A travel agent? Someone on TaskRabbit? A friend or another family member? (One thing I don’t love about planning a vacation: finding lodging. So I often ask Hubs to do this part of the research. You can, too: Just ask your partner to look for a place with the right mix of location and price.)

Delegate what you can so you don’t feel anxious about getting everything done in time.

Research to ease your Disney anxiety

Many of us feel anxiety about the unknown (again, it ties into feeling out of control). To combat that feeling, research your trip.

How would that help? If you’re feeling anxious from the overwhelm of seeing and doing all that Disney has to offer, research will help you pick a few priorities. If you know what you and your kids are most excited about, you can plan your days around those must-dos—and ease some of your Disney anxiety.

Find a guru

That said, sometimes falling down the Disney Pinterest rabbit hole can open up a whole new level of anxiety. (Oh my gosh, there are so many Disney pins! Including mine, haha!)

That’s how I felt. At a certain point, I had to stop searching the internet and talk to a real-live person to get me out of my head and back to reality. So I invited my friend Deanna, who goes to Disney at least once a year, over to hang out—and work out some of my Disney anxiety.

I felt so much better because I trust her, and I could get her opinions without sifting through a bunch of internet pages that may or may not be helpful.

I also reached out to a few other friends for specific questions, like Should I buy a MaxPass for kids? And Is the PhotoPass worth the cost?

Organize everything in one place

Finally, once you’ve worked through all the above steps to ease your anxiety at Disney, organize all your plans, reservations and supplies. You might keep all your reservations on an app like TripIt (which is what I do). Or you might feel better to print everything and keep it in a folder. (Have you seen these cute Disney-themed folders? They’d be perfect for planning a trip to Disney!)

Whatever system you use, having everything organized will make you feel confident—a great antidote to anxiety.

Know your resources

Some moms who are anxious about Disney may do all the above steps and still feel overwhelmed about their upcoming vacation. If you’re in that boat, know there are resources at Disney for people who need extra accommodations.

If you’re not able to wait in lines because of a disability (including one that’s not visibly apparent, like anxiety), you can register for a Disability Access Card. You simply fill out some paperwork at the park entrance, then you’ll get a Disability Access Card, which will give you a return time for certain rides—allowing you to move to the front of the line, similar to a FastPass.

If your anxiety is making it hard to imagine surviving a trip to Disney, you are eligible to use these accommodations. Don’t feel like you don’t deserve them. They were created for people who need extra support to enjoy Disney. Why not use them if you need them?

Do you have anxiety at Disney? You are not alone

Finally, please know that if you’re a mom who is anxious about Disney, you are not alone. I’ve already shared about my Disney anxiety, and there are many, many others who struggle, too.

It can be easy to get stuck in your head, thinking you’re the only one who is anxious about going to the supposedly happiest place on earth. Or you might think that the swirling thoughts make you a bad mom.

Let me be the first to tell you neither is true.

If you’re feeling like your anxiety is taking over your life or making your days unmanageable, please reach out to a friend, your doctor or a therapist. Talking about your anxiety truly does help. You can also gather your resources to manage anxiety, whether that is with medication, self-care like yoga and exercise, supplements and essential oils, or a whole other slew of tools.

You can become less anxious about Disney

Now that you have an outline of how to ease your Disney anxiety, you have a plan. You will identify what makes you anxious about Disney, research, plan, delegate and use the resources that will help you make the most of a family vacation.

After all, you and your children deserve to enjoy time together. I truly hope my ideas—all based on my experience of working through my own anxiety at Disney—help you with your family trip. Let me know if there’s something I missed—or something that has worked for you! And don’t forget that if you are stuck coming up with ideas for yourself, write a comment below and I’ll try to help.

Finally, if you’re a mom who’s anxious about Disney, I feel you. I know it’s hard. But feeling nervous/overwhelmed/paralyzed by the thought of a Disney family vacation doesn’t have to control you. You can become less anxious about Disney. After all, I’m proof! Hugs, and travel well!

PS – If money is one reason you’re anxious about Disney, check out my post on how I paid for a 3-day family Disney trip for less than $200.

The post Anxiety at Disney: The anxious mom’s survival guide appeared first on To & Fro Fam.