When it comes to planning a Disney World trip, the amount of information available to you can be altogether overwhelming. Let’s be real- terms like Lightning Lane, Individual Lightning Lane, Genie, Genie+… it’s a lot! It’s no wonder so many people find Disney just too overwhelming and not relaxing. The saying, “I need a vacation after my Disney vacation” is common for a reason! At times it can be a true information overload. When I was planning my first trip in 2018 there were several things I just didn’t know- but quickly realized!
Common Misconception #1: Disney World Isn’t THAT Big
Our first trip we stayed at Coronado Springs. When the luggage tags arrived (RIP yellow luggage tags… I miss those sticky strips of paper that showed me my trip was coming soon!) they said “Animal Kingdom Area.” As a total newb, I assumed that meant we could WALK to the Animal Kingdom. I remember telling my husband we’d be able to walk to Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals at the resort, or walk to Animal Kingdom. Imagine my surprise when I got to Disney and saw that this just wasn’t possible! WDW is 43 square miles after all… and as someone who doesn’t run ultramarathons for fun, this is not a walking distance in my book.
Common Misconception #2: Magic Kingdom is a Synonym for Disney World
The majority of Disney marketing shows Cinderella Castle in the background. The movie logo has the castle, ads show the castle, movies and TV shows feature the castle… so it’s not surprising that so many people don’t realize that Magic Kingdom is just a small part of Disney World, and not the entire place. With four theme parks, two water parks, and over 25 resorts there is so much more than Magic Kingdom.
Common Misconception #3: Disney is Just For Kids
There was a time in the not-so-distant past when I was not a Disney person. In fact, I didn’t “get” Disney or why it was so appealing. I once was a huge believer in this misconception and couldn’t imagine why people without kids went. However, between fine dining like Victoria and Albert’s, firework cruises, VIP tours… the list of options are off the charts. It’s not just about Mickey… although he is a huge attraction for kids, and kids at heart! You could spend a day outside the parks having truly luxurious experiences, far beyond what you’d envision as a Disney day.
Common Misconception #4: Disney is a One-and-Done Vacation
Oh look, yet another misconception that I am guilty of! When we went for the first time to Disney as a family, I assumed we could do it all in one trip, and never go again. As I’ve fallen deeper and deeper down the Disney rabbit hole, I’ve come to realize the amount of specialty experiences are never ending. The unique dining experiences, the parks, the tours, the resorts… you truly can never do it all. What I love most about Disney though is that it is ever changing, so even things you’ve done can be totally different when you do them again. I now know that not only is it not a one-and-done experience for us, but it is our happy place. It is where we go to all feel most connected and happy, and for that reason alone, we look forward to many years of joy ahead!