3 easy ways to save your Disney day when things go wrong
- GAB NEWS
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
From ride breakdowns to meltdowns, these simple strategies help you stay calm and keep your family happy when Disney World plans go off track.
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/The Most Magical Place on Earth may not always feel magical.
Sometimes a ride you were looking forward to breaks down or an experience you wanted is booked up.
You or your kids may get hangry, overstimulated, or just too hot.
In four decades of going to Walt Disney World, I’ve run into just about every hiccup guests may encounter.
Most inconveniences can be managed with three principles: plan ahead, be flexible and slow down, but there are specific ways to do so at the Florida parks.
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Here’s how to enjoy the magic, no matter what.
Plan ahead
If your heart is set on something that requires reservations, like a royal makeover for your child at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or a character meal at 'Ohana, make them as soon as they become available.
Guests staying at Disney resort hotels can book dining and other types of reservations beginning 60 days before arrival, for the entire length of their stay. Other guests may book 60 days in advance of their visit. Either way, bookings open up at around 6 a.m. on Disney World’s website and the free My Disney Experience app.
If you miss that early window and reservations fill up, don’t worry. Fellow guests change plans all the time and drop reservations. Check back from time to time, particularly the night before or day of the intended experience. Many table-service restaurants also offer walk-up lists you can join through the app, the day of your visit.
If you can’t snag a reservation, you can see all the restaurants that do have openings on the app.
Be flexible
You won’t be able to do everything at Disney World in one visit, or even multiple.
Make a short list of priority experiences, then treat everything else like a bonus. If you aren’t familiar with the parks' layouts, check the interactive maps on the resort’s website or app to plan your day without weaving back and forth too much.
If your list is too long, you’ll be rushing around from place to place and may miss those unplanned moments that can make a Disney vacation so memorable. Too many to-dos also create room for disappointment if you don’t get to everything.
If something on your short list becomes unavailable, like a ride temporarily closes or rain cancels a parade, you can check the resort app to see when it may be offered again. You can also ask cast members stationed at Guest Experience umbrellas for help.
Don’t let the one disappointment sour your entire trip.
Slow down
One thing to build into every park day is rest.
It can be as simple as sitting down for a meal, whether at a restaurant or on a bench with food you bring yourself. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the parks to save money. I recommend bringing a few shelf-stable snacks for kids and refillable water bottles for everyone in your travel party.
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I also recommend sprinkling shows and longer, seated attractions into your day like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom, the Animation Experience at Conservation Station in Disney's Animal Kingdom, the reimagined The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and The American Adventure at EPCOT. Each of those is upwards of 20 minutes long and air conditioned.
Parents can also relax while little ones stretch their legs in play areas, particularly across EPCOT. Or if you need a break from crowds, cast members can point you to areas with less foot traffic, including First Aid stations in the parks.
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