We hear a lot of misconceptions about Disney. Here are some things we thought we should clear up!
1. I’ll be eating burgers and hot dogs the whole trip
Well… if you want to you’re welcome to. But Disney offers a huge variety of meals now for every taste. Want to try Asian cuisine? Yak and Yeti at Animal Kingdom is great! What about some seafood? Grab some crab at Cape May Cafe. Up for a steak dinner? Le Cellier in Epcot it is. No matter what your tastes, you’ll find something at Disney you love.
2. The only snacks are popcorn and ice cream
This closely ties in with the food in general. Yes, ice cream and popcorn are available. So are cinnamon rolls and zebra domes and cream brulee and the infamous Dole Whip. There are so many snacks available that we’ve often toyed with simply snacking our way through our time at Disney Parks. You won’t be disappointed by the assortment.
3. You only need one day per park
Maybe on your second visit. On your first visit, we definitely recommend at least two days at Magic Kingdom if possible. The other parks it really depends on your interest level. Do you want to see all the shows at Hollywood Studios? You might need two days. Want to take your time touring and dining at Epcot? Maybe a day and a half (more if you plan on taking in one of the festivals like Food and Wine). But at any of these parks, you could easily spend multiple days if you wanted.
4. There aren’t any attractions for toddlers, grandparents, etc.
The vast majority of rides can be enjoyed by everyone. Peter Pan comes to mind as one of the quintessential Disney rides that’s gentle enough for everyone in your party to ride. All the boat rides are also fair game as well as many others. Everyone can also enjoy the shows, parades, and fireworks. Disney was designed to be a family experience, and that includes everyone.
5. I need to be super rich to go to Disney
Disney isn’t cheap, but it’s not as expensive as most people imagine either. When you price things out via the Disney website it automatically defaults you to the more expensive options. Disney wants you to purchase those options because then they make more money. Here’s where a good travel agent can help you. I'd be happy to advise you on how to save some money and get the best bang for your buck (you can visit my website for a free no-obligation quote). Many times a Disney trip can be less expensive than a comparable trip to other tourist destinations.
6. Characters are only for kids
Everyone can stop to see their favorite character, no matter their age. Want a picture with Mickey Mouse? Get your photo. Want to get a hug from Chewbacca? Go for it! Characters are there for everyone to enjoy, no matter how old you are.
7. You need to stay in the park from open until close
You don’t need sunscreen or to prepare for the Florida heat. Guests often underestimate the Florida sun and heat (just ask my husband). It can get very hot and the sun is extremely powerful. Even in the winter months, guests should plan ahead with sunscreen, breathable clothing and comfortable shoes. Guests should also be sure to hydrate very well and drink water throughout the day while in the parks.
8. The dining plan definitely saves you a lot of money
While the dining plan is a fantastic value for some, it’s not always a money saver. If you are likely to have an entree, drink, and dessert at every meal, it might be worth it to you. However, if you don’t often order dessert, and sometimes drink water instead of ordering fountain drinks, you may be spending more money on the dining plan than you would be paying as you go. Of course, if there’s a “free dining” promo, go for it (but remember, you would be paying full price for your resort room).
9. You only need to go once
Unless you are planning a month-long trip or do not care about experiencing most of what Disney World has to offer, you will surely want to visit Disney more than once. There’s much more to Disney than just rides. We have been to WDW more than 20 times over the past 16 years and we have not yet seen everything. Disney is constantly changing.
10. You can buy super cheap park tickets
Visiting Walt Disney World is expensive, and one of the most frequent questions I get is whether there’s a way to save on park tickets. The short answer is yes, there is — but those discounts tend to be pretty modest, a few percentage points at best.
What then, of the tickets you find on the internet or in the Orlando area that purport to be free or steeply discounted from the gate price? One of two things is happening. Unless you are a Florida resident, the only way to legitimately get really cheap or even free Disney tickets is by agreeing to sit through a timeshare presentation. Invariably, the presentation will be high pressure, far longer than advertised, and unless you’re actually in the market for a timeshare, probably a bad use of your time.
The other possibility is that the tickets are bogus. Deeply discounted Disney tickets sold at less established locations to the public at large are likely fake or have already been partially used by someone else and should be viewed with caution. Craigslist, eBay, random convenience stores around Orlando — you might see Disney World tickets advertised at any of these places, and chances are good that you’ll be buying tickets that have no value at all.
What misconceptions have you heard about Disney World? Do you agree with our list? Do you try to talk people out of their misconceptions? Let us know!
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