3.   Don't go without a plan

If you're a local, that's one thing. You can safely show up at Disney whenever you want and then go with the flow once you’re there. If you're only able to go once a year or less, however, you really want to be sure you're maximizing your time. The best way to do that is by booking FastPasses ahead of time. Also, if you have kids, let them be a part of the planning! Have the children pick the attractions that excite them the most. You’ll have everyone anticipating the vacation while saving yourself a lot of aggravation on day one of your trip.

4.   Don’t dress uncomfortably

Look, fashion is different for everyone. Maybe you have a favorite Disney shirt or dress that you want to wear at the parks. That’s totally fine. I simply want you to understand that the parks are spacious, and Florida has both heat and humidity. You’ll do a lot of walking (and I mean a LOT a lot), oftentimes in scorching weather. By picking a dark outfit that absorbs heat or an uncomfortable ensemble, you’re making yourself miserable.

5.   Don’t forget sunscreen

This thought process ties into the same discussion. While Disney theme parks do provide as much shade as possible, park planners can only do so much. The blaring Florida sun will leave you with a long-term reminder of your visit if you don’t use sunscreen. Sunglasses are an important luggage item, too. You'll wear them a lot.

6.   Don’t arrive fashionably late

The early bird doesn’t get the worm at Walt Disney World. You get something even better. Disney calculates their customer behavior under the premise that a satisfied park guest experiences nine attractions per day. That sounds like a good number, but savvy tourists can do much better.

One of the tricks that can help is rope drop. It’s the time when the park gates open in the morning. With an empty park, you have the opportunity to rush to your favorite attractions, riding a couple of them before huge lines form. Since these queues fill up quickly, however, every minute counts. To get the most out of your day, arrive 10 minutes prior to the park opening. Then, head straight to your preferred attraction. With any luck, you’ll ride it within the first 20-30 minutes of the start of your Disney day.