4. You fell into the Magic Kingdom parking trap

You wouldn’t think something as mundane as parking should be able to ruin a Walt Disney World vacation. Angry Redditors would disagree, however.

Before I lived in Florida, I had been warned about never trying to park a vehicle at a Walt Disney World park. I heard story after story from flustered friends and family who swore either never to visit again or at least never to bring a car. When we moved to the Sunshine State, I expected the worst when we finally brought our vehicle to Epcot.

I was shocked how simple and convenient the parking actually was. What was the big deal? Why do so many people hate parking at Walt Disney World so much?

The answer lies very specifically in the Magic Kingdom—well, not so much in Magic Kingdom as outside of it.

The Transportation and Ticket Center is a vortex of frustration where hope is often abandoned and the thin threads of the human psyche are tested to breaking. It is, quite possibly, the unhappiest place in the Happiest Place on Earth. If Disney made a theme park attraction monumentalizing tedium and torpidity, it would be The Transportation and Ticket Center.

Why is the TTC such a banal place? On light days, it isn’t terrible, but on any modestly busy day, guests who get sucked into this unavoidable time sink are likely to lose 20-40 minutes just parking your car, passing through security, and waiting to board either the monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom proper. It is not an easy place to get through and failing to take into account the extra time needed to pass through it can lead to some very grumpy families. Oh, and if you failed to note where your car was parked, you can expect to spend a long, long time searching through the lot hoping to find your lost vehicle when you leave the parks.

While the TTC definitely sucks, it doesn’t have to ruin your vacation. If you are staying on property, resort busses take guests straight to the front of Magic Kingdom. If you must park at Magic Kingdom, try to arrive early and make sure your family is prepared for the wait. Take a picture of your car and the nearest parking sign so you can find your way back later. Bring activities for the kids to do in line or an audiobook to pass the time waiting for the monorail or ferry.

5. You trusted Florida’s weather

Image: Jett Farrell-Vega (@mykingdomforamouse Instagram)

It’s easy to assume a place called “The Sunshine State” would have lovely weather. After all, who wouldn’t be stoked to jet down to beautiful Florida while other states are covered in snow or being drenched by grey rain? A Walt Disney World vacation should be an excuse to grab your sundress and Bermuda shorts and cut loose!

Unfortunately, Florida can be one temperamental lady when it comes to her weather patterns.

Weather at Walt Disney World is unpredictable at best. Sure, it’s easy to guess that summers in Florida are likely to be hot and sopping humid, but the rest of the year isn’t so simple. Rain is a regular part of the Floridian experience, so it’s always wise to bring a cheap poncho (buy before your trip to save some money) or a windbreaker. The Sunshine State can also prove surprisingly cold during the winter months, especially around Disney’s many waterways. Florida thunderstorms can prove downright terrifying to even the most stalwart adults, and Hurricane Irma demonstrated that even Walt Disney World isn’t completely immune to Florida’s most violent storms.

The best thing you can do to ensure Florida’s wacky weather doesn’t ruin your vacation is come prepared. Bring a versatile wardrobe of comfortable layers that can adapt to a range of weather patterns. Don’t stress about hurricanes (they really are rare in the Orlando area), but do keep an eye on weather reports before your trip to make sure nothing unusual is brewing in the Gulf or Atlantic. Florida’s weather might be weird, but it doesn’t have to wreck your vacation. Some attractions even have shorter queues if you embrace the rain!

6. You didn’t research

Image: Disney

Now, let’s clarify that this one is somewhat ridiculous for you, dear reader. After all, you’re here at Theme Park Tourist! You know your stuff. Like the other items mentioned, this isn’t for you. This is for all your friends who can’t stop going on about how they hate Walt Disney World without having a feather of a clue what they’re talking about.

“I had to wait three hours just for my kid to projectile vomit on the tea cups!”

“There’s no roller coasters with straps for newborns!”

“Disney World is FAKE. It’s a conspiracy to lure people to Walt Disney’s swamp castle. Disneyland is SO MUCH BETTER! #notmypark”.

If you want to fly completely blind on your visit to Walt Disney World, that is your prerogative, and you certainly can still have a fabulous trip doing things off the cuff. However, some modest research can really help take most Disney trips to the next level and help your family avoid pitfalls that can unnecessarily put a damper on your vacation.

Winging it doesn’t always work for Walt Disney World vacations. It’s an expensive place, and you want to get the most out of your time and money. At a minimum, do some basic research to determine which parks you want to visit, some basic tips on how to use Fastpass+, dining reservations, and My Disney Experience to your advantage, and choose what attractions you plan to visit wisely. Most of the items we mentioned in this article and part one can all be avoided with some research. Here at Theme Park Tourist, we have tons of content to get you ready for your next vacation, from trip hacks to up-to-date park news. Take your trip to the next level!

What are some other ways you’ve seen people ruin their own Walt Disney World vacations?