Am I happy to stand and/or walk for long periods of time?

Image: tcwmatt, Flickr (license)

While you don’t need to be a fitness expert to visit Walt Disney World, it’s best enjoyed if you’re able to explore the parks without getting too exhausted. Walking is the most efficient way to get around the parks, and at the end of the night, you’ve still got to walk back to the bus stop — so some fitness is good to have.

A trip to Disney is an active vacation, and if you’re the kind of person who wants to lie down on a beach and never get up, it may not be right for you.

Note: The Disney Parks are also some of the most accessible places on earth for those with disabilities. So, while standing and walking are necessary for some, if you’re unable to truly do either, Disney is more than happy to help you out.

Can I wake up before 10:00 AM every day?

Image: chad_sparkes, Flickr (license)

The best way to tour the Disney Parks is by getting to the gate as early as possible. Sometimes, that might even mean before 7:00 AM.

Be honest with yourself about how willing you’ll be to wake up that early on vacation. For some, it’s not an issue. For others, it’s a Herculean challenge. Keep in mind: Disney has plenty of coffee between your hotel room and the theme park gates, so if you need a pick-me-up, you won’t be left hanging. 

Will I avoid saying, “We need to get our money’s worth”?

Image: kungaloosh, Flickr (license)

It’s impossible to do it all in one trip when you visit a Disney theme park. In fact, it’s impossible to do it all in a lifetime visiting some place like Walt Disney World. And so, if you’re unable to forget the sticker price of a Disney trip while you’re at the parks, and you assign a dollar value to each attraction and show, you won’t have a good time.

If you know you’ll keep a running tally of ticket-cost-per-attraction-ridden in your head, you should answer no to this question.

Am I willing to look a bit foolish sometimes?

Image: princessashley, Flickr (license)

Sometimes, you just need to be willing to laugh at yourself.

Part of going on vacation is letting go of the daily stresses and giving yourself over to the whims of the universe. Disney is no different: You might find yourself being mocked by monsters at Monsters Inc.: Laugh Floor, or you may discover you’ve been chosen to help Belle tell a story at Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Whatever the case may be, a trip to Disney will sometimes involve looking a bit foolish in front of a crowd — or even just your family. If you aren’t willing to be a bit goofy in a photograph — either with Goofy or solo — then maybe Disney is not the best place for you to vacation.