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5. Pacing issues in your traveling party

Seven Dwarfs marching in Mine Train queue
Image: Disney

This one is a somewhat complex problem, to the point we have examined it at length before—pacing differences in your party can quickly prove a physical and emotional energy drain on a Disney vacation.

Pacing issues come down to one principal factor: you and your traveling companion(s) want to move at different speeds. While it can seem like a more common issue for big parties, it can even happen among couples—my husband and I run into this frequently as one of us often wants to move at warp speed while the other one wants to slow down.

The scenario usually goes one of two ways. The first is that the decision-makers in your party want to keep a very fast pace exploring the park. Others in your party who don’t have the same energy level wear out quickly trying to keep up and get physically exhausted.

The opposite situation is that the decision-makers want to move at snail speed while others are eager to hurry up—this can lead to tension between party members and emotional exhaustion.

It sounds like a Kobayashi Maru—a total no-win situation. The good news is it is actually possible to get everyone on the same page.

What Can I Do About It?

When it comes to pacing differences in your traveling party, prepare for what you can and leave margin for what you can’t control.

If you’re the type of person who likes to move quickly at Disney parks but know your companions will want to go slower, mentally prepare for this—there is only so much you can do to speed your loved ones up. Instead of fretting about it, accept it, and do your best to have patience and compassion in the moment. You may need to plan for a slower pace than normal, and that’s okay. It’s also okay to plan to split up at times then meet back up at a designated time and location.

If you’re the one who really needs more time to explore and slow down, communicate this gently ahead of time to your traveling companions. Do what you can to not come to a complete stop when it isn’t needed but consider options for what you can do if you need a break. Once again, splitting up from time to time can help with pacing differences, allowing you and anyone else in your party who wants to explore at a leisurely pace to do so.

In short, communicate, have realistic expectations, and appreciate the time you have with your companions. Most of all, exercise patience with one another.

6. Stress has hijacked your vacation

Two Dora Milaje (Wakandan Female Warriors) with spears at Avengers Campus
Image: Disney

While Disney parks are supposed to be magical places, there’s no question you are likely to encounter some sort of stress during your visit. No vacation is perfect. While some stresses can be easily brushed off, others can take their toll. The higher your stress level, the more likely exhaustion will kick in and smother all else.

Crowds are one of the biggest factors that contribute to stress on Disney vacations. I am a strong proponent to do what you can to visit when crowds are lower, avoiding holidays and Spring break. Even with savvy trip planning, however, you’re likely to still have some discomfiting moments with crowds at Disney parks—when you bring that many human beings together, some awkward bumper-car moments are inevitable.

Money is another big stressor. A Disney vacation is such a big investment, we can wear ourselves out trying to make the experience perfect and make every dollar count. Family expectations can play a role as well, leading to emotions coming unglued when things go wrong.

In the midst of stress, it’s easy to panic. We try to speed up, to control everything we can, to fix things by rushing from ride to ride. In the midst of this rush, we wear ourselves out and ultimately come out emotionally and physically exhausted.

What Can I Do About It?

Give yourself permission to slow down.

Like the concept of taking breaks, this can be a difficult idea to consider in the midst of a Disney vacation—we fear our investment will be wasted if we slow down.

The thing is, slowing down is the only way to experience some of the richest parts of the Disney parks experience.

Disney parks are about more than just rides—it’s why some of Disney best parks don’t have that many rides. Many of Disney’s best experiences come from experiences in between during the rides, during times of exploring, dreaming, and adventuring into places unknown.

Imagineers put painstaking attention to detail when designing Disney parks, and many Disney experiences are best enjoyed at a gentler pace—places like World Showcase, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The World of Pandora, the walking paths of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tom Sawyer Island, and more all are enriched by giving yourself freedom to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge even has an entire scavenger hunt style experience linked to the Star Wars Datapad game.

Hitting the most attractions isn’t what makes a vacation magical—it’s the overall adventure, the freedom to imagine and dream, the time spent with loved ones. You can choose your own path.

It’s okay to take a breath, enjoy the moment, and slow down. Find a pace that works for you and leave yourself margin to breathe. This decision alone can do wonders to help head off exhaustion and allow you to enjoy a more refreshing visit to Disney parks.

How do you reclaim your energy during a day at Disney parks? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! Thanks for reading!

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