10 Biggest Misconceptions About Visiting Disney That People Get Wrong

If you haven’t ever visited Walt Disney World or haven’t been there since you were a kid, chances are that you have some ideas of what it’s like to visit.

However, there are many popular misconceptions about the most magical place on earth that simply aren’t true. We're here to debunk some of these commonly held misconceptions so you have a good idea of what to really expect on your Walt Disney World vacation. 

You Can’t Do It on a Budget

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about Disney World is that it’s impossible to visit and stick to a budget. While it can get quite pricey, that doesn’t mean that it has to cost an arm and a leg to visit. In fact, there are quite a few ways to save money without sacrificing a fun experience!

One of my favorite pro tips for saving money at the parks is to bring in souvenirs for your kids. Souvenirs at the parks are pretty expensive, and kids may end up asking for things seen around the parks, like stuffed animals and toys. To appease your kids and keep the magic flowing without majorly shelling out, go to a dollar store or big box store like Target before your trip, where you can often find inexpensive Disney-themed toys. Bring a stash with you and give these out to your kids whenever they ask for a souvenir. It will save you money and keep them happy—a win-win! 

When it comes to where you stay when you come visit Walt Disney World, you’re probably assuming it’s going to be expensive. However, that doesn’t have to be the case! There are so many hotels around Disney World, all at different price points. Plus, there is an abundance of Airbnbs and Vrbos on the market that can help you save money.

You can even stay at specifically designated Orlando area hotels that are in partnership with Disney World, yet not located on resort property. These hotels receive the benefit of being able to enter the Disney World parks 30 minutes before opening time every day, just like those staying on Disney property get to do. This can save you quite a bit without sacrificing that extra time at the parks!

It’s Just for Kids

The next common misconception we hear is that people think Disney World is “just for kids.” In reality, that could not be further from the truth! Yes, Disney is a magical place for children with many attractions, shows, and rides geared towards them. But it’s also a magical place for adults, with many attractions, rides, and shows that are fun for an older crew.

While you can only buy and drink alcohol at table-service restaurants at Magic Kingdom, all three other parks have alcoholic beverages readily available. One of the most fun traditions at Epcot, in fact, is called “drinking around the world.” An area of this park called World Showcase features 11 pavilions, each representing a different country. Each of these pavilions sells food, wine, beer, and cocktails related to that specific country. The idea of “Drinking Around the World” means that you go from country to country, drinking at each of them. Obviously, this is a fun activity that is geared towards adults only. There isn’t anything better than enjoying a Grand Marnier Orange Slush from the France pavilion and walking around World Showcase to end a day at Disney World, if you ask me!

There are also many rides that are high-tech and immersive, making them impressive and exciting for kids and adults alike. From Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot to Avatar Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom and the new Tron Lightcycle / Run rollercoaster at Magic Kingdom, visitors of any age are bound to be exhilarated and wowed by these attractions, and you’ll soon see that Disney World is much more than childhood memories. 

You Have to Spend a Ton on Food

You may be surprised to learn that you can actually bring your own food and drink into the parks with you. Anything that doesn’t require heating and that isn’t stored in a glass container is fair game! That means you can bring in your own water bottles (even a reusable water bottle that you can refill around the parks), snacks, and even sandwiches with you in order to save serious cash on food. 

READ MORE – Ever Wonder Where Disney Cast Members Eat and What They Do on Their Breaks?

A Walt Disney World Trip is Going to be Stressful

While a trip to Disney World can be very go, go, go, that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful! In fact, you’re free to control the pace and stress level of your trip. There are actually a lot of ways to relax in and outside of the parks. 

If you’re staying at a Disney World property, each resort has a beautiful pool (if not multiple) that you can enjoy. Taking time to enjoy the resort ambiance and relax by the pool is a great way to unwind and prevent yourself (and the rest of your party) from feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.

Disney World has also put tools in place to cut down on stress throughout your trip. The My Disney Experience app is the best way to stay organized while you’re on the ground at the parks. Here, you can check ride and attraction wait times, look up showtimes, mobile order “quick service” (counter service) food to cut down on waiting time, and even use it as a park map to help you find your way around.

The Disney Genie feature on the app also will list out all of your plans for the day in an organized fashion. This includes park tickets and reservations, dining reservations, and any Lighting Lane selections you’ve made through Genie+. Lighting Lane selections allow you to essentially skip the regular queue of a ride, further cutting down on stress and wasted time to boot.

Disney World Isn't That Big

There’s a common misconception out there that Disney World is not that big and that Magic Kingdom is all there is to it. That couldn’t be further from the truth, as Disney World is made up of roughly 25,000 acres of land!

Because many people think that Disney World is just a small park with a castle and some rides, they assume it’s easy to knock out everything there is to do there in just a day. Wrong again! Walt Disney World is comprised of four parks: the ever-famous Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. 

Across these four parks, there is an incredibly wide selection of rides and shows, as well as over 200 places to eat on property. Add in the wide array of stores and the two Disney water parks in the area and you’ll come to find that Walt Disney World is in fact very big and offers so much to do, see, and enjoy.

The Food is No Good

There are a lot of people out there who believe that the food at Disney World isn’t going to be any good because it’s mass-produced. However, there are a lot of delicious dining options at Disney as well as unique culinary experiences to enjoy! 

You can even enjoy a high-end meal at Disney. For instance, Takumi-Tei is a refined and incredible restaurant in the Japan pavilion at Epcot. There, enjoy a menu inspired by traditional omakase meals and feel as though you’ve actually escaped to Japan. See the best table-service restaurants at Disney World ranked! 

Whatever type of cuisine you’re in the mood for, Disney has it! While there are some restaurants that are better than others in the park and on property, there is no shortage of delicious offerings that you’ll end up craving long after you depart.

It’s Always Too Busy to be Fun

Disney World is known to be crowded, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always swamped. Certainly, there are times of year when the crowd tends to be more intense (think Spring Break season, long holiday weekends, and end-of-year holidays). 

However, there are many opportune times to escape to Disney where you can enjoy lighter crowds. Parts of January, May, and September are notably good times to visit without feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people in the parks. See our Disney World crowd calendar for a full breakdown of the best times to visit!

Going With Really Little Kids Isn't Worth It

A lot of people hold the belief that it’s not worth bringing babies and toddlers to Disney World. Many say that because it can be a pricey vacation and little kids won’t remember the experience down the line, it’s better to wait and go when they’re older.

But if you’ve ever been to Disney and seen little ones enjoying the magic of Walt Disney World, you’ll know from the smiles on their faces and wonder in their eyes that starting them early is well worth it. While they may not remember the trip in the long run, you’ll never forget the incredible memories you made with them there!

Rides Are the Only Attraction

Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot more to Walt Disney World than just rides. From meet-and-greets (and photo ops!) with beloved Disney characters to mesmerizing shows that appeal to all the senses, special events and tours, and other fun secret things to do at Disney World, there’s so much to see and do that could easily fill your vacation. 

Foodies will also love visiting Walt Disney World! There are so many delicious snacks and treats to try, and they’re always adding new and exciting things to be consumed at each park. Enjoying Disney World snacks is an attraction in and of itself! See our full Disney World restaurant guide to each park for a breakdown of each dining experience offered and dining tips. 

It’s Like Any Other Amusement Park

Finally, people tend to think of Disney World as “just another amusement park.” Disney World is far beyond what most amusement parks have to offer. That’s because Disney features first-class service from highly trained “Cast Members” (Disney World employees) who are dedicated to the mission and spirit of Disney—and to spreading its magic to everyone who visits.

Additionally, Disney World goes above and beyond to offer a fully immersive experience to its guests. Engaging all of the senses in its rides and shows and truly transporting guests to other worlds with the theming of its parks, Disney World is an experience unlike any other.

At Hollywood Studios alone, you can feel as though you’re part of Andy’s cast of toys in Toy Story Land and then, just a few steps away, be transported to Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. There aren’t many places that have the level of detail, planning, and magic that Disney has put into their parks, which is what makes it such a beloved place for so many. 

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