This Is the Number One Mistake Parents Make at Disney — Here Is How to Prevent It

There are countless memorable moments that come out of a Disney trip with your kids—whether they are greeting their favorite character, experiencing a ride for the first time, or soaking in the magic of a parade. For parents juggling the needs of their family and trying to ensure the best possible trip, it's easy for some mistakes to happen even with the best intentions.

There is one thing in particular that parents will want to watch out for at Disney, especially when visiting with younger kids. This can often catch parents off-guard when they have taken the time to plan out a thoughtful day for their kids packed with exciting activities and run into this.

Keep reading for the biggest mistake parents should avoid at Disney, plus some helpful tips from our Facebook followers…

Avoid This Big Mistake At Disney

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Especially with the rising prices of tickets and the overall cost of a Disney vacation, there is a great deal of pressure from parents to do and see everything to make the most of their trip. A day at Disney can be quite exhausting no matter what, but especially if you're getting up at rope drop, this can be a really long day for kids especially.

Unfortunately, powering through when your kids are starting to lose steam could end up turning into a meltdown or a tired kid who is not able to fully appreciate the offerings of the parks. This is an issue that all Disney visitors will face at one point in the day when exhaustion catches up, and you need to evaluate if you're powering through for the sake of getting to everything but at the cost of your enjoyment.

Building in a mid-day break is extremely important so that you and your kids can take some time to recharge and tackle the rest of the day with a fresh start, especially in the middle of the day when exhaustion starts to set in and the temperature gets hotter. This is not only our biggest tip for parents but also one of our overall most important Disney tips.

What this break looks like will depend on the circumstances of your trip—if you're staying onsite or at a hotel across the street at Disneyland, it may mean going back to your hotel for a quick nap or a swim in the pool. If you'd prefer to stay in the parks, you can find a quiet spot to relax and recharge, or take some time to enjoy a relaxing show or attraction.

When we asked our Facebook followers for their top tips for visiting Disney with kids, they responded almost unanimously about the need to take breaks. Ana C commented, “Let them sleep, bring their favorite snacks, let them take breaks. Go back to your room for a quick nap.”

Lauren Mellomida echoed this sentiment with, “take your time, and if you need a break that's fine Disneyland will still be there.”

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Elizabeth Olivas chimed in with some helpful advice for both younger and older kids: “For little kids Stay on property so you can go back to the hotel during the hottest time of day. I have seen too many crying exhausted parents having a horrible time because they didn’t go get a cool down and a nap. Your not going to get to do it all just enjoy all the moments your babies can handle without a meltdown. For a little older kids explain what to do if they get separated from you. Have a plan and put your cell number in their pocket.”

You can read more about the biggest mistakes parents make at Disney, plus our top tips for how to best navigate Disney with kids.

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