Suck It Up, It’s Disney: Part 2 All of the Whining and Complaining

SUCK IT UP, IT’S DISNEY!

Even since before I opened shop as a travel agent, it was no secret—I LOVE DISNEY!! I also love road trips, camping, and all-inclusive vacations.  But, I digress.  Over time, I have heard all of the arguments/complaints against going to Disney.  Yes, there are a lot of you out there that begrudgingly book your Disney vacation because every kid should see it once.  In this f-part series I will examine why you should not only put aside your “issues” with visiting the Great Mouse House, but also have fun doing it!

PART 2:  ALL OF THE WHINING AND COMPLAINING

Next on everyone’s list of gripes about Disney is that it is so exhausting.  And it is.  You walk an average of 7-9 miles per day.  You wait in long lines.  You are up early and stay out late. AND IT IS SO HOT!  Okay, so maybe that is more than one gripe, but they all seem to fall under the same umbrella.  Don’t they?  Look, if you complain, so will your kids.  They are just intuitive like that.  So ditch the whine and have a nightly margarita (seriously, adult beverages are so good in Disney).  Let’s put is all on the table now so you can vent and be done by the time you leave!

First, we live in a world where everyone is up at the crack of dawn to hit the gym before a busy day of whatever it is your do (work, school, clean the house, etc.).  Let’s face it we are all fit enough for the walking.  If your worried your kids won’t make it, a good old-fashioned stroller, should take care of the walking thing.  Even if you haven’t used your stroller in years, bring it.  There are plenty of 7-9 year-olds hitching a ride in the middle of the day.  So ditch your morning run, you will get plenty of exercise.  It might not be the same endorphin rush, but that is what roller coasters are for!

I get that you are on vacation and don’t want to set an alarm. So don’t!  When you are thinking about what hours you want to keep on vacation, model it after your home life.  If your kids are early risers, then hit the parks when they open.  If they like to sleep in, then let them sleep.  There are a lot of people out there that will tell you to FastPass everything early in the day so you can get more FastPasses.  Really it’s more about your total park plan, not what hours you are in the park (more on that in a later Blog).  And don’t be afraid to take breaks.  If you want to be able to relax on vacation, take a break from the parks in the middle of the day.  Go swimming, take a nap, let your kids watch tv (Disney has a 24 hour Disney cartoon channel).

As far as long lines go, that’s why they invented FastPass+ (again, more on that later).  That is also why Disney has interactive queues, hidden mickeys, and extensive theming throughout the park.  You can also arm yourself with an arsenal of little things to keep you busy in line (bubbles, phone apps, small pad of paper and pen).  Or make a friend while waiting.  After all, you are all in the same boat for the next hour or so.  A good Disney Travel agent will be able to set up your park day so that you hit the most popular rides at unpopular times.  If you want to do more of the planning yourself, there are GREAT resources out there that share ride line trends, crowd calendars, and FastPass+ suggestions.  DON’T let anyone give you a cookie-cutter formula for your day.  There is nothing worse than waiting 3 hours for a ride you hate!

As far as the heat goes, Florida is hot.  But, it is no hotter than Mexico, Punta Cana, or Jamaica.  Nobody ever complains about the temperature there.  If it is hot, portable misters, wet wash cloths, and breaks to the pool and/or air conditioned attractions are key. But seriously, when you travel makes a big difference.  If you can afford to get there between November and March it will be much cooler.  But, keep in mind that just because it is cooler, doesn’t mean you get sunshine and balmy temperatures everyday.  Be sure to pack pants and a jacket!

Disney is one vacation that you should plan as if it were yours and not worry so much about what everyone else would do.  Don’t let a travel agent tell you what you “have” to do.  My favorite advise to give clients is not to worry about what you are missing.  Kids don’t compare ride notes when they get home.  So if you want to hit the parks when the open and stay through until close, go for it.  But, if you want Disney to feel more like a vacation, do it your way and find ways that make you feel less rushed.  If you feel good about the trip you have planned, you are more likely to leave your whine at home.  Tune in next time for details on how to plan Disney without feeling too planned.