DisneyWorld. The so-called happiest most Magical place on Earth. On our recent visit, there are lots of things I wish we knew before our trip. On our latest visit, we learned a lot about the many ups, the downs, and the in-betweens of Disney’s accommodations. All while navigating the parks and resorts as adults both with and without kids in tow. If you’re planning a visit or just curious about what Disney is doing right (and wrong), this one’s for you.
A trip to Disney World is always an adventure. Often, it is one that comes with a hefty price tag and a promise of pixie dust. Here’s what I learned about Disney World and it’s plethora resorts so you don’t have to!
Without further ado (no, not Abu), here’s Disney World’s tips and review.
Know Before You go to the Contemporary Resort
My wife and I tend to be on the frugal side. When we heard family was coming down to Disney, we bit the bullet and splurged on staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We fought about it back and forth, but decided if you’re going to Disney, why not stay on property? The convenience of being steps away from the monorail and Magic Kingdom is unbeatable. However, the experience as a whole wasn’t entirely magical. Here’s what to expect in your Disney World.
The Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary is modern, sleek, and serves it’s name well. You could compare it to a stay at a Hilton Garden Inn, or a nice Marriott. Even with that luxury, we had a few problems.
First, let’s talk about the TV. In a world where streaming is king, we were shocked to find that our room didn’t have a smart TV. Obviously, if you’re at Disney, you’d want to be out of your room as much as possible.
But for the price of the stay we expected access to Disney+ at the very least. After all, there is still plenty of down time to be had. Instead, we had an old-school channel lineup page straight out of 2005. Meanwhile, our friends staying at the Grand Floridian ($$$$) enjoyed a fully modern setup. Their smart TV came complete with Disney+ and all the movies we wanted to catch up on during our downtime.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved our room. It even came with a tiny Kitchen area and a fold-out couch. I would stay again, old TV or not.
The Good, the Bad, and the Off-Kilter
The pre-renovation room at the Bay Lake Tower of the Contemporary also gave us an unexpected thrill: a bed with uneven boxspring. It was like sleeping on a seesaw—feet up, head down and no amount of Peptobismol helped.
After a very unpleasant and long night with dinner going the wrong direction, we alerted the front desk. Unfortunately, nothing was fixed. We made it work with extra pillows. It helped minimally, but overall that took a Pluto bite size out of the magic in our stay.
On the bright side, the housekeeping staff was incredible—timely, friendly, and thorough. They were a reminder of the attention to detail that Disney is known for.
Understanding and Navigating the Parks: Crowds, Scooters, and Bubbles (Everywhere)
Disney’s parks are undeniably magical, but they’re also packed—like sardine-can packed. For anyone with mobility challenges, this can be a huge obstacle. Scooters often struggle to navigate the endless sea of strollers, and we noticed many wheelchair users looking visibly frustrated. A solution like attaching a visibility flag (or light up balloon for sale at fireworks time) to scooters could help everyone avoid collisions in the crowd.
Everywhere you go in the parks you’re blasted by some kids bubble wand. Thankfully, Disney has made them safe(r) to consume (because kids, right?), but between the light-up bubble wands and every child spraying them at eye level, they’re impossible to avoid. It’s whimsical for about five minutes, then it’s just sticky chaos. But who’s to put a stop to that happiness?
Minnie Vans are Mighty
Disney also relies heavily on it’s multi-transportation system to get people around. Boats, busses, monorails, Minnie Vans. If you’re not fond of waiting, look at schedules for each before you go. You can utilize the Disney app to help you know times before you go.
And if you aren’t fond of the cost of Minnie Vans (also run through Lyft), many plain-car Lyfts are in the area at about half the price (for our one trip, at least).
The upside to Minnie Vans is you can select “Select Access Minnie Vans”. They are the rides perhaps most accessible for those who require assistance like ramps or car seats.
Monorails
On-top, literally, of all that, they have a three-part monorail system that takes you from place to place. A dedicated Epcot line to and from the Transportation Depot, A Resort Line, and a line going to and from Magic Kingdom.
In all honesty, the monorail is a bit cumbersome. Fun, but lacks the simplicity of navigating. Sure, if you’ve done it a thousand times you get the hang of it. But every ride you have people asking “What’s the next stop?” and “where are we?”
Besides that, just to get “home” to a resort from Epcot, you have to exit a monorail, take a large ramp down and walk all the way across to take a large ramp up. For those who are already sore and suffering after a long days trek around the world, it might feel like the 9th layers of Heck.
If you pay attention like I do, you might notice most everyone wearing these shoe brand called Hokas. I haven’t tried them. But the sheer amount of people sporting them at the parks makes me think they may help those with sore feet after a long day.
But it’s not all bad. Disney has thought of (almost) everything.
Disney Disability Dilemmas: The Magic, the Mayhem, and Tips for Your Trip
During our trip to Disney World the magic was still there, so too were a few surprises (and not all the good kind). From accessibility challenges to some unexpected resort quirks, here’s what we experienced—and the tips we wish we’d known before go to Disney.
Disney World is a place of wonder and whimsy, but let’s break down the magic facade for a second—it’s also a place where you can drop the cost of a used car in a single weekend.
We went in knowing what we were spending on our room and the Disney World parks, but we didn’t know how big the price tags would be when we got there. 30 dollars for a shirt? Okay, that’s normal. 70 dollars for a jacket on what happened to be the coldest day this year? Whoa!
Sure, it’s partly our fault, should have looked up every nook and cranny before hand. We did some of the character dinners and breakfasts with our friends and WHOA that price tag. Review?: worth it. Tips?: Prepare a budget before you go, and know how much you’re prepared to spend. Each restaurant varied in price range, so “know before you go.”
Disney Tips and Tricks for a Smoother Visit
This is where we went right, and where we went left wrong in planning. Shared with you so you can know before you go on vacation. Whether you’re planning your first trip or your fiftieth, these tips can help you make the most of your time at Disney World:
- Use a Travel Agent
A special shoutout to Cassidy Hallesy at MagicalVacationPlanner! They helped us find the perfect resort for our needs and made the planning process so much easier. - Bring Snacks and Water
You’ll walk a lot, and dehydration can sneak up on you. Having snacks and water on hand saves time and money. If you have disabilities, not all rides are going to be meant for you. TRON was intense, and probably not the best choice for me. - Invest in Lightning Lane Passes Or Multi Passes
These were a game-changer for us. Sure, it might disrupt a casual, go-with-the-flow vibe, but skipping long standby lines is absolutely worth it. The multi passes ranged from $10-25 depending on the park and the day. And the lightning lane..well, it ranged from $125 per person to $500 depending on the park. - Don’t Forget Sunscreen and Hand Sanitizer
It’s Florida—sunburn and germs are always lurking. It’s hard to tell what is a harmless sneeze and what’s not. Protect yourself! - Buy Disney Gear Offsite
Want a bubble wand or Mickey ears without the parks markup? Check out off ‘campus’ Target, Walmart, or online stores before your trip. You can even look up what merchandise is in stores before your trip. Know before you go to Disney! - Stick To A Budget
- Plan for Accessibility
If you have a disability or mobility issue, research Disney’s policies ahead of time. Disney recently updated Disability Access Service (DAS) system. Some updates can be helpful, but a lot of people feel left out. Know before you go to Disney and be prepared for the challenges that crowds and logistics can bring. (Crowded, slow moving large groups, and long lines.)
What Disney Gets Right
It’s not all mishaps and dilemmas. Disney still excels in a lot of ways:
- Ride Variety: From adrenaline-pumping thrills like TRON to nostalgic favorites like Pirates of the Caribbean, there’s something for everyone. Our tiny cousin-friends loved the carousel and tea-cups. The “rides” that were sitting shows were often funny and a nice break from being on your feet.
- Food Inclusivity: Every dining experience starts by asking about allergies and celebrations, ensuring you feel taken care of.
- Magic Everywhere: from towels shaped into Mickey ears to Mickey waffles there are hidden gems to notice everywhere you go that make you feel just a bit more special.
- Immersive Environments: Despite the crowds, walking through Disney’s themed lands never loses its charm. At Epcot there is a full aquarium featuring manatees! inside. The only downside to that one is the only puffer fish I could find was hidden behind a ride ☹.
Final Thoughts: Is the Magic Worth The Price Tag?
Despite its flaws, Disney World still holds a special kind of magic. Even for a skeptic like me. The diversity of food and rides, the attention to detail in service (especially when it comes to allergies and special occasions), and the sheer joy of walking through the parks make it an experience like no other.
Disney World is still fun, magical, and memorable, but it’s also expensive and, at times, overwhelming. To manage the bad with the good, know before you go on your vacation to Disney. Still, though, for visitors with disabilities or specific needs, there’s still room for improvement in how Disney handles accessibility.
Would we go back? Absolutely. But next time, we’d be even more prepared, bring larger wallets and suitcases—and maybe we’d book a room with a working bed.
What are your Disney tips or experiences? Share them in the comments below!