There seems to be an endless list of things we need on our Disney World vacations: our favorite rides, top-notch restaurants, fireworks, a day by the pool, a photo with Mickey Mouse, and a new pair of Minnie Ears. But there are also several things that many of us would be more than okay living WITHOUT.
Welcome to Disney World!
We reached out to our readers on social recently to see what things in Disney World they could live without, and we received well over 1,000 responses! Let’s dive in and see what the most popular responses were.
Prices
Perhaps the most popular response to our question fell under the category of prices. A Disney World vacation is not cheap, no matter how you slice and dice it, and it only seems to get more and more pricey every year! A comment from one reader said, “When I was a kid we could go a few times a year but with the prices now it’s more like once every 5 years.”
Magic Kingdom
Another reader also pointed out that while they love Disney, “It makes me sad that so many can’t go.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Remember that there are many ways that you can save on a Disney World vacation! Be sure to look before you book — there are often at least one or two hotel discounts available. There are also many ways to save on dining in Disney World, including both discounts as well as hacks like splitting larger-portion snacks. These little tips can add up to huge savings!
Click here for ways to save on your 2022 Disney World vacation!
Crowds
Not to be outdone by high prices, another immensely popular response to our question on Facebook on things you could live without in Disney World are those crowds!
Crowds in Disney’s Hollywood Studios December 2021
Crowds and Disney World seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly, but in a much less appetizing way. A reader noted that they “loved when they were limited the crowds more after reopening.” If you recall what the parks looked like in the summer of 2020, it almost felt like a ghost town due to their capacity limitations.
Magic Kingdom on Reopening Day
These days, however, the crowds look more like they did in 2019 before the closures.
Oh, hello there, crowds.
While you can’t control how many other guests are in the parks on the same day as you, there are a few tricks to help navigate those busier days. Be sure to plan ahead and prioritize what top three rides and attractions are on your “must do” list. Look for secret walkways that are less used and don’t be afraid to take frequent breaks either!
Click here for more tips on how to navigate Disney World’s busiest days.
Genie+
Perhaps the biggest change in Disney World this year was the rollout of Genie and Genie+. While Disney Genie is a new, free tool to help guests plan their “perfect Disney day” with customized itineraries, Genie+ on the other hand is a new PAID version of what used to be FastPass+.
Genie+ ©Disney
FastPass was suspended when the parks first closed in March of 2020, and guests experienced standby-only queues for rides and attractions for well over a year before a replacement for FastPass was announced. Genie+ was pointed out by several of our followers as one thing they would prefer to live without.
Rise of the Resistance Lightning Lane
One reader suggested that they “would remove Genie Plus and put back FastPass.” There were many others who had similar feelings. Since Genie+ has only been around for a couple of months as of this writing, only time will tell just how successful this new system is with guests wishing to bypass the lines on those crowded days we mentioned above.
Click here for tips on how to use Genie and Genie+ in Disney World!
Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System
While Genie and Genie+ have only been recent additions to the Disney World experience, one new system that launched when the parks first reopened in the summer of 2020 is Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System. Under this program, guests are required to make a reservation ahead of their visit, in addition to purchasing valid admission, in order to enter the theme parks.
Tomorrowland
While the reservations are available at no extra fee, many guests have cited the fact that this is yet another step in an already long list of steps one has to take in order to plan a successful Disney World vacation. One reader said they could live without “how complicated it’s getting” when planning a trip, and the Park Pass Reservation System is a big part of those complications for many guests.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
We recommend you book your Park Pass Reservations as soon as you purchase your theme park tickets so you have your best chance at getting the reservations you want! In general, there is wide availability across all four parks if you book out early enough.
Animal Kingdom
Once you get into the park of your choice, the new rules don’t seem to end there! Some followers pointed out that they could live without the new Park Hopping rules, like a reader, who specifically added that the “restriction on when to park hop” makes it difficult to plan a trip like we used to!
Click here for a list of dates in 2022 you may want to book your Park Pass Reservation for ASAP!
Certain Snacks
If you’re a Disney foodie like we are, then you probably have your list of favorite Disney World snacks you have to try on every vacation! But watch out — some of our followers would be more than happy to do away with some of those treats!
So many treats to choose from!
Several of our followers pointed out that those turkey legs have GOT to go. The infamous Disney World turkey legs have a bit of a cult following, with guests either loving or completely despising this larger-than-life serving of protein.
Ah, the turkey leg.
Other followers suggested that they could live without Dole Whip (cue the gasps!). 😮 Traditional Dole Whip is a frozen pineapple treat, and while we certainly love it, we get that pineapple isn’t everyone’s flavor of choice! Dole Whip comes in a variety of other flavors as well, including Coconut, Lime, Raspberry, Mango, and Vanilla.
Don’t come for our Dole Whip.
Be sure to check the menus at spots like Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace ahead of your visit to see which flavors are available!
Click here for a list of snacks Disney fans say they’ll never eat again!
Certain Rides
Finally, just like snacks, your favorite Disney World ride or attraction would be in jeopardy if some of our followers were in charge for the day! Many of our followers mentioned specific rides that they could live without, including Tomorrowland Speedway…
Tomorrowland Speedway
…Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room…
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
…and Mission: SPACE.
Mission: SPACE
It just goes to show that not every ride is going to be a hit with every single guest, but there is a Disney World ride or attraction for just about everybody!
Click here for a list of over 30 rides Disney World fans said they could live without!
That’s a wrap on our roundup of answers to the question, “If you could REMOVE one thing from Disney World, what would it be?” We hope this provided you with some helpful tips on how to navigate some of the less-than-popular aspects of planning a Disney World vacation. Be sure to follow along for more tips and tricks as you prepare for your next trip!
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One would think that with Tomorrowland being all about the futuristic view of things, the to,Speedway would have been upgraded to an electric vehicle with a few unique features build it. Like an anti-bumping feature and a speed zone where every vehicle would speed up on que. the speedway could be so much better using the same footprint.
Tomorrow land speedway is a great ride. I think so many adults forgot how amazing it was for you as a kid to be able to drive your parent around for once. I also love watching my son drive me around. It does have so much potential to be so much better though. Just by simply adding props and some tunnels it could be more fun for everyone.
Too high a price and too many restrictions that limit flexibility when visiting. Sad to see how corporate greed has done to Walt’s beautiful, unique dream. They have ripped the heart out of it and broken mine. 😪