We LOVE Disney World…but also, we sometimes HATE Disney World.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Okay, we don’t hate ALL of Disney World, but like any other place, there are some things in the parks that might not be the most enjoyable. Whether it’s the manic weather or the hefty bill we have to foot at the end of our trip, there are some things in Disney World that we despise. But many times, you can actually avoid those problems!

• The heat – If there’s one thing we know about Florida, it’s that it’s HOT. If you’re visiting in the summertime, you can expect temperatures regularly in the 90s and even the triple digits…and that can be a tad miserable. However, there ARE ways to be prepared to battle the heat — we suggest grabbing cooling towels (like these!) or misting handheld fans (like these!) to keep yourself from overheating when standing outside.
• The humidity – Unfortunately, the humidity makes the heat even more oppressive. It’s not quite as bad when it’s not hurricane season, but in the summer months (and even early fall), you’re definitely going to be sweating it out. Be sure to stay hydrated! Here’s where you can get free water in the parks!
• Bad weather – And speaking of the weather, it rains…A LOT during those middle-of-the-year months and you’ll probably encounter an afternoon or early evening thunderstorm most days in the summer. Don’t get caught without a poncho! (You can buy some like these on Amazon ahead of your trip.)

Rain, rain, go away

• Chafing – If you’re wearing new clothes, shorts that aren’t the most comfortable, or a dress, you might end up with some chafing problems at the end of the day. And let’s all admit that the feeling is certainly not pleasant! You can hopefully prevent the problem by either wearing moisture-wicking clothes or using a chafing stick ahead of time. (The Body Glide brand is very popular on Amazon.)
• Heat rash – While we’re on the subject of skin problems, we’ve got to mention the dreaded heat rash. It’s a common occurrence among Disney guests, but many people aren’t traveling with the proper hydrating skin creams to treat it. If you’re prone to this rash or not used to being in the hot, humid environment of Florida, come prepared.
• Blisters – Not many things will make your Disney World day as miserable as a set of annoyingly-timed blisters will. We don’t recommend wearing new shoes to the parks (more on that in a minute), and we like to suggest that you pack backup socks in your park bag (it’s amazing how much healing a fresh pair of socks can provide). Besides that, you may want to bring some blister-specific bandages just in case (try these out!). 
• Aching feet – Remember how we said we’d talk about all the steps you’ll be walking? Yep, it’s probably going to be more than 20,000 steps per day. Your feet will want to DIE. But it’s all for the magic! 😅 (And you can soothe your feet with these cold therapy socks afterward!)

You’ll be walking THOUSANDS of steps each day.

• Ride refurbishments/closures – One of the most disappointing things you may encounter in Disney World is showing up at your favorite ride only to find that it’s closed for refurbishment. Thankfully this one is pretty easily preventable — just check the refurbishment schedule on the Disney World website ahead of time!
• Construction at your hotel – Hotel renovations are usually pretty great, but the process is not so much fun. It can make taking that midday nap a little challenging when there’s construction happening right outside your window! If your hotel is planning some upcoming renovations, you might want to consider swapping accommodations for your trip.
• Paper straws – We’re grateful that Disney is taking steps to be more environmentally conscious, doing things like swapping over to paper straws. However, we do find it a bit disappointing when they disintegrate in our drinks. If that’s a pet peeve of yours as well, you may want to invest in some reusable straws before your trip.

Don’t like that paper straw? Bring your own!

• Expensive prices – Honestly, do we really need to explain this one? Who ACTUALLY wants their vacation to get more expensive?
• Adult meltdowns – One of the most awkward things you’ll see in Disney World is the adult meltdowns. And they’re way more common than you think (see our suggestion to drink water above!)! If you feel one coming on, count to ten and BREATHE. Trust us, you don’t want to be that guy. 
• When guests overindulge – And speaking of things that are awkward and uncomfortable, let’s discuss the guests that drink just a tad too much in the theme parks. You’ll often find them strolling the EPCOT World Showcase in the evenings, and sometimes they can get a little bit loud and obnoxious. If this is really going to disturb you or your family, we suggest planning your World Showcase visits for earlier in the day, if you can. 
• Heavy crowds – During holidays and school breaks, the crowds will be HEAVY. It can be frustrating to navigate the parks during those times, but it’s still possible to have a really great time — you’ve just got to know the right tips and tricks!

Crowds in Magic Kingdom

• Waiting in lines – Nobody really likes waiting in lines, but there ARE ways to make it more enjoyable. Play games with your friends (we like Heads Up!), watch some videos on your phone, make plans for the rest of the day, or look for hidden Mickeys and other fun details in the queue. Some queues even have interactive elements to help pass the time!
• Waking up early – These days, it’s hard to avoid waking up early at Disney World. It’s basically a requirement for getting the best Genie+ selections, jumping in those virtual queues, or for rope dropping the park. You might want to make a cup of coffee to go. 😉 Consider planning a resort day for the middle of vacation to sleep in and hang by the pool. 
• The confusing parts of Genie+ – And speaking of using Genie+, it’s not the easiest system to learn! There are many complicated rules for different times when you can book attractions, and things have changed pretty majorly since the FastPass+ system. (But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with ALL the information you need to know!)

Lightning Lane at “it’s a small world”

• The challenge of boarding groups – Disney World’s virtual queue system for popular new rides usually helps cut down on the wait times, but it can be troublesome when you wake up to try and snag one at 7AM, but you’re mere seconds too late to snag something good. Sometimes it’s just a game of chance — will your phone load faster than other guests? Who knows!
• Waiting for the bus – If you’re traveling around Disney World by bus, especially during the middle of the day, you might find yourself waiting for quite a while. Some bus stops come with signs that’ll give you an estimated wait time until your bus arrives, but not all of them are equipped with this tech. If you’re in a rush to get somewhere, driving or taking a rideshare may be the fastest solution, and the monorail, boats, and Skyliner usually aren’t too busy midday.
• The massive size of the parks/property – But once you get onboard your transportation of choice, you’ll face the challenge of Disney World’s massive property. The entire span of Disney World is roughly the size of San Francisco, so if you’re traveling all the way from say, Saratoga Springs to Animal Kingdom, it’ll take you a solid minute to get there. You’ll definitely want to factor travel time into your Park Hopping plans!

Disney Bus

• Guests yelling at Cast Members – Disney Cast Members, unfortunately, have to deal with a lot of issues in the parks, and when guests are rude, it’s pretty disheartening. Don’t add to that stress — be polite and kind when dealing with employees!
• Wet socks/shoes/clothes – The feeling of wet socks squishing around in your shoes after a thunderstorm or riding Splash Mountain is an unparalleled kind of discomfort. As we said above, we recommend bringing a second pair of shoes in your park bag!
• Germs – People are CONSTANTLY touching pretty much everything in Disney World, and it’s nearly impossible to keep it all clean, so germs run rampant. It’s very easy to get sick with that many people around, so it’s important that you know the steps to take in case that happens.
• Sunburn – Florida sun is sneaky sometimes in that you don’t even realize you’re sunburned until you get in the hot shower at the end of a long day. Be proactive, wear that sunscreen and re-apply often. You’ll be miserable for the rest of your trip if you don’t. 
• Not getting much sleep – We already mentioned that you’ll have to get up early during your trip, but if you want to stay out for those fireworks and an empty Main Street at the end of the night, then you’ll be hitting the hay pretty late at night. By the end of the week, you may need a 3-day nap to recover.

It might be late before you get back to your room!

• Mediocre basic quick service – Sadly, Disney’s basic quick service restaurants probably aren’t going to be the highlight of your trip — at least if you’re ordering the classics like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken tenders. However, we have seen some standout options in the past, and you can try more unique versions of those at spots like Connections Eatery and Satu’li Canteen.
• The stress of planning for a large group – If you’re traveling with a large group, it can be very challenging to meet the needs of everyone in the group. There might be some hurt feelings, and that will be stressful! (Make sure to check out our guide to visiting with a large group first!)
• Having to learn a bunch of technical terms – There’s an entire special vernacular for the Disney fandom, and it mostly involves a bunch of acronyms and special words that you’ve never even heard of. If you’re a newbie, it can be kinda overwhelming to learn them all!
• Losing your appetite due to heat – Going to the park and planning to eat a bunch of snacks? Well, it’s totally possible that the oppressive heat could put a stop to that! We’ve lost our appetites many a time due to the weather — when it’s ridiculously hot, you may feel like you want to avoid food at all costs.

EPCOT

• Motion sickness – If you’re sensitive to simulators, 3D rides, or just being slung around on a roller coaster, there are multiple Disney World rides that may cause motion sickness. We’ve got a list of rides that you may want to avoid, but if you’re brave, try out methods like Dramamine or SeaBands to prevent the struggle.
• Not getting enough healthy food – Sometimes you just need a vegetable after days of eating deep-fried food, and it can be a bit of a challenge to find that if you’re dining at quick-service spots. There are some healthier options at Harambe Market, Satu’li Canteen, ABC Commissary, and even Sunshine Seasons, to name a few.
• Overhearing incorrect information – If you’re a Disney nerd like we are here at DFB, then it might be frustrating to overhear guests spewing incorrect information all day long. If you want to be that guy, you can say something, but otherwise, it might be better to just shake your head and walk away. (Because people WILL argue with you. We’ve learned that one the hard way.)
• Other guests ruin rides – Sometimes, other guests can ruin your ride experience by talking loudly or taking flash photos that ruin the special effects. Please don’t be that person!

Guests can ruin dark rides with flash photos.

• Not getting the name brands you want – Disney World has partnerships with specific brands in the parks, and sometimes you won’t find your preferred brand anywhere on the property. For instance, due to a deal with Coca-Cola, you won’t be able to find Dr. Pepper in the parks. Make sure to bring them from home or order grocery delivery to your hotel if you’re particular!
• Fireworks crowds specifically – Fireworks crowds are perhaps the most daunting of crowds, so it’s easy to get overwhelmed when the sun sets and the nighttime shows stat. If you’re hoping to watch the shows, make sure to arrive ahead of time (you’ll need to be there extra early in Magic Kingdom) and be incredibly patient when leaving the park. If you’re more concerned about avoiding the crowds, pick a spot in the back that’s close to the direction in which you wish to exit. 
• Being thirsty all the time – Dehydration is pretty common in Disney World due to the intense weather and the fact that guests are walking constantly. Thankfully, there are plenty of places where you can get free water, and we highly encourage bringing a refillable water bottle with you to the parks.

It’s important to stay hydrated.

• There’s not enough shade – You’ll often be hard-pressed to find shade in Disney World unless you’re indoors or in a ride queue. During those hot summers, it’s not uncommon to find guests huddling under awnings outside of stores or sitting on the shaded side of Main Street, U.SA. during the parade. Shade is hot real estate! (Or, cool real estate, we suppose.)
• There aren’t always enough places to sit – Most ride queues at Disney World don’t come with benches or seating, and it’s really easy to get exhausted when you’re standing for a long time. You’ll also have to stand during most outdoor entertainment and fireworks shows, so take any chance to sit down and rest your legs that you can!
• Having to go back home at the end of your trip – And the thing you’ll hate the most? Leaving! It’s just so sad!

Train Station

So even though you may HATE some of these things in Disney World, there are definitely plenty of solutions to dealing with these problems! And if you want to be prepared for any challenges you may encounter on your next trip, stay tuned to DFB for all the advice and tips.

5 Changes to Prepare For Ahead of Your Next Disney World Trip — Click Here!

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Which of these problems have you dealt with in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!