Six mistakes people make when visiting Disneyland, advice from a travel expert on what to avoid

With school holidays in full swing, many families may be planning a trip to Disneyland with their children.

A trip to Disneyland can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it’s important to make the most of it and create memories that will last a lifetime.

To make your trip truly special, byHannah Vacations travel expert Hannah Westphal has revealed six mistakes people often make when visiting the parks and offered tips on how to avoid them. Her tips are detailed below.

Dressing too much

People love seeing visitors dressed in their Disney attire – it’s one of the highlights of the trip. However, Hannah has a tip for you too.

“It’s easy to forget, but wearing comfortable shoes is essential for a fantastic trip to Disneyland. High heels, flip-flops and new shoes may not be the best option after a day of exploring the attractions and enjoying the magic,” she warns.

Spending too much time in a park restaurant

Disneyland has a fantastic range of restaurants throughout the day, but Hannah advises visitors to make the most of their time and budget when choosing where to dine. She added: “If you don’t have much time to explore the parks, a long, leisurely meal may not be the best way to spend the day.

“It’s a shame to see guests feeling deflated after a delicious meal, only to find out they didn’t have time to enjoy their favorite attraction.” Instead, Hannah recommends that guests set aside some time for their meals or choose snacks to take with them to maximize their time in the park.

Do not use the Disneyland app

The Disneyland app is a fantastic tool for your trip, but many visitors don’t take full advantage of it. “The app offers everything you need to know, from current wait times at attractions to character meet-and-greets and show times. You can even view your PhotoPass and attraction photos, keep your park ticket handy in the app, and order food to save time in line,” Hannah explains.

However, we recommend downloading the app and creating an account in advance. This way, you can familiarize yourself with its features before your visit and save valuable time in the park for what’s most important: experiencing the magic.

Queuing to buy snacks

There’s nothing more frustrating than being hungry and waiting in line to buy something to eat at Disneyland. Fortunately, there’s a handy way to avoid this: pre-order your refreshments via the Disneyland app.

“Simply place your order and pay through the app. Once you receive a notification that your food is ready for pickup, you can pick it up,” says Hannah.

Watching fireworks inside the park

The nightly fireworks are a big draw for visitors, so expect large crowds when you see them. Hannah says, “While the fireworks are impressive from within the park, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the crowds. For a more relaxed experience, you may want to consider other viewing locations outside of the park.”

Don’t explore beyond the walks

There’s a whole world of things to explore in the parks. Disneyland is packed with talented cast members who put on amazing shows worth seeing.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea to miss out on a fantastic show just to enjoy a short trip with a long wait,” says Hannah.

Instead, she recommends experiencing the park’s parades, dazzling nighttime shows, and exciting daily events, to name just a few.