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There are so many things to do at Walt Disney World that it would take months or even years to experience them all! It’s one of the many reasons why I keep going back year after year. Still, there are a few things at the parks and resorts that I skip when visiting Walt Disney World. These activities or choices are either a poor use of time, rookie mistakes, or just not as magical as I expected. So here’s what I won’t do at Disney World.

Character Breakfasts

Don’t get me wrong. I love character meals. I’m all about meeting not one, but multiple characters in A/C and with heaping plates of food. But what I won’t do at Disney World is a character breakfast. Here are my reasons…

For starters, character meals aren’t famous for their food, but my issue with character breakfasts is that breakfast fare is pretty much the same everywhere at Walt Disney World. I know character buffets do offer a lot of food and some have unique or special dishes. But honestly, it’s mostly eggs, fruit, breakfast meats, and Mickey Waffles. My thoughts are if I’m paying a character meal sized bill, I want more than I can get at the resort food court.

Secondly, mornings are prime park time! The parks are empty, most attractions are walk-ons, and no one is worn out or overheated. If a character meal is on my to-do list, I would rather save it for lunch or dinner when the lines are long, not short.

Use FastPass+ For Shows

Shows such as Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, Indiana Jones – Epic Stunt Spectacular, or Mickey’s Philharmagic, offer FastPass+. But trust me, you don’t need them. Most theaters at the Disney Parks are massive and accommodate huge numbers of guests. The only waiting required is waiting for the theater to open. This is why I don’t use FastPass+ for shows as I would rather save those reservations for a ride.

Anything at DinoLand U.S.A.

I know, I know, it’s supposed to look cheesy. But at the end of the day, it’s still a carnival, people. TriceraTop Spin, Primeval Whirl, and the carnival games make me feel like Disney isn’t even trying. The restaurants here, while highly detailed, or blah and does anyone else find Primeval Whirl super painful?

Now the Boneyard is kind of cute, but I skip it as I don’t have little ones. But I will not do DINOSAUR or Finding Nemo – The Musical. I find DINOSAUR terrifying and disorienting and I ride pretty much anything. Most guests love Finding Nemo – The Musical, but I just can’t get into it. Maybe it’s the puppets or maybe it’s because it’s a 40 minute show and I would rather be riding an attraction with that time instead? Either way, DinoLand U.S.A. is what I won’t do at Disney World.

Eat at a Hollywood Studios Quick-Service Restaurant

Hollywood Studios is home to a number of themed restaurants, such as 50’s Prime Time Café and Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, which specialize in experiences as well as a yummy meal. Sadly, the same cannot be said of the park’s quick service restaurants. It’s basic, substandard park fare with the Disney price tag, which is hard to swallow with so many tastier options at the other parks, resorts, and at Disney Springs.

Stay at Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs

I have stayed at all of Walt Disney World’s Moderate Resorts through the years; but unless Port Orleans or Fort Wilderness is in one of their names, I wouldn’t stay there again.

Apart from slightly improved rooms, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs feel more spread out than Value Resorts. I did enjoy Caribbean Beach’s Pirate Rooms, and both resorts have gorgeous pools, but long treks to the lobby and the sensation of being stranded and detached from the main part of the resort are not worth the price to me. However, changes are coming to these resorts so my tune may change in the future? (Ed. Old Port Royale at Caribbean Beach is currently closed for refurb. This means the table service restaurant, food court, and outside bar are also not available. Disney has added temporary food tents for guests. OPR is scheduled to be closed through June 2018. One more reason not to stay there. Coronado Springs is also experiencing construction, but there are no closures right now or scheduled.)

Drive to the Magic Kingdom

Unlike the other parks at Walt Disney World, the Seven Seas Lagoon separates the Magic Kingdom from its parking lot, otherwise known as the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). To reach the park entrance, guests must park, walk or take a tram to the TTC, pass through security, and then board a ferry boat or the Monorail to the park.

While both modes of transportation are magical, getting there can be time consuming. If you’re staying on property, don’t drive yourself to the Magic Kingdom. Instead, take advantage of a Disney Bus which drops you off by the park entrance or take a ferry, Monorail, or walking path from your resort.

Purchase Base Tickets

This is a purely personal preference as I know guests can fully enjoy Walt Disney World with Base Tickets and they are the most economical option. But in recent years, my vacation style isn’t about doing it all, but rather hopping from place to place to revisit my favorites or try something new. For instance, I like beginning my day at the Magic Kingdom and ending the evening with dinner at Epcot, or experiencing my favorite Hollywood Studios attractions and then hopping over to Animal Kingdom for lunch. The freedom and flexibility that comes with a Park Hopper are why I won’t purchase base tickets.

Skip Resort Hopping or Disney Springs

Visiting the Disney World Resorts and Disney Springs is something I always do, especially during the busiest and hottest times of the day. The Magic Kingdom Deluxe Resorts are beautiful and non-guests are free to explore, shop, dine, and take in the entertainment. Disney Springs has been called a theme park for shoppers and foodies and it’s so true! Disney Springs offers plenty of Disney magic, plus fantastic shops and some of the best dining on property. Both of these locations are perfect retreats and must-dos for a Disney World Vacation.

So that’s what I won’t do at Walt Disney World and hopefully my experiences can help you avoid a thing or two that may be worth skipping during your trip. Do you have anything that you won’t do at Walt Disney World? Do you avoid thrill rides like Expedition Everest or Rock n’ Roller Coaster? Do you avoid certain restaurants or maybe Extra Magic Hours? Let me know in a comment below!