With so much to explore at Walt Disney World Resort, it’s easy to lose precious time on avoidable mistakes. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or your fiftieth, knowing what to skip and how to plan can make your trip smoother and more magical.

Disney Dining wants to help you save time and enjoy more of the magic! Here are 10 common time-wasters at Walt Disney World Resort.

10. Booking Multiple Table Service Meals in One Day

Dining at Disney is part of the magic, especially when you can dine with your favorite Disney characters at places like Garden Grill and 1900 Park Fare. But scheduling several Table Service meals in a single day can take up hours you could spend exploring attractions.

Many Disney Park guests find that Quick Service dining and snacks keep their energy up without slowing their pace. To maintain flexibility, save Table Service reservations for special meals.

9. Not Purchasing Park Tickets Ahead of Time

One of the easiest ways to save time is to buy theme park tickets before arrival. This simple step lets you bypass ticket lines and head straight through park gates, especially during busy periods.

Using the official Walt Disney World Resort website or the My Disney Experience app makes ticket purchases quick and hassle-free. It makes all the difference at rope drop!

8. Skipping Lightning Lane Reservations

The Lightning Lane system has replaced FastPass+, offering a way to skip standby lines on many popular rides. Even if you can’t secure passes for the top-tier attractions, booking whatever is available saves valuable time.

Note: Lightning Lane Multi Pass can cost up to $39 per guest per day, so make sure to budget if you plan to utilize this line-skipping service. Lightning Lane Single Passes can cost as much as $25 per attraction, per guest.

7. Meeting the Same Characters Twice: In Restaurants and Parks

Character dining experiences, like Chef Mickey’s, let you meet favorites without waiting in lines. If you’ve already met characters during your meal, it’s often unnecessary to line up again to see them in the theme parks. Spend your park time meeting different characters or enjoying rides instead.

6. Arriving Late to the Parks

Vacation means relaxation, but arriving late can cost you hours and longer wait times. Since theme park tickets are sold per day, getting an early start helps you make the most of your visit.

Early arrival puts you ahead of the crowds, making it easier to enjoy headliners like TRON Lightcycle / Run or Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance without waiting in a long line or paying for a Lightning Lane Single Pass.

5. Researching What to Do Only After Arriving at the Parks

Planning on the fly wastes precious time. Before your trip, spend time researching attractions, shows, and dining options so you can dive right into the fun.

Knowing where to shop (like at EPCOT’s Creations Shop) or which shows to see (such as Festival of the Lion King) helps keep your day running smoothly.

4. Poor Transportation Planning

Walt Disney World Resort is massive! Transportation can be tricky if you don’t plan ahead.

Try these tips:

• After Happily Ever After, the Magic Kingdom Monorail fills quickly. Walking to nearby Disney Resort hotels, like Disney’s Contemporary Resort, may be faster.

• The Disney Skyliner between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT is usually quicker than the Friendship boats, which make multiple stops.

• Buses get crowded right after the fireworks! After watching Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom Park, slow down and take in one final ride or window shop on Main Street, U.S.A. You’ll find a much shorter bus line waiting for you at the end of the night!

Smart transportation choices maximize your park time.

3. Backtracking Across the Parks

Walking back and forth wastes energy and time. At EPCOT, for example, walking a full lap around the World Showcase is more than a mile!

Focus on completing one area before moving on. Align your Lightning Lane bookings and dining plans to minimize extra walking.

2. Arriving Too Early for Shows

Some shows, like Fantasmic! and Happily Ever After, require early arrival, but many don’t. For popular daytime shows like Festival of the Lion King and Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, arriving 20 to 30 minutes before showtime is usually enough to secure great seats.

Use the extra time you save for rides or snacks instead of waiting in line.

1. Visiting Attractions at Peak Times

Many rides have fluctuating wait times throughout the day. For example:

• Spaceship Earth at EPCOT tends to have longer lines in the morning. Riding later can mean shorter waits.

• If you don’t have a Lightning Lane for popular rides like Space Mountain and Avatar Flight of Passage, going first thing in the morning is your best bet.

• Disney cast members will let you ride if you get in line before the park closes. If it’s 9:55 p.m. and the park closes at 10:00 p.m., you still have time for another attraction! Lightning Lane access stops when the park closes, so the standby line moves much faster.

Timing your rides smartly saves hours over your visit.

Ready to Maximize Your Walt Disney World Vacation?

Avoiding these common time-wasters will make your Walt Disney World Resort trip more magical and less stressful. Thoughtful planning, using Lightning Lane, and knowing when to arrive for shows and rides will help you experience more and wait less.

Have a tip or story about saving time at Walt Disney World Resort? Share it with Disney Dining in the comments below!