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11 Things That Drive Us Crazy At Walt Disney World

There will be some frustration on any Walt Disney World vacation. Annoying things happen, sometimes they happen often. Here are 11 things that will drive most anyone crazy while at Walt Disney World. Some of the things on this list are Disney’s fault, some are because of guests, and others can’t really be blamed on anyone. When something frustrating happens, take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Don’t let anything ruin your time at the most magical place on earth.

11. Summer Weather

Florida is known as the Sunshine State, but the weather doesn’t always seem to know that. If you aren’t used to summer weather in Florida and take a peek at the ten day forecast before you leave, there is a good chance that you will panic. Most summer days in Florida will have a fairly high chance of thunderstorms. Don’t let the threat stop your fun, the storms pass quickly. Throw some ponchos into your bag and plan to eat or browse in the shops when a storm hits. You’ll be back outside again before you know it.

10. Construction Walls

Walt Disney World is constantly changing. New rides, restaurants, and even lands help to keep things fresh and exciting each time you visit. Unfortunately, construction walls are a must for the progress. If you let them, they will take away a little bit of the magic. What you need to do when you see a wall is to picture what is on the way, and how much fun it is going to be. Thinking ahead makes the construction walls more bearable.

9. Running Out of Merchandise

Special events often feature special merchandise such as pins or t-shirts. These items are sometimes limited edition. It is frustrating to arrive at a park and ask about a limited edition t-shirt, only to learn that they ran out of your size and that they aren’t getting any more. There’s not much that you can do about it, so find something else to spend the money on. Don’t let it ruin your day.

8. Lines for Buses

At the end of a long day in a theme park you will be tired and want to get back to your hotel to get some sleep. The last thing that you want to do is to wait in line for a bus; with dozens of other families. You have two choices. You can wait in the line, knowing that it will move quickly because Disney will keep sending buses until everyone is back at their hotels. Or, you can grab a cab or use a ride sharing service. Either way, prepare yourself mentally ahead of time for the line, and then it won’t bother you quite as much.

7. FastPass+ Tiers

FastPass+ makes it so that you will have three fewer lines to wait in each day of your vacation. The “problem” with the system is that three of the four parks use tiers. You’ll pick one choice from Tier One, and then make two from Tier Two. The part that will drive you batty is that the most popular rides are all Tier One attractions, which means that you’ll have some difficult choices to make. The Magic Kingdom is the only park that doesn’t use tiers, which is something to be grateful for.

6. Closures

It can be frustrating to show up at one of the Walt Disney World theme parks and discover that your favorite ride or attraction is closed. If the weather is bad don’t worry, the ride will be up and running again as soon as the storm has passed. It’s a different story if the ride is closed for refurbishment. It’s not a bad idea to check the latest refurbishment schedule before you leave home so that you won’t be caught by surprise. The worst is when a favorite ride, show, or restaurant closes for good. There are still people who swear that they will never forgive Disney for closing Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Walt Disney World.

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5. People Who Cut in Line

Everyone needs to wait their turn, but some guests seem to think that the rules shouldn’t apply to them. It can be infuriating when people cut in front of you, or even worse when one person holds a place for a dozen people, who are all riding something else. If it really bothers you when it happens, mention it to a Cast Member. They might not do anything about it (they need to have proof), but repeat cutting can get someone removed from the park.

4. Cast Members Who Ignore You

Most Walt Disney World Cast Members are fantastic. They love what they do, they adore all things Disney, and they take seriously the fact that they are responsible for creating magical vacations. That said, there are a few who don’t quite meet the same standards. They appear bored, they look away when they think you’re about to say something, and they check their cell phones while at work. For the most part, this is something that you should just ignore. If a Cast Member is incredibly rude, head to Guest Relations to let them know. The opposite is also true, if a Cast Member makes your day make sure that you leave him or her a compliment.

3. Guests Who Are Rude to Cast Members

Cast Members work long hours on their feet in the sun. They do their best to keep smiles on their faces, even if they are having a bad day. There is never a reason why you should be rude to a Cast Member. If you have a problem, explain it to someone, and he or she will do their best to assist you. There is no reason to raise your voice, point, swear, or do anything else that would be considered hostile or rude. Instead, try being extra nice to Cast Members. Say “hello” when you walk by, thank the person who checks your harness, and tell the cashier to have a fantastic day. Sometimes a smile and a wave will be all that it takes to turn a Cast Member’s bad day into a good one.

2. Trying to Get a Reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant is one of the most popular places to eat at Walt Disney World. Even though breakfast and lunch are both quick service (dinner is full service), reservations are accepted and needed for all three meals. It can be next to impossible to snag a reservation there, especially if you aren’t trying to book at the 180 day mark. Keep trying, because people will cancel as their plans change. Be flexible on which meal you want to dine there and the time, and you’ll have more of a chance of getting something.

1. Leaving

The worst part of any Walt Disney World vacation is leaving! It’s a fact, you can’t stay forever. The best way to keep from going crazy when you’re leaving is to start planning your next trip immediately. If you are staying on property, seriously consider the bounceback offer. Knowing when you will be able to return will make leaving a little bit easier, but it will still be difficult.

About PaulaK

I grew up in Western Massachusetts. When I was nine my family went to Disneyland and I was hooked. I grew up, attended New England College in Henniker, NH and eventually moved to Virginia. I worked as a disc jockey, married and became a full time mom when our daughter was born. Fast forward several years. In 2010 we moved to Central Florida and my Disney obsession grew. I now work as a freelance writer and spend my spare time in the parks. Under the name Paula Brown I penned the novels Dream Wanderers and The Coffee Cruiser. I also am a co-author of Dining at Walt Disney World: The Definitive Guide. I'm obsessed with Star Wars, so this is a good time to live in Central Florida. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade, a choice that my daughter eventually made as well. While my husband still hasn't joined us fully he has given up most meats except for seafood. I was relieved to find that vegetarian dining is not difficult at Walt Disney World.