What to Skip

Money traps abound. Save your cash.

Self Taxation

Bottled water: Free ice water at any quick service

Park ponchos: High markup. Buy a cheap multipack from home

Park sunscreen: High markup. Bring full size from home

Impulse Junk

Glow toys: Expensive, kids want multiples, breaks by night 2

Light-up bubble wands: Cheaper to buy online before the trip

Random plush at every cart: They have 50 at home already

Bring glow sticks from home. Much cheaper.

Bad Food Choices (Summer Specific)

I love eating at Magic Kingdom. On a family vacation, it really can recharge your willpower to attack the park for another four-hour stretch. But there are solid reasons to skip it.

Magic Kingdom has several fixed price table service options. In most cases, you are paying a premium to meet characters. But if your eight year old kid takes one bite of food and you are just going to get them a cookie in an hour, save your money. Avoid Liberty Tree Tavern or The Diamond Horseshoe. If your kid isn't into characters, don't do any of them.

Now for the adults in the room. Imagine this. It is 90 degrees, sunny, and the 'feels like' on your weather app says: Death Valley. You go to a sit down restaurant to eat. The AC cools you down and you order a cold lemonade. Maybe even a cold beer. You have been walking all morning. Well over 10,000 steps. You are hungry. You eat Roasted Turkey and Smoked Pork Loin. Mashed Potatoes. Bread Stuffing. Gravy. Now go back out into the Florida heat for four more hours. Pass.

No No's

Selfie Sticks

They have been banned for years. The tram recording warns you for a reason. Don't bring one unless you want to walk all the way back to the car or throw it in the trash.

Weapons and Pocket Knives: Check your keychains and pockets. Even a tiny Swiss Army knife or pepper spray will get flagged. You will spend twenty minutes dealing with security instead of walking down Main Street.

Loose Ice and Dry Ice

You cannot bring a cooler filled with loose ice cubes. Security will stop you because they cannot easily check what is buried in the ice. You have to use reusable ice packs or freeze water bottles instead. If you need real ice, you can ask for a cup of it at any Quick Service stand inside.

Stroller Wagons

This is the other big one that ruins mornings. Disney banned all wagons, including the fancy "stroller wagons" (like Keenz). It does not matter if you push it like a stroller. If it is a wagon, you are not getting in.

Glass Containers

Security will make you throw away glass, with an exception noted for small containers such as baby food jars.

When to Skip Lightning Lane

You’re doing a “vibes only” day

If you’re perfectly happy with low key attractions and shows like the PeopleMover, the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Country Bear Jamboree, and the Carousel of Progress then there’s little reason to pay extra.

You accept you will miss the Headliners

Without Lightning Lane, plan on long standby waits for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain unless your willing to wait. You can get catch a lucky break and do a 'walk on' any of these rides but you cant count on that. If you are okay with that trade off to save money, skip the pass.

You have more time than money

If you are budget conscious and willing to wait for "medium" rides you can get by without it. But you might spend half your day standing still. Keep a close eye out for advantageous wait times changes. If a ride has a low posted wait and it’s on your to-do list, first consider how close you are. If you have to cross the park, odds are a lot of people will beat you there and the wait will climb by the time you arrive. If you’re nearby, you’ve got a better shot at catching it while it’s still low.