While working at Disneyland as a VIP tour guide for five years, I watched a lot of parkgoers have amazing experiences. However, I also watched visitors regret parts of their trip or wish they’d made different choices or better plans.
Here are a few common mistakes I saw parkgoers make when visiting Disneyland — and how to avoid them.
Overdressing for a long day in the park
Seeing people dressed in Disney-themed attire is one of my favorite things. In fact, I love coordinating my outfits and taking photos in the parks.
However, these outfits should also be functional. I’ve seen so many parkgoers regret wearing heels, flip-flops, and brand-new shoes to Disneyland.
Once, I even witnessed a man wearing dress shoes get sneakers delivered to him at the parks via Uber so he wouldn’t have to go home halfway through the day because of his aching feet.
So, when planning what to wear to Disney, make sure you’ve got great walking shoes and a comfy outfit you can really move around in.
Spending too much time at sit-down dinners
Disneyland has some great breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack options — many in sit-down restaurants.
However, I recommend remaining mindful of how much time and money these dining experiences may cost. If guests have limited time to explore the parks, spending two to three hours at a costly dining experience might not be worth it.
I’ve seen firsthand the look of disappointment on people’s faces when they walk out of an expensive two-hour dinner only to realize the park is closing soon and they no longer have time to ride the No. 1 attraction on their list.
If you’re really looking to optimize your park days, prioritize grabbing quick-service meals and snacks while limiting your time in restaurants. One sit-down dinner a day could be a good place to start.
Only making time for rides
Disneyland has tons of fun rides, but there are so many other things to do in the parks.
For example, the place is full of talented, hardworking staff members who create and perform in shows worth attending.
I recommend checking out parades, nighttime spectaculars like “Mickey’s Mix Magic,” and other daily events. The way I see it, it’s not worth missing out on a great show because of a two-hour wait for a short ride.
Canceling a trip because of light rain
I love spending time in the parks during drizzly weather or light rain showers. As long as I have a coat and the rain isn’t too heavy, I can have a great day without the sun beating down on me. Sometimes, the rain is even refreshing.
Unfortunately, I’ve noticed guests will cancel their plans or leave the parks early due to an expected drizzle. However, many rides and attractions still operate in light rain, and crowds are often not as bad as they are on a sunny day.
Grab an umbrella, poncho, or hooded coat, and don’t miss a less-busy park day because of a little rain.
Only going to Disneyland with other people
Going to Disneyland with friends or family can be a lot of fun, but there are also perks to enjoying a park day alone.
When people travel solo to Disney, they don’t have to argue about what to do next, can breeze through the single-rider line at certain attractions, and operate on their own schedule.
Even if a fully solo park day isn’t in the cards, it may be worth coordinating some alone time during your next visit.
For example, if you’re really excited about a certain ride on one end of the park but your friend is dying to try a specialty coffee on the other, consider splitting up and making plans to meet again later at a designated time and place.
This story was originally published on January 31, 2024, and most recently updated on June 4, 2026.
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