We’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to! Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth, these are the top five things that can sneak up and steal the magic from your park day.
Reminder: Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through them. Thanks for supporting our theme park adventures!
1. Not Writing Down Where You Parked🚘
Trust us—after a long day in the parks, wandering through a sea of cars trying to find your vehicle is not the magical ending you want. Both Disney and Universal have parking reminder features in their apps, and they’re lifesavers. I still forget sometimes, so make it a habit as soon as you park. Snap a photo of the row number or use the app feature. Your future self will thank you.
2. Not Staying Hydrated💦
If you’ve scrolled through our blog before, you know water is basically our unofficial mascot. Florida sun + theme park walking = a recipe for dehydration, which can ruin your day fast. Bring your own bottle and take advantage of the free water cups offered at quick service spots. Or leave room in your budget to grab bottled water throughout the day. I use these collapsible water bottles from Amazon:
3. Wearing the Wrong Shoes (and Clothes!)👟
I’ve made this mistake more than once, and my feet paid the price. As much as I love my high-top Chuck Taylors, they’re just not built for all-day walking and standing in the parks. You’ll easily hit 15–20k steps on a full park day. Happy feet = happy park-goer. I swear by my Adidas Cloudfoam shoes from Amazon—they’ve never let me down.
Don’t forget the clothing side of things too: check the forecast and dress accordingly. Even in summer, I always tie a light jacket around my waist (some queue lines are freezing). We go for lightweight, breathable clothing that won’t chafe or irritate.
4. Trying to Do Everything in One Day🛑
Burnout is real. It’s so tempting to do it all, but pacing yourself leads to a better experience overall. Make a list of your must-dos and give yourself permission to skip a few things. Leave space for rest, unexpected moments, or just soaking up the atmosphere.
5. Not Planning Meals🍴
Hangry + heat = meltdown. Don’t wait until you’re starving to think about food! If you’re planning a sit-down meal, make a reservation ahead of time (especially during peak season). The park apps make this super easy—just book a few days in advance if you can.
We also bring our own lunch and snacks—eating in the parks every time we go just isn’t practical. I use an insulated lunch backpack:
I also love these containers. They work well for keeping food organized and sealed inside the backpack: (The heavy-duty silverware came with the containers. I don’t bring them to the parks so they don’t get confiscated.)
These slim icepacks are lightweight, don’t take up much room, and keep everything cold:
Even if you don’t pack food, scroll through the mobile order options in advance to find quick service spots you’ll love. Having a backup plan keeps everyone happy (and well-fed!).
Those are our top 5 theme park mistakes—but we know there are plenty more! Have you ever made a theme park misstep you swore you’d never repeat? Maybe you forgot sunscreen, wore brand-new shoes, or missed your must-do ride. Drop your biggest theme park mistakes in the comments—we’d love to hear your stories and tips!
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