The STRANGEST Things You’d NEVER Expect to Ruin Your Disney World Trip 

When I was there last year, I didn’t post anything until after I returned. I love Disney World. I’d go every year if I could. Disney is my thing. I won’t allow anyone to tell me differently. I love it. I keep it to myself. If I could afford it, I’d live in the Disney Bubble.

I’m glad that you do these videos and not the toxic positivity. Forewarned is forearmed. Always good to have contingency plans. Keep up the great work.

I just got back, and my advice is just to stay calm and collected, and be kind to cast members and others around you. Things happen, but more times then not there is something else very close around to hop right into, and then revisit the first thing later. When you stay calm and flexible your day goes so much smoother and you accomplish more.

Remember that a Disney vacation is supposed to be enjoyed. It's not a battle that needs to be won. Take it all the small details. Relish in your family doing something silly. Enjoy those little surprise moments you didn't plan for. Notice your kids' smiles.

The heat is the worst for me but I run towards the parks during bad weather… the worse it is the more I like it and hurricane days, especially right after, are my favorite! Happy Wednesday y’all! 😃🎩🥂🧁

We leave AUG 3rd if our 1st time, my kids are 25 and 22 - so excited and we have been doing nothing but watching your videos AJ

Take time to smell the roses, or at least the perfume. Both Epcot France and Italy have fancy perfumes for sale, ones not at your local mall. Free smells! Also, Tom Sawyer Island is awesome! I have pre-teens, and it is safe and enclosed enough for them to wander around all overt he island by themselves while I rest on a rocking chair in the shade. There. Positivity.

I work with a lot of people across the country and they all ask me for tips about visiting Disney, and the first thing I mention is the heat. People know that FL is hot, but they don't really understand just how hot it can be. Its always sad to see a family that is just having a horrible time because the kids are worn out from the heat and not it a good mood, and the parents are likewise overheated, but determined to get their money's worth, so they're dragging the kids around and making them "have fun." The best thing you can do is hit the parks early, go back to your hotel room to refresh, have lunch and rest and then go back out in the evening. You'll still get 7 or 8 hours in the park, but you'll have a lot more fun in those 8 hours than if you stay from rope drop to closing.

I literally don't plan to ever go to disney world, ever... But I can't help watching these videos anyway, they are fun and so relaxing. Love your vibe and love your voice AJ

I had SO many people tell me that I shouldn’t spend so much money to go to Disney World for my honeymoon but it was a BLAST! I just told people that I totally understood if it wasn’t for them but it was definitely worth it for us! I refuse to let anyone spoil my absolutely killer honeymoon for me. PS: Be Our Guest was 100% worth the price

We did a quick visit September 2023. My husband, grown daughter and I had just come off a non- Disney cruise and had one day to spend. We were last there for 25th anniversary so we knew some things but not current. Our choice? On day of disembarkation we made reservations for Chef Mickey’s! Wonderful experience! Got our character and children fix without overload. Then hopped on monorail and rode the MK circle which filled me with memories! Next day we headed to Disney Springs. Brunch at House of Blues, dinner at Raglan Road and plenty of souvenir shopping for all the grand children still at home. It was PERFECT! But it was knowing to plan ahead and get those reservations and realistic expectations that made it possible. So don’t be intimidated, just be aware of what you are getting into and what your goals are.

The best thing we have done with our Disney trips has been to purposefully not try to max out the parks. We spend time in each park but also enjoy time at the hotels and dining each day too. A rest day (not in the parks) mid visit helps a lot if possible. Happiness is not found standing in endless lines and the rides are honestly maybe the weakest part of the fun at Disney if you are an adult. The rides will still be there next visit if you miss one. Disney hospitality is awesome so lean into it. Club access is awesome at the deluxe hotels if you can swing it.

Been to Disney 3 times in the last 3 years and DFB has been super helpful in getting our bearings, planning trips, and avoiding problems we might not have anticipated. Honest, (mostly) positive, accurate, and helpful. Most appreciated.

I'ma local and I go to the value hotels during the major hurricanes. Backup generators. Prices under $100. Hot food and cold drinks without preplanning.

ALWAYS stop by Buena Vista Gifts at the Contemporary Resort; it ALWAYS has things unseen anywhere else!

We haven't been since 2006 but we had an ice cream for breakfast day during our trip. It's a small thing but it just made the day fun. We got early access to animal kingdom so we went on all the animal rides, grabbed our ice cream then went back to the resort and enjoyed the pool 😊

Beignets will always have my heart

Leaving for Disney tomorrow morning. Can’t wait. We are starting out at Epcot on our arrival day. My favorite park.

While waiting in line take in the sites and details. We play online games to help pass the time. We take breaks at midday and go back in the evenings!

Favorite place to eat - garden grill , shop has to be the emporium, character- don’t make choose between my children!! We love WDW xx

Love it, don't forget to pack your patience ❤

Positivity as requested, AJ! I'm heading to disneyworld for early December and very excited to see a huge gingerbread house for the first time! Also, I'm trying spice road table and very excited to give it a chance! I personally love riding the skyliner, riding tons of rides while laughing with my family, and I'm finally trying new foods ( but i still bring sweet and sour sauce from McDonald's to dip chicken tenders in.... sometimes it's what I want to eat!)

It’s about your time with friends and /or family

I spent Hurricane Frances in the Beach Club back in 2004. That year, 3 hurricanes hit Disney World. My sister and I had a pretty good time in our room, watching whatever movies they were showing for resort guests, including seeing Brother Bear and The Rookie for the first time. We got our brown bag lunches from cast members and were very happy to find that they had Uncrustables in them and met Goofy in the hotel lobby as we made our way to the Cape May Cafe for dinner! Disney does right by its guests when the parks close and they're trapped in their hotel by a severe storm.

It’s like DFB is reading my mind. I’m headed to WDW for my first time in August for one day (in the area for a conference). I’m obsessively planning a speed run of the parks. I’m excited!

I put away my phone. Sure the occasional picture and the use of the app, but I try to be completely present when we go to the parks. These pics get lost in my phone, but my memories of my daughter seeing the castle for the first time always makes me smile ❤

Whatever your motivation: nostalgia over Walt Disney and old Disney memories; newest Disney movies and expectations of character greetings; Disney or other themed areas (Star Wars, etc.), or even the food, at least one trip is worth it. It will either force you to explore further out or deeper in! No one can leave WDW without triggering at least one of your senses!

We experienced Disneyland during Hurricane Hilary in 2023. We. Had. A. BLAST! Enjoy the short lines and ability to say “you were there when…” Make memories out of everything ❤

If u can, book a character meal! They always make my Disney visits so magical😊

Going on my 20th trip to WDW over Thanksgiving, I know it will be busy, but even that can’t damper the trip. I still cry on the last night as I walk down Main Street, my kids think I’m crazy .

Negativity on social media is a common thing, especially against a corporation as big as disney. I've noticed people being too forgiving towards universal and overpraising them a way to get back at disney.

Love it aj and the crew!!!

Love lecellier in epcot, on MK day we love taking a break and go to the contemporary for lunch, steakhouse 71 is AMAZING!!! Love the Corn on the cob at AK. Hollywood and Vine has a great breakfast buffet. Happy planning everyone 😊❤

Absolutely on the snacks running out!! Especially if they are themed to special festivals or certain times of year. For instance, a few years ago I was in Disneyland and they had a pineapple donut special and lots of people were in line waiting for it. I don't remember the occasion, but I do remember happened to get the very LAST one, the one that was being displayed, and had to split it with two others with me. Another time, during Pixar fest on my first day, there was a special PB&J éclair with "UP" themed chocolate portraits on it selling at Jolly Holiday. They still had a supply when I bought one, but later in the day coming back, they had run out, and they did not come back for the rest of my 4 day trip. So if you see a special snack for sale, don't waver...make sure to buy it when you see it!

Take more than one pair of shoes if you are going to be there multiple days. Rain or not. Nine of twelve in our party, in 2021, did not.

The world is full of complexity. I am grateful for a happily less complicated day just sharing a positive vibe with folks having a joyous day. Haters can go do what they prefer and I won’t judge, just wish more took the same positive approach.

When I got accepted to the Disney College Program, I remember binging all of these videos because I'd never been to WDW before... Now as a program alum, these videos really hit me hard in the good feels. One of my favorite things to do with my partner (now spouse) was pop into Epcot and get a sandwich from the bakery in France for me and some sushi from Japan for her while we shared a little treat. PS: the heat in DAK is no joke- it's worse than the other parks because the vegetation helps trap the humidity. Don't take it lightly- hydrate!

OK HONESTLY the liberty tavern in is so good if you love thanksgiving food. i dream about it LOL go try it if you havent!!

My main takeaway: AJ watches Ink Master!! (seriously, though, thank you ALL for these videos)

Ya know if they brought back the Magical Express and still picked up your bags at the airport and delivered them to your room the Water Park Ticket on the day you arrive would make sooo much more sense, cause no matter how you cut it, if you fly you will HAVE to drop bags off at your hotel.

I think for food wise It's a toss up for me between skippers canteen and liberty tavern by far my fave. I think what I also like enjoying is honestly people watching. I know it's weird, but I like to watch families be happy and people just look like they are enjoying life.

Don’t sweat the small stuff and don’t rush be flexible and just go with what happens (that might be changing your day around). I know you’re there for X amount days the more flexible you are the more you will be able to see and do. If you have young kids and you want to be at the park as soon as it opens if you’re on property take a break back at the resort use the pool and take a nap, your body will thank you. As AJ says those hot days KEEP HYDRATED. I also have taken a small soft side cooler and wet several wash clothes (take some ziplock bags with you), the night before a day in the park wet and freeze a few washcloths in your bags, then in morning pack your cooler with ice and put those washcloths In there that is my big mom tips for you along with sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen no matter what time of year, also sunglasses 😎 for yourself and kiddos

The day after a hurricane is the best.

So on the Hurricane topic. 2022, had group with me, 1 who was his first Disney trip. We were in the Wilderness Cabins(more spacious) and it was November. We had the lovely hurricane Nicole... So as some "to knows". If you are at the Campgrounds or Cabins, and there is a Hurricane coming, you will be most likely(99%) moved to another resort. The Campground/Cabins, are not built for "ride outs" and there for is not safe for Castmembers or guests. As a cautionary tale, in our incident, the resort was to call me(the person orchestrating this trip) to go "hey, we are moving you, here is where you are going." After waiting until around 2pm, with no call, I went through the MDE app, and found a number to call, talked with the Castmember on the other end, and in between a TON of apologize, was able to locate us to the Pop Century, though we had to rush out of the part(Hollywood) back to the cabins to rush pack and move our stuff via bellhop service(all which is very helpful/convenient). In the end, while Nicole did make us leave a park early, get to a park late(EPCOT opened at like 2pm the next day), we were still able to do 95%ish all the things we set out to do on the trip. Only one person in my group whined about the inconvenience of the moving from cabins, to pop and back to the cabins(the next day), but not much Disney, nor anyone else can do about Mother Nature. (Also, went and chatted with a Castmember at the relations desk, and got 1 day passes for Hollywood as a "we are sorry about the hurricane", which was SUPER nice of them to do, I had only wanted to mention to them that I had to call to get told, and that they may want to look into the protocol a bit more since the situation would have been worse if I hadn't)

Butt life 😂😂😂

I’d say, take it as it comes. Relax. I didn’t relax on our last trip because I wanted everything to go according to plan.

The water park benefit is great for us coming from the West Coast. Take a red-eye, get breakfast, head straight to a water park. Apparently Disney discovered that we were going to Discovery Cove on arrival day and they want a piece of that action.

Hey if you can - the Brown Derby, Le Cellier, Garden Grill, or the Rose and Crown are our favorite restaurants in DisneyWorld. That said, if you go with your servers recommendation on what is good that day, all of the Disney restaurants are great. The hotels are some of the safest hotels in the area - we have been at the parks for two (2) hurricanes - (Yea, I know we are nuts, but trying to limit crowds) and it has been a great place to wait out a hurricane and Disney tries to make it fun.

I guess for the waterpark perk you could do a red eye fight & try to get there at like 6-8 a.m. hoping you do hve a delay. Then if you rent a car get it pick up a quick breakfast at a drive though & go to the waterpark from opening 10 a.m. till you can check into your room or park close.

Want something positive? On our 3rd trip in 2 decades Blizzard Beach was finally open for us to try. A baby rhinoceros playing kick the enrichment can with his trainer. The slide at the pool at Shades of Green. Wilderness Lodge.

The army has taught me one thing. Hydrate or die. 100% true

Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris when it’s raining. The animals are more likely to be out.

You always talk about visits during the heat of the summer and hurricane season, but my family is planning to go at the beginning of March. Could you do a video about other times of the year? Weather, park hours, and any other important info?

My advice is- talk to the cast members! If you’re experiencing a problem, cast members can’t fix something they aren’t aware is a problem! Of course, please be polite to cast members too!!

TLDR: plan ahead and be ready to call an audible on anything at any time.

I’m missing that Florida heat right now I just came back up to NY yesterday and it’s not that warm right now

katsura Grill, Sunshine tree, yorkshire fish

My first ever trip starts in 25 days!! 😊

If you just stay in the Parks how do they know your in the park? Even if you have a wristband it could be covered with a long sleeve shirt? What if your shopping I know we used to go to the park and we would be shopping at like 12 midnight. That was a long time ago.

I will be in WDW for a solo trip the first week of October. YAY!! 🎉. I will also be attending Mickey’s NSVSHP for the first time. I don’t have a park ticket that day, so I plan to have a late lunch and get to MK at 4:00. Any tips for lunch on the monorail line? I was thinking about Steakhouse 71, but any recommendations welcome!

We are going to DW in Dec and staying at Shades of Green. Do you have any info about that hotel? Our favorite restaurant is Morimoto Asia, the orange chicken! Yum. My husband and I like going to a few of the places in MK that sell desserts and splitting them- 😂 does it balance out the calories when you walk 7+ miles a day? Lol

I’ve been seeing a lot of reels lately about “don’t forget to get your freebies before checking out or your DW hotel.” It seems to vary on coupons/luggage tags, any info on that? Also, can I purchase pre owned Disney Magic Bands for my vacation? They’re so expensive for a one time use but I feel like it would be easier to use vs always using my phone/card. Thanks for all the great videos, I watch them every day to help prep for our trip!😊

Taking the waffle sandwiches away is below the belt. They have been beloved for years and just not acceptable. BRING BACK THE WAFFLE SANDWICHES DISNEY!

Any tips for first timers with a baby?

WOW

Timestamps: 0:45 Medical Emergencies 2:59 The TTC Crowds (Transfer Point for the Monorail Station) or (Transportation Ticket Center) 4:52 The Best Snacks Could Disappear 6:04 Free snack guide QR Code 6:19 Your Waterpark Perk Turns Out To Be A Wash 8:44 You Let Social Media Get The Best Of You 11:16 The Waiting Game 13:36 Suddenly, HURRICANE

I was pushing my baby in his stroller down a ramp as we couldn’t take the stroller on the stairs and a woman lost control of her motor scooter and ran into my baby’s stroller knocking it over and he basically fell out. We had dinner reservations so I called to explain we couldn’t go to the dinner and I’m not kidding they charged me for my entire family for canceling our reservation although my baby was injured on their property at Magic kingdom, so please be careful making reservations, it’s very expensive if you need to cancel. That was just my experience. They’ve always been wonderful but that experience ruined it for me.

Do they have lemonade at the parks or resorts?

like a strike?

AJ! Could you PLEASEEEEE make a vid about what's going on with the DAS program! I think a lot of us disabled Disney fans would like more info on what's going on and how things have changed❗️

We NEVER expected a broken wrist on a ride. This June my wife was injured, took a RCFD ambulance ride & spent 5 hours in ER and they did nothing! Like it never happened. 😡

No shade at Slinky Dog Dash, Epcot plaza all concrete, the list goes on. Disney talks good, but doesn't really care as long as they make money.

Some new Disneyland content would be nice , been like 2 months .