A Disney vacation doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all formula. With countless videos and tips shared on social media by fellow visitors, it can be overwhelming to feel like you need to do everything to avoid missing out.

“I was really stressed out,” admitted Nezhat Baygie about organizing her family’s inaugural trip to Walt Disney World in 2022. “On one hand, you see parents going all out with elaborate plans, while on the other, some find every possible way to enjoy everything without spending a dime.”

After researching, she opted for a different approach for her family’s experience.

“Rushing from ride to ride and juggling reservations back and forth across the park would have been exhausting. It’s a vacation after all,” she expressed. “We wanted to take it easy and enjoy ourselves.”

One of the best things about Disney World is the ability to be spontaneous – or as Elsa famously says, just “let it go.”

Are reservations necessary at Disney World parks?

It’s advisable to secure reservations for top-tier table-service restaurants, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, and special activities like lightsaber making at Savi’s Workshop or princess makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Reservations fill up quickly and become available 60 days in advance.

For the most common type of tickets that visitors buy, theme park reservations are no longer mandatory. However, other ticket types, such as those for student groups, conventions, and military personnel, still require park reservations. Annual passholders need to reserve ahead if they plan to enter parks before 2 p.m., except on select dates where no reservations are needed.

Can you visit Disney without a plan?

At the very least, you should book your hotel. While there are plenty of accommodations on and off Disney grounds, options can be limited and prices can increase as your check-in date approaches.

If there’s a specific experience you don’t want to miss, like riding Disney Tiana’s Bayou Adventure or Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, you should familiarize yourself with joining their virtual queues, as these rides do not have standby lines open during regular park hours and reservations go quickly.

Before their visit, Baygie’s family laid out a few key attractions for each park. As for everything else, they simply noted, “Whatever we accomplish, we accomplish. If not, that’s perfectly fine. You have to accept that you can’t do it all and just enjoy what you can.”

Pro tip: Keep the weather in mind while preparing your trip. Conditions can be unpredictable, whether it’s sunny or rainy any time of year. Bringing ponchos and sunscreen with you can prevent having to buy them at inflated prices in the parks.

How can you enjoy Disney without a strict plan?

The secret to savoring Disney World without detailed planning is adaptability.

“We didn’t rush to get there first thing,” Baygie shared. “We arrived around 10 a.m. each day and stayed until closing. We took breaks whenever necessary. If our feet got tired, we would snack and rest before exploring more.”

You can use the free My Disney Experience app to check show schedules, attraction wait times, and character appearance spots. You can also choose to use Lightning Lane passes to minimize your waiting time in lines.

“We weren’t going to pay extra for things like that; our focus was simply enjoying the experience.”

“To get into a quicker line,” Baygie remarked. “Amusement parks are filled with lines; it’s a natural part of the experience.”

Her family chose fast-service dining options.

“My daughter mentioned, ‘I prefer spending more time in the park rather than eating,’” she remembered. “That’s fine; it’s your trip. We can take that off our budget.”

If you’re looking for tasty snacks, quick-service spots offer plenty of favorites, like the large cinnamon rolls at Gaston’s Tavern and cheeseburger bao buns at Satu’li Canteen. You can also enjoy various snacks from EPCOT festival booths and other restaurants in the World Showcase. If you didn’t reserve character dining or table-service meals ahead of time, don’t worry—check the app for last-minute cancellations by other guests.

For parades or nighttime shows, no reservations are needed. Just ensure you arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

What essentials should you pack for Disney?

Disney enthusiasts have varying recommendations on what to prioritize or avoid at each theme park.

“People have their own opinions that may differ greatly,” Baygie pointed out. “Just because it was an ideal experience for them doesn’t mean it will be the same for you.”

“I strongly suggest figuring out what flow works best for your family as a whole, not just one individual,” she continued. “If everything is planned based on one person’s preferences, will everyone else be satisfied? How much stress will that cause?”

She encourages families to resist the pressure of trying to do everything.

“We have no regrets about our approach,” she stated.

If you go with the flow, you’ll find that you can experience so much more as well.