Five things introverts should do before their Disney Parks vacation
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. They like clear expectations. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people.
Planning ahead offers introverts peace of mind, especially when we’re navigating a busy theme park. Whether you’re an introvert, or you’ll be traveling with introverts, do these five things before leaving.
Download and learn the mobile app
We are in the age of apps—and Disney Parks are no exception. Walt Disney World Resort’s app is called My Disney Experience. Disneyland Resort’s app is just called Disneyland. (They have separate apps, but you use the same Disney account login.)
You can still find physical guidemaps at the parks, but the apps have maps plus a lot more.
- Dining reservations
- Mobile food orders
- PhotoPass photos
- Wait times
- Show times
Download, log in, and learn the app before leaving home. It is mostly user friendly, but there’s something that happens to my brain when I’m hot, tired, and surrounded by people. I feel this invisible pressure that makes it harder for me to focus on a task—in this case the park’s app. Anybody else?
If you plan on using Genie+ during your trip, brush up on this relatively new service. It’s a beast in and of itself.
Study the park maps
Speaking of maps, you can find interactive maps within the app. You can also download PDFs online. Vacations can be fun but stressful if you don’t know where you’re going, and the parks are big. Spend some time reviewing the maps before leaving to get the lay of the land. You’ll also save yourself some time.
Figure out transportation
On a related note, how do you get from point A to point B on the map? Transportation may not be as overwhelming at Disneyland Resort since destinations are closer together, but Walt Disney World Resort is another story. It’s like a mini-city with buses, monorails, boats, and gondolas.
Spend some time mapping out where you’ll be going and how you’ll be getting there. Tip: Use the Get Directions feature in the My Disney Experience app. Just pull up a location, tap Get Directions, and enter where you want to go.
Build table-service restaurants into schedule
Make some table-service restaurant reservations. After a while, you may get sick of quick-service food, but maybe more importantly, table-service restaurants are more introvert friendly. They allow you to slow down. They often have a more relaxing atmosphere.
And one huge perk? They seat you so you don’t have to hunt for a table. (Does your anxiety go through the roof when you’re wandering through a crowded restaurant with a tray full of food, trying to find an empty and clean table? No, just me?!)
Request an extra PTO day
For me, my PTO days are precious, but I always try to request one extra PTO day at the end of my vacation time. Why do this? It gives you a whole day at home to decompress, recharge, and settle back into your normal routine—not to mention time for laundry. Going from an action-packed Disney Parks vacation straight into (most likely) an action-packed workday can be tough for introverts. Build in that buffer.
Good luck planning, D•Introverts! You’re going to have a great time. Let me know if you have any questions.