Easy Fixes for 10 Common Problems at Disney World

Encountering problems at Disney World? Here are some easy fixes

Murphy goes to Disney, too. If it can go wrong, it will go wrong. Yeah, that Murphy. But there is always help and most issues are easily resolved.

Cast Members, Guest Relations, and My Disney Experience are your go-to resources for quick and easy solutions. They are trained to solve the problems you may encounter during your vacation at Disney World.

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Here are some of the most common problems you might face at Disney World.

 

1) I’m running late for a dining reservation

You have hard-to-get reservations for dinner or a dinner show and you find yourself short on time. The Disney transportation system is wonderful, but it can take some time to get around, especially if you have to transfer anywhere along the way to make it to your destination.

Arrange for a Minnie Van with Lyft or a schedule a car through Uber. They can get you where you need to be in a fraction of the time it would take to get there on a Disney bus. Yeah, you might have to throw a little money at it, but it’s worth it to not have your plans spoiled. Getting that reservation wasn’t easy!

Be sure to load either the Uber or Lyft app on your phone beforehand.

It’s best to contact the restaurant if you are going to be REALLY late. They typically have a short grace period, but you don’t want to have a no-show charge and lose the reservation entirely. A phone call can remedy that.

2)  I Lost my Kid

Before you panic, take a deep breath, find the nearest cast member and explain the situation. Provide as much information as you can. Last known location, description, clothing, etc.

Many parents snap a photo of their kiddos in the morning, it sounds silly, but you may not remember the color of the teeshirt they were wearing. If you are in a panic, you may not remember IF they were wearing clothes at all.

Cast members will initiate the LOST CHILD protocol and every cast member on the park will be on alert.

It’s also helpful, before there are any issues, to introduce your child to a cast member in uniform as someone who can help them if they get lost.

Lost children under 10 are taken to the Child Care Center, older children are taken to Guest Relations.

Make sure your older children have your cell phone number memorized. Use Safety Tats with your cell phone number written on it for younger children. These are temporary peel-and-stick write-on labels that are durable and will last for days. Place it on your child’s wrist where it will be visible. (Cast members are reluctant to touch an already frightened child any more than necessary).

For great tips on keeping everyone together, read what Undercover Tourist recommends for keeping your tadpoles safe.

3) The baby is getting fussy, too hot, hungry, etc.

The Baby Care Center is a haven for moms with a screaming baby or toddler that needs to be fed, changed, or just a place to cool off.

It’s cool and quiet. It’s equipped with changing tables, private nursing rooms, and microwaves for heating food.

There’s even a selection of baby items for sale if there is anything you have run out of.

Find the Pacifier on your GuideMap for the location of a Baby Care Center. Here are specific locations.

• Magic Kingdom – near First Aid between Casey’s Corner and the Crystal Palace
• Animal Kingdom – on the west side of the Tree of Life and next to Creature Comforts
• Hollywood Studios – near the front entrance in the same building as First Aid and Guest Relations
• Epcot – inside the Odyssey Center, between Test Track and the Mexico Pavilion

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4) I’m running late for my FastPass reservation

If you’re not going to make it, go to the My Disney Experience app on your phone to cancel it and try to reschedule a FastPass for a later time. Canceling a Fastpass you won’t be using opens it up for someone else. It also opens up that FastPass opportunity for you to book another attraction.

Keep in mind, for now anyway, there is a grace period of about 15 minutes after your FastPass time. That practice can change at any time, but if you have that margin of time, see if you can make it…and don’t stress.

5) My car won’t start

Car problems at Disney might be the most frustrating. Not to worry.

Car Care One will provide basic roadside assistance if you need help while on Disney property.

Do a quick search for Car Care in My Disney Experience or call (407) 824-0976.

They are available until one hour after park closing. If you need help after that reach out to Disney’s Security for assistance.

6) I can’t find my car

If you are parking at one of the massive theme park parking lots it’s a good idea to snap a picture of the row where you parked.

You won’t remember it later.

Let’s say you didn’t snap that pic and don’t remember where you parked. Told ya. Head back to where the tram dropped you off and find a cast member. Let them know approximately what time you arrived and parked your car.

Parking lot cast members keep a detailed log of when a row fills up and based on when you arrived they will be able to point you in the right direction.

7) I lost my Magic Band

Go to Guest Relations to have your Magic Band deactivated. In most cases, a replacement can be issued.

If you are on a meal plan or have charging privileges on your Magic Band you should go immediately to My Disney Experience and deactivate your Magic Band.

You don’t want any surprises.

8) I lost my phone, backpack, etc.

Go to Guest Relations for Lost and Found. You can go through My Disney Experience to get a search started for your lost items, but if it’s urgent I would recommend going to Guest Relations first.

Having some experience with this recently, I was amazed at how quickly my lost property found its way to Lost and Found.

A backpack with money in it. A cell phone.

I didn’t expect to get EVERYTHING back in a matter of a few minutes.

9) I have a headache, tummyache, blister, etc.

Check your guide map for the location of a First Aid station. Here you will find a nurse who will tend to your woes. If you need aspirins, bandaids, antacids, you will find them here. It’s also a place to cool off if you are feeling puny because of the heat.

10) My phone is dead

There are a number of charging stations throughout all of the parks where you can plug-in for free. You can also take your phone (with the charging cable) to Guest Relations and they will charge your phone for you. They will give you a claim ticket and you can come back at a later time to pick it up.

Do this only if you can bear to be away from your phone for any length of time.

FuelRods portable charging batteries are being sold at FuelRod kiosks in all 4 Disney theme parks, Disney Springs, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The kit costs $30.00 and includes cables. This may change, but for now, you can swap out a dead battery for a new one at the FuelRod kiosk at no charge.

Another option is to keep a portable cell phone charger in your backpack and avoid this situation altogether.

Let’s face it, no matter how much planning went into your trip, things happen. Don’t let minor problems at Disney ruin the vacation you’ve worked so hard for.

All of the cast members you encounter, whether it’s in a restaurant, an attraction or at Guest Relations are 100% committed to you having a good time.

You’d be surprised at what they are ready, willing, and able to do.

Ask for help if you are encountering problems at Disney World. Cast members are trained and empowered to offer solutions.