I recently went on a family vacation to Disney World. It was definitely a lot of fun, but we did face many challenges that could have prevented us from having a good time. There are quite a few things that can go wrong when you go to an amusement park, especially one so crowded like Disney World. I'm here to give you my ultimate guide to avoid these potential struggles to make your trip as magical as possible.

1. Get fast passes

I waited 3 hours for Disney's Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride which was definitely not worth waiting that long for. I didn't eat much before, the ride had technical difficulties, and I was very hangry. It's never fun waiting so long for a ride, because ultimately, you have higher expectations for the ride, and those are never really met, because it is hard to justify waiting three hours for any ride. Therefore, if you don't want to spend half your day waiting in ridiculous lines, get fast passes. Plan where you'll go (which rides and which park) and make sure you get fast passes for the rides you really want to go on so it's worth it. Although it's annoying to have to plan all of it, it'll definitely let you see more of Disney World because you won't be spending the whole time waiting.

2. Wear loose clothing

June is very hot and humid in Florida. Don't make the mistake I did of wearing a tight-fitting t-shirt dress because you will feel and look like you're sweating more than everyone else. Wear loose shorts, a loose tank (try to avoid t-shirts), or even a loose, flowy dress. Flowy clothing is the best thing to wear when you are roaming through Disney because it will be very hot.

3. Take the free water

As you enter the parking lot, there will be workers handing out free water bottles - take them! Don't even second guess it. Trust me, you will be dehydrated and no one wants to pay for overpriced water.

4. Get the "My Disney Experience" app

This app was a lifesaver! You can easily make dinner reservations and check wait times/statuses for certain attractions. Checking the app will ensure that you don't walk across the entire park to a ride with a 3-hour wait (unless you want to wait that long), or to find out that the ride is shut down. Always check beforehand.

5. Stay late

For most parks, the earlier you get there, the less waiting you have to do for rides. However, Disney is a whole different story. Due to the fact that the majority of the people there are families with young children, most of them seem to arrive when the park first opens. If you don't want to get up at the break of dawn, plan on staying late before the parks close. The wait times are much shorter because they are past most of the kid's bedtimes. The parks are emptier and it's a great atmosphere. I definitely recommend going to Disney's Animal Kingdom at night time because the park has beautiful string lights, and the new Pandora Island (from Avatar) glows in the dark.

6. Bring a fan/mister

It is hot there in June. It is a Florida summer after all. Investing in a small fan with a water-mister will keep you much cooler in the hot sun as you walk through the park or wait in lines.

7. Mobile food ordering

As I previously mentioned, downloading the My Disney Experience app is a great idea. One of its features is mobile food ordering. One day at the park, there was a ridiculously long line for food. I ordered through my phone and was able to skip the line. It felt great and it was really easy.

8. Know what you are looking for

Disney is an interesting place because almost anyone can enjoy it. Whether you are a toddler, a young kid, a tween, a teen, a young adult, a parent or a grandparent, you will most likely find what you love about Disney the most. Know what you are looking for in the experience. If you are a thrill-seeker and a thrill-ride lover, make it clear that you want to ride your favorite rides and make it possible for that to happen. If you are simply there to enjoy Disney, make sure you experience the variety of attractions they have to offer. If you really came for the parades and shows, make sure you get the schedule. Disney can be overwhelming with everything they offer, but if you focus on what is most important for your experience, it will be worth it.

Hopefully these tips helped and have a magical time the next time you visit.