Jenna SaxtonAre you planning your first trip to Disney World and feeling overwhelmed with all the information out there? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With so much to see and do, it’s easy to get lost in it all. We’re here to help you navigate your first time at Disney World and make the most out of your experience.
We’ve been to Disney World hundreds of times and, not only have we figured out how to plan the best vacation, but we’ve also made some big mistakes that are easy to avoid with some planning. From creating a first time Disney World itinerary, to mastering Disney’s confusing technology, and more we’re bringing you 22 insider tips that will help you feel less like a first-timer and more like a Disney pro!
Plan your trip 6-12 months in advance
Let’s start with the basics – how much time do you need to plan a Disney World vacation? We recommend starting the planning 6 to 12 months in advance. This will give you enough time to research and make informed decisions about your trip, as well as secure the hotel, tickets, and dining reservations that you prefer. With four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, over 200 restaurants, and more, there’s a lot of information to sift through, so the more time you have to plan, the better!
Consider Staying at a Disney World Resort Hotel
When planning your first trip to Disney World, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to stay. While there are many hotels and resorts in the Orlando area, we recommend considering staying at a Disney World Resort hotel if it’s your first time.
Disney World Resort hotels immerse you in all things Disney and offer a variety of benefits that make your trip more seamless including more time in the parks, free theme park transportation, discounted MagicBands, early access to dining reservations and special event tickets, and more.
Currently, there are over 25 Disney World hotels at varying price points and themes, so be sure you give yourself some time to learn about them all before making your reservation.
Check for discounts before you book
A Disney World vacation is pricey…but it doesn’t have to be! Before booking your first trip to Disney World, it’s important to check for discounts that can help you save money. Disney regularly releases special offers and discounts that can help you save hundreds of dollars on your Disney World vacation. You can find them all on Disney’s website and be sure to check other third-party ticket vendors to see if you can find a better deal.
You Don’t Need to Rent a Car to Get Around
If you’re planning your first trip to Disney World, you might be wondering if you need to rent a car to get around. The answer is no, you don’t…and you probably shouldn’t! Disney World is designed to be easy to get around without a car, especially if you’re staying at a Disney hotel.
If you’re flying into the Orlando International Airport, you can get to your hotel by booking a shuttle service or using a ride-share service. Once you’re at your Disney World hotel, you can hop on complimentary transportation to all four theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs!
Make park pass reservations early (if you have to!)
If you’re planning to visit Disney World for the first time, it’s important to know whether you need to make park pass reservations in addition to purchasing park tickets. As of January 2024, you do NOT need to make a park pass reservation if you have purchased a date-based theme park ticket. However, Disney World Annual Passholders and guests with non-date-based tickets DO still need to make a park pass reservation online before arriving at the park.
To make a park pass reservation, you’ll need to have a valid theme park ticket or annual pass. You can make your reservation online through the Disney Park Pass system. It’s important to make your reservation as early as possible, especially if you have a specific date or park in mind.
Consider adding the Disney Dining Plan
If you’re planning to visit Disney World for the first time, you may be wondering how you’ll manage to eat while you’re there. After all, there are so many restaurants to choose from, and the prices can add up quickly. That’s why you should consider adding the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package.
The Disney Dining Plan is a prepaid meal plan that allows you to enjoy a variety of dining experiences at Disney World without having to pay while you’re there. With the plan, you’ll receive a set number of meal credits per day, which you can use at select restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.
It is important to note that the Disney Dining Plan isn’t necessarily a way to save money on food in the parks, but it’s a way to make dining in Disney World more convenient and easy for your family.
Stay on top of dining reservations
One of the most important things you need to do when planning your first visit to Disney World is stay on top of dining reservations. Disney World is known for its amazing dining experiences, and many of the most popular restaurants book up months in advance.
To ensure that you get the dining experiences you want, it’s crucial to make your reservations as early as possible. You can make reservations up to 60 days in advance, and it’s a good idea to do so as soon as your booking window opens. You can make your reservation by visiting Disney’s website, calling their dining reservation line, or using the My Disney Experience app.
If you’re unable to get the reservations you want 60 days in advance, don’t stress! We recommend that you check back frequently leading up to your trip (and even during your trip), as people are constantly changing and canceling reservations.
Don’t overschedule yourself
When planning your first-time Disney World itinerary, it’s important to remember that you can’t do everything in one trip. It’s better to focus on quality experiences rather than trying to cram in too many activities, as overscheduling yourself can lead to exhaustion and disappointment.
Be realistic about wait times and crowd levels, only book one table-service restaurant reservation a day, and consider adding one day to the end of your trip to give you some extra park or pool time!
Let your family pick their top 5 must-dos
One of the best ways to avoid overscheduling yourself while still ensuring that everyone in your family has the best experience is to write out a must-do list. Sit down before your trip and let each family member pick five things that they don’t want to miss out on. Then, you have a starting point for making your itinerary and everyone ends the trip knowing that they got to experience the most important things to them even if it’s not everything.
Familiarize yourself with the My Disney Experience app
The My Disney Experience app has become one of the most essential things to have within arms reach at all times during a Disney World vacation. With the My Disney Experience app, you can:
- Book your tickets and park reservations
- View wait times for attractions
- Make dining reservations
- Find character experiences
- Navigate the parks with interactive maps
- Mobile order food at select restaurants
- And much more!
To get the most out of the app, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with it before your trip. Download it before you even set foot in Disney World and take some time to explore the different features and options available, and make sure you know how to use them.
Don’t Forget Your Disney World First Timer Button
As a first-time visitor to Disney World, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to wear the “1st Visit” button. It’s a great way to celebrate your first visit and lets Cast Members know that it’s your first time. The button is free and you can pick it up at the Guest Relations locations in the parks or at the front desk of your Disney World Resort hotel.
Wearing the button is a fun way to interact with Cast Members and you may even receive special treatment or even some surprises throughout your visit when you’re wearing it!
Get to the Parks Early
To make the most of your day at Disney World, it’s important to get to the parks early. By getting there right when the park opens, you can avoid the crowds and long lines that form later in the day. Plus, you’ll have more time to explore the parks and enjoy the attractions.
Currently, Disney World Resort guests have access to early theme park entry, which allows you to enter any of the four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios) 30 minutes before the parks open for the day. This gives you a head start on the day and can make a huge difference in how much you get to do during your trip.
Be prepared to walk…A LOT
When visiting Disney World for the first time, one thing you should be prepared for is a lot of walking. Disney World is huge, and it’s not uncommon to walk several miles each day regardless of which park you choose to visit.
Your shoes are perhaps the most important thing you’ll wear during your trip so we recommend that you avoid wearing brand-new shoes or sandals that haven’t been broken in yet, as they may cause discomfort and pain. It’s also a good idea to wear socks that will help keep your feet dry and prevent blisters. You may also want to start walking more in your daily routine leading up to your vacation to prepare for the demands on your body.
Know How to Minimize the Time You Wait in Lines
When visiting Disney World, waiting in line is inevitable. However, there are ways to minimize the time you spend in line. For example, consider planning your trip for a time of year when there are fewer crowds, opt for the single-rider lines where they’re offered, or plan to get to the parks bright and early to start your day with a ride.
You can also purchase the new Disney Genie+ service or Individual Attraction Selections which allow you to skip the line at select attractions throughout all four theme parks for an additional price on top of your theme park ticket. Keep in mind that these two services are similar to Disney’s former FastPass+ service, though they are completely new and require some additional research on how to get the most out of your money before you get to the parks.
Traveling with small kids? Use rider switch!
If you’re traveling to Disney World with small kids, you might be worried about how to enjoy the bigger attractions while keeping your little ones entertained if they’re not tall enough to ride just yet. Fortunately, Disney offers a service called Rider Switch that allows parents with small children to take turns riding the bigger rides while the other person/people waits with the child.
Here’s how it works: one parent waits in line and rides the attraction while the other parent waits with the child. When the first parent is finished riding, they switch with the second parent, allowing them to skip the line and ride the attraction without waiting in the regular queue.
To use Rider Switch, simply go to the attraction’s entrance and let the Cast Member know that you’d like to use the service. They’ll provide you with directions and get you to the designated waiting area.
Mobile order food when you can
One of the best ways to save time and avoid long lines for food is to Mobile Order! This feature allows you to order food and drinks from select quick-service restaurants and snack stands using the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone.
To use Mobile Order, simply select the restaurant or snack stand you want to order from, choose your items, customize your order, and pay using a credit card or Disney dining plan credits. Then, when you arrive at the restaurant or snack stand, use the app to let them know you’re there. Your order will be prepared and ready for you to pick up without having to wait in line.
Using Mobile Order can save you a significant amount of time, especially during peak dining hours. You can also use it to order food in advance, allowing you to plan your meals and avoid long lines.
Find your favorite characters in the parks
One of the most exciting parts of visiting Disney World is meeting your favorite characters. Whether it’s Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, or Buzz Lightyear, there are plenty of opportunities to meet and interact with your beloved Disney characters. And, you don’t have to spend time searching for them! The My Disney Experience app has all of the current character meet-and-greet locations along with their meeting times and current wait times.
Be sure that you don’t miss any of the parades and cavalcades too, as this is another fun way to say hi to Disney characters in the parks!
Take advantage of Disney PhotoPass
Photos are one of the best ways to remember a vacation, and Disney makes it easy to capture all your memories with Disney PhotoPass. With multiple photographers stationed throughout the parks (and even the resorts!), you can pose in front of the most iconic areas in Disney World knowing that your entire family is in the photo (including you, mom!).
While the Disney PhotoPass photographers do take your picture for free, it is important to note that you will need to purchase a Memory Maker package or individual images to have access to them after your trip. If you’d prefer not to spend any extra money on photos, we recommend asking the photographer to also snap a few pictures on your phone or personal camera – they’re usually happy to do this!
Don’t skip Disney Springs
While Disney World is best known for its four theme parks, there’s another Disney-themed spot that you don’t want to miss – Disney Springs! This massive shopping and dining complex features some of the best restaurants and stores across Walt Disney World Resort including the largest Disney store in the world. And, the best part? It’s totally free to visit! Just hop on Disney transportation or park in any of the free parking garages to see what it has to offer.
Pack a portable phone charger
Between constantly using the My Disney Experience app, communicating with your family, and snapping photos, you’ll likely find that your phone battery runs out of charge faster than you expect. We recommend packing a portable phone charger so that you don’t end up having to go without one of the most important accessories you have with you – your phone!
Be prepared for all kinds of weather
Central Florida weather can be…unpredictable. While Florida is known for its heat and humidity during the summer months, it can get cold in the winter (especially in the mornings and evenings), and there’s a good chance that you might see a thunderstorm that came out of seemingly nowhere.
To be prepared, check the weather leading up to your trip and be sure that you have a poncho, rain jacket, or umbrella with you just in case. If you’re visiting during the summer months, we recommend packing a few extra outfits in case you need to change mid-day, and don’t forget a jacket if you’re visiting in the winter months.
Most importantly…be flexible!
No matter how much you try, things may not always go as planned during your trip – and, that’s okay! While it’s important to have an itinerary and a general idea of what you want to do, it’s equally important to be flexible and open to changes.
We recommend having an idea of the things you want to accomplish each day of your trip and leaving room for changes and detours. You might find that you’d much prefer a Mickey Pretzel over a quick-service restaurant. Or, you might find that lines for rides are longer than anticipated so you can’t get to everything you originally planned. Or, you might run into Peter Pan in Fantasyland and decide that letting your kiddo run around with him is more fun than getting to the next show. Disney World is full of surprises, so go with the flow and allow yourself to enjoy them!
Comments
What are some of the lessons you’ve learned from visiting Disney World? Have you ever received any bad first-timer advice? Let us know in the comments!
