A Disney trip is commonly a splurge, and in case you are planning a household trip to Walt Disney World, there are some issues that you must know. Whereas I’ve numerous in-depth tips about this website, it may be overwhelming to Disney World first-timers. To make it simpler for first-time guests to Walt Disney World, I created this put up with ideas for first-time Disney visitors as a place to begin – though these Disney ideas are nice for any visitor.
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks, and buying and/or clicking on among the hyperlinks on this put up (together with on the map) could lead to a fee paid to us at no extra price to you. I’m a previous member of the planDisney panel and have gone on some complimentary press journeys up to now. All opinions are my very own.
Get monetary savings in your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by reserving by way of Get Away At the moment. They provide trip packages in addition to particular person ticket gross sales. A Disney journey agent doesn’t cost visitors an additional fee and may help you discover offers.
8 Completely Important Disney World Ideas for First Timers
You possibly can’t simply wing it on the subject of planning a Walt Disney World trip
You possibly can attempt to go together with no plans (or last-minute plans), however you’ll in all probability be disenchanted, particularly for a primary journey. To finest take pleasure in your Walt Disney World trip, I’d undoubtedly advocate performing some analysis effectively upfront (a minimum of 6 months upfront).
Decide up a guidebook, ask some questions of pals, research blogs (like this one), and ask questions on the planDisney Panel (the place I used to be a panelist).
For our very first Walt Disney World trip as a household, I did a mix of this stuff. I talked to pals with children that have been the identical age as mine, in addition to folks on message boards. Guidebooks and blogs have been additionally an enormous assist. Understand that issues change ceaselessly so that you’ll need to be certain the knowledge that you’ve is probably the most present.
One factor you will discover with Disney World is that there isn’t any lack of assets. As well as, most individuals who ceaselessly go to love speaking in regards to the 4 theme parks, two water parks, eating places, and resorts, so that you’ll get numerous info to assist if you would like it. Do not forget that everybody’s expertise is completely different, and it’s all the time good to get a number of opinions.
At present, you’ll must have a park reservation to enter a park every day along with park tickets. You’ll need to do this as early as potential so that you don’t miss out. When you’ve got a park hopper possibility in your ticket, you solely want the reservation for the primary park after which can hop, primarily based on availability, at 2pm (which can be completely different by day).
As well as, it’s possible you’ll be questioning when is one of the best time to take a Walt Disney World trip. Undercover Vacationer affords a crowd calendar that may be useful in determining a very good time to have your first go to to the Walt Disney World resort in case you are hoping to keep away from the biggest crowds.
Staying on Walt Disney World property is often the best
There are many motels, visitor properties, motels, and resorts within the higher Orlando space. But it surely’s typically a lot simpler to remain on Disney property, particularly for a first-time go to.
Comfort is unquestionably one of many massive advantages, however there are others. As well as, it’s simple to make use of Disney transportation to get round (that is free transportation, so that you gained’t must lease a automotive till you need to). The Disney Resorts are closely themed, so staying there provides to your trip.
Disney resort visitors can also reap the benefits of early theme park entry. You’ll be capable to enter the parks half-hour earlier than exterior visitors. It’s an effective way to keep away from lengthy strains for the preferred sights. These touring with younger youngsters could need to reap the benefits of “rope drop” (when the park opens and issues are much less crowded).
If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, there are Prolonged Night Theme Park Hours for very restricted days. These night hours might be an effective way to expertise the sights with fewer crowds, however younger youngsters could discover it to be too late. It may be a really full day except you return to your resort room for a break in between.
Make Advance Eating Reservations effectively upfront
Do you know that you would be able to (and may) make advance eating reservations for Disney desk service eating places upfront? Whereas it may be troublesome to consider when and the place you need to eat effectively earlier than your trip, it’s vital when you’ve got particular locations you need to go to.
Reservations for the preferred locations (particularly the princess character meals and Be Our Visitor) do guide up VERY early. If you’re touring over a busy time, it’s particularly vital. Make these reservations after which plan round them.
You don’t want reservations for fast service areas, so these are an important possibility if you aren’t precisely positive which park you’ll be in. It can save you time by cell ordering by way of the app when you find yourself able to eat.
Make a Plan for Your Days
Whereas there isn’t any longer a have to make FastPass+ reservations upfront, you’ll nonetheless need to set up a plan in your days. Genie+, the substitute for FastPass+, is a paid program that you would be able to buy on the day of your go to.
Genie+ lets you undergo the lightning lane which is usually a a lot shorter wait time. Particular person Lightning Lane is a separate paid program that’s provided for the preferred rides at a further cost.
Having a fundamental plan is a good suggestion to maximise your day, no matter whether or not or not you buy the improve. The free Disney Genie program on the app may help you do this. Set your preferences and it’ll inform you one of the best time to go to every attraction.
In the event you don’t use Genie+ or particular person lightning lane, some rides supply a single-rider line. This may be an effective way to avoid wasting time however understand that you can be cut up up and gained’t be capable to journey with them.
All 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are price a go to with children
Typically first-timers to Walt Disney World assume it’s not price going to all the parks. EPCOT, particularly, has a popularity as being a extra “grownup” themed park. However my children love all 4 parks and we all the time attempt to go to all of them.
The easiest way to go to all 4 of the theme parks is to buy the park hopper possibility in your Disney park tickets. That approach, you’ll be capable to go to multiple park per day (at present after 2 pm on the day of your go to).
Throughout our household holidays, we all the time go to two parks per day. When the youngsters have been youthful, we took a break round lunchtime after which went to a second park later within the afternoon.
You can be doing a LOT of strolling throughout your Walt Disney World household trip
As an example, it’s 1.2 miles from one finish of the World Showcase in EPCOT to the opposite aspect. Convey snug strolling sneakers and put on them. Just remember to’ve already damaged into these sneakers earlier than your trip. You gained’t need to be breaking them in throughout your trip.
If you’re visiting with younger children, it’s possible you’ll discover that you just’ll want a stroller, even when your children don’t often use one. Fortunately, leases can be found on the parks when you don’t convey yours alongside. Understand that you gained’t be capable to convey these again to your resort room, so when you want a stroller on the resort, convey your individual.
There are many character experiences on the Disney Parks
You can also make advance eating reservations for character meals and get a Genie+ for character meet and greets, however you’ll additionally discover characters all through the parks. Examine your Occasions Information or the My Disney Expertise app every day for specifics. Younger children particularly will love getting autographs from the characters.
If there’s a personality that you just completely need to meet, it’s a good suggestion to make use of Genie+ or make a personality eating reservation at a spot the place you possibly can see the character. Traces can generally be lengthy.
You possibly can’t do all of it at Walt Disney World
You possibly can attempt, but it surely’s almost not possible to do every little thing in a single journey, 5 journeys, and even ten journeys. Do your analysis, make your reservations, after which have enjoyable!
I all the time advocate that you just save a while to spend at your Disney resort and at Disney Springs. You don’t all the time must be operating across the theme parks to have enjoyable.
If you’re touring with children who’re a bit older, it is best to embrace them in any discussions about advance eating reservations and journey plans. It’s a good suggestion to have buy-in from the entire household when planning a trip with teenagers and tweens. That approach, nobody is disenchanted with the plans as soon as you might be on property.
Are you in search of extra particular ideas for planning your trip? Right here’s a assortment of all of my Disney ideas.
If you will Walt Disney World, I like to recommend the next motels. Be aware that I’ve stayed in a few of these resorts as a part of press journeys, however all opinions are my very own.
You too can discover lodging choices on this map (affiliate hyperlinks).
It’s turn out to be tougher to try this. You’ll a minimum of want a park reservation, ideally upfront. Whereas some could also be obtainable on the day of your go to, you gained’t need to danger it.
It’s as much as you, however it may be simpler to remain on Walt Disney World property.
We love all 4 parks, and advocate visiting all of them!
Sometimes, you’ll discover that they’re probably the most busy throughout college holidays and holidays. They will also be busy throughout particular occasions, just like the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend.
