A Disney vacation is often a splurge, and if you are planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World, there are some things you need to know. While I have many in-depth tips on this site, it can be overwhelming for Disney World first-timers.
To make it easier for first-time visitors to Walt Disney World, I created this post with tips for first-time Disney guests as a starting point - although these Disney tips are great for any guest.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and purchasing and/or clicking on some of the links (including on the map) may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. I am a past member of the planDisney panel and have gone on some complimentary press trips. All opinions are my own.
Save money on your Walt Disney World theme park tickets by booking through Get Away Today. They offer vacation packages as well as individual ticket sales. A Disney travel agent doesn't charge guests an extra commission and can help you find deals.
8 Absolutely Essential Disney World Tips for First Timers
You can't just wing it when it comes to planning a Walt Disney World vacation
You can try to go with no plans (or last-minute plans), but you'll probably be disappointed, especially for a first trip. To best enjoy your Walt Disney World vacation, I'd recommend doing some research well in advance (at least 6 months in advance).
Pick up a guidebook, ask some questions of friends, study blogs (like this one), and ask questions on the planDisney Panel (where I was a panelist).
For our very first Walt Disney World vacation as a family, I did a combination of these things. I talked to friends with kids that were the same age as mine, as well as people on message boards.
Guidebooks and blogs were also a huge help. Keep in mind that things change frequently so you'll want to make sure the information that you have is the most current.
One thing you will find with Disney World is that there is no lack of resources. In addition, most people who frequently visit love talking about the four theme parks, two water parks, restaurants, and resorts, so you'll get lots of information to help if you want. Remember that everyone's experience is different, and it's always nice to get multiple opinions.
In addition, you may be wondering when is the best time to take a Walt Disney World vacation. Undercover Tourist offers a crowd calendar that can help figure out a good time to have your first visit to the Walt Disney World resort if you are hoping to avoid the largest crowds.
Staying on Walt Disney World property is usually the easiest
There are lots of hotels, guest homes, motels, and resorts in the greater Orlando area. But staying on Disney property is often much easier, especially for a first-time visit.
Convenience is one of the big benefits, but there are others. In addition, it's easy to use Disney transportation to get around (this is free transportation, so you won't have to rent a car until you want to). The Disney Resorts are heavily themed, so staying there adds to your vacation.
Disney hotel guests also can take advantage of early theme park entry. You'll be able to enter the parks 30 minutes before outside guests.
It's a great way to avoid long lines for the most popular attractions. Those traveling with young children may want to take advantage of "rope drop" (when the park opens and things are less crowded).
Make Advance Dining Reservations well in advance
Did you know that you can (and should) make advance dining reservations for Disney table service restaurants in advance? While it can be challenging to think about when and where you want to eat well before your vacation, it's essential if you have specific places you want to go to.
Reservations for the most popular places (especially the princess character meals and Be Our Guest) book up very early. This is especially important if you are traveling during a busy time. Make those reservations and then plan around them.
Quick service locations do not require reservations, so they are a great option when you aren't sure which park you'll be in. When you are ready to eat, you can save time by mobile ordering through the app.
Make a Plan for Your Days
Lighting Lane Multi-Pass, the replacement for FastPass+, is a paid program you can purchase on the day of your visit. It's an optional program, but you do have to pay extra for it.
Lighting Lane Multi-Pass allows you to go through the lightning lane, which typically has a much shorter wait time. Individual Lightning Lane is a separate paid program offered for the most popular rides at an additional charge.
A basic plan is a good idea to maximize your day, regardless of whether or not you purchase the upgrade.
Some rides offer a single-rider line if you don't use Lighting Lane Multi-Pass or individual lightning lane. This can be a great way to save time, but remember that you will be split up and won't be able to ride with them.
All 4 Walt Disney World theme parks are worth a visit with kids
Often, first-timers to Walt Disney World think it's not worth going to all of the parks. EPCOT, especially, has a reputation as being a more "adult" themed park. But my kids love all four parks and we always try to visit all of them.
The best way to visit all four theme parks is to purchase the park hopper option on your Disney park tickets. That way, you'll be able to see more than one park per day.
During our family vacations, we always visit two parks per day. When the kids were younger, we took a break around lunchtime and then went to a second park later in the afternoon.
You will be doing a LOT of walking during your Walt Disney World family vacation
For instance, it's 1.2 miles from one end of the World Showcase in EPCOT to the other side. Bring comfortable walking shoes and wear them. Make sure that you've already broken into these shoes before your vacation. You won't want to be breaking them in during your vacation.
If you are visiting with young kids, you may find that you'll need a stroller, even if your kids don't usually use one. Luckily, rentals are available at the parks if you don't bring yours along.
Remember that you won't be able to bring these back to your hotel room, so if you need a stroller at the hotel, bring your own. Third-party stroller rentals are also available, but you won't be able to have that at the airport.
There are lots of character experiences at the Disney Parks
You can make advance dining reservations for character meals and get a Lightning Lane reservation for character meet and greets, but you'll also find characters throughout the parks. Check the My Disney Experience app each day for specifics. Young kids especially will love getting autographs from the characters.
If there's a character that you want to meet, it's a good idea to use the Lightning Lane or make a character dining reservation at a place where you can see the character. Lines can sometimes be long.
You can't do it all at Walt Disney World
You can try, but it's nearly impossible to do everything in one five-trip or even ten-trip trip. Do your research, make your reservations, and then have fun!
I always recommend saving time at your Disney hotel and at Disney Springs. You don't always have to be running around the theme parks to have fun.
If you are traveling with kids who are a bit older, you should include them in any discussions about advance dining reservations and ride plans. It's a good idea to have buy-in from the whole family when planning a vacation with teens and tweens. That way, no one is disappointed with the plans once you are on property.
Are you looking for more specific tips for planning your vacation? Here's a collection of all of my Disney tips.
If you are going to Walt Disney World, I recommend the following hotels. Note that I have stayed in some of these resorts as part of press trips, but all opinions are my own.
- Disney’s Beach Club
- Disney Swan and Dolphin
- Disney’s Art of Animation
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Gaylord Palms
- JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
- World Center Marriott
You can also find lodging options on this map (affiliate links).
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