Tips for Planning Your First Disney World Trip

If you’re planning your first trip to Walt Disney World, you’re in for a magical experience. However, navigating the parks can be overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the layout and attractions. With a little bit of planning and some helpful tips, you can make the most out of your visit and create unforgettable memories.

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Before you pack your bags and head to Disney World, let’s look at the key parts of your Disney vacation that you’ll want to plan out. From choosing the right time of year to visit to deciding on resort accommodations and dining options, there are many factors to consider. With a solid plan in place, you can minimize stress and maximize your family’s enjoyment of the parks.

Download this helpful Disney trip planning checklist printable to help you stay organized when planning your first trip!

As a first-time visitor to Disney World, you also may be wondering how to navigate the parks and make the most out of your time there. With so many attractions and experiences to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your visit and ensure that you have a magical time.

First Disney World Visit Planning Highlights

• Plan your Disney trip carefully, taking into account factors such as time of year, accommodations, and dining options.
• Navigate the parks strategically by using FastPass+, arriving early, and taking advantage of extra magic hours.
• Make the most out of your experience by trying new attractions, taking breaks when needed, and enjoying the magic of Disney World.

Planning Your Disney Trip

When planning your first trip to Walt Disney World, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure that you have a magical experience. You’ll first want to pick the time of year that your family will visit, which may depend on school schedules, work schedules, or other obligations.

We have shared some of the best times to consider visiting Walt Disney World on the blog, if you have flexibility in when you can visit. These dates may have lower crowds and lower prices, if you’re looking to maximize your experience in either of those areas.

Here are some additional tips to help you plan your Disney trip:

Choosing the Right Ticket Options

Before you visit Disney World, you need to decide on the right ticket options that suit your needs. Disney offers a variety of ticket options, including single-day tickets, multi-day tickets, and park hopper options. You can also choose to add the Park Hopper Plus option to your ticket, which includes access to water parks, golf courses, and other attractions.

At certain times of year, Disney offers special deals on tickets as well – bundling together different tickets at a lower price.

Accommodation and Disney Resorts

Staying at a Disney resort is a great way to immerse yourself in the magic of Disney World. Disney offers a variety of resorts to fit different budgets and preferences. When choosing a resort, consider factors such as location, amenities, and transportation options.

We have a blog ranking our top Disney World resorts for families, as well as detailed reviews of a number of our favorite resorts.

You’ll want to consider how much time you plan to spend at the resort, how often you’ll plan to use amenities like the pool, and if there is a particular theme park that you would like to be closer to throughout your trip. 

Making Dining Reservations

Disney World is known for its delicious food and dining experiences. To make the most out of your trip, it’s important to make dining reservations in advance. You can make reservations up to 60 days (plus length of your stay) in advance, and it’s recommended to book popular restaurants early.

If you’ll be staying at Disney World for 5 days, your dining window will open up at 65 days prior to your trip. At this time you can make reservations for your entire trip. It’s recommended to make these reservations as early as possible, since many dining experiences can fill up quickly.

Check out some of our favorite character dining for families in our blog dedicated to these special dining experiences. 

Understanding Genie+

Inside the My Disney Experience app, there is a new feature called the Genie service which offers a complimentary tip board for all guests to get suggestions for your day.

Genie+ can be purchased for individual days of your trip, so you can plan to use it only on the days when it will be most beneficial for your group. Also, certain rides offer an Individual Lightning Lane option – that can be purchased without having to purchase the additional Genie + service. 

Individual Lightning Lanes are currently available for:

• TRON Lightcycle/Run – Magic Kingdom
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Avatar Flight of Passage – Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Navigating the Parks

When visiting Walt Disney World for the first time, navigating the parks can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time:

Transportation Tips within Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has several transportation options to help you get around the parks. Walking is a great option for shorter distances, but if you need to go further, consider taking the monorail or bus. 

If you have a park hopper ticket, you can also take advantage of the Disney Skyliner. Make sure to check the transportation schedule and plan accordingly.

When staying at a Disney Resort, all resort options will have bus transportation to get to most locations around Walt Disney World, and some resorts will have additional transportation options like a boat, monorail, or Disney Skyliner to get to specific destinations.

Experiencing the Attractions

Must-See Attractions in Each Theme Park

When visiting Walt Disney World for the first time, it can be overwhelming to decide which attractions to experience first. Each theme park has its own unique set of must-see attractions that you won’t want to miss.

At Magic Kingdom, be sure to ride the classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s a Small World. EPCOT is home to popular rides like Soarin’ and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Animal Kingdom’s top attractions include Avatar Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Lastly, Hollywood Studios has thrilling rides like Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The whole family will be able to find some fun, no matter what rides are their favorites!

Visit our theme park itinerary pages to plan out each of your theme park days for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

Managing Expectations for Wait Times

Long lines are a common sight at Walt Disney World, especially during peak season. It’s important to manage your expectations when it comes to wait times for attractions. You can use the My Disney Experience app to check wait times in real-time and plan accordingly.

We like playing games like “Heads Up!” or using the Disney Parks Play app in line, to help keep everyone entertained! Download these before you leave home so you can learn how to use them!

Character Experiences and Entertainment

Meeting your favorite Disney characters and experiencing live entertainment are must-do activities at Walt Disney World. You can find character meet and greets throughout the parks. Be sure to check the entertainment schedule for parades, fireworks, and other shows.

Additionally, some attractions incorporate characters into the ride experience, such as the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom or the Frozen Ever After ride at EPCOT. These attractions can offer a unique and memorable experience for both kids and adults.

Dining at Disney

When it comes to dining at Walt Disney World, there are plenty of options to choose from. From table service restaurants to quick-service locations, there is something for everyone. Here are some tips to help make the most of your dining experience:

Exploring Dining Options Across the Parks

Each of the four parks at Walt Disney World offers a variety of dining options. Magic Kingdom has classic favorites like Casey’s Corner and the famous Dole Whip at Aloha Isle. And charming character dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle, and with Pooh and friends at Crystal Palace.

EPCOT is known for its international cuisine, with popular spots like the Biergarten Restaurant in Germany and Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in France. 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers unique dining experiences, like the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant and the 50’s Prime Time Café. 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom has options like the Flame Tree Barbecue and the popular Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – The World of Avatar.

We have reviews of some of our favorite picks for food in our Dining section on the blog!

Utilizing Mobile Ordering for Convenience

One of the best ways to save time and avoid long lines is by using mobile ordering. This feature allows you to order food from select quick-service locations using the My Disney Experience app. 

Simply place your order and pay using the app, then pick up your food at a designated window. This can be especially helpful during peak dining times when lines can be long.

Tips for Comfort and Convenience

Packing Essentials for a Day at Disney

When visiting Walt Disney World, it is important to pack the right essentials for a comfortable and enjoyable day. Here are some items you should consider bringing with you:

• Comfortable shoes: You will be doing a lot of walking, so it is important to wear comfortable shoes that you can walk in for long periods of time.
  
• Sunscreen: The Florida sun can be intense, so make sure to pack sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays.
  
• Hat or visor: A hat or visor can provide additional protection from the sun and keep you cool.
  
• Lightweight backpack: A lightweight backpack can hold all of your essentials, such as sunscreen, snacks, and water.
  
• Portable phone charger: You don’t want to run out of battery while taking pictures or using the My Disney Experience app, so bring a portable phone charger to keep your phone charged throughout the day.

Our Disney packing list can help you stay organized on what to bring to the parks! We also have recommendations for what to keep in your theme park bag too!

Get Ready for the Best Disney Day Ever

Your family is in for an incredible family vacation at Walt Disney World, and we want to help you plan for magical moments to make it your best Disney day ever!

You can also use our guides throughout the Moms with Mouse Ears blog to help you make decisions about where to eat, stay, and play! We have ranked our favorite resorts, restaurants, rides, and more!

And if you’re ready to put pen to paper, we have a whole store with planning helpers that you can download and use at home! Let’s get ready for some magic!