Six Quick Tips For First Timers at Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world! If you’ve never had the chance to visit The Most Magical Place On Earth, you’re going to want to plan ahead when you do get a chance to go. As an avid Disney-goer, I’m here to share my top tips for making the most of your first trip to Walt Disney World!
6. Download the My Disney Experience app.
The My Disney Experience app will be your best friend on your trip to Walt Disney World! Tasks like checking your dining reservations, looking up wait times for attractions, and finding your way around the parks are all possible with this one helpful tool. Recently Disney has added even more features like in-app ordering for food! Needing a map or itinerary in the parks is a thing of the past, this app covers it all. You can learn more about the app and download it here.
Pro Tip: Download your My Disney Experience app a few weeks before your trip and take the time to get familiar with it. It will save you a lot of time and stress when you do make it to the parks!
5. Comfort is Key When Dressing for Disney.
Did you know Walt Disney World guests will walk an average of ten miles per day while visiting the parks? With all that walking, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must! Aside from great shoes, you’ll want to dress for any type of weather. While Orlando has warm and sunny weather most of the year, they may experience chillier temperatures a few times throughout the year! It can never hurt to pack an extra pair of jeans or shorts just in case the weather doesn’t match up with the forecast.
Pro Tip: Prepare for rain. Instead of being caught purchasing an overpriced poncho in the middle of a downpour, buy these before your trip! You’ll save a some money and if you pack them then you probably won’t need them, amiright? Check out my other Park Bag Essentials here.
4. Take Advantage of Advanced Planning.
Disney allows you to plan different aspects of your trip as your vacation countdown continues! You can book Dining Reservations up to 180 days in advance. Using a Dining Plan? I’ve got tips to make the most of your Dining Plan here! Your Fastpass+ Reservations can be selected 60 days in advance if you have a Disney resort reservation and 30 days in advance if you’re staying off grounds on your trip. Booking your dining and Fastpass+ reservations as early out as possible can help you to snag the more exciting choices! If you’re looking for Fastpass+ suggestions for Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, I’ve got you covered!
Pro Tip: Keep tabs on your current Disney countdown to avoid missing these important windows of time! You’ll be so much happier knowing you got that character dining reservation locked in instead of having to check back for cancellations and a chance to get one.
3. Let Disney Know You’re Celebrating.
There’s always something to celebrate when you’re visiting Disney! Whether it’s your first time visiting, an engagement, an anniversary, or a birthday, they’ve got buttons for everything. Disney loves to celebrate with you, so don’t be shy. Grab yourself a button at a Guest Relations desk and show it off! (Not to mention that these buttons also make pretty great souvenirs!) We had a cool experience happen for my brother’s birthday in Epcot last year. Learn all about it here!
Pro Tip: Make sure your celebration button is visible. You never know when a little extra Disney magic might happen!
2. An Early Start Will Make Your Day.
The early bird gets the worm, and a day at Disney is no exception to this saying! Rope Drop is one of my favorite Disney Park hacks and I cannot suggest it enough. Didn’t book a Fastpass+ reservation for a top ride? No worries, head there for rope drop! Not only will you have a chance to ride more popular attractions with little to no line, but the park will also be the emptiest and less chaotic in the first few hours. My guide to all things Rope Drop and my suggestions for Rope Drop attractions are right here!
Pro Tip: Looking for even lighter crowds? If you’re staying on grounds, you can take advantage of extra magic hours! Plan to make it to the park for rope drop on extra magic hour days for the lightest crowds.
1. Buy Memory Maker for your Vacation.
This is probably my favorite tip for any trip to Walt Disney World. On your vacation you’re going to make lots of memories, so you’ll want to keep every single shot! With Memory Maker you get access to all of your trip photos whether they are group shots, ride photos, or character meet and greets. You can even view these photos almost instantly on the My Disney Experience app! Feel free to download your favorites and share them on Facebook immediately. Disney does a great job of capturing a lot of pictures, so don’t be afraid to ask for more if you’ve got ideas! You can check out my favorite tips for Memory Maker here.
Pro Tip: Order Memory Maker in advance! By ordering it early, you’ll only pay $169 versus ordering it on your trip for $199.
Congratulations on booking your trip to my happy place! Walt Disney World is a blast for kids of all ages, just like Walt Disney always planned. With these tips your trip will have some pretty smooth sailing! If you’re looking for even more Disney Tips to help you plan, feel free to check out my other posts here.
What Time Of Year Would You Love To Visit Disney?
Comments are closed.
Kaiesha Stewart
January 16, 2018 at 10:40 amI visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom last month, it was so good but I completely underestimated how big it was! Nonetheless it was an amazing experience and the fireworks on the evening were absolutely magical!
http://www.kaieshastewart.com
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:05 pmOh yes, they bring me to tears!
thesophiadiaries
January 16, 2018 at 1:30 pmnever heard of memory maker before haha but seriously, the disney app was a lifesaver when i went to disneyland xD i gotta go to disneyworld xD
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:05 pmMemory Maker is only in Walt Disney World right now, but hopefully it will make it’s way to Disneyland someday!
Ruthie Ridley
January 16, 2018 at 1:50 pmOh wow!! SO many things I wish I knew before we went the first time!! Thank you for the tips!!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:04 pmThat’s okay! Just keep them in mind for next time!
Michelle Williams
January 16, 2018 at 2:10 pmNow I am definitely wishing I could be at Disney World! Miss it!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:04 pmYou and me both sista!
Adriana
January 16, 2018 at 2:20 pmCould not agree more with these tips! Disney is just the best!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:04 pmCould not agree more that Disney is the best!
Danielle Randall
January 16, 2018 at 5:28 pmBeing at Disney can be a little overwhelming and intimating since there is so much to do…great planning definitely helps offset these feelings.
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:04 pmYes! It can be overwhelming, but planning ahead makes all the difference in my opinion!
Emily | honeybeejoyous.com
January 16, 2018 at 9:07 pmThese are all such great tips! I’m always shocked when I see people walking around the parks in heels because even in sandals or sneakers my feet are dead by the end of the day. And we always get ponchos at the dollar store before we go down! You can usually get 2 for $1 and as long as you’re careful when you’re taking them on and off, they can last quite a while! I think I’ve been using the same fifty cent poncho for the last 5 years.
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:01 pmYes girl! I usually wear target’s version of keds because I like the little pop of color with my park outfits, but sometimes after all the walking during the week I have to switch to sneakers!
My mom always packs ponchos just in case, but luckily we’ve never had to use them! We usually just try to find sometime indoors to do until the showers pass. We got stuck in a HUGE rain storm at Universal once and our whole party HAD to buy over priced ponchos because it was nonstop! I’d never wanna be in that situation ever again so I always try to come prepared lol
Emily | honeybeejoyous.com
January 19, 2018 at 7:50 pmWe’ve gone during tropical storms a few times before and ponchos are definitely a must!
Jenny
January 16, 2018 at 9:24 pmI haven’t been in so long and am dying to go back. These are excellent tips.
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 5:03 pmThanks Jenny! I hope you make it back there soon!
Nichole
January 16, 2018 at 9:55 pmThanks for sharing! I’d love to go back to Disney world sometime soon!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:59 pmI hope you make it over there girlie!
Azanique
January 16, 2018 at 11:02 pmi have never been to Disney but every time I read your posts it makes me want to get in my car and go! I would love to celebrate Christmas in Disney one year.
-xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:59 pmWell I hope one of these days you plan that trip girl! It’s such a fun way to vacation in my opinion!
Deborah
January 17, 2018 at 9:39 amThese are great tips! The last time I went to Disney World was when I was 15 so I could definitely stand to go back! :]
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:59 pmOh yes Deborah! A lot has changed even just in the past few years!
Kasey Holloway
January 17, 2018 at 11:37 amI totally agree with all of these tips! Everyone I hear that says they didn’t enjoy Disney were just not prepared, so they kind of just wandered around on vacation! I think planning your trip there more than you would anywhere else, makes it so much more enjoyable!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:58 pmAgreed Kasey! I was lucky enough to grow up visiting every year, but some people only go once or twice in there life! If I can make that trip any more magical through tips like these then I’m so happy to!
Chelsea Pearl
January 17, 2018 at 12:33 pmSo smart to dress comfortably and practically! That’s always a must when I go to Disney.
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:57 pmYes girl! I do like to do some outfit changes occasionally though!
Cameron
January 17, 2018 at 12:41 pmThese are such great tips! It’s been forever since I’ve last been, but hopefully I’ll be able to make it again soon!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:57 pmYes Cameron! You’ve gotta go, it’s not too far away from Louisiana. Just a 1.5 hour flight or a 10 hour drive!
Holly Lynn Galvan
January 17, 2018 at 1:44 pmI wish I would’ve read this before I went to Disney. I will have to keep these in mind for my next trip.
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:56 pmThere’s always next time! I hope these help!
Nicholle Demag
January 17, 2018 at 7:26 pmI want to go back to Disney this spring! So much fun!
-Nicholle
http://www.nichollesophia.com
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:56 pmSpring is SUCH a fun time to go! Flower and Garden Festival takes place then, and it’s a blast.
Ashley Vickney
January 17, 2018 at 7:39 pmThese are great tips, we’ve been talking about going to Disney soon! I haven’t been since I was 12!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:55 pmGirl! It’s time to go then! If you have any questions or anything, hit me up! I love to talk Disney.
Monica Toren
January 18, 2018 at 12:08 pmI totally agree that you should get Memory Maker beforehand. The last time I went, we assumed we didn’t need it, since we’d just take photos on our phones. But after seeing the incredible photos that the cast members took, plus the videos from the rides and the bonus photos for each park, we broke down and spent the extra $30. On my next trip, I’ll definitely be getting my Memory Maker early!
http://www.monicatoren.com/daydreaming-of-disney
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:55 pmOh my gosh Memory Maker is the BEST! It’s a must for any trip, but especially someone’s first time at WDW. I’m so happy that it comes included with the AP now so I will have the service until I stop renewing my pass!
Tara Liston Fuller
January 18, 2018 at 12:15 pmI had no idea there was a rapunzel tower!!
Kaitlyn Fickle Killebrew
January 19, 2018 at 4:52 pmYes, I wish we were able to go inside and visit though!
Dara @ The Southern Thing
January 24, 2018 at 1:49 pmGreat tips! I’ve been to Disney several times, but I’ve never been the one in control of planning the trip, so this was a helpful read for the future!
Carly Ned
January 29, 2018 at 11:15 amDying to go back to Disney again! These are excellent tips.