Planning a Disney visit? Disney World for first-timers may be overwhelming, these are the best tips every beginner should know.
Visiting the happiest place on earth can be quite challenging, but so magical! If you’re anything like me, you’re doing all the research to make sure you don’t miss a thing. I have visited the parks quite a few times and I always went with a first-timer: my husband, my mom, my cousins, you name it. Now, I am sharing the best beginner tips everyone should know.
You are going to learn the main hacks on food, time-saving and I will even share some freebies you can get! After reading this article you are going to be so ready for your first visit.
This post is all about the best tips for Disney World first-timers.
Best Tips for Disney World First-Timers
1. Reservations
A Disney Visit can be quite pricey, and for some people, it may even be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is why you should always plan ahead and have most things ready for the day of your arrival. Here are the most important reservations you will need:
- Hotel or Apartment
- Park Tickets
- Park Pass
- Dining
Depending on our needs and budget. we may also need a rental car or a special ticketed event reservation.
Let’s talk about your stay. You will need a hotel or an apartment depending on your preference. If you will purchase a package, I recommend an official Disney Agent. They do not charge extra for your trip planning and they are usually Disney savvy. If you just need a hotel reservation, or you’re planning to stay outside of the resort, my top recommendation is Booking. I have used it several times and I will continue using it in the future. It’s the most reliable booking system in my opinion.
Booking.comPark Tickets: never, ever buy them in the ticket window. You can not and should not waste your precious time in that line. You can purchase Disney World Tickets online through the official Disney website or My Disney Experience. That way, you will have them on your phone (or Magic Band) any time you need them. If you want a physical ticket, you can go to the Ticket Center in Disney Springs the day before your first visit to the parks. This will save so much time for you to enjoy your day.
Furthermore, you need to know how many days you need before purchasing the tickets. I personally recommend 2 days per park. But you can do wonders in a day if you plan ahead, so do not worry about this. Do not count as park days your check-in and check-out day. Checking in can take longer than expected, and even getting to the parks can take some time.
Along with your tickets, you will need a Park Pass. This is the new reservation system Disney created post-COVID. You need to let them know through My Disney Experience which park you will visit each day. If you purchased a Park Hopper, you can still use it.
Last but not least are dining reservations. You can make a reservation 60 days before your visit to the park. This is really important, as you may lose the chance to eat in your preferred spot. Do not forget to make a reservation on time. Save the date in your calendar, write it in a post-it, you will thank me in the future.
2. My Disney Experience
This is your Disney account. It’s basically the brains for your visit. It contains your park tickets, your dining reservations, your Park Pass, and so much more. I recommend creating an account ASAP, downloading the app, and checking it daily. Look at the map, check the wait times, find your favorite attractions or your must-haves, do it now. It also has DIsney Genie and DIsney Genie+, I will let you know everything about them in a future post.
3. Packing and Clothing
We all want a nice pic for the gram, but when it comes to picking your day outfit, always wear comfy shoes and fresh clothes. You will walk for miles. I recommend bringing your own rain ponchos as they can be quite pricey at the parks. Do not forget your caps, headbands and any accessory you may need.
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Buy Now From Amazon4. Food and Water
If you have read my previous posts, you should know my #1 tip for water: DO NOT BUY IT inside the parks. You can ask for water free of charge at every quick service location, or you can bring your own bottle (or bottles). You can order a water pack for a very low price from Garden Grocer if you’re staying inside Walt Disney World Resort. Or you can even buy them at your closest Wal-Mart or Target.
For food tips, I recommend going through The Best Disney Food Tips.
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5. Time is Money
Do not underestimate the time it will take you to get anywhere. The parks are HUGE, especially Epcot. Getting anywhere inside the same park could take as long as 30 minutes. If you have a reservation, plan around it considering the walking distance.
Be there at rope-drop. Rope drop is the opening time every park has. Many people tend to sleep in, so the parks are less crowded during the morning. Right before closing time, the parks will also have fewer people. Make use of Early Theme Park Entry if available.
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If your family group includes kids, use Rider Switch when available. This will prevent you from standing in line twice, and save lots of minutes. You can request it at the entrance of applicable attractions.
6. First Aid
Let’s hope you don’t need to use them, but every park has its own First Aid Station (they can provide band-aids too!). Check out My Disney Experience app to see where the closest one is.
Also related, there is a Baby Care Center in each park. There, you will find a quiet place for breastfeeding, air conditioning, and no loud sound so your little ones can nap. You will also have diapers, formula, and baby essentials available for purchase.
7. Best Months for Your Visit
These depend on your preference. My favorite ones: May and September. Why? The weather is not so extreme, kids are in school and they tend to be less crowded. September is my top month for two reasons:
- You can attend Halloween events as they start in August.
- Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival is running.
8. Disney Springs
Do not forget to visit Disney Springs. It is a beautiful mall and dining spot. It is filled with internationally renowned restaurants and Disney food spots. My favorite quick service locations there are The Daily Poutine and Chicken Guy. It also holds the largest Disney Store in the world! Parking is free of charge.
9. Souvenirs
If you want to bring your loved ones some souvenirs but do not have a large budget for this, drive around for outlet stores. They usually have official licenses for products and very good prices. Outlet Disney Stores are also a very good option, and you will even find some beautiful souvenirs and outfits from Disney at Wal-Mart.
10. Parking and Rental Cars
You will pay for parking when you arrive at the park, but you only have to pay it once a day. If you leave the park and come back later, you can use the same ticket. You can even use it at a different park if you plan to hop.
There are some rental car locations within WDW Resort. You can rent a car for a few days as you may not need it throughout your entire visit. The rest of the days you can use Disney Transportation Services.
11. Freebies
Who doesn’t love freebies? The classic freebie is the Disney World First Time Badge. You can request one upon entering the park. In Magic Kingdom Guest Relations, you can choose between different badges: First Time, Celebration, Birthday and Happily Ever After.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can add a note to the reservation for the cast members to know. They can create magical moments and may even bring some cake or souvenirs for you to celebrate! We once got a Birthday card signed by the Fav 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy).
