5 Things To Remember Before Your First Disney Trip
For people who have never been to Disney World, that first Disney trip can be a mixed bag of feelings. It can be stressful, overwhelming, confusing, exhilarating, magical, and fun. As the world’s largest amusement park, Walt Disney World can seem daunting to navigate at first because of its size. But don’t worry! Getting some advice before you go, can go a long way towards maximizing your vacation experience.
I find reading Disney blog advice posts extremely helpful. And I still do that, even after my family has been on numerous Disney World vacations! Here are just a few things to remember, so you can get the most out of your first Disney trip.
Decide When To Go & Book Your Trip Well In Advance
If at all possible, avoid peak seasons at Disney World. Summer vacation, Christmas holidays, and winter and spring breaks are usually the most popular travel times. This is also when you see the largest crowds and soaring admission prices. Peak season always means higher ticket prices.
To make the most out of your trip, you want to ensure that you pick the best time to go to Disney World in Florida. If you don’t like bumping into large crowds (which means more waiting, less playing), avoid going to Disney during peak seasons. Consider going during the shoulder season months of February, March, August, or September. During these times, Disney World is typically less crowded.
Furthermore, don’t forget to get your tickets in advance and book any dining or room accommodations for your group. Going to Disney takes a lot of planning. Disney World resorts have been in unusually high demand the past year and a half. If you book ahead of time, you’ll have a better shot at getting a room at the resort you want. Then everyone will have plenty of time to prepare for the trip, and work on their “must-do” Disney adventure list!
As there are four parks at Walt Disney World, you’ll want to decide which parks you plan to visit. Currently, it’s required that you book a Disney Park reservation on Disney’s website. Some parks do fill up for certain dates, so make your selection as soon as you can. You can change them later, but having a slot saved is a good idea.
Be Prepared For The Weather
When it comes to weather in Florida, it’s best to prepare for the worst. The sun can get pretty hot in the state, so remember to apply sunscreen before going out to the park, and don’t forget to bring a bottle of water with you during your Disney trip. If you go in the summer, it maybe not hurt to bring a compact umbrella or a poncho with you just in case. Even if it doesn’t rain, ponchos can still come in handy when you go for water rides and prevent you from getting drenched.
If it does rain, use this opportunity to step inside to eat or shop for souvenirs. Rain (and specifically lightening) can shut down some rides in the park, but it also drives out some people. When this happens, be patient. Always show courtesy to Cast Members, especially for things that are beyond their control.
Bring Your Own Food & Snacks
Here’s a money saving tip: Disney allows everyone to bring their own food and non alcoholic beverages into the park. This can be great, especially for those on a budget. You can pack a nice picnic lunch for the whole family, bring some sandwiches, fruit, or snacks you like to eat. Just remember that you’re not allowed to bring glass containers (except baby food). Coolers must be must be no bigger than 24″ x 15″ x 18″, and dry or loose ice is not allowed.
If you want to save even more, you can make your own meals at the hotel. Making your own meals can shave off hundreds, if not thousands from your total trip cost. It can be frustrating paying a huge amount at a restaurant, for a picky toddler (or child) who eats next to nothing.
But maybe splurge for just an iconic Disney Park snack or two! Most Disney fans will vote for a Dole Whip, but my absolute favorite is a coconut soft serve float from Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom.
Be Sure To Get There Early
As you may have heard, it’s suggested that you arrive at Disney World early. This is a tall order for my family, so I realize it can be hard to do. Especially since you’re on VACATION, and may be jetlagged from living in a different time zone. Hear me now, and believe me later: Going when the park opens really pays off in terms of how much you get accomplished. We’ve started to make this effort as our kids got older, because we’ve seen how it results in a Disney Park day with more rides, additional fun, and a lot less waiting in lines.
It’s ideal if you can arrive at the park at least 30-60 minutes before it opens. Early arrival is recommended for many reasons. Lower wait times, cooler temperatures, and enjoying the park with fewer guests are all perks. It’s much less stressful capturing that family photo in front of the castle, if you aren’t being jostled by mid-day crowds. Often times when you get there before “rope-drop” (official opening time) you are allowed to enter the front portion of the park early. This is bonus time! Shops are typically open early. If you are heading towards a headliner attraction that you know will have a long line later, you’ll be one of the first in line to enter. You can probably hop on again with little-to-no wait.
Our record is walking on to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 5 times, shortly after rope drop at Magic Kingdom!
Remember To Rest
Remember to allow yourself time to recharge. The parks can be physically demanding, so it’s essential to set aside some downtime to rest and refuel. If you plan to be in the parks for many hours, set rest periods in shade throughout the day. Or you can pop in to an air conditioned, indoor show for a nice change of pace. A little bit of downtime at Disney World can make all the difference. By taking it slow, you’ll enjoy the parks and get a lot more enjoyment out of your time there.
Staying on property at a Walt Disney World Collection resort used to include many benefits, many of which have been eliminated in recent months. But taking midday breaks from the parks is still a strong argument for staying at a Disney Resort. It’s easy to hop on a free Disney bus, boat, sky liner, or monorail transportation back to your hotel room for a siesta or swim. Disney resort themed pools are incredibly fun, and my young kids often begged to leave the parks to go swimming! Here’s a sample Disney World 1-Day itinerary at Magic Kingdom that builds in a swimming break during the peak heat of afternoon.
Don’t sweat a long wait for a headliner attraction you’re dying to experience. Lines at Disney World are usually mitigated with an awesome themed queue. Take your time. Enjoy the experience. Try not to let the stress and frustration of having to stand in lines get to you. You can’t take food or drinks on the rides, but you can certainly grab a snack to enjoy while you wait!
Final Thoughts
Remember that the main goal here is to have fun. With proper planning, you’ll be able to handle any issues that may arise during your Disney trip. Focus on creating magical memories to cherish for years to come.
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