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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be a daunting task. Do you stay at a Disney hotel? Do you need special reservations? How do you maximize your park time and minimize your wait time? All great questions! I’ve called on some fellow Disney experts to share their top Walt Disney World tips for first timers and there are some truly essential ones in here, so strap in!

Remember, the planning might be a slug, but you’ll have the most magical time by implementing these tips!

Tips for Booking Your Disney World Trip

1. Make park reservations early

One important tip when visiting Disney is to make a park reservation after buying your tickets. Park reservations can easily be made on the Disney website or in the app.

Park reservations are required in 2023 unless you are only buying a 1-day specific date ticket. Starting in January 2024, it won’t be mandatory to make a reservation for date-based multi-day tickets either. However, tickets that don’t have a specific date will still need a reservation.

A park reservation means you need to reserve your spot at a particular park on a specific day. Especially at certain times of the year, some parks will reach capacity and so reserving in advance is essential. This is especially common around the holiday season and spring break, so it is important to reserve early.

You can check the reservation calendar prior to booking your tickets to make sure the parks you want to visit are available for your dates. Once reserved, you can always modify/change your park reservations by logging into your Disney account.

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2. Strategically choose parks based on crowd levels

Visiting Walt Disney World for the first time is a magical experience, but it can be overwhelming due to its sheer size and crowd. Similar to other high crowd parks such as Disney Paris, Energylandia in Poland, and Europa Park in Germany, it is crucial to develop a strategy on which day to go to which park.

Here are some tips to help you strategically choose park days based on crowds.

Day 1: Magic Kingdom – Starting your adventure with Magic Kingdom, which is typically busiest on Mondays and weekends is a good start.  It is the most popular park and should be among the first to visit. Begin a visit to this park on a Tuesday or Wednesday, when the park is relatively quieter.

Day 2: Epcot – As many visitors prioritize Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on their first days, Epcot tends to be less crowded mid-week. A Wednesday or Thursday visit would be ideal.

Day 3: Animal Kingdom – This park is often least crowded on Thursdays. Also, consider arriving early to beat the afternoon crowds, especially if you plan on exploring popular attractions like Pandora – The World of Avatar.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios – Fridays generally draw fewer crowds here, making it a great day to enjoy Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.

Remember, these are general tips and crowd patterns may vary depending on the time of year, holidays, and events. Ensure that you check Disney’s park reservation availability calendar and consider using crowd prediction tools online for up-to-date information. With careful planning, your first visit to Walt Disney World can be truly enchanting!

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3. Check events before booking

Finding out which events take place at Walt Disney World is a great tip for when you are visiting the theme park for the first time.

Besides the rides and attractions, the events at Walt Disney World are amazing, and there is a large variety of events to choose from.

These events take place all year round, which means that the time that you go to the theme park matters. You might want to plan your trip in such a way that you can go to a specific event. You also want to make sure you are prepared for whatever event takes place when you are visiting.

A runDisney race can be great to go to. This is a race series that takes place at Disney Parks.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts can also be great to check out. This is an event dedicated to visual, culinary, and performing arts. Another great EPCOT festival is the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, during which you can see gardens, sample food, and do much more.

There are great seasonal events too. For example, during Halloween there are special activities at Walt Disney World.

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4. Consider a Disney VIP Tour to avoid long lines

If your budget allows and you are able to splurge, consider booking a private VIP tour to avoid long lines.

A Disney VIP tour is a customized private tour for your group (up to 10 people). You will be provided with a personal tour guide who will allow you to cut lines and also find the most efficient way to complete your wish list of rides and attractions.

The VIP tour also offers the option to park hop using a private vehicle to transport your group between multiple parks. Another special perk of VIP tours is getting to visit some backstage areas that are not open to the general public.

While the tour is not cheap, Disney VIP tours are worth it if you are short on time or just do not want to spend hours waiting in long lines. The price of a VIP tour ranges from $450 to $900 per hour per group for a minimum duration of 7 continuous hours.

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5. Stay off site for big groups

If you are planning a family vacation to Walt Disney World on a budget and especially in a bigger group, it may be more cost effective to stay offsite at a vacation home.

My family of 7 adults visited the parks and if we had stayed at Disney properties, we would have needed multiple rooms and/or suites to accommodate us all. Instead, we opted for a rental home just 10 minutes from Walt Disney World.

It costed us hundreds less! Plus, we could make breakfasts in the full kitchen as well as all meals on our off-park days to save even more.

We watched movies, swam in the pool, and were able to spend more time together that we wouldn’t have had if we were all in separate hotel rooms.

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6. Prioritize Skyliner access

If at all possible and within your budget, stay at a Disney hotel with direct Skyliner access. The cheapest hotel with direct Skyliner access is the Art of Animation or the Pop Century Resort.

The Skyliner only takes you to Epcot and to Hollywood Studios, but when traveling with a young child and you need to get back to your hotel quickly, the Skyliner is the fastest way to get to Epcot or Hollywood Studios and back without the need to wait for a bus.

During peak times though, the Skyliner gets really packed and busy, with queues all around. On non-peak times, you can hop in and out as many times as you wish and make it an attraction or ride on its own. 

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First timers Tips for What to Pack

7. What to bring in your backpack

When heading to Disney World, a backpack is an essential item for your day pack!  This makes it easy to be hands free, but also have enough items for a full day in the park. 

Here is what you should always pack when heading to Disney World: Sun protection such as sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen since you will spend a majority of your time outside in the hot Florida sun. Rain gear since it can rain on and off a lot in Florida. Ponchos are the best option, but you can also bring an umbrella if that’s what you prefer. Water bottles and snacks to help keep your energy up for a long day.  

Most importantly, a portable phone charger since you will likely be using your phone a lot in the Disney app and taking pictures! 

First aid essentials are good to have but not a necessity if you want to keep your pack light. Disney also has first aid locations in every park stocked with many of the important essentials you might find yourself needing.

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Related read >> Ultimate guide to Loungefly backpacks (a fantastic option for a Disney day bag)

8. Bringing food into the parks

If you have ever visited Walt Disney World in Florida (or even Disneyland Paris in France), you know that food can be on the pricey side. That’s not to say you shouldn’t try the Dole Whip treat or a Mickey-shaped pretzel but food costs do add up if you are spending days in the park and especially if you are visiting with your family.

Walt Disney World guests are allowed to bring snacks, a picnic lunch, drinks (non-alcoholic), refillable water bottles and treats into the park to eat. If you happen to be visiting the park with young children and a stroller, bringing your own picnic lunch is brilliant as you have a place to store a small cooler along with snack and drink items. Otherwise, you may need to rent a locker or carry your snacks, food and drinks throughout the day.

The guidelines for types of food and containers include no glass containers nor food that is “extra smelly.” Items such as sandwiches are perfect as Walt Disney World does not provide options for heating or refrigerating your food.

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9. Rules for strollers

One of the important things to consider when traveling to Disney is bringing the ideal stroller to make your Disney trip easy and convenient. Disney is a magical place for kids, but it can be exhausting as the average day at Disney requires 7-10 miles of walking, so you will definitely want to bring a stroller.

Disney is stroller friendly but is very strict about the rules and regulations for strollers, so you will want to research ahead of time to ensure your stroller meets the recommendations. Disney does offer rental strollers that are functional, but they are not very comfortable as they are plastic to allow for easy cleaning, and the plastic gets super hot for the kids to sit on too. They also do not recline, making a nap nearly impossible. 

Disney permits strollers that are no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. Many strollers meet this size limit, but others do not, so you will want to check out the best strollers for Disney that are perfect for a Disney adventure whether you need a single or double stroller.

Lastly, it is important to note that wagons and stroller wagons are not allowed under any circumstance. You don’t want to show up at the gate and have your wagon denied entry.

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10. The case for matching shirts

After you have finished all the hard work of planning the details of your Disney World trip, now is the time to get packed and ready to go. 

One of the best parts of going to Disney World is dressing in all of your best Disney clothes.  Have you considered getting matching Disney T-shirts for your group? This is one of the best Disney tips I can give you! 

For one, your pictures will look awesome! You can always hop over to Disney Springs and buy matching shirts but if you want to save money planning ahead is key. You can design your custom shirts on Etsy or if you have a circuit machine you can create your own. 

Having pre-made Disney shirts makes packing very easy.  You know exactly what you will be wearing each day of your trip.  

Another great thing about having matching shirts when traveling in a larger group is that people realize that your group is all together. So when you are standing in line and someone arrives late, people don’t mind if your group stays together. 

If this is your first trip to Disney World, it might seem embarrassing to wear matching shirts, but let me ease your fear and let you know everyone does it! You will fit in perfectly! Disney is a magical place where matching shirts are cool! 

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11. The number one must-pack: sunscreen

The most important tip for someone visiting Walt Disney World for the first time is to lather up! You’ve spent a lot of money on this trip, and the worst thing you can do is ruin the entire visit by getting a sunburn. As a dermatology nurse who grew up in Florida, sun protection is number one.

Sunburns can wreck a vacation, causing pain, irritation, chafing, and sometimes even blistering. You don’t want your skin looking like an alligator, save that for checking out the alligators on the nearby Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. Go that extra step and protect your skin so you can enjoy your first trip to Disney World! 

The afternoon Florida sun is the strongest, which is when most sunscreens need to be reapplied. Make it easy on yourself and wear a sun protective shirt and a hat so you don’t have to mess with sticky lotions. And don’t forget your lips, the tops of your feet, and your ears- they are magnets for the sun.

Get a good quality (zinc-based is best) sunscreen to wear during the entire trip, or if you forgot to pack it you can purchase some while at the theme park. It might be a little higher priced but it is worth the investment of your skin!

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12. Purchase a magic band

One of the things that makes your first time at Disney World hassle-free is using a MagicBand. The MagicBands save you some time and have some cool features.

Your ticket, reservations, room key, and Genie+ are all registered on your MagicBand, so you can tap and go when it is time to eat or redeem your Genie+ reservation.

If you are staying at a Disney property, you can load gift cards (purchase for 5% off at Target) to your room and use them to pay for things at the park. There is no need for a wallet. All you need to do is tap your MagicBand, and the charge is added to your room (and deducted from the card on file).

If you go to Disney World with older kids or teenagers, you can set their MagicBands to allow charges (good luck).

The newest MagicBand+ are rechargeable, so they are the perfect souvenir and can be used for multiple trips, even if they are a few years apart. They also interact with the golden statues throughout the parks.

Get your custom MagicBands for your first trip to Disney World. You will have a blast carrying everything you need on your wrist.

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Top Tips for Navigating Your Park Days

13. Maximize your park day with rope drop

At the start of each day, Disney parks hold an event called “Rope Drop” to signal that guests can make their way to the rides. This takes place inside the park itself. 

Generally, guests are allowed to enter the park 30-45 minutes before it officially opens, and they can proceed until they reach a rope that indicates they can’t go any further.

It’s no surprise that a lot of people gather for rope drop since it’s a great way to experience the attractions without having to wait in long lines. To make the most of rope drop, it’s recommended to have early admission to the park. There are two rope drops per day, one for early admission guests and the other for regular admission guests, but those with early admission have the most to gain.

To make the most out of the rope drop, be at the park entrance 45 minutes to an hour before the park opens. This way when they begin letting guests in, you are first to get to your chosen rope…and therefore, your chosen ride once the rope drops!

Being present for rope drop is a fun bucket list item to do at any Disney park! It is a great experience to start the morning surrounded by other enthusiastic Disney guests, creating a wonderful sense of camaraderie.

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14. Cut down on wait times with single rider lines

Ah theme parks, they are tons of fun but long lines, an inevitable feature, can really bring you down! One of the best ways to get through those lines faster are the single rider lines!

Most theme parks sell skip the line passes but they can be expensive. Enter (free) single rider lines! They can really cut down on wait times. Here’s the deal, most people prefer to ride with their companions, but this often leaves empty seats. To cut down on wait times the park tries to keep all seats full.

Say there’s a party of 3 waiting in line for a ride but the ride accommodates 4 people. This leaves one seat empty. Ride operators will pull someone from the (much shorter) single rider line to fill that seat!

Disney World currently has 4 rides with permanent single rider lines: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios), Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios), Test Track (Epcot), and Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom). On occasion Soarin’ (Epcot) makes use of a single rider line.

Rides with a single rider line are often denoted with an “s” on park maps. Look for single rider signs next to the main ride entrance. 

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15. Stay hydrated (an underrated Disney World tip for first timers)

Be sure to stay hydrated while visiting Walt Disney World. Florida heat is no joke and heat stroke is a real thing. 

It can be hard to remember to drink water as you are having such a fun time distracted by all the sites, rides, and characters. A good habit is to make sure to sip some water anytime you are standing in line for a ride (as you aren’t doing much anyways) or while sitting and watching a performance.

The parks do make sure water is readily available for you. You’ll see kiosks carrying bottles of ice cold water, albeit overpriced. If you want to save money, you can still get your H₂O for free.

Bring a water bottle and fill up at water fountains scattered around the properties. Usually you’ll find these in the restroom areas. 

If you forgot to bring a water bottle, another way to get free water is to ask quick service restaurants. They will gladly give you a cup of water without having to pay or buy another item. 

So stay hydrated to maximize having a good time and staying safe in the parks. 

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16. Why Photopass is worth it

Your Disney World vacation may last for only a few days, but by choosing to purchase Disney’s Photopass option, it is possible for you to hold on to your Disney memories for years to come!

Disney’s Photopass option is a one-price option that will give you access to the park’s many photographers and Memory Maker, where you can customize your images. The cost of Disney Photopass, if purchased in advance, is $160, but the many features it offers make the price well worth it.

Disney’s Photopass option gives you access to over 100 photo spots throughout Disney World parks in a variety of formats. You can take traditional photos, animated photos, super zoom shots, tiny world shots, and seasonal shots.

Not only will you be able to access all photos taken of you, but you can also use Disney’s Memory Maker to customize them with digital frames and stickers, create short videos, and share your memories with friends and family.

Accessing your Photopass images is easy. All you have to do is download the My Disney Experience App or access your account online to view, download, and share all your images.

Another great thing about Photopass is that photos are usually available within minutes, although once in a while it might take a little longer. This is a great option for first-time visitors to Disney World because it eliminates the need for you to carry your camera with you and worry about capturing perfect shots, giving you more time to enjoy the parks!

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17. Don’t forget your freebies

When planning a trip to Disney World, you’re probably begging for some freebies as this is no cheap trip. Thankfully, there are quite a few ways to experience the Disney magic without digging into your wallet more than you already have.

One of the most popular freebies is the celebration pin. No matter whether you’re celebrating your first time in the park, your birthday, or just life itself, make sure to get this souvenir from guest services and wear it proudly during your trip.

The next freebie is an experience rather than a souvenir, but free nonetheless. If you have ever wanted to be sprinkled with pixie dust, look no further than Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom. Just walk in and let a cast member know that you wish to be pixie dusted, and let the magic begin.

The last freebie is a drawing class at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom. Here, learn from the best about how to draw your favorite Disney animals like Bambi and Simba. During your trip, make sure to be on the lookout for other free experiences throughout the parks, as some other ones pop up seasonally. 

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18. How to keep kids safe (the most important Walt Disney World tip for families with kids)

If you’re visiting Walt Disney World for the first time with kiddos in tow, you’ll probably be trying to figure out how to keep them safe and sound. 

Although the odd child goes missing at Disney World each year, they’re ALWAYS found and returned to their parents in record time. Now that’s the kind of Disney magic that’s worth writing home about. 

But if you want to minimize the chances of those little legs running off, there are a few things you to do to prep yourself. 

To start with, DO NOT MOVE if your child has wandered off. The easiest way for Cast Members to unite children and parents is by returning the child to the last place they remember. If you’ve moved, it’ll take far longer to get you both reunited.

It’s also an excellent idea to dress your child in bright and unique clothing (think neon!) that makes them stand out. To make them even easier to find if they go missing, take a photo of their full outfit at the start of the day. This will give an exact picture of your child’s appearance that can be broadcast across the resort’s security channels. 

If you want to go even further, a GPS tracker like an Apple Air Tag or a Samsung tracker (like Tile Mate) will give you real-time updates on their location. 

And hey – it’s always worth keeping a bunch of entertainment on hand to keep kids happy in queue lines. The more occupied they are, the less they’ll get distracted by things outside of your eyeline! 

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19. Use the My Disney Experience app

One of the best Walt Disney World tips for first timers is to download and use the free My Disney Experience App. 

Be sure to connect your tickets, travel companions, and hotel room to the app so that you can more easily make reservations. 

After all, this incredible tool will enable you to make park reservations, book a table at your fave restaurant, check on wait times for rides, use park maps, access PhotoPass photos, etc. 

Do this and you’ll be able to avoid the queue at the front desk of your hotel since you can check in online before using the app to lock and unlock your hotel room. . 

Additionally, you can view your Disney MagicBands and even reset your pin or deactivate them if needed. 

Therefore, this is easily one of the best Disney Apps to download prior to your vacation.

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20. Mobile order your food

Time is everything at Disney World, and you can save time by Mobile Ordering your food in advance instead of waiting in line at the restaurant to order. And the truth is, while lots of first-time visitors worry about the quality of theme park food, there are some truly fantastic Quick Service restaurants at Disney World.

You place your Mobile Order in the My Disney Experience app. Simply choose your restaurant, choose a pick up time, and place your order. Then, when you arrive at the restaurant, click “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” and they will have it out to you shortly.

There are a few important things to note about Disney World Mobile Orders. First of all, not every restaurant has Mobile Order available, but you can see which ones do in the My Disney Experience app. Also, Mobile Order time slots can get booked up! So go ahead and place your Mobile Order as soon as you know where you want to eat, even if you are placing an order for your dinner before you’ve even eaten breakfast!

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21. How to rent wheelchairs

Walt Disney World is for everyone and they mean it. Not only can you rent strollers, but you can easily rent wheelchairs.

Located just after the ticketed entrance of each park, you’ll find the wheelchair and electric convenience vehicles (ECV) rentals, which cost $12 and $50, respectively for the day.

One tip for renting wheelchairs is that they are first come first serve and can run out for the day if the parks are super crowded. If you need one, get to the parks early for rope drop (tip #13 in this post).

When you rent a wheelchair, cast members will guide you on which ride queues you can access and which you’ll need to bypass in an alternative line. When the person in the wheelchair is ready to ride, the cast members will hold onto your wheelchair and have it ready to be picked up when they get off the ride.

Overall, Disney makes it super easy for their parks to be accessible to all.

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22. Where to get a castle picture without people

If you’re visiting Disney World for the first time, you absolutely need some fantastic pics to remember your trip by! You’ve spent all this time planning park routes, organizing meals, and, of course, coordinating Disney outfits taking your little ones to Disney World!

Unfortunately, people will tell you that it’s basically impossible to get that iconic castle photo without a thousand other people in the background. There are tourists everywhere, and, let’s face it…everyone wants that same picture.

But you actually CAN get an amazing Disney picture with no one else in it! Use the Super Secret Castle Spot to get those stunning Magic Kingdom & Cinderella’s castle pictures with just your beautiful family in them!

You’ll want to head to one of the small buildings on either side of the castle (circled on the map below). The angles might feel a little strange as you’re taking the photos, but don’t worry! You’ll end up with stunning pictures of Cinderella’s Castle that are perfect!

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23. Invest in Genie+

Here is a hack for traveling to Walt Disney World that can make your day better. Do you hate standing in line and waiting in queue for hours? Do you wish to experience as many attractions as possible in a short period of time?

Adding Genie+ to your ticket to skip the line is one of the greatest investments that you could ever make. It will help you jump to the front of your favorite rides in Walt Disney World. It might cost extra but it’s totally worth it.

When you use Genie+, you get to enter from the lightning lane entrance and enjoy the ride faster. As a matter of fact Genie Plus is a replacement of the Fastpass System where it helps you beat the crowd even faster. It costs only $15+ per ticket per day.

If you arrive early morning and get the Genie Plus ticket, you can enjoy many rides such as the Space Mountain and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. It is a pretty good deal if you ask me, specially for first timers who won’t visit Walt Disney World again for a while.

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24. Tips for taking an afternoon break

Disney World can be a wonderful family vacation, but although it’s magical, it can also be exhausting. The crowds, the heat, and the lines can easily wear you out!

My favorite tip to help counteract that is to take an afternoon break. Instead of trying to go hard all day long, get up early and arrive at the park when it opens. It will be less crowded and the lines for rides will be shorter.

Then, around lunchtime head back to your hotel or condo to rest. Spend time in the pool or even take a nap.

Head back to the park around 5 or 6pm and enjoy the last few hours. You’ll find fewer crowds in the evening as well as cooler temperatures. This is the BEST way to have a fantastic park day without wearing yourselves out!

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25. The best photo spots: Disney walls

Walt Disney World was made for the camera with iconic murals and painted walls that make the most beautiful backdrops for your photos.

If you don’t want to spring for the Photopass, try finding these Disney Walls.

Some of the most famous include the purple wall outside of Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, the bubblegum wall outside of Spaceship Earth in EPCOT, and the “You are Most Beautiful” wall in Animal Kingdom.

But, don’t miss the underrated ones too like the Fichwa Fellow in Animal Kingdom, the toothpaste wall in EPCOT (my favorite!), and the popsicle wall in Hollywood Studios.

So many options!

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Tips beyond the parks

26. Travel hacking Disney with DVC points

First-time Disney World visitors might be shocked as they watch the expenses start adding up. Especially if you’re wanting to stay on-site at a Disney World deluxe resort. However, I’ve learned a secret to help my family enjoy these premium resorts at a discounted price – renting DVC (Disney Vacation Club) points.

This can be a fun way to upgrade and splurge on your vacation while still saving some funds for churros and dole whips!

You might have a friend with a DVC membership you can rent points from, but for our family we’ve rented through a well-known site called David’s Vacation Club Rentals.

On my recent stay with my daughters, we saved over $2300 on our trip, and a big portion of that was our hotel savings. We stayed at the Grand Floridian with monorail access to Magic Kingdom and paid $380 less per night than if we booked the hotel directly.

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27. Enrich your visit at Disney Springs and Boardwalk

While theme parks undoubtedly form a core part of the Disney experience, it’s essential to note that the magic of Disney extends well beyond them. Several free attractions exist that can enrich your visit and provide a diverse and more comprehensive Disney experience.

Two such destinations, Disney Springs and Disney Boardwalk, offer a wealth of entertainment, dining, and shopping options without requiring an admission fee. As first-time visitors, broadening your Disney World itinerary to include these attractions allows you to fully embrace and appreciate the multifaceted charm of the Disney World Resort.

Situated across from Epcot and Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs serves as a central hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment for all of Disney World. It’s home to 99 retail stores, 19 attractions, and over 68 eateries; there’s plenty to keep you and your entire family busy.

Disney Boardwalk is another free destination that captures the charm and elegance of the Atlantic seaside towns of the early 1900s. Located between Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios, this wooden boardwalk promenade is lined with eateries and unique shops. You can enjoy casual street performers, stroll around Crescent Lake, or catch an evening dueling piano show.

Places like Disney Springs and Disney Boardwalk offer a charming change of pace from the parks, extending your Disney experience while being mindful of your budget. So, don’t miss out on these additional facets of the Disney magic – you’ll be glad you did.

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28. How to resort hop

Everyone loves visiting the Walt Disney World parks but don’t overlook the Disney resorts: with over 25 themed resorts on property, they are destinations within themselves.

Years ago it was really easy to visit all the Disney resorts you wanted if you were staying on property. However, controls have increased and limitations have been put on resort guests visiting other resorts. 

How can you get around this? There are a few ways. The first chain of resorts you can visit more easily than others are the ones attached to the Boardwalk Resort. The Boardwalk is not just a hotel but also an entertainment area, so it is open to visitors beyond resort guests. It is then connected to other resorts by a surrounding lagoon. Here you can visit the Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin.  

Another way is to dine at a resort. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to have a dining reservation, but it does help at certain Deluxe resorts. You can see Animal Kingdom Lodge by having lunch at the Mara, for example. 

The last main way to visit the Disney resorts without having to stay there is by using public transportation methods. For example, the Skyline connects Epcot, Hollywood Studios and a host of resorts, including one of the newest, Disney’s Riviera!

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General Tips for Your First Time to Walt Disney World

29. Remember you can’t do everything

Walt Disney World spans 40 square miles; think about that. Each of the resort’s six parks has more than a full day’s worth of things to do and see, and getting from one park to another can take up to an hour.

This is why the best advice I got before our first trip to Disney World was that you can’t do everything. Don’t even try.

Decide what parks your family most wants to see, and what you want to do in each park, then plan a loose itinerary around those things (leave room for lines, meltdowns, mishaps and the lure of the hotel pool). Spend at least one full day in each park you choose and make the most of it.

It’s possible to spend the day in one park and then head to another for dinner and nighttime fun, but hopping between a few parks in one day is time consuming and you’ll feel wind up feeling rushed and stressed. Focusing on one park a day also means you don’t have to pay extra for hopper tickets. It makes planning simpler and it will make your vacation more relaxing and memorable for the right reasons.

Given what theme-park vacations cost, you want to get the most value out of your stay and when it comes to Disney World, less is definitely more. 

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30. How to prepare for the weather

It is essential to be prepared for your visit to Walt Disney World, one of the top 100 places to visit in USA. The weather in Florida can be unpredictable, so taking these tips into account would make your trip that much more comfortable and a whole lot more enjoyable.

Firstly, make sure to check the weather forecast. This will give you a fairly accurate idea of what kind of weather conditions to expect during your stay. You can then use this info to not only pack accordingly, but also to help plan what activities to do and when to do them.

Expect high levels of humidity during the summer months, so bring along lightweight and breathable items of clothing. Along with this, be sure to carry umbrellas or ponchos to be prepared for rain showers, which are a common occurrence in the afternoon. Staying hydrated is also important due to Florida’s heat and humidity levels.

And lastly, plan your day around the weather by opting for indoor activities, such as visiting museums, souvenir shops, shows, and indoor activities, if heavy rainfall occurs. The best indoor attractions to add onto your itinerary include Spaceship Earth, Na’vi River Journey, Avatar’s Flight of Passage, Frozen Ever After, and Space Mountain.

Recommended by Rai from Rai of Light

31. Save by buying souvenirs from Disney Character Warehouses

Located 10-15 minutes from the parks are two Disney Character Warehouses – one on International Dr. and one on Vineland Ave. These are authentic outlets that sell merchandise direct from the Disney parks.

You’ll typically find months old merchandise at heavily discounted prices.

If you’re looking for Disney ears, Loungefly bags, pins, or clothing before going to the parks, stop by these stores to save! For example, I’ve purchased ears for as little as $7 at the Warehouse!

Plus, this is a great option for buying souvenirs for your kiddos at reduced prices. You can go ahead of time to make some purchases, then when your kids are asking for souvenirs in the parks, you can pull out ones you’ve already bought from the outlets!

Recommended by me (Alanna) from Periodic Adventures (this blog!)

My Travel Essentials

• Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
• Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
• Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
• Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
• Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
• Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
• Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!

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