Mystical Memories Vacations

Tips for Disney World First-Timers

Going to Disney World or Disneyland can be overwhelming for some experienced travelers, let alone those who are making their first trip.  To help out with the planning process and the vacation, I have included a few tips below.

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1.     Plan ahead. Disney guests (what Disney calls the people who visit their parks) start to generally plan their trips almost 12 months in advance.  For those who need a little more time to budget and save, planning may start up to 24 months in advance.  Hotel or cruise reservations are often made 12 months in advance and the dining reservations should be made 180 days before your arrival, especially if you want reservations at one of the most popular locations. 

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2.     Work with an Authorized Disney Travel Agent.  While it is completely possible to make your own reservations, there are many advantages to working with a travel agent who specializes in Disney.  Most Disney Travel Agents are not only trained in all things Disney, but they have also spent a great deal of time at the parks and can tell you what works and what doesn’t plus hints and tips to make your trip more enjoyable.  Most importantly, they will spend the time working with the Disney cast members (employees) to ensure your trip is designed just for you.  For anyone who has ever booked their own trip, this could save hours or even days in planning as the high demand frequently causes long telephone wait times (up to 5-6 hours some days) and website issues when trying to book Disney travel.

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3.     Get to the parks early! It's amazing, particularly in the busy season, how many of the popular rides you can knock off before half the "World" gets out of bed. Many of the parks have character meet and greets outside the gates before the park opens or fun interactions with cast members.  This also helps to beat the heat during the hottest months.  Also, remember to allow plenty of time to get to the parks in the morning.  You may have to wait at a bus stop for a while and the trips can sometimes take 10-15 minutes or longer.

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4.     Eat a late lunch/early dinner.  Just like most restaurants, the meal prices go up at dinner.  If you eat an early breakfast, take a snack to the parks or get one there and then eat a late lunch, you can often avoid the crowds and save money.

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5.     Take a break in the middle of the day or switch parks.  The middle of the day is usually the busiest time for the parks and the warmest time.  By this point, the little ones are ready for a nap (and so are Mom and Dad).  By using this time to go cool off at the resort pool, take a nap, or just ride the monorail and rest, everyone gets a chance to relax and refresh a little.  For children who can get overwhelmed with too much stimulation, this is also a good time to break and get some quiet time away from the crowds.

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6.     Consider using the park lockers for small coolers or to store a change of clothes for the kids.  An afternoon shower is very likely during the rainy summer months, even if the sky looks perfectly clear in the morning. The occasional accident or spilled ice cream/food is also likely as kids are easily distracted in the parks.  Rent a locker to store your raingear or change of clothes and you don’t have to worry about running back to the hotel or dealing with cold, wet kids after a sudden rain.  In addition, come prepared with disposable ponchos from Walmart or a dollar store.  These cost much less than the ponchos in the park and they take up a lot less space in a bag.  They also work great to set on wet benches after the rain.

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7.     Realize your family’s limitations. If they're tired, take a break. If their feet hurt, sit down or find a stroller. If a ride scares them don't force the issue. If they are too hot or overstimulated, stop and get some cool air and quiet.  Taking appropriate precautions will make your day and the day of other guests a lot less stressful.  Rarely does anyone see a whole park in one day and almost all Disney visitors I have spoken with say their trip was much more enjoyable when they saw fewer attractions but were more relaxed than when they were rushed and tried to do as much as they could.

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8.     Plan ahead and chose the attractions that your family wants to see most.  A couple of weeks prior to your trip, discuss which rides or shows each family member wants to see the most.  Be realistic, expect lines, and don’t expect to see everything.  If each person has a couple of places in mind that they agree are “must-sees” then you focus on those first and the rest of the day is a bonus.  Remember to be spontaneous though. If something catches someone’s attention, even if it's not on your daily list of things to do, stop and explore. Disney is full of surprises and if you don’t stop, you could miss something wonderful.

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9.     And Most Importantly!!! Wear broken-in, comfortable footwear. Don’t bring new shoes to wear at the parks, don’t bring flip-flops that will fall off on the rides, and don’t bring high heels.  Expect to be on your feet for hours a day, sometimes walking a great deal, and often getting wet daily.  As a safe option, bring two pairs and rotate them as one pair gets wet or in case something goes wrong. Nothing can ruin a Disney vacation faster than blisters on your first day.