Planning Your First Trip To Walt Disney World

It’s no longer a simple feat to plan a trip to Walt Disney World. Even for us hardened veterans. Before you take those first steps down magical Main Street here are some things you should know.

Best time to go

As I said in a previous post, there is no “best” time to go anymore. There are “better” times and least crowded times, for sure. Ultimately, you have to pick the best time for your family. If you’re tethered to a school schedule, I’d recommend as soon as you can after the kids get out of school (early June) or, if you’re willing to take them out of school for a few days, around a long holiday weekend. The time I would categorically not recommend going for the first time is between Christmas and the New Year. Historically, this is the most crowded time of the year with parks closing because they’ve reached crowd capacity. This would be a miserable time for the first-timer. Click here for a great crowd prediction calendar.

Once you’ve decided when to go, choose a reputable Authorized Disney Travel Agent.

They don’t cost you a dime. Truly. And they will find you the best deal and keep finding you the best deal, even after you’ve made your reservations. My favorite company is Magical Journeys (ask for Debbie!). They have saved me thousands of dollars. Take it from me, a bit of a control-freak-uber-planner. You won’t be sorry. They’ll even help you choose the best resort for your needs. (I highly recommend staying on-property if you can at all afford it. They have plenty of pricing options, for all budgets. And the convenience will save you so much time!)

You have your reservations so now you can sit back are relax. Right?

Nope. Now the real planning begins. Disney has a great, free planning DVD. You can order it here. I also highly recommend Birnbaum’s Disney World Guide. Get the book. Pour over it. Map out a plan of attack. If you need help with this, feel free to contact me: mouseterplanner(at)gmail.com. I have some great planning sheets I can share with you for free! Just ask. I love helping people with this stage of the trip.

While you’re planning, concentrate on which parks you want to spend your time and on what days, which attractions are a “must-do” for your family, and where you’d like to eat. If you look at the tabs at the top of this site you’ll find some posts with suggestions. The internet is also a great resource, but with the plethora of information out there, it can be overwhelming. Stick with Birnbaum’s and a few of your favorite Disney sites!

Make Advanced Dining Reservations

Or ADR’s if you want to have any sit-down meals. Check out sites, like this one, for recommendations and then map out a schedule. You can make your reservations online. For a happy-go-lucky family, this step may seem like a hassle. And it is. But you will thank yourself (and me!) once you’re enjoying a nice meal, surrounded by amazing atmosphere and relaxing at a reasonable dinner hour. Trust me on this one. ADRs are a must!

The early bird gets more ride time

Once you arrive, there is one universal piece of advice I always, always give: Each and every day that you are physically able, arrive at least 30 minutes before the park opens. The crowds will be a bit more manageable and you’ll be able to get a lot done if you have a plan. Ride the high profile attractions first. Have lunch and then visit the attractions you missed, do a little shopping or watch a parade. Taking it easy in the middle of the day will have you refreshed for evening activities.

Take advantage of PhotoPass

There are photographers all over the parks that are ready to take your family photo. And they do it all for free. You simply hand them your PhotoPass card (you can get one when you stop for your first photo) and they snap your picture. Once you are home, punch in the number on the back of your card at this site, and you can view your pictures. You can even download your own photos and then take advantage of some Disney unique editing tools, such as borders and Disney graphics, to make your pictures truly special. I love this Disney Park perk, as I’m typically the one behind the camera. With PhotoPass, there’s no mistaking that my family did, indeed, include me on the trip!

Be flexible

Toddlers have meltdowns. Teens want to ride Tower of Terror just five more times. Mom and Dad may want to linger a bit longer than planned over dinner. You can’t possibly see and do it all. Disney planned it that way so you’ll come back for another visit. Stay in the moment and enjoy each moment. Making the most of your time is remembering to stop and smell the roses or look at the ducks, as the case may be.

This will all get you started on a truly magical vacation. If you have any questions or tips, please comment! Or, you can always email me directly. I’d love to help!