A First Timer’s Guide to Disney
Visiting Walt Disney World® Resort for the first time? Here are 12 essential tips for everything you need to know before you go.
Looking for a great first-timer’s guide to Walt Disney World®? We have you covered. Whether this is your first visit or your 100th visit, there’s always something new to learn about Walt Disney World®. From how to save money and maximize your time, to planning tips and must-see attractions, this is a perfect first-timer’s guide to Walt Disney World® Resort.
Here are 12 essential tips from a Disney expert to give you everything you need to know:
1. Determine the best time to go to Walt Disney World®.
Walt Disney World® is such a popular destination that the parks are always busy. However, there are a few times throughout the year that are less crowded. In general for all parks, these are the best times to visit if you want to bypass the crowds.
- January
- June
- August
- September
- Beginning of May
- Beginning of November
2. Allow yourself ample time to experience the parks.
One of the most common mistakes that first-timers make is not giving themselves enough time to experience all the parks. Each theme park within Walt Disney World® is massive. If you want to visit all four parks, we recommend booking your Orlando vacation for seven days and six nights. A week will give you ample time to see everything at Walt Disney World® while giving time to relax and explore other Orlando attractions or spend time relaxing and recharging at your resort.
3. Stay at a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel.
If you want to stay near Disney property, consider staying at a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel. These hotels offer you convenience and quality without the potential higher Disney price tag.
A Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel is approved by The Walt Disney Company. They must be AAA-approved, provide guests with access to Walt Disney World® Resort information, and offer transportation to all Disney theme parks.
Note: Caribe Royale Orlando is a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel which allows you the convenience of purchasing tickets online in advance.
4. You need a Park Reservation after you have secured a ticket.
To enter a theme park, all guests ages 3 and older must have a theme park reservation in addition to valid admission for the same park on the same date (limit one park per day). Theme park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability. Therefore, before you purchase your tickets, be sure to view theme park reservation availability online.
5. Make dining reservations before you arrive.
You can make Disney dining reservations up to 60 days in advance. Across the four theme parks, Disney Springs® and multiple resort hotels, Disney World has more than 100 table-service restaurants. And some offer character dining experiences and live entertainment. We highly recommend making reservations for at least one character dining experience.
6. Download the My Disney Experience App.
Before you arrive, be sure to download the My Disney Experience App. This one-stop app gives you access to real-time wait times, park hours, character greetings, showtimes, and more. Plus, an interactive, GPS-enabled map allows you to easily explore the resort, find dining options, and gives you step-by-step directions.
7. Create your Walt Disney World® bucket list.
As you plan your Walt Disney World® vacation, make a bucket list of the attractions, restaurants, and characters you don’t want to miss. This will help you better plan your days and prioritize your activities. If your bucket list is focused on rides, we recommend allotting only 3 to 5 per day, as you want to leave some time for surprise encounters and discovering new attractions.
8. Plan to arrive early or stay late at the parks.
The best times to enjoy the parks are early morning and evening. Crowd levels tend to be lower during these hours, which allows you to spend less time waiting in lines. We recommend using the My Disney Experience App to monitor attraction wait times and we recommend considering purchasing Disney Genie+.
Disney Genie+ is an optional paid service that allows guests to bypass lines and go straight to the Lightning Lane entrance on select attractions. The “new fast pass,” Disney Genie+ can save you significant time waiting in lines.
9. Pack a few personal items.
Besides wearing comfortable clothes and shoes, you should bring a few personal items with you into the parks. We recommend the following items:
- A reusable water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Sunscreen to reapply throughout the day.
- Ponchos in case it rains.
- A portable phone charger to ensure you don’t miss a photo opportunity and stay connected to the My Disney Experience App.
10. Catch a firework show and a parade.
No visit to Walt Disney World® would be complete without catching at least one firework show and a parade. Each night, the resort puts on a spectacular nighttime show of fireworks, music, and lasers. The best place to watch the show is at Magic Kingdom®. However, the fireworks at Disney World will change depending on seasonal offerings and holidays.
Walt Disney World® is also known for their iconic parades, and they have a parade for everything. They even have one when it rains! One of the most popular parades is the Main Street Trolley Show that takes place every morning at Magic Kingdom®. You can view parade times by accessing the park calendar in the My Disney Experience App.
11. Be sure to get your “First Visit Button”.
Walt Disney World® gives all first-time visitors a complimentary button. Wearing a First Visit Button is an easy way to let cast members know you are visiting for the first time. They love to welcome new guests and add a little extra pixie dust to their experience. You can pick up your button at Guest Relations in any of the four parks.
12. Leave time to unwind and relax
While there is much to see and do at Walt Disney World® make sure you plan some downtime between your park days. Stay at a hotel or resort with an array of amenities for you to enjoy, such as pools, a waterslide, on-site recreational activities, spa, and restaurants. You’re on vacation after all!
For your first time to Disney World, stay at Caribe Royale Orlando, a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel
Caribe Royale Orlando is a newly re-imagined, all-suite resort with an array of amenities. From sparkling pools and a waterslide to seven on-site dining options and unique recreational activities, such as tennis, basketball, and fishing, Caribe Royale Orlando will make your first-time visit to Walt Disney World® unforgettable.
Plus, when you stay at Caribe Royale Resort—a Walt Disney World Good Neighbor® Hotel—shuttle transportation to all four Disney Theme Parks and an evening shuttle to Disney Springs® is included in your stay.