Planning a first visit to the Disney Parks is exciting! You likely have a vision in your head of riding Splash Mountain, snacking on a Mickey-shaped pretzel, and watching your kids hug their favorite character. Or perhaps it’s that classic family photo in front of the castle with matching T-shirts and big smiles.
Whether you choose your first visit at Walt Disney World or Disneyland, it’s sure to be an experience you’ll never forget. But I know it can also be a bit overwhelming. Here are my 10 best tips for planning a first visit to the Disney Parks!
1) Know Your Family’s Priorities
I frequently remind people that Disney is different for every family. For some it’s all about the rides, others about the food, and others about the characters and shows. What is it that your family truly wants to experience on their first visit? What are your “must do’s”? Which souvenirs or photos are most important to you? Are you looking for thrills or a more relaxing pace? These questions will guide you in choosing the experience with the most value to your family.
2) Do Your Homework
Yes, even Disney requires some homework (it’s fun, I promise). Do some research on attractions, dining options, shows, and even height requirements so you know what you’ll be most interested in. You’re bound to get a million opinions, but it gives you some familiarity with what’s available.
Click here for a free guide to meeting Mickey Mouse in Walt Disney World!
3) Learn the Lingo
First, be sure to learn which parks are at which location:
- Disneyland Resort: Disneyland Park & Disney California Adventure Park
- Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios & Animal Kingdom
You’ll notice a lot of acronyms and abbreviations popping up in your Disney research. Here are a few key ones to learn:
- ADR: Advanced Dining Reservation
- FP/FP+: FastPass
- EMH: Extra Magic Hour
- CM: Cast Member
- MDE: My Disney Experience App
- ME: Magical Express Shuttle (Walt Disney World)
4) Have a Plan, But Stay Flexible
The two biggest mistakes people make with their park plans:
- Having no plan.
- Trying to plan every single detail down to the minute.
Having no plan means you’ll miss out on a lot, including some reservations you may have wanted. And having too detailed of a plan is setting you up for failure as things will inevitably change as you go. You want to be somewhere in between.
Create a general plan for each of your days that includes your dining and FastPass reservations as well as an approach to the rides. But be sure to leave plenty of buffer and time to simply explore and take it all in. This will relieve some of the pressure and help you accommodate any changes.
5) Use Your Resources
Disney has provided us with some excellent tools to plan our vacations. The My Disney Experience and Disneyland websites provide all of the information you’ll need on attractions, shows, dining (including menus), characters, and more. You can even chat online with a Cast Member to ask any questions you may have. Speaking of which, Cast Members are always there to help during your vacation so be sure to ask for guidance as needed.
6) Manage Your Expectations
We all want that picture perfect vacation – the one where everyone is smiling all day and we wait in no lines and where we’re full of energy. But the truth is that lines happen, weather happens, and by the mid-afternoon everyone will start wearing out. Be realistic about your expectations and keep the focus on your priorities. One missed attraction or a bit of rain isn’t going to make or break your trip if you don’t let it. Disney is a magical place, but it also takes place within the confines of real life.
7) Don’t Try to Do It All in One Trip
Speaking of expectations: you will not be able to experience every attraction, show, and character in one visit to Walt Disney World (unless perhaps you’re staying for 10 days or more). And you really shouldn’t try. If you focus too much on rushing to do everything you won’t be able to enjoy the present and you’ll also miss out on those cues that your family could use a break. Create a “must do” list and focus on those – leave the rest for your next visit.
8) Get Familiar with the Park Maps
The Disney Parks are huge! Especially if we’re talking about Walt Disney World. Look over some park maps before you go to get familiar with the locations of the different parks and attractions. Learn which transportation options are available to you to get where you need to go. Familiarize yourself with the different “lands” in each park. And when you’re there, don’t be afraid to ask a Cast Member for directions – they’re happy to help.
9) Be Prepared
As I said, changes happen, people get cranky, and you’ll inevitably feel overwhelmed at some point on your first visit. Preparation is the key here. Think through your vacation in advance and consider what you might need. Things such as ponchos, extra snacks, portable chargers, and sunscreen will go a long way towards making everyone comfortable. Use good walking shoes (please no plastic princess heels). And prepare yourself mentally to deal with at least some level of crowds.
10) Work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
Following these tips will surely help you plan an enjoyable first visit to the Disney Parks, but it can still feel overwhelming. That’s where vacation planners come in. We take care of just about all of this for you so you can simply focus on the fun. Authorized Disney Vacation Planners, such as Ears of Experience, will provide you with customized itineraries, park plans, reservations, and more. We act as your personal Fairy Godmother throughout the entire planning process.
The best part? Working with us is completely free when you book your trip with us. It costs you no more than if you booked it yourself. And we LOVE planning first visits. Our goal is to make your vacation exactly what you dream it to be.
Interested in learning more about our services? Request a free quote or send me an email at jtullino@themouseexperts.com.
No matter how you do it, I hope you have an incredible first visit to the Disney Parks!
[…] set your expectations appropriately – you won’t be able to do everything in one trip, especially if this is your first visit. Focus on your “must do’s” and you’ll enjoy every minute of your […]