3 Things to Know Before Going to Walt Disney World for the First Time

Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park

Yay, you’re going to Disney World for the first time! Walt Disney World is known as the happiest place on earth and is full of magic, awe, and wonder. But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t also a little stressful to plan for, especially when you don’t know what to expect. And that’s coming from someone who’s been going since before she could walk!

To help set some expectations, here are 3 things every first-timer visitor to Disney World needs to know.

First off, Walt Disney World is VAST!

There is so much to see and do and everything is more spread out than you might think. Walt Disney World has 4 theme parks, 2 waterparks, over 25 resort hotels, Disney Springs shopping & dining district, golf courses (including mini golf!), and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. However, I would argue most people (myself included) just stick to the theme parks along with the resorts and Disney Springs. But you can certainly add a waterpark day on if you’re into that. Note that you’ll need to pay for admission to pretty much everywhere on grounds except for the resorts and Disney Springs, which is an outdoor complex with over 100 venues for shopping and dining.

Inside the parks, make sure you know your priorities and build buffer time into your itinerary. Take some time to research what attractions, shows, or events are of interest to you and your family. Having an idea of what to expect in each park is key to not feeling overwhelmed when walking through the gates.

Take note that outside of the parks, you may want some rest time, some pool time, some shopping time, some hotel exploration time, and some dining time. Disney World is so much more than just a theme park — it is truly a whole world of magic. Be sure to build buffer time in to explore.

Second, use the app as your control center.

Before you head to Orlando, be sure to download the MyDisneyExperience app. Spend some time playing around with it and getting familiar with it’s features. If you’re staying on grounds (and I would highly recommend it), you can enter your confirmation number to link your resort reservation to the app.

You can also use the app for things like park maps, wait times, mobile food ordering, managing your dining reservations, Lightning Lane planning, attraction information, and your tickets/resort information. It is your one stop shop for pretty much everything!

But my one word of caution is this: don’t let it ruin your trip! It can be very easy to spend your entire day with your head down in your phone looking at the app for the next lowest wait time or where to eat for lunch. It’s helpful, but don’t let it dictate everything you do, all the time. Leave some room for spontaneity. And be sure to bring a portable charger!

Lastly, you aren’t going to be able to do “everything”

This one may be the hardest pill to swallow but the most important. You are just not going to be able to do “everything” — but I promise what you do get to accomplish will be more than enough!

Having an itinerary and a plan is excellent, but don’t feel like a failure if you missed a ride, didn’t get to eat at a particular restaurant, or see that incredible show. You can purchase all the lightening lanes or even the ultra luxurious VIP tour guide experience and you could still have a ride closure due to mechanical issue or weather. A Disney World vacation is not about doing it all - it’s about making memories with your friends and family in a magical setting.

Enjoy your experiences, and just do what I do and use what you didn’t get to do as an excuse to plan another trip back!

And there you have it! I hope this helps ease a little bit of your nerves when heading to Disney World as a first-time visitor. If you want more assistance planning your magical vacation, I’m happy to help you plan the whole thing from start to finish. Please reach out via email at hello@magnoliareverietravel.com or submit an inquiry on the Contact page— I would love to assist!