How to Use the Walt Disney World Instruction Manual
Welcome!
This site is designed for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World who do not know if they will ever return.
It guarantees the best possible first family visit to Walt Disney World for the least possible time spent planning!
To use this site, begin by clicking here for the Summary of Instructions.
Follow the instructions that you can, and where you can’t, click the links in the Summary of Instructions for your next best options, ranked in order!
If you are looking for something very specific,
- For when to go, see this
- For next best dates, see this
- For best and worst times to visit, see this
- For forecasting crowds at Walt Disney World, see this
- For seasonal pricing at Walt Disney World, see this
- For 2011 price seasons, see this
- For projected 2012 price seasons, see this
- For weather at Walt Disney World, see this
- For itinerary design goals and the basic December Itinerary, see this
- For itineraries covering all the other parts of the year, see this
- To design your own itinerary, see this
- For a comprehensive guide to rides and attractions, see this
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27 comments
Hello, What a great site. We are a family of five(three children of 18,15,11) planning to stay at Windsor Palms 9th April to 23rd 2011. There seems to be so much to do and see…any idea’s on where to start etc( we will hire a car). Thanks, Andy.
Andy and Tracey–most of what’s here is for 8 night trips. However, check out the second of the two example longer itineraries near the end of this page.
Hope this helps and have a great trip!! Dave
Hello – my family and I have gone in September the past 3 years and love the low crowds. This year we want to see the Christmas decorations. We are able to travel Wednesday to Tuesday. Do you recommend 11/30 to 12/6 or 12/7 to 12/13?? We are mostly concerned about crowds. I know both weeks fall during Pop Warner and the MK parade taping is 12/3. Any advice would be much appreciated as I am planning this trip for 3 families!!
Hi Marcia!
These are really close. The absolute lightest days in your possible periods will be 11/30 through 12/2, so on that basis I’d go with the 11/30 start…
Hi -
Any advice for itinerary for 2 adults/2 children (8 & 10). Travel dates 12/9 through 12/16 (friday (arrive at 11am) to friday(depart at 1pm). Staying at Wilderness Lodge. Would like to include Seaworld & Mickey’s Christmas Party. Is this doable?
Hi Kara!
The Basic December Itinerary is a pretty close fit. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/basic-itinerary-daily-links/ You can modify it to fit your dates!
Do I modify it by following the schedule based on day of the week? ie. do this on Friday, this on Saturday, etc. Or do I just follow your Saturday arrival plan when I arrive on Friday. Thanks so much for all the info.
Kara, sorry to have been so unhelpful! Was too early in the am…
You need to do the stuff on the same days of the week, as the days tie to typical extra magic hours etc. So on your arrival day, follow the Friday evening schedule, on your Saturday follow the 2nd Saturday, then on your Sunday and following follow the first Sunday, Monday, etc. On your last Firday, follow the Friday morning schedule.
Note’s there several morings off to fit Sea World into…
Hope this is more helpful!! Dave
Hello, we are thinking of a Bus Tour that leaves Canada March 3, 2012 which allows us to have One Free Day at either Disneyland or The California Adventure. I was wondering if the California Adventure would be better suited to ADULTS/SENIORS? And what is the Must Do List for One Day?
Hi Doreen!
In my judgement, I’d go with Disneyland.
I don’t have my own must-dos for either park, but you can find them here: http://touringplans.com/disneyland-resort/touring-plans?utm_campaign=referral&utm_medium=website&utm_source=yourfirstvisit&utm_content=r1&property_id=1
Thank You Dave! Much Appreciated.
Hi Dave,
We are frequent WDW guests in late March but are thinking of a trip Dec 28-Jan 2. We have never visited over Christmas break. We have 3 kids 11,16,and 18. Like the no alcohol atmosphere of MK for news years eve. How crazy crowded is it? Where you suggest staying?
Hi Fran!!
It will be as crowded those days–other than maybe the afternoon of the 1st and the 2nd–as it ever is at Walt Disney World…on a scale of 1-10 I rank it 11. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/05/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-christmasnew-years-2011-2012/
I’d recommend the Contemporary or Bay Lake Tower, because you can walk to and from the Magic Kingdom, which reduces time spent in transportation lines and can help in case the park closes–which is common at this time of year.
See this for more on the Contemporary http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/06/review-disneys-contemporary-resort/ for more on Bay Lake Tower, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/09/13/review-bay-lake-tower-at-disneys-contemporary-resort/ and for more on park closures see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/11/30/park-closings-at-walt-disney-world/
Hi Dave, what a brilliant website!:) We are hoping to travel from the UK (2 adults, 2 children age 4 and 2) in 2012. It isn’t our first visit, and I hope that it will not be our last – we LOVE Disney and Orlando! If I can ask your advice please… We are a little tied with dates, as we have annual passes that expire 29 Apr 2012. We have also found discounted flights that run until 31st March 2012. With this in mind,I have been looking at flying either 25th Dec (I know, who does that?!but its cheaper!) and experiencing for the first time the Holiday Season which looks amazing at Disney, or alternatively a two week stay from 25th Feb to 10 March..? I imagine Christmas at Disney would be heaving but we would hopefully see some of the wonders before the 3rd Jan and then have some quieter time. I am hoping the 25th Feb is after the busy time of Presidents Week but before the Spring Break arrivals so a good time to go? Is end Feb/early March a good time to go in terms of crowds and the weather getting warmer so the children could get in the pool?
Any advice much appreciated, thanks.
Hi Anne, and thanks!
Of your possibilties, I like the Feb/March dates. You will miss both the Presidents Day and (most) of the Spring Break crowds. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/07/11/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-spring-break-2012/
It’s not predictably as warm as you would like. Temps still vary quite a bit at this time of the year–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/
The Christmas season at WDW is wonderful…but not for those dates! Disney’s full Christmas program is in place by the Friday after Thanksgiving, so I suggest you do an eatly December experience in a future year! See this for more: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/05/29/christmas-2011-at-walt-disney-world/
Hope this helps and have a great trip!! Dave
Thanks Dave, thats a great help (and super speedy!)
Bearing that in mind, if we paid a bit more for flights would you say weeks 16th-30th April were better weeks? What would that be like in terms of crowds, would Spring breakers still be about? Thanks again, Anne
Anne–I much prefer those April weeks if you can afford them–crowds will be a bit lower, my crowd forecasts are more reliable then (Spring Break is very hard to forecast) and the weather will be much more likely to be terrific!
See also this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/23/the-most-comfortable-time-to-go-to-walt-disney-world/
Thanks Dave, very much appreciated.
Delighted to help!
Hi, Your site is amazing and a huge relief to me – my friend said his (non-working) wife spent 6months planning their trip and I almost scrapped the whole idea!
I have studied your weeks to visit but we are pretty restricted with my husband’s work and school holidays. We’re coming from the UK for 2 weeks with 6yr old twins. Price not an issue so it’s really only about coping with the weather and crowds – my realistic options are summer holidays 23 Jly – end Aug 2012 or taking my kids out of school from mid June (only ranked 1 place better), early Sept (hurricanes) or mid Nov (we want swim weather) . Is it really worth taking my kids out of school or shall I just go with Jly/Aug?
Any advice welcome, thanks!
Hi Tara and thanks!!!
As late in August as you can manage has a lot going for it. Crowds go down at the end of the month, and it’s definitely pool weather! The downside is that the peak of the hurricane season begins in late August. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/chance-of-cyclonic-storm-affecting-florida/
Late June would be more crowded, but avoid the peak of the hurricane season.
Mid November (avoiding the first full week and the week of Thanksgiving) would be my recommendation. While the swimming cannot be guaranteed (though I’ve seen plenty of 6 year olds in the heated pools in 60 degree weather!) crowds will be lower than any of your other options (other than the very last week of August), and I would trade crowds for swimming any day.
For more on winter weather see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/pool-days-november-through-february/ and this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/high-temperatures-year-round/
Hope this helps!! Dave
Hi Dave- Wonderful website! We will be in Orlando the week of Thanksgiving, mainly for Universal this time, but want to go to see the Christmas decor at Disney. Will it seem as festive if we go the Monday or Tuesday before Thanksgiving, or are Christmas decorations kept under wraps until after Thanksgiving?
Hi Sioban and thanks! The Christmas decorations are added beginning early November, so you should see lots of wonderful stuff Monday and Tuesday!
Hi Dave,
Just found this site by accident and I love it. I am trying to plan a 1st time holiday to Disneyworld for me and my 2 grandsons aged 10 and 15. I have two dates available 5th – 19th May 2012 or 2nd – 16th June 2012. I would prefer the 1st option but wondered which two weeks would be best for the weather? When it rains how long does it rain for and how heavy? Also, would my grandons be allowed to go on the water shutes without me? Thank you
Hi Linda and thanks for the love!
The May dates will be much better, not likely to be as hot or rainy, and much less crowded. See this for more:http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/
You may have to enter the waterpark with them, but you won’t have to go on any rides with them!
We are planning on a trip to Florida Feb 23-Mar 2. I have 5 days for Disney and 2 days for Sea World. Which days would you recommend to go to which parks. We have been there 4 years ago and my kids are 8 and 9 now. Our favorite is MK and AK. I only bought the magic your way. Not hopper. We want to avoid the crowds Feb 24. Will the 25 th be really
Crowded too? Should we go to Sea World that day? We also want to see the electrical parade in MK. What would you
Recommend?
Thanks !
Lori
Hi Lori!
The parks will be very crowded through the 25th. Sea World will be best the 26th or 27th. For the other parks, and focusing on the 26th and later,
Avoid MK the 27th, 28th, and 29th
Avoid HS the 26th and 29th
Avoid AK the 27th
Avoid Epcot the 1st and 2nd.
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