Instructions for Your First Visit to Walt Disney World
By Dave Shute
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- Josh Humphrey, 1985-2022
INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR FIRST DISNEY WORLD VISIT
Follow the instructions that follow for your first family visit to Walt Disney World to save thousands of dollars, and avoid dozens of hours waiting in line, while seeing all the best of Walt Disney World!
1. When to Go to Walt Disney World:
Most years, I suggest that if you can, you should arrive at Walt Disney World one of the first two, sometimes three, Saturdays after Thanksgiving. In 2026, I recommend the first three weeks after Thanksgiving. More… Next best dates to go…
2. How Long to Stay:
You can have a wonderful trip spending as few as 5 days. However, if you can, be in Orlando for 9 days–a Saturday through a Sunday. More… Going for a shorter trip…
3. How Old/Tall Your Children Should be:
Kids of any age can have a wonderful time at Disney World. However, if this may be your kids’ only childhood visit, consider going when your youngest child is at least 8 or 9, and your shortest child at least 48 inches tall. More… Planning for going with younger/shorter kids…
4. Where to Stay at Walt Disney World:
Stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort if you can afford it, or at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort if you can’t. More… Next best resort options…
5. How Much to Budget:
You can have a wonderful first visit for $3,000 or less. However, to see all the best of Walt Disney World at the best time of the year to visit, budget if you can $14,000 if you are staying at the Polynesian, or $9,500 if at Art of Animation. More… Developing a much lower or a different budget…
6. When Your Plans Need to be Firm:
Your plans should be firm at least 181 days before your arrival date. More… Planning if it’s already later than that…
7. How to Eat at Walt Disney World:
Sign up for the “Magic Your Way Plus Dining” package. More… Planning if you can’t do this package…
8. Where to Eat:
The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly where to eat (as do the Other Itineraries). More… Next best dining choices…
9. How to Spend Your Time at Walt Disney World:
The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly how to spend your time in Orlando (as do the Other Itineraries). More… Other Itineraries…
10. What to do When:
See the To-Do List for an exact list of what to do when to prepare for your trip. More… To-Do Lists for Other Itineraries…
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1,261 comments
I have reservations for June 2014 during time that new discounts have just been offered. Do you know if I will be entitled to those discounts? And if yes how do I go about getting them?
Thank you!!
Fred, the scoop on the deal is here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2014/01/06/disney-world-room-rate-deal-for-well-into-june-2014/ Just go online or call Disney and try to get into it, and if successful, cancel your other reservation. There’s a link to Disney’s page on the deal at the end, and the phone number is on that Disney page…
Hi Dave, is it better to do the online check in? Or can we wait and just check in when we arrive at the hotel? Also, if we do online check in, can we change any info once we get to the hotel? Like the credit card we set up for magic Band purchases?
Jennifer, I can’t think of any reason to delay on-line check in, or to not do it. And yes, you can change your credit card at the desk!
hi thinking of booking up for 2 weeks from 30th march 2014 to 14th april , the spring break and anticipated easter crowd is putting me off a bit , I know easter is late dis year so was wondering wat effect that will have on the week prior to easter and how long into april will the spring break crowds last for, finally isit sunbathing weather in early april thanx
Shaz, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/09/18/april-2014-at-walt-disney-world/
Hello Dave,
I have to tell you, I think you are quite the hero when it comes to assisting all of us first timers to plan our trips. I still find the planning process overwhelming but I cant imagine what I’d do or where I’d be without your site.
Heres a brief rundown of our situation: 8 travellers, myself, husband, my parents and our three children ages 22 (plus her boyfriend) and 8 year old girl and 6 year old boy. We are planning on staying on resort probably in 1 family suite and one standard room in Art of Animation. We are from Canada (Ontario, specifically) but are planning on flying Monday to Monday from Buffalo simply because of the cost savings. We are going to try our best to follow the Autumn-Spring-Summer Itinerary but will not be going to Cirque (sadly but at $100/person it’s just not financially feasible). We will also not be getting Park Hoppers passes. Just wondering if you could advise me on how to modify for monday to monday. Also, I get a little confused when I try to figure out the parks and coordinate the meals and parades, do you have them already organized for the non-park hopper passes? We are happy to enjoy extra down time as we are hoping not to return home more tired then when we left…lol
Thanks for your time and for everything you do on this site! It never ceases to amaze me!
Natasha
Natasha you are so kind! Thanks! I can help–but I need to know your dates…
Oops, probably helpful to know we plan to travel April 28th to May 5th and my middle daughter will celebrate her 9th birthday while we are there on the 2nd, if you have any special advice on how best to spend her big day….
Also, I just saw on the bottom of your site the dedication to you mother (I believe) and I wanted to pass on our condolences.
Thanks again,
Natasha
OK got it.
First start with this–it’s a seven night version https://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/06/seven-night-walt-disney-world-autumn-winter-spring-itinerary-v2/
In it, do what it says as
First Sunday on Monday
Monday on Thursday
Thursday on second Sunday
Seocnd Sunday on second Monday.
To avoid the need for hoppers, do the AK part of Saturday on Tuesday–keeping Hoop on Tuesday, and spend Saturday am at MK.
You will need to supplement this with FastPass+ . See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/08/20/what-you-need-to-know-now-about-fastpass/
On the birthday, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/02/01/is-walt-disney-world-free-on-your-birthday/
Thanks so much Dave, I am well on my way to filling in a blank itinerary with all you tips so I don’t get confused… :-). Just a couple of other questions: #1 – Do you think staying at the Art of Animation is a good choice? #2 – It looks like we will be spending Monday evening of our arrival and Friday (the birthday day) at Epcot..should I try to book the Akershus Banquet Dinner for the birthday? #3 – Do you think that spending Friday at Epcot is the best choice on her birthday?
Thanks again for all you time and assistance.
Natasha
Yes Art of Animation is my highest-ranked value. Epcot is good on Fridays because it has extra hours after Illuminations, meaning you won’t face massive crowds at park close. And yes Akershus is a great idea for Friday!
HI dave,
my family of 4 (2 adults and a 7yo and 4&1/2 yo) are arriving Feb 21/14 and leaving Feb 28. I’ve only booked the princess boutique experience for my daughter at Downtown Disney late morning on the Saturday. and have loosely planned Epcot for the 21st. Any other suggestions? The height restrictions may apply to my daughter (40-some inches tall and can be frightened). I probably need to book a sit down supper or two soon. I’d appreciate restaurant suggestions too. At some point, I think we’ll do AK and Hollywood studios and of course MK (maybe split that between 2 days). thanks in advance,
connie
Connie, I don’t have anything that’s a tight fit to your visit–my material is for older kids. But take a look at this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/11/02/seven-night-walt-disney-world-autumn-winter-spring-itinerary-v1/ It includes restaurants…
Hi Dave,
Just want to start by saying used your site to plan our first trip last April and it was spot on. Really super helpful. My question to you is that we are planning a trip this time with grandparents this coming Oct. BC my parents can’t get around quite as quickly as us, we thought perhaps a moderate hotel would be more comfortable and faster to parks. However seems like while quieter and more comfy, the moderates don’t have that feeling of being immersed in Disney culture for the little ones like AoA or Pop for our 6 year old. Thoughts?
Hi Beth, and I’m so glad the site helped!!!
The mods are definitely Disney, but not quite so recognizable as such to the little ones. More to the point, they are a pain to get around unless you stay at POFQ, or buy a “preferred” room at one of the others.
Have you considered a family suite at Art of Animation? The Nemo section is convenient, and it sleeps 6 in two spaces… See https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/06/10/review-the-family-suites-at-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/
Hi Dave
Probably choose the worst two weeks to come to Disney we land on 20th Dec 14 and it’s my sons 11th birthday on 21st. We are staying off site at the doubletree at sea world – got a great deal for booking early here in the UK. We have been before many years ago and have no idea what to do and where to go first. What would your suggestions be for a birthday meal on the 21st and a planner for all parks. Unfortunately a we can’t get the disney dining plan but have heard you can get discount eating cards are these worth getting? Would really love to fit it all in , we leave on 3rd Jan 15. Oops and another thing what to do on New Year’s Eve ? Can we pre-book a restaurant and how far in advance? Where would you suggest. Sorry to bombard you with questions but I only have a year to go!!!, lol thx. Sarah
Sarah, if I were you I’d just cancel and book a more civilized date…
I won’t have any specific suggestions for those dates until Disney’s operating calendar for then comes out, which it will (for December) in late May. You can’t get discount eating cards for WDW unless you also buy an annual pass. If you buy an AP, you can then get the discount card (called Tables in Wonderland) , which costs another $100 but saves you 20% at most WDW table service. You can book restaurants at WDW beginning 180 days before the finding date.
While all your days will be horrible, they will be better before the 25th and after the 1st. New years Eve is a mess–waits exceed 4 hours in 2013 at some rides. Me, I’d stay in my hotel on NYE… or go to the Animal Kingdom park, which because it has no special celebration, isn’t packed.
Dave,
Our big trip is in 6 weeks and we are trying to decide whether or not to fly and utilize Magical Express. Mousesavers suggests that getting your luggage can be a hassle once at your Disney resort. What other complaints have you experienced or heard about? Are there big advantages? Thoughts?…
Nickey, waiting for the Magical Express bus, riding the bus, then waiting some more as it makes a couple of other stops, and then being in a long line at check-in with everyone else who rode the bus, are also points of frustration for some. All in, grabbing your own bags and renting a car or taking a cab is much faster and more reliable–but of course you’ll pay $150 round trip for a cab…
Hi Dave
This site has helped me find sanity in a sea of chaos. I’m planning my first family trip to Disneyworld for my family of 3 for next year (the last 2 weeks of october) from the UK. We’re looking to stay onsite and i just wondered who you think would be the best option for travel for someone from overseas. The best deluxe price i can find (my wife fell in love with Wilderness Lodge) is £6300 (thats a price for 2014) on the Disney site itself.
Many thanks in advance, i hope you realise how much people like me appreciate everything you done by setting up this site.
Nick, thanks so much for the kind words! You’ve made my day.
Sadly, in response I can’t help much on your specific questions. From the UK you will see both different prices and different deals than I can see–in particular, I believe, via Virgin. Suggest you check out a UK based Disney discussion board the dibb–see http://www.thedibb.co.uk/
Hi Dave
I have booked our first trip arriving early evening on the 27th November (thanksgiving) staying at the Grand Floridian for 10 nights. We have a 4 year old child. Would you advise any changes to the following Itinerary? I am concerned about the first weekend being really busy!
28th Nov – Magic Kingdom all day
29th Nov – Magic Kingdom afternoon and evening fireworks
30th Nov – Animal Kingdom all day
1st Dec – Animal Kingdom afternoon followed by Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue
2nd Dec – Hollywood Studios all day
3rd Dec – Hollywood Studios afternoon followed by Fantasmic
4th Dec – Seaworld all day
5th Dec – Epcot afternoon followed by Candle Light Proc and Illuminations
6th Dec – Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (subject to weather)
7th Dec – Gospel Brunch then fly home
Thanks in advance. Great website!
Paul, I won’t be able to comment on the specific dates until Disney releases it calendar for December, which won’t do for more than 3 months.
However, I can tell you now that you are wildly over-scheduled for a 4yo. What you’ve laid out would be tough for an older kid. Moreover, there’s not enough for your child to do on all these days.
I’d suggest at MK 2-3 mornings, an afternoon, and an evening, and a morning each at the other three Disney parks. I don’t know enuf about Sea World to know if there’s enuf content there for a four year old, but I still doubt the stamina exists for a full day. I’d skip, at that age, the gospel brunch, and probably hoop dee doo too…
Thanks for the reply Dave.
I believe that closer to the time i’ll call around to find the best price i can but at the moment sourcing the holiday from Disney (disneyinternational.com) themselves seems the cheapest option by far, but i will contact as many agents as i can to get the best deal around the beginning of 2015 to fly out mid-october.
My current plan will be 2 weeks at Wilderness lodge, with the 14 day disney park ticket and standard dining plan (1 waiter, 1 quick serve, 1 snack, and refillable drink). Though i’ll end up paying for the dining plan i believe that if Disney do release any offers after i’ve paid for the time i’m leaving they will apply the discount / refund after the fact (unless you can shed any light on this)?
1 final question, as this may be our only trip, i would like to take my family (myself, wife and 7 year old son to Universal Studios / IoA. We’ve been waiting for him to meet the height requirement for Universal as well (he’s quite tall for his age). As we’re staying onsite at disney we won’t be renting a car, but rely on their shuttle bus etc. I did find details of a company (dreams unlimited travel) who offer a park ticket and roundtrip offer for US / IoA and wondered if you had any knowledge on these company? I believe they’re run by Mears?
Many thanks again!
Hi Nick a couple of responses
–Mears is the principal Orlando shuttle company, so you should be OK with that. But frankly you should consider a night at a Universal hotel—the perks are amazing and will make your days there go much better. See this https://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/12/17/where-to-stay-during-your-visit-to-the-wizarding-world-of-harry-potter/ Not listed on it is Universal’s hotle that opening this year, Cabana Bay. It is cheaper, but isn’t expected to have all the perks of its more expensive siblings
–Disney does not “apply the discount.” If they offer one, you have to contact them to try to book it. You’ll be competing with the rest of the world for the inventory of the discount, so stay close to such offers. You’ll find the major worldwide deals here as they show up: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/03/29/walt-disney-worlds-latest-spring-and-summer-deal/ but I don’t track UK-only deals…
Hope this helps!!
Hi Dave,
Thanks for helping with travel and hotel recommendations. I’d like to see if you could also help the itinerary. We are planning on arriving around noon on Sat. 10/25/14 and leaving Thursday, 10/30/14 at noon. We are getting 5 park tickets for 3 (2 adults/1 -7 yr old grl). We are planning MK on Sat, AK on Sun, HS on Mon., Epcot on Tues., and MK on Wed., Or would it be better to switch Epcot and MK? Also do you recommend on getting the park hoppers? Do you think it would be worth it? I was thinking of buying the park tickets off of undercover tourist and then adding dining option on arrival. Do you think this is wise or should I just add everything as a package? Please let me know if there is anything I’ve missed or if I should change anything. Your expertise is highly valued.
Thank you so much,
Veronica
Veronica, I won’t have park recommendations for October until Disney publishes its calendar for then, which it will do in about two months.
I’m almost certain that you can’t add the dining option in arrival. Not only do you need to book it ahead of time, but also you need to make a minimum ticket buy to be eligible for it as well. I personally would skip the dining plan and go with UT. The dining plan used to save a ton of money; now, not so much.
With a seven year old and such a short trip the hopper may be helpful. But I’d skip it for now, and add it to your tix on site if you decide you really want it then…
Hi Dave,
Going to Disney Orlando for the first time March 3-6th with my two boys ages 3.5 and 8. I know I have limited time and we will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and I know I cant do the park nor my kids for a full day. At first this was may plan (but i keep changing it!) First day we arrive 12:30 at MCO airport. Was thinking to hit Hollywood studios or Epcot around 5. tuesday MK early and afternoons at resort and third day either Epcot or Hollywood studios. But now Im thinking that its going to be very stressful. So arrival day do downtown disney (anything special/interesting we shouldnt miss?) with a dinner and day two MK and day 3 either HS or Epcot. We leave thursday at 2:30 so I think we can stay in the resort. Not sure of anything though anymore. To much to see, too much to do in so little time and I know I cant keep myself out all day and my kids as well. Also any nice themed restaurants that they would enjoy? Thank you so much!
Luisa, just to simplify things–it can easily take 2+ days just to see MK, and MK is the easiest park to get to form the Wilderness Lodge. Given how short your trip is, and the ages of your kids, I’d focus on that.
Skip DTD–it’s a pain to get to, and uninteresting for kids.
For where to eat, see this–but book soon, as the best-loved restaurants begin to fill as far as 6 months ahead of time: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/12/23/first-time-visitors-and-dining-at-walt-disney-world/
Going on first trip to DW in November 2014. What week would be the best. We would like to go to Mickey Christmas Party. Children will be 16 and 17. Any info will be helpful
Pam, see the weeks ranked #1, 4, and 9 here: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/10/15/2014-weeks-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-order/ All will have the Party!
Hey Dave, I have a question for you. I’ve been looking around on google earth and I found a building across from the Downtown Disney main entrance. It has a fountain out front that says “Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, its off to work we go”. On the back side of this building it has Baby Cakes NY and Goofy’s Candy Co. Can you tell me the name of this building and if its open to the public? If it helps, it is south and a bit west of the main entrance to DTD. To access it you would turn the opposite way from entering DTD.
OMG Jennifer, I dunno! If it’s the building in the image–that’s Casting and not open to the public
Yes! Thats the building!!! Well, thanks for solving that mystery. No wonder why there aren’t many pics on Google Earth of it. Thanks Dave!
🙂
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