As a HUGE fan and frequent visitor to Walt Disney World in Florida for five decades, it's hard for me to even imagine that there is a "first-time" visit to the most magical place on earth in Orlando for anyone!
Of course, that is a preposterous view on my part. Folks of all ages visit Disney World each day for the very first time. Some young, some old, but all of whom are hoping to catch the Disney spirit and see what all the hubbub is about!
Making one's first journey to this 10,524 square mile theme park can be quite overwhelming with so much to see, do and experience. As long-time Disney Vacation members, we can assure you that the Disney folks have left no stone unturned when it comes to all aspects of creating a memorable experience with as little stress as possible. However, we are here to lend you a few helpful tips for visiting Disney World like a pro!
1. Download My Disney Experience Mobile App
Of course, that is a preposterous view on my part. Folks of all ages visit Disney World each day for the very first time. Some young, some old, but all of whom are hoping to catch the Disney spirit and see what all the hubbub is about!
Making one's first journey to this 10,524 square mile theme park can be quite overwhelming with so much to see, do and experience. As long-time Disney Vacation members, we can assure you that the Disney folks have left no stone unturned when it comes to all aspects of creating a memorable experience with as little stress as possible. However, we are here to lend you a few helpful tips for visiting Disney World like a pro!
1. Download My Disney Experience Mobile App
(c) travelincousins.com
My Disney Experience is a mobile app for iPhone, tablets and Android smartphones that allows Walt Disney World Resort Guests to plan their vacation and get the most out of their Disney theme park experience.
In a nutshell, this app is a one-stop-shop for every last detail having to do with your trip. The process can begin as soon as you've booked your trip and have a hotel and ticket reservation, making it possible to set up your own personal profile. From this point, the sky is the limit!
Guests have access to all details pertaining to their reservation and planned activities. Set up a Family & Friends list, link reservations and park tickets to your Disney account, schedule FastPass+ and Dining Experiences, check into your hotel, check ride and attraction wait times and more.
2. Make Dining Reservations in Advance
In a nutshell, this app is a one-stop-shop for every last detail having to do with your trip. The process can begin as soon as you've booked your trip and have a hotel and ticket reservation, making it possible to set up your own personal profile. From this point, the sky is the limit!
Guests have access to all details pertaining to their reservation and planned activities. Set up a Family & Friends list, link reservations and park tickets to your Disney account, schedule FastPass+ and Dining Experiences, check into your hotel, check ride and attraction wait times and more.
2. Make Dining Reservations in Advance
(c) travelincousins.com
While we are big fans of spontaneity, leaving restaurant dining to chance in Disney World is strongly discouraged. These days, with the number of guests visiting the theme park and travelers' level of sophistication and desire to plan ahead, you will find yourself very disappointed if you just "show up" to any of the sit down restaurants.
While this approach works just fine for quick service dining, we strongly recommend making meal reservations in advance Using either the Disney.com website or using My Disney Experience app, reservations are a breeze and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Just beware, reservations require a credit card to hold your meal reservation as well as cancellation 24-hours prior or you will be charged a fee of $10 per person in your party.
3. Book Disney Attraction and Ride FastPass+in Advance
While this approach works just fine for quick service dining, we strongly recommend making meal reservations in advance Using either the Disney.com website or using My Disney Experience app, reservations are a breeze and can be made up to 180 days in advance. Just beware, reservations require a credit card to hold your meal reservation as well as cancellation 24-hours prior or you will be charged a fee of $10 per person in your party.
3. Book Disney Attraction and Ride FastPass+in Advance
(photo credit: disneyinsidertips.com)
Disney FastPass+ service is the electronic/online system for booking rides at Disney World so that you can skip the lines (or wait in substantially shorter lines for your favorite rides.
With the purchase of a ticket or Annual Pass , you can make selections as early as 30 days before you arrive - starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time if you are NOT staying at a Disney World resort. If you ARE staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay.
We cannot tell you how much "standing in line" time this saves and it is so easy to secure FastPass+. Simply choose your attractions and experiences on My Disney Experience or online from the choice of hour-long blocks of time given. Then all you do is show up at your time.
There are a few rules:
4. Take Advantage of Disney's Magical Express
With the purchase of a ticket or Annual Pass , you can make selections as early as 30 days before you arrive - starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time if you are NOT staying at a Disney World resort. If you ARE staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay.
We cannot tell you how much "standing in line" time this saves and it is so easy to secure FastPass+. Simply choose your attractions and experiences on My Disney Experience or online from the choice of hour-long blocks of time given. Then all you do is show up at your time.
There are a few rules:
- Guests are permitted to make three FastPass+ reservations per day for the park being visited..
- After fulfilling your three FastPass+ reservations in the parks, you can then visit a FastPass+ kiosk to make another reservation.
- Walt Disney World splits up the available FastPass+ options into tiers based on popularity for all the parks except Magic Kingdom.
- FastPass selections cannot be made during Early Magic Hours or other special ticketed events like the Halloween/Christmas party/after hours/etc.
4. Take Advantage of Disney's Magical Express
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World and staying at a Disney owned resort, (which we thoroughly recommend!!), you’ll be able to take advantage of complimentary airport shuttle service, luggage delivery, and airline check-in.
What's so convenient about this service is that all you need to do is check your bags at your hometown airport and once it arrives at Orlando International Airport, Disney takes care of the rest, retrieving your luggage and delivering it directly to your Disney Resort! All you need to do is walk to the Magical Express Welcome Center in Terminal B area once you deplane and board the comfortable coach and relax as you are taken directly to your resort.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you will receive a package in the mail with your Disney Magical Express luggage tags. Simply attach to your bags at your hometown airport prior to checking and you are all set!!
5. Take Advantage of the Baby Care Centers
What's so convenient about this service is that all you need to do is check your bags at your hometown airport and once it arrives at Orlando International Airport, Disney takes care of the rest, retrieving your luggage and delivering it directly to your Disney Resort! All you need to do is walk to the Magical Express Welcome Center in Terminal B area once you deplane and board the comfortable coach and relax as you are taken directly to your resort.
If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you will receive a package in the mail with your Disney Magical Express luggage tags. Simply attach to your bags at your hometown airport prior to checking and you are all set!!
5. Take Advantage of the Baby Care Centers
(photo credit: theparktourist.com)
As much fun as Disney World is, it can also be tiring, especially if you are traveling with little ones. Not to fear, Disney already thought of this and I can tell you from personal experience, their Baby Centers are a wonderful oasis amidst the activity of the park and are a great alternative to heading all the way back to your hotel room if your baby needs changing or a quiet place.
Located within all 4 theme parks, Baby Care Centers provide a convenient place to feed, change and nurse little ones. In addition to offering a quiet refuge, the Baby Care Centers are fully staffed and chock full of amenities for parents with infants and toddlers, including a feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave and sink, a main room with television, table and seating and an on-site shop to purchase necessities such as formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing
They are always open during regular park hours, complimentary to use.
Till next time,
Elisa and Kelsey
Located within all 4 theme parks, Baby Care Centers provide a convenient place to feed, change and nurse little ones. In addition to offering a quiet refuge, the Baby Care Centers are fully staffed and chock full of amenities for parents with infants and toddlers, including a feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave and sink, a main room with television, table and seating and an on-site shop to purchase necessities such as formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing
They are always open during regular park hours, complimentary to use.
Till next time,
Elisa and Kelsey
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