So you are visiting Disney for the first time… there is so much to look at and it can be SUPER overwhelming. Where do you start? First, you must decide if you are going to Disney World in Orlando or Disneyland in California. This guide will cover Disney World! My goal with this guide is to help you plan a stress-free trip that you can truly enjoy and feel the Disney magic.
One of the first things to consider when deciding to take a trip to Disney is the time of year. This determines how much you will spend and what the crowds will look like. I love this crowd calendar and use it when planning my own Disney vacations. I like it even more because I can look at Universal Studios crowd calendar simultaneously. If the only time you can go is during a high traffic time (like summer), plan for a higher budget and longer wait times. Also, plan to take advantage of LightningLane passes, if that fits within your budget. More on that later.
First things first…
Disney World is comprised of four parks, 32 on-site resorts, and two water parks. The possibilities feel endless! Let’s break that down some. When visiting Disney for the first time, I recommend staying at an on-property resort if at all possible. I love the convenience of transportation and immersing myself in the “Disney bubble” for the time of my stay. Staying on property also gets you access to things like having souvenirs you’ve purchased sent to your hotel, extra park hours in the morning on select days, or charging things to your magic band. There are so many resorts to choose from and I really break down how to pick your perfect resort in my “Visiting Disney for the First Time” Guide that is coming soon!
When should I visit Disney for the first time?
Picking when to visit Disney is another major challenge. When to visit really depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the lowest crowds? The best weather? For a special event? All of these things factor into the timing decision. Sometimes, you have very little control over when you visit because of school or work. If you have to visit during the summer, plan for higher prices and longer lines but it’s absolutely still doable!
Does “low-crowd” even exist anymore?
There is truly no “low crowd” time at Disney anymore, in my opinion. However, there are certainly times where there are lower crowds. These times are typically mid-January to mid-February. So after New Year’s and before Mardi Gras. The weather is also typically pretty moderate during this time, which is a nice bonus. The next time that might have lower crowds is late April to mid-May. This is after Spring Break, but before school lets out. The weather is starting to get warmer at this point, but it is still manageable. Lastly, the mid-September to mid-November range (avoiding fall break times in October when you can). The weather is often really nice during this time.
The weather can be so unpredictable in Orlando, and you should always plan for rain at some point during the day. A lot of the time, it rains for 20-30 minutes and then it’s fine for the rest of the day. Point being, don’t let the rain ruin your trip! A rainy day at Disney is always better than a nice day at home! The weather is really nice late October to early December. The temperature is typically really nice, and there are less storms. The other time that is really nice is March to mid-May. The Spring weather is wonderful and flowers are blooming, but you can expect some storms during this time. April Showers and all…
All things tickets!
There are a few different types of tickets you can purchase. First, the base ticket. This gets you access to one park per day for however many days you purchase. The cost per day goes down the more days you purchase, with a max purchase of 10 day tickets. The first add on is called a Park Hopper. The Park Hopper add on allows you to “hop” from park to park, visiting as many of the four main parks as you want during a single day. The second add on is the Water Parks & Sports option! This allows you to visit the water parks and things like ESPN Wide World of Sports. Both of these are an additional cost per day, which varies based on season.
Must-See Attractions & Genie+ Basics
Make the most of your Disney trip by hitting these must-ride attractions and mastering Lightning Lane for shorter wait times!
Top Rides for First-Time Visitors
🏰 Magic Kingdom:
✅ Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Family-friendly coaster
✅ Space Mountain – Classic indoor thrill ride
✅ Pirates of the Caribbean – Iconic boat adventure
🌎 EPCOT:
✅ Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – High-speed coaster
✅ Frozen Ever After – Magical boat ride
✅ Test Track – Speed through test laps
🎬 Hollywood Studios:
✅ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Cinematic, immersive ride
✅ Slinky Dog Dash – Fun family coaster
✅ Tower of Terror – Thrilling drop ride
🦁 Animal Kingdom:
✅ Avatar Flight of Passage – Stunning 3D flight
✅ Expedition Everest – Yeti-themed coaster
✅ Kilimanjaro Safaris – Real animal encounters
⚡ Lightning Lane Basics
🔹 Lightning Lane (Multi-Pass) – Lets you skip standby lines for select rides (one at a time). Buy via My Disney Experience app starting at 7 am 7 days prior to your resort stay or 3 days prior to your ticket start date(if not staying on property).
🔹 Individual Lightning Lane – High-demand rides (like Rise of the Resistance) require a separate purchase.
🔹 Lightning Lane (Premier Pass) – High cost option that gets you one-time entry to each Lightning Lane experience with no set arrival times.
💡 Pro Tips:
✔️ Book top attractions ASAP – they fill up fast!
✔️ Use Lightning Lane, standby, and mobile ordering to maximize time
Dining & Snacks
Dining can also be pretty intimidating with so many options available to you. You can find my full dining guide here. To provide a quick synopsis, there are three main dining options: snacks, quick service, and table service options! Snacks are small treats that are typically found at walk-up stands. The quick service option is your walk up or mobile order type option. Lastly, table service is exactly what it sounds like: you sit down for a full service meal. Another option is the Disney Dining Plan, where your meals are pre-paid as part of your Disney Vacation Package. Thinking about the dining plan? I discuss if it’s worth it for your family here!
There are so many food options throughout the parks and at resorts. My recommendation is to start by determining if you are vibing more with quick service, table service, or a combination of the two! If you are looking at table service options, be sure to make advanced dining reservations, which can be made 60 days in advance.
Packing & Park Navigation
What do I need to pack when visiting Disney for the first time?
How do I navigate all these parks, successfully?
The My Disney Experience (MDE) app is your ultimate Disney planning tool, helping you navigate the parks, book rides, check wait times, and order food—all from your phone!
📲 Top Features to Use
✅ Interactive Map & GPS Navigation – Find attractions, dining, and restrooms easily.
✅ Real-Time Wait Times & Showtimes – Plan your ride strategy on the go.
✅ Lightning Lane Bookings – Skip long lines by reserving access to top rides.
✅ Mobile Food Ordering – Skip the food lines by ordering ahead.
✅ Dining – Secure tables and last minute reservations.
✅ Disney MagicMobile – Use your phone for park entry—no MagicBand needed.
💡 Pro Tips
✔️ Turn on notifications for ride alerts & dining reminders.
✔️ Charge your phone or bring a portable charger.
✔️ Explore the app before your trip to get familiar with its features.
Budgeting & Avoiding Common Mistakes
I’m working on an entire blog about doing Disney on a budget, but here are some of my top tips!
💰 Money-Saving Tips
✅ Stay Off-Site or at Value Resorts – More budget-friendly than deluxe hotels.
✅ Bring Your Own Snacks & Water – Disney allows outside food
✅ Use Disney Gift Cards – Get discounts at Target, Sam’s Club, or BJ’s.
✅ Skip Park Hopper – Stick to one park per day to save.
✅ Dine Smart – Opt for quick-service meals & late breakfast buffets.
✅ Buy Disney Gear Before Your Trip – Save on clothes & souvenirs by shopping in advance.
🚫 Common First-Timer Mistakes
❌ Not Booking Park Reservations Early – Reserve ASAP after buying tickets!
❌ Wasting Lightning Lane – Prioritize high-demand rides first.
❌ Underestimating Walking & Weather – Wear comfy shoes & pack sunscreen.
❌ Paying Full Price for Everything – Use discounted gift cards & deals.
❌ Skipping Rope Drop – Arrive early for shorter wait times.
❌ Overpacking – Keep it light with essentials only (water, poncho, charger).
Be sure to check out my entire Disney series of blogs for all the tips and tricks for a magical vacation!
