Advice for a first-time Disney World visitor?

[WriterNY]

Hi!

So, on Wednesday, my girlfriend and I will be headed from NY to Orlando, for a five day, four night trip to Disney World! It will be my first time in Disney World since 1998, and her first time there ever (she's from California, so she's been to Disneyland, but not in the last 8 or so years!).

We are staying at the All-Star Movies Resort, and plan on visiting all four parks. For some background on us, we are in our mid-20s and don't have any kids.

I've certainly read the boards here for a while, so am not going into this blind at all, but I'm wondering, what are your best tips for a first-timer? What are the things we have to do, the things we can't miss, and the little secret things we should check out?

Thanks everyone!

 

[TuneTownMagic]

Hope you have a magical time!!

I would say ride Maelstrom in the WS in Epcot while you can as it will be permanently closing on October 5th. You can experience what will soon become a part of Disney history!

I would also say don't miss the Festival of Fantasy parade in Magic Kingdom, I hear it is amazing. Also at MK, as I'm sure you know, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party...I have never done it but I'd definitely want to experience it if I was at the World in the fall time.

I would definitely recommend The Magic of Disney Animation at DHS because I recall it being the most fun the very first time in comparison to subsequent visits; you have a chance to learn to sketch a Disney character with an animator and other visitors.

Do you like the idea of meeting characters? That is always something that makes a trip to the World more magical for me at least; I'm also a childless young adult but I love it. Character Palooza in Hollywood Studios would be a fun thing to do.

Mostly, do what you enjoy and have a nice relaxing time. Don't stress too much about FP+...you say you have been reading around the boards a lot; my advice would be that they don't make or break a vacation and you can have a lot of fun regardless of whether they work out or not.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[ArwenMarie]

My tip is you can't do it all so don't even try! Pick your top 3-5 must-dos for each park and then anything else is great. Whatever you miss, you can see on your next trip

Other than that, my other tip is to give yourself time to really look around at Animal Kingdom. (Even though there are some construction walls up) There aren't many rides there, but I think the theming is the best at WDW. And try to see Festival of the Lion King!

Have a great trip!

 

[disnut8]

The best advice I can give to a first timer happened with my now daughter-in-law and granddaughter. The most single aspect that they just couldn't get over for a first timer was the size of Disney World. They knew there were four parks but their idea of a theme park was Cedar Falls. So, they thought they could just walk between everything with no problems. That the resorts were right there. Why bother with buses and such?

 

[wildcatfan]

The first trip is always so exciting! I would certainly suggest seeing Fantasmic at HS. I can still recall seeing it for the first time. Also, I would not go commando style. Relax and just enjoy the magic of the world. If you have not read any of the cool facts about the size of the place and how many of the attractions are built, I would suggest you do that. It always puts things in perspective. I love the links that Disney goes through to build an attraction. Most of all, make memories that will last forever. When we went on our first trip I thought we would probably never get to go back. We leave Thursday for trip number 16. Have a magical time!

 

[karly05]

My tip is you can't do it all so don't even try! Pick your top 3-5 must-dos for each park and then anything else is great. Whatever you miss, you can see on your next trip

My thoughts exactly! OP, set your priorities, leave yourself open to surprises, and just have fun!

The most single aspect that they just couldn't get over for a first timer was the size of Disney World. They knew there were four parks but their idea of a theme park was Cedar Falls. So, they thought they could just walk between everything with no problems.

Substitute Six Flags Over Texas for Cedar Falls and this was my Dad in 2004 - he said later he really thought the 4 parks were together, and you just walked one way to enter one, and walk across the other way for another, etc. Even though I had read every guidebook I could get my hands on for years before my first trip, the vastness is hard to grasp until you're actually there. (And I think I still get confused by the layout of DHS anytime I try to do something other than run back and forth between Star Tours and TSM...)

 

[WriterNY]

It's nice to hear that advice about taking it easy and not worrying about doing it all -- there seems to be so many strategies to getting it all in that I was worried about missing out on stuff!

Generally we're pretty laid back and like to just stroll around, so that's a relief!

If there's one secret, only-Disney-experts-know-about-thing at each park that we must do, what would they be?

Thanks everyone!

 

[jodls01]

ROPE DROP. If you get there before park opens you don't have to stress about FP's and still get on toy story etc. We always consider Animal Kingdom a half day park, but last dec. we skipped it because we didn't want to get on the water ride and the yeti is not working so ride has lost its unique appeal. We used the extra day at magic kingdom in order to divide park into two days. The older teens prefer Epcot over Animal Kingdom

 

[shannn]

I totally agree with rope drop. Unless you are absolutely allergic to mornings, get up and go! Even on our adult only trip, we do rope drop and then go back to our room and nap after lunch. We love the first quiet hour in the parks when there's hardly anybody there and we love leaving the parks in the hot afternoons for a long delicious nap.

In each park some of our favorite hidden gems:
DHS: Animation Academy for sure. Even if you don't think you have artistic ability, it's so much fun!
MK: If you like pineapple, get a Dole Whip and people watch in Adventureland. Don't miss the cheesy goodness of the Tiki Room & the Country Bears.
AK: *Read the back story* Knowing the storyline of the different parks of the park (especially the Chester & Hester part) made me appreciate the imagineering of the park so so much more.
EP: Grey Goose Slushie, freshly made caramel popcorn, sauntering and really exploring the nooks & crannies of the World Showcase

Enjoy! We loved going without kids.

 

[Volkswagenphreak]

Don't skip animal kingdom! Just because the yeti doesn't work doesn't make the ride that much less awesome. It's one of my favorites! Have fun! Make sure to visit downtown disney too

 

[ElsaAndAnna]

Hi! First times are wonderful! Some advice I can give to you is to go to the parks at rope drop (especially Magic Kingdom and Epcot). You should also look up which rides are worth the FastPass+. I hope this helps! Have a magical time!