What are some tips for first visit to Disney World?

[shunior]

Hello all,
We are taking our kids to Disney World for the first time, they are ages 12 and 14. What should we do? What are the best parks to visit?

 

[2TxAgs]

People here are going to want a lot more info....how many days are you going for? Are you staying offsite or on? Will you have a car? Is this a budget trip or a splurge trip? Do the kids have any Disney history - favorite movies? Do they like thrill rides?

My suggestion is to get a couple books from the library and/or read more on these boards to familiarize yourself with what's at each park. The kids might enjoy looking thru something like The Unofficial Guide to WDW, and what interests them will help you decide where to spend your time. Just know that there will always be more than you've had time for, and many people here have gone (or used to go) multiple times over the years.

The planning is half the fun - enjoy!

 

[potterfanatic]

We like to print out maps of the park and then have the kids circle the top 3 things they want to do in each. There is usually an overlap but that’s how we plan our days.

 

[Jonfw2]

I’d start with YouTube. There are a number of great Disney tips and planning sites. Start with DFB.

 

[Jonfw2]

For ages 12 and 14, I’d rank the parks that will be most fun like this:

Hollywood
Animal Kingdom
Epcot
MK

 

[MICKIMINI]

49 year veteran here! I agree with OP's maps are great so you can get a good feel of where everything is at the parks. Find the bathrooms, check out alternate routes to lands (MK is a must), checkout allears.net for menus and have a few alternatives so you are not wasting time.

Be patient. Try to let the kids lead the way, stop when they see something that interests them, be ready to buy lots of snacks. Give each kid a gift card for souveniers and explain the budget and expectations that once it's gone it's gone. Give them a chance to earn a bit of $$ doing chores before you go.

Eat breakfast in your room even if it is only cereal or granola bars. Bring water bottles. Wear your sunscreen and sunglasses. Make sure everyone has good quality, good fitting walking shoes/sneakers. Smartwool socks are best (not cotton!) Dr Scholls moleskin (brand specific) and a small scissor ($ store) for hot spots on feet. Good quality bandaids and triple antibiotic same reason. Cooling cloths or damp washcloth in zip bag. Handheld (small) fans are an option (I get hot).

Spend a lazy morning shopping at DS, hang out at the pool and then go to a park later in the afternoon for dinner (QS is fine) and fireworks. A mid week pool or resort hopping day is also great.

You can't see everything so don't try. Plan to return some day. Enjoy!

 

[hmansionlover]

You'll have to realize that is not likely you will get everything done that is on each persons' list. Compromises will have to be made. It has been my experience that different people in the group have different expectations as to what can and can't be accomplished in the given time you will have.

 

[snowwite]

Plan on transportation taking longer than you would expect Budget about an hour To go between hotel and parks And to park hop. Pack comfortable shoes! Pack zip lock bags. It can save your phone in your pocket on a water ride.
Before you go make a list of what most interests all of you so you can decide on a plan.
If you try to squeeze too much into each day you will go home exhausted. Plan to take a break mid day for lunch, pool, naps even just going in a dark air conditioned attraction is good.
Make reservation for at least one sit down meal a day.
As an example we used to arrive early and go to the left, head to thunder and splash mountains, back to pirates then take the train to fantasy land. You can go back later but this got us on a lot of stuff before it got mobbed. We scheduled late breakfast buffet and used it as brunch. Did more rides then head back for a break. Hop to another park for supper and fireworks or entertainment.
Our family faves were always MK, Epcot, Studios then AK. You can plan a day to try Mini Golf, water park and head to Fort Wilderness for camp fire and outdoor movie, head to Disney springs or Boardwalk. Sometimes just taking the boats and grabbing an ice cream was enough after all the walking.
Order the free video and check out you tube.
Have a fantastic trip!

 

[barkley]

my first questions before making any suggestions-when are you going/how long will your travel time be/are you from an area with similar weather to orlando? these were major factors that played into our trips with kids that age.

 

[_19disnA]

A lot of where you stay depends on your budget and which park(s) you plan to visit. Disney is HUGE and no one hotel is nearest to every park. Staying off-site can be more economical and several really nice hotels in the area. Every park involves MILES of walking so realize you probably can't do it all in one visit. Doing various parks on consecutive days can be exhausting so plan for some down time as well. Parks can be very crowded so expect it will take longer to get from one ride to another then you see on a map.

 

[barkley]

A lot of where you stay depends on your budget and which park(s) you plan to visit. Disney is HUGE and no one hotel is nearest to every park. Staying off-site can be more economical and several really nice hotels in the area. Every park involves MILES of walking so realize you probably can't do it all in one visit. Doing various parks on consecutive days can be exhausting so plan for some down time as well. Parks can be very crowded so expect it will take longer to get from one ride to another then you see on a map.

excellent points. for us the exhaustion is compounded b/c we are not from a region with the kind of weather orlando has (most semi manageable trip for us was in late january one year-we were still wandering around in shorts but at least we were not dripping wet with perspiration). travel and jet lag take a toll on us as well-our vacations there always entail the first day post arrival being utilized to sleep/acclimate to the time change.

 

[sarah4770]

Just remember it is a vacation.

 

[comicguy]

Just a couple of quick suggestions
1) pack two pair of shoes/sneakers/footwear for each person. We have found that alternating each day allows for the shoes to airout/dry out/ mold back to original position. You will do lots of walking (we average about 8-10 miles/day) and nobody wants sore feet!!
2) have some groceries (particulary water and other drinks delivered to your resort) You will save a ton of money (case of water delivered 12 dollars for 32 bottles, WDW price 3.50/bottle). We generally have 4 cases of water delivered and probably leave behind about a half case from the 4 of us and we still buy some water in the parks as there is just so much you actually want to carry around on hot days.
3) like someone already posted it is near impossible to do everything in one trip! Plan, Plan, and Compromise as needed, but make sure each person gets at least one of their "must do's/priority rides". This will keep everyone a bit happier!

I know this does not answer your question on best parks but these will help you enjoy the parks better and longer before exhaustion sets in.

For us, our group consists of Me52, DW51, DS29 DIL 28 we rank the parks in the following order: MK, HS, EP, AK

 

[PinkPixel]

Hello all,
We are taking our kids to Disney World for the first time, they are ages 12 and 14. What should we do? What are the best parks to visit?

Let them choose snacks and souvenirs spontaneously and budget your trip accordingly for that, I'd say a couple hundred just for these seemingly random purchases. Rides are funs, vacation is fun...But in some ways, getting to pick the little things that you're maybe too old for, or that is silly and over priced without shame is the thing that you have nostalgia about years later. Maybe unpopular opinion, but I think for kids, a perk.

 

[Mousetopia]

Hello all,
We are taking our kids to Disney World for the first time, they are ages 12 and 14. What should we do? What are the best parks to visit?

Do just what you are doing..Plan and research. These forums are great. Tourist Blog, All Ears, etc. have lot of info . My best first time tip is Disney is wayyy bigger than you realize..even if you plan..its like a city. Plan for extra time commuting park and plan breaks to rest and refresh. If you plan you can hit rides at the right time to avoid long waits and no need to purchase Genie+

 

[Jimsig]

Take time to relax. Take a down day or two or more depending on how long you are going to stay. Sleep in that day, hit the pool, go to Disney Springs for a bit. Basically recharge your batteries. It can do wonders to make your vacation better over all.

When planning also take time to relax. When you find planning getting overwhelming take a day off. With everything out there you could actually spend more them planning then actually being there.