The Ultimate First Time Visitor’s Guide to Walt Disney World
Jenny and other family members were tour guides. Ashley's grandfather worked at Disney since the 80's, and her sister Lacey currently works there in EPCOT. So, in some ways, Mickey is just another member of the family. We've learned many things over the years that make our trips a little more affordable and not so hectic. We'll let you in on a few of our local secrets.
WHEN TO VISIT
Cinderella's Castle at night
{photo courtesy of Orange Blossoms and Sunshine}
February and October are the best times to come. Avoid holidays if you can. If you are here over a holiday, make sure you check out park hours. Disney offers "Magic Hours" at a different park each day, which means they open earlier or later for those staying at a Disney hotel.
BEFORE YOU VISIT
Come with a plan, but prepare to be flexible. I personally like to go later in the day when I can. Its usually cooler and less busy, which means shorter ride times. Jenny likes to get there early and beat the crowds.
Use the Disney Parks website.Ashley's sister Lacey works at EPCOT, and this was her best piece of advice. There, you are able to purchase tickets before going, so you avoid the VERY long ticket line to get into the park. You can also see park attendance numbers, which may help you plan which days to visit.
Use your Lightning Lanes. This system took the place of the previous FastPass system post-Covid, and I’m still unconvinced that the previous system even needed replacing. I’m not a huge fan of the nickel and dime-ing that seems to be the go-to for the current Disney c-suite lineup, and the paid Lightning Lanes replacing the free FastPasses is a great example.
Save on your accommodations. Did you know you could camp at Disney? The Fort Wilderness Resort offers campsites! Jenny goes with a group in the fall every year. It is at least half the price of the hotels plus you get all the perks of staying on property such as the resort events, buses to the parks
IN PARK RECOMMENDATIONS
Do: skip parades and fireworks. If you have been to the Magic Kingdom before or if you're visiting with a multi-day pass, use the time to head to the busiest rides and get in line. If you choose to skip the fireworks, go for an outdoor ride, such as the new, very popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or The Thunder Mountain Railroad. One of Ashley's most magical Disney experiences was watching the fireworks while riding it.
Don't: miss out on meeting the characters! Meeting at least one character is worth the wait. It's likely to be one of the fondest memories you'll have after your leave.
Do: remember It's A Small World. this could be your savior in the potential HELL that Fantasyland can be. Especially during the summer. The lines for ALL the Fantasyland rides are long, almost all the time. Even the carousal! .Except for Its A Small World. It's nearly always a short line wait and it’s a little piece of air conditioned Heaven!
Do take the Kilimanjaro Safari as early in the day as possible. The animals are more likely to be out and active at this time.
WHERE TO SPEND AND SAVE YOUR MONEY
Do lunch instead of dinner at the fancier restaurants. Your wallet will thank you. A majority of locals will tell you that EPCOT is their favorite because it is the only park that serves alcohol, and the World Showcase has the best restaurants.
Try some local favorites. Some of our favorite snacks are giant smoked turkey legs (I even take one home sometimes!), a Dole Whip (an ice cream and pineapple treat found at Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom and Captain Cook's at the Polynesian Resort), Mickey Mouse ice cream bars (a classic choice!), and churros and margaritas at Mexico in EPCOT.
Choose your souvenirs wisely. Just think of Disney as the world's largest gift shop. There is something to buy around EVERY corner. As a local, the souvenirs that are really worth the money are an autograph book and Mickey ears. I still have my autograph book to this day! Everyone should get a pair of Mickey Ears when visiting the park. You can also have them embroidered to make it a special keepsake.
OUTSIDE THE PARKS
There are TWO water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. And since it is Florida, you can visit pretty much year round.
Celebration is a little town near the Disney property that looks like it is straight out of The Stepford Wives. It has great shops and restaurants. Later in the year, they give us poor Floridians a taste of what seasons are like. During the Oktoberfest, leaves fall nightly. And no local misses out seeing the "snow", which happens this year from November 29th through December 31st at 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM.
Downtown Disney, Pleasure Island and Marketplace have been local favorites for years. There is a multi-screen movie theater, a bowling alley called Splitsville, Disney Quest, Cirque de Soleil, House of Blues, a hot air balloon ride, and numerous other restaurants and shops. However, at this time, the area is transforming into what will be called Disney Springs. There is a massive amount of construction going on right now, and the parking is especially awful. If you're visiting through 2016, you should be prepared for lots of construction and poor parking situation.
Mini golf is a must-do. There are SO many mini golfing places to visit. Mickey's Winter Summerland Mini Golfing is our favorite! It's a blast year round as well.
Finally, the best advice a local can give you is to relax and enjoy your trip. You can physically not do it all. So, enjoy what you do get to do. It’s still going to be the Most Magical Place on Earth!
