Our first Disney trip is in the books!! I still feel like a complete rookie when it comes to planning a Disney trip, but I thought it would be fun to share what I know and a few favorite moments!
With this being our first trip, we tagged along with my brother and sister-in-law, so naturally we let them do most of the planning. Every time I would try to get involved in the planning, I would get super overwhelmed. My SIL had a friend who was a Disney travel agent, so I honestly think that was the best move we made was in using her help us with all the little things in booking our trip. She knew all the ins-and-outs about Disney, so I think it is definitely worth looking into hiring a travel agent if its your first trip, or heck, even your 12th trip.
We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and because there was 9 of us total, we got a 2-bedroom suite with a kitchen and washer/dryer. This was so nice to have with a large group so we could all be together and have our own space too. It was amazing waking up and standing on our patio to see giraffes, zebras, and ostriches walking just feet from us. I will say though, we were hardly in our room because we planned a jam-packed week to fit all the parks in, and the resort was a 40 minute drive to most of the parks. I think next time would try to stay on Disney property but in a location closer to majority of parks. Animal Kingdom is beautiful and its definitely a resort worth experiencing.
With this being our first Disney experience, we wanted to do all the parks and make it a full trip as it takes a lot of work (and money) to get a family of 5 to Florida. We stayed on the Disney property so that we could opt into the dining & photo package with the magic bands. Highly recommend this. It made meals and paying for things so much easier. You can start booking your meals 180 days before your trip and we actually quickly found out that you should start booking right then because a lot of the decent times were already taken when we went to book. (Disney is serious business when it comes to booking–I guess I appreciate this in knowing everything is planned and booked but also stresses me out to the MAX) We did a lot of buffet dinners with characters/princesses. Definitely the highlight meal was “Cinderella’s Royal Table” which was eating in Cinderella’s actual castle in Magic Kingdom with all the princesses. However, the only time available was 9:45 that evening when we went to book which made for a verrrry late (but memorable) night. Again, book your meals right away friends.
Speaking of booking…you can also book your fast passes 60 days before your trip if you are staying on Disney’s property (30 days if you aren’t). My SIL booked our rides so I don’t have much experiences with it. However I found this post that has a lot of helpful information about fast passes.
This was our first trip, and I feel like learned a couple things I hope to remember for next time! Here are a few of them–I hope they help in planning your Disney adventure!
My Top 10 Disney Tips:
- Download the My Disney App and connect all those who are in your party. It is on this app that you can see wait times on rides, your photos if you have a photographer take your photo around the park, add/delete fast passes, find restaurants and more.
- If you are able to, stay on the Disney park. The whole experience was so much easier being able to opt into the meal plan, use the magic bands, the shuttle system from hotel to park etc. I just feel like they have so many more perks for those who stay on Disney property.
- Use the My Disney app to order food at quick service restaurants. You will be able to skip the line and pick up your food. So worth it! Especially to get your Dole Whip!
- Choose restaurants that have character meet-and-greets. The characters come around to each table while you eat for a photo and is the best way to skip the loooong lines to meet characters. We loved The Royal Table at Cinderella castle, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall to meet most of the princesses, Hollywood Vine to meet Mickey & Minnie, Dinner at the Floidian to meet Cinderella and characters, and our favorite one was breakfast at Trattoria al Forno with Ariel & Rapunzel.
- The night shows at each park are amazing. We learned that many restaurants will include tickets to better seats, or find a quick service restaurant close to the water at Epcot for a good view and plan on staying until it gets dark. You will not want to miss the Magic Kingdom firework show. We booked a Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace and it was amazing. It has the best view of the show as well as a delicious dessert bar to enjoy while you watch.
- Get to the parks as early as you can. The crowds gather more in the afternoon and it gets hot! Its a great time to head back to the hotel for a nap and to cool off, and then head back at dinner time when the crowds start to clear.
- Once you use your 3 fast passes, hop onto your Disney app to see if you are able to grab more fast passes for other rides.
- Purchase the photo package. Totally worth it because it includes rights to all photos taken of you and your family throughout the week. Saves you so much money and time from trying to decide which photos to buy when you can just get them all.
- Bring: Comfortable walking shoes. If you have a baby/toddler who will be riding the stroller quite a bit, bring a portable stroller fan. Extra change of clothes for the kids. (They will be eating messy food and getting wet on some rides) Baby sling to wrap your little one while you stand in line. Bag to hold all the things, light and durable–love this one. Portable phone charger. You will be using your phone for so much with the app and taking photos/video–I highly recommend this one.
- Which brings me to my last tip. Take lots of video. You will be getting so many photos through the photo package, and I feel like video captures your trip so much more than a photo. Make sure to take all your video horizontally, and then hire Isabell Family Films to take all your videos and compile it into one beautiful keepsake video that you will treasure forever. You can see the video she put together for our family below, and we have watched it at least a zillion times. These videos will be so much fun to watch together as family as the kids grow to remember fun trips & moments. Kalee has so kindly created an exclusive discount just for my followers to get 10% off their first video/video package. Use LOVE10 at checkout to save!
What did I miss? Leave any tips/suggestions below OR questions! Disney truly is the happiest place on earth, and we cant wait to go back!