A first-timer's guide to Walt Disney World

If you’ve never been to Walt Disney World, it’s time to get going. But first thing to know: expect to get a little overwhelmed when it comes to planning (there are more than four parks, hundreds of restaurants and dozens of hotels, so who wouldn’t be?!) I’ve been going several times a year for more than a decade and a lot has changed over the years. On my first visit as an adult, I simply booked a hotel and hit the road. I didn’t even have park admission before we arrived in Florida, popping into a Kissimmee Walmart for discounted tickets and some snacks for the hotel room. Nearly 15 years later, one of those holds true: You should always have snacks for the hotel room.

So if you’re ready to tackle planning, spend some time plotting your goals and priorities before you leave home. This first-timer's guide will help.

The shoulder season between the Christmas holidays and spring break is a sweet spot to catch some cooler days with less humidity and fewer crowds—meaning shorter lines. The exception to this is President’s Day when kids have off school and the parks get a traffic surge. I also love going in February because it’s when Epcot’s Festival of the Arts takes place. It's a huge win with the kids: you get to see Broadway concert series, interactive art installments (don’t miss the giant paint by number wall!), and visual artists’ displays for the entire month.

For visits through 2023, you’ll want to purchase admission tickets and secure theme park reservations—that’s selecting your first park of the day—at least four months out, as some parks will fill up during busy travel seasons. This system will change early next year, and date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024, will not require a park reservation.

When choosing your dates, consult Disney World’s calendar for any special events that could impact your visit, especially after hours events and holiday parties. (There’s truly nothing worse than paying for a full day and then finding out the Magic Kingdom closes early for day guests.)

A tip: If you really want to avoid lines, check the dates for Pop Warner sports championships and national cheerleading events, which take place annually in Orlando. Many teams stay at Disney’s All-Star resort hotels (a horde of kids filming a TikTok dance by the pool is a common sighting), so you’ll want to stay elsewhere.

I’ll come out and say it: the worst thing about Disney is the lines. So I recommend shelling out a little extra for front-of-line access if you can swing it. Genie+ lets you book return times, giving you a one-hour window to skip a ride’s standby line later in the day, for Lightning Lane access to popular attractions so you don’t spend as much time waiting, which is perfect for busier park days and your more impatient family members. There is an additional cost—prices range from $15 to $35 per guest per day—and you may still wait about a half hour on busier days, but knowing you’ll never wait in line for two hours for Space Mountain is worth it.

A tip: You can also book individual, paid Lightning Lane times for select super popular or brand new rides, so if you know your day won’t be complete until you ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you can schedule a guaranteed time and get on with your day.

If traveling like a celebrity is more your thing and you’ve got the A-list bucks to spend, a private VIP tour guide is the way to go. I got to do this once (and I’d do it again if I could) because it’s truly a bucket list-worthy experience. Starting at $3,150 for a seven-hour tour for a group of 10, your official Disney guide will help plan your day, shuttle you to the parks through a back gate, and usher you through secret entrances to the head of every line. A heads up: VIP tours don't include admission, which will cost at least $100 more per person.

I’ll be honest, I sometimes still don’t know where to start during a day at Disney World.

With four theme parks, there’s a never-ending array of options to keep you moving from park open to close. So sit down with your crew and figure out what appeals to you most. Character meet-and-greets? Coasters and thrills? Food and wine? And pick your pace—do you want to pack in as much as you can from rope drop to close, or take a more leisurely pace? I usually hit two or three parks a day with lots of rides but add in breaks for snacks and people watching.

Magic Kingdom

On your first trip, I recommend you start at the Magic Kingdom. It’s got all the classic attractions for all ages like it’s a small world and Pirates of the Caribbean, with new rides like Tron Lightcycle/Run to bring the thrills. And please, I know you’ll be tired but stick around for the nightly fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After, which seriously makes all other fireworks shows seem boring in comparison.

Hollywood Studios

Next, head to Hollywood Studios, home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here you can take a turn piloting the Millenium Falcon, fight the First Order on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, or roam Black Spire Outpost, which could easily be mistaken for a film set. That’s fitting, because you might just run into the Mandalorian, out for a stroll with Grogu.  Also located in this park is Toy Story Land where the toys from the animated movies come to life. Slinky Dog Dash is a can’t-miss coaster for kids both young and old, and Buzz and Woody are usually on hand for meet-and-greets.

Epcot

Epcot is our third park and gives you the chance to choose your own adventure. On one path, you can take it slow, sampling food and drinks from across the globe at the World Showcase. (My go-to is La Cantina de San Angel for waterfront nachos, or a shave ice from Kabuki Cafe after browsing imported goods in the Japan pavilion.) On the other hand, you can start out in the high-revving World Discovery area to check out Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a coaster like none other with a randomized soundtrack—all bops— and cars that rotate on the track.

Animal Kingdom

For me, a trip to Disney World isn’t complete unless I’ve explored the savanna on Kilimanjaro Safaris or walked underneath the colorful flags at the base of Expedition Everest, preferably with a cone of soft serve in hand. So Animal Kingdom is always on my list. If you need a break, head to Nomad Lounge, where you can relax with a cocktail and small plates (the churros are to die for) on a covered waterfront patio.

All the pixie dust in the world won’t stop you from getting hangry (don’t ask me how I know), and the heat and crowds only make it worse. So do future you a favor and book a dining reservation that doubles as a midday reset. Having guaranteed time off your feet and in the air conditioning will do everyone in your party some good, and you can use that time to regroup and plot the rest of your day.

Skipper Canteen, in Magic Kingdom, is one of my favorites for a break from the standard burgers and chicken fingers fare, as well as 50s Prime Time Cafe, in Hollywood Studios, where you can catch clips of the Dick Van Dyke show and other classics during your meal. Both are great for groups and little ones.

There are about a dozen restaurants that offer character dining, which is a great way to ensure your kiddos get face time with their favorites. Many of these locations, like Topolino’s Terrace, are located outside the park gates, so you can nosh with Mickey and Minnie without having to swipe a park ticket.

A tip: Dining reservations open 60 days in advance, and the super popular spots go fast. If you’re staying onsite, you can book dining for your entire stay 60 days out from your check-in date, so try for harder-to-get spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table toward the end of your trip.

Here’s the deal: Choosing where to stay in Disney is not easy—there are more than two dozen onsite hotels and hundreds of options in the surrounding area. First tip, book at least six months out to make sure you get what you want. A Disney hotel will be pricier than comparable offsite offerings, but you’re paying for proximity and easier access, which means more time for fun. Guests of Disney hotels can get extra park time in the mornings—30 minutes before the official opening—and deluxe resort hotel guests get extended evening hours on select nights.

For the fam

If you’ve got a big group with little kids, check out Disney’s Old Key West Resort. It’s got spacious rooms, many with a kitchenette, and a relaxed setting that feels remote but is still just minutes from the action. For more active trips where we’re always on the go from park to park, I love Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It offers the best value onsite thanks to its access to the Disney Skyliner, a gondola system with stations at Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

For adults-only

If you’re planning an adults-only trip, go to Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, a short walk or boat ride to Disney’s Boardwalk or the Epcot World Showcase. It offers many of the same perks as Disney’s onsite hotels, including extended evening hours. Or if you’re traveling with the kids and want to pretend you’re not, head to the Four Seasons Resort Orlando. The little ones will love the free onsite kids club (there’s an indoor volcano) and the full-service spa has an adults-only infinity pool and the Michelin Star-rated Capa Steakhouse.