Disney is worth over 203 billion dollars, and it’s easy to see why! With stunning parks, iconic movies, brand ownership, and recognisable characters, this conglomerate holds its own with other big-name brands.
Vacationing at Disney is something that many dreams of as children but don’t get to experience until later in life. Planning your trip is essential to ensuring you have the most magical experience possible.
If you’re going to Disney for the first time, you may feel pressured to make your trip as perfect as possible. Keep reading for some of the most helpful tips to make your trip to the parks one you’ll never forget.
1. Pack Like a Pro
Though you may be tempted to bring a ton of clothes to take cute pictures for your social media, you’ll want to pack practical clothes for your first trip.
As you’ll spend most of your day walking around, going on rides, and exploring the parks, wearing practical clothes is crucial. You can still look cute and be comfortable at the same time!
Also, you’ll want to ensure you check the weather in the days and weeks leading up to your trip. It can help give you an idea of what to expect weather-wise. However, you’ll still want to bring clothes for all types of weather, including rain.
You also don’t want to forget to pack all the essentials you’ll need to make your trip comfortable; portable chargers, sunscreen, hand sanitiser, and coins for the penny press machines around the parks!
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Much like packing practical clothing, wearing comfortable shoes is a great way to ensure you have a great time exploring the parks.
It’s no secret that Disney parks require a ton of walking to get around. It means uncomfortable shoes will leave your feet bloodied, blistered, and bruised after a few hours of exploring.
Instead of enjoying your time in the parks, you’ll be desperate to return to your hotel room and lie down.
Instead, wearing a pair of comfortable shoes can ensure you stay on your feet for hours at a time. You may also want to invest in custom insole inserts for your shoes, as these can provide extra cushion and arch support while you walk and stand.
3. Don’t Pack Your Schedule
Though you might want to try and fit everything possible into your itinerary, this can cause unnecessary stress.
While you should make time for your non-negotiable events, whether riding the Big Three (Space, Big Thunder, and Splash Mountains) or experiencing Fantasmic, it would be best if you went with the flow regarding the rest of your trip.
If you plan too much, you may be overwhelmed trying to make it from reservation to reservation. It can make your trip less than enjoyable, as you’ll be worried about your timeline instead of living in the moment.
4. Invest in Genie+ Passes
When you get to the parks, the last thing you want to do is spend hours waiting in line instead of riding the rides. Luckily, you can invest in a Genie+ pass!
Formerly known as Fastpass, these provide access to “Lightning Lanes” on specific rides, which help you beat extraordinarily long queues.
To use this feature, you can reserve a Lightning Lane slot, which you can use at any time. You can immediately select the next ride you want to reserve as soon as you finish the ride. You will not be able to make more than one selection at a time, so choose rides carefully!
5. Splurge for Your First Time
It’s no secret that a Disney vacation can be pricey. While you can do Disney on a budget, your first trip isn’t the time to be stingy.
Whether you want to check out DVC rental pricing for luxurious accommodations or spend a little more than you usually would on a sweatshirt, don’t be afraid to dish out more dough than you typically would on vacation.
You may also choose to start a collection when going on a Disney vacation. It is a great way to buy souvenirs you’ll value, rather than ones that take up space in your home.
Popular options include Mickey Mouse ears, pins, holiday ornaments, or even coffee tumblers, and the choices are endless. You can find which items if any, you’d like to start collecting on your trip!
6. Make Reservations in Advance
Finally, you’ll want to ensure you make reservations for specific outings in advance. As many people visit Disneyland and Disney World each day, the parks often find tickets sold out, or reservations are hard to come by.
Not only will you need to purchase tickets themselves, but you’ll also want to ensure you have plenty of dining options available. You can make reservations for sit-down meals sixty days in advance.
You’ll also need to book these in advance if you want to take tours, experience seasonal events, and other select experiences. Remember to keep your schedule flexible, so don’t book too many reservations back-to-back.
Going to Disney, Made Simple
Whether going to Disney for the first time as an adult or your first time, keeping these tips in mind can help your trip go smoothly.
If you’re ready to experience the magic of the Disney parks thanks to this guide, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll find more helpful travel content to make your trips stress-free.
