Planning your first trip to Walt Disney World can feel overwhelming. With four theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping district, dozens of resorts, hundreds of dining options, and new planning tools to learn, it’s easy to wonder where to start.

This ultimate Disney World planning guide for first timers will walk you through everything you need to know - from when to visit to how to avoid long lines - so you can plan a magical and stress-free vacation for you and your family.

Whether you’re visiting with kids, adults, or planning a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation, this step-by-step guide will help you plan Disney like a pro.

Why Visit Disney World?

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the largest and most immersive theme park destination in the world. The resort spans over 25,000 acres and includes:

• 4 theme parks

• 2 water parks

• 25+ Disney resorts

• Disney Springs shopping and dining district

• Hundreds of resturants and attractions

Step 1: Choose the Best Time to Visit Disney World for Your Family

Crowds, weather, and prices vary widely throughout the year. There is never a bad time to visit Disney World. You just have to decide which factor is most important to you and your family.

Best Times for Lower Crowds:

• Mid-January to early February

• Late April to early May

• September (after labor day)

• Early November

Most Popular (and Busiest) Times - Also Usually More Expensive:

• Spring Break

• Summer (June - August)

• Thanksgiving week 

• Christmas and New Year's

If it's your first trip, aim for a lower crowd season so you can enjoy more rides with shorter wait times. 

Not sure when to plan your trip? Timing can make a huge difference in crowd, weather, and pricing at Walt Disney World. Check out my Best Time to Visit Disney World (Month-by-Month Guide) to find the perfect time for your vacation. 

Recommended schedule:

Day 1 - Theme Park

Day 2 - Theme Park

Day 3 - Rest Day

Day 4 - Theme Park

Day 5 - Theme Park

If you want a slower pace, a 6-7 day trip is even better. This allows you to visit your favorite parks more than once. 

Wondering how long you should stay to truly experience Walt Disney World? The number of days can make or break your trip! Read my How Many Days Do You Need at Disney World? guide to plan the perfect length for your vacation. 

Step 3: Pick the Right Disney Resort

Disney Resorts fall into there main categories. 

Value Resorts (Budget Friendly)

Great for families who plan to spend most of their time in the parks. 

Examples include:

• Pop Century

• All-Star Movies

• Art of Animation

Moderate Resorts

A step up in space and amenities. 

Popular choices:

• Caribbean Beach

• Coronado Springs

• Port Orleans Riverside

Deluxe Resorts

Closest to the parks with premium amenities. 

Top picks:

• Grand Floridian

• Polynesian Village Resort

• Contemporary Resort

Choosing the right place to stay can completely shape your trip to Walt Disney World - especially when you're traveling with kids. From budget-friendly options to immersive themed resorts, my Best Disney World Hotels for Families guide breaks down the top picks to help you find the perfect fit. 

Step 4: Understand Disney Tickets

Disney tickets can be confusing for first timers. 

Base Tickets - Allows entry to one park per day. Best for first-time visitors who want a relaxed schedule. 

Park Hopper Tickets - Lets you visit multiple parks in one day. Great if you want flexibility or shorter trips and you have previously visited Disney World. Just remember this must be purchased for every park day, whether you plan on park hopping or not. 

Water Park & Sports Option - Adds access to water parks and activities like mini golf.

Confused by all the ticket options for Walt Disney World? From base tickets to Park Hopper and add-ons, it can get overwhelming fast. My Disney World Ticket Types Explained guide breaks it all down so you can choose the best option for your trip with confidence. 

Step 5: Learn Lightning Lane (Skip the Lines)

Lightning Lane lets you skip long lines at popular rides. Reservations open early and sell out quickly so you have to plan ahead. If you are staying on Disney Property, Lightning Lane reservations are made 7 days in advance of your trip. 

There are three options for Lightning Lane Passes:

Multi Pass

Reserve multiple rides throughout the day. Choose up to 3 experience arrival times 7 days in advance (if you are staying on property). 

Single Pass

Used for the most popular attractions like:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

• TRON Lightcycle Run

• Avatar Flight of Passage

Premier Pass

Enjoy Lightning Lane entry to each eligible experience in a theme park once per day at any time. 

Confused by all these options? Read a more in-depth guide to Lightning Lane with my Complete Guide to Lightning Lane (How it Works) blog. This will help tremendously in determining if this makes finacial sense for your family's plan. 

Step 6: Making Dining Reservations Early

Disney Dining is extremely popular. You can make reservations 60 days before your trip. 

Highly popular restaurants include:

• Cinderella's Royal Table

• Be Our Guest

• Space 220

• Oga's Cantina

If these are on your must-do list, book then as soon as reservations open. 

Step 7: Download the My Disney Experience App

The My Disney Experience app is essential for navigating your trip. 

You can use it to:

• Check wait times

• Book Lightning Lanes

• Mobile Order Food

• View Park Maps

• Manage Reservations

Spend time learning the app before your trip to dave time in the park. 

Step 8: Plan Your Must-Do Attractions

Every park has rides that sell out for Lightning Lanes or have long wait times. 

Make a list of your top priorities before arriving. I suggest each member of your group pick one priority experience for the day and then after those rides are complete, picking other rides or attractions to experience. This allows everyone to be involved in the planning and helps avoid disappointment if lines are longer than expected. 

Step 9: Arrive Early (Rope Drop Strategy)

One of the best Disney strategies is rope dropping. This means arriving 30-45 minutes before the park opens. 

Benefits include:

• Shorter wait times

• More rides completed early

• Cooler temperatures

Many guests can ride 3-4 attractions before crowds build using this strategy. 

Step 10: Take Breaks During the Day

Disney days are long. To avoid burnout: 

• Take a midday hotel break especially with young children

• Enjoy table-service meals

• Watch shows or parades

• Return in the evening when temperatures drop

• Watch shoes (they are in air conditioned buildings)

This strategy keeps everyone happy - especially kids.

Free Disney World Planning Checklist

If you're planning your first Disney World trip, this checklist will make the entire process easier. 

Instead of wondering what to do next, you'll have a simple step-by-step planning guide that shows you exactly what to book and when. 

Perfect for first-time visitors who want a stress-free Disney vacation. 

Download the free checklist below and start planning like a pro. 

👉 Get the Disney Planning Checklist

Planning a Disney trip doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—you just need the right strategy (and insider tips 😉). If you want step-by-step planning help, money-saving tips, and the latest updates for Walt Disney World delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. It’s the easiest way to plan smarter and make your dream vacation stress-free from start to finish.