If you could give a Disney World first timer...

[JourneyofSelfImprovement]

One piece of advice, what would it be?

[Tentomidnight]

Assuming ‘don’t bother’ isn’t what you’re after, my advice would be to avoid weekends and holidays, and take your own food.

[2anddone]

Be prepared!! It's one of the most military style prepared holidays I have ever been on with booking reservations 180 before check in, fast passes 60 days before (if staying on site). We loved it and are saving hard for 2020 there is a fantastic website called The Dibb and a Facebook page called Its Orlando time where there are lots of very helpful people....be warned though reading the threads can get as addictive as MN!!

[Boyskeepswinging]

Watch vlogs. WDW is huge and there is so much to learn (what you need to book, when you need to book, what to do which days etc). I watched a variety but I found the DIS really useful (they are based over in Orlando). Charlotte Ruff is British and very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about WDW (she works for Disney in London). EasyWDW is a website rather than vlog but is second to none for touring plans. His park maps are also easier to follow than the official ones.
Enjoy every minute of your planning - I enjoyed it almost as much as the trip itself!

[Stayingput123]

This is my specialist subject! I agree with the above poster about the planning. Get yourself over to The Dibb forums and get advice.

I would say, plan your trip down to the last detail but then go with the flow to an extent, be loosely guided by your plan but don’t stress about the things you don’t get done (although you can’t cancel the Disney restaurants last min so be aware of that when planning). Read, read, read and read! The planning is half the fun!

[GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat]

Get a villa and schedule in some lazy days around the pool.

[anxious62]

Plan, plan and plan some more.

Get onto you tube and seek out The Tim Tracker. He’s brilliant. Get a note pad and pen and write stuff down.

Main debate is staying in or off site (free dining on site) but regardless of which make sure you have downtime. It’s full on.

[BluthsFrozenBananas]

Another vote for Tim Tracker, he's a big favourite in our house.

I agree with pp, on-site vs off-site is a biggie. If you're happy to hire a car and drive, and want to explore beyond the parks off-site is better. If you want max Disney and prefer not to drive I'd go for on-site.

[2anddone]

When pricing up off site versus onsite bare in mind that it's free to park at Disney parks for onsite guests but $20 per day for off site, however after December this year it will cost you per day to park your car at a Disney hotel if you rent one! If you are thinking of visiting in 2020 free dine should be released in April this year but there are rumours it may change as Star Wars land is opening so they may not need to use free dine as a booking incentive!!

[crosser62]

Avoid July August as it is unbearably stiflingly hot and you queue for 1-2 hours for each ride in it.
It’s school holiday time for literally hundreds of school kids in huge groups wearing the same t shirts in order to identify them as part of a group... you will be behind these crowds at every ride, in 40 degree heat.

Don’t try to cram everything in, it’s impossible this place is absolutely HUGE! You will not get round it all.
Plan lazy days by the pool or shopping, you will need them. You walk miles and miles and miles.

As soon as you get back start saving to go again because it is ABSOLUTELY BLIMMING AMAZING!!

[crosser62]

Oh yes, factor in tips, everywhere you go you will have to tip and factor in parking fees, can eat into your spending budget as costs are quite high.

[rosydreams]

i planned and i was still a bit unprepared what was worst i forgot to think about my medical needs.I have cerebral palsy i can walk, a bit stiff but fine ,i walked so much that the muscles in my legs gave up.I ended up having to use a wheelchair.Remember things like medication or take into consideration its extremely hot even older children like 7 would be good to have a buggy,just to rest their legs.The amount of times my daughter sat on my lap in the chair lol .

sun creams melt before they are absorbed the spray on suncreams they sell at walmart are much better suited for the extreme temperatures.

car rentals most will scam you say one price online they up it by hundreds at the airport beware.

Theres more but you asked for the basic lol

[anxious62]

We did 3 weeks in october and didn’t hire a car. We used Uber. Used it a lot and it was cheaper than renting a car.

If you download the app before you go and play about with some routes eg Epcot to Disney springs and then click off the app they will send you credits to use. We got 3 dollars off 10 rides. Only do that just before you go as it will have a deadline on it.

[Figmentofimagination]

Look at Websites like Kenny the Pirate and undercover tourist. They have crowd calendars that tell you the best times to visit each park, as they take into consideration holidays, extra magic hours (when on site guests can go to the parks early/ stay late), normal opening times and other factors.

[Hollowvictory]

Plan. Read the dibb. Book restaurant and fast passes in advance. Get free Disney dining. Combine with a week at the coast. Go to Kennedy space centre

[Fuzzysocksies]

Make sure you book your fast passes in advance (30 days out if you just bought park tickets, 60 days if you stay on property) and book your dining reservations 180 days out.
Explore the resort hotels even if you don’t stay in them, especially Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Don’t get the dining plan unless you get it for free or you plan on eating 3 large meals a day, per person, every day. Not worth it.

[Shufflebumnessie]

Head over to the ribbon website. Huge amount help information and planning tools. I love the itinerary that you can personalise, save and print to take with you.

[Shufflebumnessie]

That was meant to say the dibb, not ribbon

[PetraDelphiki]

Remember that about 100,000 people are eligible for “extra magic hours” at whichever park is offering it that day...so don’t bother!

Staying onsite is ONLY worth it if you can walk to a park...if you are in hotels that you need a bus to get anywhere you might as well be properly off site and save the money for taxis!

[ChristmasFlary]

I'm flying there in 9 days.... hyperventilating with mixture of anxiety and excitement.

[Awks]

We have a planning spreadsheet with tips on it, dm me if you want a copy!

[Lightsabre]

All the above, especially The Dibb. To get the most out of a Disney holiday takes meticulous planning otherwise you might waste opportunities/time/money. It's tiring so factor in 'down' time. We combined a trip to Miami, a drive and stay on the coast and 9 days Orlando/Disney/Universal and water parks. 3 weeks altogether.

[Lightsabre]

Forgot to say October is the best time to go in my opinion. Not too humid, no American school holidays and Mickeys Halloween Party!

[Buttercupsandaisies]

I would avoid these threads that make you think you have to plan every detail til there no fun left - by all means book a few fast passes but otherwise go with the flow! We went school holidays and it was fine! I ditched my itinerary on day 4!

[Lindtnotlint]

Go in october half term. Buy the Unofficial guide to Disney world. Arrive at the parks early. Enjoy.

[SquishyFishy]

Plan everything, but be prepared to change. Research is your friend, the Dibb is great for this.

Oh, and prepare to always want to go back just one more time.......