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7 Newbie Tips For Walt Disney World

7. Don’t rush

Taking your time is an important trip for anyone visiting Walt Disney World, but it applies to newbies especially who may be overwhelmed by all there is to do and feel the need to rush to try to get everything done. While rushing may allow you to fit more attractions into one visit, I find that taking my time going through the parks is actually way more enjoyable. By taking your time, you’ll really be able to notice and take in all of the little details, and you’ll be much better rested, which means you won’t be completely worn out if you want to attend Extra Magic Hours or see Happily Ever After at night.

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6. Take breaks throughout the day

In addition to taking your time, it’s very important to take breaks throughout the day. I’d recommend heading back to your resort and enjoying the pool for a little while, but even if you’re not interested in leaving the parks to take a break, just stroll leisurely through a couple of gift shops, or get some drinks at a quick service dining location and enjoy the air conditioning.

5. Research the dining plan

The dining plan can be very helpful and a great value for guests who will use it enough to get their money’s worth, however the plan is not for everyone. Rather than blindly purchasing the dining plan because it sounds like it would be a good deal, do some research into the cost of the dining plan, what it includes, and roughly what you think you’d be spending if you were to pay out of pocket. And remember that the dining plan does not include gratuities.

4. Purchase the right tickets

For Disney newbies, it is sometimes tempting to purchase the first package deal they see regarding park tickets. If you plan on using all of the extras that come with a ticket package, this item can be a real money saver. If you don’t think you’ll use the extras however, you’ll want to look into purchasing tickets separately from a package. In addition, do some math and see if options like the water park tickets or park hopper options will be worth it during your vacation.

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3. Ask for help when you need it

While I was working at Disney, one of the strangest things I noticed was how little some guests ask for help. I don’t know if they were embarrassed, thinking their question might be stupid or something, or what the reason was, but there were numerous times where I approached guests to help them because they were clearly confused about something but had not approached me. No cast member is going to think that any question you have is stupid, and anyone who works at Disney really is there to help. If you have any questions, even if it’s just directions or if you’re wondering where a good place to eat is, just ask anyone with a Disney name tag on and he or she will be happy to help.

2. Make sure the kids are old enough

One tip that newbies might want to consider when booking a trip to Walt Disney World is whether or not the kids are old enough to come along. This depends on you individually and your kids personally—there is no one age that is the exact right time for a first trip to Disney World, and only you know your kids best. If they’re too young to even remember their first trip, but they’re also pretty well behaved and you know you’d enjoy having those memories at such an early age, you might want to bring them along. Regardless of their exact age, it’s important to take things slow at the parks, especially with young children so that they don’t get too worn out too quickly.

1. Don’t expect to do everything in one trip

One thing that most newbies do not understand about Walt Disney World is how big it is. They tend to not realize that it simply cannot be done in a couple of days, and are therefore sometimes disappointed when they realize all of the things they missed. Walt Disney World is huge, and it is completely impossible to do everything in one trip, unless by “one trip” you mean moving to Orlando. If it’s your first time visiting, just pick out the things you definitely want to do and prioritize your time from there.

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."