Our essential guide for Disney World first timers?
Do you want to maximise your time in Disney? If so then this is for you.
Walt Disney World Florida is an expensive holiday and it can easily mount up! Depending how much park time you intend on doing it can also be the most tiring holiday you can do.
Simple tips:
Steps, shoes and foot cream - park days can easily exceed 25,000 steps a day. If you’re there summer season, couple the distance with the heat as Florida, it can be exhausting.
Shoes - we guess it will be your favourite trainers - don’t buy new ones just for Florida unless you intend to break them in properly before you go. Take a spare pair in case yours get soaked on a water ride or in the Florida rain - they can take ages to dry out as your room won’t be warm with the air-con on.
Consider taking a foot cream to put on before bed - trust us, you’ll need it.
Think about your travel group - does anyone need assistance? Will you need to hire a wheelchair? Will you hire a pushchair ? We saw kids much bigger than ours having naps in a pushchair.
You an hire all the above at Walt Disney World but of course, convenience is king and that comes with a price. You can also hire from external companies and have them delivered to your resort.
Tickets - wow, these are going to add to the cost! The prices do vary slightly throughout the year but a ball park is between £1,700 - £2,000 for 14 nights. All kids over ten pay adult prices for tickets and all character dining so just be aware!
Pack ponchos - they are cheaper to buy in the UK than in Florida but if you don’t have time to get before you travel, Walmart is a good option. If you specifically want a Disney poncho, get them in the parks but you will pay more. Florida rain storms are unreal and I know us Brits are used to the dodgy weather but Florida rain can feel like you’re stood under a waterfall.
Sunscreen - try it before you bulk buy it! Make sure its non reactive and honestly the less creamy the better. Dry sprays, aerosol cans etc go on much easier and avoid you feeling sticky.
Stick some flip-flops in a bag for everyone - when it starts to chuck it down swap to the flip-flops. Dry walking shoes when the rain stops - game changer!
Hydrate!!!!! Order a delivery from the supermarket, hop in your hire car OR hop in an Uber/Lyft and buy lots and lots of water. Bottled water is so expensive in the parks to buy (almost $4 a bottle).
Take water bottles - you can refill these at quick service locations and from water fountains for free, as it doesn’t always taste the best take a little squeezy bottle of juice like Robinsons minis or own brand equivalent to take the flavour away. Florida pond water doesn’t taste that great.
Mosquito repellant - buy it and use it as they do love a nibble. Take a cream to reduce the itchiness of the bites - it was worth doing this for us.
During the rain - stop and snack or queue for the indoor based rides or see a show!
Use mobile order for foods, snacks etc where possible - it avoids the queues! If you’re not on the dining plan and budgets are tight - kids meals are a great option as they come with fruit, water and the portions are great!
Also pack cereal bars and nibbles in your case then just take what you want each day to the parks - nothing that will melt or that won’t last in the heat.
Top tip if the parks are really busy use Disney transport (it’s free) and go to the hotels for an hour or two, it’s more chilled and some of the food is unreal! We love Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian or Roaring Fork and Geyser Point (this one’s a little more pricey) at Wilderness Lodge. Read our guide to Disney Transport here.