10 Disney tips for first timers?
Do you want to maximise your time in Disney? If so then this is for you.
Disney is an expensive holiday and it can easily mount up! Plus depending how much park time you intend on doing it can also be the most tiring holiday you can do.
Simple tips:
Get the steps in before you go - park days can easily exceed 25000 steps a day coupled with heat as Florida isn’t often cold it can be exhasuting. Make sure everyone travelling is getting the steps in!
Think about your travel group - does anyone need assitance? Will you need to hire a wheelchair? Will you hire a pushchair ? We saw kids much bigger than ours having naps in a pushchair.
Tickets - wow these are going to add to the cost! The prices do vary slightly throughout the year. All kids over ten pay adult prices for tickets and all character dining so just be aware! If you’re looking for a Disney holiday ask us for a quote HERE.
Pack ponchos - they are cheaper to buy over in the UK than in Florida, or Walmart out there is good for them. Florida rain storms are unreal and I know us Brits are used to the dodgy weather 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 flipflops in a bag for everyone - when it starts to chuck it down swap to the flipflops. Dry walking shoes for once 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 its so expensive in the parks to buy (almost $4 a bottle). Take water bottles - you can refill these at quick service location and from water fountains for free, as it doesnt always taste the best take a little squeezy bottle of juice to take the flavour away.
Mosquitoe repellant - buy it and use it as they do love a nibble. Take a cream to reduce the itchiness of the bites - it was a game changer 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 they come with fruit and 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 unless you’re also taking ice packs etc.
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 ones a little more pricey) at Wilderness Lodge. Read our guide to Disney Transport here.