
So Disney world is somewhere that most kids (and adults) dream of going to. So you want to make sure that you get the most out of your time at Disney. Hopefully, with this Ultimate Guide to Disney World Orlando, you will be able to make the most out of your time! A lot of first-timers go home from there holiday saying “I wish I had done..”. Now to make sure that that isn’t you check out the list of top tips and ultimate guide to Disney World Orlando below and get the most out of your first trip to Disney world!
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First of all there are things you can do at home before you go:
Download the “my Disney experience” app from the app store
First, create a free account. This is super fun you can customise your account with your favourite characters. This will be one of the main things you need to use for planning a successful trip. It gives you maps, real-time queue times, park hours, showtimes and much more including shopping and dining. Check out my Disney experience for full details of what functions the app will give you!
Customise your magic bands
Magic bands are what you use to store all of your passes on. Staying in a Disney hotel your room key and your tickets will be added to your magic band. On the “my Disney experience” app you can pick your colour and add your name to your magic band before you go. They will be given to you when you arrive at your Disney hotel.
Check to see if your tickets include “memory maker” if not make sure to add it!
If this is the case it’s easy! memory maker is attached to your magic band, so once you are in the parks and you have a photo taken or a ride photo all you have to do is have your magic band scanned and it will be downloaded to your “my Disney experience” app. These sometimes take a while to appear on the app, but you can download them straight from the app to your phone. They stay on the app for 30 days from the last day of your holiday.
Make a plan ahead of time
There is so much to do at Disney. You need to think ahead of time to make the most of it. Have a plan. Are you going to park hop every day to fit all the big rides in? Are you going to save the weekends for shopping? Try and make a rough itinerary beforehand so you can get straight into the fun rather than trying to figure out where you need to go and getting lost!
Fast passes
You can book your fast passes 60 days in advance if you are staying in a Disney resort and 30 days in advance if you are staying off sight. So be sure one you have made your itinerary to add your fast passes before you leave. You have 3 fast passes a day so use them wisely! Mainly book them for the big rides as they always have the longest queue times.
Make sure to pack comfy shoes!
You will be doing a lot of walking every day and shoes become uncomfortable very quickly if you are wearing the wrong shoes…trust me…make sure that the shoes you pack are super comfy to avoid having to go back to the hotel in pain in the middle of the day.
Pack a rain mac!
When you go to Disney world you can be hit by rain at any point. You don’t want this to spoil your day. So pack a poncho or mac that you can keep in your bag, put on and then carry on with the fun. Same goes for bags. Make sure you pack a waterproof bag if it doesn’t fit under your poncho so your tech and gifts doesn’t get ruined. Check out this one in the link below!
Don’t forget to pin it for later!

When you arrive
Get free badges!
When you arrive at your Disney hotel, if it’s your first time, birthday or honeymoon, remember to tell the cast member who’s checking you in. They will give you free badges to fit the occasion that you are going for! A lot of people don’t know this so they are a neat addition to pop onto your jacket or bag!
Request a free wakeup call
Is there is a set time you want to be up every day?. Maybe to be on the first bus to the park, ask reception for a free wakeup call and Stitch or Mickey will call you to wake up in the morning! Pretty magical.
Keeping on top of fast passes
Once you have arrived you can keep refreshing the app to see if people have cancelled there fast passes. They tend to refresh at midnight so if you are up, always check at this time to get the best chance of getting a fast pass if you have missed booking one for the next day. We use this all the time for breakables.
Extra tip: Check queue times when parades are on. They will always be shorter, you can also check the chalkboard near the fountain in Hollywood studios for queue times of all the rides in that park.
Have souvenirs delivered straight to your hotel
There’s nothing worse than going on a shopping spree in the parks then seeing there is a 5 minute wait time for your favourite ride but you have loads of bags of shopping. When you are in the shops, ask the cast member to have it delivered to your hotel. You can then collect your goods from reception once you are back!
Disney buses
Disney buses are great. They are a free way to get around the park as you are staying in a Disney hotel. They collect you from the front of your hotel and take you to the different parks. Bare in mind though these buses get VERY crammed so you might have to stand up or wait for the next one to come along in peak times. If you are park hopping all day you have to take a bus to a hotel before getting on a bus to a different park. This is a cool way to see more of the Disney complex and grab collectables so not all bad! We love doing this. We can get a sneak peek into what other hotels we might want to stay in.
Don’t forget your pennies
If you have spare pennies you can press them to create cool souvenirs. There are over 80 locations across the parks and hotels. Don’t forget to check in the hotel receptions when you are waiting for busses. You can also buy nice pennies collection books from most stores in the parks and Disney springs, so you don’t loose them and you can display them once you get home.
Pin trading
You will see pins in every shop throughout the parks. They are awesome keepsakes. You can get collectable pins and even blind packs. Cast members will be walking around with pin tabs or on their lanyards. If you like one of there pins better just ask them to trade! Make sure to keep an eye out for trade posts. People tend to use Epcot to trade. There will always be people around the trade tables. Also, check out around the pin stalls people will be looking to trade here too!
Extra tip: If you are really into pins and pin trading, buy pins at the outlet stores for a few dollars or take pins you don’t want anymore especially for trading so you always have some on you.
Get free refills!
Drinks can become really expensive especially if you are a group or family. Remember to bring a refillable bottle and ask for ice water when you are in any quick service restaurant if you don’t have a bottle they will also give you a cup of ice water for free.
Free mini golf!
This is something a lot of people overlook. When you buy the ultimate package you will get one round of mini-golf per day. These are Disney’s Fantasia Gardens or Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course. Theses are a great way to break your day up. This is a top tip for the ultimate guide to Disney World Orlando.
Make reservations early!
Whether this is a character breakfasts of just what you are having for dinner that night, don’t forget to make your reservations early. Book any additional excursions or experiences months in advance to avoid disappointment. You can also use the “my Disney experience” app to order and pay for food in advance then skip the line to collect your food, this makes for more time enjoying the parks!
Hopefully, this ultimate guide to Disney World Orlando will help you with your first or even next trip! I hope these tips will help you have an easier Disney trip so you spend less time getting lost and more time having fun!
Don’t forget to pin this post!

These are good tips, especially for beginners. I also love trips to any Disney Park.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it! Me too it’s my favorite place!
Yes it is, there’s no more magical than Disney. Maybe someday i can visit Orlando. This article is very helpful, personally i appriciate it.❤
That’s so true!! Ahh you will just love it 😍
I miss the days when I was the kid and my parents would have to go through this checklist! BUT it’s great to have this for when I take my future kids to Disney World!
Hehe I know I’m always forgetting something! Haha and aww glad you enjoyed the post! Have a great time when you do visit!
This is a great list for first time Disney-goers! Thank you for sharing!
Ooo glad you found it insightful! Thanks 😊
I had Disney World Resorts Orlando planned for the Summer and I’m not sure what will happen now. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. This is definitely good tips for me, although I have visited Disneyland Paris several times I haven’t visited Disney World yet so I look forward to using your tips if and when I get to go.
Fingers crossed everything will have cleared up by then and you can still go! I’m glad you have found some useful tips! And have a great holiday!
Like everyone I’d also love to experience Disney World. My gal is still too small to understand the magic of DisneyWorld, but i hope to take to Disneyland soon. I just googled for the pics of Magic bands and they look so adorable! Its a perfect souvenir indeed! Memory maker is indeed an awesome option. I agree about having an itinerary of what all to do there, its so easy to get lost in the variety of things to do! The collectible pins look adorable!
Awww well as soon as she’s older I’m sure she will love it so much! And can really embrace the magic together will be amazing! Magic bands are one of the best things disney have implemented for sure! And how cute are the pins! We have so many lovely pin boards at home to remind us of our journeys! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Love Disney! Going to remember this info for next time!
How have I been to disney 3 times and NOT KNOWN you can send souvenirs to your resort? Thank you for sharing!!
It’s definitely something a lot of people don’t know, they will also replace any broken items for free if they break in the park! Glad you liked the post!
This is such an awesome post, definitely feeling nostalgic. I haven’t been to Disney World in years, but I’d love to go back. I will save this as you’ve mentioned so many new things that I didn’t know about. It’s great that you can save your pictures to the magic band utilizing the memory maker to download later on. This is right up my alley!
What I wouldn’t give to go to Disney World right now 😀 So far I have only been to Disneyland Paris and I looooove it!
Yes me too! If you love Paris you will looovee Florida!!
I have never been to Disney World so I didn’t know any of this! I am learning you need to be super organised to go to Disney! I mean planning 60 days in advance is impressive! 😀
My sister collects those penny stamps, so if I ever visit I will be sure to take a pile of pennies to make into souvenirs for her!
Aww yes definitely need to be super organized! Oh that’s so cool! At least you know what to get her when you visit!
It has been a long time since I was last at Disney. But I certainly understand the need to make a plan. Otherwise you may miss the things you really wanted. Or walk much further! Even comfy shoes won’t help if you wander haphazardly. I love the idea of a Magic Band to store keys and tickets. And we were certainly sorry we did not use fast passes last time. Guess it is time to visit again when the parks re-open.
The next time we go to Disney, I am definitely downloading the app! I’ve only been once before but absolutely loved it. We were there till midnight. But we did miss out on some features, and I wish I had Memory Maker. Thanks for the tips!
You are most welcome! It’s so hard to manage to fit everything in sometimes and memory maker is now included in a lot of tickets so look out for it next time :)!
These are great tips for someone going to Disney for the first time! Learning to use the app and fastpasses are essential!
Definitely! Fast passes are a life saver especially if you have a short time here! I am glad you enjoyed the post and enjoy your time here!
Hi
I have been hearing of Disney land since i was a child and i am not sure if whether i would be able to visit anytime however your article gave me so many additional info about this place which i did not know. The Way they have integrated technology into making it an even more amazing experience is so cool
Disney is so amazing at making even the smallest changes to make life easier for people, it’s really adds to the magic! I hope you get to visit one day so you can experience it!
Disneyland, the more I read about it the more I feel like visiting. Happy to learn quite a bit about what to expect and how to make the best out of the trip. Very useful insights.
Glad you enjoyed the tips! I think you would have such a great time if you visited! I hope you can implement some of these tips if you do!
Wow there really is so much to plan for when it comes to visiting Disney World. I feel like it has changed so much from when I used to visit as a kid…then again that was Disneyland not World. The pin exchange thing is really cool. I had never heard of that before!
So much planning but so worth it! Pin exchange is so fun! Definitely worth the trip!
Another Disney World in my bucket list! I’ve been really wondering what would change in visiting Disney World after COVID-9. I haven’t read anything about it but I am very curious about their comeback. As for me, I don’t think I’d go to crowded places like this for another year but thank you for sharing this post!
I haven’t been to Disney World yet. I would love to see this place and feel like in a fairy tale. In each of us, there is a small child who wants to play and laugh. So, I like your great tips for people wanting to visit Disney World.
This is so true, I think everyone wants to enjoy that nostalgia!
This was so tempting. I felt like visiting Disneyland right away. I am not sure how and when we would be ready to travel to crowded places. The magic bands looks so lovely and everything sounds so well-planned. The wake up call, the delivery of souvenirs and more, cant wait to do someday.
I know it’s so sad, I really wanted to visit this year again but doesn’t look like this will happen. You will love it when you finally can go and you will be extra prepared! Thanks for stopping by
Now this is a guide! I haven’t been to Disneyworld in a few years, but I will definitely keep your guide handy when we take our next trip. Definitely going to take advantage of the fast passes and now that I know about the mini golf, I will be spending a few hours(I’m horrible) trying to complete it haha!
Wow thank you! Im glad you enjoyed this post! yes fast passes are sic a life saver. I also am horrible at mini golf but it definitely gives us a good laugh! haha. Thanks for stopping by 😀
Thank you for sharing these tips 🙂 I can’t believe I’ve been visiting Disney parks without reading up on these tricks! I’ll be prepared for sure next time!
You are most welcome! Hopefully next time you visit, you will get a freebie or two! 😉
I grew up near Disney, I think this is a great, comprehensive list!
Thank you so much! And you are sure lucky to be close to the happiest place on earth!
What a great guide!! Disney can be a bit overwhelming so these are some great tips!! Hoping to go back next year!! Will definitely refer back!!
Thank you 😀 It really can especially when you are trying to cram everything into your time there and enjoy it! Thank you so much :D!
These are all great tips. I look forward to taking my son there once things get back to normal.
Ariana
https://OnLivingMatters.com
Thank you! Im glad you enjoyed this post
Now I got the travelbug!!! Thanks for sharing!
No worries! Glad you enjoyed
Great helpful tips 🙂
Great Tips. Fastpass is a saver especially if you have things to cover within limited time period. This tips would really be helpful for those travelling to Disney for the first time.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed this post 😁
A wake-up call from Stitch?! That’s so fun! Thanks for the tips! I’ve never been & hope to get there within the next year or so. I probably would’ve missed all these things 😆
I know how awesome! Aw I’m glad I could help and hope you get to visit soon!
When I went to Disney, It was busy and I wore the comfy clothes, but we did not do the Fast Passes, and we should. I would love to go back, and when I do, I will definitely take your tips.
Glad you enjoyed the post, comfy shoes are such a life saver right! and glad they will help for your next visit!
Great post to consult if you intend to travel to Disneyland.
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I have never been to Disneyworld but read quite a lot about it. However amongst all of them I find this the best piece of advise. It is always good to be prepared in advance knowing what to do to make the best out of a trip.
Hi Em! I paid a deposit for a hotel reservation and I know I can’t cancel it. My trip is in June but I want to ask if they will automatically charge the remaining balance on my credit card? Due to COVID, my credit card is not as reliable. I tried calling them but no one is answering. I’d appreciate your tips about Disney hotel reservations. Thank you in advance!
Hi there! As far as I am aware they do not automatically take the payment, Im not 100% sure. I would email them as well as calling as I have had good communication this way in the past, and contact your booking agent if you didn’t book direct.maybe check with your credit company too if there is anything they can do from there end regarding the payment just in case you cant get hold of Disney themselves
Try either of these links, Hopefully something in here will be helpful too!
https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/travel-information-updates/
https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/faq/hotel-reservations/balance-due-date-extension/
https://www.disneyworld.co.uk/help/hotel-reservations/
Your post made me smile. 30 years ago when we first visited Disney World Orlando, there were no ‘magic bands’ and no “Disney Experience” app. Things were way more simpler back then, but your life is so much easier these days. This is a great guide for first time visitors to Disney World Resorts Orlando. I wish I had a reason to go back there now, but our son is an adult now, lol!
I am really a big fan of World Disney, but I have never been able to visit the World Disney yet. It’s really interesting to find some really innovative and creative like Magic bands and book all such features through the app “my Disney experience”. It’s hasstlefree way to dive into the world of Disneyland. I loved how you planned it so well. I would definitely visit and experience the adventure.
Thank you so much! I hope this helps you for the day you get to visit Disneyworld!
I am a fan of Disney World since I was a kid and I am still. Nothing beats the thrill of being a child again at Disney World. Thanks for all these tips about Disney World Orlando. I was just thinking that it would be really great to get a wake up call by Mickey! My Disney App sounds like a good app to know more about Disney World Orlando and explore the place at own pace. Well, I haven’t yet visited any of the Disney World, but I keep dreaming about them.
I hope you can visit one day! and Mickey can give you that wake up call! Glad you enjoyed the post
I’ve only been to Disneyland Paris a couple of times but visiting the Disney World resort in Orlando is a big dream of mine! How cool is it that hotels give you free badges if it’s your first time there?! Great tip about using the Disney app to skip the line at meal time, super useful. Thank you!
Honestly, I have never been to any of Disney world anywhere. Though I have read a lot of blog post. I am still single and it is out of my interest area. Probably once I will have my babies, I would visit. Having said that, your post is absolutely briilient. Because , you have included small details which people tend to ignore, e.i Refill bottle with ice water. This is a tiny detail but so imporant. I loved the on point post where you have explained everything in a short paragraph. It is helpful.
Thank you so much! I am glad that even though its not your thing you still enjoyed this post! thank you so much
hie, very nice post, and it was great to read
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed this post
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