Planning a Disney vacation is exciting, but it can also feel like a big undertaking—especially if it’s your first visit! Navigating park logistics and packing the essentials are just a few of the details that can make your trip run smoothly. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way in setting yourself up for a magical experience filled with unforgettable moments. Mastering the My Disney Experience app, bringing the right gear, and getting mentally ready for the adventure are all key steps to ensuring your trip is a success. Let’s dive into everything you need to know before stepping into the magic!
Set up your app
As soon as you make your Disney reservation, download the app. The My Disney Experince app is going to be your best friend when you’re in the park but it will also be your trip planning ally before you travel. In order for the app to be your travel BFF, you’ll need to link your reservation in your account. Once you do that, you’ll be able to see the countdown screen below to help you know exactly how many days you’ll have to wait until you’re in the magic. You’ll also be able to check-in online, make dining reservations and buy Lightning Lanes. For a full list of all the things you’ll be able to use the MDE app for check out How to Make Your Disney trip easier with the MDE app.
Do a little research
You will have a better trip if you educate yourself a little ahead of time. Some of the key things to learn about will be where to find your favorite characters or attractions related to them. Another great topic for you to research a little is how/where to eat. While there are tons of dining options, you may want learn about what’s available at your resort, how to mobile order or what character dining you might want to enjoy. My third top recommendation for what to learn about would be transportation. Every Disney resort has bus transportation to the parks but some resorts offer additional transportation. Other transportation related things that you may want to look into are how to get from resort to resort or what times buses start and stop running.
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Pack a good park bag
Having what you need in your park bag will make a huge difference in how your trip goes. You may want to adjust the size of your bag based on how many people you are traveling with and if you’re traveling with kids. The bag itself can also make a difference. Pack a bag you’ll be comfortable carrying all day, in the heat, when you’re probably going to walk 20,000 steps. Look for bags that have padded straps and a breathable backing. For my full list of park bag recommendations check out How to Pack the Perfect Disney Park Bag.
Prepare yourself for lines
This step of preparing yourself for Disney is a lot about mental preparation. You need to go into a Disney vacation understanding the reality that there will be lines. When thinking about preparing for lines you should also think about how to entertain your little ones while standing in line. Snacks and simple games can be a great way to do this. A very popular game to play while in line at Disney is Heads Up. There’s even a Disney themed version so that you can keep in that Disney spirit while you wait. Disney also has an app called the Play Disney app that has games related to certain attractions and ride ques that you can play while you wait.
Pick the right shoes
As I mentioned above, there’s a good chance that you’ll walk somewhere around 20,000 steps a day during your Disney day. Choosing the right shoes will make a tremendous difference in the quality of your trip. A few key pieces of choosing the right shoes are to choose shoes that are comfortable, that you’ve broken in and to take more than one pair of shoes for your trip. For all of my best advice on picking shoes for Disney World check out The Best Shoes to Wear to Disney World.
Make a list of things you’d like to do
A part of doing the research for your trip will be to find things that are important for your family. Disney has so much IP represented in the parks and it will be an important part of your trip to know where to find characters and experiences that are meaningful to you. In making your list, I strongly recommend you think about what your priorities are and recognize that you won’t be able to get everything in just one trip. The best thing you can do when considering what you want to do in the parks, is to go in with reasonable expectations so that you won’t close out your trip feeling disappointed.
Check the weather
When most people think of Florida, they think of heat and sunshine but the weather in Florida may vary much more than you think. I’ve literally found myself at the outlet mall buying long underwear just so we could stay warm during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. No matter the season or weather, there are some things you should do to prepare. If you’re traveling in the summer, you’ll want to pack things like cooling towels and lightweight clothing. Traveling in the fall? Hurricane season runs from August to mid-November. Make sure you pack those ponchos! Going to Disney during those winter months? Make sure you take jackets and even gloves. Buying things like fans and cooling towels in the parks adds up fast so look ahead at that forecast and pack accordingly.
Prepare yourself to walk thousands of steps
Preparing for the walking at Disney is more than just picking the right shoes. If you’re someone who doesn’t walk a lot at home, you may want to consider increasing your daily steps before your Disney vacation. The amount of walking you do at Disney will make you more tired if your body is having to do a crazy adjustment to that number of steps. Another important piece of preparing for the walking at Disney is to think about the people you’ll be traveling with. If you’re traveling with older family members or those who may struggle with walking, you may want to consider renting an ECV. For more information on what it’s like to navigate Disney with an ECV check out Tips for Navigating Disney World With a Scooter where I share more about our personal experience with this when my mom broke her ankle 2 weeks before our Disney trip. Another important thing to think about with the Disney walking is your kids. Kids may need strollers at Disney long past when you would use a stroller for them at home. If you’re getting in 20,000 steps those little legs are getting even more with their short strides. Disney does offer stroller rentals through the park or there are lots of local services where you can reserve a stroller in advance and have it delivered to your resort.
Choose a good attitude
I’ll confess I have had my share of what I call Disney meltdowns and have had some park moments where I let the crowds and heat get the better of me. When you go into your Disney trip, it’s important to understand that there are going to be things that don’t go well, things you won’t get to see, lines that will be long and other guests that may annoy you. Even though all of those things may take place, don’t lose sight of why you’re there. Set your mind before your day even starts, that you’re here to make positive memories with the people you love. When you feel that frustration building, take a breath, reset and choose to see the good things about your day.
Understand that the first day is the hardest
If you’ve never been to Disney, the first day is probably going to be the hardest part of your trip. That first day you’ll be using transportation for the first time, going through security for the first time, getting to know the app, and learning to navigate the parks. Just experiencing all of these things for the first time will be a little more anxiety inducing. The good news is once you do all of these things for the first time, you’ll realize they really aren’t hard, they’re just unfamiliar. Every day you go the parks will feel a little more familiar and you’ll be able to relax and enjoy yourself a little bit more.
Preparing for a Disney vacation may seem overwhelming, but with the right mindset and a little planning, your trip can be nothing short of magical. From downloading the My Disney Experience app to planning your park days and packing the perfect park bag, each step helps ensure a smoother experience. Remember to set realistic expectations, stay flexible, and embrace the unexpected moments that make Disney trips unforgettable.
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