Mobile Divider Image

Walt Disney World Guide for First-Timers

31 Oct, 2024
  • Family Conferences

We hope you are planning on joining us in Orlando, FL, from December 19-21, 2024, for our 38th Annual Family & Scientific Conference, or for our SPIRIT Conference for adults with MPS and ML! Part of the magic of our conferences this year – aside from celebrating 50 years! – are their proximity to Walt Disney World.  We truly hope that our attendees will take advantage of this fact, and spend some quality time with their families before or after sessions on Disney property. That being said, we know that Disney World is a HUGE place and it can be overwhelming if its your first time visiting. With that in mind, Julia R. (more information on Julia at the end!) has been so kind as to develop a basic rundown on all things Disney. We also recommend reviewing Disney World’s free Accessibility Planning Guide, or visiting Disney World’s dedicated accessibility web pages for guidance on planning your trip.

Disney World Overview

There are four theme parks, two water parks, multiple mini golf courses, shopping venues, and resort hotels on the Walt Disney World property in Orlando, Florida. Also nearby are Universal Studios and SeaWorld.

Disney Theme Parks

  • Magic Kingdom– This is the best park for kids and families. It has lots of rides, character meet and greets, and all things classic Disney.
  • EPCOTThis is the best park for adults. It houses Future World and the World Showcase, where you can experience different cultures, and find lots of science and environmental attractions.
  • Hollywood Studios This is the best park for movie and television buffs. It has the most live shows, and all of the Star Wars attractions.
  • Animal KingdomThis is the most unique park, and a must-see for animal lovers. It has live animal exhibits and a safari tour, the World of Pandora (based on the Avatar film series), and is the most shaded of any Disney park due to all of its trees.

 

Disney Springs

  • Located just across the street from conference lodging at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, Disney Springs is a shopping complex on the grounds of Walt Disney World Resort. There is free transportation from any Disney resort hotel, and free parking if you drive yourself. There are tons of restaurants, stores, a bowling alley, movie theater, live shows, and more! It is completely free to access Disney Springs.

 

Disney Water Parks

  • Typhoon Lagoon– This is the most relaxing water park, boasting a long lazy river and lots of relaxing water slides.
  • Blizzard BeachThe more exciting water park, it has one of the tallest water slides, and is connected to the WinterSummerland mini golf course.

 

Disney Mini Golf Courses

  • WinterSummerland– WinterSummerland has two mini golf courses: a winter side and a summer side, both of which are Christmas themed.
  • FantasiaFantasia Mini Golf also has two mini golf courses: Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways.

 

Accessibility at Disney World

Disney World prides itself on being one of the most accessible theme parks in the world. Guests who have accessibility needs are encouraged to visit Disney’s Accessibility pages on their website for guidance on mobility needs, service animal guidelines, transportation guides, and more. For additional information or requests, guests can also contact Disney’s dedicated disability services team:

  • Call Disability Services: (407) 939-5277 
  • Email Disability Services: disability.services@disneyparks.com 

 

Disney World Transportation

There are a lot of free transportation options available once you arrive on the Disney World property. If this is your first time at Disney, keep in mind it will take a while to get from place to place. If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can pick up transportation there. If you are not staying on property, you can drive to Disney Springs (where it is free to park), or take an Uber or shuttle from your hotel.

  • Skyliner
    • This is an enclosed gondola, ski-lift styled transport, that is accessible to individuals with wheelchairs or other mobility devices. If you are afraid of heights, you don’t want to use this transportation.
    • The Skyliner stops at Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Art of Animation/Pop Century Resorts, Caribbean Beach Resort and the Riviera Resort. You can also access the Swan & Dolphin, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Boardwalk Resorts from the EPCOT station.
  • Monorail
    • The monorail is a train ride that goes from several of the resorts to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. This form of transportation is accessible: when you get to the station, look for a Disney World cast member who will direct you where to board the train.
    • You will have to go through security to get on the monorail, even if you are not entering a park.
    • The monorail lines stop at the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort and Grand Floridian Resort.
  • Boats
    • It’s fun and relaxing to take a Disney boat ride on one of the many lakes around the property. All boat rides are wheelchair and EVC accessible!
    • The Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Campground all have boat transportation to Magic Kingdom.
    • Swan & Dolphin, Yacht & Beach Club, and Boardwalk Resorts have boat transportation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
    • Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, and Port Orleans Resorts have boat transportation to Disney Springs.
    • Tip: Riding a boat near Magic Kingdom at night is a great way to see the fireworks!
  • Buses
    • Buses traverse the whole of Disney’s property, and arrive at each bus-stop approximately every 20 minutes. Buses are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, EVCs, and other mobility devices as long as they can fit on a standard lift.
    • Note: the Skyliner will occasionally close down due to adverse weather. If this happens, Disney will send buses to temporarily replace this method of transportation.

Disney Lingo

There are some phrases you might hear thrown around if this is your first time at Disney that you don’t quite understand. I’ll explain some of the common Disney lingo, so you know what’s going on:

  • Cast member
    • Cast member is just a Disney-fied term (in other words, a cuter sounding word) for a staff member.
  • Pin trading
    • What is pin trading? Disney has been selling collectible pins since 1999. You can buy souvenir pins in any gift shop on the property, but you can also trade pins! You will see cast members walking around with lanyards or little pin books on their side. You can ask to see any cast member’s pins.
    • If you see a pin you want, trade one of your pins for one of theirs!
    • You can trade up to two pins with each cast member. 
    • You can also find pin boards in every hotel lobby and gift shop! If you don’t see it, ask for it at the desk.
  • Lightning Lane
    • Lightning Lane (formerly Fast Pass and Genie+) lets you reserve a time to ride a line, and thus wait in a shorter line. 
    • Lightning Lane is a paid service that you will have to purchase separately from your park ticket.
    • You can get a Lightning Lane Single Pass for one ride that you know will be popular, or you can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass. 
      • Note: you can only use a Lightning Lane Single Pass on certain rides, and a Lightning Lane Multi Pass on others, so you may have to purchase a single-use Lightning Pass for a specific ride even if you already have the multi pass.
  • Virtual Queue
    • A virtual queue is different from a Lightning Lane pass, because it is only available for the most popular rides in each park.
    • You can look in the My Disney app to see if the ride you want to go on has a virtual queue available. If so, you can sign up for the virtual queue the morning of the day you’re going into that park.
      • Tip: Virtual queues book up quickly! Check the app early in the morning to ensure you can reserve your spot.
      • Once you reserve your spot in the virtual queue, the app will give you a timeframe to return to the ride and get in the physical line.
  • Magic band
    • A magic band is an electronic bracelet that goes on your arm. It can be used as a room key, to purchase items, and to hold park tickets and Lightning Lane passes.
    • Magic bands are waterproof, so you can also wear them in the pool.
    • You can do most of the things a magic band can do with the MyDisney app, so if you don’t already have one, you don’t need to purchase one.

 

Download the My Disney Experience App

A lot of things are done via app. If you download the My Disney Experience app before your trip, you can use it to book tickets, make dining reservations, and reserve a spot in a virtual queue. You can even use the app as your room key! In fact, the app does most things that a magic band would do, which is why you don’t have to purchase a magic band.

If you don’t want to use the app, you can also create an account online, where you can link your ticket reservations and create dining reservations.

You can link up your account (online or in the app) with other family members who also have a My Disney account.

 

Christmas at Disney World

It’s fun to be at Disney World so close to a major holiday, but it can be crazy crowded!

One of the most famous Christmas decorations at Disney World is the iconic giant gingerbread house in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, for which they start baking the gingerbread in July! Luckily, the gingerbread they sell in the house is freshly baked!

You can also buy tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This will get you into the park after hours, where you can indulge in holiday treats and enjoy the festive atmosphere!

I have never attended any of the holiday events, but I have been to Disney World in December, and, fair warning, it was the absolute MOST crowded I’ve ever seen Disney World! The closer to Christmas it is, the more crowded the parks will be, so be prepared and set realistic expectations for crowds, wait times, etc.

 

Disney World Tips

I want to end this article with a couple of tips to help you get the most out of your time in Disney World:

  • Get a free button
    • You can get a free button at the front desk of your hotel, or at the guest services center in Disney Springs. Your button will say “I’m Celebrating,” or might be for a specific event, like your first visit to Disney World. The buttons are free, and sometimes you get a little extra magic because you’re wearing one, or at least a “Happy birthday!” or “Congratulations!” from cast members.
  • Know that only one water park is open at a time
    • If you’re planning to go to a water park, know that only one of the Disney water parks is open at a time. Usually Typhoon Lagoon is open in the summer and fall, and Blizzard Beach is open in the winter and spring.
  • Don’t plan too much
    • Don’t over plan your trip to Disney! There are so many things to do at Disney World that it can be overwhelming. You won’t be able to do everything in one trip, so be sure to plan some time to just relax and soak in the Disney atmosphere.

 

I hope this Disney World guide will help get you started planning your first trip to Disney (or your second) (or your third…)!

 

About the Author: Julia Rexford is the cousin of Society board member Jason M., and daughter to Wayne, both of whom have MPS II. She (along with Wayne, Jason and the rest of their family) has been to Disney World countless times over the years, and has developed some content to help families attending the 38th Annual Family & Scientific Conference or SPIRIT Conference have the best Disney experience possible. Julia is also the author of a travel blog, where you can find more Disney insights and tips: Planned Wanderings.