Hi, there!
Oh my goodness, Sara. Your family must be so excited! All visits to the Walt Disney World Resort are magical, but a first visit is exceptionally so.
My little guys are about the same ages as your boys, and there's nothing they love more than a Disney vacation. I'm happy to share some tips and suggestions for your upcoming stay!
I always recommend first-timers visit all four theme parks if they're able to. With immersive
attractions, phenomenal
entertainment, and incredible
dining at each, you won't want to miss any of them! Definitely make good use of your valuable time by having a touring plan in mind that includes
FastPass+ experiences, but balance that pre-planning with a healthy dose of flexibility. There are lots of spontaneous and magical experiences to be had in the theme parks, so be sure to slow down and enjoy them!
To avoid crowds, plan on getting to the theme parks when they first open in the morning. That first hour of the day is usually the least crowded, so you can experience lots of attractions with little to no wait time! After lunch, head back to your Disney Resort hotel for some much needed rest and relaxation. A swim in our Resort hotel pool is a must-do for my sons! With fun theming and kid-friendly features, my boys love to spend the afternoon splashing around at the pool. Afterward, we insist on a little quiet time in our hotel room before traveling back to the theme parks for the evening.
Plan on at least one
Character Dining Experience. My little guys love these meals because they feature kid-friendly food AND the fabulous company of their favorite Disney Characters! If you don't already have a reservation or if you can't find availability, not to fret! Many Character Dining Experiences, like The Crystal Palace and Hollywood & Vine often have walk-in availability.
Let those boys play! My sons just love playing in the indoor queue at
Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Magic Kingdom. They also love
The Boneyard at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. My Type-A personality wants to rush them while they're playing in those areas so we can cross more off our list, but I know they're making precious memories.
Be sure to download the
Play Disney Parks mobile app prior to your arrival. My kids have the best time playing the interactive games that sync with the queues of our favorite attractions!
I hope this was helpful, Sara. I'm wishing you and your family the most magical Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Ashley