Greetings Shaista! Welcome to planDisney, and I'm so happy to assist with your question today. Are you ready for the most amazing trip ever?! How wonderful that you're about to visit Walt Disney World for the first time! I'm getting excited in your behalf, thinking about the magical experiences in store for you. Just a few more sleeps... woo hoo!
My family chose a Disney All-Star Resort for our very first trip to Disney World, and we absolutely loved it. I'm certain you will, too! My first tip is to purchase a resort refillable mug from your resort food court, as soon as you arrive. Refill stations are convenient, and it's awesome to get free refills of soda, lemonade, coffee, tea, or hot cocoa multiple times a day. Plus, it's a fun souvenir!
It sounds like you plan to reserve a vacation package, which is a Disney Resort plus theme park tickets. This is a terrific option. When you book this combination on the Walt Disney World site using the
Build Your Vacation tool at the top of the page, everything will be saved under your My Disney account. You get to select how many days of park tickets you'd like to include, with a 2-day minimum for a vacation package. Your park tickets will then be automatically linked, for both you and any
Family & Friends you've added as guests, so no need to link them.
Next, install the
My Disney Experience app. Once you get logged in, you will automatically see your Disney resort details and park tickets. This app will be so handy during your visit, from checking attraction wait times, viewing a park map, keeping track of any dining reservations, or placing a
mobile food order to save time in line.
Now let's talk about
Lightning Lane Passes... ka-chow! Disney Genie has retired and gone back in the bottle, but Lightning Lanes now allow guests to make a reservation for favorite attractions ahead of time. Then you'll just tap in, and get to skip the long stand by line. It's such a great way to maximize how much you can include in your Disney Day!
As a guest staying at a Disney Resort, you can purchase Lightning Lane Passes starting 7 days prior to your check-in, starting at 7:00 AM ET. You'll purchase Lightning Lanes from inside the My Disney Experience app, starting on the home screen. I like to review the attraction and pass options ahead of time, and have a plan ready. Be sure to log on as soon as your eligibility window opens, so you get the best selection!
Last but not least, check out this
magical vacation planning page. It's a fun guide to review, that offers helpful information on how to prepare for your visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Shaista, I truly hope this helps and I'll be wishing upon a star that you have a wonderful time at Disney World! You are the very last Disney guest that I am honored to assist in 2025, as I will now be hanging up my ears for a break. I hope you feel free to return to planDisney with any additional questions you have, as my fellow panelist friends are full of pixie-dusted ideas and kindness! They'd love nothing more than to answer any additional questions you have, or offer expert recommendations on things like Disney dining, must-do attractions, or park itineraries to assure you have the Best. Trip. Ever.
Go. Live your dream.
See ya' real soon!
Tami