Hello there, Nicole!
I’m so excited that you are planning your family’s first Walt Disney World Resort vacation. I just helped my sister-in-law plan her first trip, and it sounds like they had a blast. planDisney is here to help you get the most out of your vacation, from itinerary planning to dining recommendations.
If you’re planning on visiting this summer, my recommendation would be to make your
Disney Resorts Collection hotel reservation and
purchase tickets at the same time; however, you can absolutely purchase your tickets separately. If you’re planning on visiting during September 2023, you currently have two ticket options: the
4-Park Magic Ticket or a
Date-based multi-day ticket. The 4-Park Magic Ticket is a great option if you plan on having one day of admission to each of the four theme parks (for a total of four admissions on four separate days). The nice thing about this option is that you don’t need to make theme park reservations, but please note that this ticket is subject to blockout dates from September 1-4, 2023.
As for the Date-based multi-day tickets, you can decide which theme park you want to visit and make your theme park reservations later on. However,
theme park reservations are required to enter a park through January 8, 2024, with these types of tickets. I recommend making these reservations early on since some of the theme parks may get booked up. You can always make theme park reservations and change them as long as your desired theme park reservation is available.
For a first-time visit, I highly recommend visiting all four theme parks if you have the time. There is something to offer all age groups at each of the theme parks. My planDisney pals, LeAndra and Leslie recently released a great video series on
vacationing with little ones at the Walt Disney World Resort. You should totally check them out! Feel free to reach back out with any other questions.
May the magic be with you!Melanie