Hi Melanie! A very magical welcome to you, we are so glad you stopped by with your question. I am so excited to hear you plan on bringing your daughters for their first visit to Walt Disney World Resort. As a girl mama myself, I have a couple of magical tips that may help ignite the spark for what I am sure will be a wonderful visit!
Since this is your first visit, check out the Walt Disney World website, and take a peek at all the resorts that are a part of the Disney Resorts Hotel collection. All of them are magical in their way, jam-packed with fun activities to do as a family, have great pools, and the best part: there is a resort for any family, no matter the budget. Some of my favorite resorts include Disney's Port Orleans Resort-Riverside (check out the Royal Rooms!), Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Beach Club Resort. Beach Club has an amazing pool complex called Stormalong Bay, which is a 5-minute walk (I timed it!) to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT, and has some wonderful dining options, including Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, and Cape May Cafe. Pop Century is the perfect Value resort, is a Skyliner ride away from EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, and the theming of this resort is so fun.
Are you a Disney+ subscriber? There is an offer for a free dining plan added to a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation package (resort + tickets), at select Disney resorts, and is available during the timeframe you plan to visit! To take advantage of this offer, call the Disney Resort Hotel Reservations desk and mention this offer! The Cast Members will be more than happy to assist you with booking your vacation packages and mention any special offers available at that time.
As first-timers, here are some of my pro tips to make your visit extra magical:
- Buttons: Pick up a "My 1st Visit!" button while checking into your Disney resort, or stop by City Hall at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park and get one here! Buttons are a fun way to commemorate this special moment in your family's life.
- Character Meals: If your girls are Princess fans (like mine are!) make an Advanced Dining Reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table, or Akershus Royal Banquet Hall at EPCOT. It is a great way to meet several of the princesses, plus you get to relax and enjoy a delicious meal.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: If your Princesses are ages 3 and older, you can make their wishes come true with a magical makeover! This Enchanting Extra is very popular, so I suggest making reservations 60 days ahead of your visit. Keep checking your My Disney Experience app daily if you don't get a reservation right away, guests cancel all the time.
- Buy Princess dresses ahead of time from shopDisney! I have been able to pack my daughter's princess dresses in a vacuum-sealed bag, that way I can maximize luggage space.
Melanie, this is a lot of information (I know!), but I hope all of this is a great start to planning your visit to Walt Disney World. Send me questions at any time before your visit, you've got a friend in me! Thanks for stopping by, and we'll see ya real soon.
Happy Planning!
Frances