Hiya Simran!
Welcome to planDisney, and thank you so much for sending us this magical question! I was so excited when I saw your question in our queue as I always love to help fellow international guests like me and because this occasion is so incredibly special. Your first Disney vacation is something you will always look back on, and I am honoured to be a part of your planning journey.
There are quite a few things to cover, so let's get started! There are three things that you will want to cover: where you will stay, where you will go and what you will do. First, I would highly recommend staying at a
Walt Disney World Resort hotel for your first Disney visit. Not only are the proximity to the parks, the many amenities available and the complimentary transportation so convenient, but you also get to stay in the magic after your day in the theme parks. Indeed, there is nothing quite like starting your day with Mickey waffles. Second, there are a few things to consider when visiting the theme parks: tickets, theme park reservations and whether to use Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes or not. Firstly, you will want to
purchase your theme park tickets online via the Disney Holidays website. Then, you will have to create a
My Disney Experience account and
link your tickets there. Make sure that everyone in your party has a profile and a ticket linked to it! The last step is to
make your theme park reservations for each day you intend to visit. If you would like to be adventurous and get the most out of your vacation, I recommend purchasing the
Disney Genie+ service, which allows you to skip the lines on your selected rides. You can purchase this service when buying your theme park tickets, or on the day of your visit on the My Disney Experience mobile app. I would highly suggest downloading the app as it makes visiting the parks so much easier!
Planning your Disney vacation can get a bit overwhelming, but thankfully there are so many resources that you can use while planning your magical vacation. You are already ahead of the curb here and know about planDisney, but an additional suggestion I have is to use the search bar. Indeed, my fellow panelists have answered so many questions already, and I go to them for help all the time. Over on the Walt Disney World website, you can also use the search engine to learn more about attractions, dining locations and their menus, Resorts, etc. Plus, the Walt Disney World website also has a
phone book with lots of phone numbers that you can call to talk to a Disney representative who will be able to help you. Lastly, if you would also like some extra help when planning your vacation, I would suggest looking into working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
I hope this was helpful, Simran, and that you and your Ohana have the best day ever on your first Disney vacation. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. You are part of our Disney Ohana now, and Ohana means that nobody gets left behind or forgotten! And when you land in sunny Florida, make sure to grab your complimentary "1st Visit" button to share this magical occasion with everybody.
Have a magical day,
Ariane