Hello, Sarah! Thanks for bringing your question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
How exciting that you're planning your first
Walt Disney World Resort vacation! I know it can be a bit overwhelming--especially with so many options to choose from. I would definitely recommend checking out some of the
online planning videos and tips to help you get a good overview of what you can expect during your visit. You'll also find information online about
Walt Disney World Resort hotel vacation packages,
Dining Plans,
Memory Maker,
FastPass+ experiences, and using
My Disney Experience to help with your planning process.
Since Walt Disney World Resort is constantly evolving to meet Guests' needs, your visit a year from now may include events and activities that haven't been announced just yet. I would definitely recommend following the
Disney Parks Blog to keep abreast of what will be in store during your visit. Of course you can count on a wide variety of
Character dining experiences, and you should be able to find something that will allow your little Mouseketeers to meet some of their favorite Characters. If they're Disney Junior fans, I recommend visiting
Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Disney Junior Dance Party and Character meet-and-greet experiences which currently include Fancy Nancy and Doc McStuffins.
Toy Story Land is sure to be a big hit, as is
Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy.
While there are tons of things for little ones to do at Walt Disney World Resort, my daughter's favorite Theme Park when she was 3 and 7 was
Magic Kingdom Park. Whether it's experiencing the junior-sized thrills in Fantasyland, watching in awe as the Festival of Fantasy Parade makes its way down Main Street, U.S.A. or as the fireworks during Happily Ever After light up the night sky, Magic Kingdom Park is the quintessential Walt Disney World Resort experience!
I would also highly recommend staying at a
Walt Disney World Resort hotel for your first visit. With three different categories to choose from, there's something for every budget. And although perks like booking those FastPass+ experiences 60 days in advance of your stay and enjoying
Extra Magic Hours are some of the best benefits of staying at an official Walt Disney World Resort hotel, having the ability to return to your Resort hotel for a midday break is a crucial part of keeping the little ones well-rested and happy.
Let us know if there are any other recommendations we can make for you, Sarah. Happy planning!
Amy