Hi Judith!
Thank you for bringing another question to the Disney Parks Moms Panel! How exciting that you are planning your first trip to the Walt Disney World Resort. My girls are 10-years old also so I can imagine the fun you all are going to have when you finally arrive! As you have probably realized, travel time to the parks from the resorts will vary depending on the location of the resort. No matter where you stay, I recommend that you allot at least one hour to get to the parks and I suggest that you allot an hour and a half to get from the resort to a dining or Fast Pass+ reservation.
Even if you decide to drive to the parks, parking can be a challenge. Be sure to review the
Parking locations and fees before your arrival. Since parking is limited, you may have to park and still use the tram or Disney transportation to get to the park entrance. For my family, Disney transportation is just much easier. No one argues about the directions or the parking spot and we can't lose the car! But I also have other family and friends who love to drive and appreciate having access to a car while on vacation. The decision really depends on how you all prefer to travel!
Since this is your first visit, I have a few other suggestions. Create a
My Disney Experience account if you have not done so already. Second, make
Dining Reservations up to 180 days in advance. Restaurants fill quickly. Third, make your
Fast Pass+ reservations up to 60 days in advance. This will allow you to make advanced reservations for three rides per day that you have park tickets.
Happy Planning!
-Donyell