Hi Jamie! How exciting to be planning a trip with your friend for her first visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth! I'd love to share some tips and ideas for how to make the most of the magic at both Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT when you are here! Let's get to the magic!
The first planning support tool I'd recommend (aside from planDisney, of course!) is to download and become familiar with the
My Disney Experience mobile app. This app will literally put the magic at your fingertips by allowing you and your friend to connect to share plans, link tickets and reservations, view and download your fabulous vacation photos, check wait times, mobile order food, and so much more! Be sure to create your account if you haven't done so already, have your friend also create an account, and link together as Friends and Family to let the planning begin!
I would also recommend staying onsite at one of the
Disney Resort Collections hotels. With this decision, you and your friend will have complimentary transportation to and from your resort and each of the theme parks as well as the Disney Springs area for shopping and entertainment options during your stay. You will also have the perk of Early Theme Park Entry, allowing you to enter the parks a full 30 minutes before standard opening time - this is my favorite benefit because I know we can head to one of the more popular attractions with a shorter wait first thing in the morning!
Jamie, while all four theme parks are fabulous, Magic Kingdom Park is my favorite for its classic nostalgia, countless attractions, and fabulous nighttime fireworks shows! There is nothing more iconic than Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. to make me feel like I have truly left the real world behind to get lost in a world of fantasy!
On the day you plan to visit Magic Kingdom, be sure to set an early alarm so you can join the
Virtual Queue for the newest thrill -
TRON Lightcycle/Run in Tomorrowland! There is no standby line for this thrilling new attraction, so you will want to have lightning-fast fingers to secure a boarding group! Trust me; you don't want to miss it!
On your EPCOT day, you are going to want to follow that same advice to join the Virtual Queue for
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! This is another new thrill ride that will send you and your friend on a mission to save the galaxy!
Your visit will also coincide with the
EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival! This is a festival that puts the park in bloom in the most magical way - be sure to check out the topiaries of your favorite characters and all of the unique food offerings in the park during this event! Since you and your friend will be on an adults-only journey around the world, I'd definitely recommend sampling some of the specialty drinks at the outdoor kitchens as well! You might find me sipping on a
Grand Marnier Orange Slush over at the France Pavilion while you're there! Tres bien!
I hope this helps give you some ideas and support as you plan for your magical adventure! Please come back again if we can help with anything else!
Your pal,
Alison