If you’ve been following along, you’ll know we’re no strangers to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. This was our second visit — last year we tackled Animal Kingdom, and this time we finally made it to Magic Kingdom and Epcot for the first time. Two parks, two days, and a whole lot of memories.
Whether you’re planning your first trip or heading back for more, here’s everything I wish someone had told me, from what to pack to how to actually save money on tickets.
What to Pack for Walt Disney World
Getting your bag right can genuinely make or break your day. Here’s what we swear by:
Ponchos
Florida weather is no joke. Yes, the sunshine is beautiful, but the rain can come in hard and fast with very little warning. Pack a poncho for every member of the family and you’ll thank yourself later. You don’t need to spend much either. Poundland, Primark, and Decathlon all sell them for next to nothing.
Waterproof Shoe Covers
On the topic of rain, waterproof shoe covers are a really underrated addition to your bag. I wouldn’t bother with wellies — you’ll be on your feet all day and comfort has to come first — but slipping a pair of shoe covers over your trainers when the heavens open is genuinely a game changer.
A Reusable Water Bottle
There are water fountains throughout the parks, so bringing a refillable bottle is one of the easiest ways to save money on the day. You can also ask for cups of ice at food and drink stands, completely free, which keeps everything nice and cold in the heat.
Sunscreen and Hats
There are shaded areas around the parks but the sun gets seriously hot, so please don’t skip this one. Pack good SPF and hats for the whole family. UV protection isn’t optional when you’re spending a full day outside in Florida.
Comfortable Shoes
You will clock up around 20,000 steps in a single day. That is not an exaggeration. Wear whatever you know you can walk in all day without suffering for it. I’m a New Balance girl personally, but whatever works for you — just don’t break in a new pair at Disney.
A Portable Charger
Your phone will not survive the day on its own battery, and I say that with complete confidence. You’ll be on the My Disney Experience app constantly, checking queue times, using it as an interactive map, finding restaurants and toilets. A fully charged portable charger is non-negotiable.
Snacks for the Queue
The longest we waited was around 30 minutes, which honestly wasn’t bad at all. But kids are kids, so having snacks on hand to keep them going while you wait is always a smart move.
Download the My Disney Experience App
Before you even arrive, download the My Disney Experience app. It covers everything: wait times, maps, dining, toilets, Lightning Lane bookings. It becomes your go-to guide for the entire trip and makes navigating the parks so much easier
Should You Buy Lightning Lane Passes?
This is worth a proper conversation because it’s not a small cost, but it can completely transform your day. Lightning Lane comes in three different tiers, so it’s worth understanding what each one actually gets you before you decide.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass
This is the top tier option. You get one-time entry to every available Lightning Lane experience in one park for one day, including the most in-demand attractions. The big selling point here is flexibility — there are no arrival windows to schedule around, so you can ride what you want, when you want. It also includes digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos from your day, which is a lovely bonus.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
With Multi Pass you can plan ahead and choose up to 3 Lightning Lane experiences and arrival windows in a theme park before your visit. Once you’ve used your first experience, you may be able to add more on the day, subject to availability. If you have Park Hopper benefits, you can also use it across more than one park. Like Premier Pass, it includes digital downloads of select attraction photos and videos.
Lightning Lane Single Pass
Single Pass is for those individual headline attractions that aren’t included in Multi Pass, so typically the most in-demand rides in the park. You choose your arrival window in advance and can purchase up to 2 Single Passes per day, subject to availability. It’s worth planning this one early as the popular slots go quickly.
We were kindly gifted Lightning Lane passes on our visit and honestly, it made a huge difference. Some of the wait times were sitting at 180 minutes, and there was simply no way we were standing in those queues. Being able to bypass them kept the day moving and meant we got to do so much more. When we come back (and we will, because we absolutely loved it), Lightning Lane is going on the budget from the start.
Are MagicBands Worth It?
MagicBands are Walt Disney World’s wearable wristbands that connect to your Disney account. They work as your park ticket, hotel room key, and payment method all in one, and they can also unlock your PhotoPass photos.
So are they actually worth buying? Honestly, for most families the answer is probably not essential. Your smartphone does everything a MagicBand does through the My Disney Experience app.
That said, there are a few situations where they genuinely make life easier. If you’re travelling with young children, having everything on a wristband rather than fishing your phone out constantly is really convenient. Kids tend to love wearing them.
The Rides Worth Prioritising
We managed a solid amount of rides across our two days, and here are the ones that really stood out.
Tron Lightcycle Run was a highlight of the whole trip, and genuinely one of the best rides I’ve ever been on. If you love a thrill, do not skip this one.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot was equally brilliant and another firm favourite.
On the gentler side, Frozen Ever After was really lovely, and Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid was sweet with some impressive animatronics.
A Smart Strategy If You’ve Already Been to Disneyland Paris
This tip saved us a lot of time and it’s worth sharing. Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park in Paris are similar in many ways, sharing some of the same classic rides. If you’ve done Paris multiple times like we have, you’ve probably already ridden a few of them. So rather than queuing for rides you’ve been on before, skip those and prioritise everything that’s new or unique to Walt Disney World. It freed up so much of our day and meant we could actually get around properly.
Where to Buy Walt Disney World Tickets
This is where you really need to do your homework, because Orlando is not a cheap destination and you want to make sure you’re getting the best deal for your specific dates.
Start by comparing prices across reputable ticket sellers. Check what each company is offering alongside the ticket, as some include free dining, a photo pass, or other added extras that can make them better value even if the headline price looks similar.
Stick to well-known, trusted sellers. Disney directly, AttractionTickets, AttractionTix, FloridaTix, and Undercover Tourist are all widely used and have strong customer reviews. Always read reviews before buying from any site.
Please avoid unknown websites offering unusually large discounts. If it looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Getting scammed out of hundreds of pounds on Walt Disney World tickets would be devastating, so take the extra five minutes to check that you’re booking through a legitimate source.
Budget for Merch, But Shop Smart
The shops inside Walt Disney World are full of things you’ll want to bring home, and some of it really is exclusive to the resort. You genuinely cannot get it anywhere else. If that matters to you, factor it into your overall budget from the start.
That said, for everyday Disney merch like ears, t-shirts, and accessories, Primark is brilliant before you travel. Disney ears in Primark can be around £6, compared to significantly more inside the parks. Stock up before you fly and save the park shopping budget for the things that are actually worth the premium.
Extra Tips Worth Knowing
Arrive Before the Parks Open
Getting there even 20 to 30 minutes before official opening time makes a real difference. You’ll clear security and bag checks without the rush, and you can head straight to the most popular rides before the queues build up.
Book Dining in Advance
Table service restaurants at Walt Disney World get booked up fast, sometimes months ahead. If there’s somewhere you really want to eat, especially character dining experiences, get it reserved before you travel. You can book through the My Disney Experience app.
Use the Rider Switch Option If You Have Little Ones
If you’re travelling with a child who isn’t tall enough for certain rides, ask about the Rider Switch pass at the attraction entrance. One parent rides while the other waits with the child, then you swap without having to queue again. It’s a brilliant system and completely free.
Factor in Travel Between Parks
If you’re visiting more than one park across your trip, remember that getting between them takes time. Disney offer complimentary transport including buses, the monorail, and boats, but build buffer time into your day so you’re not rushing.
Take a Midday Break
This sounds counterintuitive when you’re trying to maximise your day, but hear me out. The parks are hottest and busiest between 12 and 3pm. If you’re staying on site, heading back to your hotel for a couple of hours and returning refreshed in the late afternoon can actually help you get more done overall.
Final Thoughts
We still haven’t made it to Hollywood Studios, and that one’s firmly on the list for next time. And there will absolutely be a next time. Walt Disney World is one of those places that just gets you, and every visit feels completely worth it.
If you’re in the early stages of planning, start with the tickets, get your packing list sorted, and download that app. The rest tends to fall into place from there.
Have a question about our trip or planning your own visit? Drop it in the comments, I’m happy to help!
Hi, what age is good for it, my lo are 6 and 2 ,prefer paris first to orlando to get atleast 1 park out of the way ?
Author
Honestly, 6 and 2 is a lovely age for Disney, especially for the magic, characters and rides with little to no height restrictions.
If you’re choosing between Paris and Orlando first, I’d say:
Paris is perfect for those ages. It’s smaller, less overwhelming, and you can comfortably do it in a couple of days.
Orlando is incredible but much bigger, more tiring, and better appreciated from around 5+ when they can handle longer days and more rides.
So your plan actually makes sense. Do Paris first to ease into it, then save Orlando for when they’re a bit older and can fully enjoy it.
Also worth noting, your 2 year old will be free in both parks, which is a nice bonus.