Some destinations you visit once. Disney? That’s a multi-chapter family saga for us. As Florida residents, my family has visited Walt Disney World more than two dozen times over the years. We’ve done weekend passes, annual passes, quick “one park” getaways, and yes—the big, overwhelming first-timer Disney World family trip.
I also know how tricky it feels to plan a Disney trip as an out-of-state visitor. There are tons of detailed Disney blogs, so I’m not here to duplicate them. I’m here to share real-world, dad-tested advice that’s helped our family enjoy Disney to the fullest (without losing our minds or wallets).
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This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase through my links. As always, I only recommend products and resources my family has used and loved on our Disney World family trips. Thanks for supporting RoadTripTales and helping me keep the blog running!
Quick Start: My Dad’s Disney Cheat Sheet
✔ Best resort for young kids: Wilderness Lodge
✔ Best snack: Dole Whip at Aloha Isle (Magic Kingdom)
✔ Don’t over-plan: Leave space for surprises
✔ Best ride strategy: Rope drop your must-do + stack Genie+ in the afternoon
✔ Underrated lifesaver: Baby Care Centers
✔ Beat souvenir impulse buys: Bring bubbles & glow sticks from home
Jump to:
Planning Resources | Where to Stay | Parks Tips | What We Pack | Top Snacks | Taking Little Ones | Dad Pro Tips | Our Kids’ Itinerary
🗺️ My Go-To Disney World Family Trip Planning Resources
Disboards.com
The ultimate trip planning forum. Trip reports, crowd calendars, hotel reviews, restaurant tips—you’ll find everything.
MouseSavers.com
My go-to for up-to-date Disney deals, resort discounts, ticket savings, and planning tips. Even after dozens of trips, I still check Mouse Savers before every Disney World family trip.
TouringPlans.com
An incredible data-driven site that predicts wait times and builds customized park plans (they even factor in your walking pace!). Well worth the small subscription fee.
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2025
The classic Disney planning book. Updated yearly, packed with honest reviews, touring tips, and sample plans. Written by the same team behind TouringPlans.com. I’ve recommended this to many friends for their first Disney World family trip.
🏨 Disney World Resorts We Keep Coming Back To
Deluxe Resorts I Recommend
- Wilderness Lodge: Rustic National Park lodge feel + boat to Magic Kingdom. Our #1 with little kids.
- Polynesian Village Resort: (when deals pop up) Monorail & boat access to Magic Kingdom & EPCOT. ‘Ohana is a great dinner spot, but reservations go fast! Trader Sam’s offers tiki nostalgia with a Disney twist.
- Beach Club Resort: Easiest walking access to EPCOT + Hollywood Studios. Best pool on property with a sandy bottom and waterslide. Last time we stayed, the kids’ meals came with pails and shovels—so cute!
Moderate Resort I Recommend
- Port Orleans French Quarter: Smaller, quieter, with fun Mardi Gras touches, beignets, and jazz for the parents. Moderate and deluxe resorts have waterslides. Plenty of Disney blogs (like Resorts Gal) break down waterslide amenities at each hotel.
Value Resort I Recommend
- Pop Century Resort: Budget-friendly, fun theming, solid food court. Perfect for “parks all day, sleep at night” families.
- Art of Animation: The Little Mermaid rooms are traditional hotel rooms. The other buildings offer family suites (great for larger families) but tend to be pricier. Both resorts connect to the Skyliner.
🎢 My Best Disney World Parks Tips
Expect to Walk… A Lot
Even a “light” day = several miles. Break in shoes before you go. Bring Mickey-themed band-aids. Trust me!
Allow an Hour for Transportation
Between parks or resorts, it nearly always takes an hour door to door.
Park Hopping? Maybe.
Locals or short-trip visitors? Yes. Week-long vacationers? Skip it and save the money.
Ride Strategy for First-Timers
- Rope drop your #1 priority ride.
- Stack Genie+ rides for late morning & afternoon. Learn how Lightning Lane works here.
- Save low-wait rides like PeopleMover, Dumbo, and Carousel of Progress for midday crowd relief.
Zig When They Zag
Most guests arrive mid-morning and leave early evening. Maximize your day by riding attractions during the first 3 hours and last 3 hours—rest in between.
Download the My Disney Experience App
Check ride times, book Genie+, order meals, and manage reservations all in one place.
Parades & Fireworks = Ride Time
See the show once. After that, use fireworks time as prime ride time!
Bring a Small Park Bag
Enough for essentials, not so much you feel like a sherpa. Our favorite go-to bag is the Kavu original rope bag. My wife and I swap carrying duties. It stores easily on most rides.
🎒 What We Pack in Our Disney Park Bag
This Disney World family trip packing strategy has saved us countless headaches. After dozens of trips, here’s what we won’t leave the room without:
- Cheap ponchos – Colored ponchos help you quickly identify your kids
- Chafing cream (guys trust me, this is a life saver)
- Sunscreen – I like having both a face stick and a general cream or spray
- Advil or Tylenol
- Goldfish crackers & Mickey themed snacks
- Cheerios, granola bars, apple slices, and Uncrustables also solid hits
- Refillable water bottle – Disney themed of course
- Power bank for phones
- Tissues & wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Sticker books, small toys, or dollar store “line surprises”
- The Hidden Mickey Book – our kids love hunting for Hidden Mickeys!
🍦 My Top 5 Must-Try Disney World Snacks
One of our favorite Disney World family trip traditions is trying a new snack at each park. My picks:
- Dole Whip – Aloha Isle, Magic Kingdom
- Churro or Mickey Pretzel – Found all over, easy to break apart and share
- Cheeseburger Pods – Satu’li Canteen, Animal Kingdom
- Caramel Popcorn – Karamell-Küche, Germany Pavilion, EPCOT
- Num Num Cookie – Near Toy Story Land, Hollywood Studios
👶 How Young Is Too Young for Disney?
I’m often asked this.
Our oldest visited at 2, our youngest at 3 months. Did they remember it? No. Did we love it? 100%.
We adjusted expectations: no full park days, lots of breaks, and stroller naps. One of our favorite “Disney magic” moments? A Magic Kingdom shop manager gave my upset daughter a free plush toy:
“Here sweetheart. Keep him company. Have a magical day.”
The magic is real at any age, if you go with the right mindset.
Bonus: Dad’s Extra Disney Pro Tips
- Seek out quiet rest spots: Columbia Harbour House upstairs (Magic Kingdom), American Adventure rotunda (EPCOT), MuppetVision courtyard (Hollywood Studios), Flame Tree BBQ riverside (Animal Kingdom).
- Pin trading is fun + cheap. Buy starter pins and lanyards before your trip.
- PhotoPass photographers will happily use your phone for free.
- Baby Care Centers = diaper changes, nursing rooms, toddler toilets, air conditioning.
- Leave shows early (or wait 20 mins after fireworks) to avoid stroller gridlock.
🧢 Our Kids’ Favorite Taste of Disney Itinerary
Perfect for a September weekend:
- 2-night resort stay
- Friday night: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- Saturday: Typhoon Lagoon water park
- Sunday morning: Resort breakfast + explore before checkout
Bonus: Through September 9th, Disney includes free waterpark admission for first-day check-in!
Ready to Plan Your Disney Road Trip?
Okay, I may have gone a little overboard with the tips—there’s a lot to take in, I know. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from our many visits, it’s this: make space to slow down. Pause for those castle photos. Linger over a Mickey pretzel. Let the magic unfold between the rides.
From Dole Whips to droid-building, Orlando’s Disney World is the ultimate family road trip payoff. With the right mix of planning, flexibility, and dad-tested hacks, your crew can have a trip that’s just as magical for you as it is for the kids.
Planning your own Disney World family trip? I’d love to hear your favorite tips or moments—drop a comment below and let’s help more families create their own Disney stories.
Related Posts You’ll Love
Planning your Disney World family trip is just the start! If you’re hitting the road, here are a few more of my dad-tested guides to help make your family road trip smoother, cheaper, and even more fun:
