No matter how much research or planning you do, there will be things that surprise you on your first trip (and your second and third and…).
Here are 10 things you might not know if you’re planning your very first trip to Disney World.
1. There is no gum sold anywhere at Disney World
In an effort to keep the parks clean, Disney World doesn’t sell gum anywhere on the premises. If you really want gum during your trip, you’ll need to bring your own (and be sure to discard it in the trash, not under a table).
2. Disney World transportation will probably take longer than you expect
By far, the most surprising thing about our first trip was the transportation. You really need to plan on an hour each way to be on the safe side (most of that time will be spent waiting at a bus/monorail/boat stop). Read my article How to navigate with Disney World transportation for more info.
The Boardwalk area at night
3. The Boardwalk area exists
Unless you’re staying in a Boardwalk-area hotel, you may not be aware of this section of Disney World. There are great restaurants, evening entertainment and a piano bar called Jellyrolls. This area is just outside of the World Showcase part of EPCOT (entry into EPCOT is accessible by what is called the “International Gateway”). People who want to visit this area should catch a bus to the Boardwalk Inn from any park.
4. You can have a wake-up call from a character
If you’re staying on-site, you can request a wake-up call and many times it will be a character (currently, it seems to be Stitch). When the call comes in, you can put the phone on speakerphone and then everybody in the room can be woken at the same time.
5. There is a pet hotel on the premises
Actual Disney movies play on the TVs at Best Friends Pet Care. Seriously.
6. You can trade pins with Cast Members (and other guests)
You can wear a lanyard with some pins and then seek out pins that you’d like to trade from Cast Members or other guests. You can get started by getting a lanyard and pin set on eBay or the Disney Store. Be sure to read this guide to avoid scammers trying to take advantage of new pin traders.
7. Disney has a free app for lines and FASTPASS return times
Disney has a free app called My Disney Experience that includes wait times, maps, characters and dining info. You can even use it at home to see how long the lines are when you’re not at Disney World.
8. There is random entertainment everywhere
As you’re going through the parks, you might spot some things happening randomly that are worth stopping to watch. Things like Push the Trash Can at Magic Kingdom.
Or DeVine at Animal Kingdom.
Or Miyuki at EPCOT.
(These things may seem to pop up randomly but they are actually on a schedule. Check WDWent.com for current times.)
9. Adults can ride big rides even if the kids won’t
Disney has a system called Child Swap that will allow the older members of your family to ride while the too-little-to-ride members wait. You simply tell the Cast Member at any ride that has a height requirement that you’d like to Child Swap. They’ll give you a Child Swap pass (which works like a FASTPASS) so that after you ride, you can hand it to the other half of your party and they can ride right away without waiting in line.
Another perk: if you have a child that wants to ride and one that doesn’t, the child that wants to ride can actually go twice – once with each parent.
(Read my article on Child Swapping for a more detailed explanation.)
10. You will suffer from Disney withdrawals
Planning for Disney trips takes a lot of time and effort, so when you finally go on your trip and come home, you may sink into a bit of a Disney depression. My solution for curing Disney depression? Start planning the next trip.
I may be a bit of an enabler.
**************
What else would you add to this list? Tell us in the comments.
| If you enjoyed this article, be sure to get email updates (it's free). |
{ 9 comments (add yours) }
“I may be a bit of an enabler.” LOL, Shannon, you’re so cute!
As far as gum goes, you can’t even buy it at the airport in Orlando. We tried last time, and the woman in the shop said that no gum is sold anywhere in the airport. If you are a gum chewer and are flying into MCO, make sure you have it before you take off from home!
Can you access the boardwalk without going to the actual
Epcot park? I have been to Disney 3 times and always wondered
this!!
Yes! Just take a Disney bus or drive to The Boardwalk Inn.
I love your website. We are leaving next week for our first trip to Disney World. I have a 7 year old princess that is beyond excited. As far as maps, is everything on apps or online? Will there be any paper maps of the parks once we are onsite? We are staying at AoA. Thanks!
Yes! They give them out at all of the parks. Have a great trip.
They also give out paper maps for all of the parks (and the
Downtown Disney area, maybe even the water parks, too) in the lobby
of any Disney Resort hotel. You don’t even have to wait until you
get to the park to get the maps. The hotels also give out times
guides that have all of the park hours for the week (including
extra magic hours) in the hotel lobby. More detalied times guides
(that include hours of specific attractions/entertainments) are
available at each park.
YOU ROCK!
This is the best prep-school in the world!!!
Thank you sooooo much for all of your tips and planning and time!!!