The Top 5 Tips for Disney World First-Timers
FastPass, FastPass+, Minnie Vans, monorails, Park Hoppers and dinglehoppers. Though it promises to be the Happiest Place on Earth, Walt Disney World's sprawling kingdom and complicated patchwork of programs, tickets and terms can make even the most worldly traveler yearn for the simplicity of trying to buy an AC 3-Tier bunk from Rameswaram to Jalandhar City without speaking a lick of Hindi.
But fear not: TPG is here to boil down Disney World's essential tips so that even newbies will be "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah"-ing down Main Street, USA in no time.
1. Crowd Calendars Are Your Friend
Whether you're using Undercover Tourist or Touring Plans, you'll want to consult a crowd calendar so you know what you're up against. With all the festivals, marathons and other events that come to Walt Disney World, crowds can vary greatly. It's going to be busy no matter when you go, but how busy? That's what crowd calendars are for.
2. But FastPass+ Is Your BFF
Whether you're staying on site and can book 60 days out or can only book 30 days ahead of time, you'll want to use the FastPass+ system to snag three of your favorite rides each day. (FastPass+, which you can think of as FastPass 2.0, has replaced the old FastPass system, and people tend to use "FastPass+" and "FastPass" interchangeably.)
The most popular rides won't be available on the day you arrive at the parks. Heck, some rides won't even be available 30 days ahead of time. Those long lines can be painful. Use FastPass+ wisely.
3. Take One for the Team
If you're a family of four or more, consider an annual pass for one member of your group. A five-day Park Hopper ticket will set you back $500 per person. For an extra $350, you can purchase an annual pass and get a 20% discount on most dining and merchandise, free PhotoPass downloads and free parking. And, if you can schedule a second Disney vacation within a calendar year of your first, you can get two sets of tickets for the price of one.
4. Tap, Grab and Modify!
Savvy FastPassers graduate to the next level using this technique when grabbing their fourth (and subsequent) FastPass+ selections. Tap into a current FastPass or grab whatever is available in the My Disney Experience app. Then work to modify what you've reserved to get the ride or time you really want. It's better to grab a FastPass and change it than keep searching for the perfect one.
5. Save the Magic
Disney World is a fabulous place for adults and children alike. But once you've told your kids you're going to do all these great things, they may actually expect that's what will happen, word for word.
The reality is that rides will break, thunderstorms will rain on parades and other issues will pop up. Tell your kids just part of what you have planned. Get them excited, but set expectations low enough so they can be blown away, not disappointed.
Bonus Tip
Order those picture-perfect princess dresses from Little Dress-Up Shop, as, unlike many dresses sold in the parks, they're not itchy, they're affordable and machine-washable.
Want to read more about Disney parks around the world? Check out our other Disney guides...
- The Best Points Hotels Near Disney World in 2018
- TPG's Ultimate Guide to Disney World
- In the Shadow of the Mouse: Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – Disney Springs
- 9 Things Families Should Know Before Visiting Disneyland
- How to Save Money By Renting Disney Vacation Club Points
- The 10 Best Disney Thrill Rides Around the World
- How to Use Points for Disney Tickets
- Disney World Without Kids: 10 Ways to Enjoy an Adult Trip to Disney
- 10 Things Kids Will Love at the Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii
- How to Ride Every Disney World Ride in One Day
- How to Eat Healthy at Disney World
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees