Planning your first Disney World trip can feel overwhelming. People often say it requires hours of planning, booking rides and restaurants months in advance, and navigating crowds like a pro. But we were determined to take a different approach. After all, if Disney World is the happiest place on Earth, shouldn’t the trip itself be joyful and stress-free?
Instead of following minute-by-minute touring plans, we opted for a laid-back approach—and it worked! From the 2-hour wait for the Slinky Dog ride to the rain-drenched moments, we enjoyed every minute of our Disney World vacation. Here are our top 5 tips for planning a relaxed and magical first trip to Disney World!
1. Travel Hack Your Way to Disney Magic
One of the best ways to remove stress from your Disney trip is to save big on expenses. With some smart travel hacks, you can turn your Disney World vacation into an affordable adventure. Check out our guide on how we saved a ton of money on our weeklong Disney trip—you won’t want to miss these tips!
2. Pick Must-Do Rides and Wing the Rest
Disney World is packed with attractions, but you don’t need to experience every single one to have an amazing time. Choose a few must-do rides or restaurants that you don’t want to miss, but keep the rest of your plans flexible. This relaxed approach allowed us to appreciate the magic of each moment, without stressing over tight schedules.
3. Skip the Character Breakfasts
Character breakfasts are fun but expensive. We decided to skip these pricey meals, freeing up more time and money to meet characters around the park. You can even bring your own autograph book to avoid spending on the high-priced ones available at Disney. Skipping the character meals gave us more flexibility and kept things light on our wallets!
4. Manage Expectations and Keep It Simple for the Kids
We kept Disney World low-key for our kids, never hyping it up too much. When we surprised them with the news, they were excited but not overwhelmed. Since they didn’t expect a whirlwind of activities, they weren’t disappointed if we missed something. This easygoing mindset was key to keeping everyone happy and relaxed throughout the trip.
5. Slow Down and Savor the Experience
Our Disney World trip wasn’t about rushing from ride to ride—it was about slowing down and taking it all in. On our first day, a sudden rainstorm left us soaked and cranky, but after that, we took it slow. We stopped for snacks, stayed hydrated, and rested when needed. Contrary to popular advice, we didn’t even need the stroller we brought. By embracing a slower pace, we were able to fully enjoy our time together.
Final Thoughts
Our stress-free approach made our first Disney World trip unforgettable. We didn’t follow rigid schedules or get caught up in trying to “do it all.” Instead, we soaked up the magic at our own pace—and had a blast doing it! We hope these tips help you plan your own magical, laid-back Disney adventure. Enjoy the happiest place on Earth without the stress!
By following these simple tips, your first Disney World trip can be as magical and relaxing as ours!