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Trip of a Lifetime
13 Tips for Disney World First-timers
By Cara Goldsbury
So you've finally decided to head to Walt Disney World. With so much to see and do, it's important to come prepared. Here are some excellent tips to make your trip one that will be remembered for a lifetime.
- Slow down and enjoy the magic. Resist the urge to see everything at breakneck speed. You can't possibly cover it all, so think of this as your first trip to Disney, not your last. There will be time to pick up all the things you missed on the next go-round.
- Plan ahead. Decide ahead of time what your priorities are and make a plan of action.
- Get to the parks early! It's amazing, particularly in busy season, how many of the popular rides you can knock off before half the "World" gets out of bed.
- Take time for a rest in the middle of the day. Stay at one of the Magic Kingdom or Epcot resorts, allowing a return in the middle of the day for a nap or dip in the pool.
- Call exactly 90 days prior at 7 a.m. Orlando time for priority seating if breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom is tops on your child's list. The only way you might get away with sleeping in and booking a bit later for this highly-coveted character breakfast is if you are traveling in the extremely slow season.
- Come prepared for an afternoon shower during the rainy summer months even if the sky looks perfectly clear in the morning. Rent a locker to store your raingear and circle back if skies start to look threatening. However, if you're caught unprepared, just about every store in the parks sells inexpensive rain ponchos.
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