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Adult Ear Hats & Headbands

Find an ear-resistable Ear Hat or Headband to complete your outfit.

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Jasmine fans couldn't wish for anything better than this glamorous ear headband. Top off your look in shining, shimmering, splendid style with this accessory inspired by the signature outfit worn by the sultan's daughter in Disney's Aladdin . The padded satin ears are detailed with a gold filigree design while the satin bow has a large faceted gem in the center. The mesh veil completes the look as this accessory transports you to a dazzling place!

Fans of delicious Parks macarons will be sweet on this ear headband inspired by the popular cookie. Looking good enough to eat, each ear resembles a different colored macaron, complete with a swirling topping and edged in a fluffy trim. The glittering yellow headband and bow complete the look and will make you hunger for your next trip to the Parks.

This simulated leather Minnie Mouse ear headband with sequined bow and cloisonné clock face centerpiece is a sign of friendship for everyone, and a sparkling souvenir of the Disney it's a small world attraction to enjoy for 'ears to come.

The two suns of Tatooine shine above the desert planet on this ear headband from Loungefly. The padded pair of simulated leather ears picture the iconic  Star Wars scene while the coordinating velour bow adds a soft accent to the stark setting.

This simulated leather mouse ear headband with removable striped bow and cloisonné guitar centerpiece sends a greeting of ''Saludos Amigos'' to everyone you meet. With glow-in-the-dark fireworks and music notes, it's a festive souvenir of Walt Disney's animated classic, The Three Caballeros , and the lively mascots of the Mexico Pavillion at EPCOT's World Showcase.

Fans of the delicious Parks lollipops will get a lick out of this Minnie Mouse ear headband inspired by the colorful candy. The ears are formed from tubes of brightly colored velour fabric that are coiled to replicate the sweet treat while striped satin is used for the bow and headband exterior of this headband. Looking good enough to eat, the mouth-watering design will make you hunger for your next trip to the Parks.

This ear headband ain't no passing craze, it means no worries on your Disney Parks days! Kick back and relax with a ''Hakuna Matata'' ear headband celebrating 30 years of Disney's The Lion King . Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and Zazu are waiting for you to show them off.

Fans of the delicious Parks lollipops will get a lick out of this collection from The Happiest Place on Earth. Inspired by the popular sweet and swirly treat, it includes an ear headband, mini backpack from Loungefly and a Disneyland Resort Spirit Jersey. Now you can show off your excellent taste everywhere you go.

Fans of the delicious Parks lollipops will get a lick out of this collection from The Most Magical Place on Earth. Inspired by the popular sweet and swirly treat, it includes an ear headband, mini backpack from Loungefly and a Walt Disney World Spirit Jersey. Now you can show off your excellent taste everywhere you go.

Let your appreciation of Captain America go to your head with this ear headband inspired by the World War II Super Soldier. The simulated leather design includes sparkling stars and stripes on the ears, while the sequin bow has his winged ''A'' at its center.

You're sure to receive a bunch of compliments when wearing this floral ear headband. Three vinyl appliqué flowers are accented with colorful faceted gems on the simulated leather Mickey Mouse ears that feature a checkered design with flowers.

Let's go Play in the Park! Mickey and Minnie take a spin in a Tea Cup. Goofy and Donald meet a Hitchhiking Ghost, and the whole gang has the very best day on this fun and colorful Minnie Mouse ear headband. Featuring a sequin padded bow, a Mickey ear hat charm and allover art inspired by favorite attractions, this stylish keepsake captures the special wonder and joy of the Disney Parks.

Top off your look with majestic style when you don this sequined Minnie ear headband from The Most Magical Place on Earth. Cinderella Castle is featured in golden screen art on the padded black left ear and is embroidered at the center of the black sequin bow, making this Walt Disney World accessory ear-resistible!

Stitch is as sweet as can be on this padded ear headband featuring a pretty satin bow with embroidered hibiscus flowers and an adorable Stitch brooch. The simulated leather ears feature an allover Stitch print that shows the many (well-behaved) moods of Stitch. Each one is cuter and sweeter than the next which means the mischief is up to you.  

These cute Ewok ears are a tribute to wee warrior and all-around good-guy Ewok Wicket W. Warrick from the Star Wars saga and make your alliances clear. The shaggy faux fur and simulated suede bow add to the all around fuzzy feeling you'll get when wearing this headband.

Never lost for beeps! and boops! the spirited R2-D2 provides the inspiration for this ear headband from Loungefly. The bow features embroidered detailing of the Astromech droid's distinctive design while the padded ears are covered in white sequins. The rebel alliance symbol is embroidered on the back, plus there's a message from Artoo for those behind you.

Transform your provincial look in Belle's ballroom-best mouse ear headband with floral brocade satin ears, sequined bow, faux pearls and delicate fabric rosette. It's certain to tell a tale as old as time.

For the first time in forever our mouse ear headband is themed to Frozen 's Anna. Embroidered filigree and gemstone studs, plus a double-layer bow with pom pom trims add a fanciful flair to this fairytale topper.

Feel just like the warrior king in this Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ear headband. The simulated leather design, inspired by Black Panther's suit, features a vibranium pattern, metallic inspired appliqués, and the rallying cry ''Wakanda Forever'' in Wakandan on the back!

Disney Ear Headbands

Elevate your Disney World outfits and Disneyland outfits to enchanting new heights with our magical Disney Ears collection. Paired perfectly with your MagicBand+ and Spirit Jerseys , these iconic accessories are the ultimate addition to your Disney parks style. Browse our selection now and complete your look with the perfect pair of ears that resonate with the spirit of Disney.

• Merchandise / Walt Disney World

New Autograph Ears for Your First Visit

by Andra Limbaugh · April 14, 2021

Disney is a place where everyone gets to feel like a kid again and what better way to embrace that on your first trip to the parks than some new Mickey “First Visit” ears! 

These fun new ears have a royal blue felt base with black elastic strap. A printed patch in the front features Mickey, Pluto, Goofy and Donald!

“My First Visit” is embroidered below the character crew in teal with a yellow outline. “Walt Disney World” is embroidered in white around the side. 

The star feature of these Mickey ears is the…well, ears! Each ear is black molded plastic with character autographs adorning each side! These are an especially fun touch since actual character autographs are temporarily unavailable.

Each ear features a signature from Mickey, Minnie and Goofy, while we also see Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and even Chip and Dale represented!

These fun nostalgic ears can be yours for $17.99, but you’ll have to visit Walt Disney World Resort as we haven’t seen them on shopDisney just yet!

Our MickeyBloggers spotted these in BVG Gifts at the Contemporary Resort , but we’ve heard that they are widely available across Walt Disney World right now. 

Considering a Disney vacation but aren’t sure where to start? 

As an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner with MickeyTravels, I would love to help you plan a magical Disney vacation!  Booking is available through mid-2022 and the current discounts for 2021 are big! Let’s create a trip that gives you and your loved ones magical memories for years to come. All of my planning services are 100% FREE to you!  Fill out the no-obligation contact form below or email me at [email protected]. I’d love to help you get back to the magic!

Tags: autographs first visit Mickey Ears

Andra Limbaugh

Andra Limbaugh has a lifetime of Disney memories, going back to her first trip at 2 years old. Since then, she has taken Disney trips of all types, including with a large family, adults only, tiny babies, runDisney runners and a few ventures out west to Disneyland. There's no place she'd rather be than rounding the corner on Main Street, USA! Her favorite trips to plan for clients are first time visits. There's no greater joy than helping someone discover that Disney magic for the first time! Andra was born in Maryland but has called the east coast of Virginia home for the last 16 years. Along with her husband and 2 kids, she spends her time traveling, beaching, and enjoying her dream job!

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A Complete List of the Disney Ears You Can Get Online NOW

Can you name a more iconic Disney souvenir than Minnie ears ?

Many guests love wearing ears in the parks , but not everyone can make it to the parks to buy (or wear!) them. Did you know you don’t have to visit the parks to buy ears? We have a BIG list of ears you can find online right now !

Here are ALL of the Disney ears you can find on shopDisney right NOW!

Love Orange Bird? Pick up the Orange Bird ears online for $34.99.

These were released in 2023 as part of the Flower & Garden Festival and feature Orange Bird, an orange bow, and other fun, floral details.

Get the Orange Bird ears here!

Also from the 2023 Flower and Garden Festival, you can pick up the Snow White Ears online.

These are $34.99.

Get the Snow White ears here!

If you want to take it back to the beginning, grab the Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie Ear Headband for $39.99 .

These white and black ears have scenes from the iconic cartoon on all sides.

Buy the Mickey Mouse Steamboat Willie Ear Headband here!

You can also grab The Little Mermaid Ear Headband for $34.99 .

These beautiful ears are blue and pink with sequins on the ears and a seashell bow in the middle.

Grab The Little Mermaid Ear Headband here!

The Minnie Mouse Reigning Rabbits Ear Headband is also available for $34.99 !

These adorable ears have some of your favorite Disney rabbit characters all over, plus cute bunny ears to tie it all together.

Buy the Minnie Mouse Reigning Rabbits Ear Headband right here!

You can also grab the beautiful Lavender Minnie Mouse Sequin Ear Headband for $34.99 !

These ears are purple ALL over, and sparkle from every direction.

Purchase the Lavender Minnie Mouse Sequin Ear Headband here!

Oswald fans will want to grab the Disney100 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Ear Headband for $34.99 .

It’s a great way to spice up your 100th Anniversary outfit in our opinion.

Buy the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Ear Headband right here!

Or you can snag the Disney100 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Ear Hat for $24.99 .

How cute is it? We absolutely love it.

Buy the Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Ear Hat here!

The Mickey Mouse Graduation Ear Headband 2023 is also now available for $34.99 !

What better way to commemorate your 2023 graduation?

Grab the Mickey Mouse Graduation Ear Headband 2023 here!

You can also buy the classic Mickey Mouse Ear Headband for $34.99 !

They’re solid black with Mickey’s signature in red on the side!

Buy the Mickey Mouse Ear Headband here!

You can also buy the Disneyland Disney100 Minnie Mouse Ear Headband for $34.99 as well.

These ears have a big silver starry bow in the middle, while the black ears represent some of the park’s biggest icons in green, blue, and yellow.

Buy the Disneyland Disney100 Minnie Mouse Ear Headband here!

To celebrate Lunar New Year, you can buy the Year of the Rabbit Lunar New Year 2023 Loungefly Ear Headband on sale for $24.98 !

These ears also represent some of our favorite Disney rabbit friends with a gold bow in the middle bringing it all together.

Buy the Year of the Rabbit Lunar New Year 2023 Loungefly Ear Headband here!

You also have a limited amount of time to grab the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Ear Headband for $39.99 !

These gold and black ears have the 50th Anniversary logo in the middle, as well as many different Disney characters in their 50th Anniversary forms in an allover print.

Buy the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Ear Headband right here!

The Minnie Mouse Donut Ear Headband can also be yours for $34.99 !

Beware though, every time you look at these, you may be hungry!

Grab the Minnie Mouse Donut Ear Headband here!

The bright Minnie Mouse Yellow Quilted Ear Headband can be yours for $34.99 !

These ears are ALL yellow — bow, quilted ears, headband, and all!

Buy the Minnie Mouse Yellow Quilted Ear Headband here!

The Minnie Mouse Beaded Ear Headband is also available for $34.99 .

These pink ears have mini blue Mickeys all over, as well as a pretty blue beaded bow in the middle.

Buy the Minnie Mouse Beaded Ear Headband right here!

The Denim and Corduroy Minnie Mouse Ear Headband is also online for $34.99 !

These pink ears have a blue-ish denim bow in the middle — it combines the colors really nicely in our opinion!

Grab the Denim and Corduroy Minnie Mouse Ear Headband here!

You can also travel far with your ears and grab the Disneyland Paris Ear Headband for $29.99 .

These red ears have Sorcerer Mickey on one ear, “Euro Disney 1992” on the other, and a blue bow with some of the park’s most iconic attractions in the middle.

Buy the Disneyland Paris Ear Headband here!

The Mickey Mouse ”Happy Birthday” Ear Hat can also be yours for $27.99 !

Who wouldn’t want to wear this adorable hat on their birthday?

Buy the Mickey Mouse ”Happy Birthday” Ear Hat here!

Toy Story 4 lovers will also love the Ducky and Bunny Fuzzy Fun Ear Headband for $34.99 !

They’ll also be very good at keeping your head warm!

Buy the Ducky and Bunny Fuzzy Fun Ear Headband here!

You can also grab the Disney100 Walt Disney Studios Mickey Mouse Ear Headband for $34.99 .

It’s a great way to remember all your favorite Disney films!

Grab the Disney100 Walt Disney Studios Mickey Mouse Ear Headband right here!

If you love Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you’ll adore the Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Ears for $34.99 .

These ears showcase the mountains of the wild west and have a cowboy hat in place of a bow to bring it all together!

Grab the Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Ears here!

Or you can grab the Mickey Mouse Walt Disney World Ear Headband for $34.99 !

These ears are dark blue and have Disney World’s modern logo in yellow on the front with Mickey saying hello!

Grab the Mickey Mouse Walt Disney World Ear Headband here!

Grooms can snag the Mickey Mouse Groom Ear Hat for $27.99 to celebrate their special day.

The front of the ear hat looks like a tuxedo, and the ears say “Happily Ever After!”

Grab the Mickey Mouse Groom Ear Hat here!

The Minnie Mouse Bride Ear Hat is also available for $27.99 .

This beautiful white set of ears also says “Happily Ever After” and has a tiara in between them.

Buy the Minnie Mouse Bride Ear Hat here!

You can also grab the Minnie Mouse Bride Ear Headband for $39.99 .

These white ears have a train in the back and a white bow in the middle of the ears.

Grab the Minnie Mouse Bride Ear Headband here!

The Ahsoka Tano Ear Headband is also available for $34.99 !

These ears have Ahsoka’s long headpiece, along with her crown.

Buy the Ahsoka Tano Ear Headband here!

Star Wars fans will also love the Boba Fett Ears for $34.99 .

These ears mimic Boba Fett’s attire perfectly, so it’s great for a Disneybound costume!

Buy the Boba Fett Ears here!

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Namor Ears are online for $44.99 .

These ears pay homage to Wakanda with its intricate design!

Grab the Namor Ear Headband here!

The Minnie Mouse Swirl Ears are also available for $34.99 .

These pink, white, orange, and blue swirl ears have an orange bow — if you love colors, these are for you!

Grab the Minnie Mouse Swirl Ears here!

If you’re looking for a more simple design, you can grab the Minnie Mouse Ear Headband with Pom and Sequin Bow for $29.99 .

These gray ears have a beautiful gold bow and white pom that give them a simple elegant look.

Grab the Minnie Mouse Ear Headband with Pom and Sequin Bow here!

The Bambi and Thumper Ears are available for $34.99 !

These beautiful ears bring the forest to life and have Bambi and Thumper on the red bow in the middle.

Grab the Bambi and Thumper Ears here!

You can also grab the Mickey and Minnie Mouse Disney100 Ear Hat for $29.99 !

This purple hat has silver sequin ears and “Disney 100” with Mickey and Minnie on the front.

Grab the Mickey and Minnie Mouse Disney100 Ear Hat here!

You can also grab the Cinderella Castle Fireworks Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Ears for $34.99 !

These blue ears have fireworks on both ears and a Cinderella Castle emblem in the middle!

Buy the Cinderella Castle Fireworks Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Ears here!

The Regency Ruffles Ears are also online for $34.99 .

These embroidered ears are perfect for dapper days in the parks, or special events with their elegant look.

Grab the Regency Ruffles Ears here!

Celebrate 2023 early and grab yourself the Disney Parks 2023 Ears for $34.99 !

One ear has the Disney castle, while the other has fireworks. They’re tied together with a large orange bow in the middle!

Grab the Disney Parks 2023 Ears here!

If you love Groot, you’ll love the Groot Ear Headband for $34.99 !

Groot is on one ear while vines take over the other — in the middle is a leaf tied into a bow.

Buy the Groot Ear Headband here!

You can still grab some pride merch online too. Check out the Disney Pride Collection Mickey Mouse Ear Hat .

Grab it today for $19.99 .

Buy the Disney Pride Collection Mickey Mouse Ear Hat Here

You can also grab the Encanto Minnie Mouse Ear Headband online too.

They can be yours for $29.99 .

Buy the Encanto Minnie Mouse Ear Headband here

The Minnie Mouse Sequin Ear Headband with Polka Dot Bow is on shopDisney now as well for $29.99 !

We’ve seen these ears in the park and online before, but they disappeared for a while. But now, these adorable ears are back in stock!

Buy a pair of the Minnie Mouse Sequin Ear Headband with Polka Dot Bow here!

You can also grab the classic Minnie Mouse Red and Black Sequin Ear Headband with Red and White Polka Dot Bow for $29.99 .

These have also been available in the parks before, but now you can grab them online no matter how far from the parks you are.

Snag a pair of the Minnie Mouse Red and Black Sequin Ear Headband with Red and White Polka Dot Bow right here

The Disney Pride Ears were released as part of Disney’s Pride Collection .

They cost $29.99 .

Get the Pride Minnie Ears here!

Did you know that the ever-so-classic Rose Gold & Pink Minnie Ears   are still available?

Get the Rose Gold & Pink Minnie Ears here!

Looking for more Main Attraction collection ears? You can pick up the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Main Attraction ears online now.

These are a limited release, so act fast. They’re priced at $34.99.

Get the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel Ears here!

But wait…there are MORE Main Attraction ears to pick up. The Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Dumbo the Flying Elephant ears are now available too!

These are SO bright and colorful, but they are a limited release so you won’t want to wait too long to pick them up. They can be yours for $34.99.

Get the Dumbo ears here!

And finally, the Rose Gold & Pink Minnie Ears are also available in a version with an adjustable strap!

Get them for $29.99 !

Find the adjustable Rose Gold & Pink Minnie Ears here!

And that’s all the Minnie ears available online right now! Head to shopDisney and place your order if you like any of these ears because you never know when one or more might sell out. We’ll keep an eye out for more new ears and we’ll continue to update this post.

Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney shopping news!

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What’s your favorite pair of ears? Tell us in the comments!

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One Reply to “A Complete List of the Disney Ears You Can Get Online NOW”

No beignets ears my wife got some many compliments on them luckily we stay at the French quarter when they came out! We got a couple of extras

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Disney Ears 101: Everything About The Iconic Parks Accessory

• Robert Fisher

Table of Contents

Walt Disney World sells a  variety of souvenirs  for guests to enjoy, from stuffed animals to Disney ears. However, the Mickey Ears have become the most famous souvenir for guests to enjoy. The Mickey Ears have become so renowned that they have become a complete theme park staple. One could choose from several infamous Mickey Ears; the styles are forever changing.

History of the Ears

Roy Williams first produced the infamous Mickey Ears in the 1950s in the Mickey Mouse Club . Roy was one of the adult Mousketeers, most famously known as “Big Mouseketeer.” Williams originally got the idea for the ears after the 1929 short film  The Karnival Kid, in which Mickey tipped his ears to Minnie.

The first set of ears was relatively simple, simply a cap of felt with two plastic ears on top of it. Williams originally designed the ears for adults to simply sit on their head. However, future designs included an elastic band to help secure a child's head.

Disney Imagineers eventually created a headband version of Mickey's ears. This headband was a rigid strip with ears attached to either side, similar to the hat ear design. Then, during the mid-1980s, they added a Minnie Mouse version, red with white polka dots between the ears.

Eventually, Disney transitioned into creating unique ear designs each year to commemorate holidays or promote special events. In 2020 alone, Disney produced nearly 100 ear hats and headbands. Because of the unique designs, Disney Ears were not just for fashion but for collectible souvenirs.

Where to purchase Disney Ears

Magic kingdom.

There are several different places to purchase Mickey Ears while at Magic Kingdom:

• The Chapeau
• The Emporium
• Big Top Souvenirs
• Sir Mickey's
• Star Traders
• Frontier Trading Post
• Tomorrowland Light & Power Co
• Main Street Cinema

In addition to the leading stores listed above, several carts throughout the different lands in Magic Kingdom sell Mickey Ears. So, if you are looking for a specifically themed Mickey Ears, head to the store right after that ride for your souvenir.

Epcot is an excellent option for purchasing a pair of Mickey Ears at the World Showcase. Mickey Ears are sold daily in Italy, Norway, France, China, and Mexico. In addition, these ears are themed explicitly for that pavilion in the World Showcase.

Additionally, to the World Showcase, guests may purchase a set of Mickey Ears at the Creations Shop, Gateway Gifts, and ImageWorks.

Hollywood Studios

Guests may purchase Mickey Ears on Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard. The following are the stores one could purchase Mickey Ears:

• Mickey's of Hollywood
• Celebrity 5 & 10
• Legends of Hollywood
• Crossroads of the World
• Tatooine Traders

Animal kingdom

Like other theme parks, animal Kingdom has a few uniquely designed Mickey Ears. Head to Discover Trading Company, Chester & Hester's Dinosaur Treasures, Riverside Depot, or Mariya's Souvenirs to purchase Mickey Ears at Animal Kingdom.

Shopping Online

If you are preparing for an upcoming trip or want to purchase a particular theme far from the parks, you could also buy them online. There are a few authentic Disney designers that Disney Parks , Loungefly, Baubleboer, or other top-tier designers exclusively produce.

ShopDisney  is the top shop for authentic park ears. This shop does have a limited selection, but there is a chance to get a few of the new styles produced. If you want a specific kind, restocks typically happen around 2:00 am.

Etsy is an excellent choice for shopping for uniquely designed Mickey Ears. The platform allows Disney fans to find Disney Ears themed to a broader range of Disney characters as they are not mass-produced. In addition, these ears are typically cheaper than one could purchase in the parks and are much more comfortable. Finally, the ears found on Etsy will likely be unique, separating you from the typical Disney parks ear hats.

How to Get Personalized Mickey Ears

If you want to step your Disney ear game up, guests can create their own personalized pair of Disney ears. The best place in Disney World is at Curtain Call Authorities, located on Main Street, U.S.A., in Magic Kingdom.

Guests getting a personalized Mickey Ears hat could choose from several fonts to embroider their name on the back. This is a prevalent first-time visiting souvenir used in pregnancy announcements or honeymoons. The cost will be around $17.99 for the hat and $3 to $7 for the personalization.

Another option would be to go through Disney's Wonderful World of Memories in Disney Springs , the Box Office Gifts at Town Square Theater, or Fantasy Fair in Fantasyland. Finally, guests could visit the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Magic Kingdom.

Top Ranked Disney Ears – 2023

Overall, the Disney Ears, Mickey and Minnie, are a prevalent fashion statement or souvenir to take home in Disney World . Despite originating in the 1900s, they are still one of the top items for guests to purchase, both in and out of the parks. These are great for classic Disney hits or even uniquely designed ears. 

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20 Pairs Of Unique Disney Ears You Can Order Before Your Next Trip

The most magical ears on Earth!

BuzzFeed Staff

1. Custom ears — you can get them with whatever design combo your heart desires. Your name in the classic Disney font, the castle, your favorite characters, and of course, your favorite color bow!

Get them from Magic Designs Co. on Etsy for $30+ (available in 15 bow colors, or no bow, and with or without the headband).

And check out the rest of Magic Designs Co. amazing Etsy shop filled with incredible custom Disney items!

2. Mickey pretzel ears to represent what is of course one of the best, if not THE best, classic park snack. Don't forget a melted cheese cup!

Get them from Tiny Insect on Etsy for $60 .

3. Cork ears that'll come in handy if you spend more time trading off pins around the parks than you do going on rides. Now you can show off all your cool pins right on your ears!

Get them from Disneyautumn on Etsy for $35 (available in 12 colors).

And check out the rest of Disneyautumn's amazing Etsy shop filled with super cute Disney ears!

4. Sequined ombre rainbow ears for a truly fun pop of color to wear around the most fun theme parks on the planet.

Get them from Cali and Me on Etsy for $9.99 .

And check out the rest of Cali and Me's amazing Etsy shop filled with v pretty Disney ears!

5. Spaceship Earth Epcot ears to wear if you're one of the smart cookies who knows Epcot is TRULY the superior park. No offense to the others, but I speak facts only.

Get them from Pixie Dust Kingdom on Etsy for $24 .

And check out the rest of Pixie Dust Kingdom's amazing Etsy shop filled with awesome Disney-inspired creations!

6. Birthday hat ears that'll be perfect if you or a loved one is heading to the most magical place to celebrate another trip around the sun. You can get it customized to your age — don't worry, you don't have to be 2-years-old to order!

Get them from Sprinkle Party Ears on Etsy for $19.95 .

And check out Sprinkle Party Ear's amazing Etsy shop filled with festive party ears!

7. Green alien ears for celebrating one of the best Pixar series of our time, and of course the brand new addition to Hollywood Studios, Toy Story . Just be careful THE CLAW doesn't take these off your head.

Get them from Main Street Supply Co. on Etsy for $35 .

And check out Main Street Supply Co.'s amazing Etsy shop filled with awesome Disney-inspired accessories!

8. Customizable princess ears — you can choose which princess you get on each ear! Pick between Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, and Rapunzel, and then proceed to take an artsy pic like the one below!

Get them from Magical Wishes Co. on Etsy for $31 .

And check out the rest of Magical Wishes Co.'s amazing Etsy shop filled with lovely Disney ears!

9. Caffeine/castle ears that'll be just perfect if your other major personality trait is loving coffee. The only place more magical than the castle at Disney is a Starbucks in the park.

Get them from HappilyEarverAfter on Etsy for $40 .

And check out the rest of HappilyEarverAfter's amazing Etsy shop filled with gorgeous handmade Disney ears!

10. Cinderella ears to make sure everyone knows the fancy schmancy castle in the park belongs to you. Yeah, no biggie or anything, but uh, you live there. It's whatevs.

Get them from JuicyBows on Etsy for $22 (available in child and adult sizes).

And check out the rest of JuicyBows' amazing Etsy shop filled with adorable mouse-inspired ears, bows, and headbands!

11. Coco -inspired ears that are an absolute must if you've seen one of the best movies Disney has come out with in recent years — no joke I watched this three times in a row the first time I saw it, I was THAT obsessed with this film.

Get them from Little Big K on Etsy for $45 .

And check out the rest of Little Big K's amazing Etsy shop filled with incredible Disney ears!

12. Halloween ears for buying now and saving for a trip to the parks during the spooky szn — especially perfect for wearing to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Get them from HappilyEarverAfter on Etsy for $45 .

13. And while we're on the topic of festive holiday ears, these Christmas snow globe ears would be so cool to wear while walking around Magic Kingdom and eating as many cookies as you possibly can during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party — which I can personally attest to as being an absolute blast.

Get them from Pixiechicks on Etsy for $23 .

And check out the rest of Pixiechicks' amazing Etsy shop filled with super cool Disney ears!

14. Frozen -themed ears for those who know "Let It Go" is the absolute bop of our time, and anyone who says they can't stand it, is just trying to be cool and edgy. NEWSFLASH! WE ALL SING WHEN IT STARTS PLAYING, STOP PRETENDING!

Get them from Sew Lito Designs on Etsy for $16+ (available with a Minnie bow, an Anna crown, or no center).

And check out the rest of Sew Lito Designs' amazing Etsy shop filled with more magical Disney ears!

15. Stranger Things ears to treat yourself to as a reward for getting off your butt from binge-watching the series for the millionth time and taking a trip to Disney.

Get them from Neverland Mermaid Designs on Etsy for $32+ (with the option to get them syrup scented!)

And check out the rest of Neverland Mermaid Designs' amazing Etsy shop filled with handcrafted Disney ears!

16. Jasmine ears that'll arrive at your doorstep via a magic carpet ride. Kidding, maybe. Guess you'll have to order these and find out.

Get them from Enchanted Alexandra on Etsy for $33.99 .

And check out the rest of Enchanted Alexandra's amazing Etsy shop filled with gorgeous Disney-inspired ears, party supplies, and wedding accessories!

17. Space Mountain ears for those who are very intelligent and know what is obviously the best ride in the city of Orlando.

Get them from BowsGlitzandMore on Etsy for $35+ (available in light-up or non-light-up options).

And check out the rest of BowsGlitzandMore's amazing Etsy shop filled with an assortment of magical Disney-inspired items!

18. Epcot Food and Wine Festival ears to get now even though the famous festival doesn't come until the fall — which, BTW, I HIGHLY recommend. The food is outstanding, the drinks are delicious, and the atmosphere is just so FUN.

Get them from MagicalMegShop on Etsy for $22 (available with either a sparkly sequin bow as seen above, or a tulle bow).

And check out the rest of MagicalMegShop's amazing Etsy shop filled with fabulous Disney ears!

19. Or on the flip side of that, Epcot Flower and Garden Festival ears — basically the same concept, but it takes place in the spring. Great food, great drinks, and gorgeous flowers? Yeah, this is the happiest place on Earth.

Get them from Pixie Sweet Shop on Etsy for $32 .

And checkout the rest of Pixie Sweet Shop's amazing Etsy shop filled with fairytale-worthy Disney ears and headbands!

20. Donut ears you certainly DO NUT wanna miss out on wearing, while of course, getting a sugar rush from eating a delish Disney baked treat.

Get them from EnchantedHoneyBee on Etsy for $32.30 (originally $38).

And check out the rest of EnchantedHoneyBee's amazing Etsy shop filled with v pretty Disney ears!

Looking for more fun things to treat yourself to? Check out these links:

28 Products I Don't Understand How You've Lived Your Whole Life Without

26 Things For People Who Never Take Time For Themselves

26 Cheap Things To Treat Yourself To Right Now

25 Tiny, Affordable Gifts To Give Yourself When You're Feeling Down

33 Things That Just Might Put A Smile On Your Face

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides !

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A Comprehensive Guide to Disney Ear Hats & Headbands at Disney Parks (2010s-Present)

A comprehensive guide to mickey & minnie mouse ear hat & headbands at disney parks (2010s-present).

Disney Parks have some of the most enchanting merchandise. Getting Disney apparel and accessories perfectly captures the Disney spirit. One of the most popular items among visitors is the Mickey and Minnie Mouse ‘Ear Hat & Headbands.’ This guide delves into these adorable accessories from the 2010s to the present, available at Disneyland and Disney World in the United States.

2010s: The Classic Mouse Ears

The 2010s saw the resurgence of the classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears. Sold at various outlets across Disneyland and Disney World, these headbands price at around $24.99. Made of plush velvety fabric, they truly embodied the timeless appeal of Disney’s most iconic characters.

2015: Diamond Celebration Ears

To commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland in 2015, Disney released special Diamond Celebration Ears. These ears boast a luxurious diamond-inspired design that sparkles in typical Disney fashion. Priced at $28, these ears prove a popular souvenir for guests wishing to celebrate this monumental occasion. More about the Diamond Celebration merchandise can be found online.

2018: Rose Gold Ears

2018 was the year of Rose Gold at Disney Parks. The Rose Gold Minnie Mouse ears are an immediate hit with guests. They feature a soft, metallic, rose gold fabric for the ears and a matching sequined bow. Available at Disneyland and Disney World for $27.99, they quickly became one of the most sought-after accessories of the year. Details about the Rose Gold craze can be found in this source . Of course, you can still find Rose Gold ears to this day.

2019: Designer Collection

In 2019, Disney introduced the Designer Collection, where famous designers and artists put their unique spins on the classic Minnie Mouse ears. One standout from the collection was the ears designed by fashion brand COACH, featuring their iconic pattern accented by a leather bow. Sold at a premium price of $78, these were available at select stores like The Dress Shop in Disney Springs and Elias & Co. in Disneyland. Further information about the Designer Collection can be found in this source .

Through the years, the variety of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ at Disney Parks has continued to evolve, each year bringing new designs, colors, and styles. These accessories offer a wonderful opportunity for guests to express their unique personality and style while embracing the magic of Disney. With each new pair of ears, Disney continues to provide guests with unforgettable mementos of their park visits.

From the classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse ears to limited-edition collections, these headbands have truly become a staple of the Disney Parks experience. They don’t just offer a fashion statement but are a testament to the enduring magic of Disney. So, the next time you find yourself at Disneyland or Disney World, don’t forget to pick up a pair of these iconic ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ to commemorate your visit!

2020: Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection

In 2020, Disney released a limited edition series called ‘Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction’. Each month saw a new set of ears, themed around a different Disney Parks attraction. For example, February’s ears were inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, sporting a red, black, and gold color scheme, complete with a miniature pirate hat in the center. They were sold exclusively at the Emporium in Disney World and Elias & Co. in Disneyland for $34.99. Find out more at this source .

Whether you’re a seasoned Disney Parks visitor or planning your first magical trip, ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ offer a way to carry a piece of the Disney magic wherever you go. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the magic of Disney Parks merchandise.

2021: Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Ears

In 2021, Walt Disney World celebrated its 50th anniversary, and to honor this milestone, special ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ were released. These ears featured a royal blue fabric with a gold castle logo, reflective of the park’s golden anniversary. The ears were available across various outlets at Disney World for $29.99, becoming a precious keepsake for guests visiting during the anniversary year. Read more about the 50th Anniversary celebrations and merchandise in this source .

2022: EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival Ears

Special events at Disney Parks often come with unique merchandise. In 2022, during EPCOT’s International Flower & Garden Festival, Disney released festival-themed Minnie Mouse ears. These featured faux flowers and a vibrant green headband, reflecting the essence of springtime and the spirit of the festival. Priced at $29.99, these were available exclusively at EPCOT during the festival period.

2023: Lunar New Year Ears

Disney Parks often honor cultural celebrations, and Lunar New Year in 2023 was no different. To celebrate, Disney released Lunar New Year-themed ears. The headband featured red and gold colors, with a beautifully crafted bow and Mickey Mouse in traditional Lunar New Year attire. These ears were available across Disney Parks for $34.99, allowing guests to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in true Disney style.

Whether classic or contemporary, each ‘Ear Hat & Headband’ at Disney Parks holds a unique appeal. From capturing the charm of Disney’s timeless characters to celebrating special events and milestones, these accessories encapsulate the essence of Disney’s magic in a memorable and delightful way. The ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ are more than just a fashion statement; they’re a cherished keepsake from a magical experience at Disney Parks.

No matter the year, you can always find the perfect pair of ears to capture the spirit of your Disney adventure. As the merchandise continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the joy and excitement these accessories bring to Disney Parks visitors. So, on your next visit, don’t forget to pick up your very own ‘Ear Hat & Headband’ to remember the magic!

The Popularity of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’

The popularity of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ at Disney Parks goes beyond mere accessorizing. Over the years, they’ve become symbols of the timeless charm and magic that Disney represents. From first-time visitors to Disney enthusiasts, everyone finds joy in selecting a pair of ears that resonates with them, creating a personal connection to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Some of the Most Popular Disney Parks, Mickey Ears & Minnie Ears

• Classic Mickey Mouse Ears Hat.  The original black hat with round ears is iconic and one of the most recognized Disney Park merchandise items globally.
• Classic Minnie Mouse Ear Headband.  This is another iconic piece that comes with a polka-dotted bow, reflecting Minnie Mouse’s classic style.
• Minnie Mouse Sequined Ear Headbands.  These come in various colors like rose gold, silver, rainbow, and more. They are among the most popular and photographed Disney headbands.
• Disney Princess Ear Headbands.  Each headband represents a different Disney princess, with thematic elements and colors unique to each princess.
• Haunted Mansion Ear Hat.  This limited edition hat was very popular among fans of the classic Disney ride, the Haunted Mansion.
• Disney Villain Ear Hats.  Featuring designs inspired by villains like Maleficent, Ursula, and Captain Hook, these hats offer a fun twist for fans of Disney’s villainous characters.
• Star Wars Ear Hats . These hats, inspired by Star Wars characters such as Yoda, R2-D2, and BB-8, are a hit among fans of the franchise.
• Mickey Mouse Ear Hat with Sorcerer Mickey Design.  Inspired by the “Fantasia” movie, this hat is a favorite among many Disney enthusiasts.
• Ears for Every Season.  Disney releases special ears for holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, which are popular during their respective seasons.
• Limited Edition Ears.  These are often released for special events or milestones, like Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration and Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.
• Epcot Country-Specific Ears.  Ears representing the various countries in Epcot’s World Showcase, like the Norway Viking Mickey Ears, are unique and much loved.
• Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection.  This limited edition series was released monthly throughout 2020, with each set themed after a different Disney Parks attraction.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas Ears.  These are particularly popular around Halloween and Christmas, capturing elements from the Tim Burton film.
• Designer Collection.  Various designers and artists put their unique spins on these classic Minnie Mouse ears.
• Personalized Mickey Mouse Ears.  The ability to have your name embroidered on the back of a classic Mickey Mouse ears hat makes these a very special memento.

The Future of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’

While we’ve taken a look at the journey of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ from the 2010s to the present, it’s exciting to think about what the future might hold. Given Disney’s innovative spirit, we can expect more unique, high-quality designs that continue to capture the hearts of guests. As we look forward to new themes, materials, and designs, one thing is for sure: the tradition of ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ is here to stay. For more insights into the future trends of Disney merchandise, take a look at this source .

In conclusion, the ‘Ear Hat & Headbands’ at Disney Parks are more than just souvenirs. They’re a piece of the Disney experience that guests can take home with them. Each pair of ears tells a story, whether it’s of a favorite character, a special event, or a memorable vacation. They are a testament to the magic and joy that Disney brings to millions of people around the world. So, on your next visit to Disneyland or Disney World, find your perfect pair of ears and become a part of the Disney story!

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First Time Beginner’s Guide to Disney World (15 minute crash course)

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With so many Rides, Shows, and Attractions, it can be hard to know where to start at Disney World in Orlando Florida (Disneyland is in California, and offers different things!).

This is a comprehensive guide that covers all the basics about Disney World. If you’re familiar with Walt Disney World, this information is probably unnecessary. If your new to Disney, then this is the place to be.

Disney is a vacation packed full of so many options, from great rides at the four Theme Parks, to water fun at the Water Parks and Resorts, to Character Memories, fun Entertainment and Nighttime Fireworks Celebrations.

Refer to the Table of Contents below to jump around to areas you’d like to learn more about.

Does Disney World do anything Special for First Time Visitors?

Yes! Disney World offers a ‘1st Visit’ button that you can wear to celebrate that occasion and let Cast Members (the Disney Employees) know that it’s your first time.

So let’s jump into some quick tips for first time Disney World visitors and then you can pick where you want to get started with all this information! If this is too much, simply save or share this page for later.

This post may contain affiliate links, read my full disclosure here.

Table of Contents for Disney World Guide

• Your Frequently Asked Questions Answered

The Best Times to go to Disney World

• How many days do you need at Disney
• What do you need to bring to your Disney World Vacation?
• Overview of the Parks
• Overview of Entertainment in the Parks
• All about Disney Resorts

Quick FAQs for Disney World

What should you do on your first visit to disney world.

You should make a Bucket List/ Cant Miss list!

Disney World is intense… there’s so much more to do and see (maybe that’s why we have so many websites and vlogs and content creators sharing the Disney fun!)

Creating a list of things you want to do will make planning much easier and make the vacation more fun . Here’s a list of Can’t Miss fun for most families , and a Can’t Miss list for little kids !

How Much does it cost to go to Disney World?

The average vacation in 2024 is going to cost around $5000 dollars for a Family of Four to go for 5 days (this includes tickets, lodging, a food budget and souvenirs but not travel costs to get to the parks) See the full breakdown for the costs (with examples!) on how to do Disney World on a tight (yet realistic!) budget.

Having a dollar sign in mind is a good way to make sure that you stay on track with your Disney World Vacation. This is such an exciting time and you want to make sure that you make the most of it. There are many money saving tips that can help with your magical vacation.

The Best Time to go to Disney World is the time that fits with your schedule!

Disney World is ‘always’ busy now on the weekends and many times throughout the week. There is no ‘slow’ season, though the months of January and September are typically slower months than others.

Walt Disney World is such a popular resort that it can get a little crowded.  

I’ve been on some of the busiest days of the year, and while it is still magical, it’s not very fun waiting in a two hour line ! What you can do is check the best weeks to go and pick the week that works best for your family! 

Some of the Best Months to go for lower crowds are:

• The beginning of May
• The second week in December

Some of the best times to enjoy the Parks for lower crowds are:

• In the Evenings- especially if they park is closing in a few hours or staying open very late
• In the Early Morning- especially if you have early morning hours available to you when you stay on Disney World property
• During the Week Days- it helps to look at the MyDisneyExperience App and check the wait times. While these are often inflated, they are a good predictor of crowd levels during your vacation.
• Magic Kingdom on days that a party is planned, and the regular park closes at 6. Many people skip this day because it doesn’t include fireworks, but it’s a great option if you have a park hopper or want to get up early and spend a good 10 hours at Magic Kingdom.

⭐ What is a Touring Plan, and why is it recommended to know the crowd level when planning a touring plan?

Touring Plans are detailed lists that tell you where to go for rides and attractions at what time. These rely heavily on park hours, expected crowd levels, and what rides/attractions your party wants to do. A common Touring Plan example is to rope drop Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom as the wait time is high during the day (or to make it your last ride of the night).

What do you need to pack for your Disney vacation?

Whether it’s your first time to Disney World or your hundredth, it pays to be prepared.

But what you need for your Disney vacation really depends on each person and family (and reason for the trip!) I do recommend getting a packing list together- at least a month ahead of time, so that way you can get everything you need.

This should include the following items:

• Number of Outfits x your vacation days + one opposite weather outfit (so a sweater if you come in the summer, or shorts if you come in the winter)
• Two pairs of Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Sun Protection including Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen
• A Park Bag or Park FannyPack, for you to bring into the parks with you
• Comfort Care items like lotion, lip balm, and first aid kits
• Toiletries and Cosmetics
• Disney Items like Mouse Ears, Signature Books, Pin Collections, Penny Collections

⭐ Does Disney World offer personal care items, clothing, or other commonly forgot items? Yes. Lots of these items are found inside the Parks. But for a full selection, head to the resorts. If you are at a Value resort and can’t find what you are looking for (And have talked to a Cast Member to confirm it’s not hiding somewhere), head to one of the Deluxe Resorts to check out there selections.

The top 3 items I recommend to everyone:

1. Portable Phone Charger – you phone WILL go dead using the MyDisney App, and some of the rides will drain your battery as your phone looks for signal. The alternative is good ole pencil and paper- just make sure you can access your plans and reservations for the day! You can also use the swappable batteries, see more about where to find those swappable battery locations at Disney here .

2. Insulated Water Bottle – It gets HOT at Disney. Even in the winter you are dealing with the sun, the wind and way too much walking. Animal Kingdom also doesn’t do straws or lids- so you need a water bottle to prevent spillage. 

3. Body Glide- This stuff is phenomenal. I use it for anywhere my skin might get irritation (like shoes in sneakers or thighs in shorts). Its only a few bucks, so better to have it and not need it- then need it and not have it!

And if your headed to Disney World for a Birthday Celebration , consider what you want to pack, versus what you want to buy when you get there.

How many days should you plan for your Disney World Trip?

Most people will find that a First Time Disney Vacation is exciting and exhausting! There’s so much to see and do, and you cannot possibly get it all done in one trip (or even two!)

Most families will benefit from 3-5 days inside the Parks.

But there’s a lot of ways to do Disney! You could do two days inside Magic Kingdom, and one day at EPCOT. You could just do two days at Magic Kingdom and make it a long weekend. You could hit up all four parks, or two days at Disney and two days at Universal.

Tips for Disney World Tickets

If you are visiting for the first time, a standard ticket would be the most appropriate versus an annual pass- you can pick how many base days you’d like to have.

Recommended time at the resort is 6 days 5 nights . This gives you 4 days in the parks, and then your arrival and departure day. Some families will benefit from a ‘no park’ day in the middle of their week to relax, and take in the amenities at the hotel (and possibly recover from sunburn or dehydration that is so prone to Disney trips!)

There are some pros and cons to only doing Magic Kingdom in one day , but most people will find that with a bucket list, their one day trip is enough!

➡️ You will need a Park Reservation for some tickets and passes. To schedule a park ticket, head over to Disney World here and secure your dates (its better to have a date/park secured and change later than not have one at all!)

What’s not recommended:

-Having a Ticket for Arrival or Departure day (there is plenty to do that doesn’t require a ticket!) Unless you are going for something specific. Most people will benefit from resting on Arrival and Departure day.

-Park Hopper Tickets if you are staying for more than 4 days. If you plan to go to all the parks anyways, there’s no need to add the Park Hopper. I would recommend this if you are doing less than 3 days. Keep in mind that hopping parks can take some time (between 45-90 minutes) that may be better spent in the parks.

-Not getting the Park Hopper if you can only come for 1-3 days. The Park Hopper here will help you take advantage of all the staggered opening and closing times to get the most out of your ticket.

-Purchasing from somewhere like eBay- I would hate for your ticket not to work when you arrived

Overview of the Disney Parks

There’s no Harry Potter, Charizard or Daffy Ducks at Disney World my friends. But we do have 6 Theme Parks (4 Main Ones and 2 Water Parks). Disney World is the size of San Francisco, or double the size of Manhattan. And its also located in Florida, in Orlando. There’s a lot going on here!

Disney also has an amazing amount of themed resorts and restaurants that I also recommend you check out! You can peek around the resorts as a guest and eat at any of the locations on property – most require a reservation but they aren’t hard to get. 

Quick Note about Transportation at Disney World

Or said better, How to get where you need to go on Vacation!

⭐ Is Disney Transportation available to all guests, including those not staying on property? Yes! Respectfully of course, but you can hop on the Skyliner, or take the Monorail, or catch a boat without needing to stay on property. This is a fun option on your ‘no-park-ticket’ day, and here’s everything you can do at Disney World without a Park Ticket.

⭐How long does Disney Transportation take? Maybe the most important question of this entire post! Transportation can be quick, kinda slow, or completely closed. You might miss reservations or get stuck for an hour waiting for a bus. While most of it is free to use, it’s a gamble on the time requirements, so plan to give yourself extra time.

Complimentary Transportation Options:

• The Buses (available at most Disney Resorts, and will pop up if there is severe weather and you can’t take the Skyliner, Boats or Monorail)
• The Monorail. Three lines operate at Disney World. One takes you to and from EPCOT to the Ticket and Transportation Center. One takes you straight from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom and back again. The Last Line makes 5 stops. The Transportation and Ticket Center, The Contemporary Resort, Magic Kingdom, The Grand Floridian Resort, The Polynesian Resort.
• The Ferry Boat takes you from Magic Kingdom to the Transportation and Ticket Center and back.
• The Friendship Boats operate for the Hollywood Studios/EPCOT water front resorts, Between Disney Springs and Port Orleans Resort, and for the Magic Kingdom Seven Seas Lagoon Resorts.
• The Skyliner has three lines. One line goes from the Depot to Hollywood Studios and back (Caribbean Beach is where the depot is located). One line goes from the EPCOT Boardwalk (it’s the second EPCOT entrance called the International Gateway), to Riveria Resort to the Depot. The third line runs from Art of Animation/POP Century Resort to the Skyliner Depot.
• Parking at Disney Springs or the Water Parks and Mini Golf locations.

Paid Transportation Options:

• Parking at Disney World Parks. This is included if you have paid to park at a Disney World resort. There is a tram at several of the parking lots that takes you to the front.
• Minnie Vans, which are a partnership between Lyft Rideshare and Disney World. These are Disney employees who pick you up in a red and black polka dot ‘van’.

The Parks at Disney World

Disney World has four Major Parks, two Water Parks, and then Disney Springs.

Magic Kingdom

The Iconic Cinderella Castle and Main Street U.S.A. are just two of the notable landmarks at Magic Kingdom. This is the Number One Park at Disney World and at full capacity (so really busy with lots of long lines!) it can take a Visitor almost 20 hours to complete the rides and attractions.

Magic Kingdom hosts lots of other amazing attractions like Space Mountain, Fantasy Land and Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Not to mention, Magic Kingdom is also home to lots of character meet and greets and the amazing fireworks display at the end of the night. Seeing the Castle lit up is a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy, and one of the highlights of any Disney trip. 

Hollywood Studios 

Hollywood studios used to be considered among us Disney Goers as the ‘one day park’ because it was something that we could just hit up our favorite attractions and then catch dinner somewhere else on the resort. This is certainly not the case anymore though! 

If you follow Disney news at all, you’ll see that Hollywood Studios has been revamped lately to include Star Wars, Toy Story Land, Beauty and the Beast and the Disney Junior Characters.

This is exciting news because it takes this park and gives it a much needed update. If you’ve never been (or it’s been a reallyyyyy long time) don’t bypass Hollywood Studios because of old reviews. This is definitely a park you want to visit for all your movie and TV needs!

Epcot is the infamous park that houses all the other countries. The park actually has two sections, Worlds Celebration, Nature and Discovery at the Front of the Park and World Showcase around the lake (it’s a giant circle). 

The World Showcase is where you’ll find many scenic views, easy going rides and of course, the eleven countries with authentic gifts and cuisine. I love to go on Date nights to “Britain” or “Japan”-  it’s so amazing that we can step into another country without leaving Disney! 

With few exceptions, the World Showcase doesn’t open up till 11 for shops and drinks, but you can catch the Shops, Attractions and Food at the front of the park when the park opens. Options like the Soarin’ ride, Finding Nemo, Mission: Space and Test Track are great ways to start the day (and Frozen in Norway plus Ratatouille in France open when the park does!)

Epcot is also home to Festivals throughout the year. We have the Festival of the Arts to start the year, followed by the Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring and Early Summer. Then Food and Wine Festival in the Fall and The Festival of the Holidays to round out the year.

Animal Kingdom 

Animal Kingdom is where the animals are, seriously. With more than 500 acres and 1700 animals, it’s considered to be the largest theme park in the world! This makes for quite the adventure when it comes to planning your day as you won’t be able to see everything in one go. 

There’s several sections to Animal Kingdom, the newest of which is the Pandora land based off the movie Avatar. Some of the other sections, which are called ‘lands’ include Asia, Africa, Dinoland, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Discovery Island.

Since Animal Kingdom is so large, it’s good to plan for exactly one day here and still pick your ‘must see’ items! The Thrill rides here tend to fill up quickly, just like at the other parks (namely Avatar Flight of Passage and Everest, plus sometimes slower Family Fun rides like Navi River Journey and the Animal Safari)

Animal Kingdom generally opens earlier than most of the parks, and it’s a great park to ‘Rope Drop’ (or show up before it opens!). Then you can leave around Dinner time to another park, Disney Springs or eat at the Resort.

The Water Parks

Disney has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both of these have lots of fun water activities with their own unique themes. 

Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical getaway filled with water rides the whole family can enjoy! It also features a kiddy play area and thrill rides for the older kids! 

Blizzard Beach takes a different spin on theming, think ski resort that has melted into summer water fun! Blizzard beach also has several options for everyone in the family, from kid sized water slides to one of the world’s tallest and fastest water rides!

Disney Springs 

Disney Springs was previously called Downtown Disney and if you look at old reviews or message boards it’s easy to get confused about where Downtown Disney went! 

It did get a major facelift and a new name. Most notably, it received lots of new parking, a slew of new stores (many of which are designer names) and several new restaurants.

Disney Springs is:

• Free to Park at
• Free to Enter
• Normally low crowd, but crowded on Weekends, Holidays and High Crowd Park Days

Notable Entertainment Offerings at Disney World

I get this question from Disney Vacationers all the time- “What is there to do at Disney?”

There is SO MUCH to do at Disney World that you simply can’t do it all! What I wanted to do was break down the basics for you!

There’s lots of Characters at Disney

You can meet the characters a few different ways. 

• 1.By going to the Character Meet and Greets inside the Parks, these are marked on the Map
• 2.By Scheduling a Character Dining Experience.
• 3. By purchasing a Special Event Ticket
• 4. By stumbling upon an unmarked Character Meet and Greet
• 5. By meeting Characters at the Resorts as they tour around to different locations daily

Some of the Characters you can meet in the parks are:

• Mickey Mouse
• Joy (Inside Out)
• Donald Duck
• Winnie the Pooh and Tiger
• Tinker Bell
• And SOOOO many more!

Character Dining is a great way to meet your favorite Pals! If you’re interested in how to meet characters without a ticket check out this helpful guide! 

Disney LOVES parades. They have a parade for everything it seems like! They even have one when it RAINS!

Don’t forget that Disney World also has seasonal parades for Halloween and Christmas. They go all out with these, as typically they are only shown for a separate ticketed event (like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas)

Here’s some of the memorable ones you can expect at Magic Kingdom:

Main Street Trolley Show

This happens in the mornings at Magic Kingdom, kind of like their welcoming act to bring you into the park! It’s a very “Mary Poppins” themed show, and oh so cute! 

Disney Festival Of Fantasy Parade

Featured so many Favorites, catch this show on Main Street USA during the day. Typically you’ll find this show at 12 pm and 3 pm, but check the app for updated times during your trip.

FireWork and Nighttime Shows

You can find FireWorks Displays at three Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!

At Magic Kingdom, you’ll get to see Happily Ever After, typically at 9pm. You can best see this is you can see the Castle, but I also enjoy the Fireworks without the Castle Display by hanging out in FantasyLand.

At Hollywood Studios, line up for Fantasmic, with shows typically starting at 9pm nightly. This is in a Theater, so you’ll need to head down Sunset Blvd and join the crowd to see this performance. There’s minor Fireworks during the Visual Display broadcasted on the Chinese Theater.

At EPCOT, gather around World Showcase for a fun Visual and Auditory Show that you can see all around the lake. It’s an easy watch, and generally low crowd.

Nightlife and Nighttime Activities at Disney

Some would say that I saved the best for last- and that is probably the case! If we were going to cover ALL of the options for entertainment after dark at Disney we would be here awhile. Let’s look at some of the favorites! 

Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs)

Disney is not just for kids! Especially Downtown Disney, which was built more with the adult in mind. You can shop and enjoy Dinner, then grab drinks on the water. 

You’ve got several options to choose from. One of the newest additions is The Edison, which has flapper style dancers, a DJ and music floor. The Hangar Bar has lots of games to play over drinks, and Paradiso 37 will have you dancing to Latin Music all night long! Bar hopping is another favorite, with almost 10 places to choose from it can be a fun weekend night! 

The BoardWalk

If you want to stay near the resorts, definitely check out the Disney BoardWalk. Not only is it absolutely picturesque in the evenings with live musicians and plenty of restaurants, but it also hosts some 21 and up venues. 

Jellyrolls is famous for their dueling piano competitions- truly a must see experience. Then you have a Dance Venue featuring hits from the 80s and 90s. 

Disney World Resorts

Now, let’s talk about the resorts. Disney World has 36 resort hotels on the grounds, 26 of which are owned and operated by Disney.

The Resorts are set up in a tier system. What this means is that each resort falls under one of three categories. The categories for the Walt Disney World Resorts are Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe. These tiers are based on the resorts sizes, amenities, transportation options and price. 

Value Resorts 

We’ll start with the Value Resorts. These are the least expensive of the Walt Disney Resorts but they don’t lack in magical experience!

They all have a dining area, stocked with various goodies (and yes, they accommodate allergies!) for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the gift area sections they have the standard souvenirs like coffee cups and towels while they also have snacks and drinks. 

All of the Disney Value resorts have the usual conveniences you would expect at a Disney hotel. Mail, laundry, dry-cleaning, complimentary wi-fi, airline check-in, designated smoking areas, and ATMs. 

The Value Resorts also have some other amenities like the pools and a jogging trail. While the pools don’t have slides, they do have poolside activities that happen throughout the day. Other cool options for the value resorts are the indoor arcades and the playgrounds.

The two best perks of the Walt Disney World Resorts are the free transportation and the Extra Magic Hours. 

The transportation and extra magic hours are the main reason we stay at Disney so often even though we live right up the road! Because you really can’t go wrong with the list of amenities, the adorable themes and the perks of transportation and extra magic hours that you get by staying on-site at  the Disney World Value Resort hotels.

Moderate Resorts 

The next tier up is the Moderate Resorts and these are some of my favorites! The moderate resorts at Walt Disney World Resort provide some of the best options for the price. Plus the blend of affordability and amenities make Moderate Resorts a great options for most families.

While the Value Resorts focus more on cartoonish theming- The Moderate Resorts focus more on cultural themes. They offer all the amenities of the Value resorts with some nice additions! 

Disney’s Port Orleans offers horse-drawn carriage rides, bike rentals and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Caribbean Beach offers a pirates adventure cruise, bike rentals, sand volleyball and catch-and-release fishing. Disney’s Coronado Springs offers bike rentals and sand volleyball. They also have nicer themed room with queen sized beds (value resorts have the full sized beds). 

Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas

Staying at a Deluxe Resort is similar to the name, its where Disney goes above and beyond! These rooms tend to be a little bigger than most other rooms on the grounds, and they have more amenities. 

So you get all of the perks of the other tiers, with some nice additions like valet parking, higher quality dining on site and more recreation choices at the resort. This takes your Disney vacation from regular to extraordinary! 

My favorite part about staying at the Deluxe resorts is how much closer they are to the parks, and transportation also seems to move a lot faster from these resorts (maybe its in my head… but I do feel that way!). We tend to save the Deluxe Resorts for special occasions, like honeymoons, but we’ve taken the kids before and their were lots of other kids there too! 

The Deluxe Villas are similar to the resorts, but they sleep way more people! Most of these are also at a different location than the other Deluxe properties, but still full of the same amenities. 

Disney Resort Features 

So now that you have a general understanding of the what and where, let’s compare some of the basic features of all the resorts. 

The value resorts have double beds that sleep four, whereas the Moderate and Deluxe resorts have queen beds. King Sized beds can be found sprinkled throughout the resorts, you just have to hunt to find them! 

Food Options

The value and moderate resorts have food court style options- which is great for a large family of picky eaters, but the Deluxe resorts only have one quick service option that can be limiting on food choices. Both the Moderate and Deluxe have Table Dining options that help to add to the ambience of finer vacationing. Deluxe resorts also offer Signature and Character dining as part of their 5 star service.

Transportation 

For the most part, the value and moderate resorts only options are the buses. There are three moderate resorts that have the Water Taxi boat service and those are Ports Orleans Riverside, French Quarter and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. The Deluxe Resorts have several more transportation options, like the monorail, boat taxis and walking. You can also call a ‘Minnie Van’ from any of the resorts (and they come with two car seats!) You’ve got options! 

Every resort on Disney property has a pool (thank goodness, because Florida is hot!) but the types of pools differ across the tiers. 

The value pools are, well, value based (but your kids won’t mind, I promise!). They don’t have anything fancy besides some theming and poolside activities that Disney Cast members run. 

The moderate pools are absolutely a step up. Here the theming is top quality and you’ve got water slides!! 

So how can the Deluxe pools beat water slides? With even bigger water slides, of course! They also have more pool options to choose from, which limits the amount of loud rowdy teenagers you might run into on your afternoon swim. 

How far in advance should you book a Disney World trip?

As soon as possible! Disney Rooms can normally be book over a year in advance, and park reservations can be book 365 days in advance!

Is it cheaper to stay on Disney Property?

Honestly, most of the time, not really–though you can get some good deals with the value resorts, what you’re really paying for is convenience and the experience. There are definite perks, the biggest of which is being so close to the parks. You’ll have to decide what’s right for you and your family!

How much money should I bring to Disney World?

It kinda depends on your budget and how much you plan on eating at the Parks. A single person can easily spend 100 dollars on food and drink for one day at Disney World. Budgeting 150+ per person, per day for food, drinks plus a souvenir budget (like 100 per person for the trip) is reasonable.

So there you have it, folks, just about everything a beginner needs to know (and then some!) about planning their first trip to Disney World!

If you’re a first time Disney World visitor, I know it can be a little overwhelming, but remember that priority number one is to have fun! You’re not going to be able to do and see everything, so make a plan and let the good times roll!

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By the co-author of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit 2020 , the best-reviewed Disney World guidebook series  ever.

Available on Amazon here.

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Instructions for Your First Visit to Walt Disney World

By Dave Shute

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR FIRST DISNEY WORLD VISIT

Follow the instructions that follow for your first family visit to Walt Disney World to save thousands of dollars, and avoid dozens of hours waiting in line, while seeing all the best of Walt Disney World!

1. When to Go to Walt Disney World:

Most years, I suggest that if you can, you should arrive at Walt Disney World one of the first two, sometimes three, Saturdays after Thanksgiving .  In 2024 I recommend the first two weeks after Thanksgiving.     More…      Next best dates to go…

2. How Long to Stay:

You can have a wonderful trip spending as few as 5 days. However, if you can , be in Orlando for 9 days –a Saturday through a Sunday.    More…     Going for a shorter trip…

3. How Old/Tall Your Children Should be:

Kids of any age can have a wonderful time at Disney World. However, if this may be your kids’  only childhood visit, consider going when your youngest child is at least 8 or 9, and your shortest child at least 48 inches tall .       More…     Planning for going with younger/shorter kids…

4. Where to Stay at Walt Disney World:

Stay at Disney’s Polynesian Resort if you can afford it, or at Disney’s Art of Animation  Resort  if you can’t.    More…     Next best resort options…

5. How Much to Budget:

You can have a wonderful first visit for $3,000 or less. However, to see  all the best of Walt Disney World at the best time of the year to visit, budget if you can $14,000 if you are staying at the Polynesian , or $9,500  if at  Art of Animation .     More…     Developing a much lower or a different budget…

6. When Your Plans Need to be Firm:

Your plans should be firm at least 181 days before your arrival date.      More…     Planning if it’s already later than that…

7. How to Eat at Walt Disney World:

Sign up for the “Magic Your Way Plus Dining” package. More…     Planning if you can’t do this package…

8. Where to Eat:

The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly where to eat (as do the Other Itineraries ).      More…     Next best dining choices…

9. How to Spend Your Time at Walt Disney World:

The Basic Itinerary tells you exactly how to spend your time in Orlando (as do the Other Itineraries ).      More…     Other Itineraries…

10. What to do When:

See the To-Do List for an exact list of what to do when to prepare for your trip.        More…     To-Do Lists for Other Itineraries…

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1,261 comments

Thanks again for the quick response. Ya I’m still not 100 percent sure if or when we are going. I have looked at prices for tickets and as of now I’m seeing 485 for 2 two day tickets. does that sound about average or is there any other place that I maybe able to get them cheaper. Those prices are direct from disney btw. Thanks again for all your help

Brian, prices vary by the first day of eligible use–in the period you are looking at, the range for two two day park tickets is about $60. You can’t find short tickets elsewhere that will cost less. Some of the longer-day tickets are available for small saving from third parties, but not shorter tickets.

Can I get a copy of your schedule in word so i can use that to plug my plans into?

Hi Kristi, not sure what schedule you are referring to?

Dave! When is the 2020 book coming out???

Soon! All our copy is in our publisher’s hands

Just updating. We did go down 2 weeks ago was a fun trip for what it was but my little boy got sick the very first day at magic kingdom. But I’ll give disney credit I talked to the front desk at my room and they gave me 2 tickets good for a year for him getting sick. Def will be coming back down soon. What’s the weather usually like dec threw Feb. Want to come sometime in that area and curious on temp and swimming conditions. I know that’s a broad range but figured you would have an idea of the best time to go

Brian–so nice they worked with you on tickets.

On weather, I note on this page that highs are not reliably (80% chance or better) above 75 between the beginning of November and the end of March.

You can see a more nuanced version of this in the chart below. If you look at the bottom (blue) line, you can read a number for any date. 80% of the time the high will be over that, and 20% lower than that. The middle (pink) line is the 50-50 line–half the time the high will be lower, half the time higher.

Thanks again for the quick response. Ya they worked really good with me and even refunded 50 more dollars because they refrigerator wasnt keeping anything cool in the room. Also is it normal for a plan to be cheaper at the desk than buying online? I was paying half cash and half on card so they told me I could at the front desk and the plan I got was cheaper by about 60 dollars or so. Maybe a little more I’d have to check my figures for an accurate account. I wasnt aware they charged for parking at their hotels so that kind of blew but still no paying at the parks so I still came out ahead

What kind of plan?

I got two 2day passes and 3 nights at the all star movie resort (as I said it was a quick trip down and back literally left Sunday night and came back thursday morning) but the plan was cheaper at the desk vs what I was quoted online just curious if that’s the normal or I just got a off day on pricing

Brian, I have never heard of such a thing. There are some 10% ish off room rate deals out there–maybe you got put into one of those?

Ya I’m not sure. The original plan I looked at online and was quoted on the phone was right about 906 I believe. Not including the parking. Or at least it wasnt mentioned. But the price they gave me at the desk before parking was under 900. Close to around 880ish I believe. It was wierd for sure but like you said maybe I got put into a discount. I’ll definitely check ahead of time again before I come back. This time I’m thinking magic kingdom and then sea world instead of animal kingdom. Didnt seem like much to do kid wise there but then again he was sick so that was also an issue

Hi Dave, I just wanted to say Thank You again for all of your wonderful advice which helped us on our most recent trip a few weeks ago and also our visits in 2014 and 15.

Jane, so glad to have helped!

Your site is my favorite resource for Disney planning, since planning my family’s own “first visit” back in 2011!

I am now planning our third (and likely final—as my daughter will be graduating and moving away) visit for November 2020.

The Star Wars attractions are a priority for my husband and myself. With your experience, do you have any speculation as to how the process may be for riding Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run by that time? I realize the current practice with Rise of the Resistance is unprecedented. I guess my question is this—I need to determine to stay on-site vs. off-site. We will have a party of 6 this time, including my elderly parents and two teenagers, so space is important.

Obviously, even with the option of renting DVC points, we can get more bang for our buck for a large group if opting to stay off property. However, if there’s any chance of fast passes becoming an option for these attractions by then, the 60 day window alone would make it worth the extra money to stay on-site.

Of note, I’m a fan of the “Disney bubble” and we did stay on property our last two visits, though last time we rented a car and did 2 days at Universal, my kids’ “favorite” park. (I like it, too, it’s just no Disney!) We will go to Universal for a day this time as well (though we can take an uber now that that’s a valid option).

Hi Nadine! My best guess is that by then they will indeed be using FP+.

One thing you could do is double book both a 60 day eligible hotel and a 30 day eligible one. With the Disney hotels, you can cancel up until 5 days before on a room-only booking and get your full deposit back.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are now many more hotels eligible for 60 days than there used to be. All the Disney Springs Resort Area hotels are now eligible, as are a few others. Detailed reviews are linked to from the bottom of this page . If multiple rooms is an ok option, look in particular at the Wyndham Garden.

The Doubletree sleeps 6, but the room layout may not suit your group…

Thank you so much for the advice!

Hi, I wasn’t sure if this question was posted, I’m here at Disney now, I picked this week thinking it wouldn’t be crowded. but it’s PACKED. Someone said yesterday that the crowds were at 10/10! Any idea why?

Hey Jennifer, crowds Saturday were indeed at 10s, and Sunday at 9s. Everyone missed this. Touring plans had Saturday projected for a 6, and Sunday as a 4.

I have–in retrospect, so not helpful–several theories as to why:

Reschedules from hurricane Dorian; a general shift of people aimed at Food & Wine to Festivals of the Arts, because of several years in a row of hurricane issues. Both of these focus on this weekend as it is well into the second semester, so a good time to take kids out of school, but also avoids disrupting you-know-who’s watching of the super bowl. And Festival of the Arts is much better than F&W, anyway.

Also, this was the first weekend AFTER Rise of the Resistance opened that was also had a 60 day FastPass+ window open…so folks waiting to book a trip to WDW for Galaxy’s Edge until the RoR reviews came in would find this as the best first choice.

Will you be reviewing Disney’s Riviera Resort? We have reservations for August and I’m looking for what room to request if you have a 2 bedroom villa with a standard view! Haha! Looking forward to your awesome expertise! Thanks!

Hi Sue, I’m working on my review now! I hope to have it done within a couple of weeks–it’ll be coming out in bits and pieces…

Hi Dave, just found your site (I knew of your co-author’s). This is wonderful! Although it’s not our first time, this year I, the wife, and grandson are going Sept 19, and your calendars and crowd guides are invaluable info! But, when oh when will RoR go to FastPass+?

Hey Michael, welcome and thanks! FWIW, for someone coming here from easyWDW.com , the most different stuff is my resort reviews–you can find links to all my resort reviews here .

For Rise, is seems the main question is continuing reliability, so they know with some assurance how many FP+ to issue per hour. I don’t think any outside has any insight into when that will be resolved sufficiently…

Quick question. With the shutdown and everything that has happened do you believe there is a chance they will be running specials or reduced rates on rooms at resorts when they finally open back up? I enjoyed the room we had back in November but cant being myself to pay almost 200 for the “value” rooms next month or soon after when they reopen. Any thoughts are appreciated

Absolutely, I do Brian.

Hope so I have to get back down before july and was actually shooting for this month or april until everything happened. But we going threw prices for similar rooms we stayed in and it just seems to pricey for the same room in my opinion. Almost 200 last I checked a night for value rooms in the all star movie resorts. Hopefully they drop back down to a reasonable level or cheaper. If not any recommendations for offsite hotels? I’m sure you have a section on the site but I didnt see it. Thanks again for all your help

Well now that everything is in motion to open back up what are your thoughts on how long the mask policy will last? A few weeks or months etc? I’d assume the first time people start passing out from that heat in a mask they will recend it. but who knows. Any thoughts?

Brian, I expect masks to be the last policy to be reversed–although clinically the best last policy to abandon is physical distancing.

We would like to get back to WDW during the 50th, but limited to when children are not in school. We live in MA, and thus our vacation timeframes are President’s Week, the April vacation, and summer (about June 20th forward). We normally just do April but April 2022 is the week after Easter, and April 2023 is the month after the 50th is over.

What am I likely looking at in terms of crowds in ’22 for a President’s Day trip vs a week after Easter (Easter late next year – April 18th).

Also considering the late June.. a bit scared about the heat as we are wimpy New Englanders and we’ve been spoiled with prior trips being great weather (mostly mid April trips, couple early December).

Hi Luis, I have not done the data collection and analysis I need to do to give you an answer with conviction. However, it is typical that in late Easters the week after Easter is manageable–not good, but manageable. My vote right now would be that given the weather differences you should aim for the April dates.

Love your site even as a frequent Disney visitor, are you planning to post your 2022 recommendations soon?

Hi Lauren, and thanks!! I hope to have them out within a month

I love your content. I’m a pro with Disneyland (used to be a CM there,) but have only been to WDW once. My husband and daughter have been to Disneyland, but not WDW. We want to take our daughter next year when she is 5 1/2 years, she’s already 42″ and we plan on returning a couple years later, but we want this first trip to be special. We will be out of debt next year and this trip will be a celebration for us. We are excited to splurge and plan on staying at the Polynesian.

In 2022, out of September, October, November or early December, when do you recommend we go?

Thank you for everything you do!

Thanks Sarah! I’ll have specific week by week recommendations for 2022 out very soon–hopefully by the weekend.

Take a look at those when they come out and let me know any questions you have!

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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

20 Insanely Useful Tips For Your First Time At Disney World

March 3, 2021 //  by  Kimberly Jones //   Leave a Comment

If it’s your first time traveling to Disney World, it might feel a little overwhelming! There seems to be so much that you have to do, pack, plan, reserve….the list goes on and on. However, your first time at Disney doesn’t have to be stressful! We have 20 Insanely Useful Tips For Your First Time At Disney World.

This is a list of tips that we think first time Disney goers should know! It goes over what you should bring, how you could be making money by declining housekeeping, freebies, magic bands, and much, much more! Read on to learn all the tips every Disney vacationer should be aware of!

Get Familiar with My Disney Experience

The My Disney Experience app is the best free tool Disney has to offer! You will definitely want to download and take a look at this app before your first time at Disney. It’s helpful to get familiar with it before you even leave for vacation.

This app allows you to hold your Disney vacation plans at your fingertips. You are able to do so many things on this app such as make park and dining reservations, check wait times , look up park hours, see digital maps, look at PhotoPass photos, and so much more! 

The first thing you will want to do when you download the My Disney Experience app is to link your tickets, your resort room, and all of the friends and family you will be traveling with. Linking up with the people you are traveling with will make it easier to book dining reservations. You will also need to be linked if you want to all ride Rise of the Resistance together! 

This app is a MUST for your first time at Disney. Check out our 16 Best Disney Apps to Download Before Your Vacation for even more helpful apps!

Consider Renting DVC Points

Disney resorts can get expensive, so we want to help you find the best ways to stay at Disney for cheap! DVC is the acronym for the Disney Vacation Club . This is Disney’s timeshare system that operates by using points to stay at Deluxe resorts. People pay a premium to be a part of the Disney Vacation Club, and they are able to buy points to use.

Sometimes Disney Vacation Club members aren’t able to use up all of their points, so they rent them out to others. That’s where you come in! Renting DVC points is a great option if you were planning on staying at a Deluxe Resort. These resorts can get very pricey, but renting points can make staying at a Deluxe Resort more cost effective!

Our favorite place to rent DVC points is David’s DVC Rental ! You’ll be able to see how much you’d be paying by renting out points. Compare these prices to Disney’s Deluxe Resort prices, and you will realize what a steal this is! 

Staying at a Deluxe Resort is super special because these are the best resorts Disney has to offer. Make your first Disney vacation extra special by staying at one of these resorts!

Don’t Forget to Make Park and Dining Reservations in Advance

Some people don’t realize that a Disney vacation involves lots and lots of planning beforehand! You have to buy your tickets and book a room, but you can’t forget to make advance park and dining reservations! 

Disney now operates on a park pass reservation system . This means you have to book a park pass for the park you want to visit on a specific day. For example, if you are vacationing at Disney for 4 days, but you are only going to the parks for 3 of those days, you will need to choose what dates you want to go to the parks and which park for that certain date. 

I know it may seem confusing, but it is super simple to do! Just go on My Disney Experience and go to the “Make Theme Park Reservations” section. From here you can select your dates and parks, and then you’re done! 

After you have your park days booked, now it’s time to think about where you want to eat! There are lots of Quick Service locations to choose from, but if you want to eat at a Table Service restaurant, you will need to book those reservations in advance. Sometimes you are able to walk up to a restaurant and get a table, but it’s safer to book a reservation, especially for those more popular restaurants.

You can also book your dining reservations in the My Disney Experience app. Click the “+” button at the bottom of the screen and then click “Check Dining Availability”. Make sure that you are booking restaurants for the dates and locations of the park you are visiting that day!

There Are Fun Things to do on Arrival Day

Some people choose to hit the parks as soon as they check into their resort, but there are also other fun things to do on your arrival day! Even if your room isn’t ready when you get there, you can still explore the resort! You can leave your bags with bell services, and they will hold onto your bags until your room is ready. This way you can go do fun things without worrying about lugging your bags around! 

Arrival day is a great day for swimming! Change into those swimsuits and hit the resort pool while you wait for your room to be ready. If you don’t feel like swimming, you can also travel to other neighboring resorts and explore them as well. 

One of my favorite things to do on arrival day is visit Disney Springs ! It’s super relaxing and fun to walk around and shop without worrying about which ride to run to next. There are so many tasty restaurants and fun shops to explore. It’s a great way to start off the trip, and you can find some great souvenirs to use throughout your vacation! 

It can also be fun to book a dining reservation the night of your arrival. Disney resorts and Disney Springs have lots of great restaurants, you can’t go wrong with whichever you choose!

Check out our 12 Things To Do On Your Disney Arrival Day for even more fun ideas!

Make Money by Declining Housekeeping

Did you know you can make money by saying “no” to housekeeping ? Crazy, right?! This is a great perk some people don’t know about, but we definitely want you to know before your first time at Disney! 

Service Your Way is part of Disney’s green initiative to cut back on electricity, laundry, and waste. They reward guests who opt out of housekeeping with a gift card! The gift card amount varies depending on how many nights you are staying. You get $10 per night minus one night. So if you are staying 5 nights, you will get a $40 gift card.

Now you can use this extra money for souvenirs and snacks! If you don’t plan on being in your room a lot and don’t make much of a mess, opting out of housekeeping is a great idea. You can feel good about helping Disney with their green initiative and you get money at the same time! It’s a win-win!

Resorts Charge for Parking But Theme Park Parking is Free for Resort Guests

There are pros and cons to staying at a Disney resort. One of the cons is that Disney resorts charge for parking per night. The cost varies depending on which category of resort you stay at. Value resort parking costs $15 per night. Moderate resort parking costs $20 per night. Deluxe resort parking is $25 per night. These nights can add up to a significant amount if you’re planning on staying for a while.

The pro for staying at a Disney resort in regards to parking is that parking at the theme parks is free. Guests staying off property have to pay $25 per day for standard parking and $45-50 per day for preferred parking. 

Overall, if you drive to Disney, you’re going to pay for parking whether or not you are staying at a Disney resort. Do be aware though that Disney offers free transportation from your resort to the parks, Disney Springs, and the water parks, so you don’t need to rely on a car to get around.

Prepare to Walk A LOT and Bring Comfy Shoes

Going to Disney is no joke. You will be walking around A LOT (seriously a lot)! It can get pretty exhausting, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Know how much walking you can handle before you go to Disney. This way you can plan out your day to minimize the amount of walking you will have to do.

When we go to Magic Kingdom , we like to plan any reservations in the order we’ll be walking through the park. We’ll start in one land and work our way to the opposite side through all the other lands. This way we don’t miss out on anything while decreasing the amount of walking we will have to do. 

Another great way to be prepared for all that walking is to bring comfy shoes! We can’t stress enough how important it is to wear shoes you are comfortable walking around in at the parks. This will save your feet so much unnecessary pain or blisters! Make sure to break in any new shoes before you wear them during your first time at Disney. We have a list of the Best Shoes for Disney to help you find the perfect pair! 

It’s also important to give yourself plenty of time to get from place to place. Disney is huge, so it can take a while to get from your resort to a park or to another resort. If you have a reservation planned, make sure to schedule extra time for any mishaps. Sometimes a bus can be running late or there will be crowds. Don’t stress yourself out by waiting until the last minute to get somewhere!

Check the Weather Before Your Trip and Be Prepared for it to Change

Florida is super unpredictable when it comes to weather. It could be raining at one moment and then the sun could be shining in the next. It can be helpful to check the weather all the way up until you leave for your trip, but you should still be prepared for it to change. 

The summer months are the worst when it comes to rain in Florida . Even though Florida is in the south, it can still get a little chilly at night during the winter months. Depending on when you are vacationing to Disney, it’s important to have a few essentials for any unpredictable weather.

The most important item you will need in the summer months is a poncho or rain jacket! Always be carrying one in your bag for any unexpected rain. It literally comes out of nowhere in some instances. No one wants to walk around in the parks soaking wet! But we also know you don’t want to spend lots of money on Disney brand ponchos.

Prepare before your trip by purchasing cheap ponchos. These can easily be reused during your whole vacation and discarded at the end. They are definitely a life saver! 

During the winter months, it’s a great idea to bring a jacket. The day time outside will feel nice, but those nights can get cold. Having a light jacket on hand will ensure you’re never uncomfortable!

Don’t Miss Out On Freebies!

Before your first trip to Disney World, you’ll want to know about all of the freebies you can score! One of the best freebies, especially for your first Disney vacation, is a “First Visit” button. Ask any retail or resort cast member for a free button. They have different buttons for different occasions! You’re going to want that “First Visit” button for sure. When cast members see you wearing this button, they make sure to make your first Disney visit extra special! 

Another freebie most people don’t know about is that you can get free ice water. At any quick service location with a soda fountain, you can ask the cast members for a cup of water. No one at Disney wants you getting dehydrated! 

The Play Dinsey app is a free app that makes your Disney vacation even more immersive. The app tracks your location and gives you access to fun games themed to the ride or area you are located in. There is also trivia and you can earn achievements. The app turns into a data pad as soon as you enter Galaxy’s Edge ! Once here, you can complete missions, translate languages, hack into droids, and more! 

If apps aren’t your thing, trying going on a Hidden Mickey scavenger hunt! There are tons of hidden Mickeys all around the parks and resorts. You could spend a whole day just looking for them! 

Another fun free thing to do at Disney is to watch free movies ! Most Disney resorts have “Movie Under the Stars”, where you are able to watch a Disney movie outside on a big screen at night. Check with your resort to find out when and what movie will be playing while you are there! 

There are so many other awesome free things to do at Disney World, we made our own article for them! Check out our 17 Totally Free Things To Do At Disney World ! (Some things might be temporarily unavailable due to the current pandemic.)

Magic Bands Aren’t Required, But They Are Helpful

Back in 2020, Disney used to provide Magic Bands to every resort guest for free. Starting at the beginning of January 2021, Disney now charges $5 for the basic magic bands when you order them before your trip. If you wait to buy them in the parks, it costs $15 for the basic bands. They also have a lot of specialty designed bands for a higher price.

Magic Bands are insanely useful ! They are your park tickets , your room key, and your credit card (if you choose to link it)! These can make traveling around super convenient because everything is right on your wrist. 

Disney started charging for Magic Bands because they are planning on enabling a digital version of the bands on My Disney Experience. This would allow you to do everything from your phone instead. Fun fact: You can actually unlock your resort room with your My Disney Experience app! 

If the Magic Bands aren’t for you, that’s okay! Disney has other options. They also have the Key to the World card which can do the same things a Magic Band can, but in card form. You can get these for free at your front desk.  You can also just use a standard ticket to get into the parks and use your own credit card to purchase things. 

Deciding on which route you choose depends on what you’re comfortable with! Magic Bands are super useful because you don’t have to worry about carrying anything around. You can also reuse your Magic Bands for future vacations!

Make Sure to Have a Break and Don’t Worry About Doing Everything!

Contrary to what you might believe, Disney vacations can be exhausting! You’re getting up early every day to run around the parks from morning to night and trying to fit everything in! But please don’t push yourself too hard, especially during your first time at Disney! That’s the worst way to turn your dream vacation into a nightmare.

Make sure to schedule breaks either during the middle of the day or have a full break day in between your park days. This will ensure you and your family don’t get burnt out during your trip. Use these breaks to take a nap or relax at the pool. It will feel good to get off your feet for a little bit and not be constantly moving. You’ll thank us later! 

Also, don’t worry about doing absolutely everything at Disney World. Disney really has so much to offer, it would be impossible to fit it all into one trip. Instead, plan your must-do attractions and food ahead of time. Figure out what rides you have to do and the ones you could live with missing. This way you get to do everything you want to do, and then you might have some extra time for the other things! 

I have been going to Disney for years, and I still haven’t even done everything! Don’t sweat it and just enjoy your time at the most magical place on earth!

You Don’t Need to Go to the Parks to Have Fun

Some people think that Disney is only about the parks, but this is not true! There are so many wonderful things to experience away from Disney’s theme parks. 

Disney has water parks , resorts, mini golf, excursions, dining, shopping, and more! You could spend a whole day (or multiple) doing things outside of the parks.

There are lots of different resorts that Disney has to offer, and you can go visit them all! Even if you’re staying at a Value resort doesn’t mean you can’t go explore a Deluxe resort! Each resort has its own unique theming, shopping, and dining. You can even go see live animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! 

A lot of the resorts also have their own excursions or activities you can do! Fort Wilderness has horseback riding, you can rent a boat at the Grand Floridian , you can go fishing at the Yacht and Beach Club , etc. Each resort is unique in the kinds of activities they offer, but you don’t have to be staying at that specific resort to do them! 

Disney Springs is another great place to find fun things to do! You can go bowling at Splitsville, catch a movie at AMC Theaters, build a dinosaur at T-Rex Cafe, and much more. There are also a ton of fun shops, dining, and snacks to try! You don’t want to miss out on Disney Springs during your first time at Disney! 

The list goes on and on for what you can do for fun away from the parks! Use your break day to try some new adventures!

Some Splurges Are Worth It!

We know, we know, Disney is already expensive enough! But we are here to tell you that there are some splurgers at Disney World that are actually worth it! Like we had mentioned earlier, you can rent DVC points to stay at Deluxe Resorts, and this is a splurge that is worth it! 

Deluxe Resorts have nicer and bigger pools, immersive theming, more restaurant and lounge options, better rooms, and are just overall nicer. This isn’t to say that Value or Moderate Resorts aren’t nice! Deluxe Resorts are just a fun splurge that will let you enjoy the full Disney package! 

Another fun splurge is the Memory Maker . Memory Maker gives you access to all of the photos taken of you by the Photopass photographers at the parks. It even gives you access to your ride photos! Memory Maker costs $199 if you buy it at Disney or $169 if you buy it before your vacation. Memory Maker helps you capture all of your memories without you even having to pull out your camera! 

It’s some people’s dream to make their very own lightsaber, and now you can actually do that! At Savi’s Workshop in Galaxy’s Edge, you can build your very own lightsaber! It costs $200 per person, but it is well worth it. This is an experience you and your family won’t forget! 

If you’re looking for a cheaper splurge, buying a popcorn bucket is a great option! A regular popcorn at Disney costs $5 while a Disney popcorn bucket costs $12. Now you might think it’s crazy to spend an extra $7 on a bucket, but we’ll tell you why it’s worth it! Disney’s popcorn buckets are refillable for only $2 per refill! If you plan on eating a lot of popcorn during your vacation, buying a popcorn bucket will actually save you money ! 

Check out our 16 Best Splurges At Disney Worth The Spend for even more ideas! (Some things might be temporarily unavailable due to the current pandemic.)

A Guaranteed Way to See Characters is to Book Character Dining

Currently, the only way to see characters around the parks is during a character cavalcade parade or spotting a character just standing about at a safe distance. The only thing is there is no way to know when these small parades might be happening or when characters might be out. If you want to guarantee a way to see characters, we recommend booking a character dining reservation .

Here is a list of the current character dining locations that are open with modified character experiences and the characters you might see:

Garden Grill :

Toppolino’s Terrace Breakfast:

Hollywood and Vine Breakfast:

• Doc Mcstuffins
• Sofia the First
• Jake from the Neverland Pirates

Hollywood and Vine Lunch/Dinner:

Chef Mickey’s :

You won’t be able to get any autographs or hugs from your favorite characters, but you will be able to take socially distanced photos when they pass by your table!

Disney Offers Lots of Dietary and Vegan Options

You might be surprised to find out that Disney World isn’t all just hamburgers and chicken nuggets. They actually have some really tasty and unique options at both table service and quick service restaurants!

Just because you’re going to Disney doesn’t mean you need to forgo any of your special dietary needs. Disney is very accommodating to any allergies or dietary restrictions guests might have. If you have any dietary restrictions, just let the cast member or server know, and they will be able to help you modify your meal! 

If you have an allergy, ask the cast member for an allergy friendly menu! It will let you know what is and isn’t safe to eat. 

Disney even offers Halal meals at select restaurants. You have to make a request for a Halal meal 24 hours in advance or when you book your dining reservation. 

If you are vegan, you can still find delicious meals at Disney! Most restaurants have some sort of vegan option, but if they don’t for some reason, you can request to make them vegan! Disney wants everyone to be able to enjoy their food! 

Fun fact: Disney’s popcorn is actually vegan! Snack away! 

If you’re vegan or have dietary restrictions, check out our 20+ Best Places to Eat Vegan at Disney World for our favorites!

You Can Have Groceries Delivered to Your Resort

It might surprise you to know that you can actually get groceries delivered right to your resort ! That way you don’t have to try to fit a bunch of snacks and food in your luggage! 

There are lots of different ways you can get groceries delivered to your resort. You can use Instacart, Walmart Grocery Delivery, Garden Grocer, Amazon Prime Now, or whatever you prefer. This makes it super convenient for you to get all of the snacks/food you need without having to leave your resort.

Disney resorts have small convenience sections in the gift shops. Don’t waste all your money on those snacks though! They are overpriced, and you can get your food for much cheaper with a grocery delivery service.

You Are Able to Bring Your Own Food Into the Parks

After ordering all of those groceries, you don’t have to leave them at the resort! You can actually bring your own snacks and meals into the parks ! This is actually a really great way to save money during your first time at Disney. Especially if you have hungry kids that are constantly asking for snacks.

The only restrictions are:

• No glass, except for small baby food jars
• Loose ice must be in a sealed bag

Besides these restrictions, you can bring whatever food you’d like into the parks! I like to bring little ziploc bags full of snacks such as pretzels, goldfish, fruit snacks, and protein bars. This will help you avoid spending lots of money on Disney’s overpriced snacks. However, some are actually worth it! 

Tip: Gum is not sold anywhere on Disney property. Make sure to buy some before your vacation if you need it!

Prepare a Park Bag With All of the Necessities

It can be helpful to prepare what you will be bringing in your park bag before you get to Disney World! There are several things you might not have thought of to bring. It’ll be much cheaper to buy these items at home from places like Amazon or the Dollar Tree rather than when you get to Disney World. 

As mentioned above, you are able to bring snacks into the parks with you! Snacks are a great addition to any park bag to curb hunger while you wait for your next meal. 

An external battery charger and phone charging cord are another must for your bag. You’ll be using My Disney Experience a lot to keep up with your plans, so it’s important to have something to keep that phone charged!

Bringing your own water bottle is a great way to stay hydrated in the Florida heat. Cast Members do not want you passing out during your vacation! 

A poncho or umbrella is another great addition to your park bag. You will definitely need one of these if you are traveling to Disney in the summer! 

It’s also a great idea to bring some form of entertainment for long lines! Either download some fun apps on your phone or bring toys for your children to keep them occupied. 

There are lots of other things that might be necessary for you to bring to the parks. Read our What To Bring In Your Disney Park Bag for a full list of what we think you might need!

Utilize Rider Switch

If for your first time at Disney you are traveling with small children, you should know what rider switch is! If you’re bringing a child that doesn’t meet the height requirement of certain rides, don’t worry! Everyone in your family (minus the child that doesn’t meet the requirement) will still be able to ride.

Rider switch (also known as rider swap or child swap) is Disney’s service for rides with height requirements that will help you ride those rides without having to wait in line twice. You go up to the cast member of the attraction you want to ride and let them know you want to use rider switch. They will scan everyone’s magic bands to get you set up. 

Then, one part of the family can get in the normal line to ride the attraction while an adult stays with the child who can’t ride. After that part of the family is done riding, the adult waiting with the child can use the FastPass line to skip the regular line and bring two others to ride with them. This means that some people could ride the attraction twice! 

Now no one has to miss out on any attractions, and you don’t have to wait in the regular line two times for everyone to ride! Make sure to use rider switch if you have small children with you to save time. 

There are some rides at Disney that have no height requirements. This means anyone, even babies, can ride! It is possible to visit Disney with toddlers and still have fun !

Know Your Stroller Options

Another thing to consider when bringing children to Disney World is what kind of stroller to use. You can bring your own stroller or you can rent one, either from Disney or from a third party service. 

The only rules against strollers are that you can’t bring in wagons and the strollers cannot exceed 31” (79cm) wide x 52” (132cm) long. Keep these restrictions in mind if you are bringing your own stroller or renting any place else that isn’t Disney. 

If you bring your own stroller or rent from around Florida, you will be able to bring that stroller with you to resorts, Disney Springs, the parks, and pretty much anywhere you go. If you rent a stroller from the Disney parks, those strollers are not able to leave the parks! 

All in all, it really depends on what you need for your children. If you just need strollers in the parks, it might be easier to rent from Disney. If you need a stroller all the time, bring your own or rent from around Florida.

For more information on finding the right stroller, read our How To Choose the Best Disney Stroller Option For You !

We hope you have found these tips as useful as we did! Our goal here at Disney Trippers is for you to have the best Disney trip possible! What was your favorite tip? What was something new that you learned? Let us know and have fun at your first time at Disney!

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