First-Time Disney Trip Planning

Planning your first Disney vacation is exciting… and a little overwhelming.
Park reservations, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, dining windows, resort choices, transportation, and about a hundred opinions from the internet—no wonder people freeze and don’t book anything.

You don’t have time to become a Disney expert. That’s where I come in.

As a Disney-obsessed travel advisor, I help first-time visitors plan smart, stress-free Disney trips so you show up with a clear plan instead of guesswork.

Is This Your First Disney Vacation?

If you’re new to Disney, you’re probably asking things like:

  • “Do I need Genie+… or is it a waste of money?”

  • “Which park should we do on which day?”

  • “Is staying on-site really worth it?”

  • “How early do I need to book dining?”

  • “What’s the ‘right’ amount of days for our first trip?”

You’re not wrong to be confused. Disney changes its systems constantly, and what worked for someone three years ago may be useless now.

My job is to cut through the noise and tell you what actually matters for your family, budget, and travel style.


How I Help First-Time

Disney Guests

When you work with me, you’re not just getting someone to “push the buttons.” You’re getting:

  • Honest advice – What’s worth the money and what isn’t, based on your actual priorities.

  • Clear, step-by-step planning – No jargon, no “Disney speak” you have to decode.

  • A realistic game plan – What you can actually do in a day with kids, grandparents, or just adults.

  • Support before and during your trip – I’m here to answer questions, not leave you alone once you pay.

You don’t pay extra for using a Disney-focused travel advisor—Disney already built that cost into the price. You can either give that money to a random booking engine or get actual personalized help. Your call.


What We’ll Plan Together

Every first-time Disney trip is different, but these are the big pieces we’ll tackle together:

1. When to Go

We’ll look at:

  • General crowd levels and busy seasons

  • School/work schedules

  • Weather and special events

So you’re not accidentally booking your “relaxing” vacation during peak madness.

2. Where to Stay

On-site vs off-site, value vs moderate vs deluxe—it’s not one-size-fits-all. We’ll narrow down based on:

  • Budget

  • Park priorities (Magic Kingdom focus vs split stay vs more Epcot/Studios)

  • Transportation preferences (monorail, Skyliner, boats, buses)

  • Room type and layout for your family

3. Park Tickets & Length of Stay

I’ll help you decide:

  • How many park days you realistically need

  • Whether Park Hoppers make sense for you or are a waste

  • The best park order for your dates

You’ll have a clear schedule instead of guessing which park to show up to.

4. Genie+, Lightning Lanes & Strategy

This is where most first-timers get lost. I’ll break down:

  • When Genie+ is actually useful—and when it’s not

  • How to structure your morning and evening to avoid the worst wait times

  • Which rides to prioritize for Lightning Lanes or rope drop

You’ll get straightforward guidance, not a 40-page e-book you’ll never read.

5. Dining & Special Experiences

We’ll talk about:

  • Must-do character meals (and which ones are overhyped)

  • Quick-service vs table-service based on your family’s patience level

  • When to book dining

  • Add-ons like dessert parties, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Savi’s Workshop, fireworks dining packages, etc.

You tell me how “extra” you want this trip to be—I’ll help you build it.

6. Transportation & Logistics

We’ll cover:

  • Getting from the airport to your resort

  • How to move between parks and resorts

  • What to do on arrival and departure day

  • How early to leave for rope drop, dining reservations, and airport transfers


What You’ll Walk Away With

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What You’ll Walk Away With *

By the time we’re done, you’ll have:

  • A day-by-day park plan that actually fits your group

  • Resort and ticket reservations booked correctly the first time

  • Dining and key experiences secured (or backup options if things are sold out)

  • A clear Genie+/Lightning Lane strategy so you’re not staring at your phone in the park wondering what to do

  • Answers to all those “dumb questions” you were afraid to ask (they’re not dumb, by the way)

Instead of spending hours on Facebook groups and TikTok for conflicting advice, you’ll have one person who actually knows your situation and gives you straight answers.

Who This Is Perfect For

This first-time Disney planning service is ideal if:

  • You’ve never been to Disney or haven’t been in years and feel lost

  • You’re planning a family trip with kids and don’t want to blow the budget on the wrong things

  • You’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or first trip and want it to feel special, not chaotic

  • You want to enjoy the parks, not spend the whole trip arguing about what to do next

If you’d rather hand the details to someone who lives and breathes Disney instead of trying to DIY everything, you’re exactly who I built this for.


FAQs About Your First Disney Trip

 

Do you charge a fee for planning?

I’ll be upfront about any planning fees or retainers before we start. In most cases, my services are paid through the travel suppliers, not added on top of your vacation cost. If a fee applies, you’ll know exactly what it is and what you get for it.

What if we’ve already booked something on our own?

Depending on how you booked, reservations can sometimes be transferred so I can manage them for you. If that’s not possible, I can still offer guidance and planning support in other ways.

How far in advance should we start planning?

For Disney, sooner is almost always better. Ideally, we start 6–12 months out so you have the best shot at resort choices and dining times. Last-minute trips are still possible, but we’ll be realistic about what we can and can’t grab.

Can you work within a strict budget?

Yes. I can’t make Disney “cheap,” but I can help you spend smarter—prioritizing the things that matter most to you and cutting the stuff that doesn’t..

Do you only plan Walt Disney World?

No. I also help with first-time trips to Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line, and other Disney destinations. The process is similar: you tell me your people, dates, and budget—I help you build the right trip.

Ready to Start Planning Your First Disney Trip?

Request Your First-Time Disney Quote
Schedule a Free Planning Call