DISNEY WORLD PARK GUIDE - Everything you need to know.

Alrighty, Disney friends, let’s talk about the most magical place on Earth… DISNEY WORLD! 🎢✨ We just returned from the most magical trip, and I wanted to share some of my best tips with you.

If you’re planning a trip and feeling a teeny bit overwhelmed (because… it’s such an epic trip), I’ve got your back. Disney World is HUGE. Like, “it’s own country”, but don’t panic, here’s the easy way to plan.

🏰 Walt Disney World in Florida has FOUR theme parks:

1. Magic Kingdom – The one with Cinderella’s Castle and all the classic rides.
2. EPCOT – Not as many rides with a focus on eating and drinking around the world (hello!).
3. Hollywood Studios – Movie magic, Star Wars land, and thrilling rides.
4. Animal Kingdom – Part theme park and part zoo with a Disney touch.

PLUS…

🎟️ Two water parks: (you get free entry to a water park on your check-in day if staying on site)
• Blizzard Beach – Snowy theme, lots of water slides.
• Typhoon Lagoon – Tropical vibes, giant wave pool.

🏰 MAGIC KINGDOM

The OG park. The one with the big sparkly castle. Cinderella’s Castle, to be exact. This is where you’ll find all the classic rides and where your Disney dreams truly come alive.

⭐ MUST-DO RIDES:
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Pirates of the Caribbean
✨ Don’t Miss: The parades and the fireworks show at night. I cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

🌐 EPCOT

This one’s a vibe all of its own. Think futuristic rides meet eating your way around the world. Great for grown-ups, but kids will love it too.

⭐ MUST-DO RIDES:
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (our favourite)
• Frozen Ever After
• Ratatouille
• Soarin'
✨ Don’t Miss: Eating and drinking around the World Showcase. Tacos in Mexico, pastries in France, and everything in between. Yum!

🎥 HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Movie magic galore! This park is bursting with thrill rides, shows, and some serious Star Wars vibes.

⭐ MUST-DO RIDES:
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Tower of Terror
• Slinky Dog Dash
✨ Don’t Miss: The Frozen Sing-Along. Yes, even if you’ve heard Let It Go a million times.

🦁 ANIMAL KINGDOM

Half theme park, half zoo, and a whole lot of gorgeousness. It’s lush, relaxing, and has some amazing rides.

⭐ MUST-DO RIDES:
• Avatar Flight of Passage (incredible and worth the hype)
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Expedition Everest
✨ Don’t Miss: Walking around and just soaking up the vibes. It’s so beautiful and feels like a proper adventure.

How Many Days Are Needed For Disney World?

I say you need at least 7 full days to experience all of what the parks have on offer!

✨What's rope drop? ✨

Rope drop = getting to the park before it opens so you’re first in line for the big rides with no queues. It’s early, but SO worth it to beat the crowds and get heaps done before lunch. Plan your first ride, arrive 30-60 mins early, and go, go, go! 🎢✨ We utilised rope drop our last trip and it was the BEST thing we did.

My Tips For Lightning Lanes

Okay, let’s chat about Lightning Lanes because they’re basically your golden ticket to skipping those giant lines, and it’s how we got everything done on our last trip.

Here’s the lowdown:

✅ What is it?
With paid Lightning Lane passes, you can skip the regular line and join a shorter line for select rides. You can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass or both… and enjoy more magic in your day!

✅ How do you get it?
You’ll need to purchase in the My Disney Experience Disney World app. Disney has made it a little tricky for us international guests, and we can’t purchase until we’re in the US, BUT I found a workaround. Follow these steps, and you can book them in Australia 7 days out. Edit - this has now been fixed, but reach out to me if you have issues.

✅Pricing
Multi Pass*
Magic Kingdom: $29 per guest
EPCOT: $21 per guest
Hollywood Studios: $26 per guest
Animal Kingdom: $18 per guest

Single Pass*
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: $12 per guest
TRON Lightcycle / Run: $20 per guest
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: $17 per guest
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: $25 per guest
Avatar Flight of Passage: $16 per guest

✅ When can you purchase?

Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests (if you’re staying on site) can purchase Lightning Lanes (both Multi-Pass and Single Pass) seven days before check-in, for the duration of your stay.
Everyone else can book three days in advance of the first park day.
The booking window opens at 7 a.m. Eastern for both on-site and off-site visitors (look up what time conversion for where you live in Australia). You can select up to 3 Multi-Pass selections per day and up to 2 Single Pass selections per day in advance

✅ Book the main rides first - Prioritise rides that run out fast, like Slinky Dog Dash, Jungle Cruise, or Peter Pan’s Flight.

✅ Keep refreshing - People change plans and cancel bookings all day, so keep refreshing the app if you’re trying to nab a spot. It’s like playing Disney whack-a-mole!

✅ You can hold up to 3 at a time - After you scan into your Lightning Lane, you can book your next one right away, which is why I try and select the earliest time slot.

🍦My TOP Disney World Tips!

✨ Rope drop is your best friend. Get there early before opening and knock out big rides first!
✨Plan ahead! Everything at Disney World requires planning.
✨Book dining reservations 60 days in advance and Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance.
✨Stay on site! It’s just easier, and you’ll have free Disney transport. We stayed at All Stars Music and Drury Plaza.
✨ Mobile order food (lifesaver when you’re hangry).
✨ Pack comfy shoes. Your feet will thank you. We wore Crocs as it rains a lot in Florida, so it was fine to get them wet.
✨Expect it to be HOT in the warmer months! We’re from QLD and struggled with the heat. Pack portable fans and insulated water bottles
✨ Don’t try to do it all in one day. Reserve a day to go back and do what you missed.
✨ If you see something you want, buy it or you’ll regret it (trust me)
✨ Embrace the snacks. Mickey pretzels, churros, Dole Whip… live your best Disney snack life!