6 simple tips for your first day in the parks
Springboard to a great vacation
Get your trip off on the right foot
Maybe the most anticipated part of your entire vacation is that first moment in the parks. It definitely is for me. I spend lots of time thinking about walking onto Main Street, or into Diagon Alley. But what then?
Those first hours can set the tone for the whole vacation. Here are a few tips I've learned from my first-days.
Six tips for your first day at Disney or Universal:
Expect it to take awhile to get into the flow
I know you're excited, you've done all the research, or maybe you've even been there before - but the first moments in any theme park will probably be disorienting and overwhelming. This is sort of by design. The leap from reality to fantasy is usually not instant, so give yourself and your companions some grace to ease into it.
Do something intense
It might seem counter to the idea of easing-in, but one of the best ways to recalibrate your brain is to experience a really immersive attraction. This doesn't necessarily mean a roller coaster (although in my experience, that works really well). For me, Disney's Haunted Mansion or Pirates ride can do it. You might feel a little numb on that first attraction, but your state will be at least a little bit altered by the time you get off.
Use this day to scout the place out
The first day is a good time to get a sense of the scale of the parks you'll be in. How long does it take to get between attractions? What are the wait times like? What will you want to come back to tomorrow?
Try out the tools & systems
Don't wait to start using the park's app, even if it's just to check wait times. If you're using Disney's Genie+, get yourself a Lightning Lane reservation so you can see how it works in practice. Mobile order a snack. The more practice you get today, the more skilled you'll be with using the system.
Get feedback from your group
The first day is when you'll start figuring out everybody's park passions, and their limitations. Use these early observations to start shaping your plans for the rest of the trip. Did you just figure out that your kid is terrified of Mickey, but you've got four character meals reserved? Now's the time to make the modifications.
Get back to the hotel in time to fully prepare for tomorrow
It can be super-hard to leave the park on that first night, but odds are you're not totally unpacked, and you've got some prep to do for the morning. You can stay later on day 2 once you've got your routine established.
Here are some tips for what to do the night before a park day.
Want a more detailed discussion of what to expect on your first day? Tune into Go Informed Podcast episode7 (Universal Orlando) & episode 18 (Disney World) to hear my advice.
On these episodes I discuss everything from how to get there to how the entrance scanners work to basic theme park etiquette. Yes, these are deep tracks in the Go Informed archive, but most of the advice does still hold up. (Just don't judge me on my editing 😉 )
Catch all the archives on the website, or listen on your favorite podcast app, including:
So much to know before you even get to that first park day!
I've got two everything-you-need-to-know posts on the website to help you get ready. Don't miss: