This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through that link, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your continued support!

Planning your child’s first Disney World vacation? Whether you're visiting with toddlers or preschoolers, the experience can be magical… and a little overwhelming! Today, I’m here to share the ultimate 6-day Disney World itinerary for your kid’s first visit. From park tips to character dining experiences, we’ve got everything covered to ensure your Disney vacation is stress-free and full of memories!

Walt Disney World is the place where lifelong memories are made. Whether it's your child’s first trip or a family reunion, the magic of Disney parks never fades. My family, who’s been Disney-obsessed for years, finally got the chance to take our little ones, and it was beyond anything we could have imagined.

From Magical Kingdom moments to wild safaris at Animal Kingdom, here's a peek into our unforgettable family adventure.

But first, a little background:

I married into a Disney family, but to be honest, I didn’t actually understand what that meant back when… My in-laws are DVC members, and my husband & I’s first Disney trip together was also my first trip to Disney since I was a teenager. We spent a whole week there with John’s extended family, celebrating his grandparent’s 50th anniversary.

Every year after that, John and I went to Disney at least once per year, including our first trip together to Disneyland in California. We had the opportunity to go alone as a couple but also with different groupings of family & friends. I went from Disney planning beginner to expert over the course of a few years, and now the family shares their requests a few months in advance, and I get to handle all of the pre-work prior to our trip!

Fast forward to 2022, John and I welcomed two sweet girls into our family in a whirlwind, and upon arriving back to the states in the second half of the year, we were eager to plan our first Disney vacation as a family (although I think Nana and Pop Pop were even more excited than we were!). We landed on middle of February 2023 as it would be a slower time at the parks and cooler weather for our girls. Lowina was 4 and Ellie was 8-months old, but with our extended family with us, we knew we’d have enough hands to help out with our little ones!

Our family is no stranger to adventure and a non-stop lifestyle, so we landed on an intense itinerary of four days, four parks, one park each day, and the countdown began. We are big fans of Character Dining so we planned for close to one experience each day as a way to get out of the sun and relax a bit while maximizing our character meet & greets!

Now, before I get into the weeds, I’ll caveat by saying that you know your family best and you should 100% take your own family nuances into account when planning a trip anywhere but especially for a trip to Disney. My youngest will nap anywhere and anytime, so I knew I could bank on a stroller nap vs. having to go back to the room. If your little ones need quiet and a bed, don’t try to push through a full day in the parks and aim to head back to your hotel mid day for a nap. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you’re waiting for transit back to your hotel at 10pm after the fireworks show.

Book our Same Itinerary today!

Day 1: Check-in and Explore Disney Springs

Start your Disney vacation with a little extra magic! We flew into Tampa to visit a friend before officially kicking off our Disney adventure so we arrived to Orlando in the morning after a short drive from Tampa.

We kicked off our adventure at Disney Springs, a lively shopping and dining hub where our kids enjoyed picking out Disney-themed souvenirs before checking into our hotel.

One of our in-law’s home resorts as DVC members is Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is one of Disney’s premier resorts and our family favorite when going to Disney. After spending over 5 months in South Africa, we were eager to get a taste of African-inspired decor and safari. What a treat to be able to wake up to the giraffe and water buffalo right outside our window!

Pro Tip: Book a dining experience either at Disney Springs or at your hotel for your arrival day! We love Sanaa for a relaxing meal where you can watch animals roam while you eat.

Day 2: Hollywood Studios - A Day of Star Wars and Character Fun

Hollywood Studios was the perfect choice for our first official park day. With the girls dressed in their “First Trip to Disney” shirts and with autograph books in hand, we dove right into the magic.

We started with a Meet and Greet with Olaf and a surprise visit from Max & Goofy. From there, we headed to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where the kids had a blast meeting Chewbacca (just kidding… they were terrified!!) and checking out the X-Wing fighter. But the true highlight was watching Frozen Live. Lowina, my 4-year-old, couldn’t stop smiling!

Pro Tip: Hollywood & Vine is a must for families! For breakfast, they host Disney Junior characters. Lunch features Minnie Mouse and her friends, and we enjoyed it so much that it became a tradition for future trips. Seeing your kids first sighting of Mickey & Minnie is just magical!

We also met Mr. & Mrs. Incredible, Frozone and Chip & Dale before heading over to the Disney Junior area to meet all of Lowina’s favs and hug Doc McStuffins countless times (it’s true, characters really won’t let go of a hug first… trust me & our 2-minute uninterrupted hugs).

After lots of hugs & photos, we ventured off to Toy Story Land, where Lowina got to meet Buzz Lightyear and have a mini dance party with Woody and Jesse as the Army Men strolled by.

We enjoyed a few more rides before winding down the evening with drinks at Oga’s Cantina. Everyone had to test out the Fuzzy Tauntaun which boasts a surprise tingly foam. Lowina really did not enjoy the Storm Troopers on our walk back to the park entrance and still talks about them to this day!

Day 3: Magic Kingdom - The Princess Experience

For Magic Kingdom, we arrived before the gates opened for Rope Drop, giving us first dibs on meeting the Disney Princesses. Walking down Main Street with my girls and seeing their faces after their first glimpse of the castle was an experience I’ll never forget and brought me back to my own childhood.

If you have a little one obsessed with Princess Tiana, don’t miss meeting her at the Princess Fairytale Hall! We were ready for all the character meet-ups, so next we headed over to Pete’s Silly Sideshow to meet more of our favorite characters while Ellie napped in the shaded area nearby. After meeting the characters, Lowina had a blast on her first big roller coaster, the Barnstormer, before we headed to Main Street for the morning Parade.

We caught the morning Festival of Fantasy Parade, which was magical and tear-inducing, especially watching Lowina wave at the characters in front of the iconic Cinderella Castle. She was so excited with each new character sighting!

Pro Tip: Book a daily table service dining experience for a break from the sun & opportunity for kids to nap in air conditioning. We opted for an exotic lunch at Jungle Canteen that decor & flavors will transport you to faraway lands.

We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying as many rides as possible before our evening entertainment. First, we headed to Be Our Guest Restaurant for an unforgettable dinner with the Beast. The highlight of dinner was Lowina’s dessert trio that came with a Chip cup that she could paint. I’d love to say that the paint stayed on the plate but it ended up all over her!

We finished the night with the Sweets & Seats Dessert Party at Tomorrowland, which gave us a prime, relaxed spot for the fireworks… an absolute must for families with young kids. Ellie hit her limit and fell asleep in my arms as the group enjoyed some sweets, champagne and fireworks from our private table in Tomorrowland Restaurant. If you want a relaxing evening of watching the fireworks rather than pushing through the crowds of people to try to get a view of the show, 10/10 recommend!

Day 4: Epcot - Princess Meet-and-Greets & Fun in the World Showcase

Epcot is often known for its food and drink (and let’s face it, it’s the best place in Disney for a date night), but despite mixed reviews, it’s also a fantastic park for kids. More on that shortly, but let’s start with the adults!

We decided to still go for the “drink around the world” experience with a few caveats that we’d share or skip certain countries to make sure the kids were still having a great time. We started the morning off with my all-time favorite: crepes! I had both a sweet & savory crepe and was full for hours.

From there, we started our tour around the world inclusive of lots of character meet & greets to keep the girls interested! We had an amazing time meeting Elsa & Anna at the Norway Pavilion and Snow White in Germany. The World Showcase provides ample character experiences, maybe the most in any park at Disney depending on when you visit!

Pro Tip: Epcot is great for stroller naps while you enjoy the parks at your own pace. There are also quiet spots like the Finding Nemo exhibit for a peaceful break.

After our mid day nap, a portion of the group went off to ride Tron, and I took the girls to Finding Nemo to check out the aquariums. The next day was John’s birthday so he decided to stay out for a night cap with his brother while the rest of the group headed back for an earlier bedtime!

Day 5: Animal Kingdom - A Wild Adventure

For our last park day, we headed to Animal Kingdom, my personal favorite. I remember being 13 years old and visiting animal kingdom for the first time and once again, the nostalgia was back!

We hustled back to the safari for our first ride of the day. The girls loved getting to experience safari again but in a different way than their first experience in South Africa. They already knew most of the animals and were becoming quite the expert spotters! Morning and evening game rides are often the best because the animals are out & about before the heat of the day sets in. Pop Pop had missed out on our true African safari a few months prior, so he was soaking out his time on “safari” with the girls.

Pro Tip: Don’t miss Tusker House for an African-inspired lunch with the Mickey Mouse crew. It’s perfect for kids who love character interactions and parents with a unique palate!

Afterwards, we headed out for more adventure. The Festival of the Lion King show was a hit, and our family enjoyed the afternoon with a fun dance party at Donald's Dino Bash. We ended the day at Rainforest Cafe for dinner celebrating John’s birthday that evening and Lowina made sure Daddy had some help blowing out his candles and eating his cake.

Day 6: Wrap-Up and Relax

Before our flight home, we spent the last day enjoying the pool and splash pad at the resort. The Animal Kingdom Lodge offers a range of activities, including guided safari tours where you can observe exotic animals from the comfort of the resort’s savanna-view rooms or the outdoor viewing areas. There’s also a unique cultural immersion through art displays, storytelling, and traditional drumming performances. For the little ones, there are nature-based activities like animal tracking and hands-on crafts. It’s a truly magical and immersive experience!

5 Essential Disney World Tips for First-Timers:

Kids Under 3 are FREE!
Many people ask why we travel with our kids when they won’t remember. First off, we WILL remember. Second, it’s easier when they are free! Save on tickets, meals, all of the above! Just one of the perks of traveling with toddlers.
Memory Maker Photos
Capture the magic! Purchase Memory Maker beforehand to save on professional photos with characters and at iconic park spots. Don’t forget to check out the free portrait shooting in Sir Mickey’s in Magic Kingdom regardless of whether you participate in Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or not!
Character Dining = Family Magic
Character dining offers a great break from the parks and gives kids plenty of time to meet their favorite characters. Don’t forget to book your reservations 60 days in advance! Check out our fav character dining experience in all of Walt Disney World here.
Stroller Identification
With so many strollers around, add a sign or decoration to easily spot yours in a crowded area. Often, cast members move strollers around to keep areas organized and having something that allows you to more easily spot yours in a sea of strollers will save time (and stress!).
Bring Snacks and Water
Packing light snacks and an empty reusable water bottle will help you avoid spending extra money in the park while keeping everyone hydrated and happy. Having snacks on hand in the parks and an empty water bottle absolutely saved us from burning through our snacks on the dining plan! That allowed us to save our snacks for the fun stuff like Mickey shaped ice cream or pretzels!
Pre-Purchase Themed Gifts
We saved tons by pre-purchasing Disney-themed toys for the kids. Each day, Mickey and Friends “popped by” while the girls were in the bath with special gifts! Each day had a different theme based on the park of the day. Also, don’t forget lighted gifts for the night shows. We love bubble wands and lighted Minnie ears!
Plan your Outfits in Advance
The last thing you want is to get suckered into buying a very expensive new outfit in the parks, so make sure you’re prepared (and have a back up for any accidents!). There are TONS of cute & custom options for kids & adults alike. Find something that fits your style and rock it, just make sure it’s comfortable enough to bear through the Florida heat and potential afternoon rainstorms.
Celebrate with a Button
Whether it’s your first visit, birthday, anniversary or something else, a button will help call out to cast members that you’re celebrating and help make your trip even more special, plus it’s FREE!

Book Your Magical Disney Vacation Today!

Are you ready to plan your own kid’s first Disney adventure? From booking your resort stay to securing character dining reservations, I’m here to help you every step of the way. With the right planning, your Disney World vacation will be smooth, stress-free, and full of magical moments.

Contact me now to book your family’s dream Disney vacation! Let's make those Disney memories together.

Your child’s first trip to Disney World can be one of the most memorable vacations you'll ever have. With the right planning, your family can enjoy everything the parks have to offer—from thrilling rides to magical character encounters and delicious meals. Whether you need help planning or just want some tips for your next adventure, I'm here to make sure your first Disney vacation is nothing short of magical.

You can make or break your trip by parking the right or wrong items. Don’t sleep on our ultimate packing guide blog for more tips & tricks!

The Ultimate 6-Day Itinerary for Your Kid's First Visit to Disney World