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Your Walt Disney World Resort Guide: First time visitors

With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, over 25 hotels and a huge range of additional entertainment - it's fair to say planning the perfect trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando can maybe seem a bit daunting.

 

That's where Virgin Atlantic Holidays come in. With our expertise, we can help you plan your trip to ensure you get everything that you want out of it, without any hassle!

Start here: The basics

From hotels and park tickets to dining plans and transport, here’s a quick, no-fuss guide to how Walt Disney World Resort works.

The Disney Resort hotels are broken down into 3 categories, which offer different styles and level of amenities. Plus, staying on-site gives some fantastic extra benefits too, no matter the hotel you pick:

Disney Value Hotels

What to expect:

  • Larger than life, iconic theming
  • Self-service restaurant only (plus a pool bar)
  • Big on fun!
  • Great value for money
  • Extra time in the parks
  • Complimentary parking at both the hotel and the parks
  • Option to add on Dining Plans
  • Complimentary use of the Disney transportation system

Disney Moderate Hotels

What to expect:

  • Additional recreational activities, such as fishing and bike hire
  • Waiter service restaurant (as well as a self-service, plus a pool bar)
  • Larger rooms
  • Ideal if you're looking for a 'middle ground' option with extra facilities
  • Extra time in the parks
  • Complimentary parking at both the hotel and the parks
  • Option to add on Dining Plans
  • Complimentary use of the Disney transportation system

Disney Deluxe Hotels

What to expect:

  • Elegant and luxurious
  • Club level room options with concierge
  • Health club/spa
  • Signature fine-dining (as well as the standard stuff too!)
  • Perfect if you're looking for the ultimate in quality, service and facilities
  • Extra time in the parks
  • Complimentary parking at both the hotel and the parks
  • Option to add on Dining Plans
  • Complimentary use of the Disney transportation system

Who are you travelling with?

Pick your travel group to get personalised tips and recommendations.

Disney for two

Disney isn’t just for families - travelling as a couple brings a whole different kind of magic.

From incredible dining and unique experiences to thrilling rides and relaxed resort time, we’ll help you plan a trip that’s perfectly suited to you both.

Where to stay?

Where you stay sets the tone for your whole trip. From peaceful, well-connected resorts to those with standout dining and atmosphere, here are our favourite options for couples.

What not to miss?

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, immersive storytelling or unforgettable entertainment, these are our favourite attractions for grown-up Disney trips.

Where to eat?

Disney is home to some genuinely great dining. Whether you’re after something special or just a great place to unwind, these are our top picks for couples.

Tips from our people

Our team at Virgin know Disney inside out. Here are their go-to tips for couples - those little extras that can make your trip even more memorable.

Shannon Dillon, our Disney Dream Maker from our Leeds store, says:

  • Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter would be my pick if I was travelling as a couple. It feels more adult-friendly, relaxed and it's a smaller resort. Plus, the beignets from Scat Cat's Club Cafe are worth it alone.
  • Try the purple ube coffee at Satuli Canteen in Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park for something a bit unique.
  • If you've got the dining plan, there are plenty of options that only use a snack credit but are as filling as a main meal (particularly for lunch) so keep an eye on the menu codes to see where you can get the most for your credits. My favourite snack option is the poutine from the Refreshment Port in World Showcase at EPCOT.
  • Aim to sit in row 9 on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Trust me.

Ellen Anderson, our Disney Dream Maker from our Lincoln store, says:

  • If you order a Flat White at Creature Comforts (Animal Kingdoms Starbucks location), a portion of the sale goes to the Disney Conservation Fund to help protect the Cotton-top Tamarin monkeys.
  • Try to visit EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival, and get the cheese and bacon soup from the Canada Pavilion, it never disappoints.
  • Make use of the Early Entry to go straight to the most popular attractions, and avoid having to buy Lightning Lane passes for these. It's also worth starting at the back of the park for the shorter queues.
  • If you are using a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, as soon as you've tapped into your first attraction, book your next one on the app whilst you're in the queue. If you can't see a time that suits you, keep refreshing as people are constantly changing their plans. And make sure you're both linked together on the app before your trip to make it easier to book the same times.

Beth Clawson, our Brand Partnerships Executive, says:

  • Use the Disney Skyliner for a fun date night bar crawl, and you might even get a glimpse of the fireworks whilst you're in the sky. You can start at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort and then jump on the Skyliner to EPCOT where you can have some drinks and snacks around the World Showcase, before wandering to the Atlantic Dancehall at Disney's BoardWalk for some old school songs. You could even fit in a stop at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort too.
  • Do not miss the famous spring roll cart at Magic Kingdom Park. It's right before the bridge as you walk away from Cinderella's Castle towards Adventureland. If you get one portion of cheeseburger and one portion of pepperoni between you, you can get a taster of both!
  • If you're going during a time where there are separately ticketed events on, such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, this is a great way to enjoy the park with more space so I'd recommend adding on the tickets for one night. Usually the wait times for rides are shorter, and you'll get to try so many exclusive food and drink items (start with these as sometimes they run out quick!).

Disney with little ones

Walt Disney World is where little imaginations come to life, and seeing it through their eyes makes it even more magical.

From gentle rides and unforgettable character moments to perfectly timed breaks and family-friendly stays, we’ll help you plan a trip that feels easy, exciting, and made for your whole family.

Where to stay?

Finding the right place to stay can make all the difference with little ones. Think shorter journeys, easy park access, and space to unwind.

These handpicked Disney Resort hotels keep everything simple, so you can focus on the fun.

What not to miss?

From first rides to unforgettable shows, these are the moments little ones will be talking about long after you’re home.

Where to eat?

Disney is home to some genuinely great dining. Whether you’re after something special or just a great place to unwind, these are our top picks for couples.

Tips from our people

Our team at Virgin know Disney inside out. Here are their go-to tips for couples - those little extras that can make your trip even more memorable.

Beth Clawson, our Brand Partnerships Executive, says:

  • Go to Sir Mickey's in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom and ask a cast member if they are "pixie dusting" today, and they will do a lovely throw of glitter over your little one's head whilst making a wish. It makes them feel extra special.
  • I recommend buying a Magic Band when you get to Disney. Other than letting you into your room and on rides, they also automatically upload your ride images onto your app and they light up and match the ride and show experiences which is really magical.
  • Roundup Rodeo BBQ is so much fun when you have kids with you. It's a family-style BBQ and you'll feel like you've stepped into a Toy Story film. You'll get given a horse to gallop to your table, and whilst you're eating there are 'dance party' moments as well as 'Andy's coming!' where everyone has to freeze. It will keep the kids entertained, plus you'll all enjoy really good food.

Ellen Anderson, our Disney Dream Maker from our Lincoln store, says:

  • If you're staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, whilst the Preferred Rooms are close to the resort amenities, the Standard Rooms are actually closer to Disney Skyliner and to the Riviera Resort, where you can utilise their quick-service restaurant en route. Caribbean Beach Resort also has the Coca Cola Freestyle machines, which are the best in my opinion!
  • For Character Dining with kids, breakfast at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort is my favourite. There's a paint pot of assorted pastries delivered to your table with 'paints' (nutella, jam etc.) so it's really fun as well as delicious. Plus, the lighting in here is the best I know at Disney, so you get great photos.
  • One of the most underrated shows is Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! I saw it last year for the first time and I can't believe I didn't go sooner, so check this out when you're at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

Shannon Dillon, our Disney Dream Maker from our Leeds store, says:

  • Try to get the earliest reservation possible at Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom for the Character breakfast. You get to eat Churro Mickey Waffles for breakfast with Winnie the Pooh and friends which really sets a fun tone for the day. We were the first family in for breakfast last time and I got a certificate for this!
  • I'll always set aside some days to rope drop (be there before it opens to be the first ones in). The kids are up early so it makes sense. When we get into the park we usually head to the second biggest ride in the park, as everyone goes to the biggest, and then we do that one after once the initial wave has gone through.
  • With kids, it's definitely worth going to the parks in the mornings, heading back to your resort to chill in the afternoon whilst it's hottest, and then going back into the parks at night for the fireworks or shows (and a few night time rides).
  • Resort refillable mugs are so worth it. You only need to fill it three times over and it's paid for itself.

Disney across generations

Walt Disney World is made for sharing. Whether it’s big family moments, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, or simply being there together.

From stays that give you space to unwind to experiences everyone can enjoy in their own way, we’ll help you plan a trip that feels seamless, flexible, and memorable for every person in your group.

Where to stay?

Your chosen hotel can shape the whole trip, especially when there's lots of you travelling together.

These Disney Resort hotels offer the space, location and flexibility to make planning easier, so everyone can settle in and enjoy it their own way.

What not to miss?

These are the experiences worth planning around, the kind that bring everyone together, or let you split up and swap stories later.

Where to eat?

Dining is all part of the experience here. These are the places that work especially well for groups, whether you’re sitting down together or dipping in and out as you go.

Tips from our people

Our team at Virgin know Disney inside out. Here are their go-to tips for couples - those little extras that can make your trip even more memorable.

Charlie Osman, our Disney Dream Maker from our Customer Service Team, says:

  • Portion sizes at Disney go a long way, so if there's lots of you it's great to share a few dishes between you (you get to sample even more this way too).
  • If you're looking to make your Disney Dining credits go further, breakfast is the time! You'll already have your refillable mug for coffee, so you can grab a drink for later with your credits instead and put it in the fridge in your room. That way you have something refreshing and enjoyable to return to in the afternoon.
  • Don't miss out on dining at other Resort hotels, you don't have to be staying there to enjoy them. A coffee ice cream cookie sandwich from Beaches and Cream at Disney's Yacht Club Resort is a personal favourite of mine as a detour when I leave EPCOT.
  • Be in the photo!! Memory Maker is part of your ticket and it's so worth it, so make the most of cast members taking your photos in front of key sites such as Spaceship Earth. You can even get special effects on some of them. Just scan your park ticket and the photos will pop up on the app for you to download and keep.

Ellen Anderson, our Disney Dream Maker from our Lincoln store, says:

  • Staying on the Disney Skyliner route or in the Disney BoardWalk area means you'll enter EPCOT by the International Gateway instead of the main entrance, so you can do rides like Remy's Ratatouille Adventure as soon as you enter on Early Park Entry, and have less of a queue.
  • When there's a group of you, it's definitely worth using the Mobile Order function on the app for quick-service restaurants. It'll save you so much time waiting around for everyone's dishes, and then as soon as you're heading towards the dining location, check-in on the app and it'll be ready to pick up by the time you arrive.
  • Use PhotoPass photographers at every opportunity you get. Usually there's always someone missing from the photo, so this is a great way to ensure everyone is in the shot. And don't forget to scan for your photo when exiting every ride (even if you think it's awful - it's included in your Disney Magic Ticket!).

Charlotte Royston, our E-Commerce Content Specialist, says:

  • You can get free iced water from any quick-service location in the park, which saves money when you're thirsty (and believe me, you will be). You could even pop one of those mini Robinson's squash flavours in your bags to add to these.
  • Link up everyone's Disney Magic Tickets on the My Disney Experience App before you go. If you're all linked together it makes it much easier to book everyone's Lightning Lanes together, if you choose to use them. Also, remember if you do book them, you have an hour's window - so even if you can't all get the exact same time, as long as they are overlapping you should all be able to ride at the same time.
  • Be flexible. Plans can change easily, and you might not get to do everything you intended to - but this is all part of the fun.
  • When you're competing against each other on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, hold down the trigger rather than keep on pressing it. Everyone else will be wondering how you beat them after.

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