This past October, my family and I got invited to the coveted Disney Social Media Moms Land and Sea Celebration. I kept the golden invitation under wraps from my kids for a little over two months—eventually, surprising them with the best gift ever on Christmas Day.

We’d attended the celebration in the past, but this time I was more prepared than ever and it paid off! I’ve learned from experience that having a game plan is the best way to maximize your time at Walt Disney World (WDW), especially if it’s your first visit to the “most magical place on earth.”

Over the course of three days, we covered so much ground across all four WDW theme parks including Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and my all-time favorite: Epcot. A couple months before our land and sea celebration got underway in February, I took an afternoon to plot and plan our entire trip from start to finish—taking my conference sessions into account.

Admittedly, I’m not the most regimented person who makes lists or schedules, but for Disney, I quickly became one. Being fully immersed in the magic is essential to making memories that will last a lifetime and that requires thoughtful pre-planning.

Below, find tips on how you can plan a trip of a lifetime and maximize the fun!

Download My Disney Experience App
First thing’s first, you MUST download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone as soon as you decide you’re going to WDW. It’s essential to your entire experience. From scheduling FastPasses (more on that below) to providing details on rides and attractions, the My Disney Experience app will be your lifeline to all that WDW offers. It will keep all your plans organized and is super user-friendly and easy to navigate. With a few taps, unlocking the fun will be right at your fingertips!

Stay on WDW property
Nothing adds value and magic to your WDW vacation like staying at one of their gorgeous resort hotels. Whether you prefer a New England-style stay (Beach Club Resort) or a blast to America’s pop culture past (Pop Century), WDW has numerous properties to suit your family’s tastes. All the resorts offer awesome amenities for kids and adults alike. Plus, your family will get a kick out of the subtle ways Mickey and his friends are incorporated into your preferred hotel’s design. Not only will staying at one of the WDW resort hotels satisfy your Disney-décor desires, but it also has major benefits.

My son, MJ, enjoying the room at the WDW Pop Century Resort.

Guests staying at a WDW resort hotel will have access to free transportation to all the parks, including  Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Disney Springs. Just steps outside the hotel lobby, you’ll find a bus depot with a fleet of Disney buses waiting to transport you to your park destination. Taking Disney transportation is convenient because it saves time and money—a perk that’s hard to pass up.

Plus, staying at a WDW resort hotel allows guests to take full advantage of extra magic hours offered at various parks. Each day, guests staying at select WDW resort hotels can enjoy select attractions in at least one of the four theme parks, before or after regular operating hours.

Master the park maps (via the app or paper map)
Once you download the My Disney Experience app, you’ll have access to all the park maps. Mapping out your day is crucial to maximizing your visit. Trust me, you don’t want to wing it and wander—the parks are expansive. If you don’t have the app (see above and download!) or if your smartphone battery dies, go analog and grab a map at one of the nearby shops or stands.

Sure, you can map things out in advance prior to your trip, but trust me, you’ll need to look at it several times once you arrive.  Plus, with the app, you can time how long it will take you to get from Point A to Point B. The walking distance feature is awesome and will help you gauge which rides (more on that later) are along your path. Since more than likely you’re traveling with little ones, pinpointing the nearest restrooms in advance will save you time and sanity.

My husband with our daughter, Ava, riding the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom.

Pick your preferred rides in advance
Walt Disney World has dozens of rides. You’ll need to choose the ones that are the most suitable for each member of your party. For example, my 4-year-old son didn’t want to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster, but my 8-year-old daughter rode it four times! Selecting the rides that are age appropriate and have height requirements in advance should be a priority when mapping out the attractions you want to hit. My family failed to do this during our first day, but quickly learned that we missed so many rides and attractions that we would’ve enjoyed had we researched and planned in advanced.

My son MJ using his MagicBand to gain entry to the park.

Get in the fast lane with FastPasses
FastPasses will be your gateway to avoiding long lines for popular rides. FastPasses (included with park admission) allow guests to reserve access to select up to three WDW theme park attractions, entertainment and Character Greetings in advance. Be sure to select FastPasses as soon as you’re able to depending on your check-in date. Remember, if you’re staying at a Walt Disney Resort hotel, you’ll be able to reserve your FastPasses 60 days in advance of your arrival, which is a 30-day priority over those who aren’t staying on WDW property. Choosing your FastPasses will give you back precious time to fully explore the parks. Time is of the essence when you’re a thrill-seeker determined to ride as many attractions as possible.

My kids MJ and Ava posing with Winnie the Pooh at the Crystal Palace restaurant at Magic Kingdom.

Make dining reservations
WDW is smorgasbord of all your culinary dreams. Booking a reservation at one (or maybe a few) of their restaurants is key to taking advantage of your time at the House of Mouse. Reservations can book up fast, so be sure to arrange as soon as possible.

From dining with Winnie the Pooh at the Crystal Palace located in Magic Kingdom to a Hibachi grill experience at Epcot, reserving your family’s table at one of these dining spots will save time and keep you on schedule. Avoid “hangriness” and last-minute scrambling by simply booking your dining experience via the app suggested above.

Take all these tips into consideration and you’re bound to have a magical time without meltdowns and missed opportunities.

*Disclosure: I attended Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, which included accommodations, park tickets, gifts, etc. for a nominal fee.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

What’s your favorite Walt Disney World park?