best way to plan disney trip

Ultimate Walt Disney World Planning Guide (2024)

Planning a Disney World vacation can feel like a daunting task, especially for first-time guests. The entire Walt Disney World resort area covers around 43 square miles, which is almost twice the size of Manhattan!  Learning how to plan a Disney Vacation can help ensure you have a great time on your trip.

There are so many engaging activities, exciting attractions, magical details, and wonderful restaurants and resorts.  It’s nearly impossible to experience everything at Disney World over the course of several trips, let alone in a single visit to the park. That’s why it’s important to start your planning early and decide what you should prioritize on your trip.

This guide will take you through how to plan a Disney World vacation step-by-step. Disney vacations have become harder to plan each and every year, with Disney Genie+,  Advanced Dining Reservations, My Disney Experience, transportation, etc.  There’s so much to know, and this Disney vacation planning guide will be your go-to resource.

Do You Need To Plan a Disney World Vacation in Advance?

It’s no longer feasible to go to Disney World without doing at least some planning ahead of time.  Even entering a theme park requires an advance reservation in many cases.

In our view, these are the four bare-minimum planning actions needed to have even a functioning  Disney vacation.

• Decide when you will visit.   Crowd levels can impact your experience and time of year will affect your overall cost.
• Decide which park you will attend on each day.   Theme park reservations are mandatory for some ticket types — no reservation, no entry.
• Decide which hotel you’ll stay in.   While you can technically find a room without a reservation during some parts of the year, it’s not worth the risk.
• Decide if you want to dine at any table-service restaurants.   Dining reservations are strongly suggested; during the busiest days, many restaurants may completely refuse walk-ups.

These are the minimum plans needed to have a tolerable Disney World vacation.  To make your vacation good — or, dare we say, magical — you’ll probably want to do a good bit more Disney planning.  Below, we walk you through the eleven things you need to do to plan the best possible Disney World vacation .

Our planning guide is a great way to get started with researching your upcoming Disney World vacation.  As you’ll see, planning a Disney trip is no small task.  Imagine if you could have someone else do most of the work for you, for free!

That’s why we strongly recommend you contact the Disney travel agents at The Vacationeer .  There are plenty of good reasons why you should use a Disney travel agent , including taking advantage of their years of Disney experience and letting them handle making all of your reservations.

But one of the best reasons is that their planning services don’t cost you anything!

The Eleven Steps to Disney World Planning

There are plenty of ways to plan your Disney vacation, and everybody has their own way of doing it.  Below we’ve outlined what we believe to be eleven critical steps, in roughly the order that you should do them.  We’ve tried not to overwhelm you with too much information at once, but there’s no doubt that planning a Disney trip can be very complicated.  Take your time, read through it all, and follow the links throughout to find out more about some of the items we discuss here.

1. Learn the basics by doing some research

As you start to plan for a Disney World vacation, you should begin researching well in advance of booking the trip.  The information you gather during this important first step will help you through the rest of the process; starting early gives you plenty of time to learn before key dates in the trip planning process.  It will also be key to creating a detailed itinerary for each day so that your vacation will include every event, attraction, and restaurant you wish to experience.

Without a daily itinerary and at least some knowledge of the parks, Disney World can be a confusing and overwhelming place. Informed and organized vacationers are less stressed, save more money, and have more fun!

Being in-the-know will also help you secure your spot at popular resorts, attractions, and dining establishments.

Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to research travel destinations online , and Disney World is no exception. There are lots of Disney World resources online these days (such as our entire website!), so getting up to speed with the ins and outs of the parks is well within your reach.  To get you started, we’ll go over some basic information about Disney World.

Disney World at a Glance

Walt Disney World has four major theme parks:

Magic Kingdom

It’s the flagship theme park of Disney World and a rite of passage for kids of all ages.  Leave the real world at the gate — age melts away as you walk down Main Street, USA to reach Cinderella Castle.  Then, head in any direction to experience Liberty Square, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, and Tomorrowland.  Your kingdom awaits with adventures on flying elephants, doombuggies, space rockets, and steam trains.

Rides   |   Dining   |   Secrets

Originally envisioned as a functioning city of the future, EPCOT offers four neighborhoods: World Showcase , a tribute to the global diversity that enriches us as a species; World Nature , showcasing our interaction with the planetary forces that drive us; World Discovery , celebrating humankind’s ingenuity and innovation; and World Celebration , dedicated to the joy and camaraderie that are essential parts of the human experience.

Rides   |   Dining   |  Secrets

Hollywood Studios

Hooray for “the Hollywood that never was and always will be!”  Here, the golden age of motion pictures gets equal billing with modern blockbusters in a park dedicated to an entire universe of entertainment.  Drop into the Hollywood Tower Hotel, find yourself off-world on Batuu, or slink your way into a Pixar adventure.  You’re the star of this silver screen epic — are you ready for your closeup?

Animal Kingdom

Experience the glory and wonder of nature as you immerse yourself into a world that more than 1,000 animals call home.  Set off on safari, where giraffes are free to walk right alongside your open-air vehicle (from which you can also glimpse elephants, lions, and hippopotami).  Then, escape reality by staging a daring mountaintop run from the mythical Yeti, or traveling back in time to rescue a doomed dinosaur.

Other Resort Complex Amenities

In addition to four theme parks, you’ll find a full resort complex covering upwards of 27,000 acres:

• More than 20 large resort hotels are owned and operated by Walt Disney World, with additional third-party hotels nearby
• There are nearly 400 places to eat and drink at Disney World, from ice cream carts to high-end luxury dining, and everything in between
• Disney Springs is the largest shopping, dining, and entertainment district at Disney World ( no tickets required ); Disney’s BoardWalk offers an additional entertainment and dining district
• Disney World has 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• WDW has 5 golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses , an entire sports complex , and several lakes (offering boating, kayaking, parasailing, fishing, and other water sports)

There’s much, much more to learn about Disney World, but the above information should give you the basics that you’ll need to know as you start to plan.  At the end of each of our 11 steps in this guide, you’ll find links to special planning tools and additional articles/websites that further discuss items mentioned in each section of our planning guide.  The tools and links for this step are immediately below:

Planning Tools for This Step:

✔️  Use our  Disney World Map to get the lay of the land

✔️  Use our Disney World Transportation Map to chart your route

✔️  Subscribe to Disney-focused  YouTube channels

✔️  Review some fascinating Disney World Statistics

✔️  Learn the History of Disney World

✔️  Enjoy some interesting WDW Trivia

2. Download the My Disney Experience App

My Disney Experience is Disney’s mobile app & website that serves as a centralized hub for everything related to your Disney vacation.  In the app, you can:

• Create a profile
• Add friends and family members so you can plan together
• View your tickets and reservations
• Access the Disney Genie itinerary planning service
• Purchase priority access to certain attractions through the Genie+ and Lightning Lane service
• Enter a virtual queue for highly-demanded attractions, when available
• Access entitlements under the Disability Access Service, if applicable
• Place mobile orders for some meals, helping you avoid lines at some quick-service restaurants
• Use the MagicMobile service, which lets you use your mobile device as a contactless payment/entry device around Disney World.

Note:  If you’d rather not use the MagicMobile service to access your tickets and services, you can either purchase a MagicBand (a colorful RFID-enabled wristband), or request a plastic RFID card at no charge. 

The app is available for both iOS and Android devices — you might see it listed in the app store as “My Disney Experience” or even just as “Disney World.”  There’s no charge to download and use the app; you might see a notice about in-app purchases, but that refers to the ability to do things such as buying park tickets or placing mobile dining orders.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll want to sign in — you can use an existing Disney account or create a new one.  You’ll also need to grant it permission to use location services because some features such as virtual queuing are geofenced (only available when you are in a certain location based on your phone’s GPS).

Downloading the app early in the planning process is important for a few reasons.  First, it’s a great research tool.  Second, getting to know it now will make it all the easier to use during your trip.  And most importantly, as you begin to purchase tickets or make reservations you’ll want to link them to your Disney account.  For example, linking your hotel reservation in the app allows you to access an extended restaurant reservation booking window — as well as to access early booking for Lightning Lane attraction entrances.

Many (but not all) of the same services are also available through a dedicated section of the Disney World website.

Ready to talk to someone about planning next steps?

✔️  Download the My Disney Experience app

✔️  Access My Disney Experience via the Disney World website

✔️  Learn more about My Disney Experience

✔️  Learn more about using the MagicMobile service

3. Start Considering How Much to Budget for Your Disney World Trip

On average, a typical Walt Disney World vacation for a family of 4 in 2024 will cost about $6,559. This includes a 7-night hotel stay at a Disney Value Resort, 6 days of standard theme park tickets, Genie+ or Lightning Lane service, and quick-service meals for 4 people over the course of the trip.

Just like any vacation, you might want to plan for additional expenses such as transportation costs, upgrades, a longer stay, and souvenirs; or you might opt to save some money by staying off-site, shortening your trip, spending a day or two away from the parks, or visiting during the off-season.

Not surprisingly, some families end up putting themselves into debt to make a Disney World trip happen.

Of course, you won’t know exactly how much to budget until you make some choices about hotels, dining, tickets, etc. — but now’s a good time to at least begin thinking about how much you’re comfortable spending on your trip so you’re not left with sky-high credit card bills long after.

The resources below are a great way to start that process.  If you don’t want to devote a ton of time to it at this point, we suggest you start with just the first two resources… our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article and our Disney World Cost Calculator .

✔️  Explore how much it costs to go to Disney World

✔️  Estimate prices with our Disney World Cost Calculator

✔️  Learn about Disney Payment Plan options

✔️  Find the Cheapest Time to go to Disney

✔️  Check out Disney World discounts & deals

✔️  Save on your trip by buying discounted Disney gift cards

✔️  Learn how to do Disney on a Dime

✔️  Explore some free things to do at Disney World

✔️  Read Is Disney World Worth It?

✔️  Leverage your credit card points on your Disney vacation

Consider Working with a Disney World Trip Planner (For Free!)

This is a great time in your Disney vacation planning timeline to connect with a Disney Travel Agent if you’re planning on using one.  Your agent can provide a more accurate estimate of what you can expect to spend by walking you through all of the big choices you’ll be making in the remaining steps of the process.

Not sure which Disney World Travel Agency to use?  We strongly recommend The Vacationeer .  It’s not hard to see why we’ve ranked them as the best Disney travel agency .  First and foremost, they don’t charge anything to use their planning services and there’s never any obligation to book.  And, as an EarMarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner , they’ve arranged Disney trips for thousands of families.  They boast a team of 90+ travel agents, but you’ll have one dedicated agent to serve as your personal Disney trip planner from start to finish.

Contact them to see which money-saving promotions might be available for your trip.  They can book your reservations, set up a payment plan for your trip, and even automatically apply newly-announced discounts to your trip after you book!

4. Decide When to Go to Disney World

Holidays at Disney can be crowded but festive

Deciding which time of year to go to Disney World is a very important part of the planning process, and not just for the obvious reasons of school/work schedules.  Crowd sizes, special promotions, festivals, and weather should also factor in your decision; these can not only affect your overall experience at Disney, but also your overall cost as well.

Crowd sizes are a major consideration when planning a trip to Walt Disney World.  Because park attendance fluctuates throughout the year, there are certainly better (less crowded) times of the year go.

For those of you who are not as tied down with schedule obligations (such as parents who homeschool or people who can work from anywhere), you are in a much better position to be flexible with your travel dates. For the rest of us, work schedules, school schedules, and other factors often influence the timing of our vacations, so we just have to plan a trip around a timeframe that works.

With millions of annual visitors, each Walt Disney World theme park can become crowded. The week you choose to visit the park can have a major impact on wait times for attractions and crowd density on the sidewalks and in the restaurants. Each park also has day-to-day crowd dynamics to consider.

The best way to gauge crowd sizes any particular day – at any one of Walt Disney World’s 4 theme parks – is to consult our  Disney World Crowd Calendar .  By using data compiled from recent years, our crowd calendar determines which theme parks will have the shortest lines and which parks will have the longest lines.

While not everyone has the flexibility to plan their trip around the least-crowded dates, crowd calendars can still be a valuable tool to help you to maximize your Disney experience during your visit.

It’s also worth noting that crowd levels tend to be a good indicator of how expensive your hotel and tickets will be.  Hotels and tickets are both subject to seasonal prices; the less popular times of year are the least expensive, while high-demand times like holidays and summer vacation cost more.

When is Walt Disney World Least Crowded?

Walt Disney World parks are typically less crowded from January 2nd until just prior to Presidents’ Day week (third Monday in February ), the week after Labor Day until just prior to Thanksgiving week, and the week after Thanksgiving weekend until the week prior to Christmas. As a general guide, when schools are in session, WDW is usually less crowded.

When is Walt Disney World Most Crowded?

Walt Disney World parks generally experience their highest attendance around school breaks. These include around Presidents’ Day week (third week in February), the Spring Break timeframe from mid- March through late April , Memorial Day weekend , Summer (mid- June through Labor Day), Thanksgiving week, and Christmas week through January 1st.

Special Promotions

During their slower seasons, Disney World will sometimes offer special promotions to lure guests to the park.

Some previous examples have included a Free Dining promotion which offered meals as part of a package that included non-discounted resort hotels and park tickets.  Other promotions have also been offered from time to time, allowing for discounted hotel rates, special ticket packages, or other benefits.

While promotions have been a bit scarce lately, things do tend to change quickly.  It’s a safe bet, though, that any promotions that come along will be limited to specific hotels or specific travel dates, and will likely be in the off-season.  If your plans are flexible, you’re more likely to be able to take advantage of these.

Walt Disney World is a great destination any day of the year. However, there is something about the seasonal festivals which make the park extra magical.

Besides the spectacular Festival of the Arts (typically in January) and the Flower & Garden Festival during the spring and early summer, most of our favorite seasonal events take place during the Fall and Winter months.

Epcot hosts The  Food & Wine Festival in the fall, and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a real treat for Magic Kingdom guests around – you guessed it – Halloween.

During November and December , the wildly popular Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place at Magic Kingdom, as do a host of other holiday events, such as A Frozen Holiday Wish Show (Magic Kingdom), Christmas Day Parade on ABC (Magic Kingdom), Joyful! (Epcot), Holidays Around the World (Epcot), and much more .

If we had an absolute favorite week to be at Walt Disney World, we may have to choose some time in early December. The park is festive, the weather is comfortable, and the crowds are lighter than normal.

Any How to Plan a Disney Vacation guide must discuss the nuances of Disney’s weather.

First of all, Orlando, Florida is known for its warm and sunny weather. Ice and snow are virtually non-existent here and the temperatures rarely dip below the freezing level.

That said, there are some seasonal differences that you may want to take into consideration when booking your Disney World vacation. January is typically the coolest month, July is the warmest and wettest (though August is a close second for heat), and June has the most sunshine hours.

Daytime thunderstorms are a given during the summer; they often pop up with little warning and disappear just as quickly, usually leaving a rather unpleasant sauna effect in their aftermath.  On the bright side, a storm lasting 30-45 minutes is usually enough to send people scurrying for the exits, leading to lighter crowds afterwards.

Hurricane season technically lasts from June-November, though September has historically been the most active.  Even then, it’s rare for the Orlando area to take a direct hit from a hurricane.  That said, the parks have had to close a few times for hurricanes, though typically only for a day or so at a time.  Thanks to Disney’s generous hurricane cancellation policies , it’s still generally safe plan a trip to Disney World during hurricane season (though travel insurance is still also a good idea).

Our favorite seasons at Walt Disney World are probably the pleasant spring and fall seasons, with October being particularly nice. Our least favorite season is during the summer months — not only are the crowds heavy, but the weather can be quite hot and humid. If you do plan a summer vacation at Disney World, remember to come prepared with the proper amenities to keep you cool and hydrated.

Overwhelmed and ready for some expert help?

✔️  Use our Disney Crowd Calendar to pick the best time to visit

✔️  Research typical Disney World Weather

✔️  Learn about the best time to go to Disney World

✔️  Review our tips to avoid lines at Disney World

✔️  Beat the rain with the best attractions for rainy days

✔️  Learn about Hurricane Season at Disney World

5. Decide on Your Length of Stay (How Many Days)

Because there is just so much to see and do at  Walt Disney World , there is really no right answer for how long your Walt Disney World vacation should last. However, there are several wrong answers. One wrong answer would be staying for only 1 or 2 days!

We recommend that any trip should last at least four days, with an ideal range of a full week or so. Some people buy an Annual Pass and spend 30+ days at the park, so the sky is the limit! It just depends on your budget, time limitations, who you are traveling with, and what the goals of your trip are. But with so much to see and experience, a day or two won’t even scratch the surface of what Walt Disney World has to offer.

How Long Do Most People Stay at Disney World?

Most Disney World vacations last 3 – 7 days. Many guests devote one full day to each of the four Disney World theme parks. Given their size and number of attractions, it’s certainly possible to spend two days each at Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Additional days can be spent re-visiting one of the parks, going to a Disney water park, or doing other various activities, inside or outside of the park.

If your objective is to experience most attractions, shows, parades, etc., you really need to provide yourself with adequate time/days to explore all facets of each park.  If saving money is an important consideration, a shorter trip can help accomplish that.

Many guests like to spend a day or two at other (non-Disney) Orlando-area attractions – such as  Universal Studios , SeaWorld, Legoland Florida, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Other guests set aside a day or two for golfing, boating, or just to simply relax at the pool.

If your trip to Disney World is a “rite of passage” event for the kids – and your goal is to just experience the popular rides and get a feel for the park – 3-4 days is doable. However, just be aware that you may feel as though you are rushing to get as much in with your time constraints.  You probably won’t be able to experience everything that you set out to achieve.

Besides simply having enough time at Disney World, another reason for booking a longer WDW vacation is the financial incentive. The more days you spend at the park, the less the cost of your daily ticket. That’s not to say you will spend less money on an 8-day pass vs a 3-day pass — you certainly won’t. But, the cost per day  goes down substantially the more days you spend at Disney World.

Thoroughly review all current promotions and ticket pricing scenarios before deciding on the duration of your Disney World vacation.

✔️  Compare prices for different trip lengths with our Cost Calculator

✔️  We explore how long to stay at Disney

✔️  See how many days you need for each park

✔️  See our favorite day trips from Disney World

✔️  Extend your trip by visiting one of the beaches near Disney World

6. Decide How to Travel to Disney World

Planning a Disney World trip must, of course, include consideration of how you will actually get there.

The two most common modes of transportation to Walt Disney World are by car and by air.

Buses and trains also come in and out of Orlando, but these options tend to be more problematic with luggage considerations. Consult your bus service or Amtrak for their guidelines on luggage if you decide to go this route.

Driving to Disney World

For guests within a reasonable driving distance (or those who just love a good road trip), there’s some convenience in having your own car at Disney.  Of course, you’ll need to consider all of the costs associated with driving to Disney… fuel prices, auto maintenance / wear & tear, tolls, and parking fees.

An oft-forgotten expense is that those staying in an off-site hotel must pay a daily parking fee at the theme parks (Disney hotel guests don’t pay this fee).

Those who live far away will likely find the cost of driving to Disney World to be prohibitively expensive.  But for those who live in the southeastern US — or who are faced with the prospect of buying airline tickets for a large family — driving might be the right choice.

Flying to Disney World

Since most people fly to Disney World, let’s review some of your best options for booking a flight.

Most people use airline travel search engines – such as Priceline, Kayak, Expedia, or Travelocity – to book their air travel. We also recommend checking Google Flights or ITA Matrix  — both are robust search engines for finding airline deals. If you have flexibility with your booking dates, sign up for Airfarewatchdog alerts. You can get real-time or daily alerts for special offers and flight deals between your departure city and Orlando.

Which airports are closest to Disney World?

Orlando is served by three major airports, all of which have confusingly similar names.

• Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the airport of choice for trips to Disney World.  It’s the nearest airport (about 20 miles away)  and offers by far the most ground transportation options to Disney World.
• Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is located about 45 miles away from Disney World.  Though it’s further away and offers fewer ground transit services, it may be your only choice for a nonstop flight if you’re flying with a smaller/discount carrier or if your home airport is a smaller regional facility.
• Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB) is located about 65 miles away from Disney World.  It’s the farthest “Orlando” airport from Orlando (they actually got sued for using the word Orlando” in their name) , and is likely better suited for a Disney Cruise from Port Canaveral than it is for a stay at Walt Disney World.

If you’ll have a rental car and don’t mind a bit of a drive, you can also investigate flights into Tampa International (TPA, about 75 miles away) or Daytona Beach International (DAB, about 70 miles away)… but the flight discounts would have to be amazing to make up for the difference in time and cost.

Tips To Save on Flights to Disney World

Here are a few more cost-savings tips for booking your flight to Walt Disney World:

• For the best deals, book six weeks in advance.
• Scan for deals in the morning, as most airlines offer their best deals at this time. Act fast because good deals get scooped up quickly.
• The most inexpensive flights are often the earliest departures in the morning.
• Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to fly.
• Credit cards with frequent flyer mile points can save you money on future flights.
• Not all airlines offer their cheapest flights through travel search engines. Check low-cost airlines individually to see if booking directly through their website is less expensive.

Traveling Within Disney World

Regardless of how you get there, once you’ve made it to Disney World, transportation is a breeze.  Disney offers a completely free network of monorails, boats, buses, Skyliners (suspended aerial gondolas), trams, and walking paths to move people from place to place.  You’ll really only need a rental car if your plans take you off-site to a non-Disney destination (and even then, an Uber might be better).

Check out our Disney transportation map in the planning tools below to map out your journey through Disney World.

✔️  Search for airfare on Google Flights

✔️  For advanced flight search options, try ITA Matrix

✔️  Explore our Transportation Map to find out how to get around Disney World

✔️  Review options to get from the Orlando Airport to Disney

✔️  Estimate the cost of taking an Uber

✔️  Learn about parking at Disney World

✔️  Explore the Disney Monorail

7. Choose Your Disney World Resort Hotel

Disney owns and operates more than 20 on-site hotels, which it calls “Resorts.”  This name can be a bit confusing, because you’ll also hear the entire Walt Disney World area referred to as a “resort.”  As an alternative to the on-site hotels, you can choose to stay at a hotel not owned by Disney; that could save you some money, but you’ll miss out on a number of perks offered exclusively to on-site Guests.

Official Disney On-Site Resorts

There is something special about staying at an official Disney World resort.

For one, each resort has its own distinctive character, charm, and identity. You can leave the real world behind and surround yourself with Disney magic, 24/7.

Since all of these resorts are on Disney World property, you will be in close proximity to all the parks and have direct access to monorails, boats, skykliners, and buses.  A few resorts are close enough that you can easily walk to Magic Kingdom or EPCOT.

On-site guests also receive special perks that off-site guests do not. These include Early Theme Park Entry and the ability to book Dining Reservations and Lightning Lane entries ahead of non-Disney resort guests. For 2025, Resort Guests also receive free water park admission on their check-in day.  Make sure you link your Disney World hotel reservation to your My Disney Experience account to take advantage of these perks!

Disney’s on-site Resorts are categorized within the following tiers:

Disney Value Resorts

The rooms at  Disney Value Resorts are smaller and are situated among larger campuses, so you might find there’s a bit of a walk between your room and the bus stops, dining, and front desk.  Transportation to the Disney World theme parks is mostly via bus or Skyliner.  Dining is typically quick-service that’s more akin to a food court, but still usually features a surprising variety that goes well beyond burgers and pizza.  Value resorts are a fantastic option for families who want to keep an eye on their budget but still have all the benefits of staying on Disney World property.

Disney Moderate Resorts

The  Disney Moderate Resorts offer a nice middle ground between the Value and Deluxe resorts.  You’ll have a somewhat upgraded room, good transportation, and usually a few different dining options that may offer a broader menu.  A Moderate Resort is a great way to upgrade your stay at a Disney World resort hotel without a major impact on your budget.

Disney Deluxe Resorts

Deluxe Resorts tend to be closest hotels to the Disney World theme parks, usually just a monorail, boat ride, or short walk away.  Not only is it easier to get to the parks in the morning and back from the parks at night; it’s also easy to avoid the hottest and most crowded parts of the day by returning to your hotel and letting the kids cool down in the pool or take a midday nap.  Then, while everyone else who stayed in the park all day is hot, tired, and cranky, you’ll be refreshed and ready for the nighttime fireworks.  Disney World’s Deluxe resorts also often feature larger rooms, the best pools and restaurants, and a generally upgraded experience.

Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts

Deluxe Villa Resorts offer vacation home style amenities such as kitchens and separate bedrooms, which can be a great option for larger groups.  These range from studios (basically a hotel room that also includes a kitchenette and pull-down bed) to 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units featuring full kitchens and living rooms.  There are even some unique offerings, such as treehouse villas and over-the-water bungalows.  Even beyond these deluxe villa resorts, many other Disney World hotels offer family suites .

The only major disadvantage of staying at an on-site Disney resort is the cost. With the extra perks and close proximity to the park, these resorts are more expensive than off-site resorts, so your decision will really just depend on your budget and the priorities of your vacation.

Traveling with a fuzzy friend?  You might be surprised to learn that pets are welcome at a select few resorts, and there’s even a facility made exclusively for them.  Check out Pets at Disney World for more information.

Our favorite Disney World YouTube Channel has a great overview of Disney’s official on-site Resorts.

Off-Site Hotels (non-Disney)

Most off-site properties are further away from the park and do not have direct access to the monorail (though some might offer a limited shuttle service). Despite this, many off-site resorts are still quite close to the parks – some, in fact, are situated directly on Disney-owned land.  For example, you’ll find third-party hotels not far from EPCOT, as well as an extensive “Hotel Boulevard” just an intersection or so away from Disney Springs.

While you won’t enjoy the same perks as on-site guests, these off-site properties are generally very nice.  And some  non-Disney hotels do have agreements with Disney to allow their Guests to experience some special perks.

Many have all the amenities of the more expensive Disney Resorts (some even have more), and the rooms are often larger. If your party has 5 or more guests, off-site resorts offer more value, as most of the on-site 5-person+ options are quite pricey.

The bottom line is, if you are sticking to a tight budget and don’t mind being a little further away from the action, a non-Disney resort may be your best bet. You can have a fantastic vacation staying at either on- or off-property resorts.

We recommended that you explore both options and weigh the pros and cons as they apply to your situation. You can certainly split your nights between on-property and off-property. But if you are only at Disney World for a few nights, we recommend just paying a little more to be on the property.

Find the perfect hotel for your budget

✔️  Explore our Disney Resort Comparison page

✔️  See the best Disney Value Resorts

✔️  View the best Disney Moderate Resorts

✔️  Review the best Disney Deluxe Resorts

✔️  Find the best Family Suites at Disney

✔️  See the best Disney Resorts for kids

✔️  Explore the best Disney Resorts for adults

✔️  Learn where to book Disney World hotels

✔️  Find off-site hotels with shuttle service

✔️  Find our picks for the best on-site hotels overall

✔️  See which resorts have the best hotel pools

✔️  Splurge on Club Level at Disney World or a Five-Star Hotel at Disney

✔️  What’s the cheapest on-site hotel?

8. Buy Theme Park Tickets and Make Park Reservations (if needed)

Image © Disney

While it’s certainly possible to go to Disney World without ever setting foot inside a theme park, very few people actually do that.

And given that it’s possible that you may end up spending more on park tickets than on your hotel room, the decision about which tickets to buy is an important one.

We recommend you review all your options well in advance so you have time to think about which package makes sense for your budget and duration of stay.

And remember, you might need to make a theme park reservation (Disney Park Pass), depending on your ticket type.

Disney Theme Park Tickets

Let’s first look at the theme park tickets.

When and Where to Buy your Disney World Theme Park Tickets

As a general rule, you should always purchase tickets either directly from Disney, your travel agent, or an through an authorized seller/reseller — and you should do so well in advance of your departure. This will shield you from any price hikes that might occur and gives you the best chance of securing a reservation to your desired park on your desired day  (if your ticket type requires reservations).

Given that tickets can sell out and that some even require a theme park reservation, it’s not wise to just wait to buy your tickets when you get to the front of the park .

Most importantly, NEVER buy your tickets via eBay, Craigslist, or another unauthorized reseller.   There’s a very good chance that those tickets will be expired, completely used (no days left), or simply counterfeit.  Don’t risk it!

Ticket Pricing

Disney World theme park ticket pricing varies throughout the year.  They’re generally the most expensive during popular times (such school breaks, holidays, and weekends) and the least expensive during slower times. Prices also vary by park; Animal Kingdom is usually the least expensive and Magic Kingdom is usually the most expensive, with Hollywood Studios and EPCOT falling somewhere in between.

You can purchase single-day tickets or multi-day tickets (up to 10 days).  Ticket prices are structured in a unique way that rewards Guests for committing more time to the parks; the per-day price of a multi-day ticket gets cheaper the more days you add.

We have a full rundown of the ticket pricing structure in our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article.

2024 One-Day One-Park Ticket Starting Price (actual price varies by park)

Types of Theme Park Tickets

The basic Disney World theme park ticket allows entry to only one theme park per day.  But there are optional upgrades which allow you to visit multiple parks on the same day or add other special experiences.

Park Hopper option

The Park Hopper ticket option allows Guests to visit multiple Disney World theme parks on the same day.  After starting the day at one park, Guests may then go to a different theme park later in the day.

We especially love the Park Hopper for spending the first part of the day at one theme park, then spending the evenings at Epcot to take advantage of the wonderful dining options at World Showcase.  It’s an especially great option for those who have a limited amount of time at Disney World, and for those who have short attention spans!

Water Park and Sports option

The Water Park and Sports option allows Guests to visit one theme park per day, while also providing visits to other Disney properties.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit water parks, mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.

The number of these visits provided is equal to the number of days of theme park admission purchased.  As an example, a 4-day park ticket allows four visits to these facilities.

Park Hopper Plus option

The Park Hopper Plus option combines the Park Hopper option and the Water Park and Sports option into a single upgrade.  Guests who purchase this upgrade will be able to visit multiple theme parks in the same day, and also enjoy a number of visits to water parks, select mini golf and nine-hole golf courses, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, when available.

Disney Park Pass (Theme Park Reservations)

A theme park ticket isn’t necessarily the only thing you need to get into a Disney theme park.  Guests who buy theme park tickets may also need a theme park reservation through a system called Disney Park Pass .

Because of this, planning ahead can be crucial to ensuring you can get into your desired theme park on the day you want to visit.  If you’re traveling during a more popular time of year such as spring break, summer, or Christmas, it is quite possible that tickets or reservations may not be available if you wait until the last minute.

Example of a theme park reservation availability calendar

Park Pass theme park reservations can be made as soon as you’ve purchased your theme park admission tickets.  We recommend you buy your tickets as far in advance as possible to have the best chance of getting the theme park reservations you want.

Park reservations may be needed for Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — but it depends on the type of ticket you purchased.   They’re not needed for Disney Springs or the water parks.

As of December 2022, all One-Day One-Park tickets automatically include a park reservation — no need to make one separately. And as of January 9, 2024, all date-based tickets will be reservation-free. Other ticket types may still require one, so be sure to check out all the details when you purchase.

If your park hopper ticket requires reservations, you’ll only need a reservation for the park you’ll be  starting  your day at.  You do  not  need a reservation for the  second  park you’re visiting (“park hopping” to) on the same day, but the park still needs to have capacity to admit new Guests.

✔️  View Disney’s official theme park ticket price calendar

✔️  Check Disney’s theme park reservation availability calendar

✔️  Explore ticket prices in our How Much Does it Cost to Go to Disney World article

✔️  Read our complete guide to  Disney Park Pass theme park reservations

Need help navigating all of the ticket options?  Contact the Disney Experts at The Vacationeer .  They can help you decide which tickets are right for you and give you tips on snagging theme park reservations.  And best of all, their planning services are completely free!

9. Select Your Disney World Dining Options

There are literally hundreds of places to eat and drink around the Walt Disney World Resort, from the humblest popcorn cart to the fanciest high-end fine dining restaurant.  If this is your first trip, you may be surprised by all the world-class dining experiences the parks and resorts offer.

Gone are the days when Disney was known simply as a “burgers and kid’s meals” type of destination.  Sure, there are plenty of quick-service restaurants and snack stands around the park, but there is also an eclectic mix of fabulous table-service restaurants to satisfy the toughest of culinary critics.

Some restaurants are themed around Disney attractions, while others are geared towards families or offer formal dining experiences.

All-you-can-eat buffets are popular, as are regional cuisine restaurants. Epcot’s World Showcase offers culinary experiences aligning with the specific country represented, while Disney Springs has an abundance of fabulous dining experiences to choose from.

There’s even a popular dinner show called the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue that features two hours of comedy and music (accompanied by endless fried chicken, BBQ ribs, and strawberry shortcake).

There is really something for everyone’s taste buds at Walt Disney World!

Types of Restaurants

There are two primary types of restaurants at Disney World.

Quick-Service Restaurants

A quick-service restaurant, sometimes also called counter-service, is a place to grab a casual, quick bite.  The ordering, payment, and service experience is somewhat similar to what you might expect at either a fast food restaurant or a “fast casual” place such as a Panera Bread or Chipotle.  You’ll stand in line, order, and pay (or use the mobile ordering service described later in this planning step); then, you’ll either receive your food right away on a tray or be given a pager-type device to alert you when it’s time to come and pick up your meal.  You won’t have a server at your table, and when your meal is over you’re expected to bus your own table and discard your trash.  Despite the ordering experience being akin to a fast food place, your food isn’t necessarily just burgers and fries.  Many locations have innovative menus and substantial meal offerings that rival those of a traditional restaurant.

Table-Service Restaurants

A table-service restaurant, sometimes also referred to as a “sit-down” location, is a more refined dining experience.  You’ll check in with a host/hostess, be taken to a table, and be introduced to a server who will take your order and tend to your needs during your meal.  These restaurants vary from relatively casual a la carte locations, to all-you-care-to-eat buffets, to elegant signature dining locations.  Menus vary from homestyle cooking to authentic international cuisine.  Advance reservations (described below) are strongly suggested, as some restaurants may completely refuse walk-ups during busy times.

Advance Dining Reservations

If you plan on dining at table-service restaurants during your vacation (recommended!), reservations are essential.

Disney calls its restaurant reservations “Advance Dining Reservations.”  Sometimes you’ll hear people call these “ADRs.”  An ADR lets you secure your table at some of Disney’s most popular table-service restaurants (restaurants in which you have a server at your table who takes your order and brings your food to you).

Slots during prime hours go quickly, especially at popular dining locations like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s.  Booking your reservations as soon as the reservation window opens is key to getting what you want.

Guests staying in a Disney Resort hotel  may make dining reservations for the entire length of their stay (up to 10 days’ worth of reservations) as early as 60 days in advance of their hotel check-in date.

All other Guests can make their advance reservations for dining as early as 60 days in advance of the meal.

Note: you might have previously heard that dining reservations could be made 180 days in advance.  While that was previously true, the booking window changed in 2020.

We recommend that you spend some time reviewing on Tripadvisor  and  Yelp  before making your Advance Dining Reservations (or speak w/ a Disney Travel Agent first).

Mobile Ordering

Reservations are not offered for quick-service dining at Disney World, though some locations do provide a mobile ordering service through the My Disney Experience app.  For these locations, you can view menus in the app, then order and pay ahead of time.  When it’s time to eat, you can bypass the regular ordering/payment line and go straight to the mobile pickup window to get your food.

Skip the Line with Mobile Ordering

Character Dining

One of Disney’s unique dining offerings is its character dining.  If getting some face time with Disney characters is a must-do for your trip, this is a great way to accomplish it without having to wait in line (and you get to enjoy a great meal, too!).

While you enjoy your meal, several Disney characters will come to your table for a brief visit.  It’s a great chance to snap a photo, ask for an autograph, or just enjoy a personal interaction.  Because the characters are coming to you, there’s no need to wait in any long lines.  And there’s just something special about having the main mouse himself pop up over your shoulder while you’re chowing down on a Mickey waffle!

Each character dining experience focuses on a specific set of characters… for example, the “Fab 5,” Disney princesses, Disney Junior Stars, or Winnie the Pooh and friends.

Disney Dining Plans

For some travelers, one of the best options for dining at Disney is to add a Disney Dining Plan to your on-site hotel stay.  These plans offer a set number of meal and snack credits per person at a fixed daily cost.  Historically, during certain low-demand seasons, Disney has even  occasionally offered the dining plan at no additional charge as part of a vacation package including a hotel stay and theme park tickets.

Disney Dining plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re returning for 2024 Disney World vacations .

Until the dining plan fully returns, you’ll be paying out of pocket for your food on-site, unless you opt to bring your own food into the parks (and yes, you can get groceries delivered to your hotel).

✔️  Calculate the date you can book dining reservations

✔️  Explore menus for every restaurant at Disney World

✔️  Use our Disney Dining Plan Calculator (Note: Dining Plans are currently suspended until January 2024)

✔️  Estimate your food costs by viewing examples in our  How Much Does it Cost article

✔️  See how different meal choices affect your budget in our Disney World Cost Calculator

✔️  See our picks for the best Magic Kingdom restaurants

✔️  Explore our ranked list of the best EPCOT restaurants

✔️  Review our choices for best Hollywood Studios restaurants

✔️  Go wild when dining at the Best Animal Kingdom Restaurants

✔️  Explore the best options for Character Dining

✔️  Experience culinary excellence at one of the Michelin Guide restaurants at Disney

✔️  On a plant-based diet? Check out the best Vegetarian dining

✔️  Just love food? Review our guide to Disney World for Foodies

✔️  Learn more about Disney Dining Plans

✔️  Read about Disney World Free Dining promotions

10. Create a Daily Itinerary for Your Disney World Vacation

Now that we have covered the basic elements of your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s time to start thinking about the nitty-gritty details of your trip. Improvising on-the-go can cost you money and lost time while you are at the park, so creating an itinerary will keep your vacation on track.

If your trip to WDW is 4 days or fewer, you will most likely spend each day exploring at least one of Disney’s 4 theme parks. Consider a Park Hopper pass so that you have the ability to jump between parks during the day.

Time is of the essence, so we recommend that you map your route and create an itinerary of high-priority attractions so nothing is overlooked.

If your Disney World vacation is a week or so, consider spending one day at a Disney water park (Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon), at a non-Disney property (such as SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens), golfing, boating, shopping, or just taking a day off to relax.

Reservations for theme parks and dining should be made well in advance of your trip, so the process of selecting which restaurants and attractions are top priorities should begin as soon as you book your trip (if not before).

As you research your options, make notes to help you formulate your Walt Disney World itinerary.

Here are a few things to consider when making your daily plans:

One of the primary factors for your daily itinerary should be how late the park is open each day you’re there.  Park opening and closing times can vary from day-to-day.  So you might want to base your daily park choices on which park has the longest hours — or at least make sure you don’t shoehorn yourself into only being able to visit a certain park on the one day during your trip that it closes early. Some parks take longer to fully experience than others, and you don’t want to run out of time.

A great perk of staying at an on-site Disney hotel is having extra time in the parks when the general public is not allowed in.  While not all attractions operate during these extended hours, it’s still a great way to get a few extra rides in with typically lower wait times.  The previous Extra Magic Hours  program has now been replaced by two offerings:

Early Theme Park Entry

Disney Resort hotel Guests (and Guests of other select hotels) may  enter the Disney parks 30 minutes earlier  than the general public, every day of the week. Each of the four parks offers this perk every day of the week; which park you choose is solely up to you!

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours

Guests at Disney Deluxe Resorts, Deluxe Villa Resorts, and a few other select hotels may also enjoy additional time at specific parks on specific nights.  You’ll want to check the  latest schedule  to verify which dates and parks are available during your trip.

Waiting for Rides/Attractions

It’s an unfortunate fact that a sizable portion of your Disney World trip will be spent waiting in line to get on rides or see shows.  Fortunately, there are ways to minimize this as much as possible.

Standby Lines

When most people think of waiting in line for a ride, they’re thinking of what Disney World calls a Standby queue.  It’s line waiting in its simplest form; you walk up to an attraction entrance, wait in line for as long as it takes, and then get into the ride vehicle.

Standby wait times can fluctuate wildly throughout the day, often peaking in the mid-afternoon.  While you can’t do anything about the length of the line itself, you can game the system a bit by deciding when to enter that line.

For your most important attraction of the day, I suggest doing what frequent visitors call “rope dropping” the park.  This means that you are at the park before it opens for the day, enter the park as soon as Guests are allowed in (as soon as they “drop the rope” that is keeping people out), and go directly to the desired attraction so you can ride it with as little wait as possible.

Other tactics to try to avoid the worst of the standby wait times is to go during the afternoon parade, or to go when most people are having lunch/dinner.  The Disney Genie section of the My Disney Experience app will also show you a forecast of wait times for each hour of the day so you can better plan your arrival time to minimize waits.

One further tip that won’t necessarily help you avoid an extended wait time but will certainly increase your comfort level. As a long-time Floridian, I highly recommend doing all of the rides that have completely-outdoor waiting lines either early or late in the day; when it’s miserably hot/steamy outside during the afternoon hours, I prefer to hide away from the midday sun by experiencing the rides with indoor air-conditioned queues. These rides are also less likely to close during afternoon thunderstorms.

Virtual Queues

If your trip happens to occur in the months immediately following the opening of a highly-anticipated attraction (such as a new roller coaster), you’ll likely find that you can’t simply go stand in line for that ride.  Instead, you might have to use something called a virtual queue .

It’s exactly what it sounds like — rather than physically standing in line, your spot in line is held virtually via the My Disney Experience app.

Virtual Queue

A virtual queue is both good news and bad news for your itinerary planning.

The good news: Historically, people have spent as much as five or six hours (!) waiting in line for a new ride — I did that when Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened and don’t recommend it.  Those long lines are not the case with virtual queuing.  Your wait might technically still be that long, but you don’t have to spend that time actually waiting in a line.  You’re instead free to go have plenty of other fun elsewhere in the park during that time, and then come back when it’s time to ride.

The bad news: Competition to grab a spot in the virtual queue can be fierce.  Spaces open up daily at 7AM and again at 1PM.  On dates when Extended Evening Theme Park Hours are offered for select Resort Guests, another round of queuing begins at 6PM.  On the busiest days, all available slots can be claimed within seconds of being released. To give yourself the best possible chance of snagging a spot, read Disney’s extensive instructions  ahead of time so you know exactly what to do at 7AM on the day you wish to visit.

Priority Attraction Entrance (Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane)

Many rides and experiences in the parks have a special Lightning Lane entrance which allows you to bypass the regular line and board more quickly.  If you’ve been to Disney World in the past, you might remember these entrances having been previously called FastPass or FastPass+.  The Lightning Lane concept is still mostly the same, but there’s one big difference: you now must pay to enter the Lightning Lane.

Genie+ Service

Most rides which have a Lightning Lane entrance are packaged together into a bundled service called Genie+.  For a combined fee of approximately $15-$30 (varies based on date/demand/park) per person per day, Genie Plus lets guests make reservations to use the Lightning Lane entrance at more than 40 attractions throughout the parks.  Guests make their first Lightning Lane reservation on the morning of their visit and then make additional ride reservations, one at a time, for the remainder of the day (subject to availability).  Disney says this service will usually help you experience a quicker load time on 2-3 attractions on a busy day (maybe more on less-crowded days), which can help save you hours of waiting in line.

Note: The paid Genie+ service should not be confused with the basic Disney Genie service, which is an itinerary suggestion service inside the My Disney Experience app.  Disney Genie provides suggestions of what to do based on wait times and your interests.  Genie+ saves you time waiting in line by letting you instead select a time to return to ride.

Individual Lightning Lane entry

The Lightning Lane entrances at the most popular attractions in each park are not included in Genie+ and are instead sold separately.  You’ll be able to purchase one entrance per day for each ride offering this individual entry service.  The cost usually ranges from $10-$20 per ride and varies based on the attraction, date, and availability.

If a ride’s Lightning Lane is sold under this individual pricing structure, it will not be included in the Genie+ package offering.

You can’t actually book your Lightning Lane entrances in advance — they’re available for purchase only on the day of your visit — but you’ll still want to research them in advance to include in your daily itinerary.

Disability Access Service

A special service is provided to assist Guests who have a condition that interferes with their ability to wait in line.  This offering, called the Disability Access Service (DAS), assigns return times so Guests don’t need to be physically present in the attraction line (but still experience a similar length of wait as those who are waiting in line).

There’s an important distinction when understanding DAS: qualifying is based on a guest’s ability to wait  in line, not their ability to  stand in line. Most attraction lines are wheelchair accessible , so a wheelchair alone is unlikely to qualify someone to use DAS.  There’s no official list of disabilities which automatically qualify, but some which may qualify include ADHD, autism , or anxiety.  Each decision is made on an individual basis, and Disney alone has sole authority to grant or deny DAS to a Guest.

This is a highly-nuanced topic that we can’t completely cover in just a few sentences.  We suggest you read our extensive guide to the Disability Access Service for further details.

Timing Your Meals

Your itinerary should include a solid plan on when you’re going to eat your meals.

Unless you have breakfast reservations for an in-park restaurant, we do NOT recommend that you have breakfast in the park.  You’ll likely be missing out on some of the lowest ride wait times of the day if you’re off getting food right after the park opens.  One option is to have breakfast at your hotel’s restaurant before heading to the park (the restaurants open early enough to allow this without missing park opening). I personally prefer to just have bagels and cream cheese in my room and opt for an early lunch — that lets me sleep in just a bit and still get to the parks early.

Speaking of an early lunch, having your meals during an off-peak time is a great way to avoid wasting time waiting in long lines at counter-service restaurants.  If you have lunch at noon and dinner at 6PM, you’ll quickly notice that pretty much everyone else in the park had the same idea.  Not only will there be longer waits in line (and for your food to be prepared), but you might even have to “hover” a bit to find an empty table.  If you do have to dine during the busiest hours, take full advantage of mobile ordering within the My Disney Experience app whenever you can.

Of course, should you have dining reservations at a table service restaurant for lunch or dinner, your time for that meal is set and you just need to plug it into your daily itinerary.

Planning When to Stop and When to Go, Go, Go

With the prospect of a full vacation in front of you, it’s easy to either over or under do it.

Yes, you’re on vacation, so it’s tempting to sleep in.  But doing so will put you a step behind everyone else in the park, meaning you’re at the mercy of higher crowds and longer lines.  Waking up early and getting to the parks right away goes a long way toward starting the day right.

On the other hand, if you plan to go nonstop from morning to night seven days in a row, you’re going to crash midweek and have a miserable time.  You’ll probably end up losing more time due to the inevitable meltdown than if you had just planned to take some downtime along the way.

Take it from someone who spend more than a decade battling the central Florida heat: the afternoon sun will suck the life right out of you. A midday break is just the thing to rejuvenate your spirits.

If you’re staying on-site, you can easily go back to your hotel for a midday nap or dip in the pool.  I also like to give myself at least one “day off” during my trip. I usually just spend it relaxing at the hotel or maybe checking out the animals on the Savanna at Animal Kingdom Lodge — but you might want go play a round of golf, sit on the lakeside “beach” at some resorts, or have a laidback day at Disney Springs (go shopping, have a meal, take a balloon ride , or see a movie ).

Giving some thought  now to periods of activity and periods of rest will help make sure your vacation doesn’t veer off track.

Our Top Tips for Disney World Itinerary Planning

With all of the above in mind, it’s really going to come down to a matter of personal preference.  Once you have a good handle on all of the things to do, see, eat, and experience at Disney World — what do you want to do each day?

Only you can answer that question.  But here are a few of our favorites to consider when planning your daily itinerary:

Some of the most popular rides for Lightning Lane passes and Disney Genie+ are:

• Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train; Space Mountain
• Epcot – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind; Frozen Ever After; Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Hollywood Studios – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run; Rise of the Resistance; Slinky Dog Dash; Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Animal Kingdom – Pandora’s Na’vi River Journey; Avatar Flight of Passage; Expedition Everest

Some of the other most popular attractions at each of the four Walt Disney World theme parks include:

• Magic Kingdom – Haunted Mansion; Magic Carpets of Aladdin; Pirates of the Caribbean; Splash Mountain (currently closed)
• Epcot – the pavilions of Epcot World Showcase; Mission: Space; Test Track; Spaceship Earth; Soarin’; Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest; Jungle Cruise; Kali River Rapids; Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Hollywood Studio – Fantasmic; Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster; Toy Story Midway Mania; Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Some of our favorite WDW restaurants include:

• Be Our Guest Restaurant , Magic Kingdom – This ornate French eatery with a Beauty & the Beast theme offers fixed-price dining.
• California Grill, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Contemporary Resort’s premier restaurant is a great spot to watch the fireworks and offers breathtaking views of the park.
• Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Popular breakfast & dinner buffet restaurant with special visits from Mickey and friends.
• Cinderella’s Royal Table, Magic Kingdom – This Cinderella-themed eatery is set in a room that resembles a medieval castle’s banquet hall.
• Flame Tree Barbeque, Animal Kingdom – Tasty BBQ featuring a relaxing outdoor pavilion with amazing views of Animal Kingdom. And it’s quick-service, so no need for a reservation!
• Hollywood Brown Derby, Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Retro dining establishment with fantastic caricatures of old-time celebrities on the wall.
• Le Cellier, Canada Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Steaks are a specialty at this top-notch table service dining establishment.
• ‘Ohana, Polynesian Village Resort – All-you-can-eat, American-style (with a Polynesian twist) buffet for breakfast and dinner.
• Teppan Edo, Japan Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Guests are seated around the teppanyaki grills as skilled chefs prepare your meal in front of you.
• The Boathouse Restaurant, The Landing, Disney Springs – Upscale waterfront dining experience featuring steaks and seafood, Amphicar tours, Italian water taxi tours, and live music.
• Via Napoli, Italy Pavilion at World Showcase, Epcot – Amazing pizza! Need we say more?

✔️  Find out which rides and experiences have a Lightning Lane

✔️  See the scheduled Disney Park Hours

✔️  Learn about the Virtual Queue

✔️  Learn a few of our favorite Disney Tips and Tricks

✔️  Find the Best Days To Visit Magic Kingdom

✔️  Investigate whether Genie+ is worth it

✔️  Learn if we believe Lightning Lane passes are worth the cost

✔️  See our complete guide to the Disability Access Service

✔️  See our list of fun things to do at Disney

✔️  Traveling with little ones? Find the best attractions for kids

✔️  Want some time off your feet? Plan on attending a stage show

✔️  Find the best places to relax at Disney

11. Create Your Disney World Packing List

Depending on the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation, you will most likely pack lots of items to take with you. Let’s look at some of the things you should include in your WDW packing list.

Luggage / Backpacks for Disney World 

First and foremost, make sure your luggage/backpacks are in tip-top shape for the journey, and of adequate size to hold your travel essentials.

Many families prefer to bring a backpack with them into a Disney World park so they have everything with them. It’s handy to have the essentials (or even a snack) — just remember not to overdo it!  Everything you bring in with you has to be hauled around all day, stowed away for rides, or left in a rented locker at the front of the park.

Some people prefer to skip the backpacks all together and use a smaller pack that goes around the waist.  While not necessarily the height of fashion, they certainly do the job and are much easier to work with when it comes to boarding ride vehicles.

Disney Souvenirs

This tip might sound odd, but hear us out.

Consider purchasing some of your Disney World souvenirs before your departure.

Purchasing items beforehand – like t-shirts, trading pins and lanyards, Disney autograph books, games and toys, and Mickey Mouse Ears hats – can save you money and time spent shopping for these items at the park. Plus, you will have these Disney souvenir items ready to use as soon as your flight touches down in Orlando.

Packing List

And finally, it’s time to think about which clothing items, documents, toiletries, medications, electronics, swimwear, baby items, food and snacks, and other accessories you will need to pack.

From our experience, you will arrive at Disney World – thinking you have packed everything you will need for your trip – only to discover that you left an important item or two at home.

For your convenience, we have created a suggested Disney World Packing List  to ensure that nothing is overlooked during the packing process.

Print this list and check items off as you pack. We have also included a few recommended items on our Packing List.

These include links to inexpensive ponchos, comfortable shoes, external batteries, USB wall chargers, and Disney beach towels, as well as water bottles and Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads for those warm days at Disney World.

✔️  Download our suggested Packing List

✔️  See our suggestions for the Best Backpacks for Disney World

✔️  Review the Best Disney World Fanny Packs

✔️  Scope out the Best Souvenirs in advance of your trip

Final Thoughts on How To Plan a Disney World Vacation

We hope our Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World Vacation Planning will get you on the right path to planning, prioritizing, and booking your magical vacation to Disney World.  It’s a lot of information, but with enough research and planning, you’ll have a magical trip!

We should point out that this guide is mostly geared towards Walt Disney World in Florida, but many of the basic ideas still apply to other Disney vacations .  If you’re headed to Disneyland in California, you’ll also want to check out our Disneyland vs Disney World ,   Disneyland Resort Map , and  Disneyland Crowd Calendar pages.  We also offer extensive resources for those planning trips with Disney Cruise Line (including a complete guide to planning your first Disney Cruise ), as well as resources on Adventures by Disney .

Contact a Disney Travel Planner to Book Your Disney World Trip

As you’ve seen in this article, there is a LOT that goes into planning a Disney vacation.  Why not call in a professional to help?

The Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at The Vacationeer can plan your trip for you and take care of all of your reservations, all at no additional charge.  You won’t pay a penny more than if you’d have booked it yourself — and you might even pay less !

Their team of 90+ Disney fanatics know all the tips and tricks for hotels, dining, park tickets, and more… and can even apply new discounts to your trip as they’re announced, after your trip is booked!

There’s never any obligation to book and their services are free, so there’s nothing to lose by contacting them for a quote.

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Home » Walt Disney World » Planning and Tips

2024 Disney World Planning Guide | How to Plan a Disney Vacation

By Author Ziggy Oskwarek

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025? We know it’s stressful, but don’t worry, our Disney World Vacation Guide will give you everything you need to know to get ready for your upcoming trip!

Whether you are looking for information about the Disney World Parks, hotels, dining, transportation, the best rides, how to save money, or how to avoid the crowds, we have you covered in this guide. Think of it as Disney World Vacation Planning 101.

This guide is especially great for beginners who have never been to Disney World or go rarely, but we also pack in a lot of good tips for regular guests too.

While we do have some of the most important tips & info on this page, we don’t have ALL the answers directly written out here. This guide organizes some of the best Disney planning content into categories giving you an overview of what you are looking for and then links to more in-depth guides on each subject.

In this post we will specifically cover:

• How to Plan a Disney World Vacation
• What You Need to Know BEFORE Going
• When to Visit Disney World in 2024
• Important Disney Vocab
• Where to Stay
• Buying Tickets
• Rides & Attractions
• Dining & Restaurants
• Disney Planning Timeline, & more…

Since this guide covers a lot of the planning steps of your whole trip in general, if you are looking for specific info on the Disney World Parks , then check out the following links:

• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, Disney World is one of the most complicated vacation destinations in the world. We know planning a Disney World vacation has become one of the most frustrating exercises and you’d just like to be there already having fun. Hopefully, we can help you do that as painlessly as possible.

We’ve been going to Walt Disney World multiple times per year since the early 1980s when we were babies, and we continue to spend way too much time there today trying all the new food, rides, events, and hotels. To say we are huge Disney fans would be an understatement.

The byproduct of countless hours spent visiting Disney World means that we have some valuable tips that we are eager to share with you. We aren’t going to lie, it will take some work on your end. But in the long run, it will be invaluable for your trip. Let’s get right into it…

Table of Contents

Changes in 2024 and 2025

Going to Walt Disney World in 2024 or 2025 is a MUCH different experience than it was just a couple years ago, and different again from even last year.

Unless you’ve been hiding in a cave for the last few years, you know that the parks closed down in 2020, and when they reopened Disney installed many new procedures to let guests back to the parks.

Thankfully, for the most part, the Disney theme parks have gotten back to normal again, and the restrictions Disney put in have gone away one by one. The Walt Disney World vacation experience should be “close to normal” once again.

For example, Fireworks are back with nighttime spectaculars happening in the parks nightly.

Many stage shows like Festival of the Lion King, Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular are back. There are still some missing, but the lineup of entertainment is heads and shoulders above where it was not too long ago. Not to mention, the overwhelming majority of attractions and restaurants have also returned.

If it’s been a few years, there are a ton of new attractions you have to experience, EPCOT in particular has gone through a pretty big transformation and the construction walls are almost all down now. There are still a lot of additions Disney would like to finish at some point during 2024, including what’s left of the massive EPCOT overhaul project .

There are also new hotel projects on the way including the new DVC tower at Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort .

This should be a great time to visit, but if you are worried about the changes, you may want to wait until the end of the year.

That’s what to expect this year, now let’s get into some of the Disney vacation planning basics.

How to Plan a Disney Vacation

Believe it or not, some of the most important planning steps of your Disney World trip happen as much as one year BEFORE your vacation starts, or even more.

Some things you are going to have to think about are:

• What dates do I want to go? Are those dates flexible?
• What is my budget?
• What type of hotel do I want to stay in?
• How many days do I want to go to the theme parks?

The most important suggestion we can give you is to get organized. The more work you do before your trip to plan everything out, the easier things will be for you and your family once you get there.

Can You Go to Disney World Without Planning?

As always in life, what you CAN do and what you SHOULD do are two entirely different things, and that is also true in this case.

Yes, it is physically possible to go to Disney World without planning your trip, but I would highly recommend against such an action. Organizing everything months ahead of time is a lot of work and a big pain, but it is vital if you want to have a successful trip.

Your choice of hotel will be severely limited if you don’t book it well in advance. You won’t be able to get dining reservations at the best restaurants in Disney World. You won’t know which attractions to reserve with Genie+. Right now, you can’t even get into the parks without a prior reservation.

If you are looking to go to a destination where you can just “wing it” and not have to make any plans ahead of time, we recommend choosing another destination besides Disney World.

How Do I Start Planning a Trip to Disney World?

STEP 1: Write down notes. There are going to be a lot of details, prices, and dates to remember so get a dedicated notebook for your upcoming trip. If you prefer, you can take notes on your phone or computer, but make sure you have a way of jotting down notes in a convenient place where you will be able to find them.

STEP 2: Set a Budget. Make no mistake about it, a trip to Walt Disney World is expensive and costs can add up very quickly. So before you start choosing how many days you want to stay, your hotel, and ticket types, make a budget. It will be much easier to organize your vacation if you already have an idea of how much you are willing to spend.

STEP 3: Get familiar with Disney World. Even if you are not ready to book your vacation yet, start reading up on Disney World and familiarize yourself with all the locations, attractions, restaurants, and special events. A website like this is one way to do that, but also look through the official Walt Disney World website and download the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device.

STEP 4: Choose your Dates. These don’t have to be written in stone, but we recommend at least having some idea of when you would like to plan your trip for. Later in this guide, we will show you how to decide on those dates.

Once you get these four things done, you are ready to start planning the details.

When Should I Start Planning My Disney Trip?

When is the best time to start planning a Disney World vacation? We recommend to start planning as soon as possible , but at least one year before you plan to go.

The sooner you start planning your Disney vacation, the better. In fact, once you finish reading this guide, you should start writing ideas down for your trip.

As you will see in our vacation planning timeline, some of the first steps can be completed as many as 499 days before your vacation starts.

We believe the sooner you start the process of organizing your trip, the better. Starting now will give you a leg up on other guests when it comes to getting reservations for dining, hotel rooms, the parks, and any special events you want to attend+. I will also make you aware of discounts to save money on your trip.

What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Disney World?

Here are 9 main things to know about Disney World before going:

• There are 4 Theme Parks in Disney World: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom
• There are 2 Water Parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• 31 Resort Hotels to stay in.
• There are countless Outdoor Activities to do such as swimming, fishing, golf, boating, and more.
• WDW has 5 golf courses and 2 mini-golf courses .
• Disney Springs is the nighttime entertainment hub with dozens of first-class restaurants and shops
• You can catch a Dinner Show at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue or dine at one of the many character meals .
• It is a self-contained city with its own fire department, water treatment, waste disposal, and power generation.
• Disney World is HUGE at 25,000 acres. That means travel time can be long between two places.

How Many Days do you Need for Disney World?

There is really no wrong answer to how many days you need for a trip to Walt Disney World, and it depends on many factors, including if this is your first trip or not.

• The ideal Disney World vacation is 7 days long . That allows for 2 travel days (arrival and departure), and 5 open days to visit the parks and have fun.
• The bare minimum we recommend for first-timers is 5 days , ideally with an early arrival and late departure.

In fact, most Disney World vacations are between 4 to 7 days long. That gives you enough time to visit all the theme parks at least once, and have extra time for staying at the resort and swimming or shopping.

If you want to visit any other Orlando-based attractions like Universal Studios, for example, you can still do that in 6-7 days total.

It’s possible to visit Walt Disney World in only 3 or 4 days, but you will feel very rushed. You can make the highlights of each park, but you won’t really have time to do all the rides, see all the shows and take in the details.

One thing to keep in mind is the longer your trip, the less you pay per day for your park tickets. So in a way, it’s advantageous to stay longer than only 5 days.

If you have the time and money , we recommend doing a 9 or 10-night stay and really taking the time to soak it all in. That gives you enough time to visit all 4 parks multiple times, and have days off to relax.

How Much Does a Trip to Disney World Cost?

Let’s get to the bottom line…how much does a Disney World vacation really cost?

Everyone has different budgets, so the cost is going to depend on how many days you go, how many people are in your group, and how you like to vacation. Our Guide to Doing Disney World on a Budget will help you with more of the details.

The major costs to consider for a Disney World vacation are:

• Park Tickets
• Souvenirs/Shopping

We’ve made our estimated costs based on a family of 4 on a 5-Night vacation to Walt Disney World in the Summer, with 4 days of theme park passes.

For a family of 4, a Walt Disney World vacation in 2024 costs: $5,895.26 , $7,378.61 , or $10,757.96 . These prices include the above expenses and are broken down our price estimates into 3 categories: Budget , Moderate , and Expensive .

• For a family of 2 adults , the prices change to: $3,667.10, $4,684.80, and $7,323.00 .
• For a family of 3, the prices change to: $4,689.19, $5,861.19, and $8,768.94 .
• For a family of 5, the prices change to: $8,862.35, $10,005.00, and $12,203.90 .

Of course, there are many more factors to take into consideration, especially the time of year you visit. We calculated these prices based on a Summer vacation, but they can change by hundreds of dollars in either direction, so keep that in mind.

Read our post on the Average Cost to go to Disney World for more details and how to save money on your trip.

Should I Use a Disney Travel Agent?

One option you might want to consider is using an authorized Disney Vacation Planner when planning your trip. Even though there is a ton of great information on the internet to read, sometimes it’s just too much and you prefer having someone take care of the work for you.

The nice thing is most Disney travel agents don’t cost any extra money to work with. That means you can have someone personalize your trip for you and make the tough reservations, all for free. In fact, most of the time, using an agent will actually SAVE you money since they know when the discounts come out.

Using an authorized Disney vacation planner, your trip will be much better organized, less stressful, and save you money.

If you like the hands-off approach to trip planning, we highly recommend Rene Cittadino and her amazing team from Show You the World Travel. We’ve worked with Rene and her team of experts many times before and she is our Disney Travel Planner of choice.

• Contact René at Show You the World Travel for all your trip planning needs, including a FREE quote.

List Your Priorities

There is way too much to do at Walt Disney World, no matter how long your trip is. That means you need to make a priority list of must-dos.

• Is there a restaurant you absolutely must go to? Write it into the schedule.
• What are the attractions you have to do at each park?
• Which shows do you want to see?
• Which characters?

When we are planning a trip to Disney World, we put all the must-dos in one column and then find a place for them in the program. We also have a secondary list of things we’d like to do if time allows, and we fill in the cracks with those.

When to Visit in 2024 or 2025?

Above all things, deciding when to visit Disney World is the most important decision you have to make when planning your trip.

Factors such as crowds, price, weather, and special events should all be taken into consideration when choosing your dates. Unfortunately for some, it’s not always up to us to decide. If you have children in school, you might be forced to only choose dates during the holidays or summer break, and those can be the worst times to visit.

Let’s look at some of the factors, meanwhile, our post on The Best Times to Visit Disney World goes into more depth.

The crowds are probably our most important factor in deciding when to go to Disney World. Trust us, there is nothing worst than going to Disney World when the parks are their busiest.

Crowds at Disney World tend to follow the school calendar, which means holidays and the Summer are when they are at peak levels. If you can avoid going during those times you will be better off, but sometimes this is not possible, especially if you have to take your kids out of school.

Read our 2024 Disney World Crowd Calendar post to see which months are the busiest and least busy.

Whether in Orlando, Florida can be brutal for a good part of the year with scorching temperatures and unbearable humidity. Even though it’s known for sunshine, Disney World also gets tons of rain during some months.

The best weather for the parks tends to be from November to March when the climate is mild and there are few rainy days. You also need to know when there are Hurricanes at Walt Disney World and how to avoid them.

What is the Cheapest Time to Go to Disney World?

Going to Disney World is expensive, so planning a vacation for cheap can be a huge help to many guests. So what is the cheapest time to go?

Disney World offers the best rates and the biggest discounts during the off-season when kids are at school. Prices are the highest during the summer and during holidays. Things like ticket prices, airfare, and hotel rooms are all more expensive during those times.

If saving money is important to you, try booking your trip in January, February, or September.

Read our post on the Cheapest times to go to Disney World for more info and tips for guests on a budget.

Special Events

Disney can throw quite the party, and many people come to Disney World specifically for the yearly special events put on. Depending on your needs, you might want to come during one of the events or avoid them altogether.

Here are some of the biggest special events to make note of in 2024:

• Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (January 3-7, 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Arts (January 12- February 19, 2024)
• EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival (February 28 – Early July, 2024)
• EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (Mid-July – Mid-November, 2024)
• Walt Disney World 100th Year Celebration (Most of 2024)
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Select nights from Mid-August – October 31, 2024)
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Select nights November and December 2024)
• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Late November – December 30th, 2024)

Park Pass Reservations

Right now in 2024, Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for most ticket types (there are some exceptions for Annual Passholders and other special tickets) , and for the most part you no longer have to worry about park capacity.

If your ticket type does require Park Pass Reservations, make sure there are open dates for the parks you want before booking your trip, then once you buy your tickets, make your park pass reservations so you are sure to get in.

However, the good news is that park reservations are no longer required for the majority of ticket holders starting January 9, 2024.

We explain it all in our post on how to make Disney Park Pass reservations .

New Attractions

If you love attractions, then you might want to plan your trip around some of the new rides that are opening up. This is especially true if you’ve been to Disney World many times before and want to hold out until something else is new.

Here are the biggest new attractions opening in 2024:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Test Track 3.0
• New Country Bear Jamboree Show

We have been spoiled with a lot of new attractions over the past few years.

EPCOT has been a big focus of recent additions with our favorite being Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind which opened on May 27, 2022, and it has immediately become the most popular ride in EPCOT and a must-do on your visit.

Other new EPCOT attractions include Moana: Journey of Water , Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure , Space 220 Restaurant , and the new Luminous The Symphony of US Fireworks Show .

The TRON: Lightcycle Run Roller Coaster similarly has been a smashing success at Magic Kingdom when it opened on April 2nd of 2023.

Those are just a taste of what’s coming next. Read our guide on New Rides Coming to Disney World which will help you decide when to plan your trip.

What Month is the Best to Go to Disney World?

In general, we find that January and September are the best months to visit Disney World .

Both are incredibly quiet times of the year. January has nicer park weather for long days in the park. September can be wonderfully quiet if you can endure 90-degree days.

For a variety of reasons, we feel that September and May will also be great months at Disney World in 2024. Read our post on Disney World – Month by Month Rankings for a comparison of each one.

Wait Until 2025?

Unlike in 2020-2022 years, most of the health restrictions have now been removed from the Disney parks, making it much more like a normal visit. In our opinion, most guests don’t have reason to be fearful like at the beginning of the reopening.

If you have been waiting for a couple of years to visit, 2024 and 2025 may be the perfect opportunity for your perfect Disney World vacation with all that is coming down the pipeline.

Our article “Should you visit Disney World in 2024?” can help make the case for each year and includes the positives and negatives for both.

No matter what dates you have in mind, check out our post “How Far in Advance Can You Book a Disney Vacation?” That will give you the full timeline and let you know when to get started.

Limited Experiences & Closures

Some of the normal experiences guests are used to at Disney World are not running right now. Since a Disney World vacation is not cheap, this can be a huge factor in deciding whether it’s worth the cost at this time.

Some of the things missing are:

• Some Stage Shows
• Fewer Street Entertainers
• Fewer Characters in the parks

This is another problem brought on by the fact that Disney is not able to find enough cast members to fill the roles required for all the positions in the parks. That’s why we still have limited entertainment options compared to a few years ago.

Thankfully, we have seen the return of fireworks to the parks on a nightly basis and dessert parties to go along with them. Character meets are open again, and at least you can get hugs and autographs from them too!

We are also excited to know that more special events are running again in 2024 with the Disney After Hours Events in full swing. On top of that, the Disney Dining Plan is made its long-awaited return on January 9th, 2024! Guests can begin booking it for trips on that date and after.

At least park hours are pretty much back to normal once again so you can expect to stay in the parks like before.

Important Disney World Vocab

Genie+, PhotoPass, ADRs, MDE, EMH…anyone else confused yet?? In fact, before you start planning your Disney vacation, there are some basic vocabulary terms you need to learn.

Below we’ve listed the most Disney important terms you will see while planning your trip:

My Disney Experience

Everything starts with My Disney Experience when planning a Disney World vacation. Also known as MDE, this is Disney World’s app that handles dining reservations, Genie+, mobile ordering, park maps, resort stay information, itineraries, PhotosPass pictures, and much, much more.

My Disney Experience is accessible through the website or the mobile app on your phone. Get familiar with it, because it’s a necessary tool to use before and during your vacation.

As you may have heard, FastPass+ has been retired and replaced by the new Disney Genie service . Disney Genie is a day-planning app in My Disney Experience that includes two paid ride reservation systems, Genie+ and Lightning Lane selections.

They allow guests to reserve access to the most popular theme park attractions, essentially skipping the lines and saving you time along the way.

Genie+ is not free like its predecessor was and instead costs between $15 and $39 per day, per guest. With that fee, guests can make reservations for attractions they want to ride throughout the day in a specific time slot like FastPass+. They then come back when that time slot arrives.

Reservations are limited to one at a time, so you can’t have 3 all at once like before. Once a two-hour window passes from making your first reservation, you can then make a reservation for the next attraction.

A few of the most popular attractions instead use Individual Lightning Lane selections. These let you skip the line for a one-time fee between $10-$25 depending on the ride. Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections are two different pay-to-ride services and guests can use one without the other if they choose.

If you choose not to use either of these services, you will just wait in a standby queue to ride the attraction like normal.

• READ: We cover everything you need to know about Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes in our guide which is essential reading before deciding how to tour the parks each day. I also recommend reading our post “ Is Genie+ Really Worth the Cost? ” which helps you to know if you should spend the extra money.

Early Theme Park Entry

Early Theme Park Entry allows Disney World Resort hotel guests to have access to the theme parks in the morning before the general public . This is one of the biggest benefits of staying at a Disney World Resort hotel with guests experiencing fewer crowds in the parks.

It works in a similar way as Extra Magic Hours did only that Early Theme Park Entry runs every day of the week and lets guests in 30 minutes before the parks open. It’s unclear if EMH will ever return or if Early Theme Park Entry is here to stay long-term.

One thing is clear, you get a big advantage showing up early and it can really help you get the more popular rides in each park done before the crowds arrive.

MagicBands are an all-in-one mobile connectivity device disguised as colorful bracelets. These devices connect with My Disney Experience and can be used by guests to buy food or merchandise, unlock hotel room doors, redeem Genie+ selections at rides, and use them as theme park tickets.

In 2024, MagicBands are no longer free to guests but can be purchased for a small fee online or in the parks. The future of MagicBands and replacement technology is much more clear now that Disney finally launched MagicBand+ a couple of years ago.

Park Hopping

Park hopping is Disney’s system for allowing guests to visit multiple theme parks on the same day. It is an add-on feature to your Disney World theme park admission and is an extra cost. Whether or not it’s worth it to you depends on if you prefer hopping around to multiple parks per day or doing one park per day more thoroughly.

Park Hopping is alive and well in 2024 after being unavailable for a while after the parks reopened. Read our post on Disney World Park Hopping to see what changes there are to the system now.

ADRs is an abbreviation for Advanced Dining Reservations and it is how you reserve a table at Disney World restaurants. Dining reservations are a MUST to get into the more popular restaurants, especially for character meals, theme park restaurants, and the more elegant dining experiences.

If you are staying at one of the Disney World Resort hotels , ADRs can be made 60 days in advance of your check-in date, and reservations can be made for up to 10 days past the check-in date, for a total of 60+10. If you are staying off-site, you are at a disadvantage because you can only make reservations 60 days in advance of the dining date.

Read our Disney World Dining Reservations Guide for more details and tips on getting into the restaurants you want.

PhotoPass & Memory Maker

PhotoPass is Disney’s photography service offered at the Walt Disney World Resort . Professional photographers (and machines) are stationed throughout the parks and are available to take pictures of you and your family as a memory to take back home with you.

These photographers are set up in the most scenic areas, with many of Disney World’s famous icons in the pictures with you like Cinderella Castle, Spaceship Earth, etc. These photos are connected to your My Disney Experience account and can be downloaded or printed at a later time.

Many of the photographs include MagicShots, which are photos with a little bit of extra Disney magic in them, often including the characters and funny poses. On-ride photos are also available on many of the attractions and also can be downloaded.

In order to get these photos, you will need to purchase the Memory Maker package for your trip. It is an additional cost of $210 + tax (or $185 + tax if you purchase it at least 3 days in advance) but gives you unlimited photo opportunities for your whole travel party during your entire vacation.

You also have the opportunity to purchase Memory Maker for only one day, and that costs $75.

Disney photographers will also take photos of you and your family with your own phones if you ask, so don’t be afraid. This service is free of charge.

Where to Stay?

The next step in booking your Walt Disney World vacation is figuring out where you want to stay.

Some of the factors to consider when deciding where to stay are:

• Staying On-Site or Off-Site
• Accommodation Type
• Location and Convenience
• Hotel Amenities
• Airport Transportation
• Extra Perks

Some of these will be important to you while others not so much. Base your decision on the accommodations that check off the most boxes for you and your family.

The first step in this process is deciding if you want to stay at a Disney World Resort hotel (on-site) or outside of the resort property (off-site).

Disney World Resort Hotels

Staying On-Site Benefits

• Location – Resorts are located near the Disney theme parks which means less travel time each day. You can also go back to your hotel for a nap in the afternoon before heading out once again later.
• Genie+ – Staying at a WDW resort hotel means you can make your Individual Lightning Lane reservations at 7:00 am, before guests who are staying off-site.
• Early Theme Park Entry – You will have extra time in the parks in the morning before the general public arrives.
• Transportation – Disney includes free transportation to and from the theme parks, Disney Springs, and other hotels. Free airport shuttle service is no longer provided through Disney’s Magical Express , and you’ll have to take care of getting from Orlando Airport to Disney World on your own. Options include the Mears Connect Shuttle , taxi, or a ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft.
• Theming – Most Disney World hotels have unique theming that you and your kids will love.
• The Disney Bubble – There is something magical about stepping into Walt Disney World at the beginning of your vacation and then not stepping out until the end. You feel tucked away inside this magical world that you never want to leave.

Staying Off-Site

Benefits of Staying Off-Site:

• Lower Cost – This is the biggest benefit, one that could make a huge difference in your decision. Compared to each other, non-Disney hotels cost significantly less than Disney hotels of the same hotel class (value vs. value, deluxe vs. deluxe). You could save between 30-50% on hotel costs by staying off-site.
• Transportation – Some of the off-site hotels have a free transportation service between the airport and the hotel so make sure to ask for your options.
• Genie+ – While you don’t have the advantage with the Individual Lightning Lane selections, making Genie+ reservations is the same for guests staying on-site or off-site.
• Better if Visiting Other Orlando Destinations – If going to Orlando, Sea World or other destinations, a more central location outside Disney World is nice.
• More Luxurious – Some of the hotels available in the Orlando area like the Four Seasons Orlando or Ritz-Carlton Orlando, are true luxury hotels, and offer more amenities than the Disney World Resorts.

On-Site vs Off-Site

If you are looking for the easiest, most convenient choice and money is not your number one deciding factor, we recommend staying at a Disney World Resort hotel . The only real negative is the cost, and most of the time the benefits outweigh that, but it will depend on your priorities and budget.

We recommend exploring both options and weighing the cost vs value for you and your family. If you are only going for 4-5 days though, we think staying at a Disney hotel is the smart play since time is of the essence. If you have a longer stay (7 days or more), you might find more value in staying off-site.

Our On-Site vs. Off-Site Disney World Hotels Comparison will help you decide if the benefits are worth the extra cost.

Disney Hotel Types

There are 4 tiers of Walt Disney World Resort hotels and they are organized by cost:

• Value Resorts
• Moderate Resorts
• Deluxe Resorts
• Deluxe Villas

Value Resorts are the cheapest of the hotel types and can be booked anywhere from $130 to $415 per night depending on the season. They have the fewest amenities, the smallest rooms, the cheapest theming, the worst dining options, and the transportation is the slowest.

Moderate Resorts are a step up from value, but not nearly as nice as the Deluxe resorts. The rooms are bigger than value rooms, and the dining is much better at most of them. Prices range from $260 to $505 per night.

Deluxe Resorts are our favorite hotels in Disney World and for good reason. Most of the rooms are large and can fit more than 4 people. The best dining locations are located here with some world-class restaurants. The pools are the best and the locations and transportation options can’t be beaten such as the monorail, Disney Skyliner, and most are within walking distance of the parks.

Of course, expect to pay for this upgrade and prices can vary between $490 to $1350 per night depending on where and when you stay.

Deluxe Villas are Disney Vacation Club properties located at the Deluxe Resorts. Some guests own timeshare points they can spend at these resorts, while other rent points from members. This is the cheapest way to stay at one of the deluxe resorts without breaking the bank and a strategy we highly recommend.

We recommend reading our Guide to the Best Disney World Resorts where we rank them all from best to worst and share the pros and cons of each resort.

Vacation Packages 

Disney World Vacation Packages are your hotel room + theme park tickets in the same bundle. These can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they can be a great value and offer deep discounts on room rates or even include discounts on food like the Disney Free Dining package included.

Most of the time we find you can save more money by getting a hotel room-only discount and buying tickets separately. You should do your due diligence and compare prices between the two options. Disney World Vacation Packages can be booked at www.DisneyWorld.com

Again, we highly recommend you use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner as they will always be able to find the deepest discounts for you and save the most money.

Airbnb and Nearby Hotels

Instead of staying at a hotel, if you are really trying to save money on your trip , then consider staying at one of the many third-party hotels or an Airbnb near Disney World.

If you aren’t familiar with how Airbnb works, it is a service that rents out peoples’ residences to travelers like a hotel room.

The Airbnbs in Orlando include vacation homes, apartments, and condos. Besides the lower cost, guests have more privacy and space in a private residence than at a hotel. There is also usually a full kitchen so you can prepare your meals and save even more money.

Another cheaper alternative is staying at one of the nearby off-site hotels, or a hotel located on Disney property, but not run by the mouse. This can save you a lot of money, just make sure you are aware of the extra costs that could be involved.

The biggest downside for off-site hotels, Airbnb, or vacation homes is the distance from the parks and not being able to use Disney transportation. You will either have to rent a car or use a ride-sharing service like Uber to get around, and that can be inconvenient. If you already will be using a car, then consider this a great alternative.

Read our Complete Disney World Resort Hotels List for a look at all the Disney and Non-Disney hotel options in the area and what to expect.

Park tickets can be the most expensive part of a trip to Walt Disney World, even more than dining and your hotel. That’s why it’s important to do your research beforehand and know how to save money when buying them.

You also need to decide exactly how many days you want to spend in the parks so you don’t end up paying for more days than necessary.

Where to Buy Tickets

Options for buying Disney World Tickets include:

• Directly from Disney
• Authorized Ticket Reseller
• Travel Agent

Getting your tickets from Disney on the official Disney World website is your first option. It’s almost always more expensive, however, and it pays to look elsewhere.

To save money on your park tickets, we recommend using one of the authorized resellers online such as Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist . They are legit resellers so you don’t have to worry about being ripped off like other places online.

If you really want to save money, we highly recommend Orlando Va cation which often has the best prices for any of the Disney World ticket resellers.

Depending on what type of ticket you are buying, these options can save you as much as $50-$70 per ticket! That’s a huge savings, especially if you have a big family. Once you buy your Disney World park tickets, they can be linked to your My Disney Experience with a code.

In our Discount Disney World Tickets Guide , we cover the best places to buy tickets from and how to get the absolute cheapest tickets possible.

Ticket Types

There are three basic types of Disney World theme park tickets: Standard tickets, Park Hopper tickets, or Annual Passes . Both standard and park hopper tickets can be purchased as single-day tickets or multi-day.

Standard Tickets – This is the cheapest ticket type. They allow you admission to one theme park per day for the number of days you purchased. You can visit the same park for multiple days if you choose.

Park Hopper Tickets – This option allows you to visit multiple parks per day for the entire amount of days you purchased. Technically you can visit all 4 parks in one day if you like. There is a Water Park version too. They are more expensive but allow for greater flexibility.

Annual Passes – There are multiple versions with different restrictions but the higher-end options give you unlimited access to the parks letting you visit whenever you want. If you live close to WDW or are planning on visiting multiple times in a one-year period, an annual pass could be a good investment.

Here are some links that explain about all the various ticket types, differences, pros and cons, prices, and their unique features:

• Disney World Tickets Complete Guide
• 1-Day Disney World Tickets
• Disney World Annual Pass Guide
• Florida Resident Disney World Tickets

Disney World park tickets are priced on a date and length-based system. That means the prices will fluctuate greatly depending on when you go.

For example, in 2024, a 1-Day standard park ticket starts at $109 per day and goes all the way up to $189 per day (plus tax) . That’s a huge difference and you can get a lot of savings by going in the off-season.

Another important factor is that tickets cost less per day the more days you have on your ticket. In fact, Disney’s motto is: “the longer you play, the less you pay per day.” Once you get higher than a 3-day ticket, the price per day drops dramatically.

To find out the latest prices and how much they’ve increased this year, read our Disney Tickets Prices Guide .

When to Buy Tickets

There are multiple reasons to buy your Disney World park tickets as soon as possible . One reason is you can’t make Park pass reservations without them. That is important because the longer you wait the less likely you will get into the park of your choice when you want.

Disney tickets never become less expensive, so buying early also locks in your price before the next price increase comes.

Buy your tickets whenever your budget allows, just never wait until you get to the gate or you will pay more.

How to Travel to Walt Disney World

Now that you have your hotel and tickets all set, you need to decide how to get to Walt Disney World. This will depend on how far away you live and what your plans are when you get to Orlando.

Drive or Fly ?

These are the two most popular options for getting to Disney World and depend mostly on where you live.

Drive – If you are within a few hours of Walt Disney World, your best option might be to drive. You also might decide to drive if you are live close enough nearby, or if you are staying off-site and will be visiting other destinations outside of Disney World.

One thing to keep in mind is that many Orlando hotels charge parking fees for each night of your stay, and that will cost you an extra $20-$30 per night. These can be avoided if staying at one of the WDW Resorts.

Fly – For most guests, an airplane is the most convenient way to get to Disney World. The Orlando International Airport is the best choice and is located only 30 minutes from WDW. There are multiple flights per day arriving from most cities in the United States and Internationally.

Airfare is also not expensive and good discount flights can be found online with many between $150-$250.

Booking Airfare

We recommend setting your dates and to start looking for airfare 1 year before your vacation. That will give you the best chance to score a deal.

If you are booking airfare yourself, we usually find the best prices on ITA Software by Google , AirfareWatchdog , or Skyscanner . You can set up price alerts and they give a flexible dates option to find the best price.

Transportation to and from Airport

The Orlando International Airport is located approximately 20 miles from Walt Disney World, which means you will need transportation to get to your hotel.

The popular & free Disney’s Magical Express transportation was discontinued in 2022 so now in 2023, you’ll need another option to get from the airport to your resort hotel, which means you need to pay out of pocket.

One solution when staying at Walt Disney World is the Mears Connect Shuttle , the most similar replacement for the Magical Express.

Other options no matter where you are staying include taxi service or ride-sharing such as Uber or Lyft .

• Taxis are by far the more expensive choice and will cost around $50-$60 each way plus tip depending on where you are going.
• Uber is a much cheaper option and will cost between $30-$40 each way.

Allow sufficient time to get to your hotel from the airport. If you have a 10:00 am arrival you can expect to get to your hotel by around 11:30 am if taking a cab or Uber. It will be longer on one of the bus services and in that case you will probably arrive between 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm.

Read “ How to Get from Orlando Airport to Disney World ” for the full breakdown of all your options and how to save money with transportation.

Attractions and Rides

Most people come to Walt Disney World for the attractions, and you want to plan them out as best as possible in order to do all the ones most important to you.

Pay special attention to this section if this is your first time or you haven’t been to Disney World in a few years as there are many new attractions to experience. Make sure to check the Disney World Ride Closures List to see which rides will be open during your trip.

If you are going to EPCOT, make sure to read our post on How to Get a Boarding Pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , and How to Get a Boarding Pass for TRON: Lightcycle Run over at the Magic Kingdom. These are two of the hardest attractions to ride in Disney World at this time.

You’ll definitely want to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , and right now you’ll need to use the standby queue to ride. You can also read How to Get a Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance for the times it uses the virtual queue system.

For a detailed look at all of the attractions, be sure to check out our other Disney World Ride Guides:

• Best Rides in Disney World Ranked
• Magic Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• EPCOT Rides and Attractions Guide
• Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions Guide
• Animal Kingdom Rides and Attractions Guide
• Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney World

Pick Your Park Days

First, you need to pick how many days you need for each park and how many park days total. Depending on your interests, some parks you can get done in half a day, and some will take you multiple days.

If it’s your first time we recommend 1 full day for each park, and an extra half-day or more for the Magic Kingdom since it has the most attractions.

• Magic Kingdom – The best park for small kids and has the most rides.
• EPCOT – Best park for foodies, festivals, and culture.
• Hollywood Studios – Best park for teens and thrill-seekers.
• Animal Kingdom – Best park for animal and nature lovers and a good selection of rides and food.

The highlights of EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom can all be done in 3 half-days, but we recommend spending at least a day in each to soak up the atmosphere and not feel rushed.

Must-Do Rides

There are some truly special ride experiences at Disney World and each park has a number of Must-Do attractions you won’t want to miss. Here are some of the best ones:

Magic Kingdom – TRON: Lightcycle Run , Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Jungle Cruise

EPCOT – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , Soarin’ Around the World, Test Track, Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway , Toy Story Mania!, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Animal Kingdom – Avatar: Flight of Passage, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Na’vi River Journey

Those are by far the most popular attractions in each park and the ones that should be at the top of your list. That is a great starting point for any park itinerary.

Make sure to leave enough time to fully explore all the details in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora: The World of Avatar , two of the most immersive lands we’ve ever seen!

Characters are a huge draw for guests when visiting the parks, especially kids. Character meets can be found in all 4 theme parks and include favorites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Princesses, and characters from the Pixar films.

Character meets were suspended temporarily for two years, but they returned in 2022, and you can hug the characters and get their autographs now just like normal! You can also see them in the new Character Cavalcades that go through the parks at various times of the day.

Entertainment

Besides rides, Disney World also offers first-class entertainment with amazing stage shows and nighttime spectaculars. Here is a list of the ones you shouldn’t miss and where to find them:

Fireworks/Nighttime Spectaculars – Happily Ever After (MK), Luminous the Symphony of US (EPCOT), Fantasmic! (HS), Tree of Life Awakenings (AK).

Stage Shows/Street Shows – Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (MK), Dapper Dans (MK), Jeweled Dragon Acrobats (EPCOT), Voices of Liberty (EPCOT), Serveur Amusant (EPCOT), A Frozen Sing-Along (HS), Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (HS), Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular (HS), Festival of the Lion King (AK), Finding Nemo – The Musical (AK)

Parades – Character Cavalcades (All Parks), Festival of Fantasy Parade (MK)

Most of these entertainment options are now back in 2024, and we are hopeful more will come back later this year.

High Priority Genie+ and Lightning Selections

FastPass+ has been retired and Disney has shifted to its paid replacement Genie+. However, not all Genie+ or Lightning Lane reservations are equal, and there are some attractions where it’s much more advantageous to use them.

After all, you are limited to one Genie+ reservation at a time for the most part, so you need to choose wisely.

You should use Genie+ selections on higher-profile attractions that always draw long wait times like Peter Pan’s Flight or Test Track. Using a Genie+ on Alien Swirling Saucers at Hollywood Studios for example would be a waste.

Here is our list of High-Priority Genie+ attractions:

• Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
• Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom)
• Test Track (EPCOT)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure (EPCOT)
• Frozen Ever After (EPCOT)
• Na’vi River Journey (Animal Kingdom)
• Slinky Dog Dash (Hollywood Studios)
• Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Hollywood Studios)
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios)
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
• Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)

Not all the Individual Lightning Lane selections are worth the money either as some don’t usually have long enough wait times.

Here is our list of rides we would spend an Individual Lightning Lane selection on if the circumstances were right:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
• TRON: Lightcycle Run (Magic Kingdom)
• Avatar: Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)

Here are some other posts about Genie+ and Lightning Lanes that you should read before planning your trip:

• Ultimate Genie+ & Lightning Lane Guide
• Is Genie+ Worth It?
• How to Purchase Genie+ at Disney World
• How to Purchase Individual Lightning Lanes

For some, dining is their favorite experience when visiting Walt Disney World, and there is an unlimited number of choices available for every palate. In fact, there are over 400 restaurants at Walt Disney World, with varying menus and themes to choose from.

Some restaurants are table service where you sit down and a waiter serves you and some are quick service/counter service which is more like fast food.

Among the decisions you have to make are where to eat, when to book reservations, and whether or not to use the Disney Dining Plan or not.

Choosing Restaurants

The first decision to make about dining in Disney World is which restaurants you want to go to.

It can be hard to make a decision, especially if you haven’t been to any of them before. We suggest reading through the menus on the Disney World website to see what stands out to you and reading some of our Disney Restaurant Reviews for more info.

Character dining and buffets are options to consider, and some restaurants are more kid-friendly than others.

Here are some of our rankings of the top places to eat at Walt Disney World:

• Best Walt Disney World Restaurants
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at EPCOT
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Best Restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Best Restaurants at Disney Springs
• Best Disney World Resort Hotel Restaurants

Making Reservations

Once you’ve picked out your restaurants, it’s time to make reservations. They can be made using the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device or on your computer on the Disn e y World website.

Advance Dining Reservations can be made 60 days before your check-in date for the length of your vacation (Previously 180 days) . We highly recommend making them as soon as possible as the most popular restaurants fill up months ahead of time.

Read our Disney Advance Dining Reservations guide for more tips on how to book the restaurants you want and the highest priority restaurants.

High Priority Restaurants

Here is a list of the hardest-to-book restaurants in Disney World and ones that should be booked right at the 60-day deadline:

• Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)
• Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom)
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort)
• Le Cellier (EPCOT)
• Oga’s Cantina (Hollywood Studios)
• ‘Ohana (Disney’s Polynesian Resort)
• Space 220 (EPCOT)
• Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White (Disney’s Wilderness Lodge)
• Victoria & Albert’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort)

There are other hard-to-get ones like Via Napoli and California Grill, but the above ones are by far the hardest.

Our Favorite WDW Restaurants

Our favorite WDW Restaurants for First-Timers are:

• 50’s Prime Time Cafe (Hollywood Studios)
• California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (Hollywood Studios)
• Liberty Tree Tavern (Magic Kingdom)
• Morimoto Asia (Disney Springs)
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Cafe and Inn (Magic Kingdom)
• Satu’li Canteen (Animal Kingdom)
• The Boathouse (Disney Springs)
• Tusker House (Animal Kingdom)

That list has something for everyone no matter your budget or tastes.

Disney Dining Plan

The Disney Dining Plan returned to Walt Disney World on January 9th, 2024 ! For all the news on the new dining plan, check out my post here .

Even though we aren’t fans of the Disney Dining Plan, many guests love to use it and it’s something you need to understand to make an educated decision on how you want to pay for your meals.

The Dining Plan lets guests pay for their meals before their vacation starts giving each person in the group a number of credits they can spend on meals each day. This makes it very convenient since you don’t have to pay for food “out-of-pocket” during your trip, and your budget is already set.

There are 4 levels of the Disney Dining Plan, (Quick Service, Standard, Plus, and Deluxe) each with different prices and tailored to how much you plan on eating during your trip.

In general, we don’t recommend the Disney Dining Plan because it is a bit too expensive. In order to make it worth it, you need to do a lot of research ahead of time, and pick the “right” restaurants and the most expensive items on the menu. Most people don’t end up using all their credits, essentially paying for food they never eat.

Disney World Transportation

Next, it’s important to know how to get around Walt Disney World once you arrive. With almost 500 buses, dozens of watercraft, a monorail, and a gondola system, Disney World has a larger public transportation system than many American cities.

Should You Rent a Car?

Renting a car at Disney World has its positives and negatives and is a big decision you need to make. It comes down to if you are going to visit other places outside of Walt Disney World or stay on property the entire time.

If you are going to spend the entire vacation at Walt Disney World, there is absolutely no need to rent a car. Disney’s public transportation is more than sufficient for your needs.

If you are just going to spend one day in another Orlando destination like Universal Studios, you don’t need a car and you will save money by catching an Uber or a taxi to your destination.

The best reason for renting a car is if you plan on spending multiple days outside Disney World. Just know that parking fees at the theme parks can add up if you aren’t staying at a Disney World Resort, so expect to spend an additional$25 per day on top of rental car fees.

Just remember, if you have a car, in some cases, you will need to pay parking fees either at the hotels or theme parks which is an extra expense on top of the cost of the car itself. Sometimes both. We explain it all in our Guide to Parking at Disney World .

The most common form of transportation at Walt Disney World, and also the worst. No matter where you are staying, you will eventually have to use a Disney bus at some point in your trip to get to at least one of the theme parks.

They can each hold 100+ guests so they can get very packed and uncomfortable. Buses also tend to be the slowest way of getting around at Disney World, so if there is an alternative to where you are going, take it.

If you do end up taking the bus, make sure to show up 20-30 minutes before the time you want to leave as they are notoriously late.

When Disney World’s monorail system debuted back in 1971 it was an instant hit with guests and become the most popular mode of transportation.

The monorail has 3 lines loops. 2 of them (Resort and Express) go around the Seven Seas Lagoon and connect the Magic Kingdom with the nearby hotels at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

The third line connects EPCOT to Magic Kingdom lines allowing access to the surrounding resorts.

We love the Monorail and it’s still a great time riding from resort to resort, but they are outdated and in great need of refurbishment. The trains haven’t been replaced since 1989 so it’s beyond time for a new system.

This is the newest transportation mode at Disney World and our current favorite. Reminiscent of the old Skyway buckets from the Magic Kingdom, this gondola system brings guests between Disney parks and resorts with a wonderful bird’s-eye view.

Disney Skyliner Stops – EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort.

Read our Full Guide to the Disney Skyliner for more tips, maps, and everything else you need to know.

Disney World has a fleet of watercraft that 3 of the theme parks with various surrounding resort hotels. It’s a fantastic way to get to the parks, and to relax with great views on the way.

• Parks with Watercraft Service – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios.
• Resorts with Watercraft Service – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort (and Bay Lake), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resorts, Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter, Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (Treehouse Villas).

Expect to wait 20-30 minutes between boat arrivals.

Ride Sharing (Uber/Lyft)

Sometimes you just don’t have time to wait for Disney transportation and you need to get to your destination fast. A ride-sharing service like Uber or Lyft is perfect at Disney World in that situation.

Ride-sharing such as Uber will bring you anywhere you want in Walt Disney World. The only place they can’t go is to the front entrance at the Magic Kingdom. Instead, they drop guests off at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Disney doesn’t offer hotel to hotel bus service, so we often use Uber to get from our hotel to another one where we have a dinner reservation. This is a big-time saver instead of taking a bus to Disney Springs or a Park and then over to the second hotel.

Minnie Vans

Minnie Vans are Disney’s attempt to counter the popularity of ride-sharing services over the last few years. They are now back at Walt Disney World after being discontinued for 2 years.

They were run through the Lyft app and would bring you anywhere on property for a fee. Cars were painted red and black with white polka dots to resemble Minnie Mouse’s patented dress. They were much faster than Disney buses, but in the end, 2-3x more expensive than an Uber and not worth the high cost.

Getting from Park to Park

If you are park hopping you will want to go from one park to the other in the same day. Thankfully, Disney offers park-to-park transportation for resort hotel guests.

You can take the monorail between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. If you want to go between the Magic Kingdom and any other park, you will need to take the bus. Right now they run from 2:00 pm daily between parks.

Hollywood Studios and EPCOT have multiple transportation methods between them with boats, walking, and the Disney Skyliner all options.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the most difficult park to get to from another park and can only be reached by bus.

Other Stuff to Do

Most guests only come to Walt Disney World in mind, not realizing there is a whole world of other activities and entertainment to enjoy. There are water parks, boating, fishing golf, spa treatments, shopping to enjoy. You can even take a private tour or get a ticket to a special event.

You can celebrate a special moment in your life like an engagement or anniversary. Believe it or not, there are even a bunch of free things to do on your trip! There is something for the whole family.

Let’s take a look at some of the other things to do at Disney World.

Water Parks

Disney World has 2 water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. To go, you need to purchase the water parks add-on to your regular theme park admission or buy a single-day ticket.

• Typhoon Lagoon has 7 water slide rides, one kiddie slide, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and one small exploration trail. More family-friendly.
• Blizzard Beach has seven water slide rides, one kiddie play area, one lazy river, one wave pool, and a chairlift. More thrilling water slides.

Both water parks are fun, but if we are going to spend one day at a water park, we choose Typhoon Lagoon every time. The overall theming of the park is amazing, and the lazy river and wave pool are much better than at Blizzard Beach.

Disney Springs

This is Disney World’s main shopping and dining district and where you go if you are looking for nightlife at Disney World. Disney Springs underwent a major refurbishment and expansion a few years ago and now has countless must-try dining options as well as a Cirque du Soleil show, a movie theater, a fun bowling alley, and more.

Most of the restaurants at Disney Springs are much easier to get a reservation for than the restaurants at the parks and resort hotels, so keep that in mind if you have difficulty.

Read our rankings of the best Disney Springs restaurants for suggestions of where and what to eat.

Resort Days

Disney World can be exhausting running from one park to the next. We recommend spending at least one day doing absolutely nothing at your resort hotel. When I say nothing I mean lounging by the pool with a drink.

A good strategy is to have one resort day in the middle of your trip so you can recharge your batteries before doing the rest of the parks.

What is there to do at the resort hotels you ask? Tons! Here are some of our favorite recreation activities at Disney World:

• Boating/Jet Skis
• Horseback Riding
• Organized Resort Activities & Games
• Painting, Pottery & Crafts
• Sports – Tennis, Basketball, Golf, Archery
• Jogging/Trails
• Movies Under the Stars

Those should keep you busy for a while!

Visiting Other Resorts

Another option is to visit other Walt Disney World Resort hotels during your stay. The theming on some of them is really incredible (Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom Lodge), it’s free to do, and it’s fun to just walk around and check out the grounds.

No, you can’t swim in the pools at a resort you aren’t staying at, but you can scout out the hotels to find the resort you will stay at on your next trip to Disney World. Many enjoy doing this during the holidays to see the various decorations at each resort.

If you don’t want to take a whole day visiting other resorts, we suggest booking a lunch or dinner reservation at one of the restaurants in the resorts and then going early to check things out.

Sure you can go to the parks and ride the attractions, but did you know there are dozens of tours (paid and free) that you and your family can take? Planning a tour can be a great addition to your vacation and there is one for the whole family.

Best Tours at Disney World

• Keys to the Kingdom (Magic Kingdom)
• Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour (Magic Kingdom)
• Behind the Seeds (EPCOT)
• English Tea Garden Tour (EPCOT)
• Star Wars Guided Tour (Hollywood Studios)
• Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience (Animal Kingdom)
• Wild Africa Trek (Animal Kingdom)
• Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour (All Parks)

(Some tours are back right now at Disney World and others are still suspended.)

Extra Magic

There are also other special experiences at Disney World we like to call “Extra Magic” as they add just that extra touch you or your family member is looking for on your vacation. Be sure to look into these, especially for a special occasion.

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – This is a special salon that transforms your little princess or prince with a complete makeover. There are multiple packages that include costumes, make-up, manicures, and hair styling. Packages range from $75-$450.
• Dessert/Fireworks Parties – Each of the theme parks holds Dessert Parties on almost a nightly basis. These parties include all-you-can-eat desserts and a reserved view of the fireworks shows. Prices range from $40-$70 per person.
• Hard-ticketed Parties – Periodically there are events at the parks that require an extra ticket to and private from the general public and are some of the most popular events in Disney World each year. These include Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party , Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party , and various Disney After Hours events . Expect to pay between $109-$200 for these events.

Have a Daily Itinerary

No one likes being tied to a schedule on vacation, unfortunately at Walt Disney World that is not an option if you want to have the best experience possible during your visit.

We’re not saying you have to walk around with a clipboard and spreadsheet, but you need to create a general itinerary for the parks you are going to, which restaurants, etc.

The hard truth is, Disney World is too big and you can’t do it all even if you are there for 2 weeks. That’s why you need to make a plan and prioritize the most important things to you each day.

Some of the general questions about your Disney World trip that you need to think about are:

• How many days are you going to spend in the parks?
• How long will you go to the parks each day? Full days? Half days? Leave and come back in the evening?
• What order will you visit the parks in? Do you need to visit some parks more than once?
• How many sit-down meals per day? Where will you have those meals, at the parks or resort hotels?
• Which extra experiences are important to me? Special events?

The clearer your answers are to those questions, the easier it’s going to be to plan your days, and ultimately the more fun you will have.

When You’re In the Parks

Assuming you know how many days you want to spend in each park, the next thing you need to do is choose the attractions that are most important to you. Make a list of the ones you absolutely NEED to go on and prioritize those first.

Once you have your list, you will know which ones to prioritize when making your Genie+ reservations . When you have those it will be easier to map out the park and decide what order to do the attractions in.

We recommend looking at the park maps and doing the rides systematically. If you are in Adventureland for Jungle Cruise, then do the other rides on that side of the park while you are there. It will save you valuable time instead of walking back and forth multiple times.

What to Pack & Bring

We are almost there, the only thing left to do is pack your bags. Walt Disney World is a unique place and there are many things you might not think about packing that will be very helpful on your trip. We usually think we packed everything, but inevitably leave something at home, that’s why it’s best to have a list.

Here are the most important things to pack:

Luggage/Bags – Make sure your suitcases are in good condition before packing and are big enough to hold all your essential items. Decide how many bags each person is bringing. This will also depend on how many bags your flight permits.

We always pack too much on our trips to Disney World and we find ourselves swimming in bags. If you have a room with a washing machine, take advantage of that and do a load of laundry to save space in your bags.

If you have colorful, character-themed bags, this is the time to use them, your kids will love them. Also, make sure to bring a small backpack. We like to carry one during the day so hold our camera, a bottle of water, sunscreen, medicines, and other necessities.

Shoes – This might be the MOST important item on the list. If you don’t have comfortable shoes in Disney World, you are going to have a miserable time. On average, we walk between 8-10 miles PER DAY on our trips. You may not walk as much as us, but it will be at least 2-3 times more than what you are used to back home.

Here are some other important things you need to bring with you to Disney World:

• Medications
• Phone Chargers
• Travel Documents
• Water Bottles
• Frogg Toggs Chilly Pads (when it gets too hot)

Disney Vacation Planning Timeline

Now that you understand the basics of planning a Disney World vacation, it’s time to put it all together. When are you supposed to do all these planning tasks?

Most planning items need to be completed a certain number of days before your trip. We’ve created a planning timeline for you to make it easier to know when you need to get all these things done by.

One rule you should live by with Disney vacations is “it’s never too early.” Start planning as soon as possible and things will go much smoother.

499 Days Before Your Trip

You have to be kidding right? I need to start planning my trip 499 days before I go? While it’s not absolutely necessary to start this early, it will give you an advantage.

Start Thinking about Travel Dates – Get at least an idea of the dates you want to go to Disney World. Consult our Best Times to Visit Disney World guide to see which months are the best and worst.

Research/Book Hotel Reservations – Disney makes resort hotel reservations available for booking as many as 19 months in advance. If you know where you want to stay already, you may as well book your hotel now because you’ll have a better chance of getting a room.

This is especially helpful if you plan on going during the holiday season or other very busy times of the year. Read our article on How to Book a Disney World Vacation for all the details and booking tips.

Download My Disney Experience – Even if you don’t have dates in mind, travelers should download the MDE app and open an account right away to start getting familiar with the layout. It’s also time to go on the Disney World website to start doing research on the hotels and parks.

1 Year Before Your Trip

Decide Travel Dates – By this time you should have picked out when you want to take your vacation. If you need help deciding, it’s wise to look at a Disney World Crowd Calendar to find out when the busiest and least busy times of the year are.

How Many Days at the Parks – You also need to think about how many days you are going to spend in each park and how many days total of your trip. Think about which parks you want to go to and if you want to visit one of the water parks.

Research Attractions – Familiarize yourself with all the top attractions at each park and think about which ones you really want to do.

Price Airfare – It’s never too early to start looking up prices for airfare if you are flying. You should aim to get your tickets no more than 6 months before your trip.

9 Months Before You Go

Make Hotel Reservations – By this time you should know when you are going and which hotel to stay at. If you wait any longer you really run the risk of not getting the hotel you want. Lock in your room and then wait and see if a better offer opens up.

Get Everyone on My Disney Experience – You should already have an account, but you also need to make sure your family and all members of your travel party also are signed up. You will need them to be in the system for your dining reservations and FastPass+ reservations down the line, so take care of it early.

Buy Tickets – It’s always good to buy your Disney World park tickets as early as possible. First, the price never goes down and you will not find a lower price than what you see today so lock it in. Secondly, you need to have your tickets before making park reservations which tend to sell out early, especially if going at a busy time.

Make Park Pass Reservations – Once you buy your tickets, you can now make your park pass reservations. Don’t waste time, they sell out quickly.

180+ Days Before You Go

Park Hours – A few days before the 180-day mark arrives, look at the park hours for each day. This will let you plan out your day and will play a park in where you plan your meals and which Genie+ reservations you plan on booking.

Write Itinerary Rough Draft – Start writing out your ideal vacation itinerary day by day. Go through which parks you will be at on which days and which restaurants you would like to dine at. You now have a good idea of how your days are going to play out. Do this a few days before the 180-day mark as you need to have all the restaurants decided by then.

Book Special Events/Experiences – Decide which special experiences you and your family want to do. After Hours events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party should be booked once they are available. Experiences like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique take reservations 180 days before and they sell out quickly.

Decide to Rent a Car or Not – If you are renting a car, start looking a prices and book one when possible.

Disney Dining Plan – You need to decide if the Dining Plan is worth it to you or not. If so, you can add it to your package.

Book Airfare – This is a good time to buy airfare and if you’ve been monitoring it for a few months, you have an idea of what a good deal is.

75 Days Before Your Trip

New Hotel Deals – Throughout the year, Disney introduces new discounts on hotel rooms. Periodically during the planning stage, check if any new deals have come out for your hotel. If a better room opens up at another hotel, so still have time to switch resorts.

Last Call on Tickets – If for some reason you haven’t got your park tickets by now, this is almost the final opportunity with park reservations sometimes filling up a couple of months before your trip. Make sure you have your tickets before then.

30-60 Days Before Your Trip

Book Your Restaurants (60 Days before your arrival date) – Wake up early and be on your computer by 6:00 am sharp to make dining reservations. This is the most stressful part of planning as it can be hard to get the most difficult restaurants. Write backups for the most popular restaurants in case you can’t book your favorites.

Write Final Itinerary – Now that you have your parks and dining reservations locked in, you can write a final copy of your itinerary. You can always make adjustments later but you now know how most of your vacation will go.

45 Days Before Your Trip

Order MagicBands – Even though MagicBands are no longer free to guests, we still recommend ordering them for a small fee. They are $5-$20 per guest depending on what type you order. These must be ordered no more than 11 days before your trip to arrive at your house in time, but we recommend doing it earlier.

10 Days Before Your Trip

Shuttle Service – You can make a Mears Connect Shuttle reservation or other shuttles sometimes even 24 hours before departure, but there is no reason to wait. Get it done early.

Online Check-In – To skip going to the lobby upon arrival we suggest using Disney’s Online Check-In through My Disney Experience. You can set your credit card for room charges and set a pin for your MagicBand.

3 Days Before Your Trip

Memory Maker – This is the photo package with unlimited photos and downloads during your trip for you and your whole family. This must be ordered 3 days before arrival to get the lower price.

Pack Bags – We sometimes start earlier if we have time, but you should start getting out everything on your packing list and seeing how it fits in your luggage.

Keep Looking for Dining Reservations – If you weren’t able to get any high-priority dining reservations, keep looking periodically from the 60-day point to now. Reservations are more likely to open up the closer you get to your dining date as other guests cancel and change plans. Keep trying up until the morning of the date you are looking for.

Double Check – Run through the list one more time to make sure you have everything covered.

Get Excited – You are going to Disney World, the most magical place on Earth, so get happy!!

Right now. Do it as early as you can and start making plans even up to a year or more before your trip.

The average guest vacation to Walt Disney World is 4-7 days. We recommend 5 to 7 days for first-timers depending on your budget.

You can, but it is a bad idea. Walt Disney World is one of the most complicated vacations you can take and it needs the proper planning to make the most out of your trip.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about our Disney Planning Guide…

• What are your best suggestions when planning a trip to Walt Disney World?
• What are your biggest questions about planning a Disney vacation?

Let us know in the comments section below!

If you enjoyed this article, as always I appreciate it if you’d share it with others via social media.  I work hard at making this website into a useful resource for you and your family to plan your visit to the Disney Parks and I hope it can help you! Thanks 🙂

My name is Ziggy and I love Disney, everything Disney! I grew up on Disney and it has and continues to be a huge part of my life. I started young when my parents took me to Disney World when I was 18 months old. Little did they know that would be the first of an uncountable number of trips we would take. I have so many amazing memories going to Disney with my family and friends and it has been interwoven into my DNA.

Sunday 14th of January 2024

My special needs son and I are going on the Disney Wish in early March. Have you ever tried a Disney cruise?

Thursday 22nd of June 2023

Can dining reservations be made 6 mo in advance or 2 mo in advance please?

Monday 19th of June 2023

I just love your site. All the information provided is extremely helpful and useful. Thanks so much for everything!!!

Yvette Parent

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Hi Ziggy I would like to get a PDF copy of your guide. Would this be possible? Thank you

Thursday 3rd of February 2022

Hello my friend. We will be staying on Disney property this Sunday and we have a reservation for Epcot on Monday morning. Our plan is to ride Ratatouille and would like your advice to go directly to that ride and have a short wait. What should our strategy be? Thank you for your help. Dan and Lora ps we also just purchased an annual pass holder ticket that is only valid on weekdays - I am not sure if that helps.

Ziggy Oskwarek

Hi Dan. That's a good question you have. If you aren't planning on using Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, then going to Remy's Ratatouille Adventure right at rope drop is a good strategy. The day doesn't make a huge difference as it will be morning and festival crowds tend to come more in the afternoon. Have an awesome time and let us know how it goes!

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Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Disney World Vacation

Space Mountain by Benjamin D. Esham ( CC )

Planning a Disney World vacation requires some research. Walt Disney World is a huge place (47 square miles — that’s almost twice as large as Manhattan!) with so many things to do and see that even after more than 60 visits, we have not begun to do it all.

Just a quick summary of SOME of what’s available at Disney World:

• 4 major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• 2 water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Over 20 large resorts
• 4 golf courses
• 2 mini-golf courses
• numerous lakes offering water sports, boating and fishing
• dinner shows
• BoardWalk entertainment district
• Disney Springs shopping and dining district

So it’s not surprising that you’re a little confused about where to begin.

You’ll need to decide the following, in roughly this order:

1. When you’re going.

Check our Disney World FAQ for hints on the best and worst times of year for planning a Disney World vacation . Obviously your budget, kids’ school schedules and other factors will influence your decision as well.

If you are interested in learning when discounts for Walt Disney World resorts and vacation packages became available in past years, we maintain a chart listing that historical information .

2. What you’re going to do when you get there.

Seems kind of early in the planning process, doesn’t it? I mean, you haven’t even decided on a hotel yet! Well, trust us, you need to do some research before you go any further. There is so much to do, and everyone does something slightly different. Depending on the parks and attractions you want to visit, you may find certain hotels and resorts are much more convenient.

You’ll need some good basic help with planning, and something that will give you an overview of the attractions, the entertainment, etc. We list the best guidebooks on our Disney Guidebooks page.

3. How long you’re staying.

You probably thought that was part of #1 above, didn’t you? But after you learn how much there is to do, you may re-think your plans. Our first visit to Walt Disney World was 4 days. We thought that would be plenty of time. Wrong! We had to skip a lot of things we really wanted to try.

If you want to visit all four theme parks and actually experience the majority of the attractions, parades and shows, you will need at least 5 full days! (Epcot can easily take 2 days all by itself, because in a sense it’s the equivalent of 2 theme parks: Future World and World Showcase).

If you would like to do the major attractions at the theme parks without racing around like a maniac, or you want to try some of the “extras,” like water parks or golf, allow more days. In fact, we think a one-week trip is optimum for a first-timer who wants to enjoy the full experience. Tickets are the most expensive part of most people’s Disney World vacations, and Disney has set up its ticket pricing to encourage trips longer than 4 days: 7-day tickets don’t cost that much more than 4-day tickets.

4. How you’re getting there.

For this, consult the Transportation page here on the site . If you will be flying to Florida, it is a good idea to start checking out airfares right away, and keep checking them. The fares fluctuate wildly and if you catch a good one, you’ll need to grab it quickly.

5. What kind of theme park tickets to buy.

Because Walt Disney World tickets are so expensive (you’ll probably spend more on tickets than you will on your hotel room) this is a critical decision. Look over your itinerary, get out your calculator, take a look at the prices and figure out which tickets make sense for your situation.

Once you’ve decided on what tickets to buy, check out the Ticket Discounts page here on MouseSavers.com to find the best deal on them.

6. Where you will be staying.

First you’ll have to decide whether to stay at an official Disney resort, or at a nearby “off-property” resort. This is a complex decision for many people, to say the least. Keep in mind that while we use the term “off-property” to describe the non-Disney hotels, many of them are quite close and some are actually physically located on Disney-owned land. They just aren’t owned and run by Disney.

Each of the official Disney resorts is unique and special, and the ability to leave the real world behind and experience the Disney magic 24/7 is part of the fun for many people. The Deluxe Disney resorts are especially stunning. When you stay at a Disney resort hotel, you get access to Early Theme Park Entry and some other perks. Staying at a Disney resort gives you direct access to the Disney buses, boats and monorails so you can take a break from driving. The Disney resorts have much larger pools and more recreation options than most off-site hotels.

If you are trying to save as much money as possible, an off-property resort is usually going to be the best value. Families of 5 or more usually find that off-property resorts are an especially good deal, because most of the 5-person options at Disney’s resorts are quite pricey. Good off-property hotels often have larger rooms with more amenities than the official Disney hotels (especially compared to the Value and Moderate resorts, which have standard rooms that feel a bit motel-like). A quality off-property hotel will have service at least as good as a Disney resort, and a “luxury” hotel like the Four Seasons Orlando  will typically have better service. If you stay off-property, you will probably want to  rent a car , which is an additional expense, but it is generally a faster and better way to get around than the Disney transportation system.

The bottom line is that you can have an excellent vacation staying either on or off property. We have done it both ways multiple times, and we can assure you there are no right or wrong answers. We recommend exploring both options and figuring the bottom-line price and what you get with each. If you can afford to stay more days with one option, we recommend going that way; we’ll always advocate for staying longer if you can swing it. If neither one jumps out as being obviously better for you and this is your “once in a lifetime” trip, we’d go with a Disney resort just to get the full experience. If you think you’ll come back, just pick one option at random; you can always try it the other way on your next visit.

• If you’re considering an on-site resort stay , first read our analysis of the basic differences and best values among the Disney resorts . We have lots of information here on MouseSavers.com about discounts at Disney’s resorts as well as discounts on Disney’s vacation packages . If you will be staying for 5 nights or more at a Disney resort, that’s a big investment and we hope you’ll seriously consider contacting a Disney Specialist travel agent . It costs you nothing to have someone else keep track of all the resort discounts and find you the best deal. They will even rebook your resort reservations if a better discount becomes available. We recommend an excellent Disney Specialist travel agent here on MouseSavers.com.
• If you’re considering non-Disney / off-site hotels — and they’re worth considering, especially if you are on a tight budget and/or have a family of 5 or more — we have visited over a hundred of them around Walt Disney World and picked the very best ones for the MouseSavers Preferred Hotels page. You can book them yourself via the special discount links on our website.

7. How you’re getting from the airport to your hotel (if you’re flying).

There are lots of options. Visit our Transportation page to learn how to save on your transportation to and from the airport.

That’s it!

Seriously, everything else is “gravy.” You can make reservations for your meals , book special events and do all kinds of other planning , but these are the basics. Enjoy your planning!

By the way, if you’re just starting to plan your Disney World vacation and wondering how you are going to afford it, be sure to read the page titled Ways to Save for Your Disney Vacation – a collection of tips and tricks to help you sock away the money for your next trip.

Stay in the Magic… and Play!

Customize a walt disney world resort vacation package to suit your style and budget., start planning your disney vacation, what’s exciting and new, enjoy some of the newest experiences at walt disney world resort—and rediscover familiar favorites., finding nemo: the big blue… and beyond.

Witness a stirring spectacle of puppetry, music and more during this reimagined stage show set in Nemo’s vibrant underwater world.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Bring the whole family to zip, dash and scurry through Gusteau’s kitchen as you take in the sights, sounds and even smells from Remy’s world.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Leave the real world behind in this high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON .

Watch in awe as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in a nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.

4 Enchanting Theme Parks

There’s so much magic waiting for you in the walt disney world theme parks., magic kingdom park, explore lands of endless enchantment, where your fantasy becomes a reality..

During your visit, you can:

• Be dazzled by music, dancing and vivid pageantry during the Festival of Fantasy Parade —a grand tribute to the tales and inhabitants of Fantasyland.
• Enjoy iconic attractions and experiences across incredible lands—including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train , a swaying family coaster ride that will have you racing through a diamond mine.
• Rediscover beloved classic Disney attractions such as Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and “it’s a small world.”
• Delight in family-friendly thrills on ever-popular coasters like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .
• Leave the real world behind for a high-stakes race across the Grid—the dark, computerized world from TRON —on TRON Lightcycle / Run .

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Encounter the magic of nature with animal adventures and entertainment..

• Celebrate the magic of nature at Pandora – The World of Avatar . Here, you can fly on the back of a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage, hike amid floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’Ara and take a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rainforest on the Na’vi River Journey.
• Set off in an open-air vehicle across a lush African savanna teeming with exotic animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris .
• Speed through the Himalayas on a runaway train while avoiding the Yeti as you conquer Expedition Everest .
• Wave to beloved Disney Characters as they sail along the Discovery River on fabulous flotillas.
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Let your adventure begin as favorite stories come to life all around you.

• Pack your imagination, switch tracks and take a ride on the cartoon side like never before when you hop aboard Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway .
• Live your adventure in a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge ! Experience 2 thrilling attractions, build your own droid or lightsaber, savor Batuu’s tasty food and beverages, shop for Star Wars -themed merchandise and more!
• Discover big fun for kids and grown-ups alike at Toy Story Land . Take a wild ride on Slinky Dog Dash and go for a whirl on Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Watch in wonder as Mickey Mouse’s dreams come alive in Fantasmic! —an extravagant nighttime musical with stunning effects, dazzling pyrotechnics and more.

Dare to discover a place where your imagination comes alive and curiosity waits around every corner.

• Celebrate every season at themed festivals featuring fantastic food, live entertainment and more—select dates throughout the year.
• Blast off on an intergalactic chase with Rocket, Groot, Gamora and Star-Lord on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind —a coaster inspired by the rockin’ movies.
• Board an ancient Norwegian vessel and be whisked away to the kingdom of Arendelle during a Frozen Ever After adventure.
• Journey around World Showcase , where you can explore the culture, arts, food and beverages of 11 different countries.

Stay Longer and Save More on Rooms

Stay in the magic with disney resorts collection, discover the many benefits of staying at our unique disney resort hotels ., enjoy more time in the parks, disney resort hotel guests get extra time to play every day..

Early Theme Park Entry Guests of Disney Resort hotels can get a 30-minute jump on their Disney day with early theme park entry —available at all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Early theme park entry gives you a head start in the parks, so you’ll have access to select attractions, shops and dining before regular hours. And you can enjoy this benefit on each day of your stay—in any park, subject to capacity.

For early theme park entry, you'll need valid admission and a MagicBand, Disney MagicMobile pass or Key to the World Card. Theme park reservations may be required based on admission type.

Extended Evening Theme Park Hours Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas can enjoy extended evening hours —experiencing select attractions, shops and dining after regular park hours—in select theme parks on select nights. This popular benefit will continue through 2025!

Together with early theme park entry—available to all Disney Resort hotel Guests—you’ll get to arrive earlier and stay later so you can maximize your time in the parks!

Review our calendar for extended evening hours and dates .

If using a ticket with the Park Hopper option that requires a theme park reservation, please remember that you must enter the park where you made your reservation before you can visit other theme parks.

Start Your Stay with a Water Park Day in 2025

Disney resort hotel guests arriving in 2025 can enjoy water park admission on check-in day—included with your stay.

With this water park benefit, it’s easy to unwind on the day you arrive. Get ready to zip down thrilling water slides, relax on sandy beaches, float along a lazy river... and let your cares drift away. Learn more about the Walt Disney World water parks .

More details about this benefit will be available in late 2024, and will be shared with you before your stay.

Important Information About This Benefit

• This benefit is exclusive to registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. All Guests must be on the Resort reservation. View eligible Disney Resort hotels .
• This benefit is only on the day of check-in, and is valid for admission to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. Check the park calendar and operating hours closer to your 2025 arrival to plan your check-in day.
• Usage of this benefit is subject to availability.
• At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
• Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures, or may close for other reasons.
• Each of our water parks is refurbished annually. These routine maintenance periods are staggered, so our Guests should be able to enjoy at least one water park experience year-round.
• Water park admission is nontransferable, nonrefundable and has no cash value, and excludes activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public.
• Parks, attractions and other offerings subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refund or credit given for any such changes or cancellation. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.

Savor a World of Flavor

Discover delicious dining options when you stay at a disney resort hotel..

With tasty meals and snacks moments away, it’s easy to make the most of the magic during your stay.

Explore dining experiences available for booking during your vacation.

View a full list of the dining options at Walt Disney World Resort.

Add a Dining Plan

Now you can add a dining plan to Disney Resort Hotel Packages.

Dining plans can add the convenience and flexibility of prepaid meals and snacks to your vacation—and give you peace of mind.

Highlights include:

• Savings: Save up to 20% on dining for kids ages 3 to 9 when you purchase a dining plan for your family as part of a Disney Resort Hotel Package! Savings compared to the nondiscounted price of menu items available to kids ages 3 to 9 at participating locations when purchased without a dining plan. Actual savings vary based on menu items ordered.
• Convenience & Peace of Mind: With 2 dining plans to choose from, you can spend more time with your family enjoying the Disney magic (and less time on meal budgeting). And this gives you the opportunity to say that magic word to your kids... "Yes."
• Flexibility: There are more than 200 locations to dine at throughout our Disney Resort hotels, theme parks and select locations at Disney Springs. So there’s something to delight nearly every taste!

Learn more about dining plans .

Immerse Yourself in the Magic

Disney resort hotels offer the same legendary detail, service and storytelling that guests love in our parks..

From unique accommodations to distinctive dining options, themed rooms and more, the Disney Resorts Collection offers Guests a variety of options that exemplify the Disney difference.

Proximity Staying at a Disney Resort hotel keeps you in the magic—close to the theme parks, water parks and shopping at the Disney Springs area.

Activities and Amenities Disney Resort hotels feature amenities that immerse Guests in the worlds of classic Disney tales—including themed pools with slides, poolside activities, Character Dining experiences, unique recreation, delightful surprises and so much more.

Endless Possibilities With all of the great options in the Disney Resorts Collection, you’re sure to find one—or more than one—that fits you. From theme to budget, you have a world of amazing options to consider. You’re not just choosing a place to sleep at night—you’re choosing your home for the duration of your Walt Disney World vacation.

Want to wake up, look out your window, and say good morning to a giraffe? You can when you stay at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge . Ever stayed on the shores of the South Pacific? Drift away to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort . Or come home to larger-than-life recreations of scenes from favorite Disney and Pixar classics at Disney's Art of Animation Resort !

These are just a few of the Disney Resort hotels that await you at Walt Disney World Resort !

Make the Most of Your Visit

Get around with ease, it’s fun and easy to get around walt disney world resort when you stay at a disney resort hotel..

Resort Transportation

Our complimentary bus , boat and monorail services are available to take you to popular destinations throughout Walt Disney World Resort—some Disney Resort hotels even offer convenient walking paths to nearby parks.

Plus, the most recent addition to our fantastic world on the go, Disney Skyliner lets Guests glide across the sky while traveling between:

• EPCOT (International Gateway)
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels enjoy complimentary standard parking at Disney theme parks, Disney water parks and the Disney Springs area.

Add More Magic

Enjoy special offerings and benefits that take your vacation to the next level..

As a Disney Resort hotel Guest, you can purchase a MagicBand+ at a special pre-arrival price.

MagicBand+ includes all of the features you’ve come to love with MagicBand—and more! Your MagicBand+ can be used to:

• Unlock your Disney Resort hotel room
• Enter theme parks and water parks (with valid admission)
• Check in at Lightning Lane entrances and virtual queues
• Charge food and merchandise purchases**
• Discover enchanting surprises and interactions across Walt Disney World Resort
• Connect Disney PhotoPass images to your Disney account

Learn more about MagicBand+ .

Early Access to Purchase Individual Lightning Lane Entry

Get quicker entry to a couple of our most popular attractions! If you’re a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you’re eligible to make your first individual Lightning Lane purchase starting at 7:00 AM each day of your visit. You can select a one-hour arrival window, one at a time, for up to 2 different attractions per day. Guests of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green may also enjoy this early-access benefit. All other Guests are eligible to make their first purchase when the park opens.

Learn more about our Lightning Lane entrances .

Note: Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, and are not guaranteed. To enter a theme park, valid admission is required. A theme park reservation may also be required. Price, terms and entitlements are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice.

Make Reservations for Dining and More Get ready to dine or unwind! Here’s when you can make reservations for dining and Enchanting Extras Collection experiences :

• Guests with a Valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation: Make reservations for your entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of your arrival! This can help you enjoy streamlined vacation planning , since you can make all your reservations on the same day—rather than checking availability day after day.
• All Other Guests: Make reservations up to 60 days in advance.

To dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant, a confirmed dining reservation for the total number of Guests—regardless of age—is highly recommended. You will also need valid admission for the same park on that same date for each Guest ages 3 and up. A theme park reservation may be required based on admission type. Learn more.

Dining reservations do not guarantee access to a park, and Park Hopper availability may change daily.

** Credit card must be presented at Disney Resort hotel check-in for purchases with MagicBand. Purchases are charged to your Disney Resort hotel account.

Enjoy Magical Extras with Your Package

More fun for everyone, disney water parks, disney water parks are unlike anything else on earth—they’re drenched in disney magic..

Zip down some of the world's tallest and fastest waterslides, plunge into fun on a family raft ride, feel your cares drift away on a lazy river or unwind on a sandy beach. Plus, your little ones can splash around in kid-sized areas!

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – Closed for Refurbishment Chill out in a winter wonderland at a one-time ski resort that melted into warm water.

Here, you can:

• Conquer the slopes of Mount Gushmore on Summit Plummet —one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall waterslides.
• Zoom down other thrilling waterslides, like the Downhill Double Dipper and Slush Gusher .
• Float along Cross Country Creek , a 3,000-foot-long lazy river.
• Let your little ones explore Tike’s Peak , a water play area with a snow castle fountain and kid-sized waterslides.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park – Now Open! Delight in this tropical paradise that’s been transformed by a legendary storm into an oasis of pure excitement.

• Ride a wave at Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool —North America’s largest wave pool.
• Grab a friend and take the plunge down Crush ‘n’ Gusher , featuring thrilling dips and turns.
• Watch your little ones enjoy a whimsical water playground with pint-sized slides, water cannons and other fun features at Ketchakiddee Creek .
• Relax as you float along Castaway Creek and take in lush, tropical surroundings.

Important Information Valid water park admission required. Water parks subject to seasonal and weather closures. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park is currently closed for refurbishment.

Disney Springs

Explore an amazing place featuring an eclectic mix of shops, eateries and entertainment..

Find happily whatever you’re after at Disney Springs:

• Delectable dining options to please almost every palate
• Shopping galore , from unique boutiques to whimsical Disney-themed stores
• Fun for all ages , with bowling, a movie theater, a carousel and more
• Live entertainment , including Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil® and Disney—a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration between 2 iconic memory-makers

Delectable Dining

Walt disney world resort has dining options to delight every taste, style and budget..

• Character dining (with modifications) at Garden Grill Restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, Chef Mickey’s and more
• Signature dining where you can celebrate a special occasion in style
• Counter-service restaurants —ideal for grabbing a quick bite on-the-go
• Mobile Order at select quick-service restaurants, which enables you to save time by ordering ahead via the My Disney Experience app
• Spectacular rooftop dining at California Grill, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood

When to Make Dining Reservations Get ready to dine! Make advance reservations at select Walt Disney World restaurants.

Enchanting Extras Collection

Add even more magic to your visit with a variety of unique experiences, available for a fee..

• Hands-on Star Wars experiences at Droid Depot and Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers (with valid park admission)
• In-Room Floral & Gifts , featuring beautiful gift and snack baskets, themed balloon bouquets and enchanting floral arrangements—all designed to celebrate your special moments
• Capture Your Moment , a personalized photo session with Disney PhotoPass photographers in a Walt Disney World theme park
• Fascinating tours that take you to special locations at Walt Disney World Resort—including Savor the Savanna and Behind the Seeds

Explore the Enchanting Extras Collection .

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Explore places to stay.

Choose from uniquely themed Disney Resort hotels—with options to suit your style and budget.

4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket

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How to Plan a Disney Vacation: 14 Tips for Your Trip to Walt Disney World

By Valerie Marino

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World isn’t quite as carefree as it used to be. Advances in technology have led to many new planning tools and resources, and even more tips and tricks for optimizing your time and money spent. (Worried about what to pack? We've got you covered .) You can still spontaneously roll up to the park gates and buy a ticket, but just like with any other travel destination, a little advance planning is recommended to get the most out of your vacation.

The good news is, they don’t call Disney World the most magical place on earth for nothing. You’ll be grateful for the time you spent planning in advance once you’re in the parks, whipping through lines and eating Mickey premium ice cream bars in front of Cinderella Castle. We’ve developed a timeline to follow so you don’t miss the important details.

But first, here are some Disney World-specific terms you’ll want to know.

Disney World Vocab Bank

My Disney Experience: This is the portal you’ll use to book and manage your Disney World vacation. My Disney Experience lets you see all your plans at a glance, including hotel, dining, and FastPass+ reservations, as well as reminders for shows like the Happily Ever After fireworks.

MagicBand: A wristband that serves as your key to Disney World. Your MagicBand contains your park tickets, hotel room key, FastPass+ access, and even lets you buy food and merchandise with a linked credit card. Disney hotel guests receive these as part of their stay, but they’re also available for purchase online and onsite for $14.99.

FastPass+: A complimentary reservations system that allows you to book a time slot for rides and attractions across Disney World’s four theme parks, bypassing the standby queue. You may book three experiences per day in one park, adding more once those have been redeemed. Passes are not unlimited and popular attractions will book out, sometimes months in advance.

Extra Magic Hours: Bonus hours where Disney World’s four theme parks are open to guests at Disney-affiliated hotels before and after regular operating hours. At least one park per day will open an hour early or stay open an hour past closing for resort guests.

PhotoPass: A service that stations official Disney photographers in popular photo locations across Disney World’s theme parks. Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will happily take pictures using your personal camera, so you can get some great photos of the whole family.

Six months out

• Pick your travel dates. The parks tend to be most crowded during spring break, the Christmas holiday season and the summer months, with lulls in late January, February and in the early fall. Check Disney World’s calendar or one of the popular third-party crowd projectors like Touring Plans for events that may cause the parks to be more crowded on the weekends, like RunDisney races , which typically take place in November, January, February, and April, or seasonal events like the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in the fall.
• Secure your hotel reservation. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is between staying at a Disney resort hotel or off-site. Disney World has more than 25 onsite resort hotels like Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Beach Club Resort . Guests there receive benefits like complimentary Magical Express transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport, as well as advance booking for FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours. The latter are also available for guests at many Disney partner hotels, including the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort , Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort , Waldorf Astoria Orlando , and Disney Springs resort area hotels. Staying onsite can be expensive—you’re paying for proximity and easy theme park access—but there’s almost always a deal to be found .
• Book your dining reservations. It may seem strange to think about where you’ll want to eat six months from now, but reservations open 180 days out and peak dining times at many of Disney’s most popular restaurants, like Be Our Guest , which takes you inside the castle from Beauty and the Beast , and Cinderella’s Royal Table , inside Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, fill up months in advance.

Three to four months out

• Decide what kind of park ticket you want. Single-day tickets start at $109 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $104 for children ages 3-9. Children under age 3 do not require an admission ticket. Tickets are cheaper per day the longer you stay—a five-day park ticket is just $83 per day. If you want to visit more than one park per day, the option to park hop adds $60 per day. Can’t decide? You can always upgrade at the park entrance or your hotel’s concierge desk—but not online.
• Buy tickets for seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party . These events take place at the Magic Kingdom on select nights during the fall. (They don't directly correspond to the precise day of the holiday; the Halloween parties are held August through October, and the Christmas ones, November through December.) Even if you’re not planning to attend, take note—the park closes as early as 6 p.m. on these dates, meaning you can’t see the nightly fireworks show without an additional admission ticket. Epcot’s seasonal festivals , including Food & Wine or Flower & Garden , are included in park admission and don’t impact operating hours, but some parts of the event like cooking demonstrations or wine tastings require an additional fee.
• Check each park’s hours and develop a rough idea of which ones you want to visit and which attractions are on your must-do list so you’re prepared when your FastPass+ booking window opens.

60 days out

• Book your FastPass+ reservations. This is the most important date to remember. Guests at Disney’s onsite and partner hotels may do so 60 days before their check-in date; the service is available at 30 days for all other park visitors. Quantities are limited and popular attractions often run out weeks in advance, so if you absolutely must experience Avatar Flight of Passage (and you should), Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this is your chance to lock that in.
• Be sure everyone in your travel party has a profile on My Disney Experience and a park ticket assigned to their account, and that all of your accounts are linked together as “friends & family” before attempting to book your FastPass+ reservations. Otherwise you’ll be frustrated when you can’t book your whole group together to meet Mickey Mouse or ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.
• If you’re flying to Orlando and staying at a Disney World hotel, add your flight information to your reservation to book Disney’s Magical Express transportation.

One week out

• Complete online check-in for your Disney resort hotel, which allows you to bypass the front desk upon arrival. This is where you can make special requests for a particular building or floor. Want to be closer to your resort’s main building and dining facilities, or prefer to be in a quieter location with less foot traffic? Mark your preferences here. Link your credit card and set a PIN to activate the option to make purchases using your MagicBand .
• Download Disney World’s suite of mobile apps, including My Disney Experience , Play Disney Parks , and Shop Disney Parks . Want to change your FastPass+ selections, check for last-minute dining reservations, or find the closest bathroom when you’re in the parks? The My Disney Experience app is the key to it all. Play Disney Parks unlocks interactive games while you’re waiting in line for select attractions across the resort. It will enhance your experience inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge when that opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios by helping you translate languages and interact with droids. Shop Disney Parks shows you merchandise available for sale and its location within Disney World—especially handy when you can’t remember where you saw the perfect pair of sequin Mickey ears.
• Consider purchasing Memory Maker , which includes all your PhotoPass photos, images, and videos from attractions (like the iconic pic from Splash Mountain), and photos from the accounts of your family and friends traveling with you. Memory Maker costs $169 when purchased at least three days before your vacation begins, but $199 to begin immediately.
• Cancel any dining reservations you’re not planning to use (or get hit with a no-show fee, usually $10 per person if you don’t cancel by midnight the day before the reservation) and check for any last-minute openings at restaurants you missed earlier.
• Attach your Magical Express tags to your luggage and put your MagicBands in your carry-on. If you completed online check-in for your Disney hotel, you’ll receive a text message or email when your room is ready, and your MagicBand is your hotel room key.

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How to Plan a Trip to Walt Disney World

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We already know that a trip to Walt Disney World is one of the most popular vacations around. With an average of over 58 million visitors per year, odds are you have at least a friend or two who’ve visited. But did they mention how many moving parts there were when planning their trip? From flights, to park tickets to hotels, booking a vacation at the happiest place on earth is no laughing matter.

Let’s take a look at how to plan a trip to Disney World and ways to save money on your vacation.

1. Find and book cheap flights

Depending on how far away you live, you’ll likely need to book flights for your Disney trip . Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the nearest airport to Disney World, located just 20 minutes away by car. Finding flights to and from Orlando is typically easy, with more than 600 flights per day operated by over 20 different airlines.

As with many things, flexibility is key when it comes to finding cheap flights. High-season airfare is nearly always more expensive than shoulder or off-season rates.

Of course, with so many different airlines flying into Orlando, you have plenty of options when it comes to redeeming airline miles for flights . Whether you’re looking to book with American, Delta, United, Alaska, Southwest or even JetBlue, you can find multiple flights per day from each carrier.

Budget airlines such as Spirit and Frontier also offer flights to Orlando, but you’ll want to consider the additional fees associated with these airlines. Your airfare may cost less, but paying more for seat selection and a carry-on bag can eat into the discounts.

Travel cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express feature an annual airline fee credit that reimburses you for expenses like checked baggage and other incidentals. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Many of the airlines that operate award flights use a dynamic or semi-dynamic pricing scale, so you're best off using your miles to fly during non-peak travel times.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our airline points tool

2. Consider whether you need a rent a car (because you can probably skip it)

Disney Skyliner transports guests between Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot to four resort hotels – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Riviera Resort. (Photo courtesy of Disney) 

If you're flying to Orlando and going straight to Walt Disney World, you might consider a rental car. But for most guests, a rideshare like Lyft or Uber is the best transportation between Disney and the airport. You'll avoid the hassle of driving and finding (and paying for) parking. Once on Disney property, there's a robust network of mass transit, including a monorail, boats, buses and even an aerial gondola called the Skyliner — all of which are free to ride.

But if you must rent a car, consider using websites like Autoslash to search for your ride. Autoslash will scour multiple booking sites and a variety of loyalty programs to find the best rates for your dates. Even better? After reserving a car, you can enter your reservation details in their price tracker to get notified if the price goes down. If it does, you can cancel your original reservation and get in on the better deal.

Another way to search for rental cars is with Costco Travel , which includes a waived additional driver fee for eligible drivers.

Finally, if you’d rather maximize the number of miles you’ll earn on your booking, consider using a travel portal for your rental car. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, for example, offers 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per $1 spent on rental cars via Chase's travel portal. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , meanwhile, offers 10 Capital One miles per $1 spent on rental cars booked through the Capital One travel portal.

» Learn more: The best credit cards for rental cars

3. Book Disney World hotels (or hotels nearby, off-property)

The pool complex at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

There are more than 30 Disney-owned hotels at Disney World. According to Disney price tracking site Touring Plans, rooms run as low as $128 per night at the affordable Disney All-Star properties, but that's assuming you're booking during the low-season (and at among the cheaper of Disney's hotels). Contrast that with nightly rates for one of Disney World’s most expensive Deluxe hotels, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which start at $780.

NerdWallet analyzed hundreds of Walt Disney World hotel room rates and found out that they're actually much higher. Here's how Disney World hotel prices break down, based on the classification of hotel type:

Consider staying off-property

If $286 for the average rate at Disney’s cheapest rooms still feels to expensive, thats because it is. Disney hotel room prices far exceed the average prices of other hotels nearby. Orlando’s average daily room rate is just $186.49, about 35% less than the cheapest Disney resort, according to Visit Orlando’s 2022 Travel Industry Indicators.

And happily — whether your style is ultra-budget accommodations or high-end luxury — Orlando is chock-full of hotels off Disney property that you can book using cash or points, meaning you might be able to book a stay for no cash money at all.

Like flight rates, hotel rates will often vary according to season, but you can sometimes find rooms for as low as $32 per night — even on a weekend.

There are also plenty of options when it comes to hotel loyalty programs , including choices from Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, Choice Hotels and Wyndham. You’ll even be able to find a few properties within walking distance of Disney parks.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort (Photo courtesy of Disney)

And then there's Walt Disney World’s Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve resorts, which are owned by Marriott but actually are on Disney property (in fact, the Walt Disney World Dolphin and its sibling hotel, the Swan , are the only two non-Disney run hotels on Disney property). Both are located near Epcot and offer a water taxi to the park’s entrance (it's also an easy walk). As part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, Marriott loyalists can earn and redeem Bonvoy points to stay here (and you can flex your Marriott elite status here).

» Learn more: The best Disney World hotels to book with points

4. Brace for the high costs of theme park tickets

Disney World theme park tickets are expensive. Costs vary depending on how long you stay, with multi-day tickets costing less per day than a single-day ticket. Disney also sells add-ons like Park Hopper tickets that let you visit multiple parks each day or access to Lightning Lane entrances , which are priority queues for certain attractions.

Factor ticket price into your budget in advance. The Disney World website features a calendar that’ll display how much your tickets will cost based on your travel dates, but here's what you can expect to pay, on average:

If you’re looking to save money on your Disney World tickets, consider buying from authorized resellers such as Undercover Tourist . These websites will shave a few dollars off the price of your ticket. You can also opt to redeem points for your theme park tickets , but choices are limited for Disney World.

5. Budget for Disney meals

The Ronto Wrap is filled with spiced grilled sausage and roasted pork. (Photo courtesy of Disney)

Are you a fan of fancy dining? Budget for a few sit-down dinners during your trip so you can enjoy some of the spectacular food Disney World has to offer.

NerdWallet priced out the average meal prices depending on restaurant type, across an analysis of hundreds of Disney menu items. Meals consisted of an entree and drink and — at waiter service restaurants — an appetizer or dessert. But even on the low end, expect to pay nearly $20 per meal. Here's how average meal prices broke down:

Other ways to reduce the Disney World cost of food include packing your own snacks. Disney explicitly states that guests are allowed to bring outside food and nonalcoholic beverages into the parks, with just a few stipulations (such as no glass containers).

6. Account for other miscellaneous expenses

An extra tip on how to start planning a trip to Disney world: Don't overlook miscellaneous expenses.

Miscellaneous costs vary based on your travel party and the type of vacation you're looking for. Do you have kids? Don’t forget to factor in extra money for toys and snacks. Other common expenses include transportation, parking, tips, souvenirs and the inevitable last-minute ponchos/sunscreen/spare shoes.

It can also be tempting to book other add-on activities, such as those found in Disney's ‘Enchanting Extras Collection,’ which include animal encounters, educational classes and recreational activities. Such activities include behind-the-scenes tours like a 60-minute, Caring for Giants tour at Animal Kingdom, which costs $35 per person. A similar (albeit fancier) experience is the 3-hour, private Wild Africa Trek tour which costs $199 per person and involves hiking, off-roading in a safari vehicle and traversing on a rope bridge. Other extras include fireworks cruises and mini golf.

Sure, there are plenty of free or cheap activities to do on Disney property (even outside the parks), but be realistic about what you'll actually book.

» Learn more: How to budget for a family trip to Disney

If you want to plan a trip to Walt Disney World

There’s no doubt that Disney World vacations require a lot of planning. Before you go, be sure to consider all the factors that go into the trip, including flights, hotels, rental cars, park tickets and extras. With a little foresight and good budgeting, you’ll have your Disney World trip figured out in no time.

How to maximize your rewards

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3-Day Disney World Itinerary

Our 3-day Walt Disney World itinerary offers an efficient plan for experiencing the highlights of Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. This includes strategy for popular rides, beating the lines, where to eat, plus what to see and what to skip if you’re tight on time. ( Updated February 18, 2024 .)

Conventional wisdom says that you should spend a full day in each of the four theme parks, which would mean that you should spend no fewer than 4 days at Walt Disney World. This is our standard minimum recommendation–we usually advise doing at least 5 days at Walt Disney World, or even more if possible.

However, the practical reality is that not everyone can swing that long of a trip. There’s a lot to see and do in Florida, vacation time is limited, and Walt Disney World is expensive. We understand all of that. Rather than just saying, “ that sucks, you’re on your own! ” we are here to help with a plan of attack that’ll allow you to accomplish the “best of” Walt Disney World over the course of only a long weekend…

Even as diehard Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, this is a type of trip we’ve done ourselves many times over the years. Back when we first started visiting Walt Disney World together, Sarah and I were still students and it was “frowned upon” for us to skip class. That didn’t deter us, as it was also fairly easy to miss Mondays, so we’d fly out on Friday nights and return Monday evenings.

As we’ve bounced around, it’s been a similar story. Redeyes out from LAX at midnight on Thursday, hitting the ground running Friday morning at Walt Disney World, before departing on the last flight of the day on Sunday night. (This one is the ultimate money-saving hack, as it reduces the resort stay by a day!)

With that in mind, let’s start by discussing some recommendations to set you up for success with the 3-day Walt Disney World plan. First, we highly recommend Park Hopper tickets. This ticket type is more expensive, but Park Hoppers also allow you to accomplish a lot more. Especially on a shorter trip, this is a splurge that is “worth it” in our view. There will be other places to trim the fat from your vacation budget, and we’ll point to some of those in this plan.

If my math skills serve me correctly, Park Hopper tickets are also the only way to do 3 parks in 4 days. Doing a single park in a single full day is not the primary focus of this itinerary because we already have single day options for each of the parks. If you want the “easy” answer to this itinerary, it’s doing full days at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, plus a morning at Animal Kingdom and afternoon/evening at EPCOT. That’s not our ideal approach, but it’s the most straightforward one. See the following to put together your own plans:

• Magic Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary – An aggressive itinerary for Walt Disney World’s flagship park that starts with an early morning in Fantasyland and Frontierland. It’s normally tough to do Magic Kingdom in a single day, but this comes very close.
• EPCOT 1-Day Itinerary – This one manages to hit all of the EPCOT E-Tickets with minimal waits, while also prioritizing a leisurely and low-crowds experience in World Showcase.
• Hollywood Studios 1-Day Itinerary – Home to the most new headliner attractions, this covers Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, roller coasters, and the park’s many shows.
• Animal Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary – This itinerary gets you in and out of Pandora – World of Avatar efficiently, bypassing the frequent two-hour waits for Flight of Passage. It also allows ample time for exploration, animal watching, and eating.

If you don’t have Park Hopper tickets and are thus forced to skip a park, make it Animal Kingdom unless  you or your kids are big fans of nature and wildlife, or the marvelous mind of James Cameron, Avatar auteur. As much as we enjoy Animal Kingdom, it is the least-compelling way to spend a full day at Walt Disney World, especially after the overhauls at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. It’s also currently the only park without a nighttime spectacular, and it closes the earliest of the four.

If you only have 3 days for 3 parks, skipping Animal Kingdom is the obvious option for 80% of visitors. For the remaining 20%, it’s probably 50-50 as to whether you should skip EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. Almost no one, even those without small children, should skip Magic Kingdom. It is  the  flagship park at Walt Disney World for good reason, and the quintessential experience for guests of all ages.

Second, we strongly recommend staying on-site. At this point you might be skeptical that this plan is actually appropriate for those trying to do “Walt Disney World on a Dime.” Hear us out, because we are not suggesting that those on a tight budget stay at the Grand Floridian or most luxurious on-site hotels.

To the contrary, we recently debated the value proposition of Walt Disney World’s cheapest Value Resorts . That explains why these are not only “good enough” for most guests, but also, can offer better bang for buck as compared to staying off-site. In a nutshell, not having to rent a car or use an Uber or Lyft offsets most of the savings offered by off-site accommodations for many families. As with anything, there are some exceptions to that.

Even if you’re doing a longer Florida vacation and Disney is only a small part of that, we recommend staying on-site at Walt Disney World for a portion of the trip. In fact, our advice is precisely the same for those visiting Universal Orlando. We are huge proponents of split stays, and think dealing with the mid-trip transfer is better than the hassle of commuting everywhere from a centralized home base. On top of that, there are the on-site perks that each theme park operator offers its hotel guests.

This brings us to the third point, which is that taking advantage of Early Entry at Walt Disney World is almost essential. Also help is Extended Evening Hours , but that only occurs two days per week and requires a higher-tier hotel stay.

Although Early Entry is only (officially) a 30-minute headstart on the off-site crowds, it can be hugely advantageous–especially at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. That’s also true to a lesser extent at Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom, but can be big at the latter on days when official park opening is 8 am instead of 9 am. Anyway, the key here is not to dismiss Early Entry because it’s “only” 30 minutes.

Finally, effective use of Early Entry can eliminate the need to purchase Genie+ or Lightning Lanes. Otherwise known as paid FastPass, this is Walt Disney World’s line-skipping system. While we don’t love the idea of paying for something that was once free, it can be a necessary evil to accomplishing everything in a shorter amount of time.

However, if you’re up early and stay out late, that may not be the case. We’ll point out where Genie+ might be helpful and where it isn’t, and give you the option. It’s always an option for “bonus” rides, but is not strictly necessary if you’re staying on-site and leveraging Early Entry to its fullest. (See! We told you there’d be options to cut the fat from your budget!)

With all of those caveats out of the way, let’s dig into the big picture of this three-day Walt Disney World vacation plan. Actually, we have  two  different plans. The first one we’ll call the “aggressive” plan-of-attack:

• Early Entry at Magic Kingdom ( see our strategy for Early Entry at MK )
• Regular park opening and full day at Magic Kingdom
• Early Entry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ( see our strategy for Early Entry at DHS )
• Regular park opening at DHS
• Park Hop to EPCOT
• Afternoon at EPCOT
• Park Hop to DHS
• Evening at DHS
• Early Entry at Disney’s Animal Kingdom ( see our strategy for Early Entry at DAK )
• Regular park opening at DAK
• Park Hop to EPCOT or Magic Kingdom
• Evening at EPCOT or Magic Kingdom

Here’s the simplified or streamlined plan of attack:

• Early Entry at Magic Kingdom
• Regular park opening and full operating day at Magic Kingdom
• Early Entry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Regular park opening and full operating day at DHS
• Early Entry at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Regular park opening and morning at DAK
• Afternoon and evening at EPCOT

As you can see, the basic difference between these two plans is that the first one has more Park Hopping. It also offers potentially more time at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, and less at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Now that all-day Park Hopping has returned, you can be in and out of Animal Kingdom before noon!

The rationale for bouncing back and forth between EPCOT and DHS on the second day of the aggressive itinerary is that it provides the foundation for making an informed decision as to how to spend your final afternoon and evening. It might seem like an obvious decision, given only the short segment of the day previously spent at EPCOT and full day at Magic Kingdom.

However, some families actually prefer multiple Magic Kingdom days while skipping other parks entirely, so this sets the stage for a “choose your own adventure” final day based on experiences (and what you think you missed) from the first two days.

It’s more than just that, though. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a formidable ride roster, but it’s heavy on headliners and light on secondary attractions. As a result, wait times skyrocket within about an hour of park opening. People grow fatigued of long lines, and end up leaving early as a result.

Watching stage shows or doing meet and greets is one alternative that will allow you to “wait out” the crowds, but another option is Park Hopping to EPCOT, enjoying the middle of the day there, and returning to DHS once the crowds are lower in the evening.

Bouncing back and forth also allows you to leverage the stacking strategy for Genie+ Lightning Lanes . “Stacking” Genie+ ride reservations is possible because of the 120 minute rule, which allows you to make a new reservation every two hours.

If you prioritize grabbing Lightning Lane reservations for popular rides early in the day, you’re going to be holding a “stack” of Lightning Lane reservations so long as you continue making them whenever eligible. It’s a great option for your Park Hopper destination.

This approach works because your return times will be kicked out further into the future, and you’ll be able to make new selections prior to redeeming old ones. This is an especially good approach when going from Disney’s Hollywood Studios to EPCOT, or from Animal Kingdom to anywhere.

In the former example, you could make your first Lightning Lane for Slinky Dog Dash, and then make the rest for EPCOT, potentially scoring Lightning Lanes for Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Test Track, or Soarin’ Around the World. (It’s  highly unlikely you’ll get all four, but even 2 of them will save tremendous time during the middle of the day.)

Sticking with the topic of Genie+ Lightning Lanes, we’re big fans of buying this at Magic Kingdom. We would stop short of saying it’s a must there, but it can be incredibly useful, easy, and not nearly as stressful there as the other parks. You can expect to score 6 or more Lightning Lanes at Magic Kingdom–more than any other park. See our Magic Kingdom Genie+ Priorities & Lightning Lane Rankings for the best order of selections.

In terms of step by step strategy for the flagship castle park, you can simply consult our 1-Day Itinerary for Magic Kingdom . Since this 3-day Walt Disney World plan calls for a full day in MK, that slots nicely into this.

The only additional info we’d add is that if you do return to Magic Kingdom for another half-day, you’ll definitely want to attempt the TRON Lightcycle Run Virtual Queue ‘s afternoon drop. Doing the attraction at night is a totally different experience, and one that we highly recommend if at all possible!

When it comes to the potential partial day parks, Genie+ can be very useful at both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially when stacking. However, there are a couple of pitfalls and superior alternatives.

At DHS, you can knock out 3-4 headliners during Early Entry and rope drop. Check out our report on  Early Entry at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that covers our experience knocking out the “triple digit trio” at DHS before the park opened to regular guests. From there, you can knock out more in the first hour of operations and then pivot to popular character meet & greets if those are important to you.

Fast-forward to the end of the evening, and you can do the remainder of the popular rides with minimal wait via standby lines. This can be a great alternative to paying for Lightning Lane access, and one that is far less stressful, too. That approach also works well with the second showtime of Fantasmic, especially on nights when that occurs at or after park closing. If you’d prefer to play it safe and also use the Genie+ service, see our Lightning Lane Rankings for Disney’s Hollywood Studios . It’s not a bad option, just not a strictly necessary one.

Early Entry is also a great option at EPCOT, but you won’t be able to take advantage of that with this 3-day Walt Disney World plan. Sadly, the only other good alternative is Extended Evening Hours, but that’s only one day per week, and only Deluxe Resort guests are eligible. So Genie+ is the obvious option, right? Well…maybe.

Another potential compromise you’ll be making with this plan is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. As of the time of this itinerary’s publication, this new EPCOT E-Ticket still uses a virtual queue. Read our FAQ & Ride Guide to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for everything you need to know.

Buying Individual Lightning Lane access also can be an option with Cosmic Rewind. The busier the day, the less likely you are to have success with the virtual queue or buying Lightning Lane access. The thing is, there’s no magic wand that can be made to ensure a “perfect” and complete 3-day Walt Disney World experience. Compromises come with the territory, and anyone suggesting otherwise is selling you a false sense of security.

Another practical reality to understand going in is the size of EPCOT. It’s a colossal park and, naturally, all of its most popular rides are scattered as far away from one another as possible. Literally. As such, Genie+ can require a lot of backtracking, and by the time you’ve done that, the case could be made that you would’ve been better off simply walking less and waiting in standby. As someone who doesn’t mind walking, that’s not my personal philosophy…but it’s very easy to see why that would be the case for others.

With that in mind, we’d recommend using our Half-Day EPCOT Itinerary or EPCOT Lightning Lane Rankings (or both) to determine the best approach for knocking out everything at EPCOT. If you do use both, there’s a good chance the simplified plan above will be sufficient, meaning that you’ll only need one afternoon and evening at EPCOT and don’t need to do all the bouncing around.

The one thing we’d caution against is seeing how well Genie+ works at Magic Kingdom and assuming it’ll be a similar story at EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It will not. (Conversely, if you opt to start at one of these two parks for whatever reason, don’t skip Genie+ at Magic Kingdom after being disappointed by it at DHS.)

Finally, there’s Animal Kingdom. This is far and away the easiest park from a strategy perspective, with the salient piece of advice being “don’t do stuff midday.” Seriously, that’s about it. Go early or stay late and you’ll be just fine. Without question, arriving for Early Entry is the best option, especially on dates when it starts at 7:30 am. That is absurdly  early, and a huge barrier for most guests. If you’re able to arrive to Animal Kingdom by 7 am, this gives you a huge advantage.

Rushing to Pandora – World of Avatar and knocking out Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey during Early Entry is huge. From there, you can pretty much run the table, doing almost every attraction in the park as a walk-on. There’s a strong possibility that you’ll be done with every ride by mid-morning, giving you the option of leaving early or eating and enjoying entertainment, atmosphere, etc.

Fortunately, Animal Kingdom has great stage shows (Finding Nemo: The Big Blue & Beyond and Festival of the Lion King), along with excellent wildlife exhibits. From the above, it should be obvious, but Genie+ is wholly unnecessary at Animal Kingdom. Don’t waste your money on it there. (Stacking Lightning Lanes for EPCOT or Magic Kingdom is a potentially different story, but probably  not necessary.)

Ultimately, that’s our advice for how you should spend 3 full days at Walt Disney World. Obviously, this isn’t a strict step-by-step schedule, but rather, is a rough rubric for illustrating potential ways to accomplish just about every headliner and highlight at all four parks. Also obvious is that some sacrifices are going to be necessary, as you cannot do everything at Walt Disney World in only a long weekend.

But for that matter, you can’t do everything at Walt Disney World in 5, 7, or 10 days. Even if your vacation is better measured in weeks rather than days, you still will not see and do it all. Heck, we’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for decades, and have spent (literally) multiple  years  at the parks & resorts complex and there are still things we haven’t done. Walt Disney World is basically a modern metropolis (albeit with a mouse as mayor) and just like any living and breathing city, it’s impossible to “complete.”

Honestly, that’s a big part of why we like efficient itineraries like this, even on longer trips. Consolidating our park plans gives us time to explore Walt Disney World beyond the parks, enjoy our resort, spend time at Disney Springs, do resort crawls, and more. Savvy strategy to avoid attraction lines saves time that is better spent “wasted” by relaxing and wandering. At least, that’s how  we  like to do Walt Disney World.

In reality, there’s no one-size-fits-all “best” way to tackle the theme parks, resorts, etc. at Walt Disney World. About the only thing you can’t do is sleep in, visit the parks from 11 am until 4 pm, and leave early. This has always  been the worst way to do Walt Disney World, and that remains true to this day. Yet, for reasons beyond me, that continues to be the “preferred” approach for so many guests. (We should be thankful for those guests, as they make it easier on the rest of us!) If you simply don’t do that, you’re automatically ahead of the pack!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our  Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews  page. For where to eat, read our  Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our  Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets  post. Our  What to Pack for Disney Trips  post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our  Walt Disney World Ride Guides  will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our  Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide  for everything you need to know!

YOUR THOUGHTS

Thoughts on our suggested 3-day Walt Disney World theme park plan? Do you prefer rope drop, Early Entry, Extended Evening Hours, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, hard ticket events, or some combination or the above? Or, do you favor a miss of approaches when touring the parks? How do you do things differently in each park? Do you agree or disagree with the parks we chose for full and partial days? Any other feedback on arriving early or staying late at the Walt Disney World theme parks? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Just a note, I think you’ve got your numbers mixed up in this sentence: “If my math skills serve me correctly, Park Hopper tickets are also the only way to do 3 parks in 4 days.” should be 4 parks in 3 days 🙂 Love the blog! I’ve used this site and TravelCaffeine to guide me on many a trip to the Disney parks and beyond!

We are staying at Beach Club next week and are eligible for Extended Hours at Magic on Wednesday night. Do you think it is unnecessary to purchase Genie that day if we arrive at Magic Kingdom around 4-5 p.m.. I’m debating if we should do a few hours in the morning and go back to the hotel or stick to going to Magic Kingdom in the evening because we have the Extra few hours. Thank you for your information and congratulations on your new addition to your family parenthood is amazing.

You can accomplish a lot during Extended Evening Hours. Here’s a report showing what we managed to get done: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/evening-extended-hours-magic-kingdom-photo-report/

(That post is older, but I just did it again and had more or less the same results–plus TRON Lightcycle Run.)

Great article that really resonates with our situation. We frequently pop down for 3 park days. Sometimes that’s all the time we have. Other times, it’s a longer trip and we just don’t want to spend arrival and departure day at the parks, or want to build in a rest day.

My question: how would the hard ticket events play into a short trip strategy? Seems like the MK hours and crowds are all wonky for 1/3 of the year. I understand the primary consideration is how much a guest wants to experience the Halloween and Christmas evenings at MK. But beyond that, if its just about an efficient but enjoyable 3 park days, what would you do? Go to the hard ticket event anyway and just enjoy the late night park time? Go to the event park in the morning then get out of dodge? Avoid that park on hard ticketed days altogether?

“How would the hard ticket events play into a short trip strategy?” Very well! On a party day, Early Entry at the MK goes from being useful on the margins to being very useful, both because Early Entry is earlier and because party days at the MK are lighter than normal, and much lighter than non-party days around party days.

“Avoid that park on hard ticketed days altogether?” Just the opposite. During party season, everything else being equal you can get more done on a shorter party day than you can on a longer non-party day. Go to the MK on party days, avoid the MK the day before or after party days.

How would this change if we were staying in a deluxe resort? I don’t think we could do rope drop, stay until past midnight, rope drop, bed, ANOTHER rope drop, ANOTHER past midnight. What should we prioritize? Particularly being locals to Disneyland – we don’t care about doing Galaxy’s edge. (It would be cool but it’s EXACTLY the same pretty much)

Hooray! We’ve made the 3-day trip our family’s specialty. It’s a great fit from the DC area (lots of 6am flights) and creates a virtuous cycle of ease: because we only stay for two nights, we can afford Crescent Lake resorts; because it’s a short stay, we only need to pack a single backpack; because we only packed a backpack, we can take a Lyft directly from MCO to Animal Kingdom (combining two of the more vexing transportation challenges of WDW); because we knocked out AK we have multiple afternoons to hop to Epcot and HS from the Swolphin; and on and on. Your recommendations are spot on for us. Something absolutely has to give in a quick vacation like this; for us it’s food/restaurants. The kids and I live on grocery-delivered clementines and Uncrustables for three days and sleep hard on the plane ride home. Long live the Friday-Sunday WDW trip!

It’s such an interesting article because there are so many factors that could change a potential 3 day approach. While I don’t disagree and understand the option to skip AK, it’s my personal favorite and I would rather spend half a day in MK than skipping AK but that’s unthinkable with young kids and for first timers.

That being said, for regulars or visitors who have access to Disneyland, I think that Epcot and Animal Kingdom are the two most unique parks. Disney studios frustrates me and with Genie plus, Tom has proven that you can do a nice half day there….

There’s no easy answer, that’s why WDW planning is such a dynamic and fascinating thing!

“That being said, for regulars or visitors who have access to Disneyland, I think that Epcot and Animal Kingdom are the two most unique parks.”

I agree wholeheartedly! As far as our family is concerned, MK is just a worse Disneyland. When we’re at WDW, we spend most of our time at Epcot, AK and the resorts. Honestly, I’d probably never leave Epcot if I could just loop GotG:CR!

However, Tom’s itinerary is probably a great idea for the more casual tourist.

What a timely article! I’m flying on Monday to Orlando for a family event and can only spare 3/7 days for the park since none of my relatives are into Disney for some reason. I’m sorry they are choosing to fly all of the way to Orlando and not experience Disney, but experiencing Disney with a large group can be frustrating, so I’m making the best of it.

My strategy is slightly different than the recommendation since I’ve already spent ALOT of time at EPCOT just a few months ago and there are many attractions at the rest of the parks that I’ve either never ridden, or haven’t ridden in a decade.

Normally we love to take time and smell the roses so to speak on these trips, but this will be my first time soloing, and need to hit as many roller coaster/thrill rides as possible. My normal traveling companions always want to skip the coasters so this is a chance to hit everything that shakes, rattles, or rolls.

Day 1 Wed: Magic Kingdom. Have never been on Tron or even The Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride.

Day 2 Thursday: EPCOT for Cosmic Rewind, Ratatouille and a nice lunch. At 2PM hop to Animal Kingdom for a paid lightning lane for Flight of Passage.

Day 3 Sunday: DHS all day to see how many times one can get on Rise of the Resistance and Star Tours while also fitting in Tower of Terror and the Aerosmith coaster. Will be interesting to see how of the 21 Star Tours segments I can spot.

Don’t forget to utilize that solo lane! You may never go to Disney with friends again.

I realize you’re only paying for 1 person for the ILL for Avatar Flight of Passage, but in my experience, you shouldn’t really need to do that if you just plan to try and ride between around 6PM and park close. I showed up at AK one day (a Saturday, I think) within the past month around 530PM and was able to ride Na’vi River Journey (I had booked a LL, as I was coming from another park where Genie+ is a better “value”) and rode Avatar Flight of Passage twice before park close (technically, the park closed while we were in the queue for our second ride). For you, the $10-15 charge may just be worth it to avoid the hassle. The math starts changing a bit when paying for multiple people to ride! Hope you have a great time!

This is a great itinerary and very closely matches what I imagine I’d do for a three-day visit.

My only qualm is the lack of evening time at DAK, in order to experience Pandora and Everest at night. I’d probably start Day 3 at MK, hop to DAK, and then bounce back to MK when DAK closes, if I had the stamina.

Granted, with DAK’s early closing time, this only applies for maybe October-February when it might be getting dark early enough.

Not completely on topic, but I know months ago you said that weekends were experiencing a surprising lull in crowds. Do you anticipate that trend to continue?

Regarding the 2:00 hopper restriction, I’ve come to see this as an advantage. A two hour break is absolutely key to a fun day if you’re rope-dropping and staying until close. A noon to 2:00 hotel stop works well here.

My opinion is to prioritize cosmic rewind at Epcot (virtual queue) and rise of the resistance in HWS. Both blew me away. Unfortunately both Epcot and HWS are very frustrating parks unlike MK and DAK.

Love the article because it speaks to me on so many levels.

“…we’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for decades, and have spent (literally) multiple years at the parks & resorts complex and there are still things we haven’t done.” Is this really something you should be admitting Mr Bueller?

“…explore Walt Disney World beyond the parks, enjoy our resort, spend time at Disney Springs, do resort crawls, and more. Savvy strategy to avoid attraction lines saves time that is better spent “wasted” by relaxing and wandering.” You two will make great semi-retired people.

There really is so much more to enjoy and I like to take my time savoring it.

Thanks for the reminder why we’re going there yet again.

On our last two trips, we did park hopper. The most recent one we did park hopper plus, and we started our first day at typhoon lagoon. Game changer for a family driving from PA. Our kids got to run around while waiting for the room. Then, if we were at a park and it was too crowded or they asked for another ride, no big deal. For our family of five adding the “plus” was only an extra $100 in total above the hopper, so it’s money well spent for us.

It was nice to run into you during Epcot After Hours this week, thank you for chatting in line. I’m looking forward to reading your recap of that event and seeing if you had better luck than us the rest of the night. Take care!

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2024 Disney World Vacation Planner

Our goal is to help you plan your dream Disney World vacation , and that all starts right here.

This page will walk you through planning a trip in 6 easy steps.

After that, we’ll go through some of the other important information you’ll need to know before you go.

Consider this spot a sort of Cliff Notes version for getting started (or even for getting reacquainted) with Disney vacation planning.

Ready to dive in? Let’s go!

In this article

Important updates for 2024

If you are brand-new to planning a Disney World vacation, you may want to skip over this section. But, if you haven’t visited since the parks reopened in 2020, you’ll definitely want to stick around.

The past few years have brought many changes – some of which are fairly significant. Here are the ones that are the most important for you to be aware of:

• FastPass+ service is out and Genie+ is in
• Extra Magic Hours (EMHs) have been replaced with a new program called “ Early Theme Park Entry “
• Extended Evening Theme Park Hours have been added – but only for onsite guests at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts
• Reservations are required to visit the parks (only for trips through January 8, 2024, no reservations required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024)
• Disney’s Magical Express has been discontinued ( no more free rides between the airport and your Disney Resort )
• Park hopping can only be done after 2 p.m. until January 8, 2024. Starting January 9, 2024 park hopping can occur at any time.
• Advanced Dining Reservations are made at 60 days out now (instead of 180 days)
• Disney Dining Plan is not available until January 9, 2024

Our best advice is to make sure you do not assume that everything is the same – because it isn’t .

Take time to explore the links in the box above (and in the sections below!) to get caught up on all that is new.

VIDEO: 9 Ways Disney World Planning Has Changed

Why you should plan

Did you know that lots (and lots) of people visit Walt Disney World every year without doing any planning at all?

And while that may sound like a relaxing way to travel, it doesn’t work for Disney vacations, and here’s why:

Not planning ahead means standing in long lines for rides and struggling to find places to eat.

And that doesn’t sound like much fun at all.

It is important to understand that even with planning, you will not be able to see and do everything at Disney World in 1 trip . You wouldn’t be able to see and do it all in 10 trips.

Instead, the goal should be to have fun and make memories . And it is a lot easier to do that when you’re prepared.

Just like any vacation, how much your trip will cost depends on many different factors, but in general, these are the costs you’ll need to consider:

• Trip length
• Number and ages of people traveling
• How you’ll get there (drive, fly, train, etc.)
• When you’ll be traveling
• Where you’ll be staying
• Where you’ll be dining
• How many extras you plan to spend money on

Despite all of those variables, we can give you some generic onsite prices to help you get a good idea of what to expect.

Want more details on how much to budget? Check out our guide below:

• READ MORE: How much does it cost to go to Walt Disney World?

Important note: Keep in mind that while these prices are full rack rate prices, Disney frequently offers discounts . However, if you are planning for a trip a year or more in advance, we recommend using the rack rate prices as a good starting point.

Budget Trip Example

$4000-$5000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during the least expensive time, 1 week onsite, most basic park tickets, staying at a Value Resort, eating at the least expensive places.

Moderate Trip Example

$5500-$7000 plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a moderately busy time, 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper option, staying at a Moderate Resort, eating at half Table Service and half Quick Service restaurants , 1 special event planned.

Deluxe Trip Example

$9000 and above, plus the cost of getting to Walt Disney World

• 2 adults, 2 children under 10, traveling during a peak busy time (like the holidays), 1 week, park tickets with Park Hopper Plus, staying at a Deluxe Resort, eating at mostly Table Service Restaurants, 2 special events.

As we said above, those dollar amounts assume full-price resort rates, but there are usually discounts available .

And, the good news is you can always add a discount after you’ve booked your trip.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to Disney World Discounts

How to plan a Disney World vacation in 6 steps

Disney World vacation planning is kind of like building a house – you start with the foundation and work your way up.

And, just like with building a house, you might end up with something you’re not pleased with if you try to do it out of order.

These 6 steps are the basis of everything you’ll find on this site.

If you’re new to planning, this is where you need to start.

Trip Planning Worksheet

To help you get started, we have a free Trip Planning Worksheet that you can fill out as you work through the steps below.

• Get a copy of the trip planning worksheet

Step 1: Pick a date

When it comes time to decide when to go, you’ll have a couple of different things to consider.

Historically, Disney has gotten excellent at filling what were traditionally less-crowded times of the year with special events, runDisney races, and sport/cheer competitions.

But, despite Disney scheduling things to draw crowds during the slower times of the year, there are still definitely times that are busier than others.

Plus, even though Florida is known for having lots of sun, you’ll likely want to consider the weather , too, especially if you’re trying to avoid the intense heat of the summer or the hurricanes of the fall .

To help you narrow down your options, we have a giant Crowd Calendar post that will show you day-by-day which days we are predicting to be the most (and least!) crowded.

• READ MORE: Disney World Crowd Calendar

Park Pass Reservation System (only required until January 8, 2024)

Guests traveling in 2024 can skip this section, BUT if you are traveling in 2023, you’ll have another critical planning piece to consider: the Disney Park Pass Reservation System .

This system was put into place after the reopening in 2020 and requires guests to make reservations for each day they intend to visit a park .

The good news is the park reservations are free . The bad news is that, at least right now, this is how Disney is controlling each parks’ capacity.

That means there are limited spots available for each day.

Will I be able to get a Park Pass Reservation?

Unless you are traveling during peak times, in most cases, the answer is “yes”.

Disney is continually shifting availability around, and if you plan your vacation in advance, you should be able to get exactly what you want.

But, keep in mind, the busier the time of year, the more in demand the reservations will be. That is why we recommend you make those reservations as soon as you can .

• READ MORE: How to make Park Pass Reservations

How to check for availability

Disney makes it relatively easy to check park reservation availability.

They have a handy calendar that will show you exactly which parks are (or are not) available.

Step 2: Choose where to stay & book it

You have lots of options for where to stay during your trip – including both onsite and offsite resorts and hotels.

Where you decide to stay will have a direct impact on some essential parts of your vacation.

• READ MORE: Ways to Book Your Disney World Vacation

Onsite or off?

Things like Advanced Dining Reservations and Individual Lightning Lane selections are tied to whether you choose to stay on Disney property or venture offsite to where you’ll (typically) find less expensive options.

While the price is understandably often the first factor you’ll need to consider, most guests visiting the Walt Disney World Resort may find that weighing the value of the perks associated with the onsite resorts versus the lower costs connected to the offsite options can sometimes be a bit tricky to navigate.

• READ MORE: Disney World Resort Options

Our favorite way to save money when staying onsite

We’ve already discussed discounts up above, but probably our most favorite way to save money when staying onsite is by renting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points.

This is especially true right now when you can snag some great last-minute deals.

There are some definite pros and cons to this money saving option, so make sure you check out the link below for everything you need to know.

• READ MORE: How to save big money by renting DVC Points

Consider using a travel agent

Whether you are new to planning or a seasoned Disney World vet, it can be very helpful to have somebody you can turn to for assistance with navigating through it all.

That’s why if planning a trip feels overwhelming, we highly recommend reaching out to a reliable travel agen t .

Not only will they be able to answer all of your questions, but they’ll also keep you in the loop if and when changes happen.

Staying onsite? Consider booking a package.

Booking a vacation package makes it far easier to get all your money back if you need to cancel.

If you purchase tickets separately, you can’t “return” them. That purchase is final, even if you have to cancel your trip.

Don’t packages cost more money?

The argument against packages is that it costs less if you book things separately. And that is partially true.

You can usually save some money if you purchase your tickets separately from an Authorized Reseller. The amount you save typically isn’t a lot , though, at least not when compared to the other components of your trip.

But – the last few years have taught us the importance of being able to easily cancel if needed. And, an easy way to add a layer of financial protection to your trip is to stay onsite and book your trip components as a package so that you have the maximum amount of flexibility if you need to cancel or postpone .

Of course, if Disney cancels a special event or has to close due to something like a hurricane , you’ll likely see that they will work with ticket holders to extend the expiration dates.

But, if you purchased those tickets outside a package or from a third-party seller, you likely won’t get your money back. 

For the maximum amount of security in case things go wrong, if you need tickets, we strongly suggest that you book a package.

Step 3: Make a daily plan and select Disney World tickets

After you’ve decided when to go and where you’ll be staying, the next thing you need to do is determine where you’ll spend each day. Ideally, you’ll have this step figured out no later than 61 days out from when your trip begins because you’ll need to know your daily plan before you can do Step 5.

Disney World is home to 4 incredible theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), 2 world-class water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach), and a giant shopping district (Disney Springs).

And, although you’ll want to see and do it all, unless you’ll be moving into Cinderella Castle (which unfortunately you can’t), you are going to have to pick and choose.

The first thing is figuring out exactly how much time you’ll want in each park. To help you get started, here are our thoughts:

Suggested number of days in each park

The chart below is just a suggestion. All families vary.

For instance, families with younger children and only 3 days in the parks might want to do 2 days in the Magic Kingdom.

It’s also a great idea to have 1 day out of the parks for every 3 days in the parks.

Arrange it however it makes sense for your family.

Once you have nailed down how many days you want for each park, you’ll need to decide where you’ll plug that into your vacation.

• READ MORE: How to pick the best park for each day of your trip

Here is some general advice to help you decide which park to visit when:

• Magic Kingdom  is the most popular park overall. It is also the park most first-time visitors think of when they think “Disney World”. Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays are the busiest, with mid-week typically the least busy.
• Hollywood Studios also remains busy most days of the week due to the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land areas. Your best bet here for the shortest lines are Sundays and Wednesdays.
• Epcot  hosts  nearly year-round festivals , and those festivals are popular with both out-of-state visitors and locals. And, since a lot of what the festivals are famous for is the alcohol and food, the areas around the Festival Booths can be a lot busier (and a bit rowdier) than what you’d find during the daytime hours on the weekdays. If that isn’t the vibe you are looking for, you may want to skip Epcot during the nighttime on Friday and Saturdays .
• Even with the new Park Pass system,  Animal Kingdom  remains one of the “easiest” parks to fit into a trip. You should be able to plug it in wherever it makes the most sense for you.

Find your travel month below to see park hours, and any scheduled nighttime entertainment and special events:

Select your tickets

Now that you know how many days you’ll be in each park, you can select your tickets and either purchase a package or, if purchasing tickets separately, you can go ahead and do that now.

When making your ticket selection, keep in mind that you can almost always upgrade a ticket, but you can’t get money back if you don’t use all your days or components of your tickets, such as Park Hoppers.

That’s why we recommend you make that daily plan first, and then use that as a guide for deciding exactly how many days worth of tickets you’ll need.

• READ MORE: Disney World tickets

Secure your Park Pass Reservations (for dates before January 9, 2024; no reservations needed for trips on or after January 9)

As soon as you purchase your tickets, you’ll be able to secure your park dates.

Remember: Park Pass Reservations are no longer required for date-based tickets beginning January 9, 2024. This covers most people traveling to Walt Disney World. Annual Passholders, however, WILL still need to make Park Pass Reservations (even if they have a resort stay booked).

This step is entirely new to Disney World planning. 

Because it is so brand new, we have written a complete guide to help you with the process. 

Step 4: Pick dining options

Disney World is packed with lots and lots of fantastic restaurants.

And with so many fun places to eat, it is common for people to want to decide where they will be dining before they ever pick what park they’ll be at that day.

But please trust us: you do not want to do that.

The reason dining falls at step 5 is that you need to plan your dining after you know where you’ll be each day .

The entire Walt Disney World Resort area is huge (roughly the size of San Francisco), and unless you want to spend hours each day on a bus crisscrossing the property going from meal to meal, you’ll need to be a lot more strategic in how you plan where to eat.

Trust us on this one:

Save yourself a lot of stress by waiting to plan your dining until after you’ve decided where you’ll be each day, and if you do decide to dine somewhere other than where you’ll be, make a plan for how you’ll get there.

Remember: Save yourself a lot of stress by waiting to plan your dining until after you’ve decided where you’ll be each day, and if you do decide to dine somewhere other than where you’ll be, plan for how you’ll get there.

Advanced Dining Reservations

Dining at Disney World is broken up into 2 main categories:

• Less expensive
• Doesn’t require reservations
• Often has the ability to Mobile Order
• More expensive
• Almost always requires an Advanced Dining Reservation (can be made beginning 60 days from check-in)
• Sometimes has “To Go” options (at some resort Table Service restaurants)
• Includes all Character Meals

If your goal is to dine at a Table Service restaurant, you’ll need to make an Advanced Dining Reservation . Make sure you understand how that works, or you may wind up disappointed.

• READ MORE: How Dining at Walt Disney World Works

What about the Disney Dining Plan?

The Disney Dining Plan is a hugely popular component and while sales of it were paused for several years, it is returning as an option for trips beginning on or after January 9, 2024.

The  Disney Dining Plan (DDP)  is an optional add-on that people staying in an on-site Disney World resort can get by booking one of these things:

• A vacation package (that includes a room and tickets) online or by calling Disney
• A room-only reservation by  calling  Disney or having  your agent  add it (this is sometimes called a “ticketless package”)
• A Disney Vacation Club (DVC) reservation

When you buy a DDP you are pre-paying for your food (and snacks!) and then using credits to get meals during your trip.

After a long absence, the Disney Dining Plan returns for packages on or after January 9, 2024!

The Dining Plan can be great if you are looking for that “all-inclusive” feel, but before you purchase it, make sure you understand how it works, or else you may actually wind up spending more on food than what you would have done without it.

• READ MORE: Complete Guide to the Disney Dining Plan (Is it worth it?)

Step 5: Plan park touring

Don’t let the rumors and stories about long lines at Disney World fool you: the people that wait in lines at Disney World are the ones without a touring plan.

Touring plans don’t have to be rigid minute-by-minute lists, but touring plans are something you’ll definitely want to spend some time thinking about.

You can choose to tackle the parks without spending anything extra, but Disney has also introduced an entirely new system called Genie+ which will allow you access to their Lightning Lanes (which means shorter waits).

The Genie+ system can be extremely complicated, but here are a couple of resources we think are good introductions:

• Guide to Genie+ at Disney World
• Touring plan strategies for Disney World (with and without Genie+)
• Best Genie+ Choices (what to book first)

Step 6: Add extra magic

When planning your vacation, the final thing to do is to figure out ways to add some extra magic to your trip .

This step doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to spend more money (although that is certainly an option); it just means you are intentional about ways to add a little extra **pixie dust** to your trip.

For lots of people, this is the step that ties their entire vacation together (and gets them hooked on planning lots more Disney World trips!).

If you want to think of planning a Disney World trip like the steps in the construction process, Steps 1-5 above help you build your house, but Step 6 is where you get to decorate it.

Here are some of our favorite resources to help you add some extra magic to your vacation:

• Create a countdown
• Watch Disney movies and shows that are connected to what you’ll see in the parks
• Plan a surprise
• Listen to some podcasts and trip reports
• Put together some Tinker Bell gifts
• Book a dessert party

VIDEO: 7-Step Planning Process for Walt Disney World Vacations

What to Pack

You’d be surprised just how many questions we get about this topic.

But it makes sense; when you’re far away from home, things will go a lot more smoothly if you have everything you need with you.

In fact, we feel so strongly about packing lists that we have a H-U-G-E post with everything you’ll need to know about what to pack for a Disney World vacation.

And the best part? You’ll find links to free packing list downloads you can use.

• READ MORE: The Ultimate Disney World Packing List

And, while you’re busy working on a packing list for your trip, don’t forget to think about what you’ll want to take into the parks with you.

• READ MORE: What to pack in Your Disney World Park Bag

Preparing for your trip

Your trip is booked, but now what?

We recommend you spend the months, weeks, and days leading up to your trip learning some of those Disney World basics that will help your trip go smoothly.

We’ve listed just a few topics below, but we also invite you to scroll through the hundreds of other posts on the site to find topics that might interest you.

Disney World planning basics

• Navigating Disney World transportation
• 101 of the best Disney World tips
• Ultimate Guide for Visiting Disney World with Toddlers
• Disney World news & updates

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The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Disney Vacation With the Entire Family

Preparing for a big family vacation to Disney World — with grandparents, siblings and children in tow — can be very different from a typical Disney trip. Sure, you’re still visiting Fantasyland, riding Spaceship Earth and exploring Animal Kingdom, but the circumstances have changed: You’ll need to rethink the basics to make the most of your visit.

Knowing when to stay together, when to split up, and what nighttime entertainment is right for everyone are key to ensuring the group doesn’t get stuck in the lunchtime rush or spinning on tot-sized rides for hours. You’ll need to prep for more than just getting that big family photo by Cinderella Castle, which is why we’ve tackled every logistical issue you may encounter.

Here’s how to book the right hotels for large families, plan the best itinerary for big groups and tackle The Most Magical Place On Earth together without breaking a sweat.

1. Favor efficiency over a free ride.

Disney offers complimentary bus, ferry boat and monorail transportation, but lugging a full group’s worth of sweaters, strollers and snacks is burdensome, so larger parties may appreciate the comfort and ease of parking their own vehicle ($20 per day) at the theme parks.

If you’re staying on-property, consider splurging on Disney’s new “Minnie Van” ride-share program, which is booked via Lyft’s app. A $20 flat-rate for kid-friendly polka dot vans is costlier than standard rides, but worth it for complimentary car seats and drop-offs at the Magic Kingdom’s front gate — something no car, cab or Uber has permission to do.

2. Plan the perfect compromise.

Spontaneity is near-impossible to pull off at Walt Disney World, so keep everyone happy by splitting each day into three portions and only planning two. This way, a full day of Magic Kingdom reviere can be paired with a calmer evening, an afternoon spent poolside will reinvigorate young ones for nighttime fireworks and that much-anticipated dinner reservation won’t be spoiled by sun-sapped exhaustion.

3. Don’t be afraid to divide and conquer.

Whether you’re juggling kids of different ages or three generations of energy levels, remember: you’re only as efficient as your group’s slowest member. Split up whenever necessary to ensure thrill-seekers can soar among the stars while speed-averse riders take refuge on low-key attractions without forcing either out of their comfort zone for the sake of sticking together.

Same goes for entertainment. Plan one night at Disney's Hollywood Studios, whose two evening shows — a standing-room only Star Wars fireworks presentation and seated Mickey Mouse-helmed Fantasmic! — are ideal for pleasing both aspiring Padawans and classic Disney lovers without either having to exit the park.

4. But know which experiences are better together.

Easy-pleasing wonders like Soarin’ Around The World and Kilimanjaro Safaris are great for families of all ages and ride tolerances, while Splash Mountain’s mid-plunge ride photo is a must-have souvenir for larger parties. Opt for the Broadway-inspired “Festival of the Lion King” over “Finding Nemo - The Musical,” which skews younger, and aim for full-group photos with Disney characters that are indoors, where scenic backdrops offer more depth.

5. Stay with all the comforts of home.

When it comes to big families traveling together, standard hotel rooms don't cut it. Consider one of Walt Disney World’s incredible villa-style rooms, which come with full kitchens, laundry machines, wide balconies, separate bedrooms (and bathrooms!) ideal for giving couples or in-laws their privacy.

Standard Disney rooms have a maximum of four occupants, so if your family consists of five or six, opt for a family suite at Disney’s Art of Animation or All-Star Music resorts. Prefer adjoining rooms? The newly renovated Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin hotels, which are walking distance to Epcot, offer discounted pricing specifically for connecting rooms.

6. Make mealtimes a breeze.

Feed everyone speedily by pre-selecting your order through the Mobile Ordering feature on the My Disney Experience app. Choose every burger, salad and yes, even Dole Whip while waiting in line for Jungle Cruise or driving over to the park, and when you feel like chowing, tap the “I’m Here, Prepare My Order” button. Your food will come out in minutes, all without having to wait in line.

If you’d rather dine family-style, there are multiple buffet-style restaurants across property, but a few quick-service restaurants quietly offer large-scale dishes ideal for bigger groups. Satu’li Canteen in the new Pandora — The World of Avatar section of Animal Kingdom serves the entire menu as a “sample platter” come dinnertime, while Polite Pig at Disney Springs combines its delectable ribs, smoked chicken and pork shoulder on sharable butcher boards.

7. Handle everyone’s reservations with ease.

The trickiest part of any Disney trip is managing the daily FastPass+ ride reservations , especially for multiple families traveling as one. It’s easier to split up reservations than winging it while waiting in standby lines, so resist the urge to book everything together — just ensure there’s always an adult to escort young riders.

To keep track of every reservation, consider sending a screenshot of the daily schedule to a group text message or, for extra convenience, do as the experts do and save it as your phone screensaver.

8. Don't forget adult time.

Wrangling kids is never easy, and you’ll all have earned a break — without the littles — by the vacation’s end. Disney operates four children’s activity centers at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Polynesian Village Resort and the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel that are open each evening for child care, as well as in-room sitting through a third-party child services company.

Take a night without the kids to ride anything you may have missed, enjoy Epcot’s globe-spanning cuisine, and toast amidst Disney Springs’ plentiful nightlife.

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The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your FIRST Disney World Vacation

By Kelly Oliveros Leave a Comment

Thinking of going to Disney World for the VERY first time?

Welcome to Disney World!

There are SO many things to consider and learn. Where do you stay ? What’s the dining situation like ? What types of tickets are there ? It can all be a bit (OK, a LOT) overwhelming. Don’t worry, you do NOT have to figure this all out on your own. We’re here to help!! Today we’re breaking down everything you need to know about planning your very first trip to Disney World with lots of info, links, and videos that will make the process so much easier for you.

1. The Basics

We’ll start with the basics! Walt Disney World is made up of 4 theme parks. There’s Magic Kingdom …

Cinderella Castle — You’re Going to Want to Get a Photo Here!

… EPCOT …

EPCOT — That Giant Ball is Spaceship Earth and It’s a Ride!

… Disney’s Hollywood Studios …

That’s the Tower of Terror!

…and Disney’s Animal Kingdom .

Tree of Life — Get an Up-Close Look at This! It’s Beautiful!

Disney also has 2 water parks — Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Typhoon Lagoon is currently open and Blizzard Beach is closed.

Blizzard Beach

There is also an entertainment, shopping, and dining area called Disney Springs that is full of stores, restaurants, and more for you to enjoy.

Disney Springs

There are also mini-golf (as well as full-sized golf!) courses and more on Walt Disney World property. There’s a LOT to see and do!

Click here to see your absolute Disney World must-dos!

There are a LOT of different Disney-owned/run hotels to stay at on Walt Disney World property . There are also some hotels that are technically on Walt Disney World property but are not owned/run by Disney, like the Four Seasons Orlando or the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. And, there are hotels that are off of Walt Disney World property but very close by.

Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Want to stay at a Disney World hotel and wondering which Disney-owned hotel would be best? With a LOT of options, it can be overwhelming to figure out what the right move for your family is . There are three classes of hotels owned by Disney ranging from the less expensive Value resorts all the way up to posh Deluxe resorts will all the amenities you could want. With so much to choose from, we recommend you check out our video on the best hotels for visits this year below!

Also, keep in mind that some benefits only apply to guests staying at select Disney World hotels. Check out our section below on Park Hours to learn more about the Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours benefits and how those might impact your decision about where to stay.

Click here to see why people HATE some Disney World hotels!

There are many reasons why you might want to stay at a Disney World-owned hotel — like the free transportation to the Disney parks (a HUGE perk for many guests), the service you get from the Cast Members, and the Disney theming. But, there are also some reasons why you might NOT want to stay in a Disney World hotel — like the cost savings you can find at other places or more space.

Grand Floridian

Should you stay on property or off property? Ultimately, it’ll depend on what’s best for your family.

Are these Disney World hotels underrated or overrated? Click here to see what thousands of our readers said!

Another thing you’ll need to think about is how you’re going to get from Orlando International Airport or any airport nearby (if you’re flying into Orlando) to your hotel.  Disney’s Magical Express was discontinued at the beginning of 2022, so now guests must find their own way to get between the two locations — and, it’s going to cost you some $$$.

Mears, the company that used to operate Disney’s Magical Express, is now offering a paid shuttle service that’s similar , along with a new company called The Sunshine Flyer . You can also choose from a variety of other transportation options that might work better for you and your family .

Mears Connect Bus

Another consideration to make if you plan to drive or rent a car from the airport is parking. Just keep in mind that Disney does charge a parking fee if you bring your car and park it at one of their hotels BUT Disney-owned resort guests get complimentary parking at the theme parks.

Click here to see the BEST ways to get to Disney World now that the Magical Express is gone.

Finally, before you book your trip, you’ll want to check and see if there are any special deals or discounts being offered on Disney World hotel stays.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge — This is a Gorgeous Resort

Sometimes, you may be able to score the hotel of your dreams for less through these deals. You could also look into renting points to stay at a Disney Vacation Club Villa and that could help you save BIG on some great spots . Check out our video below to learn more.

Click here to see the latest Disney World hotel deals!

Finally, a lot of people make some rookie mistakes planning their first Disney World trip. Make sure YOU don’t make those same mistakes by reading our post about some of the mistakes people make when booking a Disney World hotel .

Click here to see the rookie mistakes you’re making when booking a Disney World hotel!

3. theme park admission.

Okay, so you’ve decided what hotel you want to stay at, but what about the theme parks? You’ll need to get tickets to enter the theme parks.  But, in Disney World, not all days are created equal when it comes to theme park admission prices. Essentially, Disney uses a calendar system for its prices that is based on demand. So, “peak” days — holidays and days that Disney expects the park to be busier — will be priced at a higher cost.

Mickey Balloons — A Classic Souvenir

If you go during a slower period, when the demand maybe isn’t as high, the tickets will be lower in terms of cost. Prices can jump up or down depending on when you’d like to visit, so scouting out a slower time could mean big savings.

Click here to get a look at what’s going on with Disney World ticket prices in 2022.

Also, you’ll want to keep in mind that park tickets now have an expiration date, but that wasn’t always the case. So, while your parents might have tickets from the ’90s that are still totally good, the tickets you buy tomorrow will have a set expiration date. You’ll want to mark that down in your calendar and make sure you get the full use out of that ticket before it expires.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Okay, so we’ve talked about tickets and the calendar, but what types of tickets are available? You can get tickets that give you access to 1 park per day, or you can opt for a ticket with the Park Hopper option.  With the Park Hopper option, you’ll be able to, well, HOP between all 4 Disney World theme parks once Park Hopper hours begin each day (at 2PM daily). Park Hopper DOES add a not insignificant cost to your tickets, but if you’re looking to jump around to different parks for meals or are trying to do it all in just a few days, it might well be worth the added cost.

Pandora — A GORGEOUS Area in Animal Kingdom You’ll Want to Check Out

One important thing to keep in mind: if you don’t get a ticket with the Park Hopper option at first, and later you decide you want it, that is fine. You can always add it on later, once you’re in Disney World, and you can even add it to your tickets in the middle of your trip. But, Disney will charge you for adding the Park Hopper for the full length of your trip (meaning that even if you add on the Park Hopping on day 3 of 5, you’ll be charged Park Hopping for the full 5 days of your trip, not just your remaining days). So, if you are going to add it on during your trip, you’ll want to add it on early so you can take full advantage of it. If you’re going to pay for it, you might as well get to use it to the fullest!

But, also keep in mind that you typically cannot remove a Park Hopper option from a ticket once you’ve bought it. Our advice? You might want to wait to see if you actually NEED the Park Hopping ability before you decide to pay for it, but don’t wait until you’re too late into your actual trip.

Click here to see what Park Hopping is like in Disney World right now!

Also, if you are interested in the water parks or some other activities, you can also get tickets that have a water park and sports option that will allow you to do more.

Just like the hotels, Disney often runs a variety of discounts and deals on its park tickets that you’ll want to look into. Be sure to check those out!

Click here to see ALL of the Disney discounts and deals!

And once all annual pass sales resume , if you’re really planning to commit, you can look into getting a Disney World Annual Pass. The new Annual Passes have some changes when compared to Disney’s previous offerings.

Annual Pass

There are 4 different passes. If you want access to PhotoPass for the year, or you want admission to some water parks and sports options as part of your Annual Pass, those are an additional cost. But keep in mind that currently, only new sales of the Disney Pixie Dust Pass remain available for Florida Residents. New sales of all other passes are currently paused.

There’s quite a lot to break down when it comes to these Annual Passholder offerings. Check out our articles below to learn more:

• Click here to see the blockout dates for the new Annual Passes
• Can you upgrade your tickets to an Annual Pass? Click here to learn more
• If you don’t live in Florida, you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to Annual Passes — click here to see more
• See what’s MISSING from Disney World’s new Annual Pass program
• These are the pros and cons of Disney World’s new Annual Pass system
• Your guide to using and understanding Disney World’s new Annual Passholder calendar
• Want to add PhotoPass to your Disney World Annual Pass? Click here to see what you need to know

Click here to learn more about the Annual Passholder program!

4. bookings.

Okay, so you’ve picked your hotel and you know what type of tickets you want to buy — so what do you do in terms of booking? Well, you can book the tickets on their own and your hotel room separately. Or, you can book a package that includes both.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios

You can also book a package that includes hotel, tickets, and the Disney Dining Plan (once it becomes available again) . The Dining Plan allows you to pre-pay for your food. You’re then given a certain number of “credits” that you can use throughout your trip. Right now the Dining Plan is not available, but it is set to return in the future. When the Dining Plan returns, it’s something you might want to consider if you like to feel like your trip expenses are mostly all covered before you even arrive.

Ready to Eat?!

What combination of bookings is best for you? You’ll have to price out the discounts on hotels, tickets, and combined packages to find out. Often many discounts will require you to book a specific package, so check the fine print of any deals you’re eyeing.

Truly, we’ve only just started this guide and maybe you’re already coming to the realization that planning a Disney World vacation can be A LOT.  Our recommendation? You might want to think about reaching out to a travel agent. We specifically recommend the awesome folks over at Small World Vacations!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The people over at Small World Vacations know about ALL of the discounts, and they stay up to date on new discounts that could be applied to your vacation to help you save some serious cash. They can give you personalized advice and really help make your vacation planning stress-free. Oh, and did we mention that their services are TOTALLY FREE?! That’s right. You won’t pay a dime extra than what you normally would pay to book your vacation on your own. In fact, you could SAVE money working with a travel agent. Their job is to look out for you. We’ve scored some great deals this way.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

We’ve got all the contact information for Small World Vacations at the bottom of this post and you can fill out their form to get started right here!

Should you use a travel agent for your Disney World trip? Click here to see more of our thoughts!

5. disney dining plan (currently unavailable).

We touched on it briefly above, but the Disney Dining Plan is a way to pay for your Disney World meals in advance.  Plans are typically pre-purchased and added onto a Disney Vacation Package (i.e. you must be staying through a Vacation Package at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel, and have purchased at least one ticket per person). With the Dining Plan, all you have to do when you get to Disney World is head to a restaurant on the list, eat, and scan your MagicBand to “pay.”

Doesn’t This Look Yummy??

The credits for the meal for each person will be deducted from your total allotment. Easy peasy. Note that while you don’t pay while you’re at the restaurant (unless you order extras not covered like additional drinks or appetizers), gratuity is not included on table-service meals . There are a variety of different plans that are typically available that give you more or less food. The plans even include alcohol, if you’re able to partake. You’ll likely find a plan that would fit your family’s dining preferences.

Right now, the Dining Plan is not available though and it has not yet become available for future bookings , but it is set to return in the future , so just keep that in mind for the time being.

Click here to see everything you need to know about the Disney Dining Plan!

6. park hours.

One big thing you need to know about before your first Disney World trip is the park hours . Disney World theme parks do not open and close at the same time as one another, and the hours for each theme park can vary by day.  It’s important that you know those hours when you plan your trip so you can try to get the most out of every single day you have there.

Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios

Park hours can also change ahead of your trip or even DURING your trip !  You’ll want to keep an eye on those park hours, ESPECIALLY once you’re there, and watch for updates from us here at DFB.

Also, keep in mind that some guests get to spend a little extra time in the parks, extending those park hours just a bit more with Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours .

Let’s start with Early Theme Park Entry. All guests staying at Disney-owned resorts and select other resorts are allowed 30-minute early entry into any theme park every single day .  Select attractions are open during this early entry time.

Pop Century

Extended Evening Hours is a separate perk only for those staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts or Deluxe Villas . With this perk, those staying at eligible resorts are able to spend more time in select parks on select nights. Again, select attractions are open during this time.

If you’ll be staying at a resort with one or both of these perks, you’ll be able to factor in that extra time in the parks as part of your plans.

Click here to see our page with LOTS of park hours updates.

7. park pass.

When the Disney World theme parks reopened after the pandemic closures, they introduced the Park Pass system. The way that things work now is like this: let’s say you want to go to Magic Kingdom on Friday. First, you need a valid ticket to visit Magic Kingdom on that Friday. But, in addition to that, you also need a Park Pass theme park reservation for Friday for Magic Kingdom. Every person in your party will also need a ticket and Park Pass as well.

Disney Park Pass Screenshot

But, Park Passes can fill up, especially at busier times . You’ll be able to take a look at the Disney World Park Pass calendar to see what days are green (meaning there is full availability at all 4 parks), yellow (meaning 1 or more parks are already full), or gray (meaning there are no Park Passes available at any of the parks). Note that the Park Pass availability calendar looks different for Annual Passholders.

Park Pass availability can vary depending on whether you are an Annual Passholder, Disney World hotel guest, or just a guest with theme park tickets. You can only make 1 Park Pass reservation per day. That is the only park you will be allowed to visit for that day, unless you have added Park Hopper on your tickets  (which, again, you’ll have to wait until after 2PM to do each day!).

Park Pass Reservation availability for guests with Theme Park Tickets for September 12th as of September 8th © Disney

Again, availability for Park Passes can change a LOT. Sometimes days fill up , and then later more passes become available . Our advice? Get your Park Pass reservations EARLY. If you can’t get a reservation for a specific park that you want, book another one for the time being so at least you have something. You can always check later to see if more availability opens up. And if passes for the park you originally wanted become available, then you can cancel your existing Park Pass and make a new one.

Click here to see more about Park Pass.

And click here to see our page with all kinds of park pass availability updates, 8. transportation.

If you’re staying at a Disney World-owned/operated hotel, one of the best perks is FREE transportation from the hotels to the parks and back. Depending on the hotel you’re staying at, different transportation options will be available. Some hotels have buses to the parks…

Disney World Bus

…while others have boats …

Friendship Boats

…or access to the Disney Skyliner …

…or monorails , or a combination.

Some hotels even give you the chance to WALK to the parks.

Grand Floridian Walkway

For example, you can walk from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa , Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and (if you’re willing to trek a little bit) Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to Magic Kingdom.

Click here to see how you can WALK to the parks from some Disney World hotels!

You can also drive to and from the parks. If you’re staying at a Disney Hotel, you get free parking at the parks. Otherwise, just keep in mind that there is a cost per day to park at Disney World’s theme parks. If you hop to the other parks, you won’t need to pay again on the same day though — just keep that receipt! Also, parking is free at Disney Springs!

9. MagicBands and MagicMobile

If you walk around Disney World you’re sure to see people with colorful bands on their wrists that look like this.

OoOoOo MagicBands!

These are called MagicBands !   MagicBands can do a whole bunch of stuff!  If you set it up online, you can link your park tickets to your MagicBand. Then, all you’ll need to do is scan your band (rather than take your ticket out of your wallet or pocket) to get into the parks.

They can also be used to open your Disney World hotel room door, charge purchases to your Disney World hotel room, link PhotoPass photos, and more! It’s a mega-powerful tool right on your wrist.

Zootopia MagicBand

There’s also a new version called the MagicBand+ that gives you the chance to interact with the parks like never before!

MagicBand+ can interact with the Golden 50th Anniversary Statues in the parks

MagicBands are no longer free for Disney World hotel guests or Annual Passholders , but you can still buy them and use them in the parks. Disney World hotel guests and Annual Passholders can also pre-order some MagicBands at a discount ahead of their trip, but you’re gonna have to pay a bit.  If you don’t like the discounted options available, you can also just buy a MagicBand in the parks or online . MagicBands can be extremely convenient. But, they are not required if you choose not to use them.

Click here to see our ULTIMATE GUIDE to MagicBands in Disney World!

Don’t want to use a MagicBand? No worries, you don’t have to! If you still want some of the benefits of a MagicBand without having to use one, you can utilize the MagicMobile service.

MagicMobile essentially transforms your phone into a MagicBand! With MagicMobile, you can link your tickets, create a virtual pass, and scan your ticket at the parks straight from your phone (no MagicBand needed).

Learn to use My Disney Experience to optimize your Disney World vacation ©Disney

You can also now use your phone to automatically link select PhotoPass photos to your My Disney Experience account.

MagicMobile Instructions

MagicMobile is available now for Apple and Android devices and could be a good way for you to get some of the ease of a MagicBand without having to use one.

Click here for your step-by-step guide to setting up your MagicMobile pass.

10. tech stuff.

You may want to spend part of your vacation away from the computer or technology, but in Disney World, there are actually a LOT of apps and tech things you’ll want to know about and use. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to download and know.

First, we highly recommend that you download the My Disney Experience app. You’ll be able to use this app to check park times, make Disney Genie+ ride selections (more on that in a second), make dining reservations, check the wait times for the rides, look at park maps, and SO MUCH MORE.

Keep your eye on the app! See the Hidden Mickey in Hollywood Studios from Above?! ©Disney

You’ll also be able to create accounts for your family members on there, link your tickets, and link MagicBands too.

Click here to see the steps you should take on My Disney Experience NOW before your upcoming Disney World trip.

Another thing you’ll be able to do on the My Disney Experience app is place a Mobile Order for your food for many Disney World quick-service spots.

Mobile Order Signs

With Mobile Order, you’ll preorder and pay for your food on your phone at many locations. Familiarizing yourself with the app to begin with can save headaches once in the parks and you just want some food!

Click here to learn more about mobile order.

You’ll also be able to use the app to do Mobile Dine Check-in for Disney World restaurants.

Mobile Dine Check In

Essentially, for table service restaurants in Disney World, you’ll generally be able to skip the check-in desk and check-in for your reservation right from your phone! You’ll receive a text when your table is ready.

See more about mobile check-in here!

The My Disney Experience app also now lets you join Virtual Waitlists for many Disney World restaurants . So, let’s say you couldn’t score a reservation at the one spot where you really wanted to eat. Or, maybe you didn’t think you’d have time for a table service meal, but now you do. You could always check to see if there are any regular Advanced Dining Reservations available. But, you also might be able to join a Virtual Waitlist for the restaurant and potentially get a walk-up spot with this feature.

Mobile Dine Walk-up Waitlist screenshot

The app will show you if the walk-up waitlist is at capacity for that restaurant already, or what the estimated walk-up wait would be.

Click here to see more about the walk-up waitlist feature!

If you want to try some of the food from a table service restaurant but don’t have the time for a full sit-down meal or perhaps don’t feel comfortable eating at a location that doesn’t have outdoor seating, consider using the Table Service To-Go feature (also on the My Disney Experience app — see why we say it’s important to have?!).

Bread Service To-Go!

With this feature, you can order from some of your favorite table service spots and take your items to go , to be enjoyed back in your room or elsewhere! This is only available for select restaurants, so just keep that in mind.

Click here to learn more about table service to-go!

A free feature is incorporated into the My Disney Experience app called Disney Genie. Disney Genie is a service that is essentially meant to help you plan your perfect Disney day. You’re able to tell the Disney Genie what types of attractions or things you’re interested in, and Genie will create a customized itinerary for you that is aimed at maximizing your time in the parks.

You’re able to see forecasted wait times for your favorite rides, see personalized recommendations, and more.

Some folks find this feature very useful!

Click here to see the 5 most mind-blowing Disney Genie features!

If you’re looking for a way to keep the little ones entertained as you wait in line or even give the older kids (*raises hand*) something to play, the Play Disney Parks App is something you might want to download (it’s FREE!). The app is full of games and more to keep everyone busy. And it’s got special features you’ll want to use in Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios .

Play Disney Parks App | ©Disney

One ride that will make heavy use of the My Disney Experience app is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. To even get a chance to board this SUPER popular ride, you need to download the My Disney Experience app to sign up for a Boarding Group for the ride .

Cosmic Rewind

Boarding Groups are distributed at 2 times during the day (currently 7AM and 1PM ) and they can be difficult to get. One big thing to keep in mind is that if you want to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind , EPCOT generally has to be the first park you visit that day . You won’t be able to visit, say, Magic Kingdom first, and then hop to EPCOT s to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind because boarding group distributions happen BEFORE Park Hopping hours begin.

We recommend REALLY brushing up on our how-to tips before attempting this one. You’ve typically got a small window to score these boarding group spots and you don’t want to do it wrong! This attraction will also offer pay-per-ride access via Lightning Lane through Individual Attraction Selection (which we’re about to discuss).

Click Here To See How Boarding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Will Work!

11. disney genie+ and individual attraction selection.

You may have heard of the term “ FastPass+, ” so you might be wondering what is that and is it available? FastPass was a free system available to all Disney World guests that allowed guests to skip the standard queue lines and hop in a separate (typically much shorter) line to get onto their favorite rides quicker.

The FastPass+ system was suspended when Disney World reopened last year . Instead of returning, FastPass+ was replaced by 2 PAID FastPass-like systems called Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection.

We worked on an article explaining Genie (the free planning service we discussed in a section above), Genie+, and a little bit about Individual Attraction Selection in less than 500 words . Below is a portion of that article to help you understand the basics of these new systems.

Disney Genie  is a FREE planning service  built into the  My Disney Experience  App and  Disneyland App . You will tell Disney Genie what you want to ride, what types of things you like, etc. and  Disney Genie will create a personalized, flexible itinerary for you . With Genie, you’ll be able to see  forecasted wait times, mobile order your food, chat with a virtual assistant, see walk-up waitlist availability, make restaurant reservations, adjust your plans, and more . Plans will continuously update to help you get the most out of your day. Essentially, Genie is designed to help you plan your day and optimize your plans.

Disney Genie+ is a PAID FastPass-like service .  It costs  $15 per day per ticket at Disney World, and $20 per day per ticket at Disneyland . If you pay for this service,  you’ll be able to see when the next available time is to use various rides’ Lightning Lanes (i.e. FastPass+ lanes).  You will  select the next available time to use the Lightning Lane for whatever ride you want, and when your time arrives, you can visit the ride and use the Lightning Lane (skipping the standby line) .

Once you’re done with that ride, you can make another Genie+ Lightning Lane selection —  1 ride at a time, throughout the day. Over 40 attractions are available through Genie+ at Disney World, over 15 attractions are available through Genie+ at Disneyland. NOT all attractions will be available through Genie+.

While most guests can purchase Genie+ in advance ( though the situation seems different for Annual Passholders ),  you cannot make a Genie+ Lightning Lane selection until the DAY OF your trip . At Disney World, guests can make their first Lightning Lane attraction at 7AM on the day of their visit. At Disneyland, the first Genie+ Lightning Lane selection can be made once you’re in the park.

Select, highly popular attractions (like  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Radiator Springs Racers in Disney California Adventure Park,  WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure  at Disney California Adventure Park,  Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT ) will NOT be listed on Genie+ .

That means that even if you pay for Genie+ you will NOT be able to select a time for/use the Lightning Lane at those attractions. Instead, if you want to use the Lightning Lane for those attractions,  you’ll have to pay for the attractions INDIVIDUALLY .

Guests will only be able to get a maximum of 2 Individual Attraction Selections per day.

Two Options ©Disney

That’s our very, very, VERY basic and succinct breakdown of Genie vs. Genie+ (with a tiny bit of info thrown in about Individual Attraction Selection). Essentially, you’re able to pay $15 per day in Disney World to get access to the Lightning Lanes for over 40 attractions (you’ll be able to make 1 Lightning Lane selection at a time) through Genie+. If you want to skip the standby lines at select super popular attractions though, you’ll have to pay to access their Lightning Lanes individually (maximum of 2 selections per day) through Individual Attraction Selection.

Want to know more about Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection? Check out some of our other posts, linked below:

• Click here to  learn about Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection, including what attractions have been listed for each and more details
• Click here to see  what Annual Passholders need to know about Disney Genie
• Click here to see how and  why you’ll pay for individual rides in Disney Genie+ with Individual Attraction Selection
• Click here to see  how Disney Genie+ is different from MaxPass
• Click here to see  how being a hotel guest will benefit you with the Individual Attraction Selection service

Click here to learn more about FastPass+.

There are a LOT of dining options all around Disney World. There are counter service spots — meaning places where you simply order your food, pick it up, and take it to your table (AKA, fast food like chicken nuggets or burgers). There are also table service restaurants — where you will be seated, a Cast Member will take your order, and your food will be brought to you at the table.

Sit down, eat, and watch TV? Don’t mind if we do.

Reservations are NOT required (nor can they be made) for counter service spots. But, reservations can (and should) be made for table service spots. At many popular spots, reservations essentially become required if you want to dine there. You won’t find these spots on the walk-up waitlist!

Right now, you can make dining reservations 60 days ahead of your Disney trip .  Reservations can book up pretty quickly for some spots — particularly those popular locations. When we say “fast” we mean “gone 60 days out” type deal for big spots. So, if you’re looking to eat at Be Our Guest Restaurant , a character meal, or other popular places, you’ll want to book those as quickly as you can!

Beast in Be Our Guest

You can change or cancel your reservations later if you change your mind. But, note that some Disney reservations will charge you a cancellation fee (usually $10 per person) if you don’t cancel within a certain time period — generally 24 hours.

Also, if you’re on a serious budget or you’ve got picky eaters in the group, you can bring food, snacks, water bottles, sodas, and more into Disney World . If you’ve got special dietary concerns or allergies , there are also several things you can do to notify Disney and help them best accommodate you.  Cast Members will be happy to help in any way they can.

Click here to see more about dining with a special diet in Disney World!

Wondering what the TOP Disney snacks are that you should get? Or the best restaurants you should eat at? If you’ve NEVER been, you likely won’t know what or where to find all the best food! We got you.

A Mickey Pretzel with (What We Call) Plastic Cheese!

Be sure to check out our picks for the BEST snacks in Disney World right now in our video below! 

13. Rides, Fireworks, Parades, and a Bit More

There are a lot of rides in Disney World, and it’s important to know what rides are in what park so you can best plan your days. You can find Disney World maps online or in the My Disney Experience app. We think it’s a good idea for you and your family to look at these maps ahead of time and make a note of what rides are must-dos, which ones you’d like to try, and which ones you’d rather skip.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios Goes Upside Down!

Not sure what a specific ride is even like? Is it too scary for your little one or too scary for you?? Watch videos of the rides online! There are tons of videos on YouTube that will give you a much better idea of what the ride is like. You can watch them with your family to get excited for your trip and help you narrow down your must-do list.

Flight of Passage in Animal Kingdom

Some Disney World rides do have height requirements , so keep that in mind for little ones and be sure to look in advance so they aren’t disappointed when they get there. We recommend measuring your kiddo with their shoes on so you know before you go what they can and can’t do. If someone is too short, parents can take advantage of Disney World’s Rider Switch program . This allows you to split your party so those tall enough can ride while someone stays with the person too small to ride. Then, they switch and the person who waited can ride without waiting in the full line.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Aside from actual moving or simulation rides, there is some wonderful entertainment all around Disney World.

Also, we wanted to briefly mention how to handle if someone in your party required a bit of extra assistance to ride rides on your trip. Disney does have certain services available for those with disabilities . For example, Assistive technology devices for guests with hearing disabilities are available at Guest Relations.

Guest Relations

Those with disabilities can also get a  Disability Access Service pass that allows them to generally stop by an attraction and receive a return time at which point they’ll be able to come back and be directed to an alternate entrance to get on the ride. Click here to read more about how Disability Access Service works now.

New virtual features have been added to Disney’s Disability Access Service Program — click here to learn more.

Also, we couldn’t get through this post without mentioning two of the things that Disney is so famous for (even though they aren’t rides)  — parades and fireworks!  Considering that this is your first trip to Disney World, these are the quintessential Disney things you’ll likely want to reserve some time to experience.

What a Sight!

The Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade is currently running in Magic Kingdom!

Festival of Fantasy

Check out the return of this parade!

Fireworks have resumed at Disney World in full force! Fireworks are now back at Magic Kingdom , Hollywood Studios , and EPCOT , and new fireworks shows are on the way for Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.

Happily Ever After Fireworks

Most entertainment offerings have returned to Disney World, but be sure to still check the Disney World website to see what’s being offered during your trip!

Click here to check out KiteTails in Animal Kingdom!

14. photopass.

During your trip, you’ll likely see Disney photographers taking other families’ photos. This is called PhotoPass. The photographers are scattered throughout the parks and will take your photos for FREE! So, don’t be afraid to say cheese and take those pictures! You can then link the photos to your account with your MagicBand or admission card (or sometimes your phone ) so you can see them online later. Some photographers can even add in fun magical stuff to your photos, so be sure to ask!

If you want to download those photos you’ll either need an Annual Pass that includes free photo downloads, you’ll need to buy the Memory Maker service, or you can pay for each photo individually. Memory Maker is a service that you pay for that allows you to download all your PhotoPass photos for trips in a certain period of time.

15. Packing List

Maybe you’ve got everything booked and ready…but what do you pack?! Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered there too! Check out our DFB video below with the ULTIMATE Disney World packing list. It’s a few years old, but should still be SUPER helpful.

We’ve also got a list of 12 essentials you NEED in your Disney World bag , and a video of the things even the pros forget to bring to Disney World.  Check out these videos so you know what to pack!

16. Cast Members & ALL the Tips

One thing we really wanted to mention is that if during your Disney World trip you have a question or need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask a Cast Member for help . Cast Members are INCREDIBLE and do a fantastic job helping guests with their needs.

Cast Members at the Boardwalk Bakery

Need more tips and tricks to help plan your first trip? We’ve got ’em right here! In fact, if you’re still on the fence if this is the year or if you should wait, click here to see whether you should go to Disney World for the first time this year .

Roy and Minnie Statue

Click here to see 6 things most first time visitors get WRONG at Disney World , so you can prevent yourself from getting these things wrong during your first trip.

Want a month-by-month planning guide to your Disney World vacation ? We’ve got that here too!

DinoLand USA

Want to make sure you walk away from your first trip with as few regrets as possible? Click here to see some of our readers’ 10 BIGGEST regrets in Disney World so you don’t experience the same things.

18. The DFB Guide

Want a BIG guide to all things Disney food related? Well lucky you — we got you covered there too! (What can we say. We like you and want you to have the BEST time ever!) You might want to check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World dining!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2023

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining  is FULL of details, tools, and features to help your trip go smoothly, including:

• A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning , covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks.
• An updated look at the COVID-19 changes happening at Disney World.
• A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge , including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
• Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips!
• Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning.
• A comprehensive index of bars and lounges WITH reviews. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic.

The book is a digital book, so you can easily look at it on your phone or computer before and during your trip.

Click here to see more about the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!

19. don’t forget our dfb videos.

And finally, if you’re a videos type of person, then you’ll want to check out our DFB YouTube channel.  Truly, this is not just a shameless plug. The DFB videos on YouTube are totally FREE to watch and there are LOADS on there with tons of valuable information that could help you plan your trip.

We’ve got an entire playlist dedicated to Disney World tips and guides with videos showing you what things are banned in Disney World, things we wish we’d known before we went to Disney World, the worst Walt Disney World resorts, and more! We’ve even got a video dedicated to the 50 MOST important things to know before you go to Disney World . If you’re planning a trip to Disney World for the first time, some of these videos can really help you get prepared!

Click here to check out our video of the 50 things to know before you go to Disney World!

And that’s our essential guide to planning your very first trip to Disney World! There is SO much more we could say, but then this guide would go on for AGES. We’ll leave it at this — planning a trip to Disney World can be a lot. But, try not to let yourself get overwhelmed. Remember that at the end of the day, it won’t matter if you hit every single ride or eat every snack you have on your list. What will matter is whether you got to spend quality time with your family, soak in the magic, and create memories that will last a lifetime. We hope your first trip to Disney World is absolutely fantastic!

Click here to see 10 ways Disney World tricks you into spending more money!

Are you planning your first trip to Disney World soon? Let us know in the comments!

DON'T DO IT ALONE!

Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.

So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂

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The BEST Disney World 7 Day Itinerary

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As far as I’m concerned, any amount of time you can spend at Disney World is amazing. However, I think the sweet spot exists somewhere in the 7 to 9 day trip range.

Since a week long trip is probably the most popular, I decided to put together my ideal Disney World 7 day itinerary.

Is 7 days enough for Disney World? In reality, yes it is, though understand you still won’t get to experience everything.

For those on the flip side of that questions, is 7 days at Disney too much? Absolutely not. I really do think 7 days is the ideal amount of time for a Disney trip, especially if it’s your first trip ( updated August 2, 2022 ).

FYI – This whole post is full of links to other posts that will help with planning each of these days. They open in a new page so you won’t lose this one. I really hate when websites do that.

Table of Contents

Why is a Disney World 7 Day Itinerary the Best?

There are several potential answers to this question, but simply, the more time you can be there, the better, right?

But really, most people think of vacations in terms of something you go on for a week, so we default to that a little bit.

In terms of Disney specifically, a 7 day Disney World itinerary gives you enough time to spend a full day at each of the parks plus a rest day to either explore resorts or hit Disney Springs.

Did you know there are so many things you can do besides the Disney parks ? And that’s not even counting what you can do if you leave Disney property!

Whenever possible, it’s always a good idea to plan a long enough Disney vacation that you don’t have to feel so rushed and frantic. Let’s face it, even in a week you won’t even come close to fitting everything in.

However, a full 7 days at Disney World will give you a chance to experience a lot.

And when you’re experiencing a lot, that “rest day” is important. So, let’s get to it!

My Ideal 7 Day Disney World Itinerary

Here’s where I lay out the basic structure of your 7 day Disney itinerary. In reality, you can order things however you want to. However, my biggest recommendation is to insert a rest day smack in the middle of the park days.

Disney vacations are usually pretty exhausting, so everyone will be ready to recharge their batteries by then.

In terms of the park days themselves, truly, you can swap around the parks to whichever day you want. I don’t think there’s necessarily one order that gives you a better experience.

If you have a family full of Star Wars fans, make your Hollywood Studios day earlier in the trip. Looking forward to eating (and drinking) around World Showcase? Same deal.

I have one simple little caveat to this: if this is your first trip to Disney World you MUST make Magic Kingdom your first park day . Quite simply, Magic Kingdom is the foundation of Disney World.

There is nothing quite like rounding the corner onto Main Street and seeing the castle at the end. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for while planning this trip.

Nothing says, “my Disney trip has started” like this moment right here. I’ve been to Disney many times at this point and the feeling never gets old.

Day 1: Arrival Day

Whether you are flying or driving, this is always such an exciting day. Your Disney World vacation is starting! A full week of amazing experiences is before you.

My biggest tip for Arrival Day is to try to arrive at Disney as early in the day as humanly possible. Yes, that might mean getting up insanely early to catch a flight or hit the road, but trust me, you won’t mind once you get there.

Clearly, the goal here is to give you as much time as possible on Day 1 to settle in and start experiencing the fun.

The rest of what you do on this day depends on how much time you have and how “busy” you want to be. These are the two most popular options for arrival day:

• Resort/Pool Day
• Disney Springs

There are pros and cons to doing either option. The good news is you really can’t make a wrong choice!

Depending on your arrival time, your room might not be ready yet. That’s ok, you can leave your luggage with bell services and go about your business.

If you want to hit the pool on day 1, just make sure you pack the swimsuits at the top of the luggage for easier access. You can change in the lobby bathroom and enjoy the day until your room is ready.

Tips for Arrival Day

• Plan for an early bedtime to try to catch up on sleep. You will hit the ground running tomorrow!
• Going along with the above tip, if you make a dining reservation, make it an early one
• If you are renting a stroller, schedule drop off for today (and read all my Disney stroller tips )
• Day 2: Magic Kingdom

In reality, Magic Kingdom is actually a 2 day park if you want to get everything done. However, a well planned out Magic Kingdom day can accomplish a lot.

Take a look at my Magic Kingdom itinerary to get an idea of how to plan out your perfect day at Magic Kingdom.

I know I mentioned it above, but it’s worth repeating: If you’ve never been to Disney World, Magic Kingdom MUST be your first official park day . You just have to see the castle and experience a park that is quintessential Disney World.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Magic Kingdom

Here’s the deal, I’m going to give you this list, but you may very well have to miss some of it. That’s ok! As I said, there’s so much to do in Magic Kingdom it’s not even funny.

But every family is different and has different interests and priorities. Take the parts of the list that appeal to you and forget the rest.

Rides and Attractions

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – this is the most popular ride at Magic Kingdom
• Thunder Mountain
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• PeopleMover – I have an absolute love affair with the PeopleMover. It’s a great way to sit back, relax, take in some great views, and learn some stuff
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Country Bear Jamoboree
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• It’s a Small World
• Carousel of Progress

I think everyone should make a point of doing some of the classic Disney attractions, even though they aren’t necessarily as “exciting” as some of the other rides.

It’s a Small World probably won’t be everyone’s favorite ride, but did you really go to Disney World if you didn’t ride it?

There are plenty more rides at Magic Kingdom (the most out of any of the parks), but this core group is a great place to start.

Extra Experiences

• Character cavalcades
• Character meet and greets
• Disney Enchantment fireworks

Good Places to Eat

• Be our Guest
• Skipper Canteen
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Columbia Harbour House

Seriously, your cup runneth over with this topic. There are so many amazing places to eat at Magic Kingdom it’s not even funny.

Whether you want quick service, table service, or to grab a snack, you can’t really go wrong.

Tips for your Magic Kingdom Day

• Tour the park efficiently by getting as much done in one land before moving on to the next
• Want to take a bit of a break? Tom Sawyer Island and Swiss Family Robinson Tree House are great places to get away from the crowds and have some quiet
• If you have access to it, definitely take advantage of early theme park entry to get on big rides with small lines
• When they are running, attending one of the parties ( Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ) is a great way to sneak in more time at Magic Kingdom without using up a whole park day
• Day 3: Animal Kingdom

For some reason, everyone wants to skip Animal Kingdom (or Epcot) in favor of more time at the other parks. While I understand the desire to spend another day at Magic Kingdom, you don’t want to miss out on Animal Kingdom.

If you absolutely aren’t sold on a full day at Animal Kingdom, you can fit a lot into a half day with the right strategy. Take a look at my Animal Kingdom itinerary to get an idea of what a full day versus a half day looks like.

That post also gives you a very detailed breakdown of rides, timing of things, and so much more, so make sure you read it.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, people tend to view Animal Kingdom as nothing more than a glorified zoo. But it’s so much more than that!

Sure, you can spend a good chunk of the day wandering around and looking at animals in amazingly themed exhibits, but you don’t have to.

There are typically also some amazing street performances throughout Animal Kingdom. My favorite street performances are in Africa. Whether it’s the drummers or the acrobats, they are awesome.

Unfortunately, as I write this, the acrobats haven’t returned yet. However, the musical street performances have returned to liven up the atmosphere.

But what experiences should you absolutely prioritize, especially if you’re only spending a half day at Animal Kingdom?

• Flight of Passage – seriously if you do NOTHING ELSE at Animal Kingdom, you must ride this. Hands down the most amazing experience
• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Expedition Everest
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…And Beyond
• At least one animal exhibit trail
• Visiting Pandora at night is an absolute MUST if you’re there that time of the day, it’s breathtaking
• Flame Tree BBQ
• Satu’li Canteen
• Tusker House
• Nomad Lounge

Tips for Your Animal Kingdom Day

• Tired and need a place to rest? The seating area of Flame Tree BBQ is one of the prettiest, and calmest, places you’ll find. And you don’t need to order any food to sit there
• Other than riding DINOSAUR, don’t waste much time in Dinoland
• Only do Rafiki’s Planet Watch if you randomly find yourself with a ton of time to kill. Just taking the train out there and back takes a lot of time.
• Day 4: Rest Day

I’m a huge fan of having a rest day. My family is go, go, go when we’re at Disney so throwing a day into the middle of it where we aren’t up before the sun is a good idea.

But more than that, it’s another opportunity to fit in some of the amazing things you can do at Disney World besides the parks .

We’re big fans of resort hopping and eating so those are our frequent rest day activities. We also try to get to Disney Springs for a few hours during our longer trips.

The kids are huge fans of World of Disney and the Lego Store while my husband and I like wandering and eating as much food as possible.

On rest day we also try to plan some time at the pool. Because we are morning to night park goers, there never seems to be time on the park days to squeeze in the pool.

But your rest day is the perfect opportunity.

Where to Eat on Rest Day

Seriously, I don’t even have an answer for you other than, wherever you want. We often use rest day as a chance to try out restaurants at other Disney resorts.

This ties right into our enjoyment of resort hopping. We either pick the restaurants based on where we plan to hop, or hop around the area where we plan to eat.

And that’s not even including all of the options to be found at Disney Springs! If you love good food, I’d recommend planning your day around that.

Research the different restaurants at the resorts and Disney Springs and use that as your spring board to decide your rest day plans.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has become an extremely popular park, and for good reason. It houses an amazing new land and perhaps one of the coolest rides around.

However, this comes with one very significant drawback: sometimes it’s not possible to get on everything you want in a single day.

Hollywood Studios does not have as many attractions as you might think. This means the lines tend to get on the long side.

Don’t get me wrong, the attractions they do have are amazing, but there just aren’t too many of them. This has improved over the past couple of years as 2 new rides opened, but it’s still an issue.

In case you haven’t seen yet, Rise of the Resistance no longer has a virtual queue. While this does make life easier in some ways, it means the wait for Rise of the Resistance could be obscene.

The other option to get on Rise of the Resistance is to book Lightning Lane access. If you don’t know what that is, read my guide to Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane .

However, you need to be on the ball when booking opens at 7:00a or your won’t get a time slot. If that happens, revert back to Plan B and wait in the standby line.

I put together a whole post dedicated to tips on how to ride Rise of the Resistance with lower lines . That should tell you how important a good strategy is to get on that ride.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Hollywood Studios

Once upon a time (a few years ago) there wasn’t much to do at Hollywood Studios. It was a construction zone. But times, they are a changing!

Hollywood Studios has seen a few major additions to the park which now makes it the most sought after park at Disney World.

The addition of Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway have upped the ante at Hollywood Studios.

However, Hollywood Studios requires a pretty solid strategy if you want to get on everything. And plan to have some down time too. Even with these new lands, there’s a shortage of rides and attractions.

Because of the complexity of Hollywood Studios, I highly recommend that you take a look at my guide to creating a Hollywood Studios touring plan , as well as how to rope drop Hollywood Studios.

Because of the scarcity of overall attractions, this list contains almost everything at Hollywood Studios. Not quite everything, but pretty darn close.

• Rise of the Resistance
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Toy Story Mania
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Tower of Terror
• Rock n Roller Coaster (goes upside down)
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• MuppetVision 4D – because who doesn’t love the Muppets?

Hollywood Studios has some pretty good places to sit down and grab a bite to eat.

• ABC Commissary (quick service)
• Woody’s Lunchbox (quick service)
• Dock Bay 7 (quick service)
• Ronto Roasters (quick service)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (signature restaurant)
• 50’s Prime Time Cafe (table service)
• Sci Fi Drive In (table service)

Unfortunately for everyone, Fantasmic! remains closed at Hollywood Studios. There are always rumors about it reopening, but nothing concrete yet.

Along with that, right now there are no fireworks shows at Hollywood Studios.

However, there are character cavalcades that run through Hollywood Studios throughout the day.

Building a light saber at Savi’s Workshop is an amazing (yet very expensive) experience. Ditto to building a droid at Droid Depot.

Tips for Your Hollywood Studios Day

• Be prepared to be flexible. You need to think on your feet to try to get on all the rides with less of a wait
• The physical park itself has more than a few pinch points. This makes certain sections of the park feel extremely crowded
• Need some quieter time? There are benches over by 50’s Prime Time which are a bit out of the way from the big crowds
• The ride lines can get very long by afternoon. Consider leaving and coming back for the last few hours of the day. This could be a good opportunity for some pool time back at the resort or a meal at another resort

Day 6: Epcot

Epcot is another park that often gets short changed by people who claim there isn’t much to do there, especially for young children. And while I can kind of see their point, I also respectfully disagree.

There is so much to do at Epcot I still haven’t managed a trip where I fit everything into a single day that I wanted to. I ALWAYS end up having to cut things out of the day that I wanted to do.

For ideas on how to spend your day, take a look at my 1 day Epcot itinerary .

Can’t Miss Experiences at Epcot

Epcot is about more than just rides, though there are some truly enjoyable rides as well. So much of Epcot is designed around learning and exploring.

With that in mind, Epcot opens up doors for the imagination and the mind. Each pavilion in World Showcase is its own masterpiece. Many of the countries have short movies or other experiences that help immerse you into the culture.

But a main attraction at Epcot? The food. Go with an appetite (and a lot of money).

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’
• Frozen Ever After
• Spaceship Earth
• Living with the Land
• Exploring the countries
• Did you know there’s an aquarium?

Epcot has Disney World’s newest ride, at least until Tron opens in Magic Kingdom. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an absolute blast and a must do at Epcot.

Right now, you can only ride Guardians of the Galaxy by using Disney’s virtual queue system so make sure you know how it works.

And for more information about the ride in general, you can check out my Guardians of the Galaxy ride guide and (spoiler free) review.

Seriously, I can’t even list them all or you’ll be here all day. If you are at Epcot during a festival, you don’t even need to go to a restaurant. You can just snack your way around the park.

• Rose and Crown Pub (table service)
• Space 220 (table service)
• Garden Grill (character meal)
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse (quick service)
• Any bakery in the countries
• Snack booths/outdoor kitchens

Space 220 is now the single most difficult dining reservation to get in all of Disney World. I haven’t managed to get one yet, nor has any of my family and friends.

Someday I will get there!

• International Festival of the Arts
• International Flower and Garden Festival
• International Food and Wine Festival
• International Festival of the Holidays

I think you can see the trend here. Epcot is renowned for its festivals full of food and drink. These festivals add a major boost to any day at Epcot.

Along with amazing food and drink, the festivals bring extras for the whole family. Each festival has it’s own themed scavenger hunt

In addition, Epcot has a new nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, which opened for the 50th anniversary. It’s a solidly entertaining show which gives me all the feels.

Tips for Your Epcot Day

• Bring comfortable shoes, World Showcase alone is about 1.5 miles around – here are my picks for the best shoes for Disney World
• Epcot can be very sunny and hot with not much shade so slather on the sunscreen
• There is a ton of construction going on in Future World right now which diminishes the experience somewhat

Day 7: Departure Day – What a sad day!

Boo! Your last day is here! If you are lucky, you have a later flight. This gives you time to fit in some more Disney fun. However, it seems that more often than not, the flights are early in the day.

Hopefully, you have time to grab a quick bite to eat and maybe take a final walk through of the resort. Or make some purchases at the resort gift shop.

If you have an evening flight, I absolutely recommend you go to one of the parks. We did this once when our flight didn’t leave until the evening.

We had to get back to the resort to catch the bus by 3:00p. So we rope dropped Animal Kingdom and left there by around 1:30p.

In that time we managed to ride EVERYTHING we wanted, including riding Expedition Everest 6 times. It was glorious. My kids still talk about it.

Tip: If you do have a later flight, leave your bags at bell services. They’ll keep them all safe and sound for you while you enjoy your last day.

Alternate 7 Day Disney World Itinerary: More Time at Magic Kingdom

Not surprisingly, many people want to spend more than one day at Magic Kingdom. And this is completely understandable. As I mentioned, you can’t do it all in one day.

So how should you set your itinerary in that case? Well, do you want a rest day or not?

Option #1: No Rest Day

• Day 1: Arrive
• Day 4: Hollywood Studios
• Day 5: Epcot
• Day 6: Magic Kingdom
• Day 7: Depart

In this option, I very deliberately sandwich everything between the two Magic Kingdom days. Beginning and ending your trip at the quintessential Disney park is the way to go.

Clearly, you’ll need a 5 day park ticket for this particular Disney World 7 day itinerary.

Option #2: Keep a Rest Day

• Day 3: Hollywood Studios
• Day 6: Split day Animal Kingdom/Magic Kingdom

There’s a massive argument for keeping a rest day in your schedule. Trust me, you’ll need that rest, and it allows you to explore the rest of the Disney World resort.

If you do want a rest day, I recommend doing a split day between Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Of all the parks, Animal Kingdom is the one that you can reasonably spend half a day there and still get just about everything accomplished.

That way you don’t feel like you’re drastically short changing your experience at any of the parks. You just need to make sure you are VERY efficient at Animal Kingdom.

With that in mind, make sure you look at my Animal Kingdom touring plan . That gives you more specific details on how to successfully visit Animal Kingdom in a half day.

Also, this allows you to again end your trip with some time at Magic Kingdom.

Yes there are other ways you can split those parks up (Hollywood Studios/Epcot is the easiest in terms of getting from one park to the next), but I think you miss out on too much with the alternatives.

Note: If you plan to do something like this, make sure you have park hopper tickets. I buy my discounted Disney ticket from Undercover Tourist to save a little money.

Other Places to go for Your 7 Day Disney World Itinerary

While I still maintain you should prioritize visiting all 4 of the parks, you certainly have other options you can entertain.

If you don’t want to have a rest day (or decide to skip one of the parks), here are several ideas of what you can do instead:

• Disney World also has two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Universal Studios is a hop, skip, and a jump away
• Of course, another Disney park day (I recommend a second Magic Kingdom day if you do this)

Do I Need Park Hopper Tickets for my Disney World 7 Day Itinerary?

In truth, you don’t NEED Park Hopper tickets, ever. Your trip will be just as much fun with the standard park tickets. That’s not to say you might not WANT Park Hoppers.

As I’m sure you can see just by going through the Disney World itinerary above, while you don’t need it, it sure would come in handy. If you absolutely want to do an additional half day at Magic Kingdom, you need a park hopper.

What if you run out of things to do at Epcot (I mean, I guess it’s possible…)? Hop on over to Hollywood Studios instead.

While park hopper tickets aren’t necessary, they sure do give you a lot more flexibility in your itinerary. Not only that, they give you spontaneity once you are there.

What if the family learns that Animal Kingdom is there absolute favorite park by day 2? Those park hoppers let them think on the fly and hop over there for an evening after being at another park.

For me, if you can spare the extra money for Park Hoppers, I always recommend them. However, if you are on a tight budget, save that money and get the standard tickets. You’ll still have a blast.

Whether you plan to buy standard park tickets or park hoppers, consider buying your park park tickets at a discount with Undercover Tourist . It saves you some money and is an authorized Disney ticket seller.

Tips for Planning Your Disney World 7 Day Itinerary

There are some general rules of thumb that are a little more on the insider track for you to consider while planning your Disney World 7 day itinerary.

A lot of these tips pertain to specific days of the week and certain parks. So how this lays out is really determined by your arrival and departure dates.

Avoid Magic Kingdom on Mondays

I seriously have no clue why this is, but Magic Kingdom tends to be more crowded on Mondays. Probably because most people fly in on Sunday and leave on Saturday.

And of course, the first park they want to go to is Magic Kingdom. If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then I say just go for it. I truly do think it’s best to start your first visit to Disney World at Magic Kingdom.

Just be prepared that the park will be a touch extra busy that day.

However, if you can shift your arrival and departure dates to be during the week, it can help with setting up park days on less crowded days.

Avoid Epcot Friday Evening through Sunday During Festivals

Epcot is known to be a locals park because of the dining and date night options. However, this is especially true during any of the Epcot Festivals.

Because of this, Epcot tends to be at its busiest from Friday after work through Sunday evening.

Aside from the busy-ness factor, the festivals have a lot of “drink around the world” potential. This increases the likelihood of loud, drunk people wandering around World Showcase as the day wears on.

If this isn’t your scene, don’t go to Epcot on the weekends.

A Split Stay Changes Everything

If you plan on booking a split stay (staying at multiple resorts instead of just one), ignore absolutely everything you read before this.

In the case of a split stay, I always base our park days on the location of that resort.

For example, we recently did a split stay between Beach Club Resort and Bay Lake Tower. Because of their locations, we went to Hollywood Studios and Epcot while staying at Beach Club, and Magic Kingdom while staying at Bay Lake Tower.

Animal Kingdom didn’t matter because there’s not much that’s easy and close about that one. We just shoved that one in when we were at Bay Lake Tower.

Transportation needs are the main reason behind this strategy. We could walk or take the Skyliner to Epcot and HS while at Beach Club. And we could walk to Magic Kingdom from Bay Lake Tower.

Any time you can avoid the bus is a thumbs up in my book.

Final Thoughts

When you’re looking for the best Disney World itinerary, I don’t think you can go wrong by planning a week in Disney World. You truly can do most everything that you’d like to do in that amount of time.

In terms of picking which parks to do when, definitely use this as a guide, but ultimately, trust your gut. If you really think about it, you can’t make a wrong decision as long as you go in with a flexible mindset ready to handle each day.

Seriously, try not to get bogged down in all the tiny details of planning or you’ll take the fun out of it. Look at the big picture and come up with the plan that works best for you.

Your Thoughts

Do you plan to try this 7 day Disney itinerary out? If not, what itinerary did you choose for your family? Let me know in the comments below.

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13 thoughts on “The BEST Disney World 7 Day Itinerary”

I’m so bamboozled by it all!! Please help and advise 🙂 My husband went many many mons ago, and the plan to just arrive, suss it all out and go woth the flow has gone out of the window as reading all the reviews we have too book parks, restaurants and all sorts to make sure we get in! We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children – my girl will be 7 and my son will be 10) and we have booked 9 days staying at Riverside Port Orleans and then 5 days at Universal, we arrive in August and I have no idea what to do for the best. We’ve got 14 day magic tickets and 3 park explorer tickets too. We want to get the most of the experience, visiting and seeing as much as we can. What would you advise? I’m happy to go with an itinerary, but also need advice on what to book for restaurants, shows etc – I just have no idea at all. We would like to get a character dining breakfast in, as well as a nice restaurant a couple of evening, but also incorporate the water parks and a visit to the shops/malls famous food quarters too – but where do we begin?! There should be a plan set up for novices like me to just say book this book that go here and go there – and I would be ecstatic with that! Looking forward to your reply 🙂

Hi Nicole! My family group of 12 (two newbies to Disney) will be traveling to Disney in December. Since I still don’t know the exact park hours this is how we have planned to go to the parks. We will arrive there by car on Dec. 24 and leave on the 30th. 12/24: Arrive (rest day) 12/25: MK Day! Also my Birthday! <3 (hopefully the park will be open later than usual since there is no Christmas Party on this date) 12/26: Hollywood Studios (we considered making this a rest day, but since we have to drive back home we wanted to rest the day before we left instead) 12/27: Epcot 12/28: Animal Kingdom 12/29: Rest Day (I was thinking of taking everyone to Disney Springs and booking tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil!) 12/30: Check out at 11 and drive back home(:

If you have any other tips or tricks for us during the holiday season, I'm all ears! Thank you!_Mar

I think this looks like a wonderful plan! Just be prepared that Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day is going to be extremely crowded. Frankly, the most crowded day of the year. It is possible they will turn of the ability to Park Hop into MK that day so only people with park pass reservations will be allowed re-entry. That’s what they did on the day of the 50th Anniversary. I was able to leave and come back due to my park pass, but no one could park hop in who didn’t have a park pass.

I think you stand a very good chance of the park hours getting extended. It’s standard practice for crowded days. For example, today the park is open until 11p. I would expect something similar for Christmas day.

Also, with the drive, I think it’s a smart move to do your rest day before you leave. You’ll have to let me know how Cirque Du Soleil is. I’ve been dying to see it but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

I hope you have a great trip!

Hi! My family is planning a 7 night split stay between the Polynesian resort and the beach club… Saturday to Saturday. Any advice with how we should plan our itinerary? We will have 4 day park hopper tickets and plan to have rest/pool days. We will have a 5 1/2year old and 2 1/2 year old at the time.

I love split stays! They offer such an elegant way to divide your trip. My biggest advice is plan your Epcot and Hollywood Studios days while you are at Beach Club; your Magic Kingdom day while you’re at Poly. Depending on how many night you are where, I’m assuming Animal Kingdom will likely fit into the Poly portion of your trip. Breaking it up this way helps minimize transportation issues and makes life a lot easier. I’m assuming Poly is first and Beach Club is second, but if it’s the other way, just reverse these suggestions.

Overall, I would consider something like this: Day 1: Arrival, pool day if you arrive early enough Day 2: Magic Kingdom Day 3: Animal Kingdom/pool time if you get done early in the day/or hop to whichever park you’d like Day 4: Pool day/Disney Springs if you have any interest Day 5: Epcot Day 6: Rest/Pool day Day 7: Hollywood Studios Day 8: Departure day

This gives you a nice spread of days that also allows for rest for everyone, especially the little ones. Those resorts both have great pools, so definitely take advantage of them. The Epcot and Hollywood Studios days, take advantage of your park hopper if you get bored in one place, switch to the other. What do you think? I hope this helps.

My family (first time) along with my brothers family (been there once) are planning to go in Dec. of this year.

We plan to be in Orlando for 7 days with 4 days of parks (with hopper and possible genie plus) with rest days in between.

My kids will be 6 and 3 and my brothers kids is 13, 6 and 3.

We are still trying to figure an itinerary and which parks we should go in certain days. My sister in law loves MK and want to do a full day at MK and a half day also. I have listed what im thinking but need help with more details, this is a rough draft:

Saturday – arrive/check in REST DAY SUNDAY – Park Day Monday – Rest Day/ explore resorts Tuesday – Park day Wednesday- Rest Day Thursday – Park Day Friday – Depart/ check out

Any advise would be awesome to help in planning this trip. I want to make sure we get the best experience possible. Thank you

I would love to help. I notice that you only listed 3 park days, but mentioned a 4 day park hopper ticket. If you do have a 4 day park hopper, definitely use all 4 of those days for the best experience. Here are my initial thoughts on how to structure your park days:

Saturday – arrive/check in REST DAY Sunday – Magic Kingdom (for people who have never been, it’s always great to start with MK) Monday – Hollywood Studios (if kids need rest, consider leaving the park for the afternoon to rest and come back in the evening) Tuesday – Rest Day/Explore resorts Wednesday – Epcot (again, consider leaving in the afternoon and coming back in the evening if everyone needs rest Thursday – Animal Kingdom in AM/Magic Kingdom in PM (Animal Kingdom can be done in half a day, this allows you to have another half day at MK) Friday – Depart/Check out

Because you have park hoppers, you have a ton of flexibility. For example, if everyone is bored with Epcot, hop to another park. You’ll notice I’ve taken out one of your rest days in order to fit in 4 park days (again, assuming you have 4 days park hoppers). You didn’t mention, but if your arrival is early in the day, or your departure is late in the day, that opens up the ability to use one of your park days on those days. You wouldn’t get a full day at that park, but you could add a rest day back in. That could be a good candidate to get that extra half day at MK.

What do you think of that plan? I hope it gives you a bit of direction in how to start laying your park days out!

Hi! I loved your schedule but now I have a conundrum. I will have access to early entry and extra evening hours, is it worth it on September to choose parks based on this?

I would definitely consider choosing a park based on extra evening hours. While I haven’t used them yet, I’ve heard good things about short waits during that time. However, if you have park hopper tickets you could always hop to the park with extra evening hours if you wanted to. You don’t need to base any park days on early entry, though. Early entry is for every park, every day, so you’ll have that benefit regardless of the park (excluding water parks).

Thank you so much! My biggest stress was switching Magic Kingdom from sunday (first park day) to wednesday because my family has never ever visited MK, they have only been to AK. So I am planning this then: Arrive AK (sunday) Epcot (extra evening hours on monday) Rest (tuesday) MK (extra evening hours) HS MK Depart

What do you think? I haven’t been to WDW in years and I am trying to make it the best family vacation. Children will be 12 and 14 when we visit. 🙂

I think that sounds like a wonderful itinerary! I really do love the late evenings in the park, they are my favorite. There’s just something wonderful seeing them all lit up with not many people around. I think you will all have a wonderful time!

Thank you. This is PRECISELY what I have been looking for!

Good! I’m glad I could help!

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15 Tips to Plan a Disney Vacation on a Budget

19 Min Read | Aug 24, 2023

There are two things I love doing: going to Disney World (where else can you have such a magical experience?) and saving money. And believe it or not, there are some great ways to save serious cash when planning a Disney trip.

For a family of four, the average cost of a Disney World trip is anywhere from $4,500 to $10,000 or more. 1 But you can do it for less. There are plenty of ways to save on your Disney dream vacation—up to thousands of dollars.

Planning a Disney  trip on a budget  isn’t for the faint of heart, but it  can  be done. I know because I’ve done it. Now, who’s ready to start planning a Disney trip?

How to Plan a Disney Vacation

The best way to plan anything is with lots of research, right? The same is true for a Disney vacation. Thankfully, there are a million different resources out there focusing on how to do Disney World “the right way.”

But when it comes to vacations, the only right way to do it is to make sure your finances are in order. No one wants to go into debt for vacation—not even for Disney World.

So, the first thing you need to do when planning a Disney trip (or any other  cheap vacation ) is make a budget.  EveryDollar  is my favorite budgeting app. Not only is it free, but it helps take the guesswork out of creating a budget—especially when you’re wondering how much does it cost to go to Disney World?

Your budget will help you save, show you where you  need to cut spending , and actually give you the freedom to spend. And with a trip to Disney, you’ll really want to spend.

15 Ways to Do Disney on a Budget

So, you want to do Disney on a budget. But how much does it cost to go to Disney World in the first place?

If you’re in a good position financially (and it’s the right time for your family to go), these 15 tips for Disney World will help you  stay on budget  and  kick your experience up a notch (at no extra cost). Ready?

Let’s get started.

1. Spend some days at the park and some days at the pool.

You guys—this isn’t a popular opinion, but you don’t have to spend  every  day of your vacation in the Disney parks. Trust me, your feet will thank you when you break up the week with one day at the park and the next hanging by the hotel pool. If you stay on property at a Disney resort, the pools make you feel like you’re still  at  the park. They’re themed, they’re huge, and they’re super fun.

If you take a day off from the parks, you can go to plenty of other places and still be immersed in Disney magic. Head to Disney Springs for shopping, restaurants and free entertainment. Go to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for dinner and stay to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the beach—for free! (The boat dock is a magical place to catch those fireworks too.)

This one tip will save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in Disney park tickets, depending on how many people you’re going with and how many days you’re staying.

2. Skip the Park Hopper and visit one park per day.

It might seem like a good deal to buy the $174 Park Hopper ticket for access to all four Disney World parks in one day. However, if you’re staying for multiple days, you can make your budget go even further if you just visit one park per day. The starting price for a standard park ticket (where you visit one park per day) is $109 (for ages 10 and up), saving you $65 per person, per day.* (Single-park tickets for kiddos ages 3 to 9 are about $104.)

Every savings goal starts with a budget. Create yours today with EveryDollar.

Keep in mind, Disney will lower the price of your daily ticket when you buy three or more days. And always look at their ticket calendar when you’re booking your trip—prices change depending on the when you go. (Rates are often higher during weekends, summer months and holidays. So if your schedule is flexible, try to work around those times so you can save some extra cash.)

When you purchase your tickets, reserve your spots at the theme parks you want to visit. It would be a bummer to buy tickets only to realize the park you want to visit doesn’t have any reservations left. Plus, those tickets are nonrefundable, so be sure to triple-check before you purchase.

Try to be realistic about how much you can and want to do each day. Moving from park to park is time-consuming and can be exhausting, especially with little ones. But if you’re only going for a couple of days, maybe do the Park Hopper ticket one of your days and spend another whole day at Magic Kingdom—which, believe me, is entirely possible and worth it.

3. Buy Disney gift cards at a discount.

Always try to buy Disney gift cards at a discount. If you’re a member of a big-box discount store like Sam’s Club, you can buy Disney gift cards at nearly 4% off. And if you use your RedCard debit card at Target, you can get 5% off.

Sure, it doesn’t sound like much, but it will save you $40 to $50 for every $1,000 you spend. That’s, like, eight Mickey Mouse ice cream bars! Or if you’re not into ice cream (I see you, dairy-free people), you can use these gift cards to pay for your park tickets, Disney hotels, food on property and more.

4. Pay for food as you go—with cash.

I  love  the food at Disney. Seriously—give me all the food. But it’s best to pay for your food as you go—with cash (or gift cards). That way, you know how much you’re spending throughout the day. And if you use the  envelope system  in the parks, you’ll know exactly how much you have left to spend after each purchase. (Disney used to offer a prepaid dining plan, and they’re bringing it back in 2024. But I still recommend paying as you go so you can avoid paying for a lot of food ahead of time that you won’t actually want to eat in the moment.) Pro tip: If you decide to eat on property at one of the parks or resorts, book your dining reservations early using the Disney Genie service in the My Disney Experience app .

5. Bring your own food.

Did you know Disney allows you to bring food into the park? This could be a  huge  budget saver. You can pack a nice picnic lunch with sandwiches, fruit, water bottles, cookies—whatever your family likes—and store it in lockers inside the park for either $10, $12 or $15 per day, depending on what size you need. 2  There are no coolers allowed, so only bring things that don’t need to be kept ice-cold. Instant savings!

Another way to save on food is by  making your own meals  at your hotel. Making your meals is worth it even if you do it just a few times during your stay. The Garden Grocer is an Orlando-based grocery store that delivers your  groceries  to your resort. You can even order your groceries up to 120 days in advance (which may qualify you for a discount). You do have to pay a delivery fee if your order is less than $200. 3

6. Arrive just before the park opens.

Now, if you’ve been to Disney before, you know how much of a luxury the FastPass was for skipping those long lines. But FastPass (which was free) has been discontinued and replaced by the new Disney Genie+ service. Genie+ helps you plan your day and allows you to skip the long lines . . . but it’s going to cost you. Pricing starts at $15 per person per day and fluctuates based on how busy the parks are. And, according to Disney, guests only get to skip the lines two or three times a day with this feature. 4 There’s also an option to purchase individual Lightning Lane entry for a specific ride, but that will cost you too.

If you don’t want to shell out the money to save time on those long lines, you’ll want to get to the parks as early as possible. Lines get long fast, but if you get to the gate before the park opens, you can book it straight to your favorite rides when the rope drops.

7. Use PhotoPass photographers (but don’t buy the package).

What’s a family vacation without the memories to prove it? For $199, Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will take professional photos of you all over the parks. You get access to the photos online, but that’s a pretty big hit to your travel budget. The cool thing is, you can just ask Disney’s photographers to take your picture with your phone or camera. They’ll still want to take your photo with their camera too, but you don’t have to buy it. This way, you’ll save $200 and still have a great pictures.  Score!

8. Buy personal items and souvenirs ahead of time.

How much it costs to go to Disney World depends on how well you prepare ahead of time. When it comes to saving money, stocking up on personal items and souvenirs before you get to the park can save hundreds of dollars. Here are some things I recommend buying ahead of time instead of at the park or your hotel (because those prices will be super jacked up):

• Sunscreen (you’ll pay up to 40% more for sunscreen in the park)
• Ponchos or umbrellas
• Refillable water bottle  (there are tons of water stations around the park—and quick-service stations will give you cups of water for free)
• A spare jacket and pair of shoes

And when it comes to the fun stuff, you can find some  really  cute souvenirs, like Mickey ears, pins and costumes, online. I found a deal on Amazon that included two pairs of ears for $8.99. That’s less than $5 per pair. (In the parks, Mickey ears will cost you $35.) A friend of mine orders souvenirs online and leaves one toy on their kids’ hotel bed every night, like it’s a gift from Mickey or Tinkerbell. How cute is that?

9. Save money on hotels.

When you’re making your Disney vacation budget, you might wonder if it’s worth staying at one of Disney’s beautiful on-property resorts. There’s no denying it can be expensive, but if you go with one of Disney’s value resorts, it’s about the same as (and sometimes cheaper than) staying off-site. For one thing, Disney is always running limited-time specials (like 25% off room rates for Disney+ subscribers) or discounts when you stay five nights or more.

Don’t forget to factor transportation into your budget. If you’re flying, do you need transportation between the airport and the hotel or resort? How do you plan to get to and from the parks? One major benefit to staying on property is having free Disney public transportation. But if you’re staying off property, check with the hotel to see what options they offer.

So, let’s break it down so you understand how to find the cheapest Disney hotel.

Staying Off-Site

The WorldQuest Orlando Resort is right next to Disney World, and the lowest rate I found was $143 per night. For two adults and two children staying five nights, the total comes to $1,023 (with taxes and fees). And you won’t have to drive to the Disney parks and pay for parking because a shuttle service is included .

WorldQuest also offers Disney packages that can save you money. Just for fun, I put together a WorldQuest Disney package, and it came out to about $3,240 for a five-night stay with four five-day park tickets. By purchasing the hotel package, you save almost $200 on park tickets!

Staying On-Site

The lowest rate I could find at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort was a promotional rate of $159 per night (plus taxes and fees). With that discount, staying on-property at the All-Star Sports Resort totals about $903 with taxes and fees for a five-night stay. The key to making your Disney resort count is finding promotions that help cut the cost. Plus, Disney resorts offer free shuttle transportation to and from all the parks (by bus, monorail, boat or Skyliner). And if you choose to drive, staying at a Disney resort gets you free parking as well.

If you decide to add four five-day Disney park tickets to your package, the total comes to about $3,310 with taxes and fees. And not only is it more convenient to stay on-site, you also get all the magical moments that come with staying at a Disney resort. Just make sure to remember your budget when you’re hankering for a Mickey-shaped pretzel.

If staying off-site at a hotel or on-site at a Disney resort doesn’t suit you, try out a local Airbnb or VRBO. You might find deals there too.And don’t forget to call around to other hotels off property. You’re not limited to these options—there are plenty in the Orlando area.

10. Look for built-in admission discounts.

You don’t have to hunt too hard for discounts if you’re a Florida resident or a former or active-duty U.S. military member. Florida residents can save 40% on 4-day park tickets, and military personnel can purchase a 4-day ticket (with the Park Hopper option) for $349 plus tax. 5 , 6 Y’all, that adds up to a couple hundred dollars in savings, so be sure to take advantage of these perks if they apply to you.

11. Get creative at restaurants.

Just like in “normal” life, food can be the easiest place to bust your budget if you’re not careful. Here are some ways you can help curb the cost of meals at the resort and park restaurants.

• Order a kids meal instead of an entrée. You’ll still get plenty of food for a portion of the cost.
• Split an entrée between adults or order an appetizer as the main dish.
• Limit how often you buy soft drinks for the whole family. Stick with waters for most meals to save lots of money.
• Buy a refillable popcorn bucket for $13. This makes for a cheap snack later because refills are just $2. (And you can keep the bucket.)
• Plan one or two sit-down restaurant meals and DIY the rest. It only costs a few bucks to buy a loaf of bread and the makings for PB and Js, yogurt cups and fruit . . . plus, you won’t have to worry about carrying leftovers around the park.

12. Check out free kids activities across the property.

Want to save money by buying one less park ticket—or simply take a day off from the rollercoasters and walking for hours on end? Make the most of your resort by checking out the free kids activities. (You can even visit other hotels.) Your concierge can recommend activities that are tons of fun for the kids and won’t cost a thing, like:

• Watch a Disney movie at night with a campfire, on the beach, or in the pool (weather permitting, resort guests only).
• Check out the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
• Watch the street performers at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort.
• Resort hop and travel by monorail, boat and Skyliner.
• Look for Hidden Mickeys at the Wilderness Lodge.
• Watch the Electrical Water Pageant parade of lights and sea creatures at Seven Seas Lagoon.

13. Find cheap airfare.

Okay. You’re convinced that a Disney trip is on the horizon. Now it’s time to figure out: When is the cheapest time to go to Disney World? Just like the cost of park passes fluctuates throughout the year, so does airfare. Guys, do your research to find out which days are the cheapest to fly . Timing really does count. I would not recommend flying during holidays or any school break because prices are going to be through the roof. And be sure to book your flights well in advance. Depending on the season you’re planning to visit Disney World, it’s best to book your flights a few weeks to a couple months ahead of time. And don’t forget to check out price trackers like Kayak, Scott’s Cheap Flights and even Google Flights to find the best deals and nail down the cheapest time to go to Disney. (And you can always drive. Plenty of people, especially in the south where I live, pack up the kids and drive to Disney to save on flights.)

14. Ask about bounce-back deals and secret specials.

When you’re in the process of booking your trip, you can save money by asking your Disney customer service expert about special offers and limited time deals. These perks—like adding on a free food package or discounted room—aren’t advertised, so the key is to ask . The same goes for a bounce-back deal, which is a discount on your next Disney trip when you book during your stay.

15. Give your kids a spending budget.

Just like you’re planning to budget for Disney so you can have all the fun without going into debt or draining your savings, you can help your kids practice spending responsibly too. If they’ve never used the envelope system before, this is a great time to let them try it out. Each day, give them a set amount of money for snacks, treats or toys so they can understand if that cotton candy or extra pair of mouse ears is really worth it—or if they’d rather splurge on a fancy t-shirt. How does this save you money? It’ll help your kids understand the limit of what they can spend . . . and by giving each kid a budget, it helps you plan ahead so impulse buys are kept to a minimum. And as a bonus, you don’t have to spend all day telling your kids no when they ask to buy stuff. When the money’s gone for the day, they’re done spending.

What’s the Cheapest Time to Do Disney?

When is the best time to go to Disney World? The best times are from early January to President’s Day in February, or during late August into early September. 8 These are the seasons when tourism slows down, meaning more opportunity for you to hit all the best rides and attractions without battling the crowds (especially if you do Disney during the week, instead of the weekends). As always, make sure you price compare ticket dates and airlines to get the best deals.

When Is the Right Time to Plan a Disney Vacation?

There’s no right or wrong time to do Disney, but there are things to consider when you’re planning a trip so you can save money. If I had to boil it down, I’d say the best time to go to Disney World (besides the slow season) is when you can afford it. So if you’re trying to decide whether or not to book a trip, here are a few things you’ll want to think about before committing to spending money on a trip:

1. Are you out of debt?

If you’re in  Baby Steps  1, 2 or 3, Mickey will have to wait . . . for now. There’s no room in the budget for Disney because any  extra money  is either building up your starter emergency fund, paying down debt, or building out your fully funded emergency fund. Yep—that $2,000 to $3,000 you were hoping to spend on a Disney trip will do wonders for your debt snowball.

But  don’t give up on your Disney dream  just because you’re not  debt-free . Actually, I encourage you to use that dream as motivation to pay off your debt quickly. Just put on some  Disney music  as you do your budget each month and think about how fun it will be when you’re debt-free!

2. How old are your kids?

I’m all for going to Disney  without  the kids. But if you want to take the whole family, there are some pros and cons to consider, depending on how old your kids are.   

A big pro of taking anyone under 3 years old is their park admission is free. That’s a savings of $174 per day for the Park Hopper ticket. And I can tell you from experience: When I took my daughter to Disney around this age, there was nothing like seeing her meet Cinderella for the first time. That moment was  priceless . The downside is, she may not remember it when she’s older—but we’ll always have the pictures.

I hear the sweet spot is between the ages of 6 and 10. At that point, they’re old enough to enjoy the anticipation of planning a Disney vacation (and you won’t be stuck pushing a stroller or changing diapers). Plus, they’re taller, so they can go on more of the rides. And let me tell you: They’re going to want to ride the rides.

As you can tell, I’m pretty passionate about saving money without sacrificing experience on a Disney vacation. And like I said earlier, planning a trip to Disney World on a budget is possible. You just have to budget for it. Make sure to download our free version of  EveryDollar  now so you can live happily ever after later.

Neither Rachel Cruze nor the producers of this content are in any way affiliated with or sponsored by The Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries. All marks and goodwill of Walt Disney World or related brands are that of The Walt Disney Company and/or its affiliates. Nothing in this article is a paid advertisement or endorsement of Walt Disney World or any affiliated brand.

*Prices in this article were pulled from  disneyworld.disney.go.com  on 5/1/23 and are subject to change.

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About the author

Rachel Cruze

Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, financial expert, and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Rachel writes and speaks on personal finances, budgeting, investing and money trends. As a co-host of The Ramsey Show, America’s second-largest talk radio show, Rachel reaches millions of weekly listeners with her personal finance advice. She has appeared on Good Morning America and Fox News and has been featured in publications such as Time, Real Simple and Women’s Health magazines. Through her shows, books, syndicated columns and speaking events, Rachel shares fun, practical ways to take control of your money and create a life you love. Learn More.

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How to plan an epic Disney 'Star Wars' trip — that doesn't cost $6,000

There's no denying Disney World's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is the ultimate space-traveling, lightsaber-battling, Force-power-harnessing adventure.

This cross between a "Star Wars"-themed hotel and a two-night interactive theater experience also has the power to significantly lighten your wallet thanks to its hefty price tag. Pricing starts around $5,299 for a two-night, three-person voyage and TPG's Director of Travel Content Summer Hull recently paid $6,875 for her family of four to spend two nights aboard the Starcruiser .

You'll have to read her full review to find out if it was all worth it, but it's undeniably a lot of cash.

If you aren't looking to spend that amount of money for a two-night trip (however amazing the experience), there is another all-in way to scratch your "Star Wars" itch at Disney World for almost half the cost of the Galactic Starcruiser.

We've compiled a full "Star Wars" itinerary — including where to stay, what to eat, which parks to visit and which activities should be at the top of your list — that rings in much more affordably than the Galactic Starcruiser. May the Force ( and a few thousand extra dollars ) be with you.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG's free daily newsletter .

Trip details

For apples-to-apples consistency, we will stick with the example of a family of four — two adults and two children under 10 years old — that TPG covered for the Starcruiser. But, unlike the short (less than) 48 hours you spend on board the Starcruiser, our "Star Wars" vacation in this example spans three days and four nights, including two Disney park days.

Pricing includes accommodations, tickets, meals and a few special souvenirs, all for less than $4,000.

See, we're already off to a better start.

Accommodations

Aside from the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, there are no hotel rooms at Disney World themed to "Star Wars." To find that, you'll have to head off-site to one of the many vacation rental communities near the park.

To better woo families, many of these rentals have themed kids bedrooms and we found one on Vrbo with "spaceship" loft beds that have "Star Wars" bedding, viewport windows and a slide that doubles as an escape hatch during playtime. Kids can use the area beneath the beds as their Rebel hideout. Unless, of course, you pull rank and send them to the main bedroom so you can live out your own "Star Wars" dreams.

Located about 10 miles from Disney World in Kissimmee's Reunion Resort and Golf Club, this four-bedroom, three-bathroom home sleeps eight guests and features a private pool, theater room, full kitchen and living area. You'll also have access to resort amenities like complimentary theme park transportation, swimming pools, sports courts, an on-site water park, fitness center, arcade and cafe.

The home has a four-night minimum, but with an average rate of around $235 for nights in September, a family of four could stay for a total of $1,748 all-in once all the taxes and fees are included.

We found a couple of less expensive options, as well. One is located about 12 miles from Disney World in Solterra Resort and the other is only 4 miles away in Windsor Hills Resort . Both have "Star Wars" theming and similar resort amenities, but come with a lower price tag and less-restrictive minimum stay requirements.

For this trip, you'll want to spend two days at Disney World checking out all of the out-of-this-world "Star Wars" and space-inspired experiences.

Two-day Park Hopper tickets start at $144 per day, for a total starting price of $287.33 for adults and $277.59 for kids ages 3 to 9. With the Genie+ and Memory Maker add-ons (so you can skip the lines and download all your vacation photos), your total for tickets will come to just over $1,500 for dates in September. If you don't want to park-hop each day, you could shave some off the cost.

You can also typically save a few extra dollars by booking through discount ticket sites like Get Away Today and Undercover Tourist. The savings are minimal, but enough to cover the price of a few Ronto Wraps at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

As soon as you purchase your tickets, you'll need to make Park Pass reservations for the parks you wish to visit during your trip. For this itinerary, you'll want one day at Hollywood Studios and one at Epcot . We'll break down why in a moment.

The food on board the Starcruiser is plentiful and diverse (blue shrimp, anyone?) and all of it is included in the cost of your stay (excluding alcoholic beverages). We tried our best to include the shining stars of "space food" inside the parks to best mimic what you'd find on the Starcruiser.

This includes space-age drinks and off-planet delicacies at Galaxy's Edge and lunch at Epcot's Space 220 which, like the Starcruiser, has a lovely view out into space. To keep costs down, we'll assume you purchase $100 worth of groceries for easy breakfasts in your vacation rental before heading to the parks each day.

It's unlikely you'll be able to get into Oga's Cantina in Galaxy's Edge or Space 220 without a reservation, so you will want to make reservations for both as soon as your booking window opens.

Currently, that is 60 days out from your visit beginning at 5:45 a.m. ET. If you don't get the day or time you are looking for right away, keep checking in the days leading up to your trip. People often make changes or cancellations that could open up the reservation you need.

Disney planning site WDW Prep School developed an easy method for estimating your average Disney World food costs . Assuming two snacks, one quick-service and one table-service meal each day, you are looking at a total of $291 for three days. When you tack on a 20% gratuity, you come out with a grand total of $349.20.

This is the fun part! We've already calculated most of the costs, so now you just get to plan your perfect "Star Wars" getaway. Were you to take a voyage on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, you'd spend your days meeting characters, going on secret missions and being regaled by some of the finest entertainers in the galaxy.

You can enjoy similar adventures inside Disney World's theme parks and at Disney Springs, while leaving enough time to enjoy the amenities at your resort. Fire up your engines with this three-day sample itinerary:

Day 1: Hollywood Studios

You're here for "Star Wars" and we are going to give you "Star Wars." Your first day will be spent at Hollywood Studios in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a land so immersive guests have been known to tear up when they first lay eyes on it.

There are two rides in the land – Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Guests on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcrusier get the opportunity to experience both of these during an excursion on the second day of their journey and you can do the same.

Skip-the-line access to fly the Millennium Falcon is included with Genie+, but hyper-driving to the front of the line on Rise of the Resistance requires a separate purchase. Pricing varies by day, but usually runs about $15 per person. That'll add $60 to your grand total for the family, but you also have the option to wait in the standby line for no additional charge.

Between rides, you'll want to fuel up.

On the Galactic Starcruiser, you can sample Bantha Beef Tenderloin and Tip Yip Chicken (don't worry, it's the same beef and chicken we eat here on Earth) and you can find similar delicacies at Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo in Galaxy's Edge. For lunch or dinner, Docking Bay 7 serves a Batuuan Beef Stir Fry and two versions of Tip Yip Chicken (one deliciously spicy, the other milder).

The same way beer and cocktails flow endlessly at most all-inclusive resorts, you can find complimentary blue and green milks on tap on the Galactic Starcruiser. These tropical "Star Wars" beverages are also available at the Milk Stand in Galaxy's Edge. You'll have to pay by the glass on Batuu, but you can have that same experience.

If you were able to secure a reservation for Oga's Cantina, make a note of your reservation time so you don't miss it. Kids will love the popping pearls in the Carbon Freeze and our favorite adult drink is the Fuzzy Tauntaun. Just be aware the foam on top of the drink may make your mouth a bit tingly, in a fun way.

The rest of your time in Galaxy's Edge can be spent exploring the land and meeting the "locals." The Galactic Starcruiser experience hinges on how much you participate in the role-playing aspect and, while you won't have the time to get as deep into the storyline, you can also get into character at Galaxy's Edge.

If you see Rey, Chewbacca or other costumed characters like Vi Moradi around the land, chat them up and see if there are any openings in the Rebellion. Or, if the dark side of the Force is more your style, hit up Kylo Ren or his stormtroopers to see how you can sabotage the good guys. They'll usually engage in a bit of banter with you and pose for a photo before resuming their post protecting (or attempting to bring down) the galaxy.

Before your visit, download the Play Disney Parks app so you can access the Datapad function . This essentially transforms your phone into a Datapad capable of interacting with droids in the land, decrypting transmissions and scanning cargo crates to collect digital rewards. These "missions" add another layer of immersion and let you become a character in the world of "Star Wars," just like if you had been on the Galactic Starcruiser.

While not on Batuu, don't leave Hollywood Studios without stopping by Star Tours (near the Grand Avenue entrance to Galaxy's Edge), Disney's original "Star Wars" attraction. It's not as smooth or advanced as the newer attractions in Galaxy's Edge, but it's a classic and still tons of fun.

Even better, the line is usually much shorter than the ones you'll find in Galaxy's Edge.

On the Galactic Starcruiser, you can test your lightsaber skills in a simulated training experience. While there is no such alternative in Hollywood Studios, you can build your own lightsaber for much less than you'd think.

When you exit through the Star Tours gift shop, Tatooine Traders, there is an area where the kids can build their own custom lightsabers. There are a variety of blade colors to choose from so they can even make a dual-blade lightsaber a la Darth Maul. Single-blade sabers are $30 plus tax and dual-blade sabers are $45 plus tax.

We'll go with the higher number for our estimate – about $96 for two lightsabers.

This is much less than the lightsaber construction you can do inside Galaxy's Edge, which will set you back about $200 per saber, though it is an immersive experience just about to the same level as on the Starcruiser ... albeit for a few minutes instead of a couple of days.

Day 2: Disney Springs and resort

There's no point in booking a "Star Wars" vacation rental if you aren't going to spend any time there. Take it easy this morning and let the kids play in their "Star Wars" room while you recover from your first day at Disney. In the afternoon, head to the pool or water park to stay cool before visiting Disney Springs in the evening when the sun is a bit less intense.

There are plenty of quick-service dinner options at Disney Springs, though nothing space-themed, unfortunately. There are, however, two "Star Wars" stores where you can shop (or window shop) for costumes and souvenirs.

The Star Wars Galactic Outpost is located in Disney Springs' West Side near the AMC Theatres, and the Star Wars Trading Post is located in the Disney Springs Marketplace near Rainforest Cafe.

Don't stay out too late because you've got one more big Disney day ahead of you.

Day 3: Epcot and Hollywood Studios

This may surprise you, but your final day at Disney is going to start at Epcot. No, you won't see any stormtroopers roaming around, but this park has not one, not two, but three opportunities to visit outer space.

Use Genie+ to book a Lightning Lane reservation for Epcot's space flight simulator attraction, Mission: Space. This attraction has two missions to choose from – the Orange Mission (44-inch minimum height requirement) is more intense (and not great for those who suffer from motion sickness) and the Green Mission is more family-friendly.

As you exit the attraction (or even if you bypass the ride altogether), you'll pass through the Advanced Training Lab, an interactive play area with a space-themed playground and video games. Kids will have a "blast" playing astronaut and parents will enjoy the blast of cool air in this indoor play space.

Just next door to Mission: Space, you can dine 220 miles up in the sky at Space 220. Hopefully, you were able to get a reservation for lunch because the views and the food are amazing. To get there, you'll travel upward in a space elevator until you reach the space station, quite similarly to how you board the Starcruiser. Reservations are also available for the restaurant's prix fixe menu or the lounge, where you can order drinks and small bites.

The food doesn't always follow through with the space theming quite as closely as what you'd find on the Galactic Starcruiser (or in Galaxy's Edge, for that matter), but, let's face it, the main reason to visit Space 220 is for the views.

And while not all the menu items are otherworldly, there are some really fun space drinks with pop rocks and disappearing "cloud" cotton candy that aren't all that different than what you'll find on the Starcruiser.

Last but not least, there's no better way to end a Disney "Star Wars" vacation than with a nighttime visit to Galaxy's Edge.

If you missed it in the evening the first day, park-hop on over to Hollywood Studios via the Skyliner for one last trip to a galaxy far, far away. It tends to be less crowded at night, giving you a better opportunity to notice the differences that can only be experienced at night. This is an experience you won't get while on the Starcruiser.

Colorful lights enhance the ships and scenic rock work, alien insects chirp quietly and you can hear spaceships zoom by overhead. If your kids built their own lightsabers, bring them along so you can see how they glow at night.

Because of the lower evening crowds, there's a decent chance you can re-ride one or both "Star Wars" attractions, as well, before heading back to Earth (and real life).

Grand total

Let's take a look at the numbers and see how much money we were able to save on this longer "Star Wars"-themed vacation versus booking a stay on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

• Accommodations: $1,748.
• Tickets: $1,500.
• Individual Lightning Lane: $60.
• Groceries: $100.
• Dining: $349.20.
• Souvenirs: $96.

Grand total: $3,853.20.

That's still a lot, but much less than the two-night trip on the Starcruiser that costs just under $7,000 — before drinks.

Bottom line

There is nothing in our galaxy or a galaxy far, far away that can fully replicate the experience of being on board the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. It's in a class all its own, but that class may be one that's outside of your vacation budget.

Luckily, Disney has "Star Wars" experiences for all travelers, no matter their budget or what planet they hail from. So whether you follow this plan or chart your own course, there are plenty of ways to reach a galaxy that's not all that far away.

• Planning Guides
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• Planning Tips
• Transportation
• Magic Kingdom
• Hollywood Studios
• Animal Kingdom
• Disney Springs
• Disney World Characters
• Rides and Attractions
• Disney Genie Plus
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How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

Are you planning a trip to Disney World and considering visiting both Disney and Universal? Both are great resorts with exceptional theme parks, so we have decided to look at How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios .

Related Posts:

• Disney World vs Universal Orlando
• Why You Should Book a Disney World Vacation
• Books to Read Before Your Disney World Vacation

We have planned Disney and Universal vacations for our family in recent years. We will share our experiences of what we think is best to do so that you can plan for a fantastic Disney and Universal Vacation.

Can You Stay at Disney World and Universal During Your Vacation?

You can of course stay at both resorts during your vacation. You can either make these bookings yourself or use a travel agent. The benefit is mainly being on property as you enjoy each resort.

The key points to remember when staying at both Disney World and Universal are:

• What do you want to get done at each park.
• How much time will you need to achieve the above?
• How will you get between each resort?
• Establishing a budget for each resort?
• What extras would you like to add to your vacation?
• What benefits will you get from each resort?
• Would you like to start your vacation at Disney World or Universal?

How Many Days Do You Need to Spend at Universal Orlando?

I would recommend four to five days at Universal. This will give you time to enjoy all the parks including Volcano Bay without feeling rushed. If you are staying at a Universal Resort, it will also allow you to enjoy the resort facilities too.

How many Days Do You Need to Spend at Disney World?

I would recommend at least 10 days at Disney World. It is such a large resort compared to Universal and there is so much to see and do that you could spend a month there and not see it all. We have a free 10 page Disney World Parks Guide that you can get by signing up to our newsletter using the link below. This will give you a great overview of what to expect.

Get our Free Disney World Parks Guide here.

How Many Days for Disney and Universal?

Overall to enjoy a Disney World and Universal Vacation you will need to consider at least a 14 day vacation to fully enjoy both resorts and all the theme parks. 10 Days for Disney World and 4 days for Universal.

Getting to Universal from Disney World

Getting to Universal from Disney World and vice versa is fairly straightforward. Again, this is something we have written about previously. We usually use Uber but you can read more about it using the link below.

Find out more about getting Between Disney World and Universal here.

What’s the Difference Between Disney World and Universal Studios?

Disney World and Universal are different in many ways. If you have children who are younger, they might enjoy Disney more than Universal. If you are planning a Disney and Universal vacation with teenagers, they will probably prefer Universal. 

Disney World has Four Parks:

Plus, two water parks:.

• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon

Universal has two parks:

• Universal Studios
• Islands of Adventure

Plus, one water park:

• Volcano Bay

Each Resort also has its own shopping and dining districts. Disney World has Disney Springs and Universal has City Walk. Disney Springs is much larger than City Walk.

You can find a Disney World Map Her e and Universal Maps Here too.

There are obvious differences but also subtle differences too. We have already written about this subject and you can find the article link below. We go into more detail on the differences between Disney and Universal in Florida so do take a look. 

Read our Disney World vs Universal Article Here

Disney World and Universal Vacation Options

When planning a Disney World and Universal vacation you have a few options when it comes to accommodation. Let’s take a look at them.

Stay at Disney World

You can stay at Disney World Resort which comes with its own benefits. This is the best option in our opinion if you will be spending most of your time on Disney World property. In our opinion the most magical accommodation option but can be the most expensive. 

Stay at Universal

Universal Orlando Resort just like Disney has a variety of their own resorts that you can stay at. Again, like staying at a Disney Resort this is the best option if you will be spending more time on Universal property and it’s parks.

Stay off Property

Staying off property at a hotel, apartment or villa can save you some money . However, you will probably be located further away from the resorts during your Disney and Universal Vacation. This will possibly mean more travelling to and from each resort. You will probably need a rental car (or your own) to do so. This can be a popular choice for anyone wanting explore beyond Disney And Universal during their vacation.

How We Did Disney World and Universal Studios During – Our Vacation Experience

When we last stayed at both Disney World and Universal during the same vacation we learned quite a lot. We had booked an 18 day vacation stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Our first full day fell on a Wednesday, so we decided not to visit the Disney Parks until the Saturday as we had 14 day park tickets. 

For the first two days we spent time at Disney Springs and at our resort. On the Thursday and Friday we went to Universal. Two days was a bit of a rush, but we managed to do everything we wanted to at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. This was because we booked a one night stay at Hard Rock Hotel which included Express Passes that made getting on all the rides very easy.

In hindsight more days at Universal would have been better but the one night package for Hard Rock Hotel with park and express passes included made it a good deal. When we return will aim to spend a few more days at Universal. 

I think going forward and looking at our future vacations we will be looking at staying at Universal whilst we enjoy Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. From there we will aim to transfer across to a Disney World resort to get the full Disney World experience which we very much love to do.

Tips for Planning a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

Here are some of the main things we have learned from visiting both Disney and Universal during the same vacation.

1. Allow Enough Time for Disney and Universal

Clearly, we pushed ourselves to do a lot in the two days we spent at Universal. We got a lot done but honestly more time was needed as we completely skipped Volcano Bay. Do allow enough time to fully enjoy Universal especially if you have never been before,

2. Plan Your Food and Drinks Budget

Make sure you plan a realistic budget for food and drink at both resorts. Dining can be expensive on property at both resorts. On our last trip we had the Dining Plan at Disney so decided to eat quick and counter service meals at Universal which worked out ok.

3. Try Not to Book Reservations at Both Resorts on the Same Day

Try not to book reservations or even Fast Passes at both resorts on the same day. If you have your own transport, then you will probably be ok but it can just add a little extra pressure to your day. You are on vacation so try to make it as easy going as possible. 

4. Do Disney World After Universal

We prefer to do Universal first then enjoy Disney World. With Disney World being the bigger of the two resorts and with a lot more to do we feel it makes sense. Doing Disney World second also allows you to slow down a little towards the end of your vacation when you can start to feel a little tired.

5. Use Uber or a Universal Resort Taxi to get Between Resorts 

We love using Uber in Orlando. The service is normally pretty quick and if you don’t have a car it is probably the most cost-effective way of getting around Orlando and between Universal and Disney World.

6. Get Universal Express Unlimited Passes

If you can get the Universal Express Unlimited Passes, then get them. They are the easiest way of getting on all the rides at both Universal Parks. They can be expensive to buy on the day so do shop around for deals before your vacation. 

There are three options of Express Pass at Universal

Universal Express Unlimited (from $89.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the regular lines an unlimited number of times on participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Express (from $69.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the regular lines one time per participating rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Volcano Bay Express (from $19.99 per person plus tax)

Allows you to skip the virtual line one time per participating ride at Volcano Bay.

You can find out more about Universal Express Tickets here on the Universal website.

The Complete Guide on How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios

I hope you have found this article on How to Plan a Trip to Disney World and Universal Studios helpful. Both resorts are different experiences but if you decide to plan for both I am certain you will have a great time. Please feel free to share this article on social media. It helps us to reach others who are planning their vacation . 

You can pin the Disney and Universal Vacation pin image below if you are a Pinterest user.

Thanks for Stopping by.

About the Author

Darren Cater

I’m Darren, the editor of nextstopwdw.com. With years of Disney World adventures and countless memories made, I’ve mastered the art of planning a Disney World vacation. My articles are fueled by experience and a love for Disney World, aiming to turn your dream trip into a magical reality.

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6 ways to make a Disney trip more affordable for families, according to travel experts

Posted: September 6, 2023 | Last updated: September 6, 2023

• A Disney vacation for a family of four can cost thousands of dollars.
• But travel experts told Insider there are ways to cut costs when booking a Disney trip.
• Their tips include booking up to a year in advance and buying discounted gift cards.

When it comes to planning your dream Disney vacation, the best place to start is with a budget, Rachael Saldana, a Disney travel-planning expert at Allonsy Travel , told Insider.

But a trip to the happiest place on Earth doesn't come cheap. Insider reported in 2021 that the  average cost of a typical five-day trip to Disney World for a family of four at the time was $6,033. CNN reported in 2022 that while a one-day, one-park ticket was between $109 and $159, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios anticipated to see more than a 12% increase by 2023.

A 2022 survey of Walt Disney World fans conducted by gambling website time2play found that 92.6% of those surveyed believed the cost of a Disney vacation was too expensive for the average family. Another 48.3% said they postponed trips to Disney World because of price increases in recent years.

While the price may still not be economically feasible for some families, four travel experts told Insider there are ways to cut back on the cost of a Disney vacation.

Here are six of their money-saving tips to help make the trip more affordable for families.

Book as soon as you can because it locks in your price.

Once you have a budget in mind, you should book as soon as possible, according to Stephanie Peters with Hiatt Magical Vacations. 

Why? "Because it locks in your price. So if Disney and Universal were ever to raise their ticket prices, your price is not changing," she said.

Ideally, you would book six months to a year before you intend to go, experts told Insider.

Disney does release promotions throughout the year — for example, a deal in September 2023 offers up to 30% off some rooms at Disney over the holiday period. If a promotion is applicable to your package, a travel agent like Peters can apply those discounted rates when you book.

Be smart about when you go.

With so many people visiting the park, the best way to get the most bang for your buck is to go during windows when it's least expensive, has the smallest crowds, and ideal weather, according to Jill Knonenborg , who previously spoke to Insider about the best times to visit Disney .

While the cheapest times to go are often when school is underway — usually January after Martin Luther King Jr. Day through early February, and early June and late August between summer breaks — that won't be possible for families wanting to keep their kids in class.

During the summer break, early June is often the most cost effective, Peters said.

"I think especially for those families that really prioritize education and prioritize school, summer is a good time to go," she said. "The first week of June tends to be a less expensive time to go in the summer, and the heat isn't quite built up to what August would be."

Late August is also a cheaper time to visit, so that's another option for families whose kids return to class after Labor Day.

"That late August time is the second-cheapest time I have found with Disney World for this year," Amber Travis , a Missouri-based Disney travel agent with Mickey Travels , told Insider.

"Disney offers lower rates at that time to get people to go," she said.

But if you want to experience the Halloween decor and the early days of Christmas festivities without the chaotic crowds and crazy prices, September and early December are the best times to go.

Budget to pay for your Disney vacation over time.

Saldana said it's a $200 deposit to secure a Disney vacation package, but the remainder of the payment is not due until 30 days before you go. 

"This makes it really easy to budget because you know how much your vacation's going to be, you know when you need to pay it, and you have — especially if you're booking for next December — more than 12 months to pay for it," she said.

Strategizing how much to save each week, automating your savings, or establishing a sinking fund are just some ways you can budget for a big trip , travel experts previously told Insider's Alene Laney.

Buy discounted gift cards in bulk to pay off your Disney vacation.

Travis suggests buying discounted gift cards in bulk and using them to pay off your Disney vacation.

Disney gift cards are essentially like any gift card: They carry funds that can go towards practically anything Disney at Disney destinations, from merchandise and theme-park tickets to dining and resort reservations.

Some stores sometimes sell them at a discounted price, like Sam's Club or BJ's, and other stores may offer gift cards as well, such as Target, Ralph's, Kroger, Walmart, Staples, and Best Buy.

At Sam's Club, for example, you can purchase $50 Disney gift cards for $47.98, saving up to 4%. (Only members can buy these discounted gift cards, and a membership costs $45.)

BJ's Wholesale offers Disney gift card deals where you don't need a specific credit card or membership to get the discounted gift cards. Instead, you can try out the membership with a free one-day pass . During those 24 hours, you can buy discounted Disney gift cards without purchasing a membership.

As of September 2023, the best deal available will save you up to 3% by buying a $100 BJ's Disney gift card that costs $96.99. If you use a credit card that earns rewards or provides cash back, the savings could be higher.

Book when hotel pricing is first released because it's the most economical.

Like much else when it comes to travel, the golden rule is: Book in advance. That also means coordinating your hotel stays early.

Saldana, who has a background in revenue management, worked at hotels handling dynamic pricing and figuring out hotel rates. She recommends being vigilant for when hotel pricing is first released and booking your stays around that time.

In the case of families looking to book for 2024, Disney released information indicating reservations could be made starting on May 31, 2023, as reported by WDW Magazine .

"When the rates are first released, they are the cheapest. The revenue managers just want to see what traction they get and where the demand dates are — and then they adjust based on that. So when pricing is first released, it's the most economical," she said.

SF Gate reported in October 2022 that visitors with just a month or two notice may be able to book at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel or the Disneyland Hotel, especially during the slower months of late August and September.

However, to obtain the more popular options at Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa during more popular months that feature holidays like Halloween and Christmas, you should book at least six months in advance, experts told Insider.

Avoid extra expenses by getting to the parks early.

Waking up at 6 a.m. can be a tough ask, especially if you're coming from a time zone where it's even earlier. But Knonenborg believes you should make the sacrifice because it yields the best results.

Other people won't wake up that early, so the crowds at any time of the year will always be the lowest the earlier you go, she said. In addition, especially in the summer months , the temperatures will be the coolest as soon as the park opens.

But here's where it stops you from spending additional money: "If you want to avoid the extra expenses of the Disney Genie+ line reservation system or a VIP tour experience and still have pretty short lines, get to the park as soon as you're allowed to," she said.

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