Planning A Disney World Vacation? Here Are 10 Things You Need to Know Before Planning Your Trip to the Magic!

Planning a Disney World vacation may seem daunting, but I promise you it can be quite simple if you take the time to prepare! Walt Disney World is a place full of excitement, magic, and nostalgia. A trip to the most “magical place on earth” will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Disney has so much to offer and no stay is the same. It’s no wonder it is such a popular vacation destination. If you’re thinking about visiting Walt Disney World, then keep reading to learn all about the basics of planning the ultimate Disney vacation.

A trip to Disney World requires special preparation. Before you start booking hotels, buying tickets, and purchasing Mickey ears, you first need to learn how to plan your perfect vacation. From the time of year that is best to visit, to the food you want to eat, a lot needs to be considered.

Here are 10 things you need to know before planning a Disney World Vacation!

1. Budgeting For A Disney World Vacation

It’s no surprise that visiting Disney is expensive, so setting a specific budget prior to arriving to the magic is important to avoid overspending. Disney can be as pricey as you want it to be, but it is possible to be budget conscious. Disney’s website and My Disney Experience App provide clear prices about places to stay, menu items, tickets, and even some merchandise to help prevent sticker shock. Here is a list of things you should consider budgeting prior to planning your Disney World vacation:

• Accommodations: There is a large variety of Disney World hotels with different price points, but there are also off property accommodations to consider.
• Separate Ticketed Events: Special parties, such as Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, are a separate ticket purchase from standard park tickets.
• Type of Ticket: Ticket prices will vary depending on if you get a standard ticket or add on options
• Souvenirs and Merchandise: There are countless merchandise locations in Disney World, so consider a souvenir budget for each person to stick to before your trip starts.
• Food: There are many different snack and dining options in Disney World, ranging from novelty snack items to specialty dining experiences. Food will be a large part of your budget if you choose to eat in the theme parks or at the resorts, so research menus before your trip to determine how much you are willing to spend.

2. Consider The Time Of Year You Plan a Disney World Vacation

Throughout the year, Walt Disney World has different crowd levels, prices, weather, festivals, and events.

• Crowds: Expect higher crowd levels during the summer months, school vacation times, Run Disney events, EPCOT festivals, and holidays.
• Festivals: EPCOT, one of the Walt Disney World theme parks, hosts 4 different festivals throughout the year. These festivals offer special foods, shows, merchandise, and events throughout the World Showcase section of the park. Each year, the specific dates of each festival differ, but in general there is a festival for each season. Please note that these festivals do bring in more crowds to the park.
  • EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
  • EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
  • EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival
  • EPCOT Festival of the Holidays
• Prices: When crowds are increased, prices usually are as well. These price increases include park tickets, hotel room rates, and some merchandise.
• Weather: Walt Disney World is located in central Florida, so the temperature is usually hot and humid. With that being said, there are weather patterns to be aware of during certain times of the year. During the summer months, heat and humidity can be extremely intense and there is almost always a thunder storm in the afternoons. From December until February, there can be chilly days and nights, so you may not be able to enjoy water rides or pools to their fullest extent.
• Special Events: Keep an eye out for special celebrations and events happening at Walt Disney World. Whether it’s an anniversary or holiday, Disney knows how to celebrate with special parties, promotions, decor, food, and merchandise.

3. Things To Do Outside Of The Disney Theme Parks

Whether you want a rest day from walking, or want to save money on park tickets, there are plenty of things to do at Walt Disney World Resort outside of the theme parks. Some things include:

• Visit Disney Springs: Disney Springs is free to enter and offers a variety of great shopping, unique dining experiences, and captivating shows.
• Enjoy your resort: All Disney resorts offer a variety of activities for kids, pools, and fun restaurants to try. The Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs even offer a spa.
• Golf: There are two 18-hole championship courses, as well as two magically themed miniature golf courses to enjoy during your vacation.
• Enjoy the Boardwalk: The Boardwalk is a resort, but it is also a fully functioning boardwalk right on the water that comes to life in the evenings. There are shops, restaurants, and night life, as well as, arcade games and surrey bikes for the whole family to enjoy.
• Find Hidden Mickey’s: Throughout all of Disney World property, there are hidden mickey’s to find. Searching for hidden Mickey’s is a good way to explore other resorts and see more of Disney World in its entirety.

4. Walt Disney World Accommodations

When planning your Walt Disney World vacation, you need to decide if you want to stay on or off property. Walt Disney World has 25 hotels that range from campgrounds to deluxe villas, and everything in between. Staying on property has its advantages that include:

• Free Transportation: You can take advantage of Disney buses, monorail, skyliner, and boats to get anywhere you want to go in Walt Disney World Resort.
• Extra time in the Theme Parks: You can enter any theme park 30 minutes before it opens if staying at a Disney World hotel. If staying at a deluxe level resort, there are extended evening hours available in certain parks on allocated nights.
• Disney Dining Plan: The Disney Dining plan can be added to your resort reservation for trips starting on or after January 9, 2024.
• Magical Theming: All Disney resorts have a specific theme to make your vacation feel more immersive and magical even outside of the 4 theme parks.
• Early Dining Reservation Access: You are able to book your dining reservations for the entirety of your stay (up to 10 nights) 60 days in advance.
• Early Lightening Lane Access: You are able to reserve your first Lightening Lane at 7am instead of when the park opens.

5. Disney World Theme Park Tickets

In order to enter the theme parks in Walt Disney World, all guests ages 3 and up need a ticket. There are different types of tickets available. Here is a breakdown of those options:

• 1-10 Day Standard Theme park ticket: Visit one theme park per day.
• Water Park and Sports Option: Visit one theme park per day and a select number of visits to one of the two Disney water parks or other magical sports activities.
• Park Hopper Option: Visit multiple parks per day per ticket.
• Park Hopper Plus Option: Visit multiple theme parks per day per ticket and a select number of visits to the Disney water parks.
• Annual Pass: There are multiple levels of an annual pass, but these tickets are for those looking to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks multiple times during the year.

Disney World ticket and pass Information

6. Disney World Reservation Guidelines

When planning a Disney World vacation, it is important to be aware of Disney guidelines for reservations involving hotels, dining, parks, and Lightening Lanes.

• Walt Disney World Hotel Reservations: If you are booking a on-site Disney World Hotel, you will need to monitor when Disney releases available booking dates. A year out from your desired date, is usually when booking becomes available.
• Dining Reservations: You are able to book Disney dining reservations 60 days in advance. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, then you are able to book your entire stay (up to 10 days) 60 days in advance.
• Park Reservations: Park reservations are necessary to enter a Disney World theme park until January 8, 2024. If you have a ticket purchased, but no park reservation, you will not be let in to the park. Before purchasing tickets, ensure there is park availability. If you have a park hopper pass, then please note that park hopping does not start until after 2pm while theme park reservations are still in effect.
• Lightening Lane Reservations: Lightening Lanes are individual reservations you can make to skip certain attraction queues. These reservations can be made at 7a.m. for guests staying at Walt Disney World hotels or when the park opens for those guests not staying on property.

7. Dining Options In Disney World

There are limitless dining options in Disney World that will suit all budgets and taste buds. All dining options provide you with unique experiences with elaborately themed decor, ambiance, and food. You can bring outside food into the parks if you want to be very budget conscious, but if you are planning to enjoy all the unique and delicious food Disney has to offer, then here is a breakdown of your dining options.

• Snacks: Novelty Disney snacks are a classic part of the Disney Experience. It is impossible to try all of the snacks offered, but keep an eye out for offerings available during your vacation.
• Counter Service Dining: These types of restaurants are often more affordable and are designed to get a large amount of people in and out quickly. No dining reservations are needed, and most offer mobile order for convenience.
• Sit Down Dining: These dining options are full service family-friendly restaurants that require advance reservations.
• Character Dining: Disney World offers buffet, family-style, and traditional sit-down character dining experiences. These meals require advance reservations.
• Fine Dining: These restaurants provide a dining experience that often feature signature cuisine. These restaurants require an advanced reservation and be mindful that some do have a dress code.
• Disney Dining Plan: The Disney Dining Plan is returning for trips that start on or after January 9, 2024. There are different types of plans, but essentially, a Disney Dining Plan allows you to pre-pay for your food before your trip for your convenience.

8. Transportation Within Disney World

There are several methods of free transportation provided to get you anywhere you need to be within the Disney bubble.

• Buses: Buses are the most plentiful transportation option that will take you to and from the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and the Disney resorts.
• Monorail: This is a futuristic looking train that travels on a track in the sky. The monorail has three loops for guests to travel around. The first is the Magic Kingdom resort loop to get to and from the Magic Kingdom from the surrounding resorts. The second loop travels from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom. The third loop takes guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT.
• Water Transportation: There are two types of water transportation in Walt Disney World. The first are ferryboats that take guests to and from the Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center. The second are water taxi boats, called “Friendships,” that take guests of certain Disney hotels to and from theme parks and Disney Springs.
• Skyliner: The Skyliner is the newest form of transportation in Walt Disney World. It is a gondola system that carries guests in the sky. Skyliner routes include carrying guests to the International Gateway entrance of EPCOT, to the entrance of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney hotels between these two theme parks.

9. My Disney Experience App

When planning a Disney World vacation, you want to get the most out of your trip, so plan to download and use the free My Disney Experience Mobile App on your smart device. This app allows you to have all of the magic you will need for your Disney vacation in one place and easily accessible. The My Disney Experience App includes:

• Reservation Details: Hotel, park, dining, and event reservations are all in one spot.
• Maps and Wait Times: Wait times are listed over rides and attractions on a visually appealing virtual map of the entire Walt Disney World Resort.
• Genie Plus, Lightening Lanes, and Virtual Queues: Create your perfect Genie day and book Lightening Lanes and virtual queues each morning.
• Mobile Food Ordering: Order ahead of time at counter service dining locations to avoid long wait times.
• Menus: Search and book all Disney dining options along with finding menus and prices all within the app.
• Photos: Keep all of your memory maker photos and utilize Disney PhotoPass lenses.
• Future Plans: A list of all your plans and reservations for each day of your trip are outlined in one section of the My Disney Experience App.
• Park Information: Find park hours, information, and schedules quickly and conveniently.
• Tickets and Passes: All your ticket and passes for your entire party will all be in one easily accessible place.
• Merchandise and Mobile Checkout: Search merchandise locations and utilize mobile checkout to skip lines and save more time.
• Magic Bands: Keep track of all your magic bands for you and your travel party.
• Transportation: Get information about all the different transportation offered within Disney world and find bus schedules.
• Chat Feature: Chat with a cast member with any questions or problems you may have during your vacation.

10. Plan a Disney World vacation around your “must-do’s”

Walt Disney World is massive and it is impossible to see and do everything in only one trip. While planning out your vacation, make sure you, and everyone else in your travel party, makes a list of what their priorities are. Some must-do’s you should decide on before planning your trip are:

• Parks: Depending on your park ticket and length of stay, you may need to decide which Disney theme parks you want to visit. Also, determine if you want to visit either of the water parks or Disney Springs.
• Restaurants: There are hundreds of dining options, so pick out your favorite restaurants you want to try prior to your dining reservation window opening up.
• Rides: Pick out your favorite rides in each park prior to making Disney Genie and Lightening Lane reservations each morning, as these reservations can fill up quickly.
• Shows and Parades:There are a lot of shows and parades all throughout the 4 Disney theme parks, so determine which ones are most important for you to see and plan your park days according to when they are scheduled.
• Extra Experiences: There are many extra things to do in and outside of the theme parks, so decide if doing these things is important to you prior to planning out your park schedule.

Planning a Disney World vacation that lets you get the most out of you trip is possible with these 10 basic guidelines. No matter how you envision your perfect Disney World vacation, you will be able to make it memorable. Happy magical vacation planning!