The Best Tips for Planning Your Disney World Vacation – The Ultimate Guide

Disney is a magical place that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Whether you have children or not, there is something for every age group, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable given how much enjoyment you can have.

Planning your Disney vacation can be daunting if you don’t know where to start, so here are some helpful tips to get you started with planning your dream trip today! Remember- Magic doesn’t happen without a little bit of effort on our part! So take these tips seriously and make it happen 🙂

We have the best tips out there for planning your trip, so let’s get started!

1. The Best Disney Vacations are the Ones That You Plan

Disney vacations can be expensive, and planning a trip to Walt Disney World is no different. However, if you plan your trip and book your hotel and vacation packages in advance, you will save money and time when planning your itinerary in the parks. Whether you’re visiting for a week or a few days, make sure you account for all of the rides and attractions you want to experience and plan your day around those.

2. Planning a Disney Vacation can Seem Overwhelming, But There are Plenty of Helpful Tools to Help You Get Started.

Many people don’t realize that they can book their trip to Walt Disney World in three simple steps: they can book their hotel online, purchase vacation packages through Disney, and then the last step is purchasing tickets to the park. Furthermore, if you plan on visiting all four theme parks in one day, then only buy a two-day ticket or less. You’ll save money when planning your trip this way.

3. Choosing the Perfect Disney Vacation Packages

There are many options when it comes to choosing your Disney vacation package. If you’re planning a Disney vacation, the first step is to decide what type of deals will work best for your family. Disney offers many packages to choose from, including resort package deals that include accommodations, theme park tickets, and more.

We also found some other great options for booking Disney vacation packages:

• Costco Travel offers great Walt Disney World Vacation Deals
• Dreams Unlimited Travel has interesting Disney World vacation package deals for 2022 with some magical extras
• Southwest Vacations offers affordable Disney World family vacation packages

4. Booking your Disney Hotels

For guests who don’t want to travel far, Disney has its own resort hotels. The original hotel is called “Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa”, but there are also Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels right on the property. All of these are within walking distance of the parks.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning luxury resort. This resort is designed to replicate the Victorian era with its red roofing, gingerbread trim, and winding walkways. It was the first Disney resort to offer a complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the Magic Kingdom Park.

Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

The Walt Disney World Swan Hotel is situated on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon, between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It was originally called the Swan Hotel before Disney purchased it. It has a contemporary Caribbean style with white coral rock columns and a green and blue outdoor balustrade.

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

The Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel sits just across from Epcot next to the Boardwalk area. The hotel has two pools with water slides, two restaurants, 4 bars, a full-service spa, valet parking, fitness center and concierge service – all at your fingertips!

Disney offers many options when it comes to the hotel you’d like to book. All of their hotels fall into one of five categories: Deluxe Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Value Resorts, Disney Vacation Club Villas and Fort Wilderness Cabins and Campgrounds. To get more specific information about each resort, visit this page.

Of course, the higher the category, the more expensive it is to book a room there. The main advantage of staying at a luxury hotel is that you have access to all four theme parks by Disney transportation and typically, you will receive special perks such as extra magic hours or a character breakfast or dinner, depending on which hotel you book.

Disney offers a wide range of transportation options to make it easier for guests not to stay at one of the resorts. These include boats, buses, and monorails which are all equally good at getting you from your hotel to the park quickly. There are also water taxis, ferries, and even horse-drawn carriages that you can use to travel from one park to another. With all of these options, it’s easy to see why Disney is such a popular vacation destination!

5. Getting Around the Disney Parks

When deciding what hotel you would like to book, it is essential to consider how you will get around the four theme parks. If you are staying at a luxury hotel, you can use Disney transportation all day long. However, if you are not interested in spending extra money on having access to this service, then you can rent a car at the airport, which will allow you to travel between all of Disney’s four theme parks. Also, if you are staying at a hotel that is not close to any of the parks or far away from the airport, Uber and Lyft services are always available.

6. Planning Meals at Disney World

If you are planning on staying at a Disney hotel, then you have access to their dining plan option. For about $50 per person per day, you can choose to purchase this or not and it will entitle you to all snacks and meals throughout your stay. If you are not interested in using the dining plan, then be sure to bring your own water bottles with you to the parks so that you can re-fill them at drinking fountains. You can save money this way by not purchasing any drinks while in the park.

7. Best Times to Go to Disney World

There is no wrong time to go to Disney World. That sounds like a cop-out answer, but it’s true. One of the many reasons people love Disney World so much is because there are seasons and festivals for everyone.

The parks maintain their temperature year-round, so you can wear shorts in December if you want without worrying about freezing your butt off! But with that being said, some seasons and holidays may be more crowded than others. Most people say that the best time to go to Disney World is between November through January.

8. Walt Disney World: Getting There and Getting Around

Disney World Orlando is in Osceola County, Florida, United States. It is approximately 320 miles away from Atlanta, Georgia, with a flight time of about 3 hours and 30 minutes on average. The primary airport that services Disney World is Orlando International Airport. It is about a 10-minute drive from the resort to this airport.

The time it takes to get around all four Disney World parks is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. In this time, you’ll be able to ride the rides and see all of the attractions.

9. Discounts and Coupons for Disney World

Disney World is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world for people of all ages. It’s a place where you can be immersed in your favorite Disney movies, ride some of your favorite rides, and just have an all-around good time. But with so many people visiting this magical location each year, it can become expensive to visit.

There are ways to get discounts on tickets or even freebies when you purchase them online, but there are also coupons available that offer deals at restaurants, shops, and hotels within the parks themselves!

Here are some tips for saving money while at Disney World:

1. Buy tickets early – The earlier you buy your tickets for holidays like Christmas Eve/Christmas Day or Spring Break (especially if they’re discounted), the better. You will likely get a great deal on your ticket and be able to save money while still enjoying all of the perks of going at these peak times of the year.
2. Buy tickets with friends – If you know that your best friend wants to go, but they aren’t sure if they’re going to be able to go by themselves, you could buy tickets together and then just have to wait until they’re able to use them. This is a great way to save money on your ticket purchase.
3. Purchase a Disney Dining Plan – One of the best ways to get a good deal on a trip to Disney World is to purchase a dining plan. The dining plans cover all snacks and meals in the Disney restaurants. You can save so much money this way by avoiding purchasing any extra snacks or meals when you are in the park.
4. Stay at a Disney hotel – If you don’t want to worry about transportation to and from your hotel, then staying on-site might be just what you’re looking for. This will also give you access to the Disney parks early in the morning, so that way, you can get more time out of your ticket or pass before everyone else arrives at the park.
5. Bring food with you into the Disney Parks – If you are worried about spending too much money on snacks and meals while at the park, then bring your own in. Most people don’t even think about bringing in food, but it is the cheapest way to feed yourself while you’re there.
6. When buying a ticket… look around – Make sure you are using reputable sources when looking for outlets to purchase Disney World tickets from. There are resellers online that try to pass off fakes as real tickets for the park. The best thing to do is shop around before you buy, don’t just think that the first site you see will be offering you a great deal because other sites likely will have better deals than their prices.
7. Purchase your ticket in advance – If you plan on buying one of the Disney Dining Plans when you are in the park, then buying your ticket online ahead of time is a great way to cut costs. You won’t be spending any more money than you would for an in-park purchase, but it can save you on transportation if you aren’t staying at the resort.
8. Book your hotel early – Your hotel is likely going to be one of the biggest expenses on your trip, aside from buying tickets. You can save a lot of money on this expense by booking early. It’s best to book at least 6 months in advance because this will give you time to plan what you’re doing with all of the extra time before your trip starts. You’ll have more time to plan things out if you book early so that you can get everything you need at the best price possible.
9. Take advantage of discounts – If you are visiting for a special occasion, then taking advantage of coupons is something else to consider. Disney World offers plenty of things just because it’s someone’s birthday or holiday. It doesn’t hurt to ask if any discounts are coming up during your trip just for being a special occasion.
10. Make sure to budget – If you want to have the best experience at Disney World, you need to make sure that you’re budgeting correctly ahead of time. This is going to allow you plenty of time to plan ahead what you want to spend money on and how much it is going to cost.

10. How to Plan a Day at Disney World Around Your Family’s Interests

Disney World is the most magical place on earth! It’s also a large, sprawling amusement park that can be overwhelming for first-time visitors.

So how do you plan your day to make sure it’s perfect? The answer is simple: look at each member of your family and find out their interests!

A person who loves rides will want to head straight for those; someone with an interest in princesses might want to spend as much time as possible exploring Fantasyland; if the whole family wants to meet characters, then you need to strategize before getting in line because some lines are shorter than others. Figuring this out ahead of time will help make your Disney World experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

It’s a small world – Disney World (photo by https://magicguides.com/)

Here is our top 10 list of attractions grouped by classic Disney themes.

1. Peter Rabbit Visits Peter Rabbit’s Garden – This attraction is perfect for families looking for something low-key to start off the day. Check the princess slot on the ticket map to learn more about how it fits into a plan based on meeting some of the princesses available.
2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – Head to Hundred-acre wood with Piglet, Owl, Christopher Robin and his friends as they bounce on their tails, then swirl up into a tornado or ride on an old boat down “a calm & pleasant river.” Great for all ages!
3. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – Aim Zurg and his evil minions to save the galaxy. Kids love this because it’s a great simulator that makes them feel like they are shooting down bad guys, whereas adults are happy for the distraction from the lines!
4. The Seas with Nemo & Friends – It’s tough not to feel cheerful when learning about clownfish and sea turtles. This is an excellent opportunity to learn something new about the underwater world and it’s perfect for kids of all ages.
5. It’s a Small World – For those who don’t mind seeing some classic Disney princesses, Afternoon tea at 3 PM or nighttime “Fantasmic!” fireworks shows are popular options that make the best use of the Fastpass+ service. Luckily this famous show reopened on September 5, 2021!
6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – This time, head to Hundred-acre wood with Christopher Robin and his friends as they bounce up into a tornado or ride on an old boat down “a calm & pleasant river.” Great for all ages!
7. Splash Mountain – Hop on down a chute through the darker side of Disney’s animation with Brer Rabbit and friends. This is a water ride so you might want some extra clothes if it’s a hot day, but kids love the adventure while parents never get tired of watching them have fun!
8. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – After being taken up in a service elevator, you will enter an old haunted hotel and drop down several stories at high speeds while experiencing increasing drops of terror. Anyone age 10 or older can get in line for this attraction that takes about an hour to get through the Fastpass+ line (you’ll need it!)
9. Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade – For many guests, the best part of the day has arrived. The high-energy music and catchy songs are sure to keep kids entertained while parents can enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters in casual clothes!
10. Pirates of the Caribbean – Whether you stop to enjoy a special dinner at the Blue Bayou Restaurant or stow away on a pirate ship, this is a great attraction for anyone who loves adventure and exploring new worlds!

Pirates of the Carribean – Disney World (photo by https://magicguides.com/)

11. Attractions you shouldn’t miss while visiting

Disney World is one of the most popular vacation destinations for families, and it has something for everyone. Kids will love the rides while parents can enjoy watching them have fun. There are also plenty of attractions that adults might not have considered before visiting Disney World.

Here are some of the best-loved attractions you won’t want to miss!

1. Splash Mountain – Hop on down a chute through the darker side of Disney’s animation with Brer Rabbit and friends. This is a water ride so you might want some extra clothes if it’s a hot day, but kids love the adventure while parents never get tired of watching them have fun!
2. Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade – The best part of the day has arrived for many guests. The high-energy music and catchy songs will keep kids entertained while parents can enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters in casual clothes!
3. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – This is a free-fall drop ride that takes place in a haunted hotel, well actually 11 stories up at 199 feet tall! If you’re a fan of the Twilight Zone series, you will recognize some of the spookier aspects from episodes in this ride.
4. Spaceship Earth – This is a replica of a spaceship that looks like it’s been traveling through outer space for centuries! Have your picture taken by an actor playing one of the characters from “2000 Leagues Under The Sea”. This is a slow-moving boardwalk-style ride with slightly interactive elements.

12. More Tips for Planning your Disney Vacation

Disney World is not just about the attractions and resorts. You will need to do plenty of things in advance if you want to enjoy your vacation without stress or hassle! The best way to plan your trip is by doing your research on the Internet and booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Here are some of the best tips for planning your Disney vacation:

1. Plan a budget – Figure out how much you can afford before starting anything else. Disney drops prices every year so it’s worth waiting until you’re closer to your departure date before you start buying your tickets.
2. Book early – When you’re looking for discounts, it’s important to book as soon as possible. Disney offers various promotions throughout the year so it pays to be patient and wait for the right deal.
3. Buy everything in advance – It can be hard paying full price when you don’t have to. Disney resorts will offer discounts if you buy food and merchandise from them before your trip begins, so do as much planning as possible beforehand.
4. Pack lightly – If you’re flying to a Disney resort on a budget airline, make sure you pack lightly to avoid excess baggage fees!
5. Hire a travel agent – Getting all of the best deals in one place is a great way to plan your trip. Disney is always up for negotiation if you ask about their rates, so hire someone who knows the ins and outs before setting off!
6. Make use of all services – The more perks you can get out of the resort, the better! Take advantage of all they offer, including room upgrades and special services.
7. Eat in moderation – You don’t want to spend too much money on food that will end up getting thrown out when you get back home, so take the time to plan when and where you eat. Disney resorts offer buffet-style dining with all-you-can-eat options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
8. Get a refillable drink cup – It’s only $12 and all drinks (including alcoholic beverages!) can be refilled with soda, juice, coffee, tea, or water for the duration of your stay! This saves money and means you don’t have to walk back to your hotel if you want something more than once during the day.

Disney World is the best theme park in the world, and everyone who’s been there knows that it’s worth every penny on your ticket price! The best advice for first-time visitors is to prepare as much as possible before you go so you have more time to enjoy yourself when you get there. Disney gives plenty of concessions to those who ask, so you can cut costs on food and merchandise if you plan ahead.

Happy Disney World Vacation!

Don’t forget to use our Vacation Countdown App as your Disney Countdown App for counting down the days until you go to Disney World.