What do mouse ears, magical castles, and Stormtroopers have in common? The most magical place on Earth, of course! It’s the first place many people hope to visit after a major accomplishment (like winning the Super Bowl) and a destination for people of all ages – Disney World.
If you’re considering a Disney vacation, it could be more than a little overwhelming. There are so many attractions and hotels to choose from, and that’s not including the extras. Thankfully, we’ve compiled a guide to help you through planning your Disney vacation.
Why Choose a Disney Vacation?
Disney vacations have built a name on magic and wonder for people of all ages. Children light up when they see their favorite characters up close and personal. Adults remember the wonder of childhood and experience Disney in a different way.
Choosing a Disney vacation means something different to every member of your family. It can be a romantic adventure for a couple or a magical experience for the entire family. People of all ages travel to Disney parks to experience something unique and spectacular.
Start with a Budget
Like any good vacation, you need to decide how much you can afford to spend, when you want to go, and what you want to see. Your budget will affect other aspects of your planning, so start there. How much are you willing and able to spend without going overboard?
Break your budget into seven areas and do your research. There are always places to save a little, especially if you’re early enough in the process to have some flexibility.
- Transportation costs include airfare, baggage fees, transportation to and from the airport, and any parking costs.
- Lodging fees will vary depending on where you stay and usually accounts for the bulk of your expenses. Don’t forget tips for hotel employees.
- Theme park tickets costs vary depending on the number of days you’ll be there. Don’t forget add-ons, like waterparks and Park Hopper passes.
- Food can add up fast. Consider dining plans and groceries.
- Activities are not all included in the parks. Some special events and outings cost extra.
- Souvenirs help you remember your experience, but they can cost you if you’re not careful.
- Miscellaneous funds should be included in all vacation budgets. There are incidental fees involved in any trip, and it’s best to prepare.
Choose When You Want to Visit
No matter which park you intend to visit, you can expect more crowds at certain times of the year. Spring break, Christmas, and the summer months see the largest crowds. There are also special events, like runDisney races, that attract more people.
If possible, try to plan your visit for late January, February, or early fall. Disney parks tend to see fewer tourists during those months, especially during the week.
Which Disney Attractions Do You Want to Visit?
Where do you want to go? Disneyland is in California, and Disney World is in Florida. You can also choose a Disney Cruise or visit one of the international parks, like Tokyo Disneyland or Disneyland Paris. For our purposes, we’ll focus on Disneyland and Disney World.
The Disneyland Experience
Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California, and is the smaller of the two American parks. There are two parks to visit in California, Disneyland Park, and California Adventure. You can easily see everything at Disneyland throughout a long weekend.
Key Attractions at Disneyland
Expect plenty of excitement at Disneyland in California. Shows, parades, fireworks, and rides will leave you feeling wonderful. Check out Star Tours for an authentic Star Wars-inspired experience.
What to Do at California Adventure
Be prepared to ride everything at California Adventure! From California Screamin’ to Guardians of the Galaxy’s Mission: Breakout, there’s something for everybody.
Visiting Disney World
The Florida resort is massive compared to Disneyland. You can choose from four different parks (The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom), and they have two waterparks.
Key Attractions at The Magic Kingdom
It’s called The Magic Kingdom for a reason. From Cinderella’s Castle to Pirates of the Caribbean, you can expect to experience a world of magic and wonder. Be sure to stay all day to catch the fireworks show that caps off each day of fun.
What to Do at EPCOT
Peruse the World Showcase where you can learn about world cultures then head for Future World to explore science and technology. Frozen fans will appreciate the Frozen Ever After attraction, and you can’t miss Mission: Space.
Essential Experiences at Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios brings Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Muppets to life. You can even perform at the American Idol Experience where you could be cast for the real show!
Exploring at Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom shines a spotlight on nature and animals. Most of the attractions highlight adventures, like Expedition Everest and the Na’vi River Journey.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
One of two waterparks, Blizzard Beach has water rides for everybody. If you’re looking for a thrill, you’ll find it in the refreshing Slush Gusher or Downhill Double Dipper.
Typhoon Lagoon
This tropical paradise has a backstory that will entertain and refresh visitors. Don’t miss the Crush ‘n’ Gush, a 400-foot-long water roller coaster or Surf Pool, the largest wave pool in North America.
Pick a Place to Stay
Once you choose where you want to go, you need to find a place to stay. There are key advantages to choosing a Disney property, especially if you want extra perks and no added transportation to the parks. You should make your reservations at least six months in advance.
Choosing a Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland has three hotels on its property. They also partnered with several “good neighbor” hotels nearby, some within walking distance.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa provides guests with unique opportunities, like Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures and a special entrance to the theme parks. They even have themed pools and a 90-foot water slide.
Disneyland Hotel blends sophisticated tastes with a touch of whimsy. They have signature suites with Disney-inspired themes, an array of dining options (like Goofy’s kitchen), and themed pools with waterslides.
If you want a beachfront location, try Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, with sea-inspired rooms. They even have rooftop pools and an eatery where you can lounge, unwind, and also catch the evening fireworks.
Why Should I Choose a Disney World Resort Hotel?
There are several perks involved with staying at a Disney Resort. Before selecting an offsite hotel, you may want to consider the benefits included with Disney Resort reservations.
- MagicBands, the wrist bands that contain park tickets, and FastPass+ access are included for all hotel guests. Other visitors purchase the wrist band for $14.99.
- Disney World offers Extra Magic Hours for guests staying at their hotels. At least one park opens early or stays open late for resort guests.
- Free transportation to the parks, including cool options like the monorail.
Disney World boasts a selection of more than 25 resort hotels. There are three different categories to choose from based on your budget, but they each have exciting themes.
Value Options
Budget-conscious visitors will appreciate the fun, themed resorts in the value category. There is even a resort with campsites!
The All-Star Movies Resort brings some of Disney’s greatest films to life. Relax in the Fantasia-themed pool where you can catch a movie at night. If you’re celebrating something wonderful, you can request gifts, treats, and décor for your room!
Music-lovers will feel right at home in the All-Star Music Resort. Popular music genres collide in this resort that’s complete with a guitar-shaped pool and surprise music and dance displays throughout the hotel.
Sports fans should check out the All-Star Sports Resort with surfboard-themed pools, the End Zone Food Court, and plenty of opportunities to compete. The sports theme extends to the massive football-themed courtyard complete with yard markers and enormous helmets.
The Art of Animation Resort is home to the largest Walt Disney Resort pool. You can even take the gondola to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. This family-friendly choice is also open to dogs!
Disney’s Pop Century Resort pays homage to fun fads from modern times. With tributes to the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the Pop Century Resort explores the fashion, toys, dances, and catchphrases that shaped our world.
If you’re more of a “sleep-under-the-stars” person, the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is the place for you. Fully equipped campsites can accommodate everything from tents to RVs, and they have golf carts for rent. You can also participate in several outdoor activities, including archery and horseback riding.
Moderately Priced Accommodations
Visitors seeking a middle of the road property may choose from five different resorts on the Disney grounds. There are even camping options for folks who like the outdoorsy feeling of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort but prefer to stay in a building.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort pays homage to the spirit and flavor of the Caribbean islands of Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba. Enjoy the forts, markets, and beaches by day, then retire to a pirate-themed room each night.
The Coronado Springs Resort blends Spanish, Mexican, and Southwest American influences for a breathtaking visitor experience. The pool features a waterslide and a 50-foot replica of a Mayan pyramid.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort is two hotels in one. Just a short walk separates them. Choose the French Quarter with cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and gorgeous wrought-iron balconies or stay in the white-columned mansion-style Riverside.
The Disney Deluxe Resorts
Visitors seeking the ultimate Disney experience may prefer one of the deluxe resorts. Each of these themed hotels features exciting experiences and signature services.
The Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to more than 30 species of African Wildlife, a gorgeous dining room that serves a mix of African specialties and American favorites. Everything about this lodge draws on African inspiration and culture.
Guests hoping for a modern resort should consider the Contemporary Resort. The A-frame design is home to the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Monorail.
Elegant, sophisticated, and lavish are just three of the words used to describe Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Transform into a princess or knight at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique after you unwind at the on-site spa and salon.
Atlantic City’s turn-of-the-century vibe inspired the BoardWalk Inn. Explore the boardwalk at night to play carnival games and experience the excitement of Coney Island.
When you choose the Beach Club Resort or Yacht Club Resort, you step into a piece of New England. The two hotels share several amenities, including a shipwreck. Don’t miss out on the 3-acre water park complete with pools and lagoons!
Tropical palms, moonlight walks on the beach, and an aloha dinner show set the Polynesian Village Resort apart from the other hotels. Since 1971, the Polynesian Village Resort has been a favorite for families.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge captures the feel of the American Northwest. Explore the great outdoors and rustic feel of a log cabin with all the luxury of a deluxe hotel.
When You Need More Space
If you need more space than a hotel room can offer, you can upgrade to the Deluxe Villas. Several of the Disney resorts offer upgrades with full kitchens, living and dining areas, separate bedrooms, and a washer and dryer.
Buy Your Park Tickets
Purchasing your Disney park tickets is easy, once you know where you’re staying, where you want to go, and how long you plan to stay. The longer you stay, the less you’ll pay for tickets.
Each ticket allows admission to one park per day. If you would like to visit more than one park per day, you need to add the Park Hopper option for an additional fee.
Plan Your Tour
Your hotel is set, you’ve got your tickets, and that means you’re all set, right? No, there are many more decisions to make, some that require pre-planning and reservations.
Explore what each park has to offer, and if there are special events you’d like to attend. You may want to plan around those events or experiences, especially if they require additional tickets or reservations. Since many special events fill up fast, you should schedule those several months in advance.
Review park maps to make the most of your days. There is a lot to cover at each park, and you don’t want to spend more time running around and waiting in line than experiencing the rides and attractions. Make a plan that is methodical and allows you to cover the most ground in the shortest time.
Choose Your Dining Options
Once you decide what parks to visit each day, you need to decide where to eat. It seems silly to plan your meals several months in advance, but if some restaurants require reservations. Popular options, like Cinderella’s Royal Table, tend to fill up quickly, so you’ll want to make reservations at least six months before you go.
Make Your Vacation More Magical
There are some fantastic options available to make your Disney vacation the best possible experience. Disney has streamlined many of its processes to give you more control over your visit.
My Disney Experience is the electronic portal containing your plans. It includes your hotel arrangements, any dining reservations, event reminders, and FastPass+ information. Each member of your party has their own profile, and you can book and share plans.
FastPass+ is a free, reservations system that allows you to skip long lines for rides, character greetings, and shows. You can use the FastPass+ for up to three experiences at a single park in one day. Make FastPass+ selections up to 60 days in advance.
PhotoPass is a fun feature for people hoping to capture their whole party in a picture. When you purchase the PhotoPass, it’s linked to your account so you can enjoy professional photos of your vacation. You can also purchase the Memory Maker with unlimited downloads from attractions and character meetings.
What About a Disney Cruise?
Disney expanded its vacation options to include cruises with several potential destinations. If you’re interested in pursuing a Disney cruise, planning is just a bit different.
Choose Your Destination
Disney offers more than a dozen cruise destinations, including a few specialty cruises. Each voyage is sure to be an adventure with plenty of time for land and sea explorations.
The Bahamas Cruises allow you to explore Nassau, Key West, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. You can enjoy these cruises for a long weekend or up to eight days!
If you’d like to explore the Caribbean, choose East, West, or South for three unique experiences. The longer the cruise you want, the more sites you visit, ranging from Cozumel, Mexico to the Grand Caymans.
Guests excited about visiting Mexico have several options with Disney’s Mexican Riviera Cruises that include ports at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. You can also choose to explore Baja or travel south of Mexico to the Panama Canal.
Disney offers several European cruise options, including the Baltic region, the British Isles, and the Mediterranean. You’ll experience all of Disney’s magic with an infusion of European history.
Coral reefs and pink-sand beaches make Bermuda special. Disney’s Bermuda cruises allow you to explore the tropical paradise in an entirely different way.
Have you ever wanted to visit Alaska? Disney takes you to the historic mining towns and gorgeous sites of Alaska’s frontier. You’ll see Alaskan wildlife and undisturbed wilderness.
Keep exploring the northern reaches of North America on Disney’s Canadian Cruise that takes you to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Enjoy the seascapes and historic ports that blend French and British cultures.
You can also take a Disney cruise up the Pacific Coast, across the Atlantic, or to island-hop in Hawaii. Each destination holds different secrets and opportunities to explore a part of the world while experiencing the feel of Disney on the ship.
Make Your Reservations
You want to book early because Disney cruises sell out fast and rarely have deals. Once you book a Disney cruise, they send you a pre-cruise booklet with all of the information you could ever need – including your itinerary and luggage tags.
Transportation to the ports are not included, so you want to make sure your flight arrives with plenty of time to spare. Disney offers transportation from the airport to the ports, but you may wish to explore other options to save a little money.
You don’t necessarily have to worry about reservations on a cruise, but you should pay attention to the schedule for each day. Review your port excursions well in advance to make your selections and prepare for additional costs related to the available activities.
The Navigator App
Disney parks use My Disney Experience for guests to manage their vacations, but the cruises use The Navigator App. Download the app at home to manage your reservations and make payments. You can also check-in, book activities, and make special requests.
The Navigator App includes a chat feature that allows you to stay in touch with anybody on board. You can also access your itinerary, daily activities, ports of call, and any special offers.
Photo Packages
If you’d rather have pictures handled professionally, you can purchase the Our Cruise Photos ahead of time. You have until two days before your cruise to add it to your trip. There is even an option for a private photo session, and you can choose digital images, prints, or a photobook.
Prepare Your Travel Documents
Taking a Disney cruise is a bit different from visiting a park, especially if you choose a destination that leaves the United States. You need to make sure you have proper travel documents for your destination. Remember that some things, like passports, take time to secure.
Benefits of the Castaway Club
Every person who sails on a Disney Cruise is a Castaway Club member. The completion of your first cruise earns you silver status. After five cruises, you upgrade to gold status, and after ten cruises, you’re a platinum member. There are perks for each level, including early booking windows and complimentary gifts.
Tips for Saving Money on Your Disney Vacation
Like any vacation, you probably don’t want to go over budget. With proper planning and a little creativity, you should be able to check off most things on your to-do list.
Consider what is most important to you and your family. Try to find places where you can save a little money on your Disney vacation, so that you can splurge on other things.
Look at Purchasing a Package
Vacation packages can save you a lot of time and some money by bundling parts of your trip. If you know where you’d like to stay, you may be able to land a deal. A lot of deals depend on the time of year, so keep that in mind when seeking out packages.
Weigh Your Dining Options Carefully
There are enough food options at Disney parks to make your heads spin. From food carts to fine dining, you have more choices than you can imagine, but the costs can add up fast. There are a few ways to manage your food expenses.
If you purchased a vacation package, it probably included a Disney Dining Plan. There are different plans with a variety of options to fit your needs. These plans are especially helpful for people who prefer sit-down meals at restaurants.
Another option for cutting food costs is to bring food with you. Toss a few granola bars and some snacks in your backpack to help ease hunger throughout the day. With snacks on hand, you’ll also have more time to peruse the park and spend less time waiting for food.
Find the balance that works best for you. Think about snacking on your own food during the day and enjoying a nice meal in the evening.
Stay Offsite
There are a lot of perks to staying on a Disney property, but it comes with a price tag. Look into other resorts and hotels in the area with themes and transportation to the parks. Consider your list of must-haves for this vacation, where does staying at a Disney resort rate?
Seek Out Discounts for Tickets
There are gift cards for everything these days, and Disney is no exception. Members of wholesale clubs can find gift card bundles at a discount for some savings. You can also look at discount ticket vendors, but be very cautious and make sure the service is reputable.
Get Creative with Souvenirs
There are other places to purchase mouse ears and a whole lot more. Try the outlet malls in Orlando with Disney Character Warehouse stores to save you some money on souvenirs. Also, set a souvenir budget before you leave home. Use cash to pay for souvenirs and stick to your guns. Once the souvenir budget is gone, you’re done!
Enjoy Your Disney Vacation
Disney is not known as the most magical place on Earth for no reason. Thousands of people of all ages visit the parks daily to experience the wonder and excitement only Disney can deliver. If you hope to experience it for yourself, you have all of the tools you need to plan your vacation. Start planning that trip!