Welcome to planDisney!
I am so glad that you sent this excellent question our way, as the one place I trust for all of my Walt Disney World planning information is the
official Walt Disney World website. I can be sure that there will be no hidden surprises, clearly defined cancelation policies should I need to change my reservation, some great discount opportunities, plus all of the official park hours, operational updates and, of course, direct access to
planDisney.
Looking to book a 2021 vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth? Head to
Walt Disney World's website, then hover your cursor over the "Places to Stay" tab.
Featured Items will appear in the dropdown box, so click on "View Special Offers" to see if anything there catches your eye. It's updated regularly, so check back from time to time to see when 2021 offers are available.
Next, hover again on the tab "Places to Stay" and note the various categories of Disney Resort Hotels, each one at different price points, featuring various amenities, dining opportunities, proximity to a particular park, and so much more. To get an idea of packages offered, select a category, then a hotel--
The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort , for example (one of our favorites!) and click on the Room Rates tab. Click "Check Availability" and enter the dates of your stay as well as the number of people in your party. Select either just the room rate or a package that includes theme park tickets for everyone in your group.
When a Fairy Godmother opens a chat box to see if you need any assistance, be sure to ask for guidance if you can't seem to find what you're looking for. They are so helpful!
Want a few informative overviews to guide your choices? Yup. That same website is your key. On
Walt Disney World's homepage, hover your cursor over the "Help & Rules" tab, and click on
planDisney. On that page, click on "Videos" at the top right, then begin watching some very helpful video tips made by my planDisney buddies. Start with "Walt Disney World First Time Visit Tips", then check out "Resort Hotel Tips and Benefits", followed by "Planning Tips for Magic Kingdom", and the additional "Planning Tips" videos for the remaining three parks. These will give you some idea of how long you'll want to stay, where you'll want to stay, and which parks you may find yourself visiting multiple times. At that point, you'll see an itinerary start to take shape, including where you'd like to call home during your vacation.
You can even book your trip right there on the website, including the ability to compare vacation offers when you click on your cart on the way to checkout. You'll notice the date by which you can make modifications or cancel without penalty, too, just below the price for your vacation offer. It's a magical place for one-stop shopping, and has been my go-to site when planning our own vacations for years!
Before you depart, be sure to download the super-helpful
My Disney Experience mobile app, too, so that all of those plans are located in the palm of your hand.
As you plan your positively pixie-dusted trip, be sure to send additional questions our way. We love to help!
Andrea