Hey there, Frank!
Thanks for stopping by planDisney. Planning a Walt Disney World vacation starts with what you want out of your experience. Are you looking for a relaxing poolside getaway at a Resort hotel? Want to have thrilling adventures? Want a little bit of both? Once you have an idea of what you expect, you can really dive into the planning process.
Let’s start with how to actually book a trip. You always have the option of booking your trip with a Cast Member or a third-party Disney-authorized travel agent, but I like to book my Disney vacations on my own. And you can, too! Visit the
Disney Vacation Planning webpage and scroll down to “Explore Resort Hotels” to check date availability.
Staying on-property at a Disney Resort hotel is key to staying in the “Disney World bubble.” Being able to use free transportation options like Disney buses, using your
MagicBand+ or My Disney Experience app to enter your hotel room, getting
Early Theme Park Entry, and fully immersing yourself in the Disney magic are all proven to be convenient and enjoyable. Some guests like to be closer to the theme parks (e.g. the Contemporary hotel, BoardWalk Inn), while others like to be more secluded at hotels (e.g. Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans hotels).
After choosing your home base, you can add on multi-day theme park tickets and a
Disney dining plan to your vacation package. You’ll find value in having lower-priced tickets and peace of mind when eating prepaid meals around the Resort. As you may have seen, there are theme parks, water parks, and entertainment areas, all ready to enjoy. Magic Kingdom is where you’ll find
the Cinderella Castle, EPCOT feels like a year-round celebration with its iconic festivals, Animal Kingdom is a nature lover’s dream, and Hollywood Studios is where you can step into epic movies. Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, the BoardWalk area, and Disney Springs are fun to explore while on your trip, too.
AN EXTRA GEM: If you’re the type to want shorter lines for rides and experiences, I highly recommend purchasing Lightning Lane Multi and/or Single Passes in the
My Disney Experience app. This step of planning will be a lot closer to your arrival date—up to 7 days before if you’re staying on property. I especially like the
Lightning Lane Single Pass options because I’m a fan of highly popular rides like
TRON Lightcycle / Run and
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Frank, I just know that you’re going to have an amazing vacation at The Most Magical Place on Earth. All it takes is a bit of planning—and some pixie dust. And we’re here at planDisney to help with both pieces of the puzzle! Please
give us a holler if you have any other questions about Disney Destinations.
Magic always,
LeAndra