Hey there, Katina!
You have picked a fa-la-la festive time to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth.
Your one-day pass will give you access to all of the holiday magic including rides, character sightings, and some amazing fireworks. You will only have to pay extra for things like food and special experiences, if you choose to.
You can purchase a one-day pass to
any of the four theme parks or you can purchase a Park Hopper pass to visit more than one park each day. If you are only visiting for one day, I think you can save a little money by not purchasing the Park Hopper pass. I also think that there is no place better to visit during the most wonderful time of the year than the
Magic Kingdom.
Now, I recommend that you purchase tickets directly through Walt Disney World's official website. In my experience I have not found a one-day ticket for a cheaper price on any third-party websites. To help keep your budget elf-sized, you can sometimes find discounted gift cards at your local stores. You can then use those gift cards to buy your tickets!
Katina, once your tickets are purchased, you will need to link them to your My Disney Experience account. Your
My Disney Experience account is where you will manage all of your plans for the day. It is also where you will make your Disney Park Pass system reservations.
Disney Park Pass system reservations are required for entry, along with your theme park ticket. But don't worry, they do not cost anything extra. Reservations do book up, and since you are visiting in December, I recommend that you make these reservations as soon as possible.
Oh and, Katina, make sure you download the
My Disney Experience Mobile App. This app will help you manage your family's plans on the go. You can also use it to make dining reservations and navigate your way through the park.
Katina, while Santa is busy working in his shop, Disney has been busy releasing a few new toys of their own, including the all-new
Disney Genie service. Disney Genie is free and can be found in the My Disney Experience App. You can use this new tool to select what attractions and shows your family is interested in and receive a custom itinerary just for you!
If you are looking for a way to reduce ride times, you can also add the Disney Genie+ to your theme park tickets. The Disney Genie+ will let you select certain attractions to enter using the
Lightning Lane, letting you skip the main standby line. If you do not choose to purchase this, do not worry. You will not receive any coal in your stocking. You can also pay to access the Lightning Lane for a few headline attractions without paying for the Genie+.
It is totally normal to feel a little overwhelmed in planning your magical day, but know that we are here to help. The best part of any day at Walt Disney World Resort is spending time with those you love.
Have a holly jolly time!
Sarah B.