Hi Sarah. Welcome to planDisney!
I’m thrilled to help you plan your first visit to the Walt Disney World Resort, where there’s so much fun waiting for you around every corner! Planning a Disney trip can initially feel overwhelming, but if you break it down into smaller steps, it’ll be much easier to navigate. Let’s start by picking the best time of year for your visit. Remember that holidays,
EPCOT Festivals, and runDisney events are the busiest, so plan accordingly if you’re aiming for a more relaxed experience. From there, it’s helpful to explore the various
Disney Resorts Collection hotels and then consider the ticket types that best suit your family’s plans. Finally, you can decide whether a Disney dining plan fits your vision for meals and snacks throughout the parks.
Regarding where to stay, Disney Resorts Collection hotels offer four categories, each with unique themes and benefits.
Value Resorts, such as Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation, are the most budget-friendly and have fun, bold themes that appeal to younger kids and families.
Moderate Resorts offer a blend of affordability and extra amenities, like beautifully themed pools and additional complimentary transportation options. My favorite is Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. But for a truly unique and unforgettable experience,
Deluxe Resorts and
Deluxe Villas will provide luxurious accommodations, amazing proximity to the parks, and immersive theming—perfect for making every moment magical. The Deluxe Villas even have multi-room options, ideal if you want extra space or the convenience of a kitchenette or full kitchen. I'm a massive fan of Disney’s Beach Club Resort for Stormalong Bay, but my wife is a Grand Floridian girl...
Next up are
Theme Park Tickets, which come in a few varieties. The Base Ticket allows entry into one park per day and is a fantastic way to explore each park at a relaxed pace. If you want to maximize your day by hopping between parks, consider the Park Hopper Option, which lets you visit multiple parks in a single day. For water lovers, the Park Hopper Plus Option adds access to Disney’s water parks and other exciting experiences. You can customize your ticket package to match your family’s ideal vacation!
As for dining,
Disney’s dining plans make it easy to enjoy meals without budgeting each day. The Quick-Service Dining Plan includes two quick-service meals and a snack per night, perfect if you prefer casual dining on the go. For a wider variety of dining experiences, the Disney Dining Plan includes one quick-service, one table-service meal, and a snack per night. Both options also come with a Resort Refillable mug that you can use at your resort for unlimited coffee, tea, and soda refills.
If you have any questions as you plan,
don’t hesitate to come back and ask! I’d be happy to provide tips and recommendations for each of the steps mentioned above. For additional planning assistance, don’t forget to check out the
Vacation Planning tool and
planDisney’s Video Library!
Brent