Hey there, Andrea, and welcome to planDisney!
planDisney is the official Disney site for all-things-Disney-vacation-planning, so we definitely have your back when it comes to dreaming up your next, big adventure. I’m just an everyday Central Florida mom who loves taking her kids to the Disney Parks, but my friends and I here at planDisney are more than happy to help you on your planning journey.
The first step is to explore the
Disney World website and resources. Learn as much as you can about the four theme parks, two water parks,
Disney Springs, and beyond. Download the
My Disney Experience app and explore, explore, explore. Once you’ve decided what your must-see and must-do attractions are, choose where you’d like your “home base” (your Disney Resort hotel) to be. For example, if you love shopping, I recommend that you stay near Disney Springs at Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West hotels. If you want to be able to walk to Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, maybe the Contemporary Resort is best.
Next, you’ll want to officially get a trip on the books. A
Disney World Vacation Package includes both theme park tickets and your hotel stay. During or after booking, you have the option to add on a prepaid
dining plan, too. Putting all of these options together is a better value and makes planning that much easier. And when you stay on property you qualify for
Early Theme Park Entry (entering theme parks up to 30 minutes before they open to everyone) and get access to complimentary transportation like the Disney Monorail, buses, and Skyliner.
When you reach the 60-days-before-arrival window, you can begin booking things like advance dining reservations and
Enchanting Extras. These special additions, like fireworks cruises, character dining experiences, and tours, really are like the cherries on top of an already magical trip.
AN EXTRA GEM: To get the most out of your theme parks days, I recommend that you reserve
Lightning Lane access (Single, Multi, or Premier Passes) up to 7 days before your vacation. This will let you pre-select rides to get onto faster than when in the regular standby queue.
I know that this may seem like a lot to plan, but it’s so much fun that it’s become one of the best parts of my vacation. Being able to dream about all of the new adventures in store for my family always puts a smile on my face. Andrea, if you have any other questions, please
revisit us here at planDisney.
Magic always,
LeAndra